I feel very fortunate not to have many limitations from the accident, since I lost an artery down my right leg and have some nerve damage to boot, not to mention two permanent pieces of hardware. Nobody expected me to be able to walk very far once I healed up (including my doctor), but what can I say? I do have a fairly high level of pain tolerance, but still I believe that I was fortunate to have had a great surgeon who happened to be on call on a Sunday afternoon.
No one can say what makes one person able to continue to improve and another continues to decline after a major injury. I suspect that one day I'll be experiencing the other end of the fulcrum. That's the way of things. But today I am celebrating ten years from the day I woke up to find a broken body and an unknown future. Today, I'm doing everything I ever wanted to do, and then some.
And wonder of wonders, a new family member has been born today! My niece Allison (Norma Jean's daughter) gave birth this morning to Lexie, her little 5 lb 5 oz bundle of joy! Her full name is Alexandra Petra Stewart, brought into the world by C-section a month or so early, but apparently just fine. I am not sure when I'll get to see her, since her mother will be surrounded by plenty of other family and friends, not to mention she lives on the other side of the country.
:-)
How wonderful that you can celebrate hiking to a summit and turn your back on a serious injury.
ReplyDeleteHello to Alexandra Petra Stewart and...
ReplyDeleteHurray for you DJann!
♥...Wanda
Congratulations on both your amazing recovery and determination, and your new addition to the family. I think this makes you a great aunt now? She's a tiny little thing...hope you get a chance to see her soon and get some pictures of the three generations.
ReplyDeleteIgnor the extra 'n
ReplyDeleteplease!
Your outlook on life has done you well! In ten years, I am confidant that you will still be doing all in your power to do as much as you can stuff into each day! (They'll have better pain killers then too!)
ReplyDeleteThere was no self-pity in your story about the accident 10 years ago. Incredible! After surviving that, you can survive anything. I can imagine the pain, though. Thank God for your loving, patient husband.
ReplyDeleteIt took courage to skydive again. And here you are, hiking! Way to go, DJan! Keep it up!
So glad you got over your terrible accident, D-Jan. Also congratulations on your great niece. I think that's right? You must be very excited to have a new family member.
ReplyDeleteHere's a new hobby for you (wink). It is NOT hazardous, but very interesting.......
Family History.
Blessings, Star
How wonderful (for both blessings!)
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! You are such an inspiration and a survivor!!! So glad for you!!!! And congratulations on the new member of the family!! So many wonderful things to celebrate! Tonight, I'll raise a glass and celebrate YOU! And I am so glad to be able to call you my friend!!! Love, Janine XO
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new niece, as well as your achievements. You are an example of how to do things right and not let setbacks become permanent obstacles.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new family member!
ReplyDeleteAnd... WOW! It is hard to believe you made it back so well from such a bad accident! BRAVO! and amazing... Here's to another 10 years of climbing up mountains in the rain (you're crazy!!! I hope you get more sunshine this summer!) and jumping out airplanes! ;o)
Ten years of hard work on your part. Good for you to have the stamina and determination. You don't look or sound like a senior though.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new niece. Warmest wishes to your family on the event of the new life joining the family.
Wow. What a woman.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on both occasions! I tend to believe that attitude makes a world of difference when it comes to healing. I find it difficult to imagine that you would have been content to sit back and allow your bones to mend without testing the doctors beliefs of your physical boundaries. Many others in your position would have taken the doctor's beliefs as fact and been physically impaired for the rest of their lives. You are a strong woman.
ReplyDeleteI hope that your niece's recovery from cesarian goes smoothly. I hope that Alexandra doesn't have to stay in the hospital too terribly long. I will be sending warm thoughts their way:)
I think you may have, at least in part, answered your own question about why some improve or decline after an accident. A strong will and determination go a long way in the healing process.
ReplyDeleteAlexandra is adorable.
You are one tough chick! You are a great example with strength and a can do attitude!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Great Auntie..I bet your sis is beaming from ear to ear! :)