Nathan
NATHAN's Story: Motorcycle to mayo clinic
Nathan hit a rough patch of road, and was thrown from his motorcycle. He needed 17 units of blood almost immediately.
On June 7th, 2023, the sun was beginning to set over Mason City, Iowa. Nathan Levang was riding with a group of friends southbound on Highway 65, taking in the rural scenery.
"We went over the bridge to the Winnebago River and we went up the hill, and I was in the outside lane instead of the inside lane and, and there was a bunch of loose stones at the intersection of 65 and B20."
Nathan hit a rough patch of road, and was thrown from his motorcycle.
"I hit it on the right side and, I had broke 29 bones plus a bruised heart, bruised liver, bruised kidney. Every rib on the right side, four on the left side. My back in three places, my hip, collapsed lung because of all the ribs. I mean, I was a mess."
When Nathan arrived at the hospital, he needed 17 units almost immediately. While in the emergency room, between the Mercy One North Iowa and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Nathan needed 140 units of blood.
After multiple surgeries, Nathan was in a coma for nearly 30 days. Nathan spent almost 90 days in comprehensive rehabilitation, learning how to move around, stand on his own, and walk again. Nathan was forced to rely on different medical devices to assist in his breathing, replenish his oxygen, clean his blood, and even eat food. Prolonged immobility can lead to muscle atrophy, which can hinder any ability to regain function and range of motion. Muscle atrophy can start within a few days, with changes in muscle size and strength in two to three weeks. Nathan's arm was set and immobile for over a month.
While in the hospital, Nathan's family was dedicated to helping in any way they could. From praying, to sleeping, to missing work, they didn't leave their dad's side. "I had doctors tell me, you know, when I was coming around and I could realize and remember, you know, how much my kids were at my bedside.", Nathan recalled.
The dedicated care of each and every one of Nathan's nurses truly helped his recovery. Throughout his experience, from the first ambulance ride to the end of his rehabilitation, he saw over 400 nurses. Plastic surgery plays a vital role in many trauma recoveries, and focuses on restoration and appearance after serious injuries. Plastic surgeons were essential in addressing Nathan's complex wounds and soft tissue damage.
Recovery after a trauma can be a very long experience, especially after many bones are broken. In order to fix Nathan's legs, titanium implants were fused with his bones, forming a strong, permanent bond. Nathan's body is still healing and recovering from the titanium implants. While donor DNA is temporary and easily identifiable, in certain scenarios, such as trauma patients receiving whole blood, there is a potential for donor DNA to impact genetic results. With so many blood transfusions, in such as short time, Nathan's actual DNA changed.
To support Nathan, and his recovery, Henkel Construction organized a blood drive. Over 100 people, including the president and many first time donors, showed up to donate their blood.
A skin graft is a procedure where healthy skin is transplanted from one part of the body to another, in order to cover damaged or missing skin. Nathan's skin graft on his leg required dozens of staples to help stabilize and heal the new tissue.
Blood donors save lives. Each donation can help up to three hospital patients in their critical time of need. A simple blood donation can help your friends, family, neighbors, and strangers in your community. Life Serve is the sole provider of blood to over 150 hospitals in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and Illinois. More than 3,000 units of blood are needed each week to meet the needs of these hospitals, and their patients.
"You never know whose life you might be saving. It could be somebody you don't know, but it also could be a neighbor or a family member. So what better way to be able to help a neighbor or family member."
Someone needs blood every two seconds. The strength of our community blood supply is dependent on local donors, businesses, and organizations that donate and sponsor blood drives with Life Serve. One donation could help save someone's life. Life Serve Blood Center. Your Blood. Your Hospital. Your Neighbors.
"Thanks to people giving blood, that's why I'm here today. If they didn't give blood, I'm not here."