That night we were all going to dinner for Kaylas graduation. I think there was 22 of us. Well PJ and I decided to head on over to Pizza Hut (one of the few places that would hold that many people and not cost an arm and a leg) Kaiden decided to go with us so all seven of us piled into the rental van and headed towards town. It is about a 20 minute drive and the others left shortly after us. I remember thinking wow it is still pretty bright out for 7:15 at night and for some reason I was extremely tired so I just closed my eyes and was listening to the kids talk.
The boys were chit chatting and all of a sudden I hear PJ say OH .....and the slamming of brakes. I opened my eyes only for a second, it was very bright and I could barely see, but I did catch a glimse of a van in front of us and then my eyes closed. The next then I felt was our car swerve just a little and then felt the impact of the seatbelt and airbags. Man do those things hurt and stink......The horn kept going off and there was smoke everywhere. I opened my eyes and that hurt way to much so I just sat there for a second. I finally could look around.
PJ had not seen the light change to red and had t-boned the van turning. The guy in the van was fine and man was everyone polite. It took me a while to get my surroundings and realize that I couldn't move my right foot. It was completely numb but was hurting like heck right below the knee. I lifted my pant leg and saw that spot on my leg and the start of bruising. I remember trying to call Angela because I didn't want her driving up on the scene, well I couldn't ever get ahold of her. Kaiden, Jacob and Roy were in the back of the van and they were fine. Kaiden keep saying its alright everyone keep calm.
Justin and Robert were sitting in the bucket seats in the middle of the van. They were both crying and Justin had to use his inhaler. I remember the firemen showing up right after Angela showed up and she knew the chief, so he took great care of us. I didn't want to walk yet so I was still sitting in the car. They let everyone else out of the van except for Justin and I. They decided to take Justin in the ambulance because he was complaining of back pain. As they assessed me they decided I needed to go to the hospital. They had never heard of RSD and didn't know how to treat my leg. I just kept telling them not to touch it. They were worried about my back because it hurt and I was having trouble moving.
They put me on a back board and lifted me out of the car. They said I passed out for a bit and that made them move a little quicker. I remember thinking just let me walk out of the car and lay down this would be so much easier. I never got to see our van head on only through the view of the window. I could see the hood all scrunched up and hear the radiator dripping and see smoke(not fire smoke but crash smoke) I have been in enough accidents that I know the difference. I kept thinking someone take a picture, but nobody did.
As they loaded me in the ambulance with Justin, Tammy was in there keeping him calm and safe. She was a lifesaver for him and I greatly appreciate her for helping our family and him out so much. We took a ride in the ambulance and they talk and I answered. They always change tones when they hear that I am trying to get in nursing school and are not so nervous about the things they say. (just something I have noticed) We got to the hospital and Justin and I had lots of xrays and tests done and were were eventually cleared. Robert was seen too for his shoulder but he didn't have to take an ambulance ride.
Justin got his first IV and I did take a picture of it but I can't remember which phone it was on. I will post later. They never looked at my leg, the ER doc heard the words RSD and asked if it hurt worse than any other time and I said nope so he just left it alone. It has been two weeks and I still have bruising healing well by the way and the puncture wound is there. There is a huge knot but it does seem to be healing ok. The numbness is almost gone. Thank goodness I know how to deal with this and keep it from really keeping me down.
I am greatful we are all ok, it could of been so much worse. The rental van was totaled and they willingly gave us a new one. It was an overall good expierence and showed us that people in Alaska are really nice and helpful.
