11.19.11
Today’s my husband’s birthday. I’m real happy it landed on a Saturday this year as we really need to focus and celebrate this one. This event almost didn’t happen for him.
Last April 23rd he had a very serious ski accident at Mammoth Mountain. He was transient quadriplegic on the hill, meaning he was paralyzed temporarily when he fell. We are lifetime, black diamond skiers and have never had a fall of this magnitude.
He fell over 150 feet after catching too much air and losing control going over some moguls, which are mounds of snow. He was skiing faster than conditions warranted for that run, and found himself in big trouble very fast-this-on a run we have skied many, many times.
He was unable to break the fall as he found himself paralyzed so he had to just let go of fixing the situation and relax into it. When he stopped, face down, with both skis still on, he was flat on his face with his mouth buried in the snow. Still unable to move, he got the strength and where-with-all to catch his breath and lift his head to say, “Help me, I can’t breathe.”
There were about 15 people on this run and the one closest to him was a nurse, who skied over and quickly dug out the snow around his mouth so he could breathe more easily.
The day quickly moved into high gear. After his toboggan ride down the mountain with ski patrol, assessment in the first-aid office, ambulance to the local hospital for more assessment, it was determined he needed to be air-lifted to Reno, Nevada, which is the closest trauma center from Mammoth.
That evening the neurologist decided emergency surgery needed to take place the next morning to stabilize his neck. He had feelings in his legs and arms but doctors were concerned about permanent paralysis if he did not have the emergency surgery.
Fast forward to his birthday weekend- seven months later. My hubby has come a long way in his recovery. From his anterior cervical disc fusion to full use of his limbs and lungs, it has been truly a miracle to watch his recovery. No one would know looking at him that lodged in his neck is a steel plate being held in place with four screws and a cadaver bone.
So as Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.” I for one am very grateful my husband is home for the holidays! I hope you and yours enjoy many blessings of abundance and gratitude.
I know we will.
Making Your Space a Special Place…
Sue
