Oy Justa--if my yiddish mother in law were here...she'd have such a tale to tell.... hahaha
Last July I guess it was, the family and I were staying in a rental condo in Va Beach. The "parents room" was a loft and my hubby and I were up there. Well the boys (4 of them) had been sick with high fevers so for 2 nights I'd been up with them despite vacation etc. When I went to bed that night I literally crashed I was so tired and I thought I heard one of them call to me. So in full mommy mode I ran out the door and instead of a hallway like I have in my house, my face greeted a flight of stairs that I proceeded to fall down, landing at the bottom with my head striking a large flower pot that was sitting there (sure did look pretty though). So hubby very smartly, doesn't attempt to move me (I'm unconcious at this point) but does shake my leg. So 911, emergency room, much trauma--broken rib, broken hand, eye socket busted, blood, blood, blood, face burned off on a WAY too old rug and then they take me for a an MRI and bring me back. Well things got REAL quiet as they put back on the neck collar (my new friend for the next 3 months) and called the neuro surgeon. Long story short (or is it), I ended up with 19 stitches under my eye where they reinforced my eyesocket (I thought it was 9 but turns out it was 19 itty bitty little stitches bless the surgeon's heart) and a broken C2...that miraculously didn't move out of place--so I've retained my full use of my limbs and after 8 days in the hospital, 3 months with my neck brace, many many helpful friends, and some pretty trying events as the PTO President--read school orientation August 23d, me just barely home for 2 weeks and standing there signing people up, sweating like crazy, but smiling and talking about our tremendous programs (all true - but I'm sure I did get some pity members) ... it was quite the sight.
So I've done physical therapy etc and now am back up to snuff (lord not DRIVING for 3 months was a real reawakening). The family and the friends and having the PTO to lead really saved me.
I have done a lot of public speaking in my day (retired army LTC, Desert Storm Bronze Star) and now enjoy doing my President's column...but would still speak if given the chance. Too many of us chicks don't keep this stuff in perspective...and lord knows there are people in the world with real problems out there. We have so much good we can accomplish with just the sale of a cookie...you know we're the ones that get those light bulbs changed...

So there you have it. First time I've put it in one place actually--feels good but like I told CC it's only walking on the edge that let's you see how far you can fall...or how far you have climbed.

d

Shawn, cc, d (and so many others here) - you've all got the good fight in you, don't ever lose that!! That's obvious here, in this board. It is nice to have "cyber" friends along with the everyday family and friends in my life.

I have to say that at last night's SU game I spent more time looking at the girls than watching the game. Seeing them experience all that action and excitement for the first time was as fun as seeing them at Disney for the first time. They were so into the game, the cheering! They couldn't believe the fan attendance, 26,752! It's such a large number for even my 9 year old to comprehend.

I think everyone might need some comfort food, a snack. What sounds good? Homemade snickerdoodles, warm chocolate chip cookies. Pass the plate around...plenty for all!

dlf ~ I am basically brand new to the site, and now I am very interested in what happened to cause you the damage to your spine? Forgive me if I am bringing up bad memories. I just am curious what has placed you in this position and how you have made it through ~ especially with such a positive and encouraging outlook ~ have you ever thought about speaking and/or working with others who have been in accidents? Especially kids? It sounds like you would be excellent at it and maybe just what they would need to make it through those rough days/nights??

Wow--reckless is a good word for that one--and reckless when you have that many people counting on you just ain't that smart...I know every time I hear a story about the C2 like the one you've relayed I have to pause. I've told friends that I don't know when, but there will be a time and place that I am going to be...and I'll know that's why I'm still around. I have almost full motion looking to my left now but still feel the rain coming. The thing that bugs me the most is the places on my face that are still damaged...the nerves are really sensitive and everytime I wash my face or kiss my hubby there's almost toothache type pain around my lips. That makes me sad. Good news is with my eyebrows being numb I can now pluck my arches like a pro...woohoo...
It does give me some perspective though when folks tell me they can't come to help with a function because they're not feeling well...hahahaha. This is not the first time I've almost died (tales of cars spinning and ending up in the dikes in Holland, incoming scuds while I'm out running (THAT was stupid), blah blah) but it was certainly one when I've had the most to lose. But you get a great perspective on things...I guess I'm the one that sounds reckless now...but I suspect you face your share of hazards when you're in the pit during a race.
You just never know...I told my sister the other day that an obstacle, to me, has never put a stop sign in the road...just a detour sign.

Ahhh - so philisophical this morning!
d

Shawn, you're a rock. Yes, yes, you rock too. Your family is blessed to have someone with such a strong compass guiding them.

d, the more I know my new friend here in Alabama, the more amazed I am. I just found out friday that she broke her neck in a car accident about 10 years ago. (It was the other guy's fault - driving in the wrong lane - and sadly, he died.) She broke C3, 4 and 5. It's fused with bone grafts from her hip and covered with a metal plate. Her doctor told her to quit karate because a direct blow to the face would snap her C2 "and nobody recovers from that." I didn't tell her that you did because I want her to have some fear. She's too reckless. I asked her why she didn't quit karate and she said she didn't need to because she spent two years working on her blocks so she won't ever take a direct blow to her face. See..... reckless.......

So, how's your recovery process going? You are amazing. Do you know that?

Shawn--I had no idea what you were going through. You always seem to have such a path that you're moving down. I've had my ramen days but don't know now how I'd manage if we had to struggle...I hope those days are past for me...Glad to hear things are picking up...and as soon as there is more sunshine in VA I'll send some happy thoughts your way. Overcast again today. Yuk...d