Sunday, March 4, 2018

Life interrupted

Eleven days ago, I got hit by a car - an SUV actually. I was walking across the street from my office to go retrieve a file. Because I cross this intersection multiple times a week, and because I pay attention to traffic, I was as always careful. I waited for the walk sign, and waited to be sure no one was turning without looking, but it didn't save me that day. I don't remember getting hit, I just woke up in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Because I had bleeding in my brain, I was kept in ICU for three days. Thankfully, that cleared up. Unlike Jenny at Reading the End, I didn't break my neck. But I have a fractured leg, with a large brace, a walker AND crutches. Also, an amazingly-painful cracked rib. I had no idea how bad that could be. And a head wound. I was awake when they put staples in it, but taking the staples out was exponentially worse. At least my spectacular black eye is fading. At a store the other day, an older white man gave me a Scripture citation and then asked, "Who hit you?" When I answered "an SUV," it literally rocked him back a step.

Of course, it all could have been so much worse (and still could be, I suppose, since I am still seeing doctors and haven't been medically cleared). But I have survived, and my brain has cleared enough that I can read again. Those few days, without the comfort of books, and the constant thought that, what if my mind doesn't clear - those were bleak days.

Family members rushed to Houston, and I have been so blessed with friends taking care of me, and the cats as well. Yesterday someone sent me a small box of warm cookies and a bottle of chocolate milk, and I was caught between laughter and tears (and instant greed).

I am not able to manage much right now, but I can read. I am finding Donna Leon and Elly Griffiths, new authors to me, very welcome distractions. I will probably be reading much more in e-books, since I can't get to the library on my own. Or anywhere else - the sudden dependence is sobering, despite my wonderful friends offering to chauffeur me. I don't know how much writing I will be able to do, since it's difficult to sit comfortably with the brace. But then it would probably be a good thing to keep the little grey cells moving.

Truly, life can change in an instant. I never fully understood that before.

35 comments:

  1. Oh Lisa, I am so sorry. But I am so happy it wasn't worse and that you are on the mend with friends and family to support you. I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly and will certainly be thinking of you.

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    1. Thank you so much! I didn't comment on your weekend reading post, but it did add a couple of books to my library list, so that you for that as well.

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  2. Lisa, what an absolutely awful thing to have happened. I am so sorry. It sounds very scary. I am glad you are doing a bit better and that you have so many people rallying round to help you. Just this morning I was reading blogs and wondering why I hadn't seen anything from you in a while. I hope you continue to improve and get the medical all clear soon.

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    1. Thank you - and I hope I get the "all clear" soon as well. I do want to get back to reading & commenting, even if I'm not writing posts yet.

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  3. Oh, Lisa! Oh my God! This is so much worse than my thing! What the hell is happening this year? I am so relieved that you were safely released from the ICU, but it sounds like you have a lot to deal with still. I am sending you a world of good wishes for your continued rapid recovery. <3

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    1. Jenny, I thought yours was much worse! In fact, I've been telling everyone about it, because you *broke your neck*, and that just sounds so scary. Though I'd forgotten the details of how exactly it happened.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear of your accident, and wish you a speedy recovery. I hope you find some good books to help you through your convalescence.

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    1. I am counting on the healing power of good books, Michelle Ann, and I have decided I can treat myself to a new one now and again, if needed :)

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  5. Oh no, Lisa -- how terrible. You are sounding strong about it, and thank goodness for your many loving supporters there with you -- I send many many many positive vibes for a speedy recovery. Of course [*lighter note*] cats will certainly appreciate immobility :-) xxx

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    1. Thank you, vicki! The cats unfortunately are objecting to the walker and the crutches, and also to so many "strangers" in the house - and then one of them insists on lying down in the middle of the stair case. I had to prod her with a crutch the other day, and of course she took exception to that.

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear this, Lisa, am glad that you're mending, and hope that you continue to do so.

    It's terrifying to lose mental faculties, even for a short time - what would we do? And being physically dependent is also difficult. When I've been in that position, I knew my friends would have been happy --appreciative even -- to help me out. But, actually asking, when you've not had to, and are afraid of taking advantage - where is that line? -- is difficult.

    But do take the time you need to recover fully and let others help you. I'm sending warm thoughts and digital hugs. <3

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    1. Debbie, the loss of mental faculties was such a concern, once I realized that the injuries themselves were no longer life-threatening. And I had to ask a friend to drive me on an errand today, and need to ask another favor tomorrow. Someone reminded me that I have to accept accepting help - maybe it will become easier with practice. And my friends truly are so generous with their help, bless them.

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  7. Oh, Lisa, I'm so sorry to see this. I hope the recovery is speedy and that no additional problems are uncovered.

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    1. Thank you, Teresa! It is unnerving waiting for doctors' appointments, but I am feeling a little stronger today and taking that as a good sign.

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  8. That's awful, Lisa - I'm so sorry. I'm glad you've had plenty of support from family and friends and I hope you're finding comfort in some good books.

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    1. Thank you, Helen. I am definitely finding comfort, and welcome distraction, in books. Maybe I will even whittle down the TBR stack. I don't think I'll be reading Dorothy Dunnett right now, though!

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  9. Oh, Lisa, I'm so sorry! How scary! I'm glad you're going to be OK and that you're being taken care of. (It must be the week for ribs because I cracked on of my mine last week...it's so much less that what you're going through but I can only imagine how yours feels!) Please take care of yourself and feel better soon. Audrey

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear about your cracked rib - is it terribly painful? I dread coughing and sneezing so much right now. And a friend who had several a few years ago just informed me today that it could take a month or more to completely heal, which did not make my day brighter.

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    2. Hi, Lisa, it's not too bad now, more achy than painful. Just twinges when I move in certain ways. I heard the same thing about a month to heal, so I hope yours does well too!

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  10. Lisa! I'm so glad you are okay and on the mend. What a horrible experience. Wishing you a very quick recovery and lots of good reading time. xx

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    1. Thank you, Anbolyn! I am off work for at least another week, and the new DVD player I just bought needs a cord that wasn't included with the box - so I do have reading time. I thought about starting a new crochet project but haven't had the energy yet.

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  11. Lisa, what terrible news. I hope you continue to recover well. It seems amazing that you're out and about when you consider what happened to you. Enjoy your reading and crocheting if you get around to it.

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    1. Thank you, Katrina. The hospital actually wanted to push me out the door at 10:30 PM the night after it happened. I insisted on waiting at least til the next morning, when I could see a doctor!

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  12. That's horrible! I'm SO sorry you got hurt...and so relieved that you're okay and recovering, although a fractured leg and cracked ribs is no fun. Here's hoping you heal super fast!!!
    And yay for books and cookies. What would we do without them?

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    1. I am sure my regular doctor would not approve of the chocolate milk and cookies, but I've decided not to worry about that right now :) I certainly feel better after I eat one!

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  13. Lisa, I'm so sorry to read of this happening to you. Heal well and quickly. I'm glad to see there are many caring people in your life lending a helping hand. Please keep us updated on how your healing is progressing. And read some cozy and silly mysteries to keep your spirits up. Have you read Charlotte MacLeod or her books under the Alisa Craig name ?

    Karen2

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I feel like I might have read some of Charlotte MacLeod's books eons ago - but I might also be confusing her with someone else. I don't have any on the shelves, but I will see if the library does.

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  14. My best wishes for a speedy recovery. The story of your accident is truly horrifying and you are very lucky...very, very lucky. I'm glad you are now able to read again--favorite authors can be such good medicine. Take care and heal well.

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    1. Thank you, Jane. I do feel so very fortunate, and I can't help thinking of how bad it could have been. I am certainly finding books a comfort right now.

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  15. Oh, Lisa, I'm so sorry to read this post! I hope your recovery is progressing smoothly. Life can, indeed, change in an instant. Overall I'd say you were very lucky. Take care, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, JoAnn! I do feel so very fortunate that it wasn't worse, and that I am recovering.

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  16. Lisa, this is dreadful news! Obviously, I am so glad you are not even more seriously hurt and are well enough to update us. Please take it easy and don't try to do too much while you are recovering.

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    1. Thank you! I am continuing to recover - I got to go back to work, which actually helped! But I did appreciate the long Easter weekend.

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Thank you for taking the time to read, and to comment. I always enjoy hearing different points of view about the books I am reading, even if we disagree!