E-Paper
Carmel Convent tree collapse: Bus attendant discharged after miraculous recovery, grateful to PGI doctors for second life
PGIMER doctors helped me come out victorious after a near-death-like experience...I am deeply touched by their care and compassion, said the bus attendant, Sheela Devi, on her discharge
It was a month of tribulations for Sheela Devi as she hoped against hope to return to normal life after sustaining grievous injuries in the July 8 tree collapse at Carmel Convent School.
Confined to PGIMER’s neurology ward, the 40-year-old bus attendant of the school battled thousands of moments of fear, anxiety and despair as she also struggled to recall the tragic mishap that claimed the life of a 16-year-old student and left 18 more students injured.
But the team of PGIMER doctors, with their constant support, helped her beat all medical odds, said Sheela on her discharge from the hospital on Monday after her miraculous recovery.
“PGIMER doctors helped me come out victorious after a near-death-like experience. I am deeply touched by their care and compassion. In fact, no words are enough to express my gratitude to the PGIMER team for giving me this new lease on life,” said the mother of two, who is the sole bread-winner of her family.
A resident of Kishangarh, Sheela was admitted to the PGIMER’s Trauma ICU with multiple serious injuries. She had slipped into a coma and remained on ventilator support for 17 days.
Holding bouquets, school students and staff waited in anticipation before Sheela walked out of the hospital with doctors, all smiles. For a month, they resolutely prayed for her quick recovery, while also supporting her 18-year-old daughter Jaspreet Kaur and 15-year-old son Tarandeep Singh.
Dr Vipin Koushal, medical superintendent, PGIMER, said, “Sheela was admitted in a critical condition, with less chances of a complete recovery. But with prayers and efforts of PGIMER’s team, she responded well to treatment and was finally discharged on Monday.”
The team comprising Dr Kajal Jain of department of anaesthesia and intensive care, Dr Aastha Takkar of neurology department, Dr Apinder Preet Singh of neurosurgery department, and Dr Ranjana Singh and Dr Raman Sharma of department of hospital administration, along with support staff, bid Sheela an emotional farewell, while applauding her grit and faith to recover.
“Sheela is recovering well. We are glad that her limbs are working properly, and she is able to walk and talk. After some rest and complete recovery, she can definitely resume work,” said Dr Kajal Jain.
“I am really happy that my mother is back at home. Though she is back, she is unable to recall the incident completely. Yet, we are thankful to the doctors and all those who prayed for her recovery,” said Sheela’s daughter Jaspreet.
