And Then I was Hit By a Car

Exactly two weeks and one day ago, I was running due east on central half way through seven mile run. I have run this run numerous times and find it fairly enjoyable. Nice, large historic homes line most of the run, and generally there're lots of people out and about. This was one of those afternoons. This quick seven mile tempo was going to put a cap on several days of good training, and I was looking forward to a relaxing evening at home.

There is a slight incline that leads up to Cooper where it hits Central, I was about half way up when everything
I had known was about to change. From behind me I heard screeching tires and a horn blowing. Generally a runner should never have to look behind them because we are to run towards traffic. I was confused at the noise and luckily turned around just in time. I saw a gold car bouncing off another one and headed in my direction. My first thought was jump, but I did not have enough time. I got my right leg up in the air, but the right was not so lucky.

Now before I go further, I need it to be noted that the car that was in the process of wrecking my body had just crossed three lanes of traffic.

I remember the crunch of the metal hood as I rolled over it and then seeing the light of the sky followed by the dark of the ground, and so on two more times before I came to a stop half way in some ones front yard and the side walk. The car that struck me ended up on a living room.

I tried to sit up and take stock but that proved difficult.I wish I could say I was having brilliant visions,but it was much more practical. I could see that my lower left leg was pointing in directions it never had before, but I couldn't sit up any longer. At this point people were gathering around. I could feel the blood coming down my face, but my head was not hurting which was a good sign, but the blood was pouring none the less. I checked my mouth and all my teeth were there, so that was good, but my shoulder felt like it was going to explode. As I lay there, I could also tell that my abdomen was okay, and so I assumed no internal bleeding, which I was correct in myself assessment. Though in obscene amounts of pain, I figured I was going to live and began comminicating with everyone.

My first concern was making sure my wife knew, but I was just blabbering out how I was worried because she had all the boys to take care of. Then came my blabbering about how I had just run the New York City marathon, and had done very well. At this point I just wanted the ambulance to be there and the pain meds to start flowing. There was a very nice man by the name of WC who held my hand and talked me through much of the waiting.

I was thinking about my family and my job and doing the best I could to hold it together as I realized the predicament we were now in. To say I was not thinking about my running would be a lie from hell itself. I was in outstanding shape and getting faster. I was going to tackle an injury free winter, and kill it in the coming year, that was gone. Even then, the sparks of motivation began to swell up, and I wAs ready to kick this thing in the tail.

I had a pretty good grasp on the fact that I was not about to die, but I knew it was a close one. Though Iam ready to see Christ, not sure that I wanted it to be that day though.

Finally the medics showed up and I knew pain meds were coming...wrong. They were unsure if I had knocked my marbles loose, so nothing for the time being. Have i mentioned that my shoulder was really hurting? They took me to the Med which FYI, if you are in Memphis area and you here someone is going to the med, it's bad.

The rest of the night was a blur of pain,friends,doctors,and blood. Our church showed up in true form to help Monica. My dad had to make a quick dash back from Nashville, my mom however was not so lucky as she was stuck in Singapore for several days.
My wife was a rock and did great in the ER and without her I would have been a mess.

At about one am they put my leg back together. In had two breaks in my left tibia and one in the fibia, two of which decided to show themselves outside of my skin. We found out that my right humorous was broken clean in two just below my shoulder, hence the pain. I ended up with two surgeries, several screws, a plate, and a rod in me when all was said and done.

It was a long week in the hospital but it will be an even longer time at home. Because of the shoulder break, I cannot put any weight on it for three months, which means no walking for that amount of time also. Boo hoo. I am more concerned with not being able to help my wife, and not being able to play with the boys. All of this over Christmas. My wife gets no breaks and zero time off, she has to take care of me and the boys all day, every day. Let's just I am slightly more than perturbed at this. Justice will eventually play out.

I will run again, and I will run well again.

I can't say I am not different because I am. I am discovering what that is, and hope that it makes me a better person. I will say my drive for all things is intensified, now if I can just get out of bed...