A Case of Miracles

A Case of Miracles

Libby Beemer talks about her daughter’s recovery from a devastating car wreck and the “meaning of Sam.”

This spring, surrounded by the doctors, nurses, firemen, and EMTs as well as family and friends, Sam Beemer celebrated her graduation from high school. Like many graduation parties, there were flowers, toasts, hugs, and tears. Her mother, Libby, looked on not only with pride but with gratitude and awe because, less than three years before, her daughter had been trapped in the passenger seat of a car, wrapped around a tree, severely injured and fighting to stay alive.

Who believes in miracles?

People often talk about miracles when it comes to recovery, especially those from traumatic brain injury. Maybe miracles do happen, or maybe they’re simply a combination of great hospital care, timing, love, and luck. But sometimes the universe leaves messages, whispers hints, and taps out fingers of light that convince at least a mother praying for her daughter’s life to believe in them.

First there were the responding EMTs who immediately recognized the severity of the accident when they arrived on scene. Thinking she may already be paralyzed as a result of the injuries but hoping she was not, the three EMTs worked quickly and in partnership to keep her alive. One EMT knew he had to hold Sam’s head steady from the back seat of the car as the other two worked to stabilize her from the front seat. A veteran emergency responder, he had seen many accidents involving teens over the years, many ending tragically. So he held her head still, vowing to do everything he could to prevent paralysis. At the same time, the fire department worked to pull the car from the tree. Unable to remove her from the passenger side due to the extensive car damage, and Sam’s fragile condition quickly deteriorating, the three EMTs had no choice but to bend and twist her body in order to pull her out of the driver’s side door. They had to get her out quickly, onto the waiting LifeFlight for transport to the hospital. They did just that and watched as LifeFlight raced to the hospital, with Sam onboard and alive. Whisper one…

Four life-threatening injuries. Severely critically injured. Multiple skull fractures. Traumatic brain injury. Dissected right carotid artery. Multiple bone fractures. Punctured lung. Bi-lateral breaks of the pelvis. She’s stable but we’re not sure what is going to happen. These were the words used by the ER trauma physician to describe Sam’s condition. He also said she is young and strong, and survived the accident as well as the trip to the hospital, which was significant. Hint 2…

Individually, the injuries warranted their own course of medical attention, including surgery. Collectively, these treatments were not an option. The brain trauma and dissected carotid trumped all other injuries and their treatments. Surgery to repair the pelvis and broken bones could not be performed. Eight weeks later, x-rays showed that the bones had knitted back to together, straight and perfect, all by themselves, indicating Sam would be able to walk again. Whisper 3….

Perhaps the loudest whisper of all was the craniotomy. Seven days into her coma, Sam’s brain began to swell. To save her life, an emergency craniotomy had to be performed. As she was wheeled into the OR, Sam’s mom kissed her goodbye, just in case. Devastating news, the PICU medical staff who tirelessly cared for Sam around-the-clock for days were affected as much as the family. While Sam was in surgery, hugs and tears were shared. A few hours later waiting in Sam’s room, her mom heard a PICU nurse say, “She’s coming back.” Sam’s mom looked at the clock and realized it was very early in the morning and it was Sam’s 16th birthday. She was coming back to her PICU room at nearly the same time she was born 16 years earlier.

Thumbs-up

The PICU staff at Mercy Children’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio said they had never had a patient like Sam with so many injuries. Many hospital departments and physicians were involved in her care, requiring significant coordination and on-going communication.

But in the grand scheme of severe brain injury when recovery seems glacial and every Lilliputian step forward a victory to be celebrated, Sam’s recovery occurred with downright celerity. Fifteen days after the accident, after her brain started to swell and show little activity, after her family was told that if she survived they should expect extensive brain damage causing significant cognitive deficits and physical challenges including not being able to talk, walk, eat, or breath on her own, she surfaced. A nurse asked her to give a sign if she could hear her. Everyone in the room was stunned as Sam raised her right thumb in the air. “I asked her if she knew I was her mom,” says Libby. “The thumb went up again and I knew in that moment that Mercy had given me back my daughter.”

Talk and touch

Often during Sam’s recovery, especially during those first days and weeks when the ground felt like eggshells under her feet, Libby was asked by friends how she was keeping it all together. “What is there to say?” she says. “You have no choice. You are the mother, the caregiver, the protector. You have to absorb as much information as you can from the doctors and nurses, read, do internet research … and you have to insist on being partners with the medical team.” What also helped, she says, was talk and touch. “I talked to Sam nonstop. I told her to be strong, to breathe, to know that we were all in this with her. I stayed positive and made sure every single person who was in her room talked to her, not over her. We’d tell her what was going on in the world. We’d read to her. Her friends would tell her about chemistry class or the cute boy of the moment. We’d also touch her — rub her feet, hold her hand, stroke her face with love.”

Her brother, Nick, 9 at the time of Sam’s crash, had a difficult time seeing his sister still and silent, attached to snaking tubes and beeping machines. At first, he was hesitant to touch her. Nick is a tough boy who loves his sister very much. He has a face full of freckles and a sensitive heart,” says Libby. “We tried to keep things as normal as possible for Nick. Their father and I are divorced, but we work as a strong team for the kids, so during all the time Sam was in the hospital, we switched off every 24 hours so that one parent was with Sam, the other with Nick.” Now, the siblings are buddies, they look after each other. They have a bond, Libby says, that is stronger than ever.

Support group

For many people in the wake of a brain injury, one of the many challenges to overcome involves the social aspect of daily life. Fitting in, especially in high school, is important. Coming from a small high school, Sam knew everyone. Her friends and others were there for her. They visited Sam in the hospital, bringing flowers, stuffed animals, and girl gossip. As Sam focused on her recovery and intensive rehabilitation, time between visits with friends grew longer. As often happens in life, people change and move on. Although social interaction with many of her high school friends has been limited, Sam has forged a stronger bond with her family. “Sam is a much stronger person,” says Libby. “Sam, Nick, and I do a lot of fun things together. We’re a unit.”

That said, friends from Sam’s elementary school have re-connected to support her. She’s also made many new friends while staying at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus for rehab. “They understand each other. They know what challenge means,” says Libby.” I think Sam will have some of these friends forever.”

Sam is also heading off to college at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in the fall. After missing almost a full year of school but still managing to graduate with her class, Sam is looking forward to a new start. “Sam and I have given a few presentations about traumatic brain injury at BGSU among other places so she’s already made some friends there,” says Libby. “They’ve told her they can’t wait till she starts, and that they’ll look out for her.”

TBI is forever

“I never coddled Sam during her recovery,” says Libby. “Instead I tried to support her.” When Sam would have a bad day and ask “why me?” questions, her mother would remind her of some of her much worse off friends back in rehab and say that despite her ongoing challenges, she is incredibly lucky to be alive. “I tell her that I have no idea what she is going through, but we’re going to get through it together. I know she will take this experience and do something great with it to help others.”

Sam has no vision on the left side of both her eyes, a condition called hemianopsia. She also continues to have weakness and reduced functionality on her left side, especially her arm and hand. She suffers from recurring headaches, and in early 2014, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s, an autoimmune disease.  “We continue to deal with these issues and seek help,” says Libby. “It’s one slow, but steady step at a time.”

When asked what advice she would give other parents in similar situations, Libby does not hesitate. “I’d say be as strong and resilient as you can be; you’ll find that you have more reserves than you could ever have imagined. You either embrace it all or let it crush you. It’s as simple as that,” she says. She adds that being a relentless advocate for your child is crucial, learning to prioritize and be forgiving of yourself, and lastly to listen to your gut. “Your intuition is your best guide,” she says. The hardest part is taking the time to pause and listen to it, she says, especially in the maelstrom of acute care.

Listener of God

You’d think that Libby and her two kids would avoid the road — the crunch of gravel on the meandering turns and the sight of the tree — that changed their lives, but they don’t. In fact, they drive it every day on the way to bring Nick to school. “I guess in many ways it’s a good reminder for me that life is short and to embrace every moment,” says Libby. “If I’m stressing about something, I see the tree and I’m instantly less stressed. It serves as a reminder to keep things in perspective.”

Sam’s big graduation fete is over. The table center pieces were vases of asters — Sam’s birth flower. The words chosen as the party’s theme to represent Sam’s journey — valor, faith, and strength — have taken on new meaning for the 300-plus guests who attended. And Libby, who finds comfort in knowing that her daughter’s name, Samantha, means “listener of God,” has let spring slip deliciously into summer like a sweet breeze, familiar and comforting.

Posted on BrainLine June 4, 2014.

Comments (22)

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What an amazing testimony... I have a similar testimony- I was in a car accident and suffered a TBI when I was 12. I have a degree in architecture now, live on my own, have a career.

Hello, I received my TBI when I was 12 in a car wreck, some docs never gave believed I'd be out but miracles do happen through prayer like you say. That was in 1992 and now I have a degree in architecture and own my own house. I had to be on disability for a little while and it took me a long time to get on it for whatever reason but everything is good now. I hope all is going well for you! God bless :)

After a viscous attack, my husband suffers stroke concussion and traumatic brain injury TBI
denied all social Services and no work comp doctor, wife kept husband alive with love and food and diligently began cognitive a d physical rehab at home. 4 months later he spoke. 16 months later the swelling on left temple reduced. Finally. My husband is a TBI MIRACLE. Retirement is better than death Thank Lord God Almighty and all of his messengers. In Jesus name we PRAY FOR EVERYONE

What a great testimony to healing from TBI and all that comes along with that. I am coming up on the one year anniversary of my TBI. It is the worst and greatest thing that has happened to me. I am a better person because I appreciate the beauty of life. It has taught me how strong I am. I wish you the best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much for your miracle story. My daughter was hit by a car on August 23, 2012. She had her 16th bday that same year on Oct 3. She had the bone flap procedure and several serious fractures. One of which was her C1 vertebrae, so we worried about paralysis too. At this date, she can't yet walk alone. She has missed two years of high school and her class graduated without her this June. We look forward to seeing her graduate and go off to college. We are praying for this long coming miracle as well. Your hints and whispers remind me of ours. We were also told to expect a poor recovery. We have been by her side 24/7 for almost 2 years. Her sister was 12 and it has been so hard for her

HI, I am sorry to hear about your daughter and was wondering how she is doing now?

Libby I can completely relate to your thinking and feelings! My daughter had a very bad wreck and was in a coma for 18 days and has a TBI , eye issues, and had other injuries as well. During her senior year of high school. Now 3 years later, she is in college and has improved leaps and bounds. I will pray for her college experience but remind her she can do it, look at what she has all ready been through. This is what my daughter and I say when she is struggling with a course. I have told my daughter that God has a purpose for her and that is why we have been blessed with all these miracles. So from one miracle to another, best of wishes with all the future holds!
A beautiful and encouraging story of maternal love and resilience. Two amazing women. Wishing Sam every success in her bright future.
Continued faith, hope and love to you all. My son, Sam is 17 and continues to recover from a TBI due to a brain tumor that was removed in December 2011. God Bless!
Believe in Miracles? My answer is yes and no. We have 3 members of our family who were injured at different times by different mechanisms. My adult daughter, rear ended sustained a severe whiplash. This resulted in seizure and manifestation of TBI symptoms. 6 months later I was struck by a car . I was a pedestrian , awoke from a 2 week coma with a severe TBI. Poor prognosis , and severe post brain injury residual damage and physical limitations. With support from family, work colleagues and year long rehab able to relearn everything. Eventually coming to terms accepted medical retirement. Being 62 it was time and still hard. In the beganning I read about others, and discovered facebook, which open the world of TBI and Awareness. The most healing aspect, is not what me , but OK, it has happen, now how to work with it and educate others , care providers. The third member is my 44 year old broth who we suspect was assaulted, resulting in brain blled, death pending respiration and potential herniation of his brain. My wife received and emergency phone call from neurosurgeon who was willing to save him by opening the skull. After 3 visits to ICU, a bout of pneumonia, complicated by collapse lung and MRSA infection he recovered exceptionally well , except his residual seizures. HE has decrease use of his right hsand, partIAl temporal and frontal lobectomy and decision and cognitive difficulty. Realilisticall it was Medical Technology that brought use back and research will assist. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IN HOPE. A strong advocate is greatly important, for the three of use it is my Wife. Articles like this and those that share in Facebook are educational, awe inspiring and reminds use that are survivors there is someone else out there that has experience worse and over came the adversity. Thank you for sharing and cudos to your daughter. She has a brave soul!
Your story hit so close to home for me. My daughter was in a car accident in Oct. 2012 and was in a coma for 2 weeks with a TBI. She will be a senior this year. I love to read about other TBI miracle survivors.
What a very similar story!! February 8, 2013 was the day (2:47 pm) I will never forget. Our stories share the same love, prayers, perseverance, gut instinct, patience and I have so many other adjectives!!! But thru it all, every day when I come home from school I look at Madeline and thank God for the miracle in front of me!! We are only (ONLY) seventeen months out!! TBI's are ugly, but time does heal. I still freeze in my steps when I hear and see a helicopter go by. Still. To know that all those little "whispers" or "hints"were there for a reason. And so very appreciative for my family, friends and my church who thru this all carried me at times when I crumpled. As your story- "to be continued". Stay well. We as mothers gone thru this are in a whole different sorority.Thank you for sharing your story. We each have our own special miracle!!
Hi Libby I too am a parent of a child who was in a car accident that resulted in a severe TBI. Our nightmare happened August 17, 2006. It will be 8 years and we still struggle. He has overcome many obstacles but daily he has many challenges. One of our twins has really been effected by the whole trauma. Matt was 8 years old when the accident occurred. Jeremy came with a whole new personality. He was a monster. Screaming, yelling, throwing things for a 8 year old child to observe their brother just change was very devestating. I asked for help thru the schools and therapist. For everyone to tell me he was ok and his brother had a trauma. He needs to learn how to cope. Well for many years I begged and begged for help with Matt. He now is 16 he was taken away from us a year ago after getting into trouble with the law. He is now in a resedential facility getting a lot of therapy. He suffers from Major depression and PTSD. A TBI affects everyone in the family not just the injured. As a mother I have blamed myself "if only". I was focused on caring for Jeremy and trying to shelter the twins from the daily ups and downs. It has been a horrible roller coaster. No one understands what family goes thru after a TBI hits them. It is a life changing event.

Congratulations Sam on your high school graduation and great success to you in college! My son has a TBI from a fall 3 years ago. Coma for 3 weeks, rehab for months. He finished college and is now living and working on his own in a "real world" job :) You can do it! It may take you a bit longer, my son finished college with a reduced class load so it took a bit longer--but he finished with honors.

Libby, so very true~ we're the mother's--what else are we to do except stay strong and do what our child needs. Us falling apart doesn't help them.

Both miracles and the incredible work of many medical professionals get patients to their best. Thanks for another great inspiring article.

Thank you, Libby. You and your daughter are truly inspirational and amazingly blessed. My daughter was struck by a motorcycle 2 years ago and suffered a severe TBI. She had a right hemicraniectomy within hours of her accident. In addition to the TBI, she also had bleeds and hypoxia (lack of oxygen to her brain)...leading to atrophy (death) of a significant portion of her brain.

Her recovery has been painfully slow. Her deficits are severe. I will not list them because I am choosing to focus on the positive. The hope that I and my family have is a result of stories just like your Sam's story. The miracles that we have seen have been small and great. I laugh and cry every day...but still I don't give up.

Without hope, what do we have? Thank you, Libby and Sam...for your story of hope and miracles!

My son had an acquired brain injury/AVM rupture with a similar, but longer, medical journey. He is finishing his high school and looking at programs that will put him on a college campus in the hopes of eventually matriculating. All of your success stories build hope in those of us trying to see our children to the next phase of recovery. Thank you for helping your children achieve so that you might give those of us needed strength to continue on behalf of our children. One question, do any of you know of specific college programs that have an awareness of the academic needs of students with TBI and the supportive programming to address such needs?
I have a sister with severe brain damage. I'm hoping for a miracle. Doctors don't want do anything anymore. We believe she can hear us. Today she cried and cried as mom talked to her. The nurses saw but the doctors won't move forward because they didn't see her. How do I find great doctors that believe in miracles?

It seems the question is that of who suffers most...... In your case Sam seems to be doing well and has amazing resources both within and without...

The complexity with TBI lays in the number of minute biological reactions and the Brain's potential elasticity.... My husband was diagnosed with Frontal Lobe Atrophy, 8 months after i left him as his behavior had deteriorated to the point of affecting our 9 year old Son in ways I felt overbearing..... I had no idea what was causing these erratic absurd and aggressive behaviors.... I now understand, but, by nature, bvFTD victims, do not perceive their changes in behavior, rather it seems the elasticity of the brain searches for ways to be rewired so as to keep functioning as much as possible while the atrophied part of the brain keeps shrinking.... As a mother and wife, it is challenging beyond anything i ever lived through to face the indifference of a father who still looks the part but simply feels nothing for his son.... emotions are halted by FTD, yet aggression persists, which is confusing as i had always believed "aggression" to be an emotional response, but it seems to be something else...... aggression may be an instinct, rather than an emotional expression. But i am still very confused as to how an apathetic human can still exhibit what seems like hate...... how does the brain's elasticity re-rout itself to lift all emotions yet allow for what seems to be cruel behavior.............. it seems my husband now gets a thrill out of frightening others and creating misery. He cannot hold a conversation, but for the first 2 or 3 minutes may seem simply busy, not much may seem odd, other than his level of agitation.... unable to stand still, short attention span, now about a minute, then needs to break odd jokes at the expnse of anyone, needs to fiddle with something, and then suddenly leaves in the middle of a conversation............ it began slowly over 5 years ago, it is now critical, and terrifying for my son to witness.......... hence my departure. Is anyone going through something similar...?

My 40 year old son suffered a TBI from a car accident on Dec 14, 2016. He was in a coma for roughly 2 months and doctors in 2 hospitals wanted us to disconnect his feeding tube and let him go. My husband and I spent every day talking to him and sitting with him. We saw signs that he was there, a thumbs up, a quick eye open but the doctors never saw what we saw. He is now in rehab and speaking, learning to walk. He can read, write, do math, read the clock and it is a true miracle after only 3 months. My advice is do not listen to the doctors if you see signs that the patient is in there. I kept a log and took videos and the doctors still did not believe us. Parents please, follow your gut. Miracles do happen so don't give up, I'm so glad we didn't.
I suffered acute kidney failure due to a toxin. I had respiratory arrest and was put in a medically induced coma. I lost all cognitive ability and could not speak or walk or even sit up. My brain slowly recovered and I regained all my abilities. It took months and my doctors said it was incredible after being so close to death. This was 15 years ago and I have a normal life now with no side affects. Miracles do happen.

I know the feeling. I suffered a severe brain injury and was in intensive care for over a week. 15 days after my brain injury, I was discharged from Hospital.

Hi Libby,

It is heart warming and re assuring to read about Sam's miraculous recovery. Sam is very beautiful and my best wishes to her.

My brother had a brain haemorrhage about 10 days ago and was on his path to recovery but 3 days ago he had a major setback with another cerebral bleed and underwent craniotomy. Ever since he is unconscious and has only responded to physical stimulus. We are hoping for a miracle and any help, contacts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Anjali W