Don't call it a comeback

It was a month ago today that my sister-in-law took me to a very mediocre hospital emergency room, with a foot that didn't work and was hanging like a dead tree branch from my ankle. She had come to see her new nephew who had arrived four weeks early, but on this morning, with a newly stitched up mom, a one week old, and moody toddler, she was drafted into service.

And I'm not sure what would have happened if she hadn't been with me.

If you have ever been to Pocono Medical Centers' emergency room then you know that the level of crazy in the waiting room makes is the stuff A&E programs are based on. On the drive to the hospital, I tried my best not to make a big deal out of the fact that my brain was no longer in control of all my body parts. When we arrived at the ER, Heather calmly assessed the situation and somehow found the right person to get us the express pass we needed to the back room. I still have no idea how she pulled it off because that waiting room was packed.
The clock was ticking, my foot still didn't work, and my anxiety was rising. First we got 'clueless' nurse, who, although knowing nothing about my condition, assured us that whatever was wrong I just needed 'to let the doctors do their job and take their time.' Then a doctor came in, and after a quick examination told us that it could, indeed, be Compartment Syndrome. And then he told us I may have to have surgery. And then he told us he may have to cut off my foot.
I have diabetes so this was a nightmare come to life. I went to Meltdown stage 3. I told Heather I needed her to make decisions for me, and although we never got those legal papers, she told me in no uncertain terms that she has not going to allow anyone to remove any part of me. She convinced me of this. She was so calm in the midst of madness...Within minutes she had a trauma surgeon in the room, and a new nurse who was somewhat knowledgeable. She had pain medicine running to me in larger doses. We had the test done right away. Within 15 minutes he had confirmed that I had compartment syndrome and it was up in the air if my foot would work again. He also told us that we had to go to surgery NOW if I wanted to have any chance of recovery and stopping the damage. It's the kind of situation that you never imagine is going to play out in real life, and honestly if Heather hadn't been so assuring, I may have asked to wait, scared to lose a foot, and who knows where we would be now.

But she was there, and she helped me make the decision that most likely saved my foot- and at the very least my ability to walk.

From then on it seemed everyone I knew came to Beth and I's rescue. My dad came and stayed with Beth and the new baby at our house, doing shopping, fire making, and of course staying with Garrison at night. My sister came twice-once by plane-to give Beth time to come see me in the hospital and make sure dad had company when he returned to his home. Cristin came from with her to make those rides less lonely. Mike took a vacation day and spent it with me in the hospital while I was doped up on morphine and most likely confessed to things I've never done. Jill brought me actual coffee everyday, along with a smile and sometimes an unruly toddler to punish the awful nurses. Rob collected wood and made fires at my house when no one else could do it, and made the drop in every now and then to make me laugh. His wife kept tabs on me electronically and delivered pre-made, delicious dinners. Mere drove up twice, the second time to stay with Beth during my final surgery, a very lengthy one, and to help her with Cohen-still not two weeks old. I had a whole host of online friends who would suffer with me through rambling facebook chats that I wouldn't remember, and a cool skull topped cane even showed up at our house- thrilling Garrison. I had friends with horrible health problems, much worse than mine, make time to find me online and check how I was doing. I had offers of CD's, Netflix suggestions, and many- many jokes.
My wife- I have no idea how she kept it together with the new baby, the inept hospital staff, and HER surgery pains. But she did- and every night she made sure I got to see my family on Skype - every evening I got to say I love you and good night to my boys and my love.
Heather and Donna batted clean up when I came home, helping me have a Christmas with my family, and enjoying my pain filled time at home. Colin and Matt came and assembled a crib for me, moved wood, and took me shopping. Rob and Joe acted as my personal drivers to see the plastic surgeon. Jill took me grocery shopping and to the dentist.

Today,. as I was walking around with the snow blower. Well, I was walking, so probably you get the picture.

I'm not a very Jesus'y person, in fact I tend to avoid those kind of explanations. I do believe that for some odd reason I am surrounded by wonderful people, the kind of people that in all honesty, I probably don't deserve. And in the coming weeks you will meet all of them. Because I'm going to talk about them right here.

Stay tuned and of course, walk on.