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auto accident
April 2007 
Day Seven Post-Laceration
Posted on Mar 31st, 2007
by 
Heather Marie Philipp
Heather Marie Philipp
On the seventh day, I too rested. It has been a long week of sleeping, managing pain, remembering the deeply held wisdom of my body amidst traumas and joys old and new. Last Saturday, I was in an auto accident that sent me to the ER via ambulance and left me bruised, stitched, sad, and confused.
Travelling at 20mph near my home in North Boulder my car impacted a large 4x4 truck that suddenly backed out of an alley in front of me leaving no time to stop. Driving unrestrained, I was thrust into the windshield which shattered on impact and lacerated my face just above the right brow bone xposing muscle tissue and resulting in 16 stitches.
The first couple of days are a bit of a haze. I was tenderly cared for by a dear friend and have been marveling at the mixed blessings of such a sudden and all-encompassing event. Though my head injury, along with neck and spine strain, was been limiting, I've found the mandatory limitations an oddly refreshing change from my high-paced though admittedly priveledged Boulder life. I had to stay low and let others do most of my menial tasks including shopping, cooking, cleaning... I even had help bathing. I am a highly independent and resourceful woman, but opening up to the generosity of others was and continues to be a real joy to accept (though sometimes hard to ask for).
I also found a number of spectacular health care providers that have already helped me tremendously in my healing process and will surely be valuable resources to me in this phase of my life. Some truly gift craniosacral therapists have made a particular impression on me.
My stitches are out. My bruising has diminished. I am sore, but hopeful. For the first time in many years, I have walked very slowly, listened very gently, and spoken minimally to great avail. I have begun drawing again. My instincts are keen. I can hear more than I have in so long.
The trauma of the accident is still with me, but I hold it tenderly with gratitude... as if an angle dressed in white with a big 4x4 logo on its hind quarters paid me a little visit, kissed me on the forehead, and said, "Rest now, dear one. We have secrets you must be very quiet to receive."
Word to the wise: Breathe. Oh, and skip the oxycodone whenever possible! Ick.
Travelling at 20mph near my home in North Boulder my car impacted a large 4x4 truck that suddenly backed out of an alley in front of me leaving no time to stop. Driving unrestrained, I was thrust into the windshield which shattered on impact and lacerated my face just above the right brow bone xposing muscle tissue and resulting in 16 stitches.
The first couple of days are a bit of a haze. I was tenderly cared for by a dear friend and have been marveling at the mixed blessings of such a sudden and all-encompassing event. Though my head injury, along with neck and spine strain, was been limiting, I've found the mandatory limitations an oddly refreshing change from my high-paced though admittedly priveledged Boulder life. I had to stay low and let others do most of my menial tasks including shopping, cooking, cleaning... I even had help bathing. I am a highly independent and resourceful woman, but opening up to the generosity of others was and continues to be a real joy to accept (though sometimes hard to ask for).
I also found a number of spectacular health care providers that have already helped me tremendously in my healing process and will surely be valuable resources to me in this phase of my life. Some truly gift craniosacral therapists have made a particular impression on me.
My stitches are out. My bruising has diminished. I am sore, but hopeful. For the first time in many years, I have walked very slowly, listened very gently, and spoken minimally to great avail. I have begun drawing again. My instincts are keen. I can hear more than I have in so long.
The trauma of the accident is still with me, but I hold it tenderly with gratitude... as if an angle dressed in white with a big 4x4 logo on its hind quarters paid me a little visit, kissed me on the forehead, and said, "Rest now, dear one. We have secrets you must be very quiet to receive."
Word to the wise: Breathe. Oh, and skip the oxycodone whenever possible! Ick.
Access: PublicTagged with: auto accident, accident trauma, accident, injury, emergency, car crash, crash, craniosacral, ambulance, sudden rest
