The Second Beginning.... unraveled

Second chances don‘t always come bright and perfectly packaged…

The morning after the accident that happened, I recall working from home remotely July 5th, bearing in mind I did not get a doctor's note from my ER visit. I messaged my boss to let her know the condition I was in. 5 days I was home with 2 broken vertebrae, using an office chair for mobility. My husband had to pick me up and carry me to the restroom, oh the pain with any movement was unbearable. I would try to hold it as long as I could, dreading the next move. Emotionally I was dazed, psychologically I was unable to grasp the reality of my situation and worried how this was affecting my oldest child, who was 5. None of us were ready for the character building we would have to learn in 2017.

Dr. Jennings was quick to take care of everything needed in order for me to see the Neurosurgeon, Dr. Jude, with Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Tx. My mother-in-law, Darlene, drove and we almost missed my appointment, due to me getting the address incorrect for Dr. Jude. My blood pressure was sky high from the pain and the panic from having the wrong address. I was terrified of being told I would need to reschedule; I also felt a bit silly for not calling to verify the address prior. Once Dr. Jude reviewed my records from Dr. Jennings and the visit from Boerne Methodist ER, he was appalled the ER doctor had sent me home rather than admitting me into Main Methodist that night. He found I had 2 unstable breaks. I will never know if they were unstable from the get-go or due to the improper transfers and using an office chair with one missing wheel as a wheelchair. Next thing I know he called for an ambulance to transfer and admit me into Main Methodist hospital.

A part of me felt relieved but another part of me was sick to my stomach thinking of being away from my kids and husband and not knowing when I would be back home. My appointment was mid-morning Monday, July 9th so the first day of the hospital felt as if time was barely passing. Not knowing the outcome of all this was what bothered me the most. The reality of it all still hadn't sunk in, I was thinking about how long will I be in the hospital, how long before I see my husband and kids, when will I go home, would my husband still be able to work if I was not there and who would watch our kids. As I waited for admin to process me, I called my husband to let him know the little I knew. Immediately after admission, I had a second MRI. It was not long after the MRI before lab techs were in there drawing my blood. It felt like time had stopped for me that day.

That evening the Neurosurgeon and PA came by to discuss the bloodwork and MRI. They asked I call my spouse to have him listen in. It was decided best course of action was surgery due to the extent of the break, symptoms, length of time going without treatment and being unstable. The following morning the Neurosurgeon and PA came by, stating that insurance had hoops to jump through in order to have the surgery covered. One of those hoops was for an evaluation and treatment by a physical therapist and the soonest I could be seen was in 2 days. Nothing could have prepared me for that visit. Later that afternoon my grandmother came. Having someone there was a nice distraction and helped pass the time.

Thursday was eval and physical therapy. I was expecting to go through some range of motions, answer a few questions but boy was I wrong. They grabbed a walker and said in order for surgery to be approved, I was going to have to give it my all to see if I would be able to take 10 steps. They put a gait belt on me, and one of the nurses assisted on the other side to stand me up. I thought the transfers for toileting were painful, this was most definitely more painful.

Once they had me up, I held onto the walker, fighting through the pain while also trying to find my legs or feet somewhere in my brain. I held myself up as much as I was able with the PT and nurse hanging onto the gait belt. I did my best trying to swing my hips in order to drag my legs. I did this for as long as I could which was not long. I was unable to complete the task, fearful of another painful hoop to go through. That night I was beside myself, not getting much sleep worrying what was going to happen next. The following morning, surgery had been approved; oh, the relief I felt. I asked my mother and hubby to come to the hospital that afternoon to be there when the doctor discussed the surgery date, preparations, and recovery. The soonest he was able to perform surgery was going to be July the18th, which was 6 long days away. Though relieved, I felt nervous and a tad frightened thinking of all the things that could go wrong in surgery.

Thankful for spare phone chargers I passed the days away on my phone, talking, texting, and catching up on Facebook. I was visited by family and friends from time to time. Those days were pleasant and helpful being one of the best ways to pass the time. But the best days I had were when friends and family would bring my kids to the hospital. I cherished those moments dearly. If it wouldn't have been for family, friends, and church volunteers my husband would not have been able to continue working those weeks I was in the hospital. How thankful I was then and still am today for each person that helped our family. They weren't all people who knew us prior; some we met for the first time. So many giving their time selflessly, devoting many days and hours to helping out around the house, babysitting, and bringing meals. There will never be enough thank yous to show the appreciation John and I felt then and still today. Little did either of us know we were going to be needing their help for the long journey up ahead.

This is the start of my many hospital visits to come. If you hang in there, give me a little patience, I will take you through the whole journey piece by piece.

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments below or send me a message.

Stay tuned for my next blog.