As Dr. Pegg helped his wife to her feet, a neighbor came by in his car and drove the family to the hospital. En route to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Carol began to seize.

Once they arrived at the Emergency Department, Carol was whisked inside and a CAT scan was performed. While undergoing the scan, Carol stopped breathing, but thanks to the fast action of the OSF St. Joseph Medical Center staff, she was quickly revived.

Carol was found to have a temporal lobe injury and skull fracture, as well as a broken shoulder blade, collarbone, ribs, hips, and pelvis.

“Everyone in the Emergency Department did just what they were supposed to do,” says Carol. “They did a great job!”

Carol spent eight days as a patient at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, first in the Comprehensive Care Center and later on the Surgical Unit. She doesn’t recall the first four days of her stay but does remember the latter portion.

“Everybody was so nice,” says Carol, who had never been a patient in a hospital before. “The whole facility was remarkable! I felt well taken care of and thought the people were very well-trained.”

Carol says she thought the patient rooms in the Comprehensive Care Center were unsurpassed. She appreciated the daybed in her room so family could stay with her and be comfortable. She also thought having the emergency medical equipment covered by the bed’s headboard made the room seem less clinical.

Carol has learned a valuable lesson from her accident and can’t stress the importance of wearing the proper equipment, even if it’s only a short ride. “I won’t get back on a bike without a helmet!” she states adamantly.