The accident and my hospital stay

We left Highland/Alpine at about 6:45. Jill was driving. I was getting her kids some snacks and also eating some breakfast. We were all wearing seat belts.

We hit a bad spot of road, spun out, and collided with what we think was another vehicle--maybe also the barrier.

Jill was passed out, so I steered us to the shoulder of the road, put on the emergency brake and hazard lights, and called 911.

I called Ben and told him what happened and asked him to call my dad. I called my uncle Greg (Jill's dad). I prayed for my baby.

Jill woke up and didn't remember anything, even after I had told her what had happened several times.

Jill's kids, Jackson (3) and Bianca(2) were scared for their mommy because she was bleeding. Jackson kept saying "owee!" and pointing at her. Both kids were uninjured and I tried to comfort them.

The police came and asked Jill for her license. She couldn't remember what day or month it was.

The ambulances came and they wanted me out so they could get to Jill. They took me to the hospital on an uncomfortable stretcher wearing a neck brace. Bumps in the road hurt really bad. I only went because I was worried for my baby.

The ER people took my clothes (with scissors) and gave me an IV and a catheter. They sent me to the labor and delivery floor so the baby could be treated with me as needed.

I waited about 5 hours for someone from the ER to recheck my neck and back for problems. I was so uncomfortable the nurse wanted to give me morphine. My dad threatened the Drs that he would move me himself if they wouldn't and the resident finally moved me, though without express permission. That relieved so much pain! ER Drs came up a few minutes later and cleared me, allowing the neck brace to come off as well.

My baby's heartbeat, my heartbeat, and my contractions were monitored. Baby kicked regularly at the monitors strapped across my belly, bringing me much relief as to his well-being. Contractions were frequent (2-4 minutes apart) but not strong. I was barely conscious of them in light of everything else.

Dad kept me company and updated me on Jill. She got staples in her head and morphine for her pain and went home that day around 4:00. Her kids were fine! :) What a blessing. I'm pretty sure she has regained her memory as well.

They put me back on oxygen for a while when baby's heart rate dropped, and moved me to my side. We found out more specifically what was causing me pain-- a ligament that lies across the pubic bone was stretched or torn, along with all of the muscles under where the seat belt had secured me being sore. I didn't hurt much at all when lying still, but any movement of those muscles, etc. caused immense pain. I held still a lot. :)

My dad gave me a blessing and I knew baby would be all right, and not be born today. We watched TV and requested a more comfortable chair for Dad. They brought one in that makes a bed and brought me some ice chips. Dad slept for an hour or two while I ate my ice chips, dozed, and met with Drs on the night shift.

12:30 am Ben arrived from Washington! It was a long drive to be with me, and it was so good to see him!! Dad went home for some real sleep and gave Ben his chair-bed. We both got about 4-5 hours of sleep.

8:00 am they brought in my first meal and I took my first real pain meds-Loritab. Contractions were slowing, my blood count was stablizing, and everything was going well, so they encouraged me to start getting out of bed and moving as preparation for checkout.

About 3pm Dad brought me some of Mom's PJs and we left the hospital around 4. It was great to head back to Farmington!


Extreme memories
Freakiest moment: seeing Jill look like a bloody ragdoll.
Scariest thought: wondering if my baby would survive.
Funniest phonecall: a tie between Jackie calling to make sure I was home all right ("Nope, I am actually at the hospital right now..." "What?!") and my dad breaking the news to my mom, who was in LA at the time. "Rachel had a little car trouble, so she isn't driving back to Washington today..."
Newest record: having my blood drawn 6 times in less than 24 hours. Previous to this day, I had only ever had my blood drawn 3 times, and two of them were for this pregnancy (the other in preparation for my mission). That's not including the IV.
Most random nickname: "Trauma pisces." That's what it said on my wristband, and that's how everyone knew me. By the way, I'm an aquarius. :)

My comfy hospital bed and my amazing husband



Papa wheeling from the hospital