Also known as: Heart attack
88-year-old woman who collapses after Thanksgiving dinner with an anterior MI. She becomes unstable during helicopter transport, develops ventricular fibrillation requiring multiple defibrillations, and ultimately dies during flight. This case drives the central conflict about appropriate end-of-life care and transport decisions.
Also known as: Inflamed appendix
12-year-old girl presenting with vomiting and abdominal pain on Thanksgiving. CT scan reveals cecal phlegmon requiring surgical intervention. She is taken to the OR by Dr. Crenshaw.
Also known as: Shock from blood loss
Woman trapped on unstable bus following accident over ravine. She is pinned and bleeding extensively. Abby attempts to stabilize her while trapped on the bus, but despite helicopter evacuation, patient requires over 12 units of blood in the OR and remains in critical condition. This is a central case driving the episode's trauma narrative.
Also known as: Impalement injury
Woman impaled by fiberglass Star of Bethlehem during Black Friday shopping brawl. Gates evaluates her and determines the star missed the peritoneum, requiring only superficial wound care.
Also known as: Broken leg
Bus accident victim with deformed lower extremity ('foot pointing the wrong way') and inability to feel or move his leg, suggesting fracture with possible neurological compromise. Abby performs initial triage and splinting at the accident scene.
Mentioned by Gates as one of several cases during his busy Thanksgiving shift, requiring evaluation by Neela.
Also known as: Migraine headache
Patient presenting with recurrent Thanksgiving migraine triggered by stuffing containing bacon and almonds. Treated with sumatriptan intranasally.
Also known as: Head laceration
17-year-old who fell down steps after inhaling nitrous oxide from whipped cream cans, presenting with positive loss of consciousness requiring evaluation.