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17 January 2011

FLASHBACK: The Best Laid Plans...(part 6)

Note: This is a continuing story. The previous parts can be found here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

Twelve years ago yesterday something happened that changed our lives changed forever. At the time we had no idea the impact this event would have on our lives. It started out innocently enough: on a sunny January day Dan went for a ride on his new bike with some friends. I went to an acting class at the Shakespeare Theatre. On the way home, I kept trying to remember the words to a part that I was supposed to be learning for the class, and when I walked in the house the phone was ringing. I picked it up and someone said, “Hello, you don't know me, my name is Jamie Gardner”. (Telemarketing, I thought preparing to hang up.) “I'm calling to tell you that Dan has had an accident on his bike. But he's OK.” (Great, I thought, he's wrecked his new bike. I'm going to have to kick some butt.) “It looks like he's broken his leg. But he's OK.” (Probably can't kick butt while he's on crutches.) “The ambulance is here and they've stabilized him. He's OK.” (Oh.) “He's going to have to go to the hospital. He's OK”. By now I was beginning to realize that this wasn't a simple fall off a bike. In fact, it was the beginning of a year that was at the same time the most difficult and the most important in our lives together.

Dan had not simply broken his leg. He had shattered it. When it was all over he had a metal plate with 7 screws in it holding his leg together. He had a pin into his hip and suture thread holding small pieces of bone together. They just ran out of room to put more screws in.

The first night was awful, waiting for the surgery. They wanted him to be in traction overnight before they operated. We sat up all night, just waiting. The next day he was in surgery for several hours. I've forgotten how many—it seemed to me like days. But I knew that at least he was in good hands and out of pain.

Twelve years ago today I had to do the most horrifying thing I've ever done. After his surgery they wanted Dan to sit up right away. They had nurses and doctors in the room and they sat him up on the side of the bed. His eyes rolled up in his head and he passed out and then he had a seizure. They told me to get out of the room. They told me to go into the hall and yell “CODE”. (I can't even type that word. It's taken me four times to get it right.)

They got him back into the bed and called all the specialists in. After about a bazillion tests they decided that the problem was that he had lost quite a bit of blood during the surgery. They were reluctant to give him a transfusion, and the result was that he simply didn't have enough blood pressure to sit up. They ended up giving him three units of blood. I remember watching the red thread winding through the tube and into his arm. The color came back to his skin and he began to look alive again. It was truly a miracle. If anyone tells you that giving blood is the gift of life, I am here to tell you that it's true. I could see the life trickling back into him.

My husband is an athlete. Before this accident, he had run 16 marathons and hundreds of other races. We wondered if he'd ever run again. On the bright side, nobody ever said amputate. Nobody ever said permanent.

I took leave from my job to take care of Dan. He had physical therapy every day. One of the things I love about Dan is his determination and his drive. For him, pain is no reason to stop. He drove himself until he could walk again, although he had a terrible lurching limp.

In May of that year he was walking along one day when the plate in his leg broke. He said that it didn't really hurt but that the leg felt 'spongy' to walk on. The doctors said that they had to go in and replace the plate. For me, that news was terrible—back to the beginning, to blood transfusions, to staples in his leg, to learning to walk again, to starting anew with the physiotherapy. For Dan, though, it wasn't as bad as the first time because he knew what he was going to have to do. So we started over.

At the end of the year, Dan could walk again unaided. This time, though, he didn't have a limp. While this year was very hard for us, there were some happy endings.

The time we spent together working to get him well brought us closer together than ever. It was during this time that we realized that we couldn't always count on being healthy. We had always dreamed of living in Europe, and we realized that if we really wanted to do that, the time had come. As Dan said, “someday is now”. So we began the process of dismantling our lives and preparing to move to Belgium.

The second surgery that seemed to me to be such a setback actually gave us a gift: they were able to correct Dan's limp. Today he runs whenever he can.

I still sometimes think about Jamie Gardner, who called me about Dan's accident. If I ever have to make a call like that, I'm going to use Jamie's call as a model. It was about the best way of breaking that kind of news that I can imagine. We saw Jamie from time to time after that. He had his own miracle that day, but that story's his to tell. 

To be continued...

16 comments:

Barbara said...

An amazing story, Kate. Filled with love and hope and success.

La Table De Nana said...

This is a story of hope and achievement and love.
I am inspired.
I am so happy he is well again..
Thanks so much for sharing this story.
Thank you!

And bless the people that never said permanent.
There is always hope ..right?

Kathy Walker said...

Your story is one of determination, hope and love. How wonderful that Dan can once again do the things that he loves. Your love and care are truly a big part of the success!

Linda said...

What an amazing story Kate...I can not wait to read the rest...
L~xo

Rich said...

Wow, I can't even imagine that scene in the hospital with someone I care for. Scary would be a gross understatement.
And a lot of people would use that as an excuse to give up and get lazy with life ... It's always refreshing to hear about someone who overcomes hardships and doesn't just accept them.

Susan said...

Oh Kate! What a wonderful testament to hope, determination, loyalty,and love. Dan is a lucky man in more than one way!

Stella said...

Hey Kate, this is an amazing story. I knew about Dan's accident, but the way you told it here is so touching and real. Makes me want to tell C.B. that he can't ride his bike anymore;) Oh, and I suppose that break of the first plate was a blessing in disguise. I mean, I know Dan went through something again that I know nothing about, but having no limp is very cool (smile)!
Can't wait to hear the rest...

The Rowdy Chowgirl said...

What an inspirational story, and your love for Dan shines through so clearly. Thanks for the reminder that "someday is now".

Mardi Michels said...

A beautiful story Kate. You have such a way with words.... Hugs to you and Dan xox

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I had no idea this was the backdrop to your moving abroad. You are both an inspiration and I'm glad you are doing what you always wanted to do. May you have many more decades of happiness together.

Raymond Delhaye said...

J'ai beaucoup apprécié de vous découvrir un peu plus !

Bonne route !

A Canadian Foodie said...

Kate.
I am so glad that you have given me the ability to subscribe.
What a testament to your love for one another. What a testament to your husband's character and spirit. And yours. You have clearly worked to distill the essence of that terrible day. I am certain that there are pages and years worth of memories in that one 24 hour span.
I can relate to your trials. I have lived through raising two daughters and I had my own terrible accident at 15 and was in a wheelchair for three months. But, nothing like this. Meaning... I had not run marathons and breathed my life as an athlete to find the very fibre of my being to be rearranged. You definitely found your knight in shining armour. I am absolutely certain that he found a greater love for himself through his triumphs here, and he definitely has a partner that matches his determination and will in you.
:)
Valerie

Kitchen Butterfly said...

Kate dearie, I'm so glad it all worked out well and you made the bold move to go do something on your 'bucket list'. Having met both you and Dan, I can only say wow. A lesson...

Unknown said...

I am rendered speechless in the face or your courage and your husband's determination and how one ordinary day can turn out to be life changing

Pam said...

Kate,
I love this story, you are both so strong. First getting though the injury and rehabilitation. Then changing your lives so completely. Both took courage and fortitude. I'm so glad your my friends.
I still brag about Dan and his language conquests to everyone that says they are too old to learn something new!
xoxoxo

2 Stews said...

I always tell my children to trust in themselves and trust in life when challenges are presented. What seems like a negative thing can lead us down a path we may never have taken.

I'm glad for a happy outcome. Best to you both!