Crystal’s Story

Watch this video on YouTube: Crystal

The Best of a Terrible Situation

Crystal Ayers—wife, mother of four, and teacher at Piqua Central Intermediate School, was out running with a friend, as was her routine—this time training for a half marathon, and her friend, a full marathon.

They were at a crosswalk when they saw a stopped truck. Thinking the driver saw them, they proceeded to cross. But the truck “nudged slowly” forward, Crystal recalls. To alert the driver, her friend hit a window of the truck. The instant before the truck hit Crystal, she warned her friend, “He doesn’t see us!”

CareFlight flew Crystal from the scene to Miami Valley Hospital’s Level I Trauma Center. She was unresponsive. Based on her vital signs and her visual appearance, the flight nurse determined she was bleeding internally and started transfusing blood.

The trauma team’s most immediate concern, on her arrival, was her low blood pressure due to internal bleeding. They continued blood transfusions, put Crystal on advanced monitors, and watched as her blood pressure began to rise.

Further examination found blood in her abdomen, broken ribs, and a pelvis fracture, a source of significant internal bleeding. The trauma team stabilized her pelvis with a pelvic binder, allowing them to obtain clear CT images of the pelvic fracture. Due to her substantial injuries, Crystal underwent five orthopedic surgeries. After spending 16 days in the hospital, she entered a rehabilitation facility before returning home.

About the care she received, Crystal says, “Everyone was great. It was almost sad leaving. They made me feel at home and made a terrible situation much better.” That included one of her nurses washing her hair, and another painting her nails, to help her and husband Ben celebrate their anniversary when she was still in the trauma unit. “Just so sweet.”

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If you or a loved one needs emergency or trauma care, our teams of specially trained doctors and nurses are here to help. At Premier Heath, we quickly assess your condition and provide the care and treatment you need.

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