Phillip Caruso and Cynthia Robbins
Two lives, forever linked
Saturday, Jan. 24 meant a lot to Phillip "PJ" Caruso II, 20, and Cynthia Robbins, 45, as they stepped out on the red carpet during the 2009 Night for Heroes. The annual fundraising event provided them an opportunity to honor the nurses, physicians and flight crew at Shands Jacksonville’s Level I Trauma Center.
A little over a year ago, Caruso and Robbins were in separate, near-fatal car accidents that left them both fighting for their lives. Their accidents occurred one day apart.
Her story
 Cynthia Robbins Cynthia Robbins was driving home in a late-night rainstorm on Feb. 23, 2008, when she suddenly lost control of her van. She was ejected from her vehicle when it crashed into a median and overturned. When St. John’s County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene of her accident, the inclement weather prevented Robbins from being airlifted, so she was taken via ambulance to Shands Jacksonville’s Trauma Center.
Once there, University of Florida physicians determined Robbins needed immediate care for a severe brain injury, a fractured spine, multiple facial fractures and serious injuries to her left foot. Robbins was rushed to the operating room where she was stabilized by a team of UF surgeons and Shands nurses.
Robbins spent the next two and a half weeks in an induced coma to prevent swelling of the brain. She opened her eyes for the first time March 12 and gave her nurses and family a thumbs up.
Robbins was discharged two weeks later, but continued her recovery through numerous physical therapy sessions at home.
His story
 Phillip Caruso and Ace On the evening of Feb. 24, Caruso was driving alone when he fainted. His vehicle crossed into the opposite lane and drove off the road.
The vehicle hit a utility pole, passed through a fence and crashed into two trees before coming to a stop.
A St. Johns County Fire Rescue crew responded immediately. Once on the scene, fire rescue found his SUV overturned and wrapped around a palm tree. Caruso was trapped inside and unresponsive.
He was immediately airlifted to Shands Jacksonville’s Trauma Center. There, he was treated for a traumatic brain injury, broken nose and a deep laceration on the left side of his head.
Caruso spent two weeks in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. During that time, he struggled with a high fever and suffered a collapsed lung. It was 13 days before he could even open his eyes. He spoke for the first time three days before being discharged to Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, March 29. Miraculously, he remembered all of his friends and family. Caruso was able to walk out of Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital on his own three and a half weeks later.
Their lifesaving treatment
Carlos Arce, MD, a University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville associate professor of neurological surgery, and Eric Frykberg, MD, a UF professor of surgery and division chief of general surgery, treated both patients when they arrived at TraumaOne at Shands Jacksonville.
"Cynthia Robbins had evidence of brainstem herniation on her head CT scan, which normally leads to death; it was truly a miracle not only that she survived but did so with brain function fully intact,” said Frykberg. “The level of severity of PJ Caruso’s brain injury was also suggestive of a poor outcome, so it was equally surprising that he survived and did so with basically normal function."
Arce said patients with severe head injuries are prone to developing many problems related to their initial trauma, including paralysis, seizures, diminished cognitive function that affects personality and memory, vegetative states, long term need for a ventilator and brain death.
Both patients required prompt and constant care during their long hospitalizations in order to have the best possible outcome.
"They are examples of how important it is to have a trauma center dedicated to the care of patients with these types of injuries," said Arce.
Back in the swing of things
Robbins returned to her job as an administrative assistant three months after her accident, but in November, she took time off to spend with her 12-year-old twin daughters and her 15-year-old son. She said that bouncing back hasn’t been easy.
"There are things that I can remember prior to the accident, but the accident itself I can’t remember," said Robbins. "However, I can recall how wonderful everyone was at Shands, along with my therapist."
Caruso is on his way to a full recovery. He is back in school at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. However, due to vision problems caused by his accident, Caruso is not yet able to drive. He has identified a new career goal since his accident and is on his way to becoming an occupational therapist to support other patients and families on their journey to recovery.
Amy Barrow, Caruso’s mother, said that she and the Robbins family kept in close contact throughout the treatment and recovery process.
"We would talk and provide each other with updates on our loved ones," said Barrow. "I'm not certain what kind of contact we will maintain going forward, but we will be forever linked through our experiences."
Barrow said she is grateful for the multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and therapists who gave her hope while her son was struggling to make a comeback.
Their positive attitudes and careful explanations kept us going," said Barrow. "I thank God and the people at Shands for everything. I would hate to think of my life without my son."
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