DH is back at work

[Deleted]

I know that some of you know, and some of you don't, but DH was run over by a cement truck on his way to work last Aug. Both arteries in his left hand severed, nearly 5 weeks in the hospital, five operations. They were talking about amputating him at the shoulder, and in the end, he lost his pinky (but his left hand doesn't really work very well anymore). He will probably have another operation in a year or so to "liberate the tendons" so that his left hand will work better.

He also lost all the cartilege in his left ankle so it is painful for him to walk, and it will get worse over time. He's looking at a prothesis over time.

But, nearly nine months later, DH finally went back to work today. As you guys know we are in France and things are different here. He is now qualified as disabled, but he can work FT, although he can't commute FT anymore.

Last Friday he was finally vetted to go back to work. He will be commuting 2-3 days a week and working from home 2-3 days a week.

It's been a long, long road. This is GOOD news for us, so I wanted to share.

[muttleynfelix]

That is fantastic news that he is back to work debthaven! I am so so happy to hear that (and I have really needed good news this month).

[Deleted]

Great news that DH has come so far in his recovery. I've been reading pieces of your story since it happened and silently rooting for you both. I know you all have been through a lot.

[Cookies Galore]

Holy shit! I had no idea; I'm glad he is recovering and I'm sure the both of you are relieved that he can go back to work and reclaim some normalcy. Good luck!

[kgb18]

What wonderful news!! I hope he will continue to improve.

Not quite the same, but my dad was driving a cement truck and was in a terrible accident when I was a kid. He nearly died, spent weeks in the hospital and went through years of physical therapy.

[Deleted]

You all have me in tears. Thank you so much.

[Deleted]

I can't stop crying. This is our new normal but sometimes I just need to vent.

I am so, so, so lucky that he is still here. There was a witness to the accident, he used to be a paramedic, but he gave it up because he married a woman who had heath issues so he became a trucker instead.

He heard DH's screams, left his truck, and pressed on DH's shoulder for 8 long minutes till the ambulance arrived. They took him to one of the few Parisian hospitals with an "SOS Hand" unit.

He saved DH's life.

I am just so glad that DH is still here.

[Deleted]

Awww debthaven, you're one of the sweetest posters around here. Of course we'd be happy to hear your good news about your hubby.

ETA: I didn't see your last post, I'm so slow. I'm glad he's still there with you too. It's a cliche, but it's true and applicable in your case...... things could have been much worse considering what happened. So your attitude of gratitude rocks.

[Deleted]

Pink, that is so sweet! Believe me, I feel exactly the same way about you! I fantasize about getting to meet you in person one day LOL.

[Works4me]

Thank you for sharing such wonderful news! I too am having a rough month and it helps to hear of others who triumph over adversity.

[kgb18]

He heard DH's screams, left his truck, and pressed on DH's shoulder for 8 long minutes till the ambulance arrived.

Wow. How amazing. Call it God, fate, dumb luck, whatever you believe, but it's incredible how things work out. The only thing that saved my dad's life was because he was not wearing a seat belt and got thrown out of the truck. The whole roof of the cab was flattened into the seat. He would have been squished if he hadn't gotten thrown out. The funny thing is that my dad is a huge advocate of seat belts and always wears one. He doesn't really know why he didn't buckle up that day.

His left arm was almost completely severed. All the tendons in his left hand were severed. His left ear was nearly cut off. His right arm was broken. He had broke ribs, a punctured lung, a bruised kidney, a ruptured spleen.

He made an amazing recovery, and I'm sure with more time your husband will continue to improve too.

[Deleted]

KGB, I'm so sorry about your dad's accident, and so thankful he recovered!

I agree, it really is karma / fate / dumb luck / whatever. I told DH to call A (the guy who saved his life) to tell him he was finally authorized to go back to work. DH agreed that he should, but he didn't. It's SO loaded.

On some level, it's like he's exempt from the things that people do. His cousin (a doc in the UK) LITERALLY jumped on a Eurostar to get here the evening of his accident. DH is an only child, but he was raised with his two cousins, and they are like three brothers.

The cousin's wife (also a doc) is due with their third child (totally unplanned, she told me it happened after her DH got back after coming here to deal with DH's accident). I've been telling DH for two weeks, PLEASE CALL THEM. In the end I called them myself tonight to see how she is doing and to catch up.

On some level, frankly, it's like DH has opted out.

[Deleted]

That is SO weird about the seat belt!!!

[midjd]

That is WONDERFUL news! I'm so happy for you and your DH.

[Deleted]

Great news! I hope your new normal continues to get more and more normal. I look forward to you reporting that DH is fully pain free and grumbling about petty office politics.

[Opti]

May 14, 2012 21:27:30 GMT -5 @debthaven2 said:

KGB, I'm so sorry about your dad's accident, and so thankful he recovered!

I agree, it really is karma / fate / dumb luck / whatever. I told DH to call A (the guy who saved his life) to tell him he was finally authorized to go back to work. DH agreed that he should, but he didn't. It's SO loaded.

On some level, it's like he's exempt from the things that people do. His cousin (a doc in the UK) LITERALLY jumped on a Eurostar to get here the evening of his accident. DH is an only child, but he was raised with his two cousins, and they are like three brothers.

The cousin's wife (also a doc) is due with their third child (totally unplanned, she told me it happened after her DH got back after coming here to deal with DH's accident). I've been telling DH for two weeks, PLEASE CALL THEM. In the end I called them myself tonight to see how she is doing and to catch up.

On some level, frankly, it's like DH has opted out.

debthaven2, please call the guy on DH's behalf. I have a feeling mentally his recovery is still tough for him. He's probably torn between being grateful and sad. Hopefully very soon he'll choose just grateful or at least less sad as time passes.

Its a great story and amazing he was so lucky and has recovered.
I wish the best for you and for him to celebrate what he has.

Its also wonderful he has all this support.

[wvugurl26]

I'm glad to hear he has been cleared to go back to work. I know it has been a long, hard road for your family.

[Deleted]

Good to hear and good thoughts for your husband.

I understand you have been thru and it is perfectly ok to vent but just remember : he is here with you.

Your 3 kids still have their father, you still have your husband... Hang in there and be there for him.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

May 14, 2012 20:58:14 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Holy shit! I had no idea; I'm glad he is recovering and I'm sure the both of you are relieved that he can go back to work and reclaim some normalcy. Good luck!

Wow!!!

[lexpenguin]

So happy for you!

With your positive energy, it's impossible not to root for you!

[resolution]

On some level, frankly, it's like DH has opted out.

Maybe getting back to work will restore some normalcy for him. If I remember right he is some kind of artist that needs to work with both hands? That has to be tough if he has limitations in the left one.

I am glad to hear he is doing so much better and I hope he continues to improve.

[lurkyloo]

So glad to hear! Thanks for sharing your good news

I'm glad you went ahead and called your cousin-in-law. I'm sure your DH is still adjusting to everything psychologically...there's only so much bravery available at a time. But don't forget to take care of yourself too! I hear hanging out on message boards is great stress relief (and cause)

[mmhmm]

Debthaven, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to hear your DH has been cleared to return to work. I'm sure that will serve to speed his recovery, both emotionally and physically. You guys have had a rough time, but it sounds as though he got excellent care, and he has you to support him through his recovery. I swear, if I had a tail, I'd wag it! Instead, I'll do a happy dance around the computer chair!

[whoisjohngalt]

Wow, I had no idea - so let me say that I am so so so sorry for everything you and your family went through and absolute ECSTATIC for your good news.

May your DH continue to do well in his recovery and please please please make sure you take care of yourself, bc sometimes it's much harder on caregivers than the ones who are ill.

Lena

[Deleted]

Debt,

Glad to hear of the progress. I know it's been really hard. Hopefully going back to work will be helpful...and not more frustrating.

Has DH gotten some counseling? It sounds like he's depressed. He may be having trouble dealing with how everyone is telling him how "lucky" he was when he's had so much pain and knows he will never likely be the same.

[Deleted]

Fantastic progress! You all must be so happy. I hope he can take it slow & easy for the first few weeks. I'm sure he's been really impatient to get back to work.

[cronewitch]

I am happy for you that his is recovered enough to work again.

[Jaguar]

This is fantastic to read about. Such a long journey, but one with such hope. Thanks so much for sharing it. Jai Sat Chit Anand

[gawgagranny]

Just wanted to add my congrats to the others....hope things continue to improve for you and yours!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

May 14, 2012 21:49:28 GMT -5 Opti said:

debthaven2, please call the guy on DH's behalf. I have a feeling mentally his recovery is still tough for him. He's probably torn between being grateful and sad. Hopefully very soon he'll choose just grateful or at least less sad as time passes.

Its a great story and amazing he was so lucky and has recovered.
I wish the best for you and for him to celebrate what he has.

Its also wonderful he has all this support.

First off, I've read some of your previous posts over the past few months about DH's accident and I am thrilled for you that he is going back to work. What an ordeal for you both. I hope he continues to make progress on all fronts -- medically, physically, emotionally, professionally, personally...

As for his reluctance to speak to his rescuer and his cousin, DNiece had a freak accident her freshman year of college and ended up with a permanent rod in her spine and essentially the loss of her left hand. She struggled for a while to find her new "normal" but is doing much better after some counseling. The yin-yang battle between gratitude for survival and grief for the loss of the life that was is the culprit. I think it is probably an unofficial PTSD-type response. None of us want to relive a traumatic event and talking to his rescuer and cousin may be just a little too close for comfort still.

Give him some time to regroup and if he is still struggling emotionally, suggest some counseling.

In the meantime, I'm wishing you both continued healing.