A Fighting Chance

Scott Pelley On Combat Medicine And The Battle To Save Lives

(CBS)  That full court press starts with the quick response of MedEvac helicopters, in essence flying emergency rooms. Staff Sergeant Danny Stevenson is a flight medic with the Army’s 57th Medical Evacuation Company. Back on September 11th, 2001, he was a staff medic at the Pentagon, treating the wounded. After 9/11, he asked the Army to send him overseas.

"They called you, you don't have back up. You are the back up. So if you can't get the job done nobody else can. It’s a lot of pressure. And I can handle that kind of pressure," Stevenson says.

Helicopter units like this are spread out all over Iraq so that no injured man or woman is more than 20 or 25 minutes from their reach. It’s all about what the doctors call the "golden hour," that first hour after injury, when a Marine or a soldier can easily bleed to death. Speed is everything.

The MedEvac helicopters are sometimes fired on. And there’s always the possibility of ambush on the ground.

Asked if he ever gets scared, Stevenson says, "I don’t get scared."

"No, come on now. Everybody gets scared," Pelley says.

"I mean some stuff freaks me out sometimes. But I mean if you freak out on the scene, you’re just going to lose control of it. And if you lose control of it, you’re gonna die," he says.

"No one dies on the back of my helicopter. I'll do CPR all the way until the end. They die in the hospital. And that's where it stays," Stevenson says.

He vows to keep the injured alive. "I breathe for 'em, I beat for 'em, I do everything I can for 'em."

Back in the hospital, Kenny Lyon, the mechanic from Maryland who had lost so much blood, had moved into the operating room.

Five surgeons worked from head to toe. They pumped in blood, 10 units, 20 units, 30 units and more. They couldn’t stop the bleeding in his left leg. Nurse Paulette Schank watched the amputation.

"It’s ugly. This is the ugly side of war. But at least they can control the bleeding now. At least he has a better chance of survival," she says.

It is a better chance but Lyon ran through all the blood they had. A call went out for donors.

Schank was first in line. "Our job is to resuscitate to allow the surgeons time to stop the bleeding. And you try but it’s so hard. And sometimes you’re not successful and it hurts. You feel like you let that soldier down, you know. The wicked death spiral won in that event and you fought so hard, we fight so hard against him winning and sometimes he wins," she says.

Maybe it was Schank’s blood that made a difference. But more blood bought more time, and Lyon’s surgery would go on for hours.

That same night, Brad Fulks, the fighter from West Virginia, was loaded onto a C-17 cargo plane, rigged for intensive care, and bound for Germany.

Fulks was improving. "Actually from the time we picked him up at the combat support hospital, slowly along the way he’s been continuously improving," says Dr. Dorlac.

Some patients, sedated, will never know they were on the flight — others can’t seem to leave their memories behind. The setup on these planes is a big innovation. Doctors have even performed surgery onboard. In Vietnam it took about 40 days for the wounded to get to the states. Now it’s as little as three days.

Back in the hospital, Pelley found that nearly half the patients aren’t Americans at all. Many are Iraqi civilians, like a boy named Anas, who was wounded in a bombing, and a teenage girl who came in with a head wound. They took her to the CT scanner and found shrapnel had cut across her brain. There was nothing they could do for her but offer a last touch before dying.

60 Minutes found Anas a few days later. He was doing much better under the care of Dr. Adnan Rabie, an American who grew up in Iraq.

"It is very sad, actually, to see all of these casualties of war. Innocent people. But that's a heavy price this country paying for peace and democracy, I think," Dr. Rabie says.

Asked if he thinks it's worth it, Dr. Rabie says, "I think so."

"Not for – in this generation. Maybe for the next generation," he says.

[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.