Posted on 01/16/2004 12:45:02 PM PST by jwalburg
Girl unconscious for two days after puncture wound THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
KULM, N.D. - A 2-year-old girl is recovering after her skull was pierced by the antler of a deer that ran into her family's vehicle, her mother says.
''Weeks ago, we were standing over her bed not knowing if she was going to live,'' said McKenzie Giesler's mother, Carrie.
The Gieslers - Carrie and Gary and three of their six children, McKenzie, 5-year-old Allison and 6-month-old Madison - were traveling to Jamestown on Dec. 14 when their sport utility vehicle was hit by a deer on U.S. Highway 281.
''This one came out of the grass and plowed right into the side of our vehicle,'' Gary Giesler said. It was in broad daylight -''the freakiest thing,'' he said.
On McKenzie's side of the vehicle, the glass ''just exploded,'' he said.
The Gieslers found McKenzie with a head wound about 3 inches long, and realized the deer's antler had punctured her skull. Part of the antler broke off in the vehicle, Gary said.
The Gieslers tried to use their cell phone to call for help but the area, about 13 miles north of Edgeley, was out of cell range. Carrie began waving for help from passing cars.
''I was afraid no one was going to stop,'' Carrie said. ''It seemed like a long time, but it was probably two minutes.''
Danielle Burgard, a college student from Bismarck on her way to Aberdeen, turned around to help the Giesler family, Carrie said. Burgard offered her towels for McKenzie's bleeding head.
''She was a college student, so she had laundry in the back,'' Carrie said.
Burgard headed toward Jamestown with Carrie and McKenzie, while Gary took Allison and Madison to a nearby farm. When they reached the top of a nearby hill, the cell phone service returned and Carrie called 911. The Highway Patrol escorted her and her daughter to the Jamestown Hospital.
From there, McKenzie was taken to Fargo's MeritCare Hospital for surgery. Her mother said the girl was unconscious for two days.
''She was out, she was not responsive,'' Carrie said. ''They couldn't assure us that she would completely come out of that.''
On Dec. 16, two days after the accident, McKenzie woke up and said she wanted to go home.
''Those were her first words, and we cried,'' her mother said.
After that, the child's recovery was rapid. She was released from the hospital Dec. 19.
''That was the best Christmas present ever,'' Carrie said.
McKenzie must take anti-seizure medication for six months and continue to see a doctor, her mother said.
''We can handle anything at this point,'' Carrie said.
Amazing. Usually it's the SUV that does the bad thing.
Insufficient presence of mind.
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