March 17, 2011 ~ Part 2

TIME STOOD STILL....

As thoughts raced through my mind, thinking of my daughter who was with my mom at home not feeling well, and needed her mom with her.  Thinking of my little man, whom is my shadow all day long.  The thought of my kids who were in school and not knowing at this very moment I was headed to the hospital, what was I to do?

I had to contact someone, someone who is my rock during difficult times.  Someone who I know gives me unconditional love no matter what.  Someone who gets me!  I texted my sister-in-law Emily...I NEEEEDED her and her strength, to bring me back to this planet.  I told her what had happened and to have her let my brother-in-law (Todd's brother) know.  I wanted/needed Craig to go and be with Todd, I knew he was closer and could/would get there quicker than I could and be with him.  I also am close with Craig, yes he is a brother-in-law...but also my friend.  He gives me support, he is level headed when I'm not and also a rock for me...I needed him there not only for Todd, but for me too.

As my dad and I became closer and closer to the hospital I found myself just thinking that this was no big deal, and my hubby had a couple of bumps and bruises.  Well, he didn't...I remember walking into the ER, I hate hospitals..the smell, the sounds, blood, needles, the unknown. The reasons why we are there ~ because our loved ones are there.  As I went through the door I was greeted by Craig who began going down the list of vitals for me.  Todd was stable, he was asking for me, and conscious.
As I went through the doors leading into the halls of rooms filled with patients, it seemed like a never ending maze to get to Todd's room.

This was when I first saw Todd



Here is his van at the junk yard...makes me sick
 every time I look at this.  Giving glory that Todd
survived that day!

TIME STOOD STILL....

As I walked into the room, there laid my husband all banged up, bloody and bruised.  My father-in-law was in the room with him at that time.  As I went to Todd I could only give glory that he was alive!  He doesn't remember what happened, I truely believe that is how our bodies deal with trauma.  But he did share that he was transported by CareFlight, which took me back a bit...ok ALOT!  As I was leaning over Todd, giving him love and reassuring him things would be alright, telling him the kids were  ok, his nurse came into the room and said to be very careful not to move him.  I slowly moved away and she began to tell us that he had a broken neck and a shattered eye socket.  WHAT?!  Broken neck! 

TIME STOOD STILL....

All I know is the immediate thoughts of hearing "broken neck"....Thoughts of surgery, wheelchairs, spinal cord injury were just the top things that invaded my mind.   As Todd laid there, he WAS moving hands and feet which to me helped me stay calm.  We were told he would be fitted for a special neck brace and long story short, he would not need surgery for his neck and the brace would take care of him during his healing process.  Todd's neck was broken at his c6, and it was a "nice" break from what the nurse told us.  It was not splintered or jagged which were usually the case and those breaks are the ones that can float and go into the spinal column.  The shattered eye socket on the other hand would need surgery and would be done the next week.  At one point I remember talking with Todd as my dad was with us, thinking of his staying and how things needed to be taken care of with our kids.  The next thing I know, his nurse came in with a bit of shock on her face telling us we could take him home...TODD COULD GO HOME!  How could this be?  My beautiful man was involved in a very bad car accident, taken to the hospital by CareFlight, has a shattered eye socket and a BROKEN NECK!  Did I just hear this right? 



I remember thinking there was no way, what if something happend at home and how can I do this?  The very sweet nurse told me/us it would be fine, we would do great and she just couldn't believe he was brought in early morning by CareFlight and early evening he was walking out of the hospital...YES, I said walking out!  The nurse said a few times to us throughout Todd's release that "People are not brought in on CareFlight with bumps and bruises...they are brought in due to being critical and needing to get to the hospital quick!" 

 I will be honest with you...CareFlight has a pattern that they use and it just so happens to go over our house.  The rumble it makes as it nears just amazes me, and though I am so thankful for technology..The sight and sounds takes my thoughts of my husband being up there, being worked on and rushing to the hospital.  I break down every time.

From that day up to the present, we have been shown the healing hands of the great physician.  Prayer warriors and prayer chains do work, we felt and saw it daily and still do. 


 It is coming up on Todd's four month mark since his accident and here is the latest stats on him:  Todd had reconstructive surgery for his eye socket and stayed in the hospital overnight.  He did great with minimal swelling.  To this day you cannot pick which eye was worked on. The Facial Max Surgeon released Todd from his care.   Todd was also released June 11th by his Ortho. Surgeon and is neck brace free.  Todd DID NOT need physical therapy which is usually unheard of, he has great range of motion and strength in his neck. As I type this I still am emotional at how fast he has healed, and all I can do is give glory!


Todd and I after him having his shattered eye socket repaired

 Thanks to all those who were praying for him and our family within the first couple of hours after the accident, like I said prayer warriors were huge in this day.  My cousin was in Uganda at the time with her husband on a missions trip and heard through facebook and began prayers there. Our pastor also was also on a missions trip in Cambodia who then began praying.  I want to thank family who came that day to give support to me, Craig, you kept me on track!  For our sweet friend John who even though was in a very bad car accident over a year ago and had not been in a hospital setting since...he came for us and we thank you John!  I want to thank also Jacob, one of our pastors and Todd's boss who also came to show his concern and to extend his support in whatever we needed.



Out shopping with our little man

 
I am still in awe of Todd's healing, and each  new day is a gift with him!  NEVER take your life, marriage, family for granted...it could all change in a blink of an eye.  So go hug on your loved ones and no matter what the day brings, enjoy them...I know I do!

The day he was released by the neck surgeon and brace free