Life's too damn short, use the good chips!! (3 Viewers)

[Samuel]

Glad you're still around - wishing you and your friends a full and speedy recovery!

 

[Toby]

Holy cow - that car was DESTROYED!!! A miracle you made it out alive, judging by the pic.

I hope you all heal up (mentally and physically) soon. Thoughts and prayers with you all!

 

[liftapint]

Thank you to everyone who has put up auctions or sent donations to help Morgan, or are generously bidding on these awesome items! You are already making a difference for me (I have never in my life felt so supported). And this will absolutely make a huge difference for Morgan’s recovery!!

Here is a photo of Morgan and me, at a Halloween party recently.

 

[toothpic]

The damage on that G wagon is insane! Wishing everyone a speedy recovery.

You're absolutely right though, don't save the good stuff for tomorrow as we never know where life will take us. Drink the good wine today with family and friends, play with the good chips, and take that vacation you've always wanted. Enjoy your life (responsibly of course) and make great memories with your friends and family now.

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Oh wow Mel. Just now hearing about this. Sending bunches of prayers your way for you and your friends. And yes! There is a reason why you all were spared.

FELT THE GOOD CHIPS!

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Also, I've seen the auctions and sales here on PCF, but is there a Go Fund Me or similar website set up for just straight up cash donations to help Morgan and the rest of you?

 

[liftapint]

Also, I've seen the auctions and sales here on PCF, but is there a Go Fund Me or similar website set up for just straight up cash donations to help Morgan and the rest of you?

Morgan has a couple of people helping her with a few hands-on tasks. But I am the only one trying to help her with her added expenses (she doesn’t have much support).

Since it is just me, I haven’t set up a GoFundMe. But I do have Morgan’s PayPal and Venmo information for donations.

The rest of us besides Morgan have everything we need for recovery…support. Time (and therapy!!) will take care of the rest.

 

[GreekRedEye]

I just saw this thread. I am so glad you made it out of that wreck. Sorry for the physical pain and emotional trauma you went and are still enduring.

I do not know if Morgan had a guardian angel in the car but sounds like she has one in you now. Remember to take care of yourself too as you recover.

Please PM me the Venmo account so I can donate.

 

[pltrgyst]

Damn, I'm just seeing this thread for the first time. I had no idea this had happened, and seem to have missed all the supporting auctions. Mel, I'm glad your injuries, serious as they are, are not even more so. Best wishes to your co-victims, and hope they all recover to lead full and happy lives.

I'd say you were extremely lucky to be riding in the G when this occurred. Probably a vast majority of today's cars wouldn't have provided that kind of protection.

(It kinda hits home here, since I totaled my VW GTI on Oct. 29 at 10 measly miles an hour into the rear bumper of an old Ford Expedition, which had barely a scratch. Damage all they way through the roof and doors back to the rear seats, but we didn't have a scratch either. Lots of plastic in the front, but it looks like the German manufacturers build in plenty of energy absorption, and the seven air bags did their thing.)

Please send me the info for donations, and heal fast!

Best wishes, Larry (and Nancy)

 

[inca911]

How you had a great thanksgiving holiday. How is the recovery going? Thinking of you!

 

[The Nuts]

Just heard about this. So sorry you went through that but thankful you made it out in one piece! <3

 

[PlaidDragon]

...so use your best damn chips!!

Three weeks ago, I was in a TERRIBLE car accident. There were 4 of us in the car, and two people ended up with fractured spines among a whole host of other injuries.


View attachment 1227243

WTF! That's beyond horrible!!

I'm very glad you all are ok.

Given your pic and message I should probably bite the bullet and buy a 3-table set of tourney Paulsons to felt.

 

[krafticus]

Morgan has a couple of people helping her with a few hands-on tasks. But I am the only one trying to help her with her added expenses (she doesn’t have much support).

Since it is just me, I haven’t set up a GoFundMe. But I do have Morgan’s PayPal and Venmo information for donations.

The rest of us besides Morgan have everything we need for recovery…support. Time (and therapy!!) will take care of the rest.

Was just thinking of you and Morgan, and hoping that everyone's road to recovery has been going well. Wishing all of you a very happy holidays !!!

Mark

 

[liftapint]

Thank you. I've been meaning to send an update. As invested as my chipper family is in my accident, I want to get you an update!
I'm slammed today helping Morgan with a few things, but I'll send some notes later. It's all good news!!

 

[liftapint]

Update time.

My only lingering injury is trauma to the eye. I've been to see a specialist, who gave me a diagnosis of Commotio Retinae. There is damage to my photoreceptors, which are the main retinal cells. My vision loss may improve, or it may not, only time will tell.

Annie (my wife) is doing pretty well too. She has a cracked sternum, and I think those take a long time to heal. She can't really lift much and sneezes are painful. But that's about it.

The other two are making great progress, but certainly have longer healing trajectories.

Erica has 3 fractured vertebrae, a cracked sternum, and a couple of broken ribs. Luckily, she didn't need surgery, and is a VERY athletic and active individual, so she's healing quickly. Her 1-month scans showed everything was lined up as it should be, and healing great. The biggest problem is that she's a school teacher and they are forcing her to return to teaching in mid-January, or lose her job. She can't sit down for very long due to pain in that position. But she's increasing her walking, and walked 5 miles the other day! Her "return to work" date is still a month away, and a LOT of healing can happen in 1 month, so I'm hopeful she'll be able to go back. She's still not able to drive, so her loss of autonomy has been really hard on her...but I think she is on her way to a full recovery.

Morgan was the one with worst injuries -- the surgeon said that he'd never seen anyone with her injury, that walked again. However, she had a very successful surgery the day after the accident, and recovery has been going well. She has to wear a full-body brace to ensure nothing in her spine moves or twists -- she's in this for 3 months, and has other restrictions for another 3 months. In this first 3 months, she needs help getting out of bed, showering, getting in and out of her brace (she doesn't have to wear it while sleeping, for some reason). But her 1-month scans also showed that things were looking good. There was a possibility that she would need a second surgery, but at least as of now, that doesn't look like it will be necessary. She's also increasing her walking, and is up to 4 miles, I think. She definitely has to go slower, and more careful than Erica (who would beat me in a foot race, even with a fractured spine).

I have been looking after Morgan's puppy, because her live-in help is not interested in helping with anything except the getting in and out of the brace, part. And thanks to Uber/Lyft, she's been able to go wherever she needs to be.

There are some mental-health repercussions for all of us, for sure. But we're absolutely on the mend.

Since the accident, I've been thinking a lot about life, and what I want out of it. When you get second chance at life, it can bring things into focus. I'm still working on this, but I'm never going to be the same. I'm changed.

Thank you for all of the love and support, and help for me and my friends through this recovery period. We're going to make it!

 

[iLogik]

Life is precious, we only get one and most never get a second chance. Glad you and your friends are doing better and wish you a speedy recovery. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays <3

 

[AlbinoDragon]

Update time.

My only lingering injury is trauma to the eye. I've been to see a specialist, who gave me a diagnosis of Commotio Retinae. There is damage to my photoreceptors, which are the main retinal cells. My vision loss may improve, or it may not, only time will tell.

Annie (my wife) is doing pretty well too. She has a cracked sternum, and I think those take a long time to heal. She can't really lift much and sneezes are painful. But that's about it.

The other two are making great progress, but certainly have longer healing trajectories.

Erica has 3 fractured vertebrae, a cracked sternum, and a couple of broken ribs. Luckily, she didn't need surgery, and is a VERY athletic and active individual, so she's healing quickly. Her 1-month scans showed everything was lined up as it should be, and healing great. The biggest problem is that she's a school teacher and they are forcing her to return to teaching in mid-January, or lose her job. She can't sit down for very long due to pain in that position. But she's increasing her walking, and walked 5 miles the other day! Her "return to work" date is still a month away, and a LOT of healing can happen in 1 month, so I'm hopeful she'll be able to go back. She's still not able to drive, so her loss of autonomy has been really hard on her...but I think she is on her way to a full recovery.

Morgan was the one with worst injuries -- the surgeon said that he'd never seen anyone with her injury, that walked again. However, she had a very successful surgery the day after the accident, and recovery has been going well. She has to wear a full-body brace to ensure nothing in her spine moves or twists -- she's in this for 3 months, and has other restrictions for another 3 months. In this first 3 months, she needs help getting out of bed, showering, getting in and out of her brace (she doesn't have to wear it while sleeping, for some reason). But her 1-month scans also showed that things were looking good. There was a possibility that she would need a second surgery, but at least as of now, that doesn't look like it will be necessary. She's also increasing her walking, and is up to 4 miles, I think. She definitely has to go slower, and more careful than Erica (who would beat me in a foot race, even with a fractured spine).

I have been looking after Morgan's puppy, because her live-in help is not interested in helping with anything except the getting in and out of the brace, part. And thanks to Uber/Lyft, she's been able to go wherever she needs to be.

There are some mental-health repercussions for all of us, for sure. But we're absolutely on the mend.

Since the accident, I've been thinking a lot about life, and what I want out of it. When you get second chance at life, it can bring things into focus. I'm still working on this, but I'm never going to be the same. I'm changed.

Thank you for all of the love and support, and help for me and my friends through this recovery period. We're going to make it!

This is a brilliant update with some very positive news.

It's good to hear the healing is progressing and in mostly good ways. It's unsurprising things are going slowly, but that's expected from an accident of this magnitude.

Thanks for the update.

 

[TheOffalo]

Amazing news Mel! Keep up the progress, all of you!

 

[Poker Zombie]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It always sounded like hyperbole, but now you can live it.

Well, soon you can live it. For now you have to keep doing as the doctor says, accept any new limitations, and squeeze the boredom and the day-to-day doldrums out of life. What you will be left with will be more magical and you will soon be getting more out of life than most who simply let it flow by.

 

[liftapint]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It always sounded like hyperbole, but now you can live it.

Well, soon you can live it. For now you have to keep doing as the doctor says, accept any new limitations, and squeeze the boredom and the day-to-day doldrums out of life. What you will be left with will be more magical and you will soon be getting more out of life than most who simply let it flow by.

This is EXACTLY my plan.

 

[BPTDirector]

Love the progress report. Enjoy life, it is the greatest gift!! Much Love!!

BPT

 

[Shaggy]

Just saw this Mel. Glad everyone has an opportunity to move forward.

 

[Han Trinh]

Just saw this thread. Mel, glad you and your friends survived. The car photos was absolutely crazy.. Speedy recovery to everyone.

 

[MikesDad]

Thanks fiir the update.
Sounds like everyone is progressing.
Hang in there

 

[liftapint]

UPDATES!!!!

I wanted to provide some updates, on our ongoing recovery.

ERICA: Erica is doing great, and after 3 months of recovery, she is back to work teaching 5th graders! She still has some pain (especially when sitting), but is expected to make a full recovery.

ANNIE: She is still experiencing chest pain from her cracked sternum, but is expected to make a full recovery.

MORGAN: This past week, Morgan went in for her 3-month spine check-up. There was a lot of anxiety going into the appointment, because there was still an outside chance she'd need another spine surgery. It was very sobering when the head surgeon came into the room, and told us both how surprised he had been that she still had use of her legs, after he saw the extent of her injuries on the day of the accident. But the 3-month x-rays showed that she is healing up nicely, there are no problems with the rods that are permanently placed to support her spine, and she was given the green light to stop wearing her spine brace!!! She'll have limitations for the rest of her life, but she will be able to do most things, and her prognosis is excellent. The care team said she is about 95% healed at this point, has some physical therapy ahead of her, but she is a walking miracle.

ME: My concussion is mostly healed, but you can still see evidence of the trauma on my forehead. My vision in my left eye has not improved, so that is looking more and more like a permanent loss. Luckily, my right eye is doing a good job of compensating, so I can see pretty well.

Unfortunately, this whole thing has taken a real emotional toll on me. After months of therapy, and processing the events of the accident, I decided that I needed to separate from my wife. We're in the process of getting a divorce now. It's pretty ugly, honestly, and it is only going to get worse. But the accident really made me examine what is important in life. I really REALLY should have died in this accident (I've withheld some of the details that would make your jaw drop...it was so much scarier than you have imagined). But for some reason, I didn't die. I've been given a new lease on life, and big changes must be made, as difficult as they may be.


Thank you all, for your very generous and heart warming support through all of this. It has meant the world to me.



edit: I should clarify, the withheld details about the accident don't have anything to do with an intoxicated driver situation. Her blood taken at the hospital was 0.0%

 

[Solid Snake]

Appreciate you sharing Mel. I’m just glad everyone is doing okay. Wishing you all a great run at life!!

 

[The Nuts]

MORGAN: This past week, Morgan went in for her 3-month spine check-up. There was a lot of anxiety going into the appointment, because there was still an outside chance she'd need another spine surgery. It was very sobering when the head surgeon came into the room, and told us both how surprised he had been that she still had use of her legs, after he saw the extent of her injuries on the day of the accident. But the 3-month x-rays showed that she is healing up nicely, there are no problems with the rods that are permanently placed to support her spine, and she was given the green light to stop wearing her spine brace!!! She'll have limitations for the rest of her life, but she will be able to do most things, and her prognosis is excellent. The care team said she is about 95% healed at this point, has some physical therapy ahead of her, but she is a walking miracle.

Amazing!! Wow that's incredible news for her!

Unfortunately, this whole thing has taken a real emotional toll on me. After months of therapy, and processing the events of the accident, I decided that I needed to separate from my wife. We're in the process of getting a divorce now. It's pretty ugly, honestly, and it is only going to get worse. But the accident really made me examine what is important in life. I really REALLY should have died in this accident (I've withheld some of the details that would make your jaw drop...it was so much scarier than you have imagined). But for some reason, I didn't die. I've been given a new lease on life, and big changes must be made, as difficult as they may be.

So so sorry I also went through that in the last 6 months and it's devastating. My heart goes out to you through all of this.

If you ever want to forget the heavy shit going on in life and join us for a casual poker night, hit me up! (And bring the lakeshores! Haha)

 

[kirchhausen]

Thank you for sharing Mel. I am glad to hear the physical recoveries seem well underway. Also glad to hear you are focusing on your mental well-being, which is so so important and too often ignored.

Hope you all keep getting better every day!

 

[KHarp1]

Usually difficult to walk through the ending of a serious relationship/marriage, hoping for the best for both of you. Take the high road and you'll have less regrets and baggage to clear out later.

So good to hear everyone is doing well!

 

[NeoViny23]

I am so glad that the recoveries have been great so far and I wish you all the best for the path that still lies ahead of you...