I know we have many tragedies being reported today (now) here on DK. I am still
in a bit of a shock myself of what happened in my home around 11PM . Whatgodmade..as you know is my IRL best friend. She and I have been friends for over 9 years. She has one leg and recently got a new hydraulic leg through medicare.
She had an interview two days ago for a biology job teaching 10th grade and hopes she got it. She has a masters in Nursing and working on her Masters in Teaching. She has a BS in Teaching. she one or the other or other ..Not sure which subject matter.
She nor I have had a respite in over six months. We have only visited one another 4 times in almost 2 years. We are about 70 miles apart. Well, she and I decided yesterday, which usually happens on my birthday, to come visit. She would come on or about the 4th and swim and treat the kids to some play time at the beach or pool and movies and popcorn for several days. She got here at 6PM. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, cokes and the kids swam. We got a pool light about two weeks ago and now we can swim at night. The kids finishined up swimming and she and I were on the patio eating some hotdogs and drinking coke ( not spiked..just soda).
She had removed her leg as she does to swim. She is a very good swimmer. I decided to go in to put my suit on and take a dip.
Jack, who normally does terrible emotionally on these holidays as most vets (fireworks and actual gun shooting on the 4th from any neigbors no matter where they are or state). He shuts down. Her idea was to get him to swim and help those muscles and exercise some for his cardiology problems. We also planned to do a diary for Nurse Kelley and the Colorado
Disaster and have a board meeting Monday ref..UVA,
Jack decided to join us on the patio and she was in the pool. I went in to change. Kids are being entertained with The Lion King. She has recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was telling me for several days she hoped she got used to the insulin tabs. She felt pretty bad the last week and hasn't been on here much.
I hear her holler and didn't think much other than, Gosh this does not sound like Michelle. She is laughing or crying loud. I walked in the dining area leading to the patio when my huband hands me the phone to tell me to talk to 911 while he got a blanket. I look down on the patio and she is crying and screaming in pain.
jump below fold please ....
I answer the phone a bit confused and see my husband working with her holding her head up and 911 saying , "Don't move her ". I heard my husband explain as he handed me the phone saying talk to my wife she was a 911 operator. I asked, " What happened" before I speak to the operator. He said, " She fell.. straight on the stump of her leg and ..he stopped as she appeared to be going into shock. It also appeared she had broken her leg or what leg she has and the bone was sticking through the knee as .. there was blood. She is now shaking and I am talking to the operator giving exact directions to the house. I find that odd as I know they can map it and have Global positioning but keep my eyes glued on her.
I am barely listening to the operator as I ask my husband what happened and he said she hopped out of the pool and was hopping to the patio away from the pool. She lost balance and fell. She went knee down on that cement full force on the stump of the leg.
I hear the sirens in the background coming our way. Gurney brought into the house.
I call my 17 year old to keep the kids away from the pool area and not say anything to them. Keep them entertained. don't let them out here...Michelle is hurt. She was yelling ....it's broke. It is broke. I kept saying Calm down, we don't know that ....My husband was talking to her trying to calm while I see her nearly ready to convulse. The paramedics immediately got her on the gurney. I asked my husband to ride with her while I talked to the kids. He did but has not had sleep all night ....but he was more than happy to go with her. We love her. Then it hit me..trauma to a stub and diabetic. I kinda freaked on the inside. No family .
They shot her up with morphine. She lost her balance and wet foot .. it is now 4:11 and she is still at the hospital. Hubby said she was in extreme pain but no beds available. I am so concerned she lose the rest of that leg.
Her kids remained calm as I told them Mama fell and went to check out leg.. Don't worry Uncle Jack is with her at the hospital.
They came home at 7AM as my 17 year old picked them up. She broke her stub.
Cast and all.. 80 miles from home and we are monitoring closely. Keep in mind Michelle has 2 special needs children. I need LOTs of good spirit coming my way !!!!
I am kinda just still in a state of shock, tired and trying to figure how I am gonna take care of all these folks.
Keep her in your thoughts and prayers as we figure this out and be ever so sure..this is a tragedy. I have a sick husband who is used to peace and quite and ptsd can go up when crisis mode is off. Both are now medicated. My husband finally laid down after us urging him to take his meds. Fourth of July...worst time of year mentally for ptsd combat vets. Anytime is worst time of year for a disabled person with special needs kids to get more disabled.
Keep me in your thougths as I try to figure out where we go from here. I am in total caregive mode right now with 6 kids and 2 handicapped people.