A Fighting Chance

Scott Pelley On Combat Medicine And The Battle To Save Lives

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Oct. 29, 2006. It was updated on June 28, 2007.

Twenty-first century science and old fashioned guts are revolutionizing combat medicine for our troops. In Iraq, the medical units made famous by "MASH" have been retired in favor of new combat hospitals set up in the midst of the action.

One thing that hasn't changed though is the courage of the medics, doctors and nurses who are saving lives like never before. Last year, 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley went to see the action up-close. The team came across two wounded Americans, Marine Corporals Kenny Lyon and Brad Fulks.

You wouldn't have expected either to have survived what happened to them. Their families agreed to let 60 Minutes tell the story of how today's combat medicine gave both men a fighting chance.

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Kenny Lyon, from Maryland, was one gifted mechanic. He was outside, trying to fix his broken down armored vehicle, when a mortar exploded. By the time he reached the hospital, half his blood was gone already.

His pressure was critically low and his life was slipping away though three lacerated arteries and too many wounds to count.

Shrapnel had torn into his head, neck, both legs, and both arms. His left foot was turning white because there was no circulation.

"It’s a battle, y’know. Sometimes people are fighting to die on the table desperately," says Paulette Schank, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve. Back in the states, she’s a nurse-anesthetist in a hospital near Philadelphia.

"Did you say that some people come in fighting to die?" Pelley asks Schank.

"Meaning their body is going further and further down the wrong direction," she explains. "They need us to be able to resuscitate them so we can stop that negative spiral downward so that we go back to the spiral of life."

Schank supervised the operating rooms of the Air Force theater hospital. This is the war’s busiest trauma center, an encampment of 32 tents on the Balad Air Base north of Baghdad.

The 332nd Expeditionary Group has 400 staff and more than 300 trauma patients a month. To be close to the patients, the hospital is close to the battle. In the background, the sound of incoming helicopters with wounded soldiers onboard beats against the tent canvas like an alarm.

Asked whether she feels a sense of dread about what she is going to face once the helicopter lands, Schank says, "I think of it more — it’s the next challenge that’s coming though the door. To ward off that ugly death man who wants to take away your person and it's your job to make sure he’s not successful today."

The day Kenny Lyon was wounded another Marine, Brad Fulks, was hit by a roadside bomb. Fulks is from West Virginia, a two-time state boxing champion suddenly in the fight of his life the day before his 23rd birthday.

Cpl. Fulks made it to the Army’s 10th combat support hospital in Baghdad.

Lieutenant Colonel Warren Dorlac flew in with a team just for Fulks. Dr. Dorlac is chief of trauma at the giant American Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. He’s one of the military’s top doctors. He came himself because of Fulks’ condition. Fulks lost a lung, his kidneys are failing, and half is body is burned.

"I think his overall prognosis, just from his burn alone, is actually very good," Dorlac says, even though Fulks was burned extensively. "The problem with this patient is that he has a number of other severe injuries—the biggest being the problem with his one lung."

As sick as Cpl. Fulks is, Dorlac is moving him to Germany. The life support gear the medical staff uses is so advanced, some of it isn’t available in the United States yet. And at the same time Fulks is flying to Germany, special medical teams from Texas and Maryland are flying to Germany to meet him.

"At what point do you say to yourself, ‘We can’t save this life’?" Pelley asks Dr. Dorlac.

"You know, we don’t make that decision. We go full court press on everybody," he explains.

[rcpnow]

Scott Pelley doesn't get the spirit of the American Soldier, he doesn't get what we are fighting for, and he never will.

As noted by a previous comment, a reader posted that the "really?" comment was left off the transcript when Pelley asked the Iraqi MD if this war is worth it. It was obvious during that comment that Pelley was surprised that an Iraqi doctor understands what it takes to fight for freedom.

But even more disturbing, was Pelley%u2019s reaction the soldier's response in regards to his rehab after losing his leg. Even after the soldier claims he will get back everything, and he is having fun, Scott Pelley is shocked and looks almost disgusted by the soldier's high spirits. He also seems disappointed that the soldier did not respond with bitterness and anger towards his condition and the war.

Sorry, Mr. Pelley. Sorry you could not find a reason for an American soldier or an Iraqi doctor to agree with you bias against this war.

[gatxpeach]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! My brother is a combat medic and has served 2 tours in Iraq. With all the negative reports we hear out of Iraq, it was refreshing to see the men and women who go the extra mile to save lives of the American and Iraqi people. Please keep up the good work. And thank you to the families that let Americans share in their joy and pain of their loved ones.

[why_not_nar]

So let's make a decision. We stay and occupy, return peace, and rebuild the infrastructure.
But let's do it right, and it isn't yet a committee. If we stay, we make decisions about how to distribute the oil to the factions, and have zero tolerance for violance of any kind. Maybe we still can make a lasting contribution to the area. And stabilize it. And then we gradually turn it back over to the people, as we did in Europe.

If one believes that it is too late for that. That our misguided occupation strategy that destroyed the infrastructure, and has created a soverign government...that it is too late to change that occupation. Or that we simply do not want to spend the resources that it will take, or the lives, then we get out.
Now.
The middle path is one where we have destroyed the infrastructure, yet have not built a new one. The sects will not resolve their differences in a democratic way. Who thought that they could?
So we stop. We forget about whether Saddam sould have been toppled. He was. We forget about who invented this strategy. That isn't the question at hand. And we can worry about blame later. Right now American's are dying. We can ***** blame later.
We need to unclutter the problem. Look at what is really going on. And we make a decision.
That is the only path that will honor the sacrifice that all of these courageous Americans are making.
Wonderful piece of journalism. CBS news got this one right.

[why_not_nar]

This was a great piece...and it gets to you. It should. To cost the life of just one these courageous soldiers....for what? These roadside devices mangle the body in a terrible way, Americans and Iraqis alike. No question that the American people who are there to help are simply amazing. And we should spend whatever it takes to save the life of any wounded American.

The journalism here provided new information, about what it really going on.
It made me think again about the war, with the following conclusion. The war was to topple the goverment...we did that...right or wrong...the government fell quickly. Having done that we became the occupying force...no different than in Europe after World War II. So, freedom, independance, hopefuly?, some day. But now, we either put enough resource in place to protect the civilian populate and rebuild the infrastructure. (like we did in Europe), OR, we get out. Not phased, we get out immediately.

We are a decent and wonderful people. Let's decide. This isn't Vietnam. Vietnam first expelled the invaders (us), and secondly was a minor civil war that we encouraged. Iraq is a major civil war. It isn't going to stop. Not today, not by the end of the summer, not in a year. It is simply to easy for a minority of the population to do horrible damage.

[cjrlebeaf]

What an excellent seqment! This hit close to home--my cousin was blown up by a rocket attack at a base in Iraq last month as he exited his Humvee. Dr.'s and medics from an aid station about 200m away were at his side in about two minutes and stopped the bleeding from his mangled limbs and stabilized him. They got him to the hospital at Balad quickly where their surgery team saved his limbs and excised the shrapnel from his neck. A day later he was moved to the Lohgstuhl Medical center inn Germany and two or three days after that he was moved to the Brooke Army Medical center at Fort Sam Houston, Tx. He has had about 7 separate surgeries but his arm wounds are now closed. A few more surgeries and his leg wounds will be closed. They are thinking that about about 3-6 months of rehab and he will regain most of the use of his limbs. In your segment, the doctor said,'We put a full-court press on for every one of our patients.' The helicopter medic said,'No one dies in the back of my helicopter; I breathe for them, I beat for them and as far as I am concerned, they are alive when they get to the hospital.' What an awesome, God fearing medical team we have assembled for our service personnel. My cousin is alive because of them!

[kilmin04963]

I found Lt. Col. Paulette Schank very human, please tell her that not only does she have the sgt with her but I will pray for her too. I am sorry that she has to be in Iraq but I am glad that our boys have someone like her in their corner. Bless her and people like her that serve in our army.
Sincerely,
SRG

[rabbitsoup-2009]

I wish our President would commit himself to spending just one week-7 whole days-in this hospital camp and see our men's sufferings upfront and personal.He has time to go to every other country and "visit". Why not see this situation as it is? And could someone explain to him that this 3000 loss is probably equal to 10000 in Vietnam--with the marvelous advances in medicine we now have? Or just plain, knock some sense into him and bring our men and boys HOME NOW !! We need not loose one more if he would give into his pride and give up this "conflict"-which is no longer a war-just a daily unnecessary loss of lives of our loved ones. All for him to repeatedly tell us he will do as HE wants;not the people of this country. My tears are drying now. After watching about 10 minutes of the horrors of Iraq.

[bevmoon1]

I would just like to let the familes of Cpl Lyons and Cpl. Fulks know that they are all in my prayers. I am the mother of a Marine and he was injured in Iraq in Sept 2005. His injuries were not as severe as these young men but when your child is so far away and you get that call it is one of the most scariest moments in a parents life. I want to add my "Thank You" to these to young men for what they have done for our country. Could you please pass my prayers on to them.
Thank you,
bevmoon1

[bsmma1]

Thank you for providing and recognizing our Soldiers' Angels in the Combat Field Hospitals, Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility and the trauma unit in Balad. As a Massachusetts Chapter 1 Blue Star Mother of a son who has just returned from his second deployment in Iraq with the 101st Airborne, and as a member and officer of the first Massachusetts Chapter of Blue Star Mothers, I thank you. Although our Chapter is new, your story, "A Fighting Chance" hit home for all of us. Our main project from the month we were chartered (July 06)is what we have named "Operation Soldier Recovery". We are working with the Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility in providing transitional backpacks filled with basic toiletries, blankets of hope, and comfortable clothing for our sons and daughters who are brought into these hospitals from the battlefield wearing only their battle gear. We thank you for featuring this very moving story of our medical personnel in Germany and in the field, their care and dedication is beyond words. If your viewers contact you and ask how they can help, please ask them to contact the national or their state chapter of Blue Star Mothers. For our Massachusetts Chapter, it is a year long project, and one we hold close to our hearts. Thank you for your great work in providing such an important story to all your viewers. Our sons and daughters are the future veterans. Please continue to support them and keep them in your prayers.
Tina Veves, Secretary
BSM, MA Chapter 1

[airmaninoef]

Thank you America for your love and support. These men and women put their lives out on the line to save someone else's. God Bless them all.

Sister in Arms,

[baf49-2009]

I am so pleased and proud to see this article.My son and daughter in law were seen in this video. They are Air Force surgical techs/medics who served in Iraq with Colonel Schank. I am extremely proud of all the medical personnel, soldiers and support personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you for your dedication and caring and hard work. God Bless you and keep you all. Know that all of you are cared for and prayed for every day by moms, dads, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends. Thank you, again for publishing this article and video.

[paublito-2009]

A couple of months ago it was brought to my attention the difficulty it was to get blood from outside DOD. As the President of a Union Local I called the Armed Services Blood Program Coordinator and offered to sponsor a donation day. She jumped at the chance to work with the Union and get blood for the troops. We believe it is the first time it has been done at our location. I was surprised as some of the questioning I received and lack of support from Active Duty Managers but none the less I was not going to allow them to become the enemy. The response by our civilian employees has far exceeded all expectations. I would encourage all to donate if you can and if you can%u2019t %u2013 say a prayer that the blood will not be needed.

[sgastelum]

I was so moved on your story, "A Fighting Chance." I am a military supervisor for 1 of the 21 military blood donor centers who support the Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory mission. Our mission is to collect blood that gets sent to military installations who need it, and sometimes, it can be quite a challenge. While many donate blood on a regular basis, some have yet to donate and some are no longer eligible to donate. The military faces a 50% deferral rate for blood donors due to overseas travel and we are restricted to collecting blood on only government property. I really hope that our fellow Americans continue do donate blood since it is a vital, life-saving product. If anyone would like to donate blood to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and DoD employees who are fighting in military contingencies around the world, they can visit http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/ to make an appointment in their nearest Armed Services Blood Donor Center. Seeing this story on TV really gives me hope and lets me know that I am not alone in saving lives. God Bless!
SFC Gastelum

[chriszer]

The Sunday Night 10/29/06 segment talking to Paulette Schank, Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force Reserve was one of the most moving articles I have ever watched on 60 Minutes. And I have been watching for a long, long time.

[metalle1]

Great sincere look into the faces of the dedicated. This is the best I've seen on 60 minutes. Praise God for our military and all who are attached to them. My son is in the US Navy and I admire courage wherever I find it. Good job, CBS and Scott Pelley, I appreciate it.

David Maynard
Drummond, MT

[jaydaur]

To all those in the military,
I am Kenny Lyon's aunt, I would like to thank all of you for committing to do a great job .... above and beyond what can only be described as miraculous.
God bless you all for your awesome caring work.
Thank you for saving Kenny's life, for not giving up no matter what. Kenny is a true Marine and felt he was just doing his job, but with such a great attitude I know he is an inspiration to others. His humor is God-given.
My heart goes out to those you were unable to save. May God bring comfort and strengthen.
I continue to thank the Lord for our wonderful military - I pray for all of you every day, and only regret I can't thank each of you personnally.
Thank you !!

[tjeamje]

Excellent story and coverge. A couple of things stood out in the story. The first is the extraordinary amount of resources (money) used to save the lives of our brave soldiers and marines. Every penny is worth it. How ironic , though, that after these servicemen and women are treated and rehab'd, they are medically boarded out of the service and left to their own devices to put their lives back together. The other striking feature of the story was the apparent melt down that Lt.Col Paulette Schank was experiencing. I hope she is recieving appropriate emotional support and mental health counseling for the PSTD that seemed to be written all over her face. God Bless.

[markdnscr986]

I find it somewhat disquieting that the first responders ( Fleet Marine Force Corpsman ) that are in the field, taking care of "their" Marines were not even accorded a mention in this broadcast. Without their bravery, skill and dedication, most of these severely wounded Marines would not even live long enough to see the Medevacs. Come on CBS, you can do better than that. Tell the entire story, next time!

[amayeszing]

Kenny Lyons is to be recognized for his positive outlook. I don't know many citizens who wouldn't come away from his situation angry and hostile toward the USA. Thank you for presenting this uplifting young man. He is to be commended!

[bluestardad]

GOD rides with Dust Off.