The Robbins family of rural Mount Vernon is seeking financial help following a health emergency and reiterating the importance of knowing stop-the-bleed in cases of an emergency.
On Sunday, Feb. 4, Jeremy Robbins was working on a home do-it-yourself project, using a table saw to cut a piece of wood.
In the process of cutting the piece of wood, Jeremy cut through his left hand, just above his wrist, but below his palm.
According to his son, Adam Robbins, Jeremy and his wife, Casey, were in immediate response and working on getting to emergency responders.
“My step-mom, Casey, remembered how long of a wait it was until first responders arrived to a fire out in this rural area some time ago, and knew that getting to emergency personnel would be better,” Adam said.
The Robbins family lives in an area that is more rural Bertram. They reside in the Marion Fire Department coverage range even though they have a Mount Vernon mailing address. It’s almost equidistance from Mount Vernon, Cedar Rapids and Marion to respond, which puts response times upwards of 10 minutes.
Casey and Jeremy began traveling after calling 911 to meet up with emergency first responders. They stopped at the Casey’s General Store near Hwy. 13, and were trying to find anyone who could aid them.
A Casey’s employee was able to give his belt to Jeremy and was able to help assist in forming a tourniquet to help slow the bleeding until first responders arrived.
Adam said that it took Jeremy and Casey three minutes from their home to arrive at Casey’s, and the first deputy from Linn County was on scene roughly three minutes later.
“Deputy O’Hare with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office said that belt tourniquet is one of the only reasons dad is still with us today, and why surgeons at Mayo were eventually able to attach the hand,” said Adam Robbins, Jeremy’s son. “That stopping the bleed and continued pressure helped until a medical grade tourniquet from first responders could be applied.”
That employee will be recognized by Casey’s, as well as up for a lifesaving award from Linn County for his actions in the future, but didn’t want to be recognized. Adam said he and his family have been in contact and reiterated how important that simple lifesaving measure was.
Area Ambulance Agency arrived at the scene shortly after, and Jeremy was transported to UnityPoint in Cedar Rapids. UnityPoint quickly realized they would be unable to assist, and LifeFlighted Jeremy to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where Jeremy was rushed into surgery.
Surgeons at Mayo, according to Adam, said Jeremy had cut through every artery, ligament, tendon and nerve in his hand. Surgeons were able to repair one of the arteries, both nerves and all ligaments and tendons.
“They are hopeful he we will regain some of the feeling and movement of his left hand, but it will likely not be like it was before,” Adam said.
Right now, Jeremey is resting and trying to recover from a majority of the blood loss that he suffered in the event.
The road to recovery for Jeremy is going to be long, with an estimate of 12 to 18 months for full recovery, and roughly six months of not being able to use the hand or even move it.
“Dad has used his hands for work his entire life,” Adam said. “He has no short term or long-term disability insurance, and very little sick time or paid time off. After Family Medical Leave Act wears off, it’s going to be rough.”
That’s why the family was seeking help via GoFundMe, to help cover some of those hospital expenses, as well as their living expenses.
“Dad and Casey never ask for help and are always the first to give the shirts off their backs for other people,” Adam said. “Any amount of donations will help them greatly.”
Jeremy and Casey still have two daughters living at home who are students at Linn-Mar, and Casey works at Linn-Mar Schools as a paraeducator.
Jeremy and Casey moved the house they lived in from the southwest side of Cedar Rapids to rural Mount Vernon area two years ago, on land that has been in the Robbins family for more than five decades. With Jeremy going to be out of work for the foreseeable future, and those medical bills on the horizon, the family will need financial help.
“My parents are simple people and have always given people so much their whole life, so we are so grateful for all the donations we’ve already received,” Adam said.
Adam reiterated that one of the important lessons they want everyone to remember as well is the importance of stopping the bleed in case of an emergency.
“Apply direct pressure to any wound and never lift up with the item to check if the bleeding has stopped,” Adam said. “Knowing how to apply a tourniquet for severe wounds is important, and keeping direct pressure on the wound is very important.”
Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance offers stop the bleed trainings to the community as well.
If you want to help, donations can be made at gofundme.com/Jeremy-robbins-and-medical-expenses-due-to-injury