July 8, 2025 • 31 mins
đź“š Emergency Brain Surgery with Only a Book?!
Yes, it really happened. In this unforgettable episode, host Stephanie Eccles shares the astonishing true story of her father, Dr. Odell Rigby—a young army doctor who was thrust into a life-or-death surgery with nothing but a medical textbook, a carpenter’s hand drill, and faith.
Just when the surgery seemed to be going well, the unthinkable happened: the nurse vomited into the patient’s open brain. What follows is a mix of panic, prayer, and providence that you truly won’t believe.
🎖 But this episode is more than just a wild story. It’s a tribute to the faith, grit, and legacy of one American soldier—and a call to modern-day revolutionaries: the covenant-keeping women of today.
Stephanie draws inspiring parallels between the brave young patriots of the American Revolution and the rising generation of faithful women, prophesied to lead in these last days.
👉 If you love true stories that are dramatic, faith-filled, humorous, and deeply inspiring—this episode is for you.
đź•Š Like, comment, and subscribe to Dear Daughters of God for more true stories that stir the soul and awaken purpose.
Thanks for listening! I'm on Instagram as deardaughtersofgod. Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1iyjqx0cq4kbk&utm_content=qr66nqv
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Stephanie (00:00):
Dr Rigby.
We have a man in his fifties.
Here.
On site.
He's inebriated.
And fell down the stairs.
In that local hotel.
They often housed the drunkardsin
Stephanie (2) (00:20):
Hello, welcome to Dear Daughters of God.
My name is Stephanie Eccles, I'mso glad you're here.
This is episode 27, emergencyBrain Surgery with only a book
you won't believe what happensnext.
Stephanie test (00:35):
I am a retired school administrator
natural storyteller, and I am adaughter of God.
Now, I tell the stories
of our lives from theperspective
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Microphone (Samson Q2U (00:46):
Welcome, Dear Daughters of God.
I address you that way becausethat's what you are to Him.
To our Heavenly Father, you aredear
Stephanie (00:54):
While you're here, please like and subscribe to the
Dear Daughters of God channelbecause we like having you
around
As a listener, you may notrealize that this story,
emergency brain surgery, withonly a book is in full color.
On YouTube under Dear Daughtersof God, and it's full of videos
(01:16):
and pictures that bring thisstory to life, and I invite you
to tune in there.
Thank you for being with us ontothe story.
I would like to dedicate this episode to my dear
father.
Odell Franklin Rigby.
Who passed away in the year2018.
This is the month of July andit's his birthday month.
(01:40):
Which is fitting because he wassuch a patriotic man.
I want to share one of hisfavorite.
absurdly amusing stories.
Then as my father served in thearmy.
How much of his life.
We will Reflect back.
Way back.
On the glorious cause ofAmerica.
Let's go back in time.
(02:01):
To 1937.
We're coming to the end of thegreat depression.
My father Odell Franklin Rigbyis born on July 5th.
In Idaho falls to Afton, OdellRigby.
And Elmer Clark Rigby.
he's their only child.
But Elmer was a widower and hadthree children from a previous
(02:22):
marriage.
Odell.
Yes, my grandmother named himafter her maiden name.
Odell was raised in Palo Alto,California.
Logan Utah and eventually SaltLake.
he grew up to be very tall.
All of six foot seven.
Everywhere.
I went with my dad.
(02:43):
People would look at him,starting at his toes.
And follow.
His tall body up to the top ofhis balding head And then they
would say, How tall are you?
And he would smile and say in amodest way.
I'm six foot seven.
(03:04):
Now you might think, give theboy a basketball.
But no, that did not fit myfather.
He much preferred chess.
He was an intellectual.
Specifically a scientist.
He graduated as a valedictorianfrom east high school in salt
lake city, and then went on tothe university of Utah.
(03:25):
And graduated from medicalschool there.
As the president of a seniorclass.
With honors in 1964.
He took a break from hisuniversity years to serve a
mission for the church of JesusChrist, latter day saints in
Australia.
And that's where he met mymother.
They were both Ozzymissionaries.
(03:47):
I've talked about my mom in moredetail and episodes one, and
two.
this was at a time when ustroops were at war in Vietnam.
It was time for Odell.
To serve in the Vietnam war.
He was stationed at Letterman'shospital.
At the Presidio in SanFrancisco.
(04:08):
His military training includedairborne ranger, special forces.
And flight and battalion surgeontraining.
And this is where.
My parents first two daughterswere born.
They were twins.
After that.
They were stationed in Germany.
He got to take his whole familybecause it wasn't within
(04:28):
Vietnam.
In Germany.
He's was the commander of the10th general dispensary in
Frankfurt.
And this is where I was born.
The third daughter.
In 1969, he was able to return.
Home with his young family tosalt lake city.
And now he could begin hisresidency in urology.
(04:48):
He was required first to do acouple of different rotations in
general surgery.
Neurosurgery would be as firstrotation.
There are usually more than oneresident in each field.
But in this circumstance, myfather was the only resident.
Which meant he was on call everyweekend.
(05:08):
And every week night, He hadjust started this residency and
a not yet received his firstlesson in neurosurgery.
It was late on a Saturday nightand he got a call from the
emergency room.
Dr Rigby.
We have a man in his fifties.
Here.
(05:29):
On site.
He's inebriated And fell downthe stairs.
In that local hotel They oftenhoused the drunkards in My
father said.
Hmm.
I see.
I'll be right there.
Go ahead.
Start as lab work, please.
(05:50):
Thank you, Jane.
He arrived at the emergency roomand examine the patient.
He found that he had of subduralhematoma of the brain.
This is bleeding underneath theskull.
And if it's not released cancause death.
My father called the chief ofneurology.
Hello, chief.
(06:10):
We have a 50 year old man herehe is inebriated He fell down
the stairs and has a subduralhematoma on his head.
What would you like me to do forhim, sir?
The chief said.
Mm.
i'll be right there.
In the meantime.
Odell you go to my office.
To the bookshelf on the topleft.
(06:32):
You find the book called simpleneurological procedures, and
look up the chapter called subdura hematomas.
Read that chapter.
And take the book with you tothe operating room.
My father did just what he wastold.
He found the book on simpleneurological procedures and read
(06:54):
the chapter on subduralhematomas.
He took the book with him backto the corridor, just outside of
the surgery room.
The patient was ready for theoperation.
He called the chief.
Hello, chief.
I found that book on simpleneurological procedures.
I've read the chapter onsubdural hematomas and found it
(07:16):
interesting.
Uh, the patient is ready to go.
Matter of fact.
We're outside the operatingroom.
And how would you like me toproceed, sir?
The chief said.
Mm.
Hmm.
That's fine.
That's fine.
I'll be right there.
I'm on my way.
Go ahead.
Go ahead and take the patientinto the operating room.
(07:40):
They'll put him to sleep.
And you start with the shavingof the head.
and cleaning of the skin anddiagramming the scalp and follow
the procedures in the book.
So he did just, as he was told.
The patient was underanesthesia.
Odell shaved his head.
Cleaned the scalp and diagrammedjust as the book described.
(08:04):
He then got the scalpel and cutthe skin and peeled the skin
back off the skull.
Now he was to drill into theskull.
This was 1970 and they did nothave a power drill.
They used a carpenters handdrill.
Now, this is what it lookedlike.
(08:25):
The middle part of thecarpenter's hand drill.
Is like a coffee grinder, butit's actually a cranking handle.
They call it that you put onehand.
On the middle cranking handle.
And the other above it on thesecond handle, which is held
stationary.
And at the bottom is the drillbit.
That cuts the hole.
(08:47):
The middle hand.
Turns and turns the handlearound.
Now it takes a while to crack aman skull.
At this point.
The nurse said.
I'm feeling sick.
Odell said.
Would you like to have someoneto replace you?
(09:07):
No, I'll be fine.
Odell went drilling.
By turning and turning andturning the handrail.
He separated the skull.
And the brain was now exposed.
He saw the subdural hematoma.
And went cauterize it.
All of his attention was on thistask.
(09:28):
At this point, the nurse pulleddown her mask and vomited into
the brain cavity.
When pressurized fluid goesdown, it also ricochets back up.
Odell shot straight up incomplete shock.
He out.
With vomit tripping down hisgoggles.
Oh, get The chief on the line.
Get, get the chief on the line.
(09:50):
Chief chief.
He said, Chief.
Chief I've I, I have shaved.
The man's head.
And diagrammed and peeled theskin back and drilled holes into
the skull and separated theskull and the brain.
Is exposed Oh, and.
Um, and the nurse.
Vomited.
(10:11):
Into the brain.
Sir.
The operating room was insilence, waiting for the chief's
answer.
And nothing was said.
Odell said.
Chief.
Did you hear me, sir?
The chief said.
She did what.
She vomited into the brain, sir.
I cannot believe this.
(10:35):
I have never in all my years ofmedical practice heard or seen
such a ridiculous.
Uh, result as this.
How did that happen?
How did you let that happen?
Odell.
Odell said.
Uh, Aye.
Chief.
What would you like me to do,sir?
(10:56):
With exasperated breath.
The chief said.
douse douse douse the brain.
With saline water.
Then put in rubber drains.
We usually don't use rubberdrains in the brain, but we'll
have to use rubber drains atthis point.
Yes.
Put in rubber drains, then closethe skull.
(11:19):
Put him on high levels ofantibiotics.
I'll have to go straight to theICU.
I'm on my way.
Odell doused The brain wassailing water, put rubber drains
into the brain.
And closed the scalp.
When the patient was in the ICU.
(11:40):
Odell fell asleep for a coupleof hours.
Early in the morning.
The chief arrived.
They went together to do rounds.
They visited the patient.
He had 105 degree temperature.
The chief said.
He'll never make it.
My father.
Odell felt horrible remorse.
(12:02):
That this surgery had ended insuch a way.
He stayed with the patient andexplained what had happened.
And apologized to him.
And told him that he dideverything he could to save his
life.
continued to visit the patient.
Every day.
Two weeks later.
The patient now fully healed.
(12:25):
Walks out of the hospital.
The chief said to Odell.
You know, If he'd been thepresident of a bank or some
other job with greatresponsibility.
He would have never made it outof here.
But being that he held noresponsibilities and he was so
pickled, he walks out of here.
(12:47):
Just like that.
Wouldn't, you know, it.
My father loved humor.
He had a dry sense of humor.
he would teach us.
How to be like our savior.
Through example.
And sharing life stories likethis one that occurred during
his residency as a urologist.
(13:08):
He did not weary of good works.
In the Book of Mormon.
In the book of Alma.
Chapter 37 verse 34.
It says this quote.
Teach them to never be wary ofgood works, but to be meek and
lowly in heart for such shallfind rest to their souls.
Unquote.
(13:28):
During Vietnam, my fatherreceived biomedical warfare
training.
He was advised to stay withinthe military because if there
were ever another war.
He would be called to serve inthat war.
He did just that by joining thearmy reserves.
He had a private urologypractice, but also stayed in the
(13:49):
army reserves.
In 1991, he put his medicalpractice on pause.
As he was called to serve fulltime during the U S conflict in
Kuwait,
Known as Desert Storm.
By the the time he retired, myfather was a full bird Colonel.
He was grateful.
To be an American veteran.
Which leads me to reflect on therevolutionary war or as those
(14:13):
that were involved in thisconflict.
Call it.
The glorious cause of America.
Much of what I share today comesfrom the award winning
biographer David McCullough andhis book, 1776.
He points out (14:31):
if we love or even benefit from the freedoms
of living in America, we shouldrecognize where these freedoms
came from.
And how we came to obtain thesegifts of freedom.
(14:51):
For instance, the freedom ofspeech.
Or the freedom of religion.
And the freedom of thought.
To think as we would like tothink, how did this all come
about?
Did you know that those men andwomen involved in the glorious
cause of America were young.
(15:12):
They were not experiencedrevolutionaries.
They were winging it.
It's easy for us to see them asfigurines in a costume pageant.
That's how they're presented tous so often.
But they were real people livingin their present time.
They didn't know what the endresult would be.
(15:34):
American history books had notbeen written.
They were forming Americanhistory within their own lives.
Many of them not even realizinghow significant their actions
would be on our lives.
The glorious cause of Americawas a young men and young
women's cause.
(15:55):
A long drawn out cause that is.
It lasted for eight years fourmonths and 15 days.
It started on April 19th, 1775,and went till September 3rd.
1783.
Yes eight years, four months and15 days.
(16:17):
So.
Officially it's called therevolutionary war.
What is a revolutionary or whatdoes it mean?
Well revolutionary meansinvolving or causing a complete
or dramatic change.
Or a revolutionary is oneinvolved or one causing a
(16:37):
complete or dramatic change.
Let's take a closer look at someof those people involved in the
revolutionary war.
The greatest, most famous one.
Let's start there.
George Washington became ourfirst president.
He was 43 years old.
(16:58):
And the oldest of the bunch atthe beginning of the
revolutionary war.
He was the general of thecontinental army.
That's what they called ourarmy, the American army, the
continental army.
John Adams.
He eventually became the secondpresident of the United States.
He was 40 years old.
(17:19):
During the revolutionary war.
He went to France and Hollandand negotiated the treaty of
peace.
Which led to the end of the warof independence.
Thomas Jefferson.
He was 33 when he wrote thedeclaration of independence.
Benjamin Rush.
He was the leader of theanti-slavery movement.
(17:40):
He was just 30 years old.
So this gives you an idea.
Of how young theserevolutionaries really were.
And again, They were notexperienced revolutionaries.
They had never been involved ina revolution before.
Abigail Adams was a veryinfluential woman.
(18:01):
Now in that day and age, womenhad to influence the community
through their husbands.
She was an ideal influence ofwomen during the glorious cause
of America.
She writes to her husband, Johnand Philadelphia.
I think her writing gives usjust a tiny glimpse.
(18:22):
Of how difficult it was tosurvive during the period of the
revolutionary war.
She says this quote.
Posterity.
Who are to reap the blessings.
Will scarcely be able toconceive the hardship.
And sufferings of theirancestors.
Unquote.
(18:42):
Let's look at a pivotal momentduring the revolutionary war.
Now this occurred early onduring the revolutionary war
within the first two years.
This is after General Washingtonhad directed them in the
crossing of the Delaware andthey'd done it successfully and
(19:02):
they'd won the battle inTrenton.
Which was an amazing featbecause here they are.
So poorly trained, raggedlydressed, and meagerly
weaponized.
And they're fighting against thegreatest army of the world, the
(19:23):
British empire known as the redcoats, but they win.
And although it was a smallbattle over in just 45 minutes.
It was such a morale boost.
That happened on December 25th,the evening of Christmas.
1776.
(19:45):
Let's go a few days later.
To December 31st, 1776.
As it happened all of the men inthe army.
And there were not that many atthis time.
were due to have a completion oftheir enlistment.
So they could just walk homefreely and without problem.
(20:10):
And they had every motivation todo so.
There was so much sickness.
More soldiers died from sicknessthan they did from battle.
They were starving to death.
They were freezing to death.
They had every reason.
In addition to those red coats.
They were fighting against.
(20:31):
Every reason to want to go home.
It was George Washington'sresponsibility to change their
minds.
How would he motivate them?
On this day, December 31st,1776.
He calls all of his soldiers outand he offers them.
A$10 bonus in addition to theirpay.
(20:53):
If they will re-enlist for sixmonths.
Now$10 doesn't seem like much,but it really is significant.
To add that to a man's salary atthat time period.
Now George Washington.
Understood the importance.
Of leadership.
He wasn't called to be thegeneral because of his
(21:15):
experience in running arevolution- he had never done
so.
He was called because of hisgreat character and his
integrity and he understood howimportant it was to look like a
leader.
So he dressed in a splendiduniform and rode an immaculate
white horse.
(21:36):
He loved the theater.
And Shakespeare.
So he understood how to look andact the part.
And he said to his men,Soldiers.
I will offer you a$10 bonus.
If you will just stay.
For six more months.
In addition to your pay, you'llget this$10 bonus.
(21:59):
Please stay and fight with us.
He asked them to step forward.
If there are willing to stay.
Once the drum rolled.
Step forward.
The drum rolls.
And not one man steps forward.
George Washington.
Turns on his horse.
Away from the soldiers and ridesaway.
(22:20):
Now we know for a fact thatGeorge Washington is a man of
prayer.
And I believe.
He rode off.
To gather his courage and toseek guidance from the Lord.
He was not gone long for, hecame back with these words.
He spoke in a very affectionatemanner.
(22:43):
He said this.
Quote.
my brave fellows.
You have done all I asked you todo and more than can be
reasonably expected.
But your country's at stake.
Your wives, your houses and allthat you hold dear.
You have worn yourself out.
(23:05):
With fatigues and hardships.
But we know not how to spareyou.
If you consent.
To stay one month longer.
You will render that service tothe cause of Liberty and to your
country, which you probably cannever do under any other
circumstances.
(23:26):
david McCullough.
The author of 1776.
Interprets.
General Washington's realisticand speech so well, Quote.
In other words.
You are fortunate.
You have a chance to serve yourcountry in a way that nobody
(23:47):
else is going to be able to do.
Everyone else is going to bejealous of you.
And you will count this the mostimportant decision, the most
valuable service of your lives.
Unquote With thatinterpretation.
Listen to General Washington'sspeech one more time.
My brave fellows.
(24:09):
You have done all I asked you todo and more than can be
reasonably expected.
But your country's at stake.
Your wives, your houses and allthat you hold dear.
You have worn yourself out.
With fatigues and hardships.
But we know not how to spareyou.
(24:31):
If you consent to stay one monthlonger you will render that
service to the cause of Libertyand to your country, which you
probably can never do under anyother circumstances.
General Washington.
Then motioned for the drum roll.
(24:52):
The drum rolled.
And men began to step forward.
One after another.
And this made it.
So the glorious cause ofAmerica.
The revolutionary war.
Could continue.
And eventually win America'sindependence.
(25:14):
As I learned about the fathersand mothers of the American
revolution.
I was reminded of the prophecygiven by president Spencer w
Kimball in 1979.
It was the prophecy about theimpact of future covenant,
keeping him women.
On the future of the Lord'schurch.
(25:36):
I began to draw parallelsbetween the American
revolutionaries.
And the future generation ofcovenant keeping women.
To better understand my line ofthought.
Listen to this quote bypresident Russell M.
Nelson.
This was given in 2015 in histalk, a Plea to, my sisters at
(25:58):
the time, he was the presidentof the quorum of the 12
apostles.
President Nelson says this.
Quote.
36 years ago in 1979, presidentSpencer w Kimball made a
profound prophecy about theimpact that covenant keeping
women would have on the futureof the Lord's church.
(26:19):
He prophesied.
Quote.
Much of the major growth that iscoming to the church in the last
days will come because many ofthe good women of the world will
be drawn to the church in largenumbers.
This will happen to the degreethat the women of the church
reflect righteousness andarticulateness and their lives
and to the degree that the womenof the church are seen as
(26:41):
distinct and different in happyways from the women of the
world.
Unquote.
President Nelson goes on to say.
My dear sisters.
You who are our vital associatesduring this winding up scene?
The day that president Kimballforesaw.
Is today.
You are the women he foresaw.
(27:04):
Your virtue, light love,knowledge, courage, character,
faith and righteous lives willdraw good women of the world
along with their families to thechurch.
In unprecedented numbers.
Unquote.
Now that we understand thatprophecy.
Let me identify four parallelsThat I have drawn between the
(27:28):
American revolutionaries and thefuture covenant keeping women of
today.
We are those covenant keepingwomen.
Of today.
The first parallel.
The American revolutionarieswere presenting a new idea.
That idea was to create acountry that allowed for freedom
(27:49):
without a king.
They wanted a Republic.
The future covenant keepingwomen.
Of today are presenting adifferent idea for this world.
Moral norm.
It is to be virtuous.
To keep the commandments of God.
The second parallel.
(28:10):
The American revolutionarieswere young in their years and
their experience in war.
The future covenant, keepingwomen are young in their
opportunity within the world.
To speak directly as leaders.
and, not just as an influence totheir husband.
I'm convinced that Abigail Adamsis dancing in heaven over the
(28:32):
progress.
Of women being given theopportunity to step into
leadership roles.
After 250 years of progress.
The third parallel.
The determining factor ofsuccess for the American
revolutionaries were theirpersonalities and character.
They emulated strength.
(28:53):
Courage and determination.
The future covenant keepingwomen.
Will draw good women of theworld.
Through their light loveknowledge, courage, character,
faith.
And righteous lives.
To the church in unprecedentednumbers.
The fourth and final parallel.
(29:15):
The members of the Americanrevolution felt their roles
within the revolution.
were of divine providence.
Sisters.
It has been prophesied that weare the future covenant keeping
women referred to in PresidentKimball's prophecy.
(29:35):
We are a part of divineprovidence.
to prepare for the second comingof our savior.
Jesus Christ.
Isn't it amazing.
The more I listened to theAmerican revolutionaries
experience.
The more I understood.
That we sisters and brothers inthe gospel are also
(29:59):
revolutionaries.
It is up to us.
We are all involved in adramatic change.
Covenant keeping women.
We'll have a direct influence onthe major growth of the church.
This is a dramatic change.
Thus, we are allrevolutionaries.
(30:20):
How we approach our position asrevolutionaries will make all
the difference in our future.
George Washington's reenlistment speech given on
December 31st.
1776.
Taught us what approach weshould take.
He helped us to see what aprivilege it is.
(30:41):
To be the very group, the chosenfew.
To accept this calling.
Our influence.
Is pivotal in so many children'slives.
Who better to take this role?
Then the women.
The mothers.
Of the world.
We will look back at this time.
(31:03):
As one of the most valuable actsof service.
Given in our entire existence.
For this reason.
Sisters, I invite you to chooseto step forward.
Choose to be a covenant keepingwoman.
Choose to follow him.
Our savior.
(31:24):
Jesus Christ.
I thank you for being with metoday.
During this patriotic month.
As we celebrate ourindependence.
And the glorious cause ofAmerica.
Now imagine me holding yourhand, as I say.
Farewell.
My friends.
Un til we, meet again.
Dr Rigby.
We have a man in his fifties.
Here.
On site.
He's inebriated.
And fell down the stairs.
In that local hotel.
They often housed the drunkardsin
Stephanie (2) (00:20):
Hello, welcome to Dear Daughters of God.
My name is Stephanie Eccles, I'mso glad you're here.
This is episode 27, emergencyBrain Surgery with only a book
you won't believe what happensnext.
Stephanie test (00:35):
I am a retired school administrator
natural storyteller, and I am adaughter of God.
Now, I tell the stories
of our lives from theperspective
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Microphone (Samson Q2U (00:46):
Welcome, Dear Daughters of God.
I address you that way becausethat's what you are to Him.
To our Heavenly Father, you aredear
Stephanie (00:54):
While you're here, please like and subscribe to the
Dear Daughters of God channelbecause we like having you
around
As a listener, you may notrealize that this story,
emergency brain surgery, withonly a book is in full color.
On YouTube under Dear Daughtersof God, and it's full of videos
(01:16):
and pictures that bring thisstory to life, and I invite you
to tune in there.
Thank you for being with us ontothe story.
I would like to dedicate this episode to my dear
father.
Odell Franklin Rigby.
Who passed away in the year2018.
This is the month of July andit's his birthday month.
(01:40):
Which is fitting because he wassuch a patriotic man.
I want to share one of hisfavorite.
absurdly amusing stories.
Then as my father served in thearmy.
How much of his life.
We will Reflect back.
Way back.
On the glorious cause ofAmerica.
Let's go back in time.
(02:01):
To 1937.
We're coming to the end of thegreat depression.
My father Odell Franklin Rigbyis born on July 5th.
In Idaho falls to Afton, OdellRigby.
And Elmer Clark Rigby.
he's their only child.
But Elmer was a widower and hadthree children from a previous
(02:22):
marriage.
Odell.
Yes, my grandmother named himafter her maiden name.
Odell was raised in Palo Alto,California.
Logan Utah and eventually SaltLake.
he grew up to be very tall.
All of six foot seven.
Everywhere.
I went with my dad.
(02:43):
People would look at him,starting at his toes.
And follow.
His tall body up to the top ofhis balding head And then they
would say, How tall are you?
And he would smile and say in amodest way.
I'm six foot seven.
(03:04):
Now you might think, give theboy a basketball.
But no, that did not fit myfather.
He much preferred chess.
He was an intellectual.
Specifically a scientist.
He graduated as a valedictorianfrom east high school in salt
lake city, and then went on tothe university of Utah.
(03:25):
And graduated from medicalschool there.
As the president of a seniorclass.
With honors in 1964.
He took a break from hisuniversity years to serve a
mission for the church of JesusChrist, latter day saints in
Australia.
And that's where he met mymother.
They were both Ozzymissionaries.
(03:47):
I've talked about my mom in moredetail and episodes one, and
two.
this was at a time when ustroops were at war in Vietnam.
It was time for Odell.
To serve in the Vietnam war.
He was stationed at Letterman'shospital.
At the Presidio in SanFrancisco.
(04:08):
His military training includedairborne ranger, special forces.
And flight and battalion surgeontraining.
And this is where.
My parents first two daughterswere born.
They were twins.
After that.
They were stationed in Germany.
He got to take his whole familybecause it wasn't within
(04:28):
Vietnam.
In Germany.
He's was the commander of the10th general dispensary in
Frankfurt.
And this is where I was born.
The third daughter.
In 1969, he was able to return.
Home with his young family tosalt lake city.
And now he could begin hisresidency in urology.
(04:48):
He was required first to do acouple of different rotations in
general surgery.
Neurosurgery would be as firstrotation.
There are usually more than oneresident in each field.
But in this circumstance, myfather was the only resident.
Which meant he was on call everyweekend.
(05:08):
And every week night, He hadjust started this residency and
a not yet received his firstlesson in neurosurgery.
It was late on a Saturday nightand he got a call from the
emergency room.
Dr Rigby.
We have a man in his fifties.
Here.
(05:29):
On site.
He's inebriated And fell downthe stairs.
In that local hotel They oftenhoused the drunkards in My
father said.
Hmm.
I see.
I'll be right there.
Go ahead.
Start as lab work, please.
(05:50):
Thank you, Jane.
He arrived at the emergency roomand examine the patient.
He found that he had of subduralhematoma of the brain.
This is bleeding underneath theskull.
And if it's not released cancause death.
My father called the chief ofneurology.
Hello, chief.
(06:10):
We have a 50 year old man herehe is inebriated He fell down
the stairs and has a subduralhematoma on his head.
What would you like me to do forhim, sir?
The chief said.
Mm.
i'll be right there.
In the meantime.
Odell you go to my office.
To the bookshelf on the topleft.
(06:32):
You find the book called simpleneurological procedures, and
look up the chapter called subdura hematomas.
Read that chapter.
And take the book with you tothe operating room.
My father did just what he wastold.
He found the book on simpleneurological procedures and read
(06:54):
the chapter on subduralhematomas.
He took the book with him backto the corridor, just outside of
the surgery room.
The patient was ready for theoperation.
He called the chief.
Hello, chief.
I found that book on simpleneurological procedures.
I've read the chapter onsubdural hematomas and found it
(07:16):
interesting.
Uh, the patient is ready to go.
Matter of fact.
We're outside the operatingroom.
And how would you like me toproceed, sir?
The chief said.
Mm.
Hmm.
That's fine.
That's fine.
I'll be right there.
I'm on my way.
Go ahead.
Go ahead and take the patientinto the operating room.
(07:40):
They'll put him to sleep.
And you start with the shavingof the head.
and cleaning of the skin anddiagramming the scalp and follow
the procedures in the book.
So he did just, as he was told.
The patient was underanesthesia.
Odell shaved his head.
Cleaned the scalp and diagrammedjust as the book described.
(08:04):
He then got the scalpel and cutthe skin and peeled the skin
back off the skull.
Now he was to drill into theskull.
This was 1970 and they did nothave a power drill.
They used a carpenters handdrill.
Now, this is what it lookedlike.
(08:25):
The middle part of thecarpenter's hand drill.
Is like a coffee grinder, butit's actually a cranking handle.
They call it that you put onehand.
On the middle cranking handle.
And the other above it on thesecond handle, which is held
stationary.
And at the bottom is the drillbit.
That cuts the hole.
(08:47):
The middle hand.
Turns and turns the handlearound.
Now it takes a while to crack aman skull.
At this point.
The nurse said.
I'm feeling sick.
Odell said.
Would you like to have someoneto replace you?
(09:07):
No, I'll be fine.
Odell went drilling.
By turning and turning andturning the handrail.
He separated the skull.
And the brain was now exposed.
He saw the subdural hematoma.
And went cauterize it.
All of his attention was on thistask.
(09:28):
At this point, the nurse pulleddown her mask and vomited into
the brain cavity.
When pressurized fluid goesdown, it also ricochets back up.
Odell shot straight up incomplete shock.
He out.
With vomit tripping down hisgoggles.
Oh, get The chief on the line.
Get, get the chief on the line.
(09:50):
Chief chief.
He said, Chief.
Chief I've I, I have shaved.
The man's head.
And diagrammed and peeled theskin back and drilled holes into
the skull and separated theskull and the brain.
Is exposed Oh, and.
Um, and the nurse.
Vomited.
(10:11):
Into the brain.
Sir.
The operating room was insilence, waiting for the chief's
answer.
And nothing was said.
Odell said.
Chief.
Did you hear me, sir?
The chief said.
She did what.
She vomited into the brain, sir.
I cannot believe this.
(10:35):
I have never in all my years ofmedical practice heard or seen
such a ridiculous.
Uh, result as this.
How did that happen?
How did you let that happen?
Odell.
Odell said.
Uh, Aye.
Chief.
What would you like me to do,sir?
(10:56):
With exasperated breath.
The chief said.
douse douse douse the brain.
With saline water.
Then put in rubber drains.
We usually don't use rubberdrains in the brain, but we'll
have to use rubber drains atthis point.
Yes.
Put in rubber drains, then closethe skull.
(11:19):
Put him on high levels ofantibiotics.
I'll have to go straight to theICU.
I'm on my way.
Odell doused The brain wassailing water, put rubber drains
into the brain.
And closed the scalp.
When the patient was in the ICU.
(11:40):
Odell fell asleep for a coupleof hours.
Early in the morning.
The chief arrived.
They went together to do rounds.
They visited the patient.
He had 105 degree temperature.
The chief said.
He'll never make it.
My father.
Odell felt horrible remorse.
(12:02):
That this surgery had ended insuch a way.
He stayed with the patient andexplained what had happened.
And apologized to him.
And told him that he dideverything he could to save his
life.
continued to visit the patient.
Every day.
Two weeks later.
The patient now fully healed.
(12:25):
Walks out of the hospital.
The chief said to Odell.
You know, If he'd been thepresident of a bank or some
other job with greatresponsibility.
He would have never made it outof here.
But being that he held noresponsibilities and he was so
pickled, he walks out of here.
(12:47):
Just like that.
Wouldn't, you know, it.
My father loved humor.
He had a dry sense of humor.
he would teach us.
How to be like our savior.
Through example.
And sharing life stories likethis one that occurred during
his residency as a urologist.
(13:08):
He did not weary of good works.
In the Book of Mormon.
In the book of Alma.
Chapter 37 verse 34.
It says this quote.
Teach them to never be wary ofgood works, but to be meek and
lowly in heart for such shallfind rest to their souls.
Unquote.
(13:28):
During Vietnam, my fatherreceived biomedical warfare
training.
He was advised to stay withinthe military because if there
were ever another war.
He would be called to serve inthat war.
He did just that by joining thearmy reserves.
He had a private urologypractice, but also stayed in the
(13:49):
army reserves.
In 1991, he put his medicalpractice on pause.
As he was called to serve fulltime during the U S conflict in
Kuwait,
Known as Desert Storm.
By the the time he retired, myfather was a full bird Colonel.
He was grateful.
To be an American veteran.
Which leads me to reflect on therevolutionary war or as those
(14:13):
that were involved in thisconflict.
Call it.
The glorious cause of America.
Much of what I share today comesfrom the award winning
biographer David McCullough andhis book, 1776.
He points out (14:31):
if we love or even benefit from the freedoms
of living in America, we shouldrecognize where these freedoms
came from.
And how we came to obtain thesegifts of freedom.
(14:51):
For instance, the freedom ofspeech.
Or the freedom of religion.
And the freedom of thought.
To think as we would like tothink, how did this all come
about?
Did you know that those men andwomen involved in the glorious
cause of America were young.
(15:12):
They were not experiencedrevolutionaries.
They were winging it.
It's easy for us to see them asfigurines in a costume pageant.
That's how they're presented tous so often.
But they were real people livingin their present time.
They didn't know what the endresult would be.
(15:34):
American history books had notbeen written.
They were forming Americanhistory within their own lives.
Many of them not even realizinghow significant their actions
would be on our lives.
The glorious cause of Americawas a young men and young
women's cause.
(15:55):
A long drawn out cause that is.
It lasted for eight years fourmonths and 15 days.
It started on April 19th, 1775,and went till September 3rd.
1783.
Yes eight years, four months and15 days.
(16:17):
So.
Officially it's called therevolutionary war.
What is a revolutionary or whatdoes it mean?
Well revolutionary meansinvolving or causing a complete
or dramatic change.
Or a revolutionary is oneinvolved or one causing a
(16:37):
complete or dramatic change.
Let's take a closer look at someof those people involved in the
revolutionary war.
The greatest, most famous one.
Let's start there.
George Washington became ourfirst president.
He was 43 years old.
(16:58):
And the oldest of the bunch atthe beginning of the
revolutionary war.
He was the general of thecontinental army.
That's what they called ourarmy, the American army, the
continental army.
John Adams.
He eventually became the secondpresident of the United States.
He was 40 years old.
(17:19):
During the revolutionary war.
He went to France and Hollandand negotiated the treaty of
peace.
Which led to the end of the warof independence.
Thomas Jefferson.
He was 33 when he wrote thedeclaration of independence.
Benjamin Rush.
He was the leader of theanti-slavery movement.
(17:40):
He was just 30 years old.
So this gives you an idea.
Of how young theserevolutionaries really were.
And again, They were notexperienced revolutionaries.
They had never been involved ina revolution before.
Abigail Adams was a veryinfluential woman.
(18:01):
Now in that day and age, womenhad to influence the community
through their husbands.
She was an ideal influence ofwomen during the glorious cause
of America.
She writes to her husband, Johnand Philadelphia.
I think her writing gives usjust a tiny glimpse.
(18:22):
Of how difficult it was tosurvive during the period of the
revolutionary war.
She says this quote.
Posterity.
Who are to reap the blessings.
Will scarcely be able toconceive the hardship.
And sufferings of theirancestors.
Unquote.
(18:42):
Let's look at a pivotal momentduring the revolutionary war.
Now this occurred early onduring the revolutionary war
within the first two years.
This is after General Washingtonhad directed them in the
crossing of the Delaware andthey'd done it successfully and
(19:02):
they'd won the battle inTrenton.
Which was an amazing featbecause here they are.
So poorly trained, raggedlydressed, and meagerly
weaponized.
And they're fighting against thegreatest army of the world, the
(19:23):
British empire known as the redcoats, but they win.
And although it was a smallbattle over in just 45 minutes.
It was such a morale boost.
That happened on December 25th,the evening of Christmas.
1776.
(19:45):
Let's go a few days later.
To December 31st, 1776.
As it happened all of the men inthe army.
And there were not that many atthis time.
were due to have a completion oftheir enlistment.
So they could just walk homefreely and without problem.
(20:10):
And they had every motivation todo so.
There was so much sickness.
More soldiers died from sicknessthan they did from battle.
They were starving to death.
They were freezing to death.
They had every reason.
In addition to those red coats.
They were fighting against.
(20:31):
Every reason to want to go home.
It was George Washington'sresponsibility to change their
minds.
How would he motivate them?
On this day, December 31st,1776.
He calls all of his soldiers outand he offers them.
A$10 bonus in addition to theirpay.
(20:53):
If they will re-enlist for sixmonths.
Now$10 doesn't seem like much,but it really is significant.
To add that to a man's salary atthat time period.
Now George Washington.
Understood the importance.
Of leadership.
He wasn't called to be thegeneral because of his
(21:15):
experience in running arevolution- he had never done
so.
He was called because of hisgreat character and his
integrity and he understood howimportant it was to look like a
leader.
So he dressed in a splendiduniform and rode an immaculate
white horse.
(21:36):
He loved the theater.
And Shakespeare.
So he understood how to look andact the part.
And he said to his men,Soldiers.
I will offer you a$10 bonus.
If you will just stay.
For six more months.
In addition to your pay, you'llget this$10 bonus.
(21:59):
Please stay and fight with us.
He asked them to step forward.
If there are willing to stay.
Once the drum rolled.
Step forward.
The drum rolls.
And not one man steps forward.
George Washington.
Turns on his horse.
Away from the soldiers and ridesaway.
(22:20):
Now we know for a fact thatGeorge Washington is a man of
prayer.
And I believe.
He rode off.
To gather his courage and toseek guidance from the Lord.
He was not gone long for, hecame back with these words.
He spoke in a very affectionatemanner.
(22:43):
He said this.
Quote.
my brave fellows.
You have done all I asked you todo and more than can be
reasonably expected.
But your country's at stake.
Your wives, your houses and allthat you hold dear.
You have worn yourself out.
(23:05):
With fatigues and hardships.
But we know not how to spareyou.
If you consent.
To stay one month longer.
You will render that service tothe cause of Liberty and to your
country, which you probably cannever do under any other
circumstances.
(23:26):
david McCullough.
The author of 1776.
Interprets.
General Washington's realisticand speech so well, Quote.
In other words.
You are fortunate.
You have a chance to serve yourcountry in a way that nobody
(23:47):
else is going to be able to do.
Everyone else is going to bejealous of you.
And you will count this the mostimportant decision, the most
valuable service of your lives.
Unquote With thatinterpretation.
Listen to General Washington'sspeech one more time.
My brave fellows.
(24:09):
You have done all I asked you todo and more than can be
reasonably expected.
But your country's at stake.
Your wives, your houses and allthat you hold dear.
You have worn yourself out.
With fatigues and hardships.
But we know not how to spareyou.
(24:31):
If you consent to stay one monthlonger you will render that
service to the cause of Libertyand to your country, which you
probably can never do under anyother circumstances.
General Washington.
Then motioned for the drum roll.
(24:52):
The drum rolled.
And men began to step forward.
One after another.
And this made it.
So the glorious cause ofAmerica.
The revolutionary war.
Could continue.
And eventually win America'sindependence.
(25:14):
As I learned about the fathersand mothers of the American
revolution.
I was reminded of the prophecygiven by president Spencer w
Kimball in 1979.
It was the prophecy about theimpact of future covenant,
keeping him women.
On the future of the Lord'schurch.
(25:36):
I began to draw parallelsbetween the American
revolutionaries.
And the future generation ofcovenant keeping women.
To better understand my line ofthought.
Listen to this quote bypresident Russell M.
Nelson.
This was given in 2015 in histalk, a Plea to, my sisters at
(25:58):
the time, he was the presidentof the quorum of the 12
apostles.
President Nelson says this.
Quote.
36 years ago in 1979, presidentSpencer w Kimball made a
profound prophecy about theimpact that covenant keeping
women would have on the futureof the Lord's church.
(26:19):
He prophesied.
Quote.
Much of the major growth that iscoming to the church in the last
days will come because many ofthe good women of the world will
be drawn to the church in largenumbers.
This will happen to the degreethat the women of the church
reflect righteousness andarticulateness and their lives
and to the degree that the womenof the church are seen as
(26:41):
distinct and different in happyways from the women of the
world.
Unquote.
President Nelson goes on to say.
My dear sisters.
You who are our vital associatesduring this winding up scene?
The day that president Kimballforesaw.
Is today.
You are the women he foresaw.
(27:04):
Your virtue, light love,knowledge, courage, character,
faith and righteous lives willdraw good women of the world
along with their families to thechurch.
In unprecedented numbers.
Unquote.
Now that we understand thatprophecy.
Let me identify four parallelsThat I have drawn between the
(27:28):
American revolutionaries and thefuture covenant keeping women of
today.
We are those covenant keepingwomen.
Of today.
The first parallel.
The American revolutionarieswere presenting a new idea.
That idea was to create acountry that allowed for freedom
(27:49):
without a king.
They wanted a Republic.
The future covenant keepingwomen.
Of today are presenting adifferent idea for this world.
Moral norm.
It is to be virtuous.
To keep the commandments of God.
The second parallel.
(28:10):
The American revolutionarieswere young in their years and
their experience in war.
The future covenant, keepingwomen are young in their
opportunity within the world.
To speak directly as leaders.
and, not just as an influence totheir husband.
I'm convinced that Abigail Adamsis dancing in heaven over the
(28:32):
progress.
Of women being given theopportunity to step into
leadership roles.
After 250 years of progress.
The third parallel.
The determining factor ofsuccess for the American
revolutionaries were theirpersonalities and character.
They emulated strength.
(28:53):
Courage and determination.
The future covenant keepingwomen.
Will draw good women of theworld.
Through their light loveknowledge, courage, character,
faith.
And righteous lives.
To the church in unprecedentednumbers.
The fourth and final parallel.
(29:15):
The members of the Americanrevolution felt their roles
within the revolution.
were of divine providence.
Sisters.
It has been prophesied that weare the future covenant keeping
women referred to in PresidentKimball's prophecy.
(29:35):
We are a part of divineprovidence.
to prepare for the second comingof our savior.
Jesus Christ.
Isn't it amazing.
The more I listened to theAmerican revolutionaries
experience.
The more I understood.
That we sisters and brothers inthe gospel are also
(29:59):
revolutionaries.
It is up to us.
We are all involved in adramatic change.
Covenant keeping women.
We'll have a direct influence onthe major growth of the church.
This is a dramatic change.
Thus, we are allrevolutionaries.
(30:20):
How we approach our position asrevolutionaries will make all
the difference in our future.
George Washington's reenlistment speech given on
December 31st.
1776.
Taught us what approach weshould take.
He helped us to see what aprivilege it is.
(30:41):
To be the very group, the chosenfew.
To accept this calling.
Our influence.
Is pivotal in so many children'slives.
Who better to take this role?
Then the women.
The mothers.
Of the world.
We will look back at this time.
(31:03):
As one of the most valuable actsof service.
Given in our entire existence.
For this reason.
Sisters, I invite you to chooseto step forward.
Choose to be a covenant keepingwoman.
Choose to follow him.
Our savior.
(31:24):
Jesus Christ.
I thank you for being with metoday.
During this patriotic month.
As we celebrate ourindependence.
And the glorious cause ofAmerica.
Now imagine me holding yourhand, as I say.
Farewell.
My friends.
Un til we, meet again.
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