brief snapshots in time. memories and thoughts. disorganized and random.

Friday, May 05, 2006

anniversaries, of sorts

this isn't funny. it isn't light-hearted. if you want to see some pretty pictures or if you're looking for a breezy Friday read keep on going to my last post.

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two years ago, today, I was on my way to work. I was excited to be able to really work out again after my bathtub incident*. the doc had forbidden various activities including swimming and running until my neck and shoulder were better.

the day before she'd given me the ok to do whatever I wanted. it was the first time in almost 9 months that I had my gym bag in the car and intended to go for a run at lunch on a beautiful spring day.

I sat at a stop light. listening to the radio. all of a sudden, BAM. crashing noises. pain.

ever more concerned about angering other people, to get out of traffic, I pulled into the parking lot right there. the car that had hit me did the same.

I was scared. my laptop was in the trunk. I'd stayed up working late. needed to get a report out that day. and the only place that report existed was on my laptop.

I slowly got out of the car. I was in pain. I was shaking. I didn't know what to do. I looked at the trunk. it was smashed in.

the other driver asked if I was ok. I said I didn't know. I sat back in my car. disoriented. I think he called in the accident. some of the events immediately after the accident still don't make sense. have no order.

a very nice girl was heading to class at the seminary where we'd pulled in. she came up to talk to me. to check if I was ok. she asked where I hurt. after explaining, she went inside. one of her classmates had been an EMT. he came out and insisted that I needed to go to the ER.

I reluctantly agreed. still concerned about the report. when the ambulance got there, they agreed with the seminary student. the only thing I knew was that my laptop needed to go with me. could the cops please bring it to the hospital with them?

at the hospital I was scared. I was on a back board. in a neck brace. I called my dad. my mom, being a teacher, can't always take calls. and although my sister could have been there in minutes, she wasn't speaking to me then. I assured him I was ok. they were just being cautious.

he asked if I was scared. I lied. I didn't want him to worry. to call my mom and worry her. or my sister.

after several hours of waiting and x-rays and such, the docs determined I was bent, but not broken. they gave me some pain meds and told me to go see my doctor within the next few days.

I called work. our receptionist came and got me from the hospital, she insisted she should take me home. I insisted I had to send out the report that day. it was a court deadline. couldn't be missed.

after a few blurry hours at work, she took me back to my car. I insisted I could drive home. as I got into my car the nice girl from that morning stopped by. she asked how I was. gave me her name and number. she'd seen the accident. I should call if I needed anything. or if something happened that I needed her as a witness.

I never did use that number. the police determined he was completely at fault. I always wished I had called and thanked her. told her that her kindness and compassion meant everything to me that morning.

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and I can't believe I've been at this a year as of tomorrow. it's cool and kind of scary at the same time. I started it last year when I was feeling a little glum about how my back had not progressed enough in a year. sadly, that hasn't changed too much. but my outlook is a little brighter. and I'm enjoying writing, again. I think I have posted over a two hundred posts. I can't believe I have that much to say. and I can't believe I have only told a very few of the stories I have swirling around in my memory.


* explanation of the bathtub incident is buried somewhere in this post...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

ouch! i feel like i need to get up and stretch now. glad things are improving slowly but surely.

jeopardygirl said...

Wow, RG! What an experience. Glad it's mostly behind you, and happy anniversary!

Yoda said...

We think about odd things sometimes when we're in shock...did you get that report out?

I'm glad you're writing, RG. I enjoy reading your thoughts...

Happy blogiversary!

~Kurt

Fizzy said...

I am glad that you have found blogging an aid to recovery.

Happy Blogiversary

Jen said...

It is really odd that one person could have so many mishaps in that short of a period of time. But sometimes maybe you are given as much as you can take. I don't have the mishap rate you do, but I am battling Fibromyalgia, hives, eczema, severe headaches, nasal allergies, a tumor in my hand, bunions, neuromas and ingrown toenails, so I know how you feel when it seems the odds are stacked against you. Sometimes I almost feel as though God must hate me to put me through so much. i hope you heal as much as possible and avoid further incidents.

Amy said...

wow, one of those sorts of moments that make us take pause and reconsider the path we are taking. Thanks for sharing this and all of your other stories. I really enjoy stopping by here each day.

Anonymous said...

I know that feeling all too well...every time I get a certain spot where I was in an accident before I still get tingles even 10 years later.