Cyndie Lundberg

Two weeks ago, I had a life changing experience that left me with the need to grow more than I would ever imagine.  As I was driving north from Pueblo to Castle Rock, a driver from the south side of I 25 lost control of their car and hydroplaned right into the median ditch and due to their fast speed, their car flew out of the ditch and was airborne circling around right above my car and dropped straight down on the front of my car missing my front windshield by a foot. It happened so fast that I was shocked and the next thing I knew I was surrounded by white airbags.  Suddenly a young couple and another man showed up to my driver door reassuring that it was going to be ok.  But when I tried to turn myself to lean outside of the door which I could not open, I realized my left foot was broken and severely in pain.  The couple kept reassuring me that it was not my fault and I was lucky to be alive. Come to find out they were my guardian angels as one of the young men was a EMT and could help until the emergency services could arrive.  And they are my witnesses who kept saying that they saw what had happened and it was not my fault. They kept checking on me and got me a blanket as I was shivering really bad. But since one of the other passengers in the other car was unconscious they asked if they could attend to their needs until the emergency services could arrive.

 

Once I was removed from my car, Lexie, I was placed on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital where it was found that my Left foot was fractured and dislocated and required surgery. So Sat night they repaired the dislocation and first thing in the morning I was transferred to the OR where I had a ORIF of the left foot with several ligament repairs and a fractured heal bone with several ligaments needing repair on the right foot.  

 

I remained in Penrose Hospital in Co Springs until Thur at which time I was transferred to HealthSouth Acute Rehab Center here in Co Springs.  I have been here receiving extensive PT/OT therapy for 3 hours a day for upper body strengthening as I am non-weight baring for 6-8 weeks more.  I was seen by the ortho surgeon on Wed and he reported that I have not healed enough and still have so much swelling that he just replaced the soft cast and I remain non-weight baring. 

 

This coming week, I have a CT scan on Wed morning to evaluate my right heal to see if further surgery is necessary followed by seeing my doctor to establish the next plan.  Since HealthSouth is an acute short care rehab facility that I can only stay at for approx. 2 weeks, Jason was instrumental in researching nursing homes that I can be moved to that is closer to my home.   So the plan right today is that I will be transferred to StayBridge Skilled Nursing Home in Parker and when need to be followed up with the orthopedic surgeon I will arrange for AMI transportation to take me from Parker back to Co Springs to be evaluated.  And when my non-weight baring status has been lifted on one foot, most likely the left foot with partial weight baring, I will be deemed needing further PT will be transferred to Lincoln Care Center in LoneTree for extensive PT. 

 

This has certainly been a life changing event in my life that I will never forget. And with time I am realizing that I am blessed as I could have been killed during this accident. So apparently the lord is not ready for me yet!  And I still have more to do on this earth we live in.  I am also blessed for my son, Jason, who came to my rescue as soon as he learned of my accident.  He was so instrumental in helping to get Lexi to the insurance to close out that portion of this accident, he helped to research my rights of being hit by an uninsured driver and locating after rehab care facilities.   I could not have done this without him! He is not only a blessing but also a very bright and dear young man that I am so proud of.  

 

Also, I am blessed of many family, friends and colleagues that have stepped up to provide me physical and emotional support during this challenging time in my life.  From taking care of my home and beautiful flowers to all of the calls and words of encouragement to going to the car impound lot to retrieve all of my belongings from my car, and finally all of you who have traveled many miles to visit me in the rehab center, you all know who you are. You are all dear to me and have touched my heart in so many ways that I will never be able to repay your love you continue to provide me as I go through this journey.

 

So as I travel into this next week of rehab and unknowns I plan to keep an upper lip and look into the future and work very hard in PT/OT so I can heal from this in a timely manner.  So as I close for today, I ask if you have any suggestions as to how to help me deal with the tragic hit of an uninsured driver I would appreciate your suggestions.  As I do not want them to do this to anyone else in the future. 

Thank you so much for being there for me!!!  

Love to you all,

Cyndie