A Bad Day in the Round Pen

On August 28th, I was pitched over the head of a sweet little 3 year old molly that I was training for a client. It should have been a huge summersault, but I did not get my head tucked, and did a face plant before my body went on over.

I heard my neck break, and never felt my body hit the ground. As I lay there, I could see my arm resting on my chest, but I could not feel it there. I could not feel the ground under my back. I could not move. This was sobering, but I told myself not to panic and tried to imagine a good possible future. In the 15 minutes or so that the total paralysis lasted I had time to think of many possible futures, none of which I could define as "good", but I did have a good conversation with God, along with some pretty sincerely considered bargaining.

When I realized I could move my toes, I was a pretty happy camper. It took longer to start feeling pain in my arms, head and neck. I was alone, I didn't know when or if Russ would arrive, and for the first time since Roper died, I did not have my cell phone on me. Instead of sensibly turning it off when I got on the nervous colt, I left it outside the round pen.

At that point I was in a lot of pain and couldn't talk myself into lying there until someone found me, so I started an arduous process of getting to my knees without the benefit of my arms. As I realized that I was going to be able to get to my knees, I started to think that as I have no insurance to pay for an ambulance, I could get to my truck and take myself to the hospital. It took me about four inches of shuffling on my knees to ditch that idea. My goal became- getting drugs!

After a grueling session with the round pen gate, I finally made it to the phone, 911, EMT's, and an ambulance with drugs! From the time I hit the ground to the ambulance getting to me was about and hour and a half and about sixty feet. I wouldn't want to do it again and feel very lucky to have made it.

After surgery, the Neuro Surgeon told my friends and family that I shouldn't have been able to walk. I had three badly broken vertebrae ( C5, 6, and 7), and 2 disks that were all but disintegrated. He replaced the disks with cadaver bone and put a titanium plate across the three vertebrae. I will be in a hard collar for a total of five months if I heal well. My hands, arms and shoulders are weak and apparently the nerve damage will take a long time to heal, and the docs won't be pinned down except to say that the extent of healing varies in each person. I intend to be riding and picking up saddles and bales again next summer. Obviously the good Lord didn't intend for me to die in the round pen that day- he has a different plan for me. I look forward to seeing what it is.

I am humbled by the folks who have reached out to me with help of all kinds, encouragement, prayers, and love. I have always known that you find out who your friends are when you are down, but I never would have believed that I would find friendship from so many people who I have never had a chance to be a real friend to. I wish there was opportunity to get to ride into the mountains with each of you. I am blessed to know of so many good and generous people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

UPDATE 1/17/08
I am still wearing a hard collar and not driving. My last X-ray showed that there was still some unfused areas in my neck so I go back again on the 28th of January. I have much more mobility and strength, and although I'm far from ready for a marathon, I do see light at the end of the tunnel. I continue to hear from folks all over the country and so appreciate it. Mule folks are awesome!

UPDATE 2/3/08
The last xray showed that my neck is fusing well and I am able to go for periods of time without the neck collar. What a relief! I can't wait to drive again. You know, I don't usually like to go anywhere, but when you can't, you can think of all kinds of things you need to get in the truck for. The fundraiser did wonderfully, which will keep the medical wolves at bay for a while. I am so grateful to all of you that helped in so many ways. Thank you, thank you.

UPDATE 4/26/08
I am driving and learning to use my neck again. There are limits and there is pain, but there is hope for continued improvement. Unfortunately (or ultimately, fortunately), in all the tests and whatnot that I was subjected to the doctors found a problem that needed to be addressed. So I am now in a very invasive treatment that will last until next winter. The good news, (and there is always good news) is that I am responding to the treatment and should be pretty much my old self by next spring. Please continue to send prayers my way. I am convinced that your prayers are the reason why I have been able to withstand the hard times I have had to deal with.