HEB Incident

So, I think that most people know what happened a few weeks ago… but for those that don’t –or those who don’t know exactly what happened- I thought it was about time I shared.

A little over two weeks ago on the 13th I went to HEB… you know, for groceries, it was a normal morning activity. I parked where I always park if it’s available… right next to the shopping cart corral, because it annoys me to walk far to put my cart away. Anyways. Back in the parking lot after shopping I was loading my groceries into my car in the back passenger seat on the driver’s side with myself wedged between my car and the corral. I just put in a pack of Dr. B’s (cheap version of Dr. Pepper) and was reaching around to grab my next bag from my cart when I heard a really loud screech noise and I turned my head and just remember seeing crazy fast movement coming my direction. The next thing I know I’m behind my car and in the parking lot aisle with people running up to me and some lady yelling all panicked at me to stop trying to get up.

After that I realized what happened. Some old guy must have hit the gas instead of the brakes and came from across the other aisle –extremely fast I might add- and ran into the cart corral, which in turn hit me. So I was not directly hit by the car; however, Cody says I basically was and he pretty much is telling people that I was. The corral was pushed quite a ways across the aisle and flipped around (uphill I might add, told you the guy had a lot of speed going) and somehow managed to hit me without even barely scratching my car. I don’t remember being hit and I don’t remember landing or how I landed or trying to get up initially. One lady was also out at her car at the time and saw the whole thing and she said that it hit me and threw me in the air a bit –which I guess explains why I ended up behind my car and in the aisle.

People starting rushing around and gathering around me and all I noticed was my leg throbbing. I remember looking at it and running my hand over this HUGE dent-like-thing across my leg above my knee. I literally ran my hand over it and felt my fingers dip into the dent and back up. It was weird. That must have been immediately after it happened because not long after once EMS arrived the dent was gone and there was already a massive bruise forming. They were initially worried I’d hit my head because one of the guys there said I was really incoherent at first for a while and said I either passed out or almost did. I do remember at one point this guy was talking to me and asked where I was hurting and told me EMS was on the way, and I (for whatever stupid reason –I’m blaming shock I guess) was really confused and thought I could just drive home and forget about this for the day. I kept saying I was fine and wanted to go home and I remember trying to stand up, and I got up (with help), and this lady had gathered my cart and purse and groceries that had all gone flying, and I tried to hold onto the cart, and then everyone around me talking started to sound really distant and muffled and my vision went all white and I couldn’t see anything and could hardly hear anyone and then I couldn’t stand and I felt like I was falling. I guess that was either the point where I did –or almost did- pass out. I’m pretty sure the guy helped me lay back down and soon EMS was there. They kept insisting I go in the ambulance to the ER and I kept saying I was fine. I was really stubborn. Finally they told me they couldn’t force me to go to the hospital but that they were not going to let me drive home and so I had to call someone. I called the high school and Cody came out and he decided that we should go to the ER and so he took me. They did tons of X-Rays, nothing was broken thankfully. I was just really bruised, sore, and stiff. And I couldn’t put any pressure on my leg without yelling and bawling.

After about 8 or 9 hours in the ER we were able to leave. I left with crutches, pain medicine, and meds for the swelling. (I think the worst part of the ER trip was the IV they had to insert… if you know me, you know needles are my WORST fear. I told them I was fine and wanted to go home when they said they wanted to do an IV. But, that’s a separate long story in itself lol.) Now, to try and be more brief, the following Friday I had a follow-up appointment with our family doctor and I currently have an appointment for tomorrow as well. A little over two weeks later and I’m STILL on the dang crutches. They are getting very annoying. I think I’m close to being off of them though. The swelling in my knee/leg is gone but my ankle/foot is still a little swollen. My foot, calf, and leg are still bruised and sore but getting much better. I can move my leg more but still can’t straighten it all the way and I’m slowly building up being able to put more pressure on it and take a few hobble-steps without the crutches. My back still is sore if I sit too long or stand/move-around on my crutches too long or bend over to pick something up. But again, it’s much better. Since the accident though I’ve pretty much been stuck in the apartment (mostly on the couch). The stairs still kill me and I still can’t try to drive. I actually just called my doctor to set up another follow-up for next week, but while I was on the phone I asked the lady if she happened to know if it was anything to be concerned about that my (bad) leg gets really cold sometimes. Sometimes it’s just slightly cooler than my other leg, but sometimes it feels like ice. She said she’d ask and call back, and when she called back she said my doctor wanted me to come in tomorrow. So that’s the new plan. I guess that means the coldness might be of concern! We’ll see tomorrow I guess.

Anyways! Thank you everyone for thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for my leg to fully heal quickly so I can get off the crutches and be able to walk, run, jump … whatever… sooner rather than later. Also for my back that is still sore sometimes, however my leg is the main issue. And sorry this got so long! I guess I’m not good at sharing a brief recap. Hope everyone’s having a lovely Wednesday!

PS - While yes I was super bruised and stiff and sore (and on crutches), I want to say that I was also extremely blessed and protected. It could have been worse in a hundred different ways. I was very blessed it wasn't anything worse than it was because it very easily could have been.