That fateful night
I've spent a LOT of time re-explaining the car accident and subsequent injuries. But it's always good to have a journal entry record, not to mention in this format I can complain about my aches and pains as much as my heart desires. ð
Tuesday July 30th, 9:25pm. Nate and I are driving home from Salem, where we'd been working on the house with the next day being the last opportunity to finish everything and clean it out. We were on Hoffman at the hwy 99 intersection waiting for road construction. I called Dad and arranged to borrow his truck the next day, then called the kids to check in and let them know that we were about to get Nate's car and would be home about 40-45 minutes later. I finished my calls and Nate and I chatted about the construction and whatnot. Then it was our turn to cross. We crossed straight over the hwy and continued on Hoffman to the t-intersection, checked both ways and proceeded to start a left-hand turn as Nate made his second glance to the left. Only that second look yielded headlights right there and the sound of a long honking. In less than a blink, there was a tremendous impact. I grabbed my own head with my arms and curled myself inward as much as the locked seat belt would allow. I was screaming. I kept screaming while the van spun and I remember thinking, "Stop screaming, it doesn't help anything!" But the screaming didn't stop until the car did. As we stopped I opened my eyes and saw the van filled with smoke, the windshield was smashed but in place, night's darkness gleaming off the shards. I looked over at Nate to see if was alive and in one piece, noticing his window was completely gone. The smoke was choking me, I couldn't breathe. "The smoke, I can't breathe!" I cried as I struggled to get my door open. It was locked, but I managed to quickly get it unlocked and opened the door, coughing and gasping. I'd asked Nate if he was OK and he'd responded he was and asked about me. I seemed OK, except that my knees and chest hurt. They looked fine though so I wasn't too worried. It was so dark in the car as we looked around at our situation.
People from other vehicles came running up. I could hear a man's voice in the other car yelling, "Help me! Help me!" The first civilian responder had run to him first and I heard him yelling profanely that his leg was broken. The lady ran over to our van next and I said we were OK. Nate had miraculously found his glasses, in the dark, and had exited the car, coming around to my side. I remained in my seat because my knees, especially my left one, really did hurt rather badly so I wanted to let that pass. I didn't really have a reason to get out anyway. I found my cell phone and searched for the cord and battery pack with no luck.
I don't remember if this was when the lady was running back and forth between cars, calling 911, etc, or if this was when the police arrived. I think it was the former on the phone with 911 who was talking to me though, while I called mom and dad. "Look, I don't have much battery so I have to be quick. Nate and I were in an accident. We're OK, but I don't know what's going to happen. They're calling for an ambulance. I need someone to go be with the kids please." I was having trouble focusing and trying to avoid shock and confusion, so I wanted to get to the point. Plus I was being asked questions like how old I am. Mom simultaneously asking me where I was. "What? You're on 36th?" They wanted someone to come right away but I told them I didn't know if I was going to be going to a hospital or what, so I'd have to let them know later. I never did have a chance to call, thankfully Nate did later.
The police arrived, firetrucks arrived. Responders were coming up to Nate and I asking questions and beginning the reports. They kept apologizing that they had to go to the other car because that man was more injured. Of course we understood! He kept yelling about not being taken to the hospital fast enough, that the ambulance hadn't arrived. He yelled at all the responders for not "doing anything" as he "just sat there with a broken leg." It was hard to hear, knowing he was in pain, feeling that anger he felt, knowing Nate was feeling responsible for all of this. I felt so bad for the other guy, and so bad for Nate.
The ambulance arrived and another was called after it was decided that I should go to the ER as well, and no, Nate was in no condition to drive us there. (Our other car was still a mile or 2 away anyway.) When that arrived, I was helped onto the gurney. I was surprised how badly my left knee hurt, I really couldn't move it at all. Once in the ambulance I agreed to get some pain meds right then, since there wasn't a reason to wait until getting to the hospital if I could get a head start on the pain management. The medic couldn't find my vein though. There are about 5 picks in my one arm before the iv was placed. Nate was riding in the front, deciding to be checked out too, just in case.
At the hospital we were taken to different rooms and I didn't see Nate again until just before my release. They took xrays of my knee and chest. I laid on my bed, in pain, wishing for my mom or dad to be there with me. Moments later, there was dad! He's so great to have in stressful situations like this because you know he's a great second set of ears. He loves knowing the medical details, he knows what the doctors are talking about. It's comforting knowing he's there, not freaking out, always calm and collected. Knowing mom was with the kids was a great comfort to me as well, as much as I would have loved her presence with me.
After a while, a nurse came in and said she was taking me for a CT scan. This surprised me, and I asked why it was needed in addition to the xrays. She said the doctor needed the better view or something like that, and couldn't rule out a fracture. It turns out that scan was key (according to the surgeon), as it was difficult to see the fracture and extent of the problem in the xrays. Multiple people mentioned being glad that that was done. After an hour wait for the scan to be examined, I was told that I have a compound fracture in my tibia. I was to contact an orthopedic surgeon first thing in the morning as they're the experts and would tell me if I needed surgery and pins, or if I might be able to heal on my own. The chest xrays showed no breaks, btw.
Eventually it was time to try to get dressed. I'd had a soft brace put on my leg, and got sized for my crutches. Moving was horrible. I did not know how I would get out of there, but thankfully I was finally told I could be wheeled out in a wheelchair. Whew! I was also given some really stylish disposable pants that fit over the brace. ð I was wheeled to dad's truck and he drove Nate and I home, with only a handful of bouts of nausea on my part. We got home around 2 or 2:30am. Brennan had stayed up with mom and done a lot of cleaning while he waited. That was great. Getting out of the truck and hobbling inside on crutches was a hoooorrible event! I could.not.suffer that pain in my chest that the movement invoked. I finally got inside, and onto the couch and immediately vomited, a result of either the pain, stress, pain killers, or all of the above.
We set me up on the couch to sleep and Nate positioned himself on the living room floor with nothing but a blanket and pillow, so he could be near me. It was a short night, with Brennan's alarm going off about 3 hours later, lol. The pain kept me from sleeping much anyway. I felt the meds wearing off, but knew I had to wait until the pharmacy opened before there was anything I could do about it. So I waited. Waited to see signs of the sunrise, waited for the hands on the clock to turn. Nate got me ibuprofen when he woke up, and was at the pharmacy promptly at 9am when they opened. He also called the Dr's office to begin the referral process as soon as they opened at 7:30am.
My day was spent mostly answering texts and calls. One ministering sister brought milk and cereal when she came to take the littles to the playground. Right after they got back, Amanda Brewster got here with dinner and a wheelchair and bath seat from another friend, and took all 4 kids to the river and then home with her. She didn't bring them back until bedtime. The other ministering sister brought other groceries and offered to bring more boxes and packing help any time. Nate's parents came by to get the car keys and picked up Nate's car still in Monmouth. Since Marie works for an accident and injury lawyer, she's getting us all set up to make sure we get all the coverage possible, medically and job-wise and everything at all. She'd also called in the troops in Salem for the Elm St work, gathering a 5-man team to take care of the outside, (stuff to haul away, mowing the lawn, etc) and a team inside doing the needed cleaning and finishing. It was such a blessing and load off our minds. We also each got a blessing from Dave. He and Marie went to Monmouth for our car, but also went to the towing place and gathered our belongings from the van, taking what was going to the storage unit over there.
The referral had gone through and the orthopedist was able to see me that day! So, Nate got me there (thank the heavens for that wheelchair!) and we talked about my situation. From what I gather, the fracture is kinda V-shaped, so that triangle piece got pushed down, like, towards the back of my knee. It was hard to see on the xray I guess, and not until viewing the scan was it apparent. The ultimate decision is to be seen next week after swelling has gone down and we'll see if self-healing looks probable or if I'll need a plate installed. Fun fun. I got a rigid brace though, that locks in place to keep my leg straight, but can be unlocked and bent to get in and out of the car. Honestly, I want to faint at the idea of bending my knee or changing its position, so thank goodness for my short legs that I can get in and out of the car without bending!
Last night Nate picked up a recliner from mom and dad's. That was great! But it wouldn't quite work for sleeping in. So Brennan cleaned out his room, and we opened the bed into the 2 twins. It was OK to lay on, but not so much on my back for very long. And obviously I can only sleep on my back these days. Also it kind of hurt my leg even with a pillow or towel under it. What works best is when my leg can dangle off the side a bit so it's not resting for long with pressure on the under side. I don't know why my calves and back of thighs hurt, but they do a bit. Anyway, I moved back to the couch. And I slept great last night! The divots where the cushions are broken are actually perfect. I can cradle my body in blankets and up against the side of the couch so I'm not so flat and straight. And best of all, I can keep my bum leg off the side as often and as much as I want, though with much painful effort any time I need to adjust my position in the slightest. The little TV table beside me helped hold my leg so I had no pressure on top or below. It's pretty ideal. The ice packs might have helped it be less painful last night too.
I keep getting new pains though. Not only has my chest hurt excruciatingly, but then my ribs started growing more and more sore until they're full blown painful now. You can imagine how great the crutches feel with my whole upper body muscles hurting so much. And coughing makes me want to die. Actually, I can't cough. I make a weak, fake sounding attempt, but a real cough is impossible. The back pain started up too (could just be a result of laying around constantly) and as of this morning the neck pain has crept up. You should see the bruising on the back of my left arm and my right knee! I'm thankful the latter feels OK and can hold my weight because it's pretty bruised. Other lesser pains are across my lap (seat belt area) and my hips at times, and my toes in my left foot are kinda dumb, like they're not getting enough blood even with no brace on at all.
Nate helped me shower this morning. That was an experience. It gave me a new sympathy for parents of disabled children who probably dread the ordeal. And I didn't even fuss or make it harder than it needed to be! We moved that seat around several times trying to figure out the best way to meet my physical needs, without flooding the floor, lol. It was great to be clean though. I hadn't showered since before the accident and I think I was washing off glass dust still. Also fun: trying to use the bathroom wearing a brace that comes up almost to the top of your thigh. My leg sticks out awkwardly, my ribs and chest still hurt. Watch that skirt because it will inadvertently get peed on. ððĪĢð ðĪŠ
Tuesday July 30th, 9:25pm. Nate and I are driving home from Salem, where we'd been working on the house with the next day being the last opportunity to finish everything and clean it out. We were on Hoffman at the hwy 99 intersection waiting for road construction. I called Dad and arranged to borrow his truck the next day, then called the kids to check in and let them know that we were about to get Nate's car and would be home about 40-45 minutes later. I finished my calls and Nate and I chatted about the construction and whatnot. Then it was our turn to cross. We crossed straight over the hwy and continued on Hoffman to the t-intersection, checked both ways and proceeded to start a left-hand turn as Nate made his second glance to the left. Only that second look yielded headlights right there and the sound of a long honking. In less than a blink, there was a tremendous impact. I grabbed my own head with my arms and curled myself inward as much as the locked seat belt would allow. I was screaming. I kept screaming while the van spun and I remember thinking, "Stop screaming, it doesn't help anything!" But the screaming didn't stop until the car did. As we stopped I opened my eyes and saw the van filled with smoke, the windshield was smashed but in place, night's darkness gleaming off the shards. I looked over at Nate to see if was alive and in one piece, noticing his window was completely gone. The smoke was choking me, I couldn't breathe. "The smoke, I can't breathe!" I cried as I struggled to get my door open. It was locked, but I managed to quickly get it unlocked and opened the door, coughing and gasping. I'd asked Nate if he was OK and he'd responded he was and asked about me. I seemed OK, except that my knees and chest hurt. They looked fine though so I wasn't too worried. It was so dark in the car as we looked around at our situation.
People from other vehicles came running up. I could hear a man's voice in the other car yelling, "Help me! Help me!" The first civilian responder had run to him first and I heard him yelling profanely that his leg was broken. The lady ran over to our van next and I said we were OK. Nate had miraculously found his glasses, in the dark, and had exited the car, coming around to my side. I remained in my seat because my knees, especially my left one, really did hurt rather badly so I wanted to let that pass. I didn't really have a reason to get out anyway. I found my cell phone and searched for the cord and battery pack with no luck.
I don't remember if this was when the lady was running back and forth between cars, calling 911, etc, or if this was when the police arrived. I think it was the former on the phone with 911 who was talking to me though, while I called mom and dad. "Look, I don't have much battery so I have to be quick. Nate and I were in an accident. We're OK, but I don't know what's going to happen. They're calling for an ambulance. I need someone to go be with the kids please." I was having trouble focusing and trying to avoid shock and confusion, so I wanted to get to the point. Plus I was being asked questions like how old I am. Mom simultaneously asking me where I was. "What? You're on 36th?" They wanted someone to come right away but I told them I didn't know if I was going to be going to a hospital or what, so I'd have to let them know later. I never did have a chance to call, thankfully Nate did later.
The police arrived, firetrucks arrived. Responders were coming up to Nate and I asking questions and beginning the reports. They kept apologizing that they had to go to the other car because that man was more injured. Of course we understood! He kept yelling about not being taken to the hospital fast enough, that the ambulance hadn't arrived. He yelled at all the responders for not "doing anything" as he "just sat there with a broken leg." It was hard to hear, knowing he was in pain, feeling that anger he felt, knowing Nate was feeling responsible for all of this. I felt so bad for the other guy, and so bad for Nate.
The ambulance arrived and another was called after it was decided that I should go to the ER as well, and no, Nate was in no condition to drive us there. (Our other car was still a mile or 2 away anyway.) When that arrived, I was helped onto the gurney. I was surprised how badly my left knee hurt, I really couldn't move it at all. Once in the ambulance I agreed to get some pain meds right then, since there wasn't a reason to wait until getting to the hospital if I could get a head start on the pain management. The medic couldn't find my vein though. There are about 5 picks in my one arm before the iv was placed. Nate was riding in the front, deciding to be checked out too, just in case.
At the hospital we were taken to different rooms and I didn't see Nate again until just before my release. They took xrays of my knee and chest. I laid on my bed, in pain, wishing for my mom or dad to be there with me. Moments later, there was dad! He's so great to have in stressful situations like this because you know he's a great second set of ears. He loves knowing the medical details, he knows what the doctors are talking about. It's comforting knowing he's there, not freaking out, always calm and collected. Knowing mom was with the kids was a great comfort to me as well, as much as I would have loved her presence with me.
After a while, a nurse came in and said she was taking me for a CT scan. This surprised me, and I asked why it was needed in addition to the xrays. She said the doctor needed the better view or something like that, and couldn't rule out a fracture. It turns out that scan was key (according to the surgeon), as it was difficult to see the fracture and extent of the problem in the xrays. Multiple people mentioned being glad that that was done. After an hour wait for the scan to be examined, I was told that I have a compound fracture in my tibia. I was to contact an orthopedic surgeon first thing in the morning as they're the experts and would tell me if I needed surgery and pins, or if I might be able to heal on my own. The chest xrays showed no breaks, btw.
Eventually it was time to try to get dressed. I'd had a soft brace put on my leg, and got sized for my crutches. Moving was horrible. I did not know how I would get out of there, but thankfully I was finally told I could be wheeled out in a wheelchair. Whew! I was also given some really stylish disposable pants that fit over the brace. ð I was wheeled to dad's truck and he drove Nate and I home, with only a handful of bouts of nausea on my part. We got home around 2 or 2:30am. Brennan had stayed up with mom and done a lot of cleaning while he waited. That was great. Getting out of the truck and hobbling inside on crutches was a hoooorrible event! I could.not.suffer that pain in my chest that the movement invoked. I finally got inside, and onto the couch and immediately vomited, a result of either the pain, stress, pain killers, or all of the above.
We set me up on the couch to sleep and Nate positioned himself on the living room floor with nothing but a blanket and pillow, so he could be near me. It was a short night, with Brennan's alarm going off about 3 hours later, lol. The pain kept me from sleeping much anyway. I felt the meds wearing off, but knew I had to wait until the pharmacy opened before there was anything I could do about it. So I waited. Waited to see signs of the sunrise, waited for the hands on the clock to turn. Nate got me ibuprofen when he woke up, and was at the pharmacy promptly at 9am when they opened. He also called the Dr's office to begin the referral process as soon as they opened at 7:30am.
My day was spent mostly answering texts and calls. One ministering sister brought milk and cereal when she came to take the littles to the playground. Right after they got back, Amanda Brewster got here with dinner and a wheelchair and bath seat from another friend, and took all 4 kids to the river and then home with her. She didn't bring them back until bedtime. The other ministering sister brought other groceries and offered to bring more boxes and packing help any time. Nate's parents came by to get the car keys and picked up Nate's car still in Monmouth. Since Marie works for an accident and injury lawyer, she's getting us all set up to make sure we get all the coverage possible, medically and job-wise and everything at all. She'd also called in the troops in Salem for the Elm St work, gathering a 5-man team to take care of the outside, (stuff to haul away, mowing the lawn, etc) and a team inside doing the needed cleaning and finishing. It was such a blessing and load off our minds. We also each got a blessing from Dave. He and Marie went to Monmouth for our car, but also went to the towing place and gathered our belongings from the van, taking what was going to the storage unit over there.
The referral had gone through and the orthopedist was able to see me that day! So, Nate got me there (thank the heavens for that wheelchair!) and we talked about my situation. From what I gather, the fracture is kinda V-shaped, so that triangle piece got pushed down, like, towards the back of my knee. It was hard to see on the xray I guess, and not until viewing the scan was it apparent. The ultimate decision is to be seen next week after swelling has gone down and we'll see if self-healing looks probable or if I'll need a plate installed. Fun fun. I got a rigid brace though, that locks in place to keep my leg straight, but can be unlocked and bent to get in and out of the car. Honestly, I want to faint at the idea of bending my knee or changing its position, so thank goodness for my short legs that I can get in and out of the car without bending!
Last night Nate picked up a recliner from mom and dad's. That was great! But it wouldn't quite work for sleeping in. So Brennan cleaned out his room, and we opened the bed into the 2 twins. It was OK to lay on, but not so much on my back for very long. And obviously I can only sleep on my back these days. Also it kind of hurt my leg even with a pillow or towel under it. What works best is when my leg can dangle off the side a bit so it's not resting for long with pressure on the under side. I don't know why my calves and back of thighs hurt, but they do a bit. Anyway, I moved back to the couch. And I slept great last night! The divots where the cushions are broken are actually perfect. I can cradle my body in blankets and up against the side of the couch so I'm not so flat and straight. And best of all, I can keep my bum leg off the side as often and as much as I want, though with much painful effort any time I need to adjust my position in the slightest. The little TV table beside me helped hold my leg so I had no pressure on top or below. It's pretty ideal. The ice packs might have helped it be less painful last night too.
I keep getting new pains though. Not only has my chest hurt excruciatingly, but then my ribs started growing more and more sore until they're full blown painful now. You can imagine how great the crutches feel with my whole upper body muscles hurting so much. And coughing makes me want to die. Actually, I can't cough. I make a weak, fake sounding attempt, but a real cough is impossible. The back pain started up too (could just be a result of laying around constantly) and as of this morning the neck pain has crept up. You should see the bruising on the back of my left arm and my right knee! I'm thankful the latter feels OK and can hold my weight because it's pretty bruised. Other lesser pains are across my lap (seat belt area) and my hips at times, and my toes in my left foot are kinda dumb, like they're not getting enough blood even with no brace on at all.
Nate helped me shower this morning. That was an experience. It gave me a new sympathy for parents of disabled children who probably dread the ordeal. And I didn't even fuss or make it harder than it needed to be! We moved that seat around several times trying to figure out the best way to meet my physical needs, without flooding the floor, lol. It was great to be clean though. I hadn't showered since before the accident and I think I was washing off glass dust still. Also fun: trying to use the bathroom wearing a brace that comes up almost to the top of your thigh. My leg sticks out awkwardly, my ribs and chest still hurt. Watch that skirt because it will inadvertently get peed on. ððĪĢð ðĪŠ
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| The bruising continues around the top. |
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