This Was My Date
Do you ever stop to wonder what happened on this date last year? Or maybe 10 years ago? Honestly, I have never remembered dates other than birthdays and our anniversary. I have never really had a reason to honor or stop and remember a particular date.
Each moment, each day that goes by represents something to someone. It could have been triumph or it could have been tragedy.
How is it that a fraction of a second can change everything? In the past 3 years I’ve learned that dates are important, but it’s not the actual date that matters. Usually the numbers only symbolize when time stopped. The focus should be on what occurred leading up to that date.
July 9, 2004 - This was my date. Three years ago it represented a big change in my life and the lives of those around me.
I’ve talked about it a few times on here. The car accident. It was very serious. Serious enough that I was life-flighted to an area trauma center and spent 3 weeks in ICU and 3 months in the hospital. The first several days were filled with complications and waiting rooms of weary family members, but 26 surgeries later here I am.
My focus from the point I was conscious again until approximately one year later was on the pain and suffering I’d endured. I couldn’t get past what was taken from me through this event to see what was given to me.
I was angry. I was depressed. I was selfish. It was about me and no one else.
About a year after the accident I was sitting in my trauma surgeon’s office when I felt my heart skip a beat as I heard him say to his nurse, “This is my miracle patient. She shouldn’t be here.”
It’s not as if I didn’t already know that my surviving this event was miraculous, but hearing someone confirm my brush with death put things into perspective.
He continued, “We lost her 4 times in the OR that night. I didn’t think she would pull through, but she did. God wasn’t done with her or He’d have taken her then.”
I must have looked a little stunned because he turned around and put his hand on my shoulder and went on to tell me that he didn’t have a part in saving me.
How do you deal with hearing you were for all accounts pretty much dead not once, but 4 times? I sat in the parking garage of the hospital where I almost died and cried. I don’t know how long I sat there, probably hours.
It was as if something finally sunk in to my brain that I was one of those people now with a tragic story, but time didn’t stop on my date.
My name is Emily. I’m 30 years old. I have often been told that I ask a lot of questions, but I think I have more to say than ask.
I am so glad that time didn’t stop for you three years ago. It’s fab having you around.
I cannot imagine what it feels like to have that knowledge… what you went through.
Hopefully, with time, it will get easier to deal with.
what an amazing story. I am so glad you are ok.
I’m glad you’re here! My date was 4/21/2000.
And thank God it didn’t stop.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Amazing that we can endure so much and still be here to speak and write about it.
I am so glad time kept moving. You are a miracle
I’m always amazed when you write about what you went through. But, it’s not tragic because you overcame it! You lived through it! You’re a survivor! That day was the birth of a new you. A stronger you. A you that doesn’t take things for granted….
Sorry for all the cliches, but it fits. xoxo
I’m glad you were given that second chance. It’s difficult to understand why some survive and others do not but I’ve learned to not question it and just go with it.
My nephew was in a horrible car crash in May of 2000. He was in a coma from that date until the end of July. Then he was in a rehab facility from August until November. Thankfully he has his memory, both short and long term. However he has undergone a complete personality change and is wheelchair bound at the age of 24 now. It’s been terribly difficult for his family and friends. He’s here but he is not the same Allen. I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like for him.
Here’s to you on your special day~
Well that’s a kick in the pants that somebody needs you here!
Wow. This is probably one of the best blog posts I’ve ever read. This one seriously made me tear up.
You are so brave. And I’m so glad that you’re here. And that I have this opportunity to read this post.
Cheers to your life! You’re living it baby!
Wow. It’s pretty amazing that you’re still with us today.
You are definitely here for a reason.
OMG. I got goosebumps reading that (and the other story about the note)
What an amazing story, and I’m really glad you’re still with us!
Hello! This is my first time visiting your blog, and I have to say, your post reminded me of my own experience with a car accident years ago. Though mine was no where near as scary as yours was! Your description of what it felt like is really moving though!! Congrats to us for surviving it! *high five*
Wow. What a reminder. And hey, after that, I’d be sleeping with my blankie too!
that is an awesome story, thanks for posting it. not a lot of folks get to experience being a miracle and it sounds as if you have.
Many thanks for such kind words. Really I feel very blessed and grateful.
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