It was a night Holly Carpino will never forget. She watched her son, Preston Jensen, play football at Butte High when things took a serious turn. After a couple of strong hits, Preston complained of stomach pain. At first, he thought it was nothing to worry about.
But then, he turned pale.
Christine Mayer, a certified athletic trainer from Intermountain Health, rushed to check on him. The moment he mentioned pain in his left shoulder, she realized it might be more than just getting the wind knocked out of him. She quickly decided that he needed to go to St. James Hospital.
At the hospital, tests showed that Preston’s blood pressure was dangerously low, and an ultrasound revealed internal bleeding. Dr. Colton Ryan, the surgeon, found that Preston’s spleen had ruptured. He had lost about four liters of blood before they could operate.
In surgery, Dr. Ryan discovered significant internal bleeding. “There was a lot of blood in his belly,” he said. Due to the extent of the damage, they had to remove Preston’s spleen.
After hours of surgery, with four bags of blood platelets transfused, Preston woke up to a big scar down his belly. At first, he was worried but quickly shifted to gratitude. “I’m just glad to be alive,” he said, trying to keep spirits high, even when others looked worried.
Now, he and his mom are thankful for the medical team that saved him that night. Holly admitted, “It was terrifying. But Dr. Ryan was calm and collected, which really helped.”
Though Preston’s football days are over, he found a new love in track. “I can’t play football anymore, but this is my new chance,” he shared.
Preston continues to work with Christine during physical therapy as he prepares for the upcoming track season. “Seeing his progress has been rewarding,” Christine said. “I can’t wait to watch him finish his senior year proudly.”
This incident highlights the importance of quick responses in sports injuries. According to a 2023 report by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, timely medical intervention can significantly reduce recovery time and complications. Stories like Preston’s serve as reminders that safety comes first in sports.
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,Intermountain Health
