A year ago tonight, I received a phone call from my sister Heather Donahue that my parents had been life flighted to Atlanta Medical Center. I remember immediately going in to shock and becoming very upset with her asking her why she would say that to me, it took a few minutes and her handing the phone to a friend of hers to help me wrap my brain around what she was even saying, My husband and I quickly rushed out the door heading to the hospital. I called my kids, who all immediately rushed to the hospital. While in route I was a speaker phone with the 6 doctors working to save my Mom trying to tell them everything I knew about her medical history and many allergies. By the time we arrived at the hospital, my children were all there, the staff was quick to take us all back. I vividly remember standing in the hallway out side the room where they were scrambling to assess my Dads injuries. I have never seen so much equipment going in and out of a room so very quickly. Nurses and Doctors were everywhere. I can still hear my Dad screaming out in pain with cries like I have never heard from another human being and remember the stabbing feeling in my heart every time I heard him. I remember him having to be rolled over to get one of the xrays and he had a few choice words for the xray tech... after which the guy came in the hallway and said in his experience when they are fiesty like that they are usually okay. I clung to that gentlemens words as they told us my Dad had many internal injuries and was in critical condition. We all stood in the hallway for what seemed like forever as we watched them bring in coolers of blood and prayed that we werent about to lose my Dad. We were then told to go upstairs to the ICU waiting room unknowing at the time that this would become our home for the next many weeks and months to come. We all wanted to see my Mom but they were frantically working trying to save her life. We were told it would be a bit and that her condition was very critical. The realization that we could lose both our parents in one horrific event hit us all about the same time... you could see the shock on our faces. It was a long night and a while before we could see my Mom. I remember getting to see her for the first time. She looked like she was sleeping and had so many tubes, wires and monitors on her, it almost took your breath. The nurses were so kind to us and tried to give us as much information as they knew. They were very honest in letting us know that her injuries were extensive and they were doing all they could but were very clear to let us know they didnt know if she was gonna make it thru this, they didnt know if she would ever even wake up. I think at that point we all went into shock. I remember having to catch my sister Shannon Bryant (literally) as she fainted in the hallway after us seeing my Mom. We just hugged each other and cried... it was all too much... just too much... Fast forward a year... My Dad has returned to work and is actually doing really well. He still has aches and pains but I suspect he always will. His injuries were extensive and the fact he surivived is a miracle. My Mom has had a long and rocky road to recovery. She completely lost her mobility as a result of the accident. She requires 24/7 care but has never complained and seems to take it all in stride. She is doing better these days with her thought processes and conversation. She has been a real fighter thru this entire ordeal. My Dad takes such very good care of her, it is a very sweet thing to watch. I look back now and have no idea how we even made it thru such a massive ordeal. I have never been so broken to my core as I have been this past year. (And those who know my lifes story know I have been thru some horrendous stuff) I dont think I would have made it thru with out the support and prayers of our family and friends. I have been humbled as I look back thru the year and realize the things people have done for me and my family. Thank you all for everything you have done for us. I know that for whatever reason God decided to bless us and what could have been a year full of endings turned out to be a year of new beginnings. Seriously, thank you, thank you, thank you. :) John Donahue Susan Scent Donahue
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 01:45:39 +0000
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