one year anniversary

One year ago I slipped and fell at beautiful Smith Rock just after eating a yummy cupcake where I had felt on top of the world. Little did I know minutes later I would be on the ground with no idea how I slipped on those tiny rocks so hard. But I did, and my life changed in an instant.

I was with 3 friends who in minutes found a stretcher and 9 other people to help carry me down the hill. These beautiful angels carried me down rough terrain and switch backs for 2.5 hours. The strength they had as a group was powerful. There was even a leader that took charge of the group and they worked like a team that had been together for years. The way they made sure I was as comfortable as could be is such a profound memory that I will cherish forever.

If I could only find these people to give them all a big HUG for saving me and my leg

Once down , near the river, is the most vivid memory I have. Because I had dislocated my ankle so badly, I had little oxygen going to my foot and in return my heart. I felt like I was going to die. I was in and out of it, but my darn strength kept me from passing out. My dear friend who drove me to the hospital said I was so quiet , yet in pain she had never seen. She took me to The Center where I went another hour without any pain meds as they couldn’t administer anything. She took me there thinking that is where I needed to be.

They took X-rays , wrapped my leg and ankle up and all I can remember is the doctor saying, get her to ER!!! She has so much tissue damage and they were worried about the possibility of losing my leg.

I don’t even know how I took this photo. I remember thinking I wanted Jeff to know I was ok since he couldn’t come into the ER with me because of Covid. He had just arrived too so he was so confused and I wanted him to know I was ok.

The ER doctor got my X-rays and immediately a team of 8 came into my room and they put me under to relocate my ankle. I went from about 12:30 to 6:00 without any pain meds and to this day I have no idea how I did that. It was by the Grace of God.

When I awoke they monitored me for a bit and then sent me home. The ER doctor told me to call the orthopedic center the next day to schedule surgery. I was so confused as I didn’t realize at this point my ankle was detached from my leg.

I fell on my left wrist as well, thankfully I did not break it and just had a good strain for about a month.

I called the following day and could not get a hold of anyone. I left messages, and because of Covid, everything was a mess. The ER doctor actually left me a message saying if I couldn’t get an orthopedic surgeon to do my surgery he would do it. I still think of that doctor, wanting to go above and beyond his duty. God is so good!

On Monday I finally got through to the Orthopedic center and was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. The crazy thing is I didn’t have an ankle surgeon do my surgery and I had broken all three ankle bones! He was the one on call and that’s how they were doing it during this time. However, I loved him and felt confident in his skills. He had been a flight doctor in the military for 12 years…. this man was skilled!

My surgery went well and the next 5 weeks were some of my darkest days. My family were beyond amazing, the pain was beyond anything I had experienced but I pushed through. Because my wrist was hurt too, I couldn’t use crutches yet and relied on Jeff to get me to the shower for the next few months. My circulation was so bad, I would almost faint every time I sat or stood up. My Instagram community was amazing and cheered me on the whole way. We even had a virtual cast signing party which was so fun!

Once my cast was off I started my 9 month journey with PT Jen who I just adored and she helped me so much!!! As an occupational therapist myself, I had no idea the journey I would be on, the independence that was taken away from me, yet eventually restored. We laughed and cried together and it was part of my physical and emotional journey during those 9 months that I will never forget. Thank you PT Jen!

Swimming also became a big part of my therapy and I was so thankful to have a pool to go too. I spent many hours a week feeling my body move when it could not outside of the water.

On November 2 I had my second surgery to remove all of my hardware but one pin. It had been moving out of my bones and created so much pain and restriction. I was so thankful the doctor did this early as usually the protocol is to wait a year to a year and a half. I was at 7 months. The surgery went well and I have been healing ever since!

This week I conquered Smith Rock again by facing my fears and getting down to where my hike began. I didn’t think I would be able to make the trek down but with the help of my hiking poles and my sweet family I did it!!! To think I was way up top on the other side when I fell gives me chills.

I had an emotional moment and then felt a big weight lift off my shoulders. I realized although the rocks took me down, I have risen up higher than the highest peak and for that I am forever grateful.

I am grateful for the team and my dear friends who brought me to safety, I am grateful for not losing my leg, I am grateful for my body and my independence, and I am grateful for this precious family of mine. And to my husband, you have been my biggest ROCK!!!!

I still have a lot of work ahead of me, building my tiny dancer calf muscle back, building my strength and endurance and I have high hopes my circulation will improve to normal, LIFE IS GOOD!

Thank you for going on this journey with me!

xo

jennifer