I do have to warn you, if you have a weak stomach - this post is not for you!
This New Years will be the 2yr anniversary of my car accident. Ive noticed ALOT of anxiety leading up to 1/1/09 in myself daily. As I look back at these pictures I feel mixed emotions but am most thankful for and blessed to be alive. Everyone I spoke with, EMT's, Police, ER Dr's said its amazing youre alive! If I hadnt been wearing my seatbelt I dont think I would have been so lucky. I am also glad that nobody else out of the 4 people involved were majorly injured, despite my ill feelings toward the man that caused this. Forgive and forget....right? Naw, its not that easy!
Heres my story!
I was about 2 miles from my house, a truck backed out of a driveway and hit him at 60mph. I didnt see him at ALL due to cards lined up on the side of the rd for a New Years party. Because I t-boned him so fast it flipped his truck on his side. Without going into too much detail, I dont think legally I can, I had to be cut out of the car. Mercy flight couldnt land because it was rainy and foggy so I was rushed by ambulance to the nearest trauma hospital, where I layed on a gurney for 4 hours BEFORE they could get me in a room. This whole time I had NO IDEA what had happened to me. I know I was flipping out trying to get the EMT to take the neck brace off. After 6 hours of waiting they finally let Jason and my MIL into my "temp" room to see what was going on.
I had 6 Dr's around me trying to put my ankle back together to relieve some of the pressure, thats when I finally knew what was going on!
I did have emergency sugery to repair a shattered patella and my ankle. Was sent home 3 days later in a cast up to my hip for 12 weeks. I was miserable, ha!
I couldnt do anything, couldnt even get myself to the bathroom. Jason had to pretty much do everything for me, I felt so degraded and low! I spent a good 6 months in a cast or a walking boot with another surgery planned for Oct 07.
Since most know my story after that Ill leave it out.
This is my leg after the 12 weeks
(its really not that chubby, ha)
My knee
The car I was driving
The truck
I do still have alot of pain in my foot and will walk with a permanent limp. I also have 2 buldging discs in my neck from the whip lash that bother me from time to time.
So.....thanks for letting me share my story with you and Im sorry if the pics are gross!
24 comments:
Oh Jenn~I had no idea you had been in an accident. I can understand the apprehension of the upcoming month!
On a lighter note~I do Looove your blue nail polish on your toes! Very nice...LOL
Hope all is well in your house today!
Oh Jenn, what a awful experience for you, but know how brave you are for sharing it, it's the baby steps to putting it behind you so you can move on, in peace! I'm so glad you doing well and I pray you heal even more! You are truly blessed!
Wow Jenn, I'm hurting just looking at those pictures. I'm so sorry that happened to you ~ how awful ! From the looks of the car, you really are lucky to be alive ! I can understand how that date would be hard each year just bringing back the memory of what happened. Well, I'm so glad you're alive ~ thank God! I hope you have a good day today!
Janae :-)
OH Jenn - No wonder you live with pain and the limp. And I to can understand the apprehension of the upcoming date. It can't be easy to mentally face that. And you are right - it is easier said than done. You are in my thoughts.
wow Jenn, I admit I got an icky feeling in my stomach lookin' at your pics. not so much from your leg (which is horrible looking)...but from the vehicles (i had flash backs of my own!)...you are so lucky/blessed to be here, girl. I can soooo understand how ya feel...it was a VERY traumatic experience, and those stay with us for a long, long time...like, forever!
I hope with time, your pain is less....
I do admire you, for all you've endured--you are one strong girl! :)
Hugs-Kath
Oh my goodness I had no idea that you had been through something like that. I don't know that I could drive again after something like that. I can see why your nervous about the upcoming date of when the accident happened. Hope you have a great day!
Hey sweet girl,
thanks for visiting me ;)
I was in an accident many years ago. I am, to this day, afraid to drive!
The flash backs I was having were the result of my son's accident.
it happened 9 months ago, but it still seems like yesterday.
I have panic attacks if/when I drive! Now I even have them when I "ride" with others! :(
I literally have heart palpataions when i come to a 'red' light!
It's sad...I know! Goin through something so horrible effects you so deeply...it actually changes who you are! or who you "used to be"!
I agree with you 110%! talking about it does help!!!
BIG HUGS to ya!
-Kath
You warned me and I still had to look. Why is that? LOL!
What a terrible thing to go through, you are indeed very lucky to be alive.
As i sat here reading, i am also crying! I know just how you feel,
I went through a life threating accident 8years ago. It changes everything about you not just physically either! It is something people dont understand unless they have been through it.
It it like you have been robbed, hard to explain. Many Blessings to you!
Jenn, thank you for sharing! If you can't share with friends then what are we here for? Big hugs to you, Kimberly
Jenn, from looking at your car, you are lucky to be alive. Thank God you were wearing your seatbelt. You must have been in horrendous pain from looking at the pictures. You are in my thoughts, my friend.
Pam
You know I am so grateful to God above you lived through this! What an amazing story. We had a tragic Christmas accident a few years ago and every Christmas I just cry thinking how grateful I am that God spared my kids and father...Looking at your car pictures just blows me away! I am glad you are here, and instead of 'bittersweet' memories...we will think of it as being grateful that you are alive!
blessings,
Debbie
Exodus 15:24 says God made the 'bitter' waters 'sweet'!
Jenn, seeing those pics again made me want to cry all over again! I am so sorry for all the things you have had to endure. But I have to tell you that I think you are one of the most amazing people I have ever known. You have handled everything with such grace! You accomplish more than most people without any kind of difficulties, including myself! You never let anything keep you down. You rock!
I hope you know how much you mean to so many people. :)
Hi Jenn! So terrible! I'm sorry that you are still going through the pain of this I hope that with the new surgery things will get better. Deb
Wow you are Blessed for sure and for no one else to be hurt is amazing! I can understand your anxiety. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Take care. Wendy
Oh Jenn,
What an awful experience to go through. Something like that sadly, you will remember forever due to the pain you have to endure now. It is better to talk and blog about it I think, it makes you less aprehensive as time draws towards your anniversary.
How great your Hubby was to nurse you through those weeks while in a full leg cast, makes you realize the type of man you chose; he is a keeper:)
Wooly hugs to you,
Trudy
Hey girl I am so glad you are here; the prim world and the rest of it too; would not be the same without you; I too noticed the blue toenails; hee-hee; I guess ya never know huh; when your toesies will be on display; well; in the winter months I'm lucky if I remember to shave my legs LOL: that would BE a sight right? I hope that you will look at the fortune of being here for your babies and DH and be able to let go of the fear and sadness and anxiety. I have been through enough stuff to know that it is true that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but I'll bet you feel like I do; strong enough already; jeez! LOL; Feel better my wonderful friend; you are truly loved; remember that; I am so glad that we "met" Merrie
O.k. I'm officially nauseated... :)
You poor thing, what an ordeal you've been through!!
I'm so sorry what you've been through!!
You are such a trooper though!
I do know what it's like to have the limp...I have one leg that is a teeny bit shorter than the other one..not very noticeable....but I can tell it...
I was hit by a car when I was about 7 or 8 and it broke my femur clean.
It seemed like it took an eternity to mend...I guess for that age it was an eternity,but I'm so grateful and thankful it wasn't worse than that...
Hope you continue to do better,my friend! :)
About 3 or 4 years ago I was with my neighbor/friend in her Firebird and we were T-boned on her side by a huge frozen foods truck that ran through a stop sign...it totaled her car...thanks be to God all I had was a piece of glass I dug out of my elbow three days later...
I can remember after getting my friend out of the car through my side(she was in a panic because she smelled the air bags and thought her car was on fire with her belted in)I started picking up our groceries off the road and tossing them in the back seat...picked up my just purchased issue of Country Sampler and poked it down in my purse!! :)
Wasn't going to lose my magazine!!
It is still all rippled looking from being wet from the rain while all this was going on!
I have no idea why that was even a thought to me at the time....
It took a long while for me to not go spastic when we pulled up to an intersection to make sure everyone was going to stop like they're supposed to.
I'm still very cautious....
Sorry about the book!
Take Care of yourself!
Backwoodsprim
Hi Jenn ~ oh my goodness...what a horrible thing to have to live through. And I can't believe they made you wait so long in the ER. I definitely understand the apprehension of the coming month. I'm glad you're on the mend tho!
Hugz,
Michele
Oh Jenn, what a terrible ordeal! I am glad you made it through so I could get to know you! You are a strong lady! 4 years ago Jan. 20th, My hubby lost control of his car on icey roads at 4:00 in the morning on his way to work and hit a guard rail, it propelled into the air and he rolled the car. He suffered a severe contusion and a concussion and he has not been the same person since. He was found by the man driving the sand truck. They had to cut him out of his seatbelt because he was upside down! You just never know what life is gonna throw at you. But it looks like you are coming through quite well. Bless you! ~Beth~
Jenn..Hugs! The fear after a traumatic experience is hard to forget. I have been rear-ended twice and my son was in a very bad accident 4 years ago. It never leaves you, just when you least expect it, you have a reminder. As the time approaches, I hope your able to get through it ok...:))
you are so lucky! someone up there loves you...thanks for entering my giveaway..good luck...and I am adding you to my daily reads...
Gina :)
What memories those pictures brings back! I remember Kin getting on CHK's to let us know. We were all shocked and very worried about you.
But through it all you've been so strong, and stubborn. lol!
That's probably a good way to be in circumstances like that.
My anniversary is Feb.13th, and it will be 9 yrs. this time. I still get nervous driving, or riding.
I don't think it ever leaves you.
Thank God your angel mama was watching over you, just like I know my brother was looking out for me.
Like Carolyn said...I think you rock!
Terry
Oh Jen, What you have endured is to be commended. I know living with pain is not easy, I must say I think you are amazing to come through it and be positive. Your pictures say a 1000 words and I have just one comment, I LOVE your nail polish girl... See you are amazing.. Take care of yourself and I will be praying for you as your date nears. Thanks for sharing!
Hugs
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