Plumber Recovers at Mercy After Nearly Being Buried Alive
What started as a normal work day – digging a trench for a sewer line – radically changed to almost being buried alive.
Keith was digging in a trench when he noticed the dirt was changing to sand that had been backfilled, which caused a weak spot in the way he was staggering the dirt.
Before he knew it, he was pressed into the cement building in front of him by sand and dirt. Luckily, he put his arms into an “X” to shield his face, which is what helped him break through the mixture so he could breathe. But, his neck down was covered.
After being dug out by the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, he was taken to Mercy, where it was found that he had fractured parts of his pelvis, along with many bruises and abrasions; his entire back was one large black spot.
Keith was also found to be hemorrhaging in his pelvis, in addition to the fractures. Interventional Radiologist, Eric Ericson, MD, was able to stop the artery from bleeding by using a special technique so Keith did not require a large surgery. Keith then recuperated in Mercy’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) to regain his strength.
“I feel very lucky because, usually, people don’t live through that,” Keith said.
With 15 years of owning his own business – A-One Plumbing – he hasn’t experienced anything like it before.
Keith worked with Mercy’s physical therapists, like Nile (pictured), to regain his strength in getting in and out of bed; up and down stairs; walking across different surfaces; and getting in and out of the car.
“On IRU, a treatment plan is designed for each patient based on their needs,” said Medical Director of the IRU, Carla Schulz, MD. “The goal is to get them home safely.”
During his time in the IRU, his Medical Oncologist/Hematologist, Jasmine Nabi, MD, stopped by his room to check in on him and talk about his cancer care moving forward. Keith has stage four metastatic rectal cancer that has spread to his lungs and liver.
Once he’s recovered from the accident, he’ll return back to Hall-Perrine Cancer Center for his chemotherapy treatments.
Until then, he’ll complete his physical and occupational therapy exercises at home with Mercy Home Health Therapies until he regains his strength back. As he heals, he knows he’ll be in good hands with his wife and daughter.
Learn more about Mercy's IRU.
