Life is a gift that I treasure.

On Feb 22, 2011 the USA Today included me in a story about near death experiences changing people. In the article I was quoted: "Life is a gift, meant to be enjoyed, pursued and shared. Failure happens, but life and health are worth so much more."

For me, my "near-death" experience came almost two decades ago.... and I thought/prayed that one was enough. Seriously, who could have that kind of experience again?

The very next day after that article ran, I was pursuing life with vigor when I was critically injured skiing. I am so grateful to still be alive, grateful to have family and dear friends, and grateful I will someday recover to appreciate another day spent pursuing life with them.

Here's the full story of my skiing accident 2/23/11:

Wed morning about 9:35, Breckenridge, peak 7, near the bottom of groomed blue run.
Clear blue skies, no wind.
Skiing with Larry Douglas (no relation) and his step father.
First run of the day. I was wearing a helmet.

The last thing I remember was cruising down through long arcing turns, following Larry. Came over a small knoll and saw moguls to the left and a groomed run to the right with a tall, padded, permanent snowmaker dividing the two sides of the run. There was a 5' elevation drop down to the mogul side. Usually I turn on the back side of obstacles. I didn't want to be carrying air into those moguls so I started a right turn to head to the smooth side.

I remember having to turn quickly, given I couldn't see this thing when I was above the knoll, and then seeing that snowmaker coming at me in an bad way. I was trying to avoid this thing but couldn't. There was nothing I could do to change my course. The next thing I remember is ski patrol shouting "Don't get up. Don't get up. You're on a backboard with a neck brace." They rolled me over and into the ski patrol sled. All I could see was blue sky and the chair lift above me.

From here things are blurry for me. Learning the facts has stirred some memory, but the whole day seems about 15 minutes long.

Rode down in the sled to Breck emergency center. I made no sense to the staff there. Had very little memory of basic facts like my age, day of the week, and where I was. The pic below is me, still with ski garb on, at the Breck ER.

So, they put me in an ambulance and took me to St. Anthony's Summit Hospital in Frisco where I was given chest xrays and a ct scan with contrast of my torso and neck.

The ER doctors were calm until those results came back. The fractured ribs they could deal with; a collapsed lung at that altitude meant that I was getting a chest tube and a ride to Denver in a helicopter (Flight for Life). Dr. explained to me why and everyone was rushing around.

I remember looking at the Dr. and asking "Is this serious?" and he answered something to the effect of "Yes, very serious sir. We have to get to down to Denver immediately". I'm thinking a few broken ribs shouldn't be a big deal, and instead I get a life-threatening situation speech from the senior doc there.

In a hurry, they stripped me down, started 3 IV's, stuck on the EKG monitors, etc. then put me under anestesia (for the chest tube insertion). While I was under they took me to the roof to put me in the helicopter with a trauma nurse, a surgeon, and several pints of blood in a cooler. I woke up as they were trying to figure out how to get my feet to fit under the pilot's seat; guess they're not used to 6'5" passengers.

I could barely stay awake for the 20 minute flight but the nurse was clear that I could not fall asleep. "Don't focus on the rotors out the roof window because it'll make you puke", I was told. With ear protection on, strapped to a backboard, I focused out the window at the blue sky in order to keep my eyes open. I couldn't see a single mountain but I was told the view was beautiful.

The chopper landed at St. Anthony's Central and before the rotors fully stopped the crew got me out and onto a hospital gurney. A quick elevator ride down to the ER later, there was a flurry of activity around me. Two doctors and about 4 nurses took the "hand off" after the ER Dr. that flew with me presented the case and answered questions.

Summary diagnosis:
Concussion
Pulmonary contusion
Mediastinal hematoma
3 fractured ribs, left side
Fractured sternum
Fractured clavicle & separation
Acidosis
Collapsed lung
Torn labrum
MCL damaged

The latest set of doctors did more tests and scans. I went in and out of consciousness without much recollection. Apparently I texted immediate family and made a few phone calls. It was very hard to speak due to cognitive struggle. This pic is me, in the ER.

Was pleasantly surprised to see visitors while I was in the ER. I remember friends laughing/talking and thinking "This sounds like a nice party. Wish I was standing up and could be part of it!" There were pictures taken and abundant humor/conversation filled the room from some very special people. They asked questions of the doctors who frequently checked on my status.

Was admitted to an ICU room later that night. Diet was restricted to nothing (IV fluids only) in case they had to do chest surgery, so I was resolved to being hungry.

At the ICU shift change my new nurse was Tom. Tom was the motivator. He came into the room and informed me that by the end of his shift I would be upright, without a neck brace, walking around, off the IV pain pump, and eating solid food. I remember him saying "You're gonna do this or I'm gonna kick your ass". I laughed and it worked. Tom was right and everything he predicted came true.

I'll skip the details and go to bullet points from here:
Speech pathologist administered a challenging test in ICU that I was surprised I passed.
Neck brace removed Thursday mid morning.
Had several visitors while I was in ICU. Special people exhibited patience and spent the day with me.
Was moved to a normal room Thursday afternoon when it was determined no surgery would be required.
Had many more visitors while I was in this room. Visitors made time fly and pain diminish.
Friday was painful, slow, arduous, exhausting day. Reality and whiplash set in on top of coming off IV pain meds.
Was cleared Fri evening by physical therapy after learning how to stand, walk, and conquer the stairs.
Saturday morning was told it'd be another day in the hospital for me, but by noon I had improved so much they took out the chest tube. At 4 PM the xray showed the lung stayed inflated and in position so they released me at 5:00.

I am so grateful that I was able to walk out of the hospital that day. God is good. Thank you, God.

I am grateful for family and to the special people that came to visit and that pitched in to help during this mess. I cannot thank you all enough.

After being told several times by surgeons and nurses that I should be paralyzed or dead, the emotions and feelings of walking out the doors of that hospital in any condition were overwhelming.

Life is a gift. I am blessed.

--- Bill Douglas

P.S. Please pardon the improper grammar and broken English. I was going for brevity.