Blink of an Eye

#47 - Death Be Gone, Part 2

#47 - Death Be Gone, Part 2

 

This is the final episode of season 1, and the conclusion of the “Death Be Gone” two-parter. Just like the night before, Louise wakes up to a crisis: an alarm blaring, a slew of medical staff running into the room, an urgency to bring Archer back from the brink. This time, though, it’s more serious, and everything is on the line. Louise takes listeners into the heaviness, the fear, and the evil in that ICU room, both during the moments of chaos and the moments of breathless waiting, sharing the text messages she wrote and the prayers she prayed while waiting for Archer to turn the corner. Now that she sees even more acutely how things can go wrong in hospitals, and the culture of silence that keeps families in the dark, Louise wrestles with two seemingly insurmountable tasks: How to get answers, and how to forgive.

In this episode, you will hear excerpts from Louise’s interview with Dr. Raymond Talucci, who was the Acting Chief of Trauma at AtlantiCare Hospital in Atlantic City, New Jersey, while Archer was a patient there. This is the episode where Dr. Talucci meets Louise and more visibly becomes a part of the story. 

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Death Be Gone, Part 2. August 13. Day 9. 

Listen in afterwards to the companion episode for tools to navigate your own traumatic experiences: Trauma Healing Learning: Death Be Gone, Part 2, where Louise takes a closer look at forgiveness, generational wounds, and the consequences of medical errors on trauma healing.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast, and Twitter @blinkofaneyepod

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#46 - Death Be Gone, Part 2

#46 - Death Be Gone, Part 2

 

If answers are withheld about something that went wrong in a medical context, trauma healing can be delayed years, if not decades. But we can be proactive about our own healing, despite this setback. Forgiveness is powerful. Self-compassion is powerful. It is possible to metabolize the generational wounds we have inherited, and make different choices so we can avoid passing on those wounds to our children. 

Please share this episode with anyone you know who may be dealing with trauma, past or present. If you haven’t already listened to the story behind this lesson, you can find Death Be Gone, Part 2, wherever you get your podcasts.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast, and Twitter @blinkofaneyepod

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#45 - Death Be Gone, Part 1

#45 - Death Be Gone, Part 1

 

In this 2-part final episode of season 1, Louise considers the implications for families when things go wrong in hospitals, especially when medical staff remain tight-lipped about what happened, or are unwilling to admit that they don’t know. This isn’t an abstract thought: Last night’s crisis is full of unanswered questions and causes for concern. She’s asked for a meeting with the Chief of Trauma, but so far, no one has responded.

Today in the ICU, Archer receives a prayer shawl from the Senfts’ Cape May church, and Louise settles in for another night alone at his bedside. She can’t stop seeing in her mind that contorted look of pain on Archer’s face, and can’t stop worrying about what effect that pressure in his head and the high dosage of Fentanyl might have on him. The path to recovery may be long, both physically and emotionally, but she knows that the brain is able to heal from even the deepest trauma memories. Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 33: Death Be Gone, Part 1. August 12. Day 8.

Listen in afterwards to this week’s companion episode for tools to navigate your own traumatic experiences: Trauma Healing Learning: Death Be Gone, Part 1, where Louise reflects on our unique ability as humans to reflect on our lives and how this helps us make good decisions, and how this can reduce suffering.

Part 2 of "Death Be Gone" will be released on Sunday.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast, and Twitter @blinkofaneyepod

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#44 - Death Be Gone, Part 1

#44 - Death Be Gone, Part 1

 

The ability to reflect on our lives is what makes us human, able to construct a moral framework, look for meaning, and make decisions. Louise explores this extraordinary human capacity in today’s Trauma Healing Learning. While some things are beyond our control, we can choose how we respond, making decisions that reduce suffering and keep us rooted in the present. Louise also reflects on the 13th-century Sufi poet Rumi, and his poem that speaks of the self as a house.

Please share this episode with anyone you know who may be dealing with trauma, past or present. Each week, you can listen to the latest chapter in Archer’s story, then tune in for the companion Trauma Healing Learning episode. If you haven’t already listened to the story behind this lesson, you can find Episode 44: Death Be Gone, Part 1, wherever you get your podcasts.

Part 2 of "Death Be Gone" will be released on Sunday.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast, and Twitter @blinkofaneyepod

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#43 - Peripheral Friends

#43 - Peripheral Friends

 

Sometimes, support comes from the places you least expect it. The crisis that had Archer in a Silent Scream has passed, at least for now, but Louise has no more answers from the medical team than she did yesterday. She’s also worried about all the narcotics her son has been prescribed. The nurses tell her to ask the doctors, but even the doctors aren’t forthcoming. She isn’t alone, though, not really. This episode is about the friends, even those on the outskirts of our lives, who support us when we can’t support ourselves anymore — sometimes even literally, in the case of Mary Ellen McNally. She questions when to speak up with medical staff and how to do that without alienating or pointing fingers.  And she reflects on life: Faith and hope, and learning when and how to speak up when things don’t feel quite right. 

In this episode, you will hear excerpts of interviews with the following people:

Cathy Giannascoli, a friend in Pennsylvania and the Senft family’s summer neighbor in Cape May, New Jersey.

Mary Ellen McNally, an analytical chemist for Dupont at the time of Archer’s accident, who now works for FMC in their agriculture division. Mary Ellen was one of Louise’s beach friends when Archer was injured on August 5, 2015, in Cape May.

Dr. Raymond Talucci, who was the Acting Chief of Trauma at AtlantiCare Hospital in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the day Archer was medevaced there, and for the duration of his stay.

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 32: Peripheral Friends. August 12. Day 8.

Listen in afterwards to this week’s companion episode for tools to navigate your own traumatic experiences: Trauma Healing Learning: Peripheral Friends where Louise explores secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and addiction, with a special focus on frontline trauma workers and why medical staff might rely so heavily on narcotics for pain management and the deeper implications for trauma healing.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast, and Twitter @blinkofaneyepod

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#42 - Peripheral Friends

#42 - Peripheral Friends

 

Frontline trauma workers may be more prone than others to compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and substance abuse, but they aren’t the only ones who might find themselves numbing out. Drawing from her experience teaching conflict transformation to workers in crisis situations, as well as her own experience in the ICU, Louise explores what trauma-informed care might look like for the medical community, and gives reasons to believe that, even in times of trauma and tragedy, there is a way through without losing yourself in the process. Louise also explores why medical staff might rely so heavily on narcotics for pain management, and the deeper implications for trauma healing.

Please share this episode with anyone you know who may be dealing with trauma, past or present. Each week, you can listen to the latest chapter in Archer’s story, then tune in for the companion trauma healing learning episode. If you haven’t already listened to the story behind this lesson, you can find Episode 32: Peripheral Friends wherever you get your podcasts.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast, and Twitter @blinkofaneyepod

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

 

#41 - Stay Alert

#41 - Stay Alert

 

Louise explores why families’ presence bedside to a loved one in an ICU is one of the strongest risk management secrets for hospitals. She gives tips on how family members can be engaged with medical staff, and why medical staff might want to welcome the input of families, including their questions. Join Louise for this provocative look at how hospitals may transform to be more trauma healing informed. 

Please share this episode with anyone you know who may be dealing with trauma, past or present. Each week, you can listen to the latest chapter in Archer’s story, then tune in for the companion trauma healing learning episode. If you haven’t already listened to the story behind this lesson, you can find Episode 31: Stay Alert wherever you get your podcasts.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast 

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#40 - Stay Alert

#40 - Stay Alert

 

Louise and her family sat at Archer’s bedside every day and every night, caring for him in the aftermath of his accident. Louise recounts various interactions with nurses and doctors, and the conflicting information she was getting and wonders aloud about the danger this was creating for coordinated medical care. You will be inspired to consider your own role as a family member during a medical trauma, especially in an ICU, where there’s so much going on. Can you see yourself as critical to the well-being of your loved one in more ways than loving support? Join her in an episode that might stir up both medical staff and families for harrowing experiences in the ICU. 

In this episode, you will hear excerpts from Louise’s interview with Dr. Raymond Talucci, who was the Acting Chief of Trauma at AtlantiCare Hospital in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the day Archer was medevaced August 5, 2015, and for the duration of his time there. Five years later, in a rare interview experience, Louise and Dr. Talucci talk about harrowing events in ICUs and his experience working in trauma.

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 31: Stay Alert. August 12. Day 8.

Listen in afterwards to this week’s companion episode for tools to navigate your own traumatic experiences: Trauma Healing Learning: Stay Alert where Louise explores why families’ presence bedside to a loved one in an ICU is one of the strongest risk management secrets, and the deeper implications for trauma healing.

To find out more about Archer, Louise, and this podcast, visit our website at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @blinkofaneyepodcast 

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#39 - The Painful Past Informs Us

#39 - The Painful Past Informs Us

 

As the heat rushed through Louise’s body, she wondered how dark is the place where she and Billy were in their marriage, or was it dark at all? Past conflicts, unresolved anger can surface suddenly engulfing us in their force with strong bodily sensations. Did past trauma play a role in Louise’ trauma with Archer?  Louise steps into the collective traumatic experience we all had after 9-11 and explores how we may not realize the impact that had on us then, and continues to have on us. She explores what is possible and not possible when we are living a trauma. And she explores how the past resides in our bodies and  how the painful past might also provide opportunity and resiliency even in the midst of new trauma.

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 30: The Painful Past Informs Us  August 11 DAY 7. 

Listen in afterwards to Episode 30: The Painful Past Informs Us Trauma Healing Learning. 

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#38 - The Painful Past Informs Us Trauma Healing Learning

#38 - The Painful Past Informs Us Trauma Healing Learning

 

Past trauma, either personally, or collectively takes a toll on our bodies. It can also give us valuable information to handle current traumatic situations.  We may just need to take the time to pause, get curious and ask, “WHY is this bothering me so much? What am I remembering that is triggering this reaction in my body?” Louise gives us tips on how we can sit and get to the heat of it in order to handle it with grace, head-on.  You may want to share these tips with a friend or family member to begin to digest past traumas, or give a lift to someone going through a traumatic situation now. 

If you haven’t listened already to the story behind this learning, please listen in on Episode 30: The Painful Past Informs Us.   

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#37 - Mediation for the Mediator

#37 - Mediation for the Mediator

 

The volume, the tension, old wounds filled the dining room as Billy and Louise knew they were in trouble and needed to come to some resolution in order to get back to Archer as one unified heart. This is a messy episode. Louise’s trusted and professional friend, Rachel Wohl, was more than a fly on the wall while witnessing two people she cared about in the throws of trauma - she was brought in to help them actually hear each other. Her discomfort in unfamiliar territory also shows the strength of her deep love for the Senft family.

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 29: Mediation for the Mediator  August 10, Day 6. 

Listen in afterwards to Episode 29: Mediation for the Mediator Trauma Healing Learning. 

In this Episode you will hear an interview excerpt from

Rachel Wohl. She is a dear friend of Louise’s. Rachel is a retired lawyer and 

the former Executive Director of the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office for the Maryland judiciary. She is also a mindfulness teacher and a volunteer mediator in international and social justice. 

 
#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#36 - Mediation for the Mediator Trauma Healing Learnings

#36 - Mediation for the Mediator Trauma Healing Learnings

 

Two steps forward, one step back was the best Billy and Louise could hope for as they were in the throws of mediation to give them strength to pick themselves up again and again after falling apart several times since Archer’s accident. In this trauma healing learnings episode, Louise drives home the importance of bringing in a neutral party to help navigate a crisis - even when it gets very messy, and loud.

 

You may find tips for yourself, and ones you can share with a friend or family member going through a traumatic situation, tips that can aid in recovery from the trauma. Such tips can also begin to relieve suffering and be the bridge of a partnership. 

If you haven’t listened already to the story behind this learning, please listen in on Episode 29: Mediation for the Mediator. 

#35 - Tell Him Everything

#35 - Tell Him Everything

 

Do people remember their near-death experiences? Will telling someone in the hospital everything dash their hopes or empower them?  Put their mind at ease or create despair? What about when it’s your child? This is what Louise and Archer discussed as Archer continued to ask when he would be off the lung machines. Does he want to know everything?  Everything? What about parental boundaries? You’ll also hear the other side of the hospital experience from that of a trauma doctor who assured Louise no one will ever forget working with Archer and her family and how a patient’s trauma has lasting effects on medical staff - both positive and negative. 

 

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 28: Tell Him Everything August 9 DAY 5 and how to be a witness for each other's truth as we walk together on the trauma integration journey.

Listen in afterwards to what we can learn together about trauma. Episode 28: Tell Him Everything Trauma Healing Learnings

In this episode, you will hear from 

Dr. Raymond Talucci, who was the Acting Chief of trauma at Atlanticare Hospital in Atlantic City, New Jersey the day Archer was medivaced to Atlanticare August 5, 2015, and for the duration of his stay at Atlanticare for 30 days.

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#34 - Tell Him Everything Trauma Healing Learnings

#34 - Tell Him Everything Trauma Healing Learnings

 

Medical information should be complete, forthcoming and easy to digest. But when you have many people at many levels involved in the care of a loved one, they all interpret the truth differently. They may think it’s complete, but they can only share what they understand and what they feel they are permitted to share. Then we have the job to decide how much medical truth is to be shared with not only the patient, but others who are emotionally invested and whom the patient relies upon. Louise walks us through the questions to consider in various scenarios to help us have the conversation before it becomes necessary to have the conversation. And she takes a look at how such conversations might ease the later trauma integration journey. 

 

If you haven’t listened already to the story behind this learning, please listen in on Episode 28: Tell Him Everything

#32 - No Time for Tears

#32 - No Time for Tears

 

You will hear Insights from Archer’s highschool friends, young men, on what it was like for them to experience their paralyzed friend. Why do we hold back our tears? She explores this with them. Louise also explores why she is beginning to experience mixed emotions with the medical staff: all the medical information is conflicting. Which is it? She wants to know the truth?  She feels slammed from a raging sea from all sides.  Will she and Billy capsize? She is aware of compartmentalizing the truth she wants to hear, but she wants real medical information. It is not forthcoming. She wonders if she is becoming at odds with the medical staff. Listen in to how she keeps Archer’s spirits up as she also shares more epiphanies she had this day, and is reminded to be alert.

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 27: No Time for Tears August 9. DAY 5.  

Listen in afterwards to what we can learn together about trauma. Episode 27: No Time for Tears Trauma Healing Learnings

In this episode you will hear audio recording excerpts from August 2015, of a spontaneous audio car recording of Louise driving to the hospital, and another of Mike Detterman,  Archer’s friend since grade school days in Baltimore .

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

 

#33 - No Time for Tears Trauma Healing Learnings

#33 - No Time for Tears Trauma Healing Learnings

 

Trauma takes a long-term toll on the body, especially if all we do is store it away and simply say, “I held it together, I’m fine, it’s over.” If it were only that simple. What about tears? Is a good cry helpful or not? Trauma can settle into our bodies and cause us trouble years later. Holding it together may be commendable, but it’s only a Band-Aid. You deserve more than a temporary fix so you can get back to living life fully.  The good news is there are many guides available to help us through trauma. Come hear about ones that are available for you at your fingertips and about the miracles of the body to restore itself.  

 

If you haven’t listened already to the story behind this learning, please listen in on Episode 27: No Time for Tears

 

#31 - Little Angel

#31 - Little Angel

 

It’s such a privilege to take care of someone when they truly cannot for themselves. Sometimes in a moment, no matter how strong we are, we don’t realize we are incapable of taking care of ourselves. That’s when angels step in. Louise’s beach friend, Mary Ellen McNally was in the right place at the right time to catch Louise as she collapsed. How they ended up in the perfect place for each other is what you will hear about. What Louise didn’t know, is that she was the gift to Mary Ellen as well.

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 26: Little Angel August 9. DAY 5. 

Listen in afterwards to what we can learn together about trauma. Episode 26: Little Angel Trauma Healing Learnings

In this Episode you will hear audio recording excerpts from August 2015, of Mary Ellen McNally is an analytical chemist for Dupont at the time of Archer’s accident and now for FMC in their agriculture division. Mary Ellen was one of Louise’s beach friends when Archer was injured on August 5 2015 in Cape May New Jersey.

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#30 - Little Angel Trauma Healing Learnings

#30 - Little Angel Trauma Healing Learnings

 

Trauma happens. Healing trauma is a process. We can get stuck in our trauma experiences, but some memories step in to give us respite during the journey without our even realizing it. Have you ever been in a stressful situation and your mind wanders to a peaceful memory that calms you? That’s no accident. Those epiphanies can renew us, give us strength to carry on. They give us hope when we need it most. It could be a song, a soothing voice you remember, a place that brought you joy, a moment, such as the first time you gazed at your new baby. What is it for you? Tune in as we learn together. We all have these respite resources if we are open.  Where do those little respite epiphanies come from that seem to come out of the blue? Join Louise to learn what happens when we open our eyes to resources that carry us on our trauma healing journeys.

If you haven’t listened already to the story behind this learning, please listen in on Episode 26: Little Angel

#29 - I Didn’t See This One Coming

#29 - I Didn't See This One Coming

 

Louise and Billy were in trouble as they were both stretched beyond capacity in Day 5 of Archer’s catastrophic injury. There were many people in and out of Archer’s hospital room, many machines, too much unknown, and too much was out of their control. It was way beyond simple, sleep deprivation and fear. Did they need to sell their house, their business, move? If not handled correctly, this could be a devastating turning point for their family. She also raises questions for medical staff about transparency. Louise invites you into one of the most intimate pieces of her life, her marriage. She does it to help you know you are not alone and all is not lost.

Join Louise for this episode of Blink of an Eye: Episode 25: I Didn't See This One Coming August 9. DAY 5. 

Listen in afterwards to what we can learn together about trauma. Episode 25: I Didn't See This One Coming Trauma Healing Learnings

In this Episode you will hear audio recording excerpts from August 2015, of

James Schmucker Archer’s dear friend in Cape May who was a Beach Club lifeguard and who saved his life rescuing him from the ocean who is now working in the hospitality industry,

Of an Atlanticare trauma nurse, and of Louise recording notes to herself when she was driving home late at night from the hospital on Day 5.

#hopeforeverything   #obtaineverything

#28 - I Didn’t See This One Coming Trauma Healing Learnings

#28 - I Didn't See This One Coming Trauma Healing Learnings

 

Even the strongest marriages can crumble when faced with trauma. This doesn't mean that the distorted statistics of divorce are descending on your marriage, at least it doesn't have to. Join Louise as she walks you through some of what she’s learned as a transformative mediator, but mainly as a wife and mother walking through her own trauma. She’s hoping you’ll find some glimmers of hope here if you are currently faced with the damage of trauma, old and new, still bombarding your life right now. Learn about how old unresolved trauma shows up. There is hope.

If you haven’t listened already to the story behind this learning, please listen in on Episode 25: I Didn't See This One Coming