Let’s see, where should I begin? On November 8th, 2008, while I was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, I received a Red Cross message. My mom had passed away unexpectedly. This caught me by surprise considering she had just been chatting with me that very morning. My mom was my best friend and confidant. She meant the World to me. I had just seen her less then 2 months earlier when I was home on R&R. Mom was looking pretty good. Better then she had the last time I saw her. At least we were able to enjoy a trip to the casino together. Mom loved it and I found it as bonding time without outside interference. My heart still aches at the thought of her not being here anymore. But I know she is always with me, deep in my heart. She gives me strength to get through all that has happened to me since she passed.
On the 24Th of May 2009 we were at a friend’s house for a Memorial day BBQ. We were having a great time. A few of us were playing around in the pool and Jesse was doing cannonballs. On his second try, he misjudged his rotation, hit his head on the bottom and was knocked unconscious. It was the scariest moment of my life!! We turned him over and he told us he could not feel anything. I was hysterical. My friends stabilized him in the pool while someone called 911. The paramedics arrived and said they were going to take him to Blanchfield Army hospital. After a short discussion, they decided his injuries could be too serious and that Gateway was a better option. My heart was racing. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was immediately escorted to Jesse’s side. He was still conscious and speaking. Even cracking jokes with the nurses. Maybe he is going to be OK, I thought. He asked me to call his parents. I could not do it so I handed the phone over to Paige. I feel so bad now that she had to be the one to break the news to his mom. But I was too emotional to do it. After speaking to his parents, I went back to see Jesse. The doctors started him on steroids to slow down the swelling caused by his spinal chord injury. Unfortunately, he had an allergic reaction to it. He started swelling up, had difficulty breathing and started to vomit. The doctors then gave him some benadryl which seemed to help. We had to wait a while for the life flight helicopter to get there. Finally they loaded him up and headed to Vanderbilt University to the Trauma unit. Matt and Tiffany drove me and spent the night with me there. When we arrived, the doctor came out and told us Jesse had been put on a ventilator and that he broke his C-4. The chances of him ever breathing on his own were unlikely. It was a few hours later before I could see him. He was not the same person I had seen at the hospital in Clarksville. Makes you wonder how the hell things could turn so terrible so quickly. That was the first 12 hours.
On the 24Th of May 2009 we were at a friend’s house for a Memorial day BBQ. We were having a great time. A few of us were playing around in the pool and Jesse was doing cannonballs. On his second try, he misjudged his rotation, hit his head on the bottom and was knocked unconscious. It was the scariest moment of my life!! We turned him over and he told us he could not feel anything. I was hysterical. My friends stabilized him in the pool while someone called 911. The paramedics arrived and said they were going to take him to Blanchfield Army hospital. After a short discussion, they decided his injuries could be too serious and that Gateway was a better option. My heart was racing. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was immediately escorted to Jesse’s side. He was still conscious and speaking. Even cracking jokes with the nurses. Maybe he is going to be OK, I thought. He asked me to call his parents. I could not do it so I handed the phone over to Paige. I feel so bad now that she had to be the one to break the news to his mom. But I was too emotional to do it. After speaking to his parents, I went back to see Jesse. The doctors started him on steroids to slow down the swelling caused by his spinal chord injury. Unfortunately, he had an allergic reaction to it. He started swelling up, had difficulty breathing and started to vomit. The doctors then gave him some benadryl which seemed to help. We had to wait a while for the life flight helicopter to get there. Finally they loaded him up and headed to Vanderbilt University to the Trauma unit. Matt and Tiffany drove me and spent the night with me there. When we arrived, the doctor came out and told us Jesse had been put on a ventilator and that he broke his C-4. The chances of him ever breathing on his own were unlikely. It was a few hours later before I could see him. He was not the same person I had seen at the hospital in Clarksville. Makes you wonder how the hell things could turn so terrible so quickly. That was the first 12 hours.
I am glad that you are using a blog. I think that this is a good way for you to start for your book. :) Your strength and positive attitude are such an inspiration to me, and I think others will find your words as a source of inspiration as well.
ReplyDeleteNot only are you going through everything that you have been over the last 1 1/2 years, but you are also serving our country as well. You certainly deserve the best Mom, Wife and Soldier Award!
Take care of yourself!
We love you,
Matt and Tiffany