Thursday, September 12, 2013

Thursday Thrill – A Very Crappy Kind of Thrill

So today's thrill is not my usual of food pictures, fun times, and pretty clothes. I had today's post scheduled for my monthly birthstone post, September Sapphire, but that will have to wait. Monday changed our plans. My husband was riding his bicycle back home from work (we only have one car and he frequently rides the few miles to and from work on his bike to save gas, money, and get exercise). He had made it to less than a mile from our apartment when a car hit him...and then left. Left him laying in the road in an intersection and drove away.

Please be aware of bicyclists on the road #bike #car #bicycle

My husband said that he just rolled over onto his back and took a second to realize what happened. A woman who witnessed the hit and run stopped and immediately got out and asked if he was okay and called 911. She was apparently so shaken up by witnessing the event that she didn't think to get a license plate and didn't have a clear memory of the car or driver of the vehicle that hit him. However, I cannot be thankful enough that she stopped to help. Another driver also stopped and they helped my husband to a nearby shade tree out of the road and sun.

My husband was in a lot of pain, but adrenaline was pumping so he was upright for a bit and then started swaying from dizziness, so they laid him down and waited with him until the fire department, police, and ambulance got there. The impact of the fall from the bike cracked his helmet, so the ambulance said they had to take him to a trauma center instead of the ER. They put him in a neck brace and on a board and started for the hospital.

Then I got the call. The call came with my husband's name attached, but when I answered it was another man's voice. A member of the fire department, he said...accident...husband hit...go to hospital, was all my brain heard. Calm panic, if there is such a thing, set in and I grabbed my purse and keys and ran out the door. The only other time I got a phone call like this was when my dad died. These are the most frightening calls you never want to get.

I got to the hospital and they let me in the trauma center and my husband was hooked up to everything, had his clothes cut off him, and a neck brace on. Needless to say, I freaked. Inside, of course. I didn't want to scare him or stress him in any way, so I just approached, took his hand, and asked what happened. He explained everything and said that the hospital did all the tests and were waiting for results. He said his left shoulder took the brunt of the fall (and it looked like it did), so it hurt along with his hip. We were in the trauma unit for six hours and they told us that his spine and head cleared. No major injury to those or his internal organs. YES!!! I screamed in my brain. No broken bones either, which was amazing. He just tore away a ligament in his shoulder (which is why his arm hung there and his shoulder looks deformed). No surgery needed though. He had some major road rash (scrapes, bruises, etc. from hitting and skidding on the pavement) on his hip, shoulder, and back, but that would heal up quick. All great news...until...

Oh my god, we don't have insurance. Keep it together, I told myself. My husband is alive and no major injuries. But oh my god, we don't have insurance and he rode in an ambulance, had to go to a trauma center, and had all those tests! This is going to be very scary, but I'm going to do some research and with any luck we will figure this thing out.

But my husband is alive! The bastard that hit him and left will hopefully be found, but the odds of that are slim. I still can't believe anyone could do that. To feel the impact of a body hitting your car and just drive away... Makes me so angry that he lay there in the road. My husband. And someone just went about their day not knowing or caring if he was okay after hitting him.

BUT! Our friends and family were amazing. We got an outpouring of support and kindness from them all. We've only lived in Raleigh for a year and a half and the people we've met here have been so wonderful! Everyone sent messages, people volunteered time, resources, and meals to help us. Me and my husband were both pretty overwhelmed at the generosity shown by these beautiful people.

Going forward, I'm going to try and keep the blog and my shop at the same pace, but at least for the next couple of weeks I may be a bit behind while I try to help my husband recuperate. I did successfully bath and clothe him the morning after, so I would call that success so far! Thank you all for you understanding and for letting me share this exhaustively long post. Things will get lighter from here, don't worry! For yours and my sake! :-)


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40 comments:

  1. Ohhh my God! So terrible. So sad girl. I can understand your feelings! But please don't worry and be brave. God is with you. I'm glad that your husband is now out of danger, he'll completely recover soon. I wish him well soon.

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  2. No way!! I'm so sorry to hear this!!! I can't believe the guy left. :( Seriously. I pray that your Honey will make a speedy recovery. This is just awful, but I'm so thankful he was wearing a helmet. Hang in there, girl.

    XOXO,
    Meredith

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  3. I'm really sorry to hear this...I've just started cycling again myself recently and I'm always aware of the risk. I hope everything works out ok and am really happy to hear that at least he is doing well.

    Really unbelievable that someone hit him and just left!

    Lots of love to both you and hubbie!

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  4. Best wishes to you and your husband, I'm so glad he's okay and I wish him a speedy recovery! Hugs and kisses xx

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  5. Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear abouit this. Thankfully you're husband wasn't any more hurt than he was. I wish you and your husband all the best, and hope that the person that hit him will get caught. Hugs!

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  6. Oh my goodness, how awful for you both. Wishing your husband a speedy recovery and remember to take care of yourself too.

    Kate x
    http://www.kateathome.com/on-your-marks-get-set-bake-lemon-tart/

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  7. I just started following your blog yesterday, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. All will be fine as long as he is fine. Are there any shops near where he was hit there maybe video to help catch the jerk that did this.

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    1. What a time to start following! Hahaha! Sorry about the dreary post so soon, but I'm glad you're here and thank you for your comment. We found out that there was no camera footage unfortunately. :-(

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  8. Oh Jamie, I was so upset to read your post but thank goodness your husband is (sort of) OK. I dread to think how much worse it might have been. Don’t forget to take care of yourself while looking after your husband. God Bless. xxx

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  9. Ohh hoe terrifying my husband rides his bike daily I always worry
    Kate the old fashioned way

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  10. Oh, no! I'm so sorry, buddy. This is so hard on both of you. Hang in there and accept help from family and friends. If there's anything I can do, e-mail me.

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  11. I am so sorry to hear this! Ally sent me over to say hello. I hope your husband heals quickly and hugs and best wishes to you guys. I hope they find the jerk that hit him!

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  12. Oh, my love, I am so sorry to hear this. BUT. You are right, he is ALIVE :) I am sure the rest shall be figured out with time. I am sure that the person that hit him will be caught. Most people travel the same roads in the morning on their own commute, so I am sure someone will recognise the car x

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  13. That is terrible! I cannot imagine someone doing that either.

    At least his injuries aren't as bad as first suspected and he didn't have to stay in hospital for a longer period of time.

    I know how hard unexpected illness can be. Take as much time as you need away from blogging. Look after yourselves. Your health is the most important thing you have.

    Thinking about you both.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  14. Oh my goodness, what is wrong with people? So very happy that your sweet husband is safe... and karma will get the guy/gal that hit him. Keep your chin up! All of us that love and adore your blog understand that you have things you need to do other than blog. Don't worry about us we will be here!

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  15. I am so sorry and shocked to read this! It is unbelievable that someone could leave him! You will both be in my thoughts, and I hope that everything works out for you~

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  16. Yikes! So glad he wasn't terribly hurt. The picture looks so scary. Thank God for that helmet, huh? Take care and as others have said, take as much time as you need!

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  17. Oh my goodness! I am so sorry and so thankful that he wasn't hurt worse. Praying for a quick recovery.

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  18. Oh my dear! I am so sorry. I know how scary that is. I had a similar call last April. My husband was in a car wreck, and was mostly ok but suffered a concussion and temporary amnesia. It was terrifying. My heart goes out to you both. Hang in there. Here's to a speedy recovery!

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    1. Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for you too! That would be terrifying indeed and I hope he made a fast and full recovery!

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  19. Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear that! I hope they find the jerk who did that. How could someone do that?? I'm so glad the news wasn't worse and I pray for his quick recovery.

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  20. People are such assholes! I hope that karma comes back around on that douche that hit your husband ten fold.
    I am so sorry Jamie.
    Quick recovery for your husband and so thankful that he wasn't severely injured.

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    Raising-Reagan.com

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    1. Oh Lanaya, I'm so glad you put it this way (which happens to be exactly what my brain said when I found out!) :-) Your comment made me laugh and I really needed that, thank you.

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  21. Jamie, I am so glad that you're husband did not suffer any major injuries. It must have been terrifying for both of you. I am so disturbed that the driver left your husband lying there. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

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  22. Thank goodness there was no serious injuries although I am truly sorry that you have to go through this. I hope he gets better quickly and I hope things work out with the bill. I'm so sorry there are people in the world who just continue driving. My younger cousin got hit by a motorcycle when she was 12. They say the guy didn't even slow down. But fortunately she was fine. I wish you many good vibes.

    xoxo,
    Avo

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    1. Oh my gosh, that is just sickening about your cousin. People are unbelievable!

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  23. I am so sorry this happened to you. I am glad that your husband doesn't have any brain or neck injuries thank goodness!! I really hope there is a way for you to reach out and get this person who did this to your husband. Maybe a local news station or paper might pick up your story? I'll send out positive prayers your way:)
    Joanna

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  24. Oh my. I am so sorry to hear what happened to your husband, and the fact that the driver just left makes me so sad. Sometimes I just can’t believe it when I hear things like that. At least there are some helpful people out there and there is support for you both. I can only imagine what you must have gone through with so much fear and panic. Thinking of you and your husband at this time and wishing you the best. Thanks for your honesty and sharing your story. We are all here for you.

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  25. omygosh..im so sorry to hear this.. i hope he recovers fast!! don't worry too much of time spent here in your blog. i think what's more important is for you to focus on him and yourself as well.. be strong! :D *hugs*

    Animated Confessions

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  26. Sorry to hear of this accident. Some people are so wicked and uncaring in theses last days. I pray that your husband has a speedy recovery. I'm glad to hear that so many are there to help you. Take care.

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  27. Oh my gosh, how awful! I can't believe someone would hit him and just leave him in the middle of the road! I hope they catch the bastard. thank god he is okay, that those kind people saved him from the road, and that you have a great support network. My thoughts are with you guys right now. Don't worry about blogging, focus on the other important things right now.

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  28. Jamie, What a terrifying incident. You guys are so fortunate that it wasn't worse. Hang in there and don't worry about blogging. Sometimes there are more important things to focus on. I've been absent too for different reasons. Life always has a way of working things out. I will be praying for you both. OXOX Sandy

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  29. I am so sorry to hear about what happened. My husband also rides his bike to work and I try not to have this fear :( I hope your husband is already feeling better and has the most speedy recovery! Take care and you are in our prayers. xo

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  30. wow. Huge hugs from Vancouver. I'm so sorry this happened to you guys. Don't worry about your blog we'll all be here if you need to take time away. He'll probably be sore for a while. Nice warm epsom salt baths will help to relax his muscles (and yours too actually). I'm so glad that he's okay!!!! xo
    caroline

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  31. That sounds so incredibly scary, Jamie. I'm so glad your husband survived with so few injuries. Hope both of you are recovering, I will be thinking of you xx

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  32. To all of you kindest souls, both who commented and those who read the post and sent out your warmest thoughts and prayers, thank you. Thank you so much. It is still so odd to me that I have these friends out there in the blogging world and beyond that I think about often and that care enough to think about me at a time like this. There is something both very grounding and uplifting about this. I've been touched and warmed by all your comments and so has my husband. Thank you all!!!

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  33. Jamie, I must've been living under a rock to not see this until today, but how terrifying! I hope that he has a speedy recovery! & hoping the bills aren't too monstrous.
    Keep your chin up & keeping you both in my thoughts!
    -Kait

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  34. Oh my goodness! I'm glad he escaped without major injury. I work in the financial end of healthcare- all hospitals have a patient financial services department. They can see if you qualify for a hardship or cut a major discount for "cash" (in payments). I do these all day long. I hope he has a speedy recovery. Hang in there!

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  35. Oh yeah and hit and runners!? Evil. Karma will get them. My brother was killed when he was walking home. Hit & run, too. Vehicle found, owner was in jail at the time and the driver never caught.

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    1. That is absolutely horrible Jaime and I am so terribly sorry that happened to your brother and to your family. I cannot imagine how awful, angered, and completely confused you all must have been. Ugh! These are things that should never happen...

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