Day: April 6, 2017

If squeamish don’t look 

Published on by J-Dub3 Comments

This picture was taken about 7 pm on April 3, 2014. 

Right after, I stepped out into the ICU waiting room. I was alone and never felt more isolated. A kind older gentleman started to give me his seat. He said “we are family now. Please join us to pray for our loved ones”

I broke into tears and slowly melted down the wall into a puddle on the floor.  His wife came over and sat right next to me. 

I will never forget this gesture. I will never forget what happened to his son. They were driving from Del Rio to San Antonio.  While passing an 18 wheeler a steel rod broke loose and went straight through the windshield hitting his son in the head.  A miracle his son was not decapitated.  Yet this man and his wife and extended family were faithful.  They had hope even as the circumstances were more dire than Billy Bob’s. 

This is why I asked for prayers for all those at SAMMC.  There but for the grace of God, go I.  Even now I pray for those at SAMMC today.  A prayer for faith, health and healing. 

As always, more to come. 

A Day Like Any Other Day … Until It Wasn’t 

Published on by J-Dub6 Comments

I should have begun with this.  Posted after one of the worst days of my life.  Even then I needed to write out the demons.  I had started my day at 6 AM and it was now a little before midnight. The last minutes of April 3, 2014.

Hospitals are humbling places 
Especially the surgical ICU at San Antonio Military Medical Center or T2 SICU SAMMC

Billy Bob was in an accident at work today.  It was @ 12:30. I was in the plaza break room when I got the call from his cell phone.

“hey” silent … “hello, are you there?” … 

Kimbo was on the other end of the line

He’s having trouble getting the words out. “Jill it’s Kimbo, Billy had a fall and they are taking him to the ER. He is talking and we think he’ll be okay. Not sure which ER though so I’ll call you back and you can meet him there. I have his cell phone and wallet and I am going to the yard to give a statement” 

My worst fear realized … numb and on auto-pilot, threw my lunch back into my bag and went upstairs to log off. I got the call back from Kimbo and I was out the door …

Traumas only go to University or SAMMC and SAMMC was closer “first God moment” because SAMMC is truly the best.  Traumas are common; wounded warriors go there. 

What happened?!?!? no one really knows – at times like this minds do funny things – things too painful or shocking are forgotten – temporarily or permanently. So surreal – it is why it is called an ‘accident’ … pure random chance. 

Here is what I was told – 
While working at St. Anthony Hotel, he and Kimbo were asked to look at some molding on the ceiling for possible water damage and replacement. Billy was first to climb the rolling scaffold that was supposed to be locked into place. When he reached the top of the ladder at @ 10 ft off the ground, he grabbed the guard rail to hoist himself up. The guard rail gave way and he stared to fall. To keep his feet from getting tangled in the ladder and falling head first, they think he may have pushed off from the ladder – I imagine like a jump from a high diving board … he turned landing prone – like a belly flop with the force of the fall then shoving his face into the floor with very thin carpet over masonite underneath.
He did black out, blood everywhere, EMS arrived in less than 5 minutes. CT scans and hundreds of pictures later, he is lying in ICU with IV pain meds, his broken right wrist has been set and he has consistent monitoring of a small brain bleed. His nose is pulverized (doc’s words). Plus multiple face fractures. The watermelon over his right eye is now the size of a peach. It is shrinking in size – a very good sign.

Not to worry FB friends and family, brain bleeds are common – not to you or me but in the trauma biz. They usually stop on their own. And since he is not on blood thinners of any kind, prognosis is good.
I am learning something new, in traumas there are as many doctors as there are body parts injured … not a generalist in the bunch. Billy has four doctors. I love them all, they are blessings on earth.

Second God moment – Billy will heal. His back was not re-injured. Neck has been ruled out too. He can move and has feeling. And while I know he hurts; he is so very strong.

Please pray for all the patients at SICU SAMMC tonight, as Billy’s case was not even remotely the worst. There but for the grace of God go I. Daddy is right there with us pulling us through “it could be worse” It could ALWAYS be worse.

Princess Doesn’t Do Trash

Published on by J-Dub3 Comments

Originally post to FB April 5, 2014.  His accident happened April 3, 2014.  He’s in incredible pain and he’s still thinking about his chores. 

Billy Bob “Oh Jill, I forgot, today you need to take down the trash, tomorrow is trash day” 

Me (thought bubble only, I did not say this :)) “what’s that got to do with me, Princess does not do trash!” Ha ha, hee hee, oh but now she does!!

As I walked down our long curved driveway I said a lil prayer of thanks that my two legs work and walking the big blue bin to the end of our drive did not hurt me at all. The weather is gorgeous, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and it is another day in paradise!!

New Category – Aftermath of the 2014 Fall

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I used to write mini novellas on FB but now I’m exclusive to WordPress.  Or I try to be. FB aka Faux-book is not all that nice these days.  Rumor has it WP can be mean too but so far I’ve only experienced acceptance.

Three years ago was a really unique time for us.  Billy Bob more so than me.  I’m seeing lots of FB memories that I’d thought I’d share here. I just change real names to pseudonyms and wa-la!

As always, more to come.