Well, you know, I think I'm ready for 2010 to be over. I have not had an easy year. I try to stay positive, but, sometimes, life just kicks you in the butt one too many times, you know?
I worked this afternoon from about 1:00pm to 5:00pm. I knew we were expecting a major storm to hit, but I was hoping it would hold off until I was home safe and sound. I don't presently drive (due to seizures) and so my roommate was there at 5:00pm to pick me up from work. It had been sleeting some and then snowing, but the ground was more wet than anything. However, what we failed to remember was that the temps dropped today and the wet ground was getting slicker and icier by the minute.
No sooner did we pull onto one of the main roads in the town where I work did we get into an accident. Well, the car in front of us was slipping and sliding and so we took a cue from them and slowed down. However, they stopped instead of continuing on down the road towards the freeway. By the time my roommate realized the car had stopped, it was too late for us to do anything. And, to make matters worse, we hit a patch of ice and almost fish-tailed into the middle of a 3 lane section of the road. Thankfully, she was able to right the car, but at 35mph, there was nothing we could do. So, we braced ourselves and waited for the impact as we hit the stalled out SUV in front of us.
My dog had been with me at work and amidst all the craziness had climbed up onto my lap. Thank God I had the sense to grab her and pull her close to me before we hit the other car (my dog ALWAYS lays on the floor of the passenger's seat in the car and has never jumped up before -- all of our other dogs/cats are always crated for safety in the car with the exception of Mackenzie and her behavior was a complete fluke and one we have definitely learned from). She was a bit freaked out, but Mackenzie was unharmed in the accident. The driver in the car in front of us was okay. She was shaken, but not injured and, despite everything, was an incredibly sweet woman. My roommate had tensed her body and, for whatever reason, didn't get injured in the crash (I think it was the angle in which we hit). Her airbag did deploy, but aside from slight skin inflammation, she was okay. But, I, on the other hand, flew forward and was injured by my seat belt. My airbag did not deploy despite the fact that it should have. But, according to the policeman who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, it was a good thing my airbag was defective as it most certainly would have caused more serious injuries for both myself and my dog.
After getting all of our information, the policeman insisted that I go to the ER. Since we were not sure whether the car was safe to drive (or if it would drive at all), the cop took me in his squad car to the nearest hospital (about 5 minutes away). However, they turned me away since they had an 8+ hour wait time and the policeman had said that I needed to be seen sooner rather than later. So, once we realized that the car was in working order and had only received damage to the front end (the other driver's car received damage to the back end, but because both vehicles were the same height and well made, it seems that the damage is superficial only), the policeman allowed my roommate to drive me to a different hospital. And, since he was such a nice guy, he followed us the entire way in case of an emergency or problem with the car. Thankfully, the Cleveland Clinic's main campus ER was not busy and I was seen almost immediately. But, let me tell you, it was a hairy drive to the ER and I was scared out of my mind.
As it turned out, I needed an EKG done immediately since I was complaining of chest pain and pain when inhaling or expelling a breath. I also had pain coming from my upper chest/neck and into my left ribs and left shoulder and shoulder blade. And, in the mess of the accident, I twisted both my left ankle and knee. My EKG was normal aside from a fast heart rhythm and so, after they determined my neck and spine were not injured (I was placed on a backboard with a neck brace initially) I was able to have x-rays taken. My ankle and knee were not seriously injured and were just slightly sprained. So, with some ice, anti-inflammatories, and pain medication, I'll be fine. But, the x-rays showed a small fracture of my clavicle. So, now, along with my broken scaphoid in my left wrist, I have a fractured collarbone. However, I'm lucky that it isn't something more serious and that the affected area is on the same side as my scaphoid fracture. I also have some severe chest wall contusions and other deep tissue and bone bruising, but everything will heal in time. I have been put in a sling for the collarbone fracture and will need x-rays taken every 10 days until it is healed. But, it's expected to heal in 3-5 weeks and I will have limited use of my hand and arm during that time. In the meantime, I will have to do some coughing and breathing exercises to reduce inflammation between my ribs, but my injuries, given the circumstances were minor. And, while I'd rather have just had a regular day, I am grateful that I am okay and that the others involved are all alright -- if not a bit shaken.
So, you see, I'm ready for 2011. My mantra, for now, is that I am happy, healthy, and healing. I think that about sums up what I want for myself and those around me. Despite everything, I try to stay positive and keep my chin up. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't frustrated by the situation, but it is what it is. So many people don't walk away from accidents and so I am very lucky to continue to be of sound mind and body. Sure, I'm bruised from my collarbone down to my waist, but I am alive. And, for that I am sincerely thankful. I guess it all couldn't have happened at a better time. I'm off of work until Friday and so I have time to heal. And, now I have an excuse as to why I can't shovel. This week's weather is going to be a doozy, but I figure it can't get to me any more than it already has. And, I'm going to try to enjoy the beauty of the winter wonderland outside as I sit inside, cuddled with the kitties and the dogs, drinking hot cocoa...with my arm in a brace and a sling
.
My warning to all is to always be careful when driving. I know we all say that we're careful, but sometimes it is better to go slowly than to rush. My roommate is a terrific driver with a car that has all the bells and whistles, but it still happened to us. So, as the weather outside gets frightful, please be careful. We three (4 if you count my pup) were lucky, but not everyone is...
I worked this afternoon from about 1:00pm to 5:00pm. I knew we were expecting a major storm to hit, but I was hoping it would hold off until I was home safe and sound. I don't presently drive (due to seizures) and so my roommate was there at 5:00pm to pick me up from work. It had been sleeting some and then snowing, but the ground was more wet than anything. However, what we failed to remember was that the temps dropped today and the wet ground was getting slicker and icier by the minute.
No sooner did we pull onto one of the main roads in the town where I work did we get into an accident. Well, the car in front of us was slipping and sliding and so we took a cue from them and slowed down. However, they stopped instead of continuing on down the road towards the freeway. By the time my roommate realized the car had stopped, it was too late for us to do anything. And, to make matters worse, we hit a patch of ice and almost fish-tailed into the middle of a 3 lane section of the road. Thankfully, she was able to right the car, but at 35mph, there was nothing we could do. So, we braced ourselves and waited for the impact as we hit the stalled out SUV in front of us.
My dog had been with me at work and amidst all the craziness had climbed up onto my lap. Thank God I had the sense to grab her and pull her close to me before we hit the other car (my dog ALWAYS lays on the floor of the passenger's seat in the car and has never jumped up before -- all of our other dogs/cats are always crated for safety in the car with the exception of Mackenzie and her behavior was a complete fluke and one we have definitely learned from). She was a bit freaked out, but Mackenzie was unharmed in the accident. The driver in the car in front of us was okay. She was shaken, but not injured and, despite everything, was an incredibly sweet woman. My roommate had tensed her body and, for whatever reason, didn't get injured in the crash (I think it was the angle in which we hit). Her airbag did deploy, but aside from slight skin inflammation, she was okay. But, I, on the other hand, flew forward and was injured by my seat belt. My airbag did not deploy despite the fact that it should have. But, according to the policeman who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, it was a good thing my airbag was defective as it most certainly would have caused more serious injuries for both myself and my dog.
After getting all of our information, the policeman insisted that I go to the ER. Since we were not sure whether the car was safe to drive (or if it would drive at all), the cop took me in his squad car to the nearest hospital (about 5 minutes away). However, they turned me away since they had an 8+ hour wait time and the policeman had said that I needed to be seen sooner rather than later. So, once we realized that the car was in working order and had only received damage to the front end (the other driver's car received damage to the back end, but because both vehicles were the same height and well made, it seems that the damage is superficial only), the policeman allowed my roommate to drive me to a different hospital. And, since he was such a nice guy, he followed us the entire way in case of an emergency or problem with the car. Thankfully, the Cleveland Clinic's main campus ER was not busy and I was seen almost immediately. But, let me tell you, it was a hairy drive to the ER and I was scared out of my mind.
As it turned out, I needed an EKG done immediately since I was complaining of chest pain and pain when inhaling or expelling a breath. I also had pain coming from my upper chest/neck and into my left ribs and left shoulder and shoulder blade. And, in the mess of the accident, I twisted both my left ankle and knee. My EKG was normal aside from a fast heart rhythm and so, after they determined my neck and spine were not injured (I was placed on a backboard with a neck brace initially) I was able to have x-rays taken. My ankle and knee were not seriously injured and were just slightly sprained. So, with some ice, anti-inflammatories, and pain medication, I'll be fine. But, the x-rays showed a small fracture of my clavicle. So, now, along with my broken scaphoid in my left wrist, I have a fractured collarbone. However, I'm lucky that it isn't something more serious and that the affected area is on the same side as my scaphoid fracture. I also have some severe chest wall contusions and other deep tissue and bone bruising, but everything will heal in time. I have been put in a sling for the collarbone fracture and will need x-rays taken every 10 days until it is healed. But, it's expected to heal in 3-5 weeks and I will have limited use of my hand and arm during that time. In the meantime, I will have to do some coughing and breathing exercises to reduce inflammation between my ribs, but my injuries, given the circumstances were minor. And, while I'd rather have just had a regular day, I am grateful that I am okay and that the others involved are all alright -- if not a bit shaken.
So, you see, I'm ready for 2011. My mantra, for now, is that I am happy, healthy, and healing. I think that about sums up what I want for myself and those around me. Despite everything, I try to stay positive and keep my chin up. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't frustrated by the situation, but it is what it is. So many people don't walk away from accidents and so I am very lucky to continue to be of sound mind and body. Sure, I'm bruised from my collarbone down to my waist, but I am alive. And, for that I am sincerely thankful. I guess it all couldn't have happened at a better time. I'm off of work until Friday and so I have time to heal. And, now I have an excuse as to why I can't shovel. This week's weather is going to be a doozy, but I figure it can't get to me any more than it already has. And, I'm going to try to enjoy the beauty of the winter wonderland outside as I sit inside, cuddled with the kitties and the dogs, drinking hot cocoa...with my arm in a brace and a sling
My warning to all is to always be careful when driving. I know we all say that we're careful, but sometimes it is better to go slowly than to rush. My roommate is a terrific driver with a car that has all the bells and whistles, but it still happened to us. So, as the weather outside gets frightful, please be careful. We three (4 if you count my pup) were lucky, but not everyone is...
