Daughter Removes Dad’s Surgery Staples At Home Due To Coronavirus (COVID-19) Concerns

A metro bondsman and bounty hunter played doctor in the hopes of shielding her father from COVID-19.

In early March her dad underwent brain surgery at SSM Health St. Anthony. After going home, they learned it wasn’t safe for him to return for his follow-up.

Amber Van Brunt’s father went home with more than 40 staples in his head.

Because he was immunocompromised, his daughter-a former nurse was tasked with removing those staples while caring for him at home.

“We’re all learning at this point about everything and they wanted to be extra cautious, we wanted to be extra cautious” said Van Brunt.

Van Brunt said following her father’s surgery, reported COVID-19 cases spread through the country and hospitals.

She said despite the 68-year-old retired K-9 officer’s tough and often times stubborn exterior her father was a tough patient.

“He is the worst patient I’ve ever had. he’s the most non-compliant patient,” said Van Brunt.

She and her father heeded to doctor’s orders and stayed home.

But his staples needing to come out.

“He had them in his head, and he had them down his neck so there was quite a few of them. I think it was about 40 of them,” said Van Brunt.

Doctor’s dropped a staple remover kit in the mail and left the rest up to Amber.

“I had never done it before, but we looked at it and learned. It’s like a crimper you just slide it under, crimp and they just slide right out, said Van Brunt.

She said since then she and her two sons have monitored her father’s every move.

And Monday for the first time in a long time they were able to return to the doctor’s office.

“They had masks and gloves on, we had masks and gloves on. When it was over I got back to my car, I sprayed the back side of him and the bottom of his shoes,” said Van Brunt.

She said she’s grateful for the all safety measures during an unprecedented time.

“He’s definitely a survivor. The medical field has adapted to what we’re going through right now,” said Van Brunt.

SSM Health St. Anthony could not comment on a specific patient’s case due to privacy laws.

However, a spokesperson said it was their job to be innovative and think outside the box to meet patient’s needs.