Until now, I've never really discussed details of that fateful day and the ensuing weeks with friends and family. In order to give the most detailed encounter of my story, I have begun asking close friends and family about how they found out I was in an accident with my friends, when they found out, etc.
As I indicated in one of my previous posts, my parents and siblings were in Knoxville, TN for the Odyssey of the Mind world competition...
My brother's team had received the silver medal in their event so you can only imagine the excitement that my family was feeling! They celebrated the amazing victory but would soon get news of the car accident. Last night, I talked with my mom about that night. She said that my dad got a call from my grandparents informing them that I had been in an accident. I've discussed the accident hundreds of times with my parents since that day but what my mom described to me last night will forever be etched in my mind.
She said that she was walking through the parking garage and when she was told about her eldest son, she fell to her knees and sobbed. The feeling she had in her chest was what she could best describe as a broken heart. From what she and my dad have told me in the past, they quickly gathered their things in Knoxville and drove up to Grand Rapids, MI.
Also attending the OM games with my parents were two individuals who I have always thought of as being like parents - The Keanes. Mr. Keane and my dad jumped in one car and Mrs. Keane and my mom took the other car. My brother and sister would be taken back to Grand Rapids with another family in the morning.
My mom said that what should have been a 12 hour drive took a mere 9 hours. She said they had no idea if I would live, so they wanted to be there with me if God called me home.
When they arrived at the hospital, they were met by Mr. Clarin (he and Mrs. Clarin have also been like parents to me). He took them into the hospital and up to see me. Before the doctors would allow my parents to see me, they had to brief them on my condition and prepare them for what they would see: Their son unconscious, badly bruised, cut, hooked up to machines with tubes going every which way...
Later on, before finally getting some sleep after being up for two days straight, my parents were called back to see me. The doctors were considering putting me in a drug-induced coma, because my brain pressure remained elevated. In order to prep me for the possible induction, a heart catheter was needed so my parents were there in the event I passed away from the procedure. Once the catheter was in place, they went to the guest house to sleep.
At 4:00am, my parents were called. I would be put in a coma...
- A message to those who are currently seeing a loved one in a coma or after a closed head injury - No matter what happens, talk to your loved one. Hearing some of the things that I have heard from my friends and family are incredible. If you have never said "I love you" to your loved one, I recommend doing so. My family has always been close but the experience we've shared has brought us even closer. In addition, tell your loved one how you felt and what you felt. That alone tells that person that you love them. Believe me, I've heard some amazing things I never knew. Love will help you and your loved one through their ordeal.
Hi Matt...Congratulations on your remarkable recovery...Thank you so much for the last bit of advice you gave.
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend was in a car accident last week and sustained a serious head injury. He had bleeding and alot of swelling on his brain. His skull had to be removed and he was also put in an induced coma...He is doing much better, the swelling has gone down a bit and he wakes up periodically.
I was wondering all the time if he could hear what i am saying...
Thank you for your story. I will definitely show it to him when he has recovered!
All the best
Sam from South Africa