Update on the POS

You've probably heard that I was in an accident yesterday. I'm going to be okay. I think I have a little Post traumatic syndrome or Survivor's guilt because I'm just wandering around the house totally amazed that I walked away from it. It's probably a bit inappropriate to describe my experience here but I consider all of you a part of my extended family, so sit down and listen.

It was a typical going to work kind of morning. Most people get all depressed and p.o.'d about going to work but you know me, I was in a good mood. The weather had me a little bugged, I mean, it was just 76 degrees the other day! As I entered route 30 from Lincoln Highway, I realized it has rained/snowed and the road was frozen. No problem. Ohio weather, you learn to live with it right?

The speed limit is 65 but because of conditions I was traveling at only 50. The semi trucks were going about 40. I passed one right before Middle Point. It was then that I noticed the sheriff had stopped to help someone on the other side of the road, the motorist was in the ditch. I looked for signs of trouble, willing to stop and help if I saw running or anything like that (remember the nurse in me).

At that point I felt the back end of the POS slide to left and it pulled the entire truck that way. I let off the gas and attempted to correct the situation. I turned the wheels in the opposite direction and stayed away from the brakes. That manuever was successful, too successful. It then pulled me into the right hand lane were I was unable to correct. The truck was headed for the ditch. I looked at the speedometer, it said 50. I thought "this is much too fast for this". Then I felt the truck leave the road, I was airbourne. At this point my inside voice said, "Just relax" and I became very calm. Unbelievable isn't it?

The initial crash was when the POS struck the far side of the culvert head on. Shortly after, the truck began to roll to the driver's side. I left my eyes open because I wanted to see what was happening, until I heard glass breaking. I felt my left arm fly out the window (during the second roll) and found that interesting because I hadn't had the window down before all this. Again the inside voice told me what to do, "Bring your arm back in". So I did. Shortly thereafter, I felt the weeds and stuff from the culvert on my face. The truck rolls 2 more times, me feeling like a ragdoll behind the wheel.

When the rolling stopped I was disoriented. The stearing wheel was in my pelvis and my legs were free. This is not the way it's supposed to feel when you are in a vehicle. But you see, I was upside down. The seat belt was holding me in. I looked around and noticed that the radio was still on. For some reason I found that facinating. Also, the blue travel mug that I have been looking for was wedged between the shattered windshield and the distorted dashboard.

From far away, I heard "Hello? Hello?". I answered that yes, I'm here. The Voice said I'm going to break a window to get you out then there was a rainstorm of glass everywhere. He told me to brace myself and then he undid the seat belt. I softly said a little thank you to that seat belt. It turns out that The Voice was that of Trooper Cook who happened to be behind me and witnessed the whole thing. He helped me crawl out of the back window onto the field on the other side of the ditch. I stood up and looked back at the POS. Upside down with the driver's side smooshed in and extremely close to the water in the ditch, the hatch level with the top of the ditch.

It was then that I realized, "I just walked away from that". The trooper told me, he thought he was going to find a body in the wreck and that if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt he would have.

Since I'm getting tired, I'm going to stop posting right now. Later I'll tell you all about my hospital experience. It's full of song, jokes, and special guest stars!
I can feel all the love, best wishes and prayers you are sending. I am very greatful and thankful.

Breathing and knowing peace,
val.