Up until now...

So much has happened in the last week and a half. I never thought that I would be down and out with a broken hip and pelvis at 21 years old. Aren't broken hips supposed to only happen to old people?

I was in a wreck at work in an ambulance, and long story short, I was hurt. My left hip socket was broken in to 4 pieces when the head of my femur smashed through it. Also have a fracture to my pelvis on the right side. When it happened, I could hardly focus on anything other than how the pain was the most severe I'd ever felt in my life. I can remember all too clearly the details of what happened to me during the accident, but I'd rather not go in to it. My coworkers were amazing at caring for me during the transport to the hospital.

I went to the local hospital first, where I was put through several scans and they revealed what was, at the time, my worst fear, that my hip was broken. I was then transported by ground to a trauma center.

In the trauma bay, I almost felt like I was in one of those alien abduction movies. I was laid out on a table in the middle of a huge room with doctors and nurses bustling around. I can't remember too much, but I do remember quite clearly when the doctor had to put the stitches in my cheek and above my right eye. I was then sedated so that they could put my leg in traction to put the hip back in joint. The next morning, bright and early, I was taken in for surgery to put pins and plates in to my broken hip. After that, I sat in the recovery room for 30+ hrs since there were no beds available. Quite awkward trying to visit with all those who cared enough to come when I could only have visitors for a few minutes at a time every few hours. I was so overwhelmed by how many people took time out of their lives to come visit me. I have no doubt that it helped me get through the darker times.

I was finally put in a regular room, and I'm going to skip all of the horror stories that came about while I was in that facility, but just know I will never be visiting that hospital again by choice. It was horrid.

But alas, I made it home (my grandmother's house) yesterday evening. It's so much better to be at home. The pain is still rough to deal with, but a familiar environment makes it much easier to deal with.

I decided to start this blog to chronicle my recovery, and to give me some sort of creative outlet since I can't do much beyond sit on the couch.

Since I've been home, my spirits have improved greatly. I've already had a few friends stop by, and it's still overwhelming that so many people care. I never had any idea that I meant this much to some people. But it's an amazing feeling. I won't be able to return to work for at least a year, so I have to find something productive to do. I've been looking at some online classes, so we'll see how it goes.

I am battling some major depression though. It's difficult to go from being always on the go to being confined to the house. I've even had to start taking muscle relaxers to stop the spasms in my legs. The nurses said it was because my body is used to go-go-go and now, being confined to bed/couch, it's having trouble adjusting.

Sometimes I just feel like a burden on everyone else. I can't work, I can't get up and get things for myself, I can't do the things I enjoy. But I'm here. Which is something to be grateful for. Seeing the vehicle I was in, it's almost a shock that I am here. And I'm already moving around with a walker. I know it's going to be a long road to recovery, and I'll probably never be the same, but maybe this is my opportunity to make some changes.

Quote for the day:

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.

Samuel Johnson