Three days ago my fifteen year-old niece, Elise was involved in a horrendous car accident, being thrown from the vehicle and suffering a compression injury and fracture in her lower spine. She has had two surgeries, including a seven hour ordeal today to fuse three of her vertebra. Tonight, she is in I.C.U. in critical condition and in for the fight of her tender, young life. It’s way too soon to tell what degree of sensation or function she might regain. I saw the x-rays tonight. It was a bad injury.
Blessedly, all others involved are doing very well.
I’ve spilled more than a little ink on this blog over the withholding of critical care resources from humans who have been judged unworthy of them, and for a moment, I would like to praise the medical staff at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia who have shown how wonderful medicine can be, who have lavished their care on this special young girl. Teams of neurosurgeons, cardiologists, internists, nurses, therapists, social work, pastoral care, have descended on Elise and given her a level of technology, medicine, and loving care that are unrivaled anywhere. Her I.C.U. nurse this evening, Marie, met with the overwhelming approval of my wife who is a very accomplished PICU/NICU nurse.
When it’s done well, it is a spectacular sight to behold. Elise’s care is nothing short of a symphony of modern medicine.
She’s the kind that everyone in medicine fights a little harder for. She’s young, beautiful, bright, deep, soulful. She has it all before her, and if this course of action should not produce the hoped-for outcome, then Regina and I will pursue adult stem cell therapy for her. Time is on this little one’s side.
As for the bioethical work I’m doing with so many great people, the task before us is to get the medical community back on track, to restore the appreciation for the fact that those not as healthy, or beautiful, or bright, or deep, also share the same fundamental dignity as Elise. They contribute in ways that are radically different than my niece’s, and are just as deserving of the lavish care Elise has received.
That, however, is a fight for another day. For now, we have a beloved child of the family in the fight of her very young life, and she needs us as well. The blogging may be very light over the next two weeks as we circle the wagons.
On behalf of my family, I’d like to thank everyone who responded with prayers on FB last night. They are the best medicine of all, and carried this very badly injured child through a grueling surgery today with no complications. She remains critical, but very stable, and given the extent of her injuries, there is no doubt that the prayers are carrying her through.
I have a new pro-life endeavor that I’ll be announcing next week, but in the interim Regina and I just wanted to say thank you again for all the prayers.
God Bless.
UPDATE 9/10/11: PROGRESS! Read about it here.
Coming Home 
your family and she, are in our prayers world wide! +neil
Thanks so much, Father.
God bless you all and keep you. The world can wait; take care of your daughter.
Dr. Nadal: I am so sorry to hear of your beautiful Elise’s tragic accident. Thank God there are people such as you described caring for her and others who suffer. I am by no means in the medical field, however, I have taken care of very sick family members and know of the agony to which you speak seeing a loved one suffering. Know that your family and Elise will be in our daily prayers before our Eucharistic Lord in a very special way. We pray the traditional Benedictine office and will include her in those offerings each day for her quick recovery. It sounds like she and the rest of her family will face some additional challenges as God wills during her recovery. I have a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and will also include Elise in my devotions to Our Lady. God bless you.
Praying for her, Gerard, and for all of you!
ALL MY LOVE to you and Regina… and your entire family! I made my son aware of Elise, and asked him to keep her on his mind. God can’t resist the prayer request of a child! Hugs!
I’m so sorry to hear of the accident. You all will be in my prayers-both for her complete healing but also for wisdom for the many decisions that have to be made on her behalf. And prayers for all of your family for strength and faith.
Jen Brown
Praying for Elise!!
You and your family are in my prayers.
Dr. Nadal, my prayers go out for you and your family and your precious niece. May God heal her completely!
the task before us is to get the medical community back on track, to restore the appreciation for the fact that those not as healthy, or beautiful, or bright, or deep, also share the same fundamental dignity as Elise.
God bless you, Dr. Nadal. Your niece is in my prayers.
You will meet angels there dressed as doctors and nurses. They will care for her and for you. My prayers are given to Our Blessed Mother on her birthday for Elise.
Oh Gerry know that I am praying and will ask others to pray. God has seen your fight and He is with you. I am sooo very sorry that Elise is going through this and praying for a miracle. God still does them.
Praying for Elise and your entire family, Gerry.
my prayers will continue for Elise and her family.. and for all who love her…. may the Lord surround her with His love and healing and grant Elise a full and speedy recovery…. and may our Blessed Mother embrace her…
Prayers coming!
This precious child is in my prayers as are you and your family.
Sorry to hear about this Dr. Nadal. Awful. My prayers are with your family.
From the Philippines, all prayerful intentions for Elise.
We are overwhelmingly pro-life here, in all life’s seasons.
Mom JO
We will pray for your sweet Elise. God bless.
[…] are dim neurological flickers so very soon after two major operations. However, in the dark night of a young girl’s heart such dim flickers shine with a brilliant […]
Still praying
She is in our prayers
+neil, c.s.e.f. and the Community
[…] keeping this short because I’m dealing with a very fluid situation with my niece who suffered a bit of a set-back last night. AGAIN, Regina and I are so grateful for all of the […]
[…] keeping this short because I’m dealing with a very fluid situation with my niece who suffered a bit of a set-back last night. AGAIN, Regina and I are so grateful for all of the […]
I am praying for a fast and total recovery for your lovely niece, and good luck with your new position!
Melissa (aka Phillymiss)