Birth and Death in Ten Minutes: A Miracle in Room 11 (4/4) By Ruth

(1/4), (2/4), (3/4), (4/4).

I was patiently explaining the case to a crowd of bewildered medical students and interns as we gazed through the observation window by the scrub sinks. 'The mortality rate for this diagnosis is anywhere from 70% to over 90% depending on who you read….' I realized I would soon have to inform the husband of this reality. 'I got a heart rate!' Lenny proclaimed in an audibly relieved voice. I waited for a few minutes to make sure the patient was not going to arrest again, and finally wandered back down the hall to speak with the husband.

Although both mother and child had technically died, they were now stabilized on their respective life support machines. I wasn't too optimistic that either of them would ever wake up, but I tend to be pessimistic in these situations. 16:30 While on the table in CT scan, the mother began regaining consciousness and started making efforts to communicate with staff. 'Unfriggin' believable!' I smiled at the technician.

Epilogue: The mother recovered fully, and was released from the ICU to a regular ward. She visited her daughter many times daily. The infant progressed nicely in her recovery as well. The mother left the hospital 5 days after surgery. While visiting one day, the mother told one of the doctors caring for her daughter, 'I saw everything that happened you know. I saw my baby born and I knew she was almost dead.' The pediatrician politely refrained from comment as the woman continued, 'I remember the anesthesiologist cursing when he broke my tooth.

And then I heard him cursing again when my heart stopped and he began chest compressions. I was watching the whole thing with my grandpa who has been dead for several years. And after we talked for a bit, grandpa told me to go back, so I did.' The baby girl was discharged home in excellent condition to the care of her parents a few weeks later. A few weeks after that, I resigned from 'doc-in-the-box'. I decided 24 hours away from my kids was just too long. But I still love Room 11. In numerology, 11 is considered a Master Number with mystical qualities. In Room 11, I learned a lesson about the miracles of life, death and the importance of family.

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