So this is now...

        May 3rd marked three months since the accident.  It all seems incredibly surreal.  My mind keeps going back to: "Has it really been three months?  That long?  Has it only been three months?  That brief?"

  After I posted my last entry about the actual fall I had to laugh at a comment a friend made saying it was amazing I was so level headed through it all.  The actual accident?  Yes, possibly so, but I think that was more out of sheer stubbornness and irritation that I got hurt!  However, once on the narcotics and muscle relaxers level headedness went out the window.  

        Oh my word, the things people had to put up with!  At one point I introduced two friends, Brook and Amanda, to my nurse as Sunbutter and peanut butter.  I'd been in a conversation with them or something, then fell asleep and dreamt I was showing someone in a grocery store what the difference was between Sunbutter and peanut butter while pointing to both of them.  When I opened my eyes I had three pairs of eyes just staring at me with the most bizarre and bewildered looks on their faces.  Finally Brook laughed oddly and asked if I was okay.  "Yeah, why?"  

        Basically from late evening of February 3rd through shortly after my birthday in March  --- That's the 19th by the way, for those of you keeping track.  Any belated birthday celebrations wouldn't be turned away!  ; )  ---  I'm left with a puzzle you get from a garage sale or thrift store that has masking tape on it reading, "Pieces All Here" only to put it together and find not one but several missing pieces and a bunch of pieces to some other puzzle thrown in there as well!

A quick nutshell of what I've piece together as far as a timeline is this: I was taken to the emergency room at St. Anthony's Hospital where I had a CT Scan to determine if I'd need immediate surgery.  They found one break and two fractures, but praise the Lord, none of the breaks required surgery!  I recall a doctor or someone claiming some sort of medical authority telling me I'd be heading home the next day.  Three weeks later I was released from the hospital and taken to my new friend, Crystal's, house.  Less than 24 hours after that I was admitted to another hospital for a week before I finally found myself back at my place in Arvada, Colorado.  I’m told I was there for nearly two weeks.  Apparently things (and by things I mean me) were pretty unstable while I was there.  Due to the mixture of the severity of the pain and the wackiness from the drugs I needed more consistent care than what was available.  Thankfully, those who were there recognized this.  So, after another ambulance ride and another stint in an ER due to medicine withdrawal issues, a few friends packed me up and drove me to Iowa in the middle of the night so I could finally receive the much needed 24/7 consistent care.

  One day, while at the house in Arvada, I realized I had no way to turn on a light and no one would be there for quite a while.  There I sat in the dark wondering, “So this is what it’s like for people who can’t move.”  Thankfully an angel from the Lord came by later and turned on the light switch while simultaneously revealing a bag filled with groceries and gorgeous sunflowers!    

  Friends, acquaintances, and family members of friends and acquaintances coordinated who’d give me meds and how they would keep track, who would help me to the bathroom in the morning, who’d stop by over lunch to get me food and another bathroom trek, and who’d be there in the evening.  I wish I could remember all those who visited and helped in any way.  It’s rather odd having things that I’m not even sure who they belong to!  Are they mine?  Were they given to me?  Are they on loan?  If they’re on loan, then who on earth do I give it back to?  I’m sure they didn’t think it’d take THIS long!  For example, in just the past three days I know I have worn clothes belonging to these people: Brook, Amanda, Annie, Erika, Calla, and myself.  That’s just the past THREE days!  Now that’s quite the compilation of attire for anyone to remember, even if they've got a completed puzzle they’re working with!

  Speaking of the puzzle pieces, imagine my surprise one day in late March when suddenly a memory formed that a close college friend was getting married and I was in her wedding the end of May!  The oh-so-familiar “What’d did you remember now, Heather?” came from someone as they saw my wide eyes and confused expression.  I was like, “Um, I think Natalie’s getting married and I’m pretty sure I’m in her wedding.  Can you go get my Mac?  I think I’d better check my email.”  Sure enough, I found emails about a bridal shower and pictures of bridesmaid dresses.  There was all kinds of info about this new-to-me wedding!  And there I sat still using a walker and wheelchair!     

        So this is now.... 

"Expect to be fully mobile by June."  "July."  "Mid to late fall”  “If it’s a non-active job, then full-time by August." "Give yourself a year for complete full recovery - meaning, no pain while skiing and the ability to begin rock climbing again."  The challenge doctors and physical therapists have been facing regarding this injury from the onset has been that it's apparently difficult to locate any information on a broken pelvis of this sort that's not of a 90 year old.  

  As recovery seems to be going slower than anticipated I've decided to see how many states I can spend this recuperating process in!  Thus far: Colorado and Iowa.  Next week I'll fly into Washington D.C., spend a few days with Natalie in Virginia, and attend her wedding in Maryland (I can count all those, right? Even though it’s essentially like suburbs out there?)  After the wedding I’ll head to Pennsylvania for who knows how long to stay with another wonderful college friend, Charis, and her family for who knows how long.  Don't be fooled, this isn't a glorified vacation (although there are some perks) and I'm actually incredibly nervous about the travel and unknowns of the upcoming weeks but, I enjoy challenges as well as most surprises so let’s just see what happens!  I’m looking forward to the change of scenery and how God will continue to work in unexpected ways!  Plus, Natalie, Charis, and I are the same size and they've got fantastic taste....which obviously means different clothes to borrow!