What happened? Well, I have had an extremely challenging summer. I am bound and determined not to be negative or down, so I would consider posting from time to time, and then think...let's wait a week until I can say something good. Unfortunately, that never happened.
Without further ado, I will just jump into the last couple months. No, it's not been fun, but ya gotta start somewhere, right?
In June, I started off with a cold. It wouldn't go away and by early July, I was in trouble. I endd up in hospital about mid-July with pneumonia. It was a brief hospitalization, followed by some time off work. At the time, it was hard to deal. I was sick, alone, and not able to really take care of myself all that well. I lost 11 lbs. in 2 weeks - and it was not the way to do it.
I was fortunate with my new job that they were very understanding. I tried hard to minimize my sick time and worked when I likely shouldn't have.
In the midst of this, I began to build some fantastic friendships with people through my reunion planning. This will be something I'll talk about more in future posts but in the meantime, it was frustrating to have these new friendships and having to decline all invites due to illness. I can only hope that if it is a true friendship, there will be future opportunities.
Towards the end of August, I began to feel back on my game. I was stronger, regained my energy and was looking forward to recapturing what summer I had lost. Two weeks ago, on August 31, I accepted an invitation to go see a professional football game downtown. Something I had never done before, but figured it would be a great experience and a fun time.
That night, many things changed. I was very nervous driving downtown - especially to an area I'd never been before. But I decided to push through it.
As I approached the stadium, I saw a parking lot and made my turn into it. Sadly, there was a transit bus in my blind spot. The impact was hard, and vicious, but for some small miracle, I do not remember it.
I was hit directly in the drivers door, and my 2002 Cabrio gave it's life for mine. It held up well to the transit bus, but did crumple badly. The door was pushed in approximately 8-10". Glass went everywhere from all windows and from what I understand from the estimator, the car took on a banana shape with even the passenger side bent.
To say I am lucky is an understatement. I had a guardian angel with me without a doubt.
I am injured, unfortunately but will heal. I do not remember the accident, nor the 5 minutes after. I lost consciousness for a length of time from hitting my head hard on the driver's side window as it shattered. When it did shatter, it cut my head and face badly. It took 17 stitches to close the wound on my forehead and a further 2 and 3 to close smaller cuts. I have other cuts that did not require stitching but will still scar. Thankfully, most of the cuts are above my eyebrow and will be covered by hair.
It did, however, cut the muscles and nerves so I will have some facial paralysis, including a droopy eye. The extent is too early to tell right now but I can do a great impresson of the WWE's 'The Rock'!
I am also dealing with a concussion and a cracked pelvis, which has me walking with a cane. Also some hematomas in my left thigh and calf that are causing swelling in my foot and ankle.
However, even with all this, I am struck by how incredibly fortunate I am. Everything happened in an instant and it just brings home how quickly life can change.
So that's where I am right now. I know it's been a while, but I figured I'd start with this post, and hopefully have happier posts going forward.
