Tomorrow Is My Thanksgiving

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

This beautiful FL morning's walk with the boys was so extra meaningful today because you see tomorrow is my Thanksgiving.  As we walked it brought back so many memories, fears, and all the reasons that I have to be thankful.  3 years ago today - I was at the Mayo Clinic in MN waiting to have surgery on 10/6, knowing that there was a chance that I might wake up and be paralyzed from the neck down.   Had I been in a bad car wreck, had a tumor on my spinal cord - nope - Calamity Jane in a series of events that by them selves would not have added up to much, came very close to severing my spinal cord.  Dh was living in China and I had been there visiting, while on that long flight home I caught bronchitis, then while trying to carry on our annual tradition of a July 4th party without him, short person that I am, lifted a case of wine out of a shopping cart, blowing out a disc in my neck.  Because I started to cough it took the disc material and shot it straight back into my spinal cord - smashing it.  A trip to our tiny hospital in MI didn't diagnose the problem as they didn't order an MRI - only an x-ray.  For 10 wks I lived in the most excruciating pain imaginable.  Finally diagnosed, I was shown the films that showed my spinal crimped - it was terrifying to look at.  I walked out of the local neurosurgeons office in total shock, told do not sneeze, do not cough, do NOT fall down - you'll paralyze yourself.  I was alone and I made it as far as the hallway outside the office before I broke down in sobs.  After consulting a surgeon in Kalamazoo, after much prayer, we decided to have the surgery done at the Mayo Clinic.  One surgeon there took a look and told me that he couldn't handle it but he knew who could - and that is who gave me back my life.  A total jerk with NO bedside manner but someone who was so experienced that I believed I would walk away.  God put me in the right hands.  I am so thankful!!!!  Do I have every thing in life that I want - no ---  BUT I HAVE EVERY THING THAT I NEED.    It has changed me - I don't dare risk riding a horse or skiing, riding the rides - anything that could result in a severe impact to my neck but I do still (carefully) ride my bike and play golf, I can't lift anything very heavy so there goes some independence which I hate.  I'm afraid of lightening - I have a titanium plate screwed into my neck and don't want my head to get blown off - lol.  Along with a cadaver bone - I will always wonder who that very giving person was that donated their body to medicine and now a part of them lives on in me.  It has taught me compassion for others, tolerance for pain, and reaffirmed my faith that God has my life in his hands.  So tomorrow, while I'm once again walking my boys - I'll be giving Thanks! 

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Happy Thanksgiving. Praising God you have this story of grace to tell.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Most people would say that I was lucky but that wasn't it at all!  I gave the situation over to God and he took care of the rest.  Was I afraid, yes but not as much as one would think - I was filled with a sense of peace that no matter the outcome - it was His plan. 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Wow Jane, thanks for sharing all of this and Happy Thanksgiving to you! So glad you had a great outcome! You are still so fond of that wine though! I would have held a grudge against it.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving walk!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What bad fortune for this to happen in the first place and what good fortune that you ended up in the right surgeons hands who healed you.  I always tell people who want the best surgeons, forget bedside manner it's their hands and brains you need, and anyway you'll be asleep while they work.  Many surgeons have appalling manners.  I told one once that I didn't like him very much as I though him rude, he laughed out loud and we got on much better after that.  Anyway, back to you Jane.  I am thankful that you got your life back and are able to enjoy the simple things like just going for a walk something we often take for granted.   Until we hear of a story like yours and we momentarily remind ourselves of the fragility of life and then swiftly get back to the mundane.  Perhaps that's as it should be. Little reminders such as this, that life is tenuous and that we are so lucky to be able to do the most simplest of tasks.  A walk in the park with our  Doodle friends by our side.  Bless you and I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving day tomorrow and many more to come.

[Rose]

Thank you for sharing your story, Jane and Happy Thanksgiving day to you!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Happy Early Thanksgiving Jane!!!!  Such a frightening event and all due to wine! (sorry I know it's not funny, but had to put that in here).

 

My dad broke his C2 (2nd vertebrae of his neck) in 2002 - We call it 1-22 (January 22nd after 9-11).  He should be dead.  They call it "hangman's break".  He had so many other life-threatening problems after the wreck that they had to get under control before they could operate.  They did not operate on his neck until 1 week later!  He has titanium in his neck and sea coral (interesting, hugh?) and was in a halo for 4 months.  I thank God every day that the EMTS, nurses, surgeons, etc...handled him with such care because every time they moved him, they had to worry about that neck.  Also, we didn't know if he would be paralized after the surgery even because he was in a coma.  2 weeks after the acccident (1 week post neck surgery), we were playing Willie Nelson in his his room.  That's his favorite - his left foot started tapping to the beat and we all cried for joy!!!

We are approaching our 10 year Thanksgiving Day for that also.

 

sorry for the digression, but you and my dad have something in common.  I am so happy everything turned out ok with both of you. 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

OMG Allyson!  That must have been so hard waiting to find out!!!  I'm so glad that your dad's story turned out well also!  Mine was C6 & C7 - more the base of the neck.  Isn't is just a miracle what can be fixed?  My father had a bad accident a couple of summers ago and broke his back in several places - today he is fully recovered - but nothing like what your dad went through.  Wow.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Happy Thanksgiving Jane! I'm glad you are still with us!! :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

How terrifying. I am so glad you are okay

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Happy Thanksgiving, Jane! Thanks for reminding us all to count our blessings!

[F, Calla & Luca]

What an ordeal and a lot to be thankful for indeed. As I age I realize, for instance when I have trouble opening a soup box, that we all lose some independence and some possibilities. I attack the soup box with scissors and that works! I will never trek in the Himalayas : ) But I am grateful most days to have what I do, family, friends, doodles and reasonable  physical and mental realtive well being. Every day should be thanksgiving day I guess.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I so agree!  I was 51 when this happened and I remember telling that doctor "I'm not famous, beautiful or rich but I've got a wonderful life, I've still got a lot of living to do - please do your best."  Then I jokingly told him not to get the jitters by drinking too much coffee in the morning - the nurses all cracked up but he never broke a smile.  He was a very serious man - but then a lot rides on him each and every day.