Sleeping Through an Anniversay

There was no candle light dinner but a wife in a drugged snooze at the movies and a husband who loved her anyway.

December 16th, 2016

Lindsay:

My last day of work is two weeks away then we’re California bound for chiropractic school! I had a productive morning at the office, just finished lunch and was headed back in. I kissed Addison goodbye and grabbed three glass bottles I needed for milk pick-up day. It had been raining all day and just changed to snow as I walked around the house to my car. I greeted my sister as she walked down the driveway then lost my footing and began to fall. Next thing I knew I was on the ground surrounded by glass. I turned over my hands expecting scrapes but instead found myself staring into a gaping gash in my palm exposing muscle and a giant piece of glass buried in my hand. Half of me started to panic and the other half of me acted - my first aid training kicking in. "Abbey, go grab Addison. Quick!" Okay, deep breaths. Don't look, you'll go into shock. This will require stitches. *takes another look Ooo, and I may have cut a tendon.

Addison ran out to find me covered in blood on the ground. "Oh no! Oooh no!" I burst into tears as the pain and shock began. Addison helped me up and Dr. Lindsay took over again.

"Addison, I need to go to the hospital. Can you take me?" Breathlessly he answered "Yeah...yeah."

"I need two towels and an empty box to put my hands in so I don't get blood all over the car. Also, call Dr. Wade and let him know I won't be in. Please hurry!"

Addison ran inside frantically. Panic set in again and I began sobbing. Addison returned with towels and carefully wrapped them around my hands. He yelled for my brother's help and helped me get in the car. As we drove the pain really set in forcing me to face this unfamiliar reality.

"I start chiropractic school in two weeks!" I cried between wails of pain.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" I cried some more."Why?! It was just a little fall."

We pulled into the south Instacare haphazardly and Addison ran around the car and helped me out. We ran up to the doors to find them locked! Addison yelled in frustration while he banged on the door and proceeded to try and pull the door off its hinges. I peered inside through blinding tears. I saw a table full of people turn to see what was causing the commotion.

"I think they're having a Christmas party." I whimpered. Addison continued his efforts as a nurse got up and ran over. She unlocked the door and asked what's wrong. I held up my blood-soaked hands. She stared in shock then called for backup. Another nurse and doctor ran over and rushed me back. They analyzed my wounds and informed me I had to go to the ER. They injected a local anesthetic to help with the pain, wrapped my hands in gauze and called the ER for me.

We ran back to the car and continued to make our way to the hospital. At this point I was fairly upset and cried "Why, lovee? Haven't we been through enough?" Addison rubbed my shoulder on the verge of tears himself, "We'll get through this. We always do. And we'll be stronger for it." He continued to assure and comfort me as I cried breaking down only once at the sight of my pain and whimpered "I'm so sorry, honey. I'm so sorry."

We arrived at the hospital. A car in front of us inched slowly along and a supply truck blocked the entrance. Addison yelled in frustration "Move! My wife needs help!" I told him to let me out so I could begin the check-in process while he got a parking spot. "You sure?" he asked. "Yes, but please hurry. I do need you."

He let me out and I ran inside. I rushed to the check in counter and the woman behind the desk just sat there. I stood there crying for a few seconds. Really? Can't you see I need help here?! Nothing. I became angry and took charge. "I need help!" I yelled. The woman slowly looked up from her computer and looked to the empty seat where I could only assume where the main receptionist sat. She sighed a little. "Okay, come around over here." Oh I'm so sorry to be an inconvenience to you! I thought.

I began to cry and held up my bloody hands. "I'm hurt. A piece of glass is stuck in my hands. Instacare should have called ahead." The woman stared at me her face saying "How does that help me?" Fortunately for her, 1. I was crying too hard to snap at her, 2. the actual ER receptionist showed up and fortunately for me Addison ran in and took care of the rest. All I could think of was getting the glass out of my hand but instead they directed me to the waiting room. More than anything I wanted to yell out "Help me! I want this glass taken out now!" I felt so helpless. I'm use to taking control and helping myself, but all I could do was wait for them to have time to help me. After a few minutes they took me back. 

"So what seems to be the problem?" The nurse asked.

"I have glass in my hand." She proceeded to grab my hand oh so not gently. "Ow!!" This process repeated for hours. They grabbed, prodded and hurt me but left the glass alone when all I wanted was the darn thing out!! Finally a PA took it out. He was one of the only hospital people I could stand. I then had x-rays that revealed an extra piece of glass that was missed. The PA came back to look but he couldn't find it and that's when we discovered I couldn't move my pinky. The PA looked at me and his face fell. "That's not normal." 

I know. I thought. I once again burst into tears. The PA left to get a consult with my old hand surgeon who performed my TFCC surgery four years ago on the same hand. 

Addison rushed to my side. "I'm costing us so much money!" He assured me we would work it out.

"But dear, I can't move my pinky. There's no way I didn't cut the tendon. That's a serious injury that requires surgery, therapy and is one that can't fully be recovered from." Addison held me and assured me God wouldn't give us anything we couldn't handle. 

We were told my hand surgeon from before had retired but a specialist from Tremonton was on his way. To pass the time and get our mind off the day's events, Addison turned on the TV. Ironically, every channel was showing a surgery! Finally we landed on chick flick channel showing the Wedding Planner.

We watched for a little under an hour when the doctor showed up. He informed me the glass cut across my carpal tunnel and he was sure I cut multiple tendons and most likely a nerve. He had already called the OR and had a room scheduled. With both hands wrapped in gauze, Addison had to prep me for surgery. He dressed me, collected my urine sample, changed my pads and still found time to rub my shoulders, wipe my tears and make me smile.

Once we finished Addison was sent off to pick up my medication. I continued watching my movie and a nurse came in to put in my IV. My PA also returned to stitch up the laceration in my left hand. Six stitches between the third and fourth fingers. Not an ideal place for a wound but he did good fixing it up and I was informed this injury would heal in a couple weeks. After they finished another nurse was sent in to get my pre-op vitals. She was awful. The first thing she did was comment on how stupid my movie choice was then she grabbed my newly stitched/IV arm and roughly put on the blood pressure cuff and finger heart monitor. Then she nearly perforated my eardrum checking my temperature and kept commenting on how my life sucked. Thanks nurse for commenting on my pathetic life while I'm down. 

Finally she left and Addison returned. At that moment my family also showed up. My brother and Dad assisted Addison in giving me a blessing. The blessing was beautiful and things went much smoother after that. My surgical nurses were amazing, my family was there and Addison and Justin swapped missionary stories until I was wheeled away to surgery. I was so excited for it to all be over I wasn't even scared. All I had to do was rest and let the doctors take care of the rest. 

My story has a better ending. In my poor luck I did get lucky. The glass entered at an angle so instead of damaging all my tendons it cut through my pinky tendon completely, 50% of another and only minor damage to two more. I really messed up the muscles too but I missed the nerve so I can expect 80% recovery with therapy.

Our Third Anniversary - Celebrating our love in a more meaningful way

The romantic dinner we planned fell through and instead I spent my anniversary recovering from surgery and sleeping through the movie we bought tickets to. Pathetic? A little, but welcome to our life. Our marriage literally began with a storm. Cold winds and blizzard storms wouldn’t stop us; we were SO happy! Life continues to be a storm and has been hard. But marriage has been our strength. Addison never ceases to surprise me with his constant strength and gentle spirit. He is my greatest cheerleader and best friend. And these past few days he’s taken on a new role with such grace. He’s dressed me, helped me shower and learned to cook for me. He’s been amazing! I put the poor fellow through a lot and he hasn't backed down once. Addison has truly demonstrated pure Christ-like love and what it takes to be a spouse in sickness. Our third anniversary wasn’t the textbook romance you dream of, but it was full of real love stronger and 100x better than all the obsessive passion you see in the movies.

Light the World

During this difficult time in our life we would like to thank special angels in our lives. We have been astounded by all the support we’ve received from family members, friends, bosses, neighbors and classmates. We love you and thank you so much! If you would like to help I'm not going to pretend we don't need it. Addison is still healing and has taken a hit from this stressful weekend (his body doesn't do well with adrenaline). We are moving to California the first of January and I'm a chiropractic student with no use of my hands. I'm also in the middle of an insurance change meaning everything may be an out-of-pocket expense. We just launched a GoFund Me account and would greatly appreciate any help we can get. 
Once again, thank you all so much for caring. Everything has been falling into place and God has been so good to us. We have a long road ahead but we know everything will be okay.