Okay, I’ll admit it. Writing this post scared the crap out of me. It’s one thing to write for your own blog. You’ve set the standard, so it’s pretty tough not to meet it. And if you blow it – no big deal.
But when you get the keys to a friend’s blog, it’s different. You find yourself writing like a little old lady drives, both hands squeezing each word so tightly they don’t stand a chance. This was not going to work. I had to shake this off.
Like an athlete about to go for gold, I stood up and stretched. I rolled my neck. Shrugged my shoulders a few times. I could almost here the theme song from Rocky.
Nope, that wasn’t going to work either.
And then I got it. This has nothing to do with me. How many times have I said that to my clients? I’d forgotten my own lesson.
Gavin has invited me here to mark his milestone. His 1,000th comment. So the story should be one he’d enjoy hearing. And sharing with his readers. I’m just the storyteller.
So sit back and let me tell you a story about courage. About re-birth. About resurrection.
Gavin’s father-in-law, Noel Davies was in a serious accident two days before Christmas. He was struck by a car while out biking with his friends.
Internal bleeding, broken leg, fractured pelvis, a punctured lung. Critical condition. ICU. Blood transfusions. Medically induced coma. Surgery. Respirator Neck brace. Skin grafts. Infections.
But he’s alive.
Merry Christmas.
Fast forward to the New Year. Do any of us really believe in coincidences? On this first day of a new year, Noel gives the first signal of his own new beginning. He opens his eyes.
Happy New Year.
The incredibly slow road to recovery begins. The morphine and other drugs keep Noel fading in and out of consciousness. When he can finally whisper, he asks for a Coke. Not yet. He can’t move, sit up, and even the whisper comes with a hefty price. The pain is excruciating.
More surgeries. More internal injuries discovered. Slowly beginning the simplest of exercises. Lift an arm. Sheer exhaustion.
When you endure an accident like Noel’s you expect the physical pain. But no one tells you what being brought to you knees does to your spirit. Your heart. No one tells you about the nightmares. The depression. The fears that sneak up on you in the dark.
Recovery is as much about beating back those demons as it is about doing your exercises or following doctor’s orders. It takes a man of incredible spirit to fight the battle. On both fronts.
Noel shows his spirit by pushing. At least one more exercise than required. Every time.
The end of February. Another month of surgeries, pain, ups and downs. Visitors boost his soul and his desire to get home for Easter. The doctors tell him no. It’s too soon.
He has to be able to stand for 30 minutes before they’ll release him. It must seem so far away. He hasn’t even sat up yet.
It takes a man of incredible spirit to fight the battle.
March 1 – Noel isn’t really moving much other than shifting in bed.
March 12 – Noel begins to sit up after three months of lying down.
March 19 – Noel walks for two meters and takes his first wheelchair ride.
March 28 – Noel walks 20 meters on crutches.
April 2 – Noel went up two flights of stairs on crutches.
Remarkable. 30 days.
Suddenly, it does not seem so far away.
April 4 – Noel leaves the hospital for home.
It takes a man of incredible spirit to fight the battle.
Happy Spring. Happy Easter. Happy New Beginning.
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Gavin – happy 1000th comment. Thanks for lending me the keys to your blog. Once I got out of my own way, it was easy. I just let the story tell itself.
Drew