July 8, 2013 ... I was just past the three year mark of recovery from a total hysterectomy. It had been a long recovery, but I was feeling good. Almost completely pain free, my energy was returning and I was looking forward to getting back to my "normal" life, but better. With less pain now that the nasty endometriosis and fibroids were long gone and that major surgery was in the rear view mirror. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out, windows down, radio playing kind of day, as I headed to a friends house. I was either going to hang out with her kids while she took the dog to the vet, or hanging out with the new dog while she took the kids to the doctor. Probably hanging out with the kids. Turning onto New Hope Church Road I reached down to turn the radio up. When I looked up I saw ahead of me three cars that had suddenly hit their breaks. Instinctively I hit my brakes. And that is when it happened. The sickening sound of metal crashing and the jarring feeling of being flung forward and back against the seat of the car. Thank the Lord I was wearing my seatbelt. The car behind me slammed into me almost instantly. I never heard brakes squeal or tires skid. Just hit the brakes and a hard crash. Police estimated the car was probably going about 25 mph, but I honestly think it was faster.
I sat in the car, in that confused stupor that happens after an unexpected wreck. The man who hit me came up to my window to see if I was ok. He had already called the police and they had asked if we could move the cars off the road. I assured him I could and we pulled into the Masonic Lodge parking lot and waited for them to arrive. I remember making two calls. One to my friend to let her know I would not be there to watch her kids, and one to my husband. As I was talking to him I decided i better get out of the care before the man who ran into me had a stroke. He was very concerned. The police arrive, the man admits to fault immediately, they ask if I need an ambulance and I say no. James arrives and we head home. Something I learned was that I will never not be checked out by an ambulance after a wreck again. Because before we could get home I already started having a neck ache, hip ache and awful headache. My PT believes I probably had a concussion. Eleven years later I am convinced that that accident is what caused my body to basically lose its mind. Over the course of that last years I developed fibromyalgia and a Mast Cell Activation Disorder, in addition to the chronic migraines I already dealt with. Add a mild heart murmur and high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis of the knee and foot. All of which lead to anxiety and depression. It has been quite a journey. Which I have waxed poetic about in other blog posts.
But, within the last couple of years with help from my PT, my PCP, a cardiologist, a podiatrist, a therapist, an amazing immunologist/allergist, a wonderful support group and quite a bit of googling I had finally gotten my body under control. Not the picture of health, but manageable on most days with flare ups and such, but I could function, and felt decent most days. Had gotten back to walking regularly and being a bit more active. I have been so thankful to be able to be active and do things. I figured I while i was going to have to manage the conditions for the rest of my life, at least I had a handle on things.
And then ...
to be continued ...
No comments:
Post a Comment