Most people don’t survive car accidents like the one that nearly took Cory Suits’ life.
The last thing he remembers is sitting in the middle of the back seat of the car he was riding in, looking down and then seeing the street light. "A couple seconds later we were all upside down fighting for our lives," he says about his horrific car accident on April 20, 2007.
The Indiana University Health LifeLine team transported Cory to the Level I Trauma Center at IU Health Methodist Hospital. His kidneys, spleen and pancreas and most of his liver were gone. Though it took years to recover after being catastrophically injured at age 18, Cory survived thanks to his hospital care. "They brought me back from sheer death," Cory says.
He has a hard time remembering the first part of his hospital stay, which still remains a bit foggy. "You don’t have an official wake up date when you’re in a coma," jokes Cory. "I remember waking up six, seven times." Every time, Cory says, someone would remind him that he was in a safe place and that his parents were near by. When Cory finally awoke for good, he looked down and saw a softball-size puncture hole in his chest. He tried to let out a scream but couldn’t because of the breathing tube in his mouth. For the next 225 days, Cory stayed in the hospital trying to relearn how to talk, walk and do other basic human functions.
"When you lose who you are, it’s a horrible feeling and you are really scared," Cory says "The doctors took extra time. They had big hearts and could have easily treated me like a number. Everyone took time, the doctors, the nurses, even the janitorial staff. Everyone took time to see how I was doing."
They also pushed Cory. "They didn’t take it easy on me," he said. "They gave me obstacles they knew I could overcome or I could overcome with time." When Cory wanted a drink of water and motioned with his hands for a drink, his nurses asked him to speak instead. His first phrase came after his father showed up in the hospital after a stressful day. Both like classic rock and Cory channeled his inner Peter Frampton and asked "Do You Feel Like We Do?," making both of them laugh.
Over time, Cory began to talk and walk again, thanks in much part to Timonthy Pohlman, the trauma doctor on call the day of his car accident. "He gave me hope when no one else could," Cory says about Dr. Pohlman. "He gave me my life and so much more. I’ve adopted him into my family." Cory says he’ll never forget how Dr. Pohlman gave his personal cell number to him "just in case anything happened."
"He let me call him," Cory says and "he’d sit down and talk with me as long as I had a question that needed to be answered. Normally a trauma physician wouldn’t take that kind of time."
Cory had already been in the hospital for four months, struggling to stay positive "since there was no sign of things letting up" when Dr. Pohlman helped to keep his hope alive. "I think I’m going to prescribe something," Dr. Pohlman told Cory. Shortly afterwards, his tiny white bichon frise dog named Mojo appeared wrapped in blanket at the hospital. "He helped save my life because if you’re not mentally there you’re not going to make it; you’ve got to have morale booster and he did that for me," says Cory, who is now 23 years old and lives at home. "I’ll never go to another hospital besides Methodist. I love that place; it is my second home. Of course, I wish I never got to learn it that way. You’ll never catch me going to another hospital again."
- Posted: 06/21/2011
- Categories: Stories, Patient Stories, Stories of Strength
- Tags: iu health, the strength it takes
- This article has 6 comments below…
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Cory, I remember all to well sitting and holding your hand while you were in a coma, wondering if I would get a chance to ever come to know the man I raised my son to be. God, prayers, faith and hope, our family embraced. The Suits family would like to thank the IU Methodist Health team for saving our son and brother. From the nurses who helped us prepare our younger sons to visit and understand their brothers condition with such tenderness, to the nurses who forfeited their breaks to work with Cory , keep him rotated and engaged to physical response. Our list is endless and your appreciation is so great. So as you go through your days and at times you wonder if anyone notices the patience, care, and concern you hold for each patient and each situation, well rest assured that you are thought of daily with much admiration. To the outstanding doctors who guided Corys care, the nurses who helped our family learn about Adult Critical Care, to the LPN’s, Patient Care, the cooks and custodian staff that included Cory in their daily prayers. Our sincerest thanks. And finally to Cory. Two parents could not be prouder of the obstacles you had to face and the determination in which you hit them head on. So as I wondered if I would ever come to know the man I raised my son to be? Well, lets just say that Grandpa Heath would be so proud, as am I. Thank you to all our family, friends and community! Your nothing short of amazing*** Love, John, Della , Ross, Jackson, and Spencer Suits
Dear Suits Family,we all knew you were a special family. Only special souls can make it through a tragedy like that and make something wonderful from it.Now that you have went through this. The rest should be a piece of cake. Thanks for reminding us that anything is possible if you believe. Love and Friends, The Gaineys
I’ve told Cory many times that this accident could not be the only thing that defined who he was. He is meant for great things and this blog is proof of that. He came out the back of this stronger, more humble and more determined. Each of you know what you mean to our family. We could not ask for better friends or for Della and I, truer sisters. Life is a journey, both good and bad, but we become stronger because of it.
Cory has always stayed in my heart, he is such a special kid! It is so nice to see Cory back to being Cory. I think his message, not just about IU Hospital (which I agree is the place to go if you need medical attention) but also about fighting for your life and making good choices is so powerful. Cory, I’m so glad I met you and so glad you are still here. God bless!
John - I did not know your son was in such a horrible accident that could have claimed his life. Your wife was right when she said that call was a parent’s worst nightmare! But, I can also see God’s work too. You and your wife’s faith in God’s miracles I’m sure played a large part in Cory’s healing process. I’ve been told that God does not ‘cause’ bad things to happen to us, but when they do, he will turn those bad experiences into something good. Your family has truly been blessed! You and Della must be wonderful parents. God’s blessings to you both always.
To Cory,John,and Della,i want u all to know how touching this was daddy called me tonite and told me to go watch,and i have sat and got teary eyed,IT IS GREAT,U R A MIRACLE,AND GOD STILL HAS PLAN FOR U,AND I KNOW U ALL THANK HIM EVERYDAY,God is GREAT..Cory u r a very strong willed man,and even though i have only seen u twice i feel like i have known u forever,and Taylor and I think whole alot of u guys,and love u all..we will never forget u all inviting us in your home for supper that nite that we was in indiana,u guys will never know how much we enjoyed it,and will never forget u guys,and Taylor will never forget the ride u took her in your big truck she says…we LOVE YA GUYS…ALWAYS REMEMEBR U R A ANGEL,AND HE HAS BIG PLANS FOR U,SO HANG IN THERE AND WE WILL SEE YA REAL SOON!!!