Recovery after spinal cord injury: one veterans personal journey
On May 14, 2016, was another typical day of May running errands and getting the house together for family that was coming to town in just a few days. Early in the afternoon while shopping, I remember my cell phone ringing and picking up the phone just like I have done 1 million times before. Although I remember the phone call being just a brief few seconds, I barely remember the exact wording that was Said on the other end. The only thing I remember is hearing that my husband was in an accident and sustained some life-threatening injuries. All I remember is hearing that he will be at my local hospital in the next few minutes.
I left the store immediately frantically driving to get to the hospital. As any loving individual would do, I focused on everything that we've been through both good and bad times. I said prayers and just wanted him to be okay. The angst and anxiety that built up inside of me was extremely overwhelming. I remember trying to hide back tears and trying to keep a stern face all the same time. Emotions came in like 10 foot waves. I kept my composure long enough to make it to the hospital parking lot. As I was running through the ER doors, I remember tears streaming down my face as I Said my husband's name and asking where he was.
Weeks passed as I fully came to understand that my husband sustained a cervical spinal cord injury and that his life would be forever changed. I wasn't worried about the changes, just as long as I knew that he was coming out the hospital, I knew we would figure out the rest. Approximately six months went by and he came up to his hospital release date. This happened to be the second-most overwhelming experience for both him and I. We honestly didn't know what we were in for and how everything would work but our community rallied around us and we were able to make it through our daily activities, insurance, nursing care and have our friends and family assist wherever they could.
My husband's one year anniversary date is just around the corner. This is the first time that I started to write openly about what had happened and how he is doing to date. Now that we are out of the acute phase and he is making tremendous progress, I will start writing more about his daily activities.
The one thing that I would like to touch upon is a facility down in Palm Beach County named Center for Neuro Recovery. Because of fundraising and the community getting together, we were able to move to Palm Beach County so that he can work aggressively three hours a day five days a week to make tremendous progress after he sustained a spinal cord injury. We are now at the facility for six months and my husband is not only moving his legs again, but he is able to take steps again for the first time. Not only is this veteran seizing the day with mental fortitude, strength, persistence and a positive mentality, but all the other clients that work alongside him that are doing the same. The equipment is amazing and so is the staff that work tirelessly to help make a difference.
Although his journey is in the infancy stages, I am so proud of my husband and his dedication to his recovery just like his years in the service. I now have a renewed sense of strength myself and can't wait to see what the future holds.
You can see a little bit about his progress here.
http://www.centerforneurorecovery.com/testimonials/
I will start to keep everyone updated as we proceed forward. I wish everyone all the best who sustain such a life-threatening spinal injury.
Karen
I left the store immediately frantically driving to get to the hospital. As any loving individual would do, I focused on everything that we've been through both good and bad times. I said prayers and just wanted him to be okay. The angst and anxiety that built up inside of me was extremely overwhelming. I remember trying to hide back tears and trying to keep a stern face all the same time. Emotions came in like 10 foot waves. I kept my composure long enough to make it to the hospital parking lot. As I was running through the ER doors, I remember tears streaming down my face as I Said my husband's name and asking where he was.
Weeks passed as I fully came to understand that my husband sustained a cervical spinal cord injury and that his life would be forever changed. I wasn't worried about the changes, just as long as I knew that he was coming out the hospital, I knew we would figure out the rest. Approximately six months went by and he came up to his hospital release date. This happened to be the second-most overwhelming experience for both him and I. We honestly didn't know what we were in for and how everything would work but our community rallied around us and we were able to make it through our daily activities, insurance, nursing care and have our friends and family assist wherever they could.
My husband's one year anniversary date is just around the corner. This is the first time that I started to write openly about what had happened and how he is doing to date. Now that we are out of the acute phase and he is making tremendous progress, I will start writing more about his daily activities.
The one thing that I would like to touch upon is a facility down in Palm Beach County named Center for Neuro Recovery. Because of fundraising and the community getting together, we were able to move to Palm Beach County so that he can work aggressively three hours a day five days a week to make tremendous progress after he sustained a spinal cord injury. We are now at the facility for six months and my husband is not only moving his legs again, but he is able to take steps again for the first time. Not only is this veteran seizing the day with mental fortitude, strength, persistence and a positive mentality, but all the other clients that work alongside him that are doing the same. The equipment is amazing and so is the staff that work tirelessly to help make a difference.
Although his journey is in the infancy stages, I am so proud of my husband and his dedication to his recovery just like his years in the service. I now have a renewed sense of strength myself and can't wait to see what the future holds.
You can see a little bit about his progress here.
http://www.centerforneurorecovery.com/testimonials/
I will start to keep everyone updated as we proceed forward. I wish everyone all the best who sustain such a life-threatening spinal injury.
Karen
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