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In a miraculous turn of events, nine-year-old Gus Deterding from Alexandria, Minnesota, survived a freak accident in which an arrow pierced through his brain. The incident occurred in March when Gus slipped on ice while helping pack his father's truck, causing a youth bow and arrow he was carrying to lodge in his head. Despite the severity of the situation, Gus managed to pull the arrow out himself and appeared with only a small cut on his head.
Initially, Gus's parents, Dave and Abby Deterding, did not realize the gravity of the injury. They took him to a local hospital, where an emergency room doctor decided to transfer him to Children's Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis for further evaluation. Gus was initially sent home, but when he began vomiting, his parents returned him to the hospital. Scans revealed that the arrow had traveled through the middle of his brain, coming within two centimeters of exiting his skull. The arrow narrowly missed a carotid artery, which could have been fatal.
Dr. Ken Maslonka, the medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Children's Minnesota, expressed his astonishment at Gus's condition, told KARE, "In the 28 years I've been at Children's Minnesota, I've never seen anything like this." Three months after the accident, Gus has returned to his normal activities, including playing hockey and baseball. His parents attribute his survival to a miracle, with Abby Deterding saying, "We're just thankful, so grateful."
Gus's family and doctors are amazed by his recovery, and they cherish every moment with him. The Deterdings believe that Gus's survival is nothing short of miraculous, and they continue to express their gratitude for his remarkable recovery.