Die Another Day

That is the only title that would come to mind. I tried to think of something less dramatic but no luck. Two weeks ago July 2nd at 3:57pm I was driving on 91st St after leaving the office to go drop off a few applications at the Medicaid office. When I went through the intersection at 91st and College a man heading North on College ran a red light and I hit him - both of us going full speed. By that I mean it was not a case of him just trying to get through a yellow light and me just starting through the intersection. My light was never red, no one had stopped so I was going about 30mph and they think he was going even faster than that. I "t-boned" him on his driver side so I hit him straight on - as you can see from my car it was smashed all the way across.
Unfortunately I don't remember very much other than the actual impact which I definitely remember quite well. I THINK right after the impact I came to but I was more in the passenger side than the driver side and I knew my forehead was bleeding. A man came to the car to ask if I was ok and I wasn't really sure I could still talk much less believe that I was still alive. I think I shook my head at him and asked if I did something wrong. He told me that I didn't do anything wrong and that the other guy ran a red light. He also informed me that the guy took off running but reassured me that some other witnesses took off running after him (like I cared at that point). The EMTs arrived quickly and since my head and neck hurt pretty bad they put a brace on my neck and slid me onto a back board and into the ambulance I went. I remember feeling relieved when the fire truck got there and the firemen jumped out - firemen have been a part of my life since I was in middle school and I guess I just felt safer knowing they were there. I have absolutely no concept of time so I don't know how long I was in the ambulance before we went to the hospital but it seemed like forever and it was hot. One of the EMTs stayed with me the entire time and I don't remember his name or even what he looked like but I do know that I would not have stayed as calm as I did without him. He was constantly asking me if I was ok and telling me that I was going to be ok and nothing was major in comparison to what it could be. I think more than anything I was just scared. I had never been in an accident, been for a ride as the patient in an ambulance or in the ER. AND I couldn't talk to anyone that I knew to tell me that it would be ok. They radioed Kyle at metro and I knew he would be calling my family but I really needed someone or something familiar and I had no idea when that was going to be happening. So until then the EMT guy was my best friend. One of the things the EMT pointed out before they took me out of the car was that I had a big lump on my left leg and asked if it hurt. I couldn't feel it so whatever. When we got to the ER the first thing they wanted to do was x-ray that leg followed by a cat scan of the head. Both turned out fine. When the wheeled me back into my room after the x-ray my brother was sitting in the corner and I had no clue he was there. Needless to say he scared the crap out of me and I did not appreciate him ruining the good cry that I was sure would be happening when someone I knew finally got there. Kyle showed up shortly after that followed by my mom. What a night! We had to rush to Target to get my meds where they just stared at me and asked if I was ok. There has definitely been a lot of staring the last few weeks and I am so glad for the bruises on my face to finally be gone! My face bruised up wonderfully and led to 2 black eyes and lots of wonderful colors. Who needs makeup when you can have that naturally? My grandma even told me I looked like a raccoon...who doesn't want to hear that?
Anyway, my mom came down and stayed for the weekend which was a huge help because the soreness and stiffness I felt Friday night was nothing compared to how much I hurt Saturday and Sunday. I am healing slowly but surely. My head/neck has continued to hurt in the form of a headache for well over a week now. The doctors told me last week that it is because of whiplash so tomorrow I start physical therapy to help loosen up the muscles in my neck and shoulders in hopes of relieving the headache. The contusions on my left leg is what is going to be the long-term problem. I have seen 2 different doctors now and both have let me know that it will take 3-12 months to heal. The muscles and tissues underneath the skin have hardened and the lump where I hit Lord knows what on my left leg is about the size of my knee so I just look like I have 2 knees. It's rather awesome and really just painful. The swelling is probably the worst because it makes my knee so tight and it's really uncomfortable to bend and/or straighten my leg out. Just depends on the day. But I am fortunate to still be here able to tell you all about my accident so who am I to really complain much? It could have been so much worse and I thank God everyday that I am still here with my friends and family with only minor bumps and bruises. My accident was classified as a hit and run. The guy driving the silver SUV continued driving after I hit him - through the grass and into a church parking lot where he hit another car and then got out and took off running on foot. He had no license and no insurance and was not the actual owner of the car. The owner called 911 later that night and reported his vehicle stolen. The police already knew before going out to take his report that his vehicle was involved in a hit and run and when they confronted him he admitted that it was not stolen and he had let a friend borrow it. However, he does not have a license or insurance either. Go figure. Anyway, there is more for me to do here in this life and I will gladly pursue it... Thank you all for your continued encouragement and prayers - they mean so much to me!