It has been two years since my wreck... some of you have asked for an update so here it goes :-) 

 

I continue to be grateful for the recovery journey my family is on. We have learned to live our new normal, with many more good moments then bad. We continue to learn to navigate healthcare systems, learn to address anxiety, aches, pains, and enjoy old things differently, and be together in the moments of life... I still can't fathom the pain they went through,  those early hours and days, then during recovery while I was learning to do everything new again, they motivate me each day... I know they each still worry and feel the helpless, dread each time I leave; they are so strong!! Again thank you to all of you who visited while I was in the hospital.  It kept me busy and motivated.  There are so many to list but I am still thankful for you!!

 

 Since I've been home,  I've ditched the electric and manual wheelchair,  ditched the walker, most of the time can say I've ditched the cane, and move pretty well... slow but good!!   I've had surgeries, delayed surgeries,  infections, PT/OT, loads of blood work and checks throughout the way...many appointments to ensure we continue to move forward together.  I have new functioning to get used to, and get reminders each day when I forget.. but we are all so grateful to be together.

 I've also have been able to experience soccer games with Braylon and his friends from Greensburg, Batesville, and North Decatur. We are so thankful for our soccer family!! This keeps my heart full. 

I love watching Braylon out of his comfort zone and sharing who he really is with others.  He can be pretty shy so it is joyful as a parent!!

I have also been able to watch Jacobi, Kelby, McKinley, Sage, and Declan,  play football or soccer, go to choir concerts and basketball games, watch Carly play softball,  and virtually cheer her on during the pandemic with robotics, and visit with Adler during many of these events. I've seen Jacobi, Simone, and Emma go off to college and Shay graduate!! Chaz and Jordan purchased homes and I've been able to watch Maggie compete at her competitions through video!!  And... Elowen!!!  So blessed beyond words!!  AUNTING IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS, I MISSED BEING THERE WITH THEM!! The first weekend home,  all of my nieces and nephews came to play soccer at our house... and I got to spend time with them after the longest time apart I can remember... since then each one has come by to visit and spend one on one time with us.   Heck, one day Kelby stayed until 3:30 and I loved staying up and talking about everything! 

 

After getting home,   My in-laws stayed to help us get settled while I was learning to drive an electric wheelchair (those things are hard), my chosen family and my family worked on our house to get it functional for us,  my sister,  brothers-in-law,  sisters-in-law , mom... all did whatever was needed,  whenever was needed to help me function... and listened when i struggle... i will forever be grateful and words will never express my love for them and my recovery team. My team includes the first guy who called, to the Rushville fire department and police department, the medevac staff, My work family that reached out to my family, my trauma doc who fought to save my life, anesthesiologist the ortho doctors, the neuro team,  the icu staff, pt/ot therapists,  the volunteers,  and the nurses and the CNA's (they are amazing),  My primary care physician and their team, the list is too great!!

 

To sum it up,  we recover together.  I am thankful for my tribe. The pandemic makes recovery lonely at times but each of you are a bright spot in my life. Braylon and Brock, I couldn't do any of this without you.  

 

My family is on a recovery journey together, I'm grateful they had each other and our close family and friends to rely on as well as the kindness of acquaintances and strangers.

 

Learning your limitations can be hard,  but joy is everywhere if we look. 

 

Thank you for caring for me and my family! 

Love, Jenny