Looking up from Below

When you think you’ve hit the bottom, you realize that your not even close. 

I went back to work mid last week, which happened to require me to be in Phoenix.  Darcy stayed with her mom and dad for a few days while I was out of town.  It was tough being away, and not there to help her with the daily ups and downs.

Saturday was scheduled to be Darcy’s shower.  I didn’t remember this, sidetracked with just wanting to see her again that night.  A tough night, a tough morning.  But happy to be with her again.

A beautiful sunny Sunday, I thought going somewhere where the two of us could enjoy that and be alone would be perfect to put us at ease, if just for an afternoon.

Renting a boat from Sewells in Horshoebay is something we try and do every summer.  I love the water and love being on the ocean.  It can be so relaxing.

Our ride lasted 10 minutes until something I can’t even explain happened. 

I got up and and looked around to see where she was.  Found her and yelled if she was okay.

‘ITS BAD, ITS BAD, ITS REALLY REALLY BAD!’ 

Sink.  That’s immediately what my heart did. 

A fall into the water is never really bad, it’s just water.  A run in with the boat, or worse its propeller, is the only thing it could have been. 

I raced close to her in the boat and she told me to call 911.  Knowing that I was about to jump in the water and she didn’t want me to do that.  All business and taking care of the situation.  Her Level III first aid in action. 

But it was the terror in her voice that had me beside myself.  What would I do without her.  This can’t even be true.

I was calling 911 when I saw the damage to her arm in the water.   Nothing ever goes fast enough when everything is flashing before you.

For every moment after that I lived in terror that I would lose my wife.  Terror trying to find the cell phone in the bag, terror getting her into the boat, terror finding a towel, terror when I realized I didn’t know where to wrap it, terror leaving her at the back of the boat holding her own wounds so I could start it and head to shore.

Terror while I shook uncontrollably trying to hold her wounds waiting for the paramedics to get down to the boat.

Two weeks ago, Darcy & I endured what is the saddest day of our lives.

Last Sunday, I endured the most stressful day ever.  Losing my son and my wife would meet anyones worst nightmare.

She had surgery on Monday and she’s been put back together now.  A nerve was bruised, leaving her with only some numbness near her thumb.  The feeling should return in time though.  That nerve was millimeters from being severed.

No tendons were damaged.  She has motor functions of her fingers.  however, the muscles and tissue will need about two full months to heal.  Then will come the physio therapy.

The countless staples (only becuase I haven’t counted yet) will be removed in 10-14 days.  A nurse will visit her ever day at our home to replace the dressing and check that there is no infections until then.

As crazy as it all is, I have her home with me now.  That’s all I care about today.

Corey.