So we finished up a helluva day recording on Wednesday. Got done a little early which for some reason hasn’t seemed strange this session? Laid out the plan of attack for getting “Southern Belle” on Thursday. I had the numbers to call Bruce Springsteens people to get him to drop by as our lead guitarist. I headed home really really happy!
I woke up and things were really loud. There was a ton of commotion. I couldn’t see anything. I wasn’t blind it was all just bright bright flashes of fast moving light. People were really really close to my face. Just right on top of me. A guy’s voice a woman’s after that. Lots of voices. I really do not know what’s happening. I know my chest feels like its got a thousand pounds on top of it. I’ve gotta close my eyes and calm down a bit.
I start hearing voices again. I think I know some of them. They ask me questions and I try to answer but I can’t really breathe. I’m choking. I still can’t see much but in my peripheral vision I start to make out people. A curly haired woman. I think she’s wearing a black shirt?!! I think I’m starting to see a bit. I think to move my fingers. Ok. Now toes. Man this really fuckin hurts, but ok. I want to ask what the fuck is happening? I still can’t talk. I don’t think I can breathe. Finally I grab a female voice. I won’t let go. I try and motion for a “pen to write with!” My left hand won’t go anymore. Driving pain. I try to use my right hand. I hear a fella real close to my head and face, which is now burning up it feels. I’m trying to scribble I think maybe upside down? He starts readin it “WFE kiD? WIfe kiD? He gets it, “wife and kid?” He asks? I nod my head. He tells me that the wife is here she’s great. He knows nothing about a kid! This is the most joyous news I’ve ever heard. I’m still completely unaware of where I am, but I’m putting together that I’ve been hurt in an accident but now know that the wife and kid are not involved!!!
The next big thing I remember is telling/writing I think the same guy and girl that I can’t breathe. I think they tell me there’s a tube in my throat to help me breathe but its gonna come out soon. And then I may even start to talk.
Over the next few blurry hours I start to get back some memories and some motor skills.
Finally I get told/realize the following things:
I’m at Vanderbilts trauma unit (yes! There’s not a better place to be in my situation!)
I’ve been hit by a van or big truck driving home on my scooter.
I’m out of surgery. Lots of family and friends are here.
I’m in a ton of pain.
Then comes Saturday. I’m a bit more together. I’m starting to see better. I’m remembering and helped to remember conversations that’ve gone on the last few days.
Yes I’m still hurting a lot.
100 stitches in my face. I look like warmed death. My left eye was almost ripped out. My entire forehead looked like chopped ground beef. All my top teeth were drilled with lace holes and weaved in with some high end metal dental floss. My nose is cut down the middle. My lips are cut, gashed, etc from top to bottom on both sides. I’ve got random gashes up and down both arms. I’ve got a broken sternum. Ribs 4, 5, 6 and 7 are smashed on my left side. My left side has a broken clavicle. Both of my shoulder blades are broken.
I had a partially collapsed lung. Stomach to chest is covered in gashes. My right nipple is almost cut off. All my back is one bile colored and black bruise. My left leg is strained everywhere from the foot up. My right femur was a shattered compound fracture and the knee cap 8 tiny pieces. There’s now a rod where my femur was and a mess of screws, wires. etc holding together my new knee cap.
So all in all, I’m a lucky fucking dude. There doesn’t seem to be any permanent damage. No spinal damage. No brain damage. Bottom line: I’M ALIVE!! I’ll get better. I start rehab tomorrow for what we’re thinking is a minimum 4 weeks. Its gonna kick my ass for sure. I worked on just standing and sitting the last two days at the ICU and that was painful! We start intense one on one stuff at this new joint like 3 hours a day in the a.m.
I’ll say a quick and heartfelt thank you for everyones kind words of love and support. Honestly I’m just now able to start even getting my head around all this, but I can already say its gonna be worth its own post, not a ‘by the way’ at the end of this one! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for as I say the work begins tomorrow morning!!
Ps….if yall see Mr. Springsteen, tell him sorry we left him hanging.