7/14/12

my poor baby

A bit of a personal note here, no art today, so feel free to skip if you want.

It's been a stomach churning, heart pounding couple of days for me.  My oldest son, A-, (30) had a bicycle accident.  He was zooming down a hill in town, hit a pothole and was ejected over the handlebars, landing on his chin.  No helmet!  (really? @#%$#W$^T(P#!&@#$(#@!!.....okay, just had to get that out!)

His injuries?  Lower jaw fractured in two places, three front teeth broken and pushed through his upper lip requiring stitches, stitches in his chin, fractured right elbow, left wrist sprain, major road rash on his chest and various other minor scrapes and cuts.  Luckily his girlfriend was riding with him though was way back up the hill, riding at a more reasonable speed.  Also luckily, a kind Good Samaritan in a van stopped, loaded up their bikes and them and drove them to home to get their car so they could go to the hospital.  It's so heartwarming to know there are still people in the world who will stop to help.

He goes in for surgery on his jaw Monday morning and the doctor expects a 3-4 week recovery period so it'll be awhile before he gets solid food.  And he loves to eat! 

I remember many times as the boys were growing up and they'd come running to me crying and bleeding from a scraped knee or a splinter or whatever.  I was the mom!  Super Mom!  I took a deep breath, calmed my churning stomach, wiped off the blood, gave a hug and kiss and sent them on their way.  The heart dropping feeling when I answer the phone and the girlfriend says, "A- has been in an accident - he's okay but we're at the hospital" is one most parents can relate to and doesn't go away just because the kids are all grown up.  And, I wasn't the one he turned to for the kiss and hug to make him feel better.  Sigh.

The best news?  He really will be okay.  As he told me today when D and I visited, mumbling through his immobile jaw, "I was so stupid....going too fast down that hill.  I should have been wearing a helmet.  I'm so lucky; it could have been so much worse.  This is all just cosmetic - I could have had brain damage or been permanently injured.  I'm so lucky."  Amen to that!  My heart has calmed, my stomach less churny.....my boy will be okay.

Thanks for reading and letting me share a more personal side of me.....this is where blogging becomes almost more of a personal journal.  As I sit here with tears in my eyes, realizing I'm sharing this with not strangers, but with people I've grown to like and look forward to hearing from (okay, and a few strangers). I am grateful for the support and empathy I know you'll share.  I see it time and time again as I read through comments as we share our artistic journeys and trials and tribulations.  But even more so when we do share a more personal issue - it's such a supportive and caring community.  I'm so pleased to be a part of it.

27 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:32 PM

    My heart stopped as I began to read this Terrie. I am so glad he'll be okay, though probably thinner after his liquid diet. Huge (((((((HUGS))))))) to you my friend.
    Stay inspired!

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  2. Oh Terrie! How terrible an accident that was...I am so glad he will be ok and I hope the recovery goes quickly for him. My husband and I just bought bicycles and I am a little unsteady because I haven't been on one for so long...this makes me more nervous! But...I don't go anywhere too fast. :-)
    Take care...big hugs!

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  3. No Helmet!!!! Sure he won't do that again, and so relieved he will be on the mend very soon... and that it is cosmetic... just awful awful news and my heart stopped with you to read it... wish we were all as close to you as the internet makes it feel as though we are so we could all takes turns at giving you a hand and support... sending you cyber hugs...xx

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  4. Hope your son is soon on the mend, and that he will always wear a helmet in future! Take care of yourself, too. All the best to you all, Valerie

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  5. Ohm Terry, this is awful for you - and also for him. But they will mend him and after some time he will be ok again, riding always with his helm on. Keep your head up!

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  6. Oh Terrie, this is so sad to read. If it is any consolation, I dont think the helmet would have protected the jaw anyway. That sounds like a horrible tumble. He will be a hungry guy before his jaw heals. That's good, he's here to have an appetite. Yet another Mom's "Thank you God". Sometimes, don't you just want to pinch them???? Even years after they are grown and gone. Hugs to you Mom.

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  7. Oh goodness, Terrie. What a frightening telephone call that must have been, but glad he has *learned his lesson*, that he will heal and have no permanent injury. He'll be happy when these next weeks are over -- jaw healed and FOOD to enjoy! Give yourself a great big HUG. (They never grow up!)

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  8. Oh Terrie, my heart stopped right along with yours...with a sense of deja vu. I am so glad to hear he will make a full recovery & he is right--it could have been so much worse. With knowledge comes wisdom & I hope he wears a helmet next time. My husband & daughter were bicycling locally years ago & he misjudged the edge of the road and went down a trench & hill. Fortunatelty, his injuries were cosmetic in nature, too. They walked home (they were nearby) and he showed up at the back door muddy & bleeding. Talk about heart stopping!

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  9. Terrie,

    I can so relate to your painful story. I cannot believe he went riding in the street without a helmet! (Insert expletive!!!). I sure hope he means it when he talks about learning his lesson.

    Deep breath,

    xoxo

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  10. No one (except police) wears a helmet on a bike in Kansas unless they are on a bike tour, and many, many don't wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. I'm super happy your son has learned a very valuable lesson with major injuries that seem minor to him. At least he has a positive outlook (and hopefully a good dentist and plastic surgeon)! Glad your stomach has settled, too.

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  11. You can tell I've never been a mother. After reading a few of the comments, I understand even more how traumatizing it can be. I guess I should think of it as a "Bleubeard being hit by a car" analogy.

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  12. My heart goes out to you Terrie and your family. Thank goodness he is alive. God Bless and sending you hugs Annette x

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  13. Gosh, Terrie, that has to BE so hard. I am just glad you are NOT alone walking through this. And I am glad A wasn't out there on his own, too. I've been thinking about getting a bike since I sold my car in April, but I am learning that I almost prefer walking and the bus... Lots of people here in South Florida on bikes, and I'd BE riding a 3-wheeler anyway, yet I find myself wishing each and every rider safe passage. I think mayBE I was ready to remove myself from the traffic equation...
    I am sorry you're having all those mother-ish feelings and glad you were so willing to share them so bravely here. It is the art that has brought us into each other's Life & World, yet Now that we're Here, I am glad we can BE There for each other, too.
    Sending healing and calming thoughts winging westward and northward.
    xoxo

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  14. Oh Terrie, I'm so sorry to hear about your baby boy. Silly, silly boy. I'm glad he's going to be okay and is being well taken care of. His mature, reflective response to the accident shows you raised him well. Big hugs to all of you xxxx

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  15. THey are always your 'babies' Terrie. Tho' I have none of my own I understand the feeling when someone you love so deeply is injured. He'll be fine soon and yes, it could've been much worse. A lesson learned...helmets rule!

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  16. Hi Terrie, hope you are Ok my lovely. So good to hear that your son will be ok after such a nasty and frightening accident for you all. Have to admit to a tear or 2 while reading your post as I know damn well how you must be feeling and how I would be feeling if it were my children. Lol, they are only 19mnths and nearly 5 so I'm sure there will be many scrapes to come for them both!!
    Many many hugs from me and mine x x x x

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  17. Sending healing thoughts your way! How scary. Sometimes, when I stop to think about it, I feel like such an idiot for ever even having kids, I mean, it's just so dangerous how easily they can get hurt and, it is so hard to watch! I cross my fingers daily that nothing really horrible ever happens. I am so glad for you that this wasn't more serious, and I bet there will be more helmet wearing in your boy's future. Take care!

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  18. He really is very lucky! It could have been so much worse without a helmet. But, as mothers, our stomachs churn into knots and we wish we could take the pain away and make it all better...no matter how old our babies are. (Mine is 37.) I am so glad a kind and thoughtful person stopped and helped them, too--and that his girlfriend was there with him. He's in my thoughts and prayers.

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  19. First of all, I am so glad that A is going to be ok, and that you feel we are a part of your world to share not only happiness but your sorrows as well, you deserve a big HUG. Now I have to admit that when you wrote that you weren't the one he turned to for the hug and kiss of comfort, I chuckled and awww'ed for you! lol waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  20. I wrote each of you personally, but thanks again for the warm thoughts, hugs and encouragement. I KNEW I could count on supportive shoulders! You're the best!

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  21. oh Terrie! I'm so behind in my blog reading and just saw this. How frightening. I'm so glad he's okay. I see the way my parents still (and always will) worry about me, and I know it will always be that way with me and Max. goes with the territory of loving so much! I hope he has a speedy recovery!

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  22. Anonymous3:43 AM

    Oh honey, ouch, even grown kids are still the kids and I am sure you were worried sick. I hope he is okay and will mend soon with no permanent damage. Take care, I am thinking of you. xox

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  23. OMG, Terrie...how awful!!! Your son is right tho....it could have been so much worse. He could have broken his neck....he was very lucky indeed! I read your pear post and had to come back a post to see if you gave any details on your son's accident. I have to tell you that I cringed reading what happened. Major OUCH!! You're right, we never stop being their Mums no matter how old they are. I do hope your son recovers well and isn't in too much pain, poor thing. xo

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  24. Hi - I am one of the 'strangers' you mentioned in your post, but had to stop by here after seeing mention of an accident in your pear posting. I am so sorry about your son's accident. I know exactly how you feel. Being the parent of grown up children doesn't take away the feeling of wanting to protect and comfort them through any difficult times. but know we're no longer the 'number one' in their lives *sigh* I wish your son well, a speedy recovery and fewer sleepless night for you *hug* (if you'll accept one from a stranger) ;)
    APR #15

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  25. I'm a little late commenting here but after reading your post about your son's injury my stomach did somersaults! I think once we become a Mum, no matter how old or tall our children are they're still our babies!
    I had a little tear for you too when you said he didn't turn to you for his cuddle and comfort (:() But I'm sure he still needs his Mum too...they always do ;D
    I hope all goes well and he recovers soon...He's obviously realised he's been silly, but very lucky and has learnt his lesson...which is all you can ask I suppose.
    Good Luck and I wish you all the best xox Neesie (APR #17)

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  26. OH that is terrible, but I agree: it could have been worse. Thank God he'll be okay! Meanwhile, I'm sending you and 'A' good vibes and many healing thoughts.

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  27. Terrie..
    Shedding love, healing, and prayers your way... ~xx

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