Friday, December 14, 2018 is a day I will never forget; at the least the parts I remember. I was headed out the door to get to work on time (which is early) and I remember Russell saying, “Be Careful and I love you”. He always utters that simple phrase when I leave the house and I say the same to him. I remember taking my usual route to get there and the next thing I know I have been involved in a head on car accident. I have no recollection of being at the stop sign and turning right. I have no recollection of getting into the accident. What I do know is coming to from being out for a few moments to realize my head, neck, and feet were tingling. I saw my phone was pretty close and with little movement I called Russell. He panicked, while I cried uncontrollably. Seconds went by and the first officer on the scene arrived. He got the pertinent information he needed at the time and told me not to move until the EMT’s arrived. I was so scared and in so much shock that I started hyperventilating. The EMT held my hand and kept telling me to breath while making small talk so I could focus on something else. There were three people around the around the car trying to get my out. Two on the drivers side and one on the passenger to help with the board to load me into the ambulance. In typical Angelica fashion I tell the EMT’s I don’t want to go the hospital without my husband. They said they’d send him over as soon as he got to where I was. I’ve never been in an ambulance but it was scary. My toes were still numb and they weren’t moving. Panic set in again at the thought that I did some damaged to my back. I also have a concussion and whiplash.
At the hospital in the ER I was met by a team of doctors who just stated cutting off all my clothes and taking my valuables and putting them in a baggie ; i.e. my wedding set, earrings, necklace, bobby pins and my lip balm. I spent the night because they had to make sure I was making progress during my stay in the trauma unit.
While I’m laying in this awful hospital gown with a neck brace so big you’d think I was chipmunk that got his head stuck. I wasn’t able to get out of bed or the alarm on the bed would have gone off!
The next day I are breakfast and my best friend, Erin, came to visit and see how I was going. After she left a cognitive specialist came in and asked if could test people to see if their memory was what it was before the accident and sadly, it wasn’t. She said my thought process is wasn’t normal for someone my age and said I have a severe concussion and need to take it easy because it takes weeks if not months to get the working properly again. After she left it wasn’t a few more house than answers I’m so glad she was by side that day because she was the only person to reach out to me and see how I’m feeling. I’m so glad that we apart of each others lives and when we go a few moths without talking or seeing one another we just pick up where we left off. A few hours, about 5, I was released and go to home. My body has never felt worse.
After coming home I realized I could have easily I need more time with my mom and dad. I need to find more time for Marisa. I need to call my grandparents more often. I would love to with my family and that’s it. But the one thing I still want most in this lifetime is a baby. I know right now is not a good time to through treatment but I still dream about being a mother ever.single.day and there is nothing I’d love more than to see Russell as a far. This accident took a lot from me, I can’t drive or work and have to rely on others to help me with running my errands. I’d like to take a moment to tell you guys how awesome my mom is. Last Saturday into Sunday I was feverish and sick. So Sunday she tells me to drink sprite or Gatorade but I didn’t have any. So she left to go to the store and bring me a get well care package, equipped with chicken noodle soup. Mom to the rescue. She’s the reason I want to become a mother. She is one of my best friends and I wish there were more I could do show her my appreciation throughout my whole life.But, I’ve learned life’s too short to hold grudges, be spiteful, rude, angry, etc. What you can do is wake up in the morning asking yourself, “How can make my day and someone else’s day better?” Pay for someones coffee or lunch if you’re able, volunteer, join the Boys and Girls club.
While this New Year has started the way I had hoped for I know it can only go up from here. I’m still planning what my future will look like and now I have plenty of time to really understand how valuable my time, as well as, your time is. Tomorrow is never promised, use your time to see those you need to reconnect with. If the accident taught me anything, I thought I was strong before but I’m going to come out of this stronger than ever before.
I missed you all and I’m sorry for the absence but I will be writing more now that I’ve got time and lots more to talk about .
Until Next Time
xoxo