uncomfortably numb

My sister Ginny got a new Jeep Cherokee today. New to her, anyway. She had it delivered to her at work so she could drive it home. I hadn’t seen it yet, but I heard it was sweet.

She was less than five minutes from our house when a car full of five high school students lost control and hit her head-on going 50-60 miles per hour. She never saw it coming.

She was conscious and alert enough to give someone our home phone number. He called and said she was pinned in the Jeep and my parents flew out the door. She was airlifted to the hospital and I got on the phone and called all the necessary people and then we met everyone there.

Rescue workers said there were “bodies all over the road.” They had to cut the front end and the roof off of the Jeep to get Ginny out. Three of the kids from the other car were killed, including Janae, the first person that Sammi ever made friends with when we moved here almost twelve years ago. My sisters know or know of everyone involved. One of the girls who survived is on their volleyball team, but her outlook is sketchy right now. We know all the families, and my parents took Janae’s brother home after the accident, and the hospital has been an absolute circus of clergy and worried parents and kids who heard what happened on the news and rushed down. I can’t even be angry with the kids – we know them so well.

As for Ginny, she’s in surgery now. She has two broken femurs, a compound fracture in one of her tibias, and possibly a broken pelvis. They’re still waiting for results of a lot of the tests they ran. They’re putting pins in her legs. We got to visit her briefly before they took her to surgery and she said that unfortunately she remembers everything that happened. She’s so upset that the Jeep got totaled when she just got it today, but honestly, it saved her life. Her truck doesn’t have air bags and is very light and if she’d been in it, she almost certainly would have died. We’re so lucky that she got the Jeep today.

I was awesome until about an hour ago. I had adrenaline pumping and I made all the calls, made sure my sisters were dressed and ready, and did everything I had to do and completely held it together. But we needed to get Sammi and Jay home, and so my dad drove us back so I could stay with the girls here and he went back to be with Mom and Ginny and in the car on the way home I just completely lost it. And right now I feel like it’s all I can do to stand up and walk around.

I don’t really know what the next few days/weeks/months are going to be like, but please keep us in your thoughts/prayers/drinking anthems/whatever for a while. My sisters should not have to deal with this at this age. No one should have to deal with this at any age.

I’ve never been to a funeral before, but we’ll be going to at least one in the coming days. I’m so torn and have this weird survivor’s guilt – we are devastated about the other kids but so lucky that my sister made it.

Update: I just saw the wreck on the news, and holy shit. It’s a wonder anyone survived at all. I need to try to get some sleep.

36 Replies to “uncomfortably numb”

  1. And you will not be to a funeral now. When I worked at Jesusland (now doesn't THAT put a smile on your face?) that almost EXACT same thing happened to the daughters of two of my coworkers. They both took a long time to recover, but both are doing swell today. It's 2:04 here now, and I'll be online for at least another half-hour. scolive1978 on AIM, or lobsterchicky on hotmail or yahoo if you want to talk or just play online pool or whatever.

  2. Lorie,
    I realize we don't know each other at all, but this is so awful and distressing. My brother was in a terrible accident a few years back and I still remember the feelings of fear, overwhelming love and sadness. You wish you could give something or promise something to reverse time and make it never happen. Just know that it will all be OK in the end and that your sister is blessed to have such a loving family. You will be fine. It's hard to imagine what you're going through in terms of the other kids, but I'm sorry.

    Gwen

  3. Oh Lorie, that is so terrible, i'm at a loss for what to say. i'll keep your sisters in my prayers. They are lucky to have you in their family.

  4. As a 10 year out survivor of a head on collision (broken tibia & fibula on the right, broken femur on the left, broken humerus in my left arm, and fractured pelvis) I can tell you that Ginny is in for a long hall and her life will be changed, but as long as she has the right attitude she will make it through it all. There will be so many emotions she will go through. Rehab can be frustrating, as is seeing yourself in a wheelchair the first time. There will be many times when the unfairness of it all will be overwelming. I also wondered a lot why I lived … it's such a mess of emotions and pain. For me the worst of it is in the past and I try to look at what I've learned from it all. While I still get angry that it even happened, I try to embrace what it taught me about strength, friends, family, and my own attitudes towards life. One thing that did help pass the time in the hospital though was my walkman. If you can't sleep, it's such an escape from reality to have your music with you. My thoughts and prayers are with Ginny and all of you through this rough time. If you ever need to let stuff out, I'm only an email away.

  5. I am so sorry that this has happened to you and your family. I will definately keep your and yours in my thoughts and prayers.

  6. Oh, my God. I saw that on the news this morning and couldn't believe it. Holy shit. I can't believe that was Ginny. And that was all that was left of her car. Again, holy shit. She's very, very lucky. I'm so sorry this happened.

  7. You will all be in my prayers. My first prayer will be of thanks that Ginny survived.

    Please keep us updated and know that we are all here for you.

  8. okay. i tell you what, i' ll take on god, and harass him about letting bad things happen, so you don' t have to deal with that fucker. much love and best wishes. ♥

  9. I am really sorry, and I am just glad that she had her new jeep. That kinda thing can really rattle someone up. I hope she recovers really soon and without incident.

  10. Oh, Lorie, I am lifting you and your sister up in prayer, as well as the families of everyone involved. I wish I had more elegant or eloquent words of comfort — but know that thousands of folks whom you have never met are in prayer for you and yours.

  11. oh hun i'm sorry. i got into a bad car accident her age as well. everything will be okay. i'm so glad she made it, and i'm sure she's strong so she will be okay. you need to get some sleep through all this. feel better and i will keep you and everyone else in my thoughts. *hug*

  12. A most trying ordeal. Our family is recovering from the accident my brother was involved in (avoiding a dog which has wandered onto a 70mph highway). 2 days before Christmas. Major brain trauma, but he is doing remarkably well. And then our 10 yr old dog goes and dies last night. I'm proud of the way you helped facilitate your family's activities and logistics; you seem to be a natural leader. Ginny will need much support in the months to come, and your cheery disposition will make all the difference in the world.

  13. Prayers for you and your sister and your familiy and the families of the other wrecked persons. My sister in law was paralyzed in an accident last year. she is doing amazingly well emotionally, but not making much progress toward regaining movement. Be sure to consider some type of counseling for yourself also, because this is extremely traumatizing for all involved. my heart goes out to you.

  14. i don't know what to say. commenting seems inadequate. i consider you a friend. i'll do anything i can, even if it just amounts to sitting here and hoping for good things.

  15. I've been in two serious car accidents with my best friend I know how hard it can be, the pain, the frustration of having to deal with it all my family was a huge support for me, as you will be to your sister. I will keep your sister and your family in my prayers.

  16. Mike sent me here and I'm saying a prayer for you all. Positive thoughts will carry you through your rough times.

  17. lori – first of all, I'm glad your sister came out of it and will make it through with injuries that will all heal.
    I'm sorry to hear about your friends and about cars that go too fast. The same drive that had the driver of the car speeding along is the same spirit to be celebrated in all the kids, you know?
    You've got a terrific family to help Ginny (and each other) pull through and, by the sound of it, a great community to help all families, teams, classes involved.

    get your rest and don't let anyone tell you to buck up, you take your time, too.

  18. I don't know where you live so I haven't seen the news coverage of this accident, but I'm no less touched by the entire ordeal. I will keep you, Ginny, your family and the family of the other kids involved in the accident. I just don't know what to say but I'm sorry and I hope that this tragedy can in some way have meaning in the end for all those involved. I don't know if that makes sense or not…I just hope things come out ok.

  19. you know, lorie, i hadn't prayed for a long time but i hit the floor with this entry. you'll stay in my thoughts and prayers. as for drinking games, like a good russian, i'm more into toasts. here's to ginny's survival and the fact that she's going to be okay.

  20. My thoughts and prayers are with you,lorie.

    Manchmal fragt man nach dem “Warum?”, und findet keine Antwort darauf.

    Alles Liebe für Dich und Deine Familie!

  21. lorie, i don't know you, but i come to your blog often and usually find a witty, entertaining and lovely post. today, however, i found this and i'm hurting for you. i am so sorry for what you're going through and will have to endure. do what your body tells you to–cry when you need to. please keep us all updated. you, ginny, the car-load of friends and your whole family are in my heart.

  22. There's nothing much I can express that hasn't already been said better. All that I can say is “I'm sorry.” I hope that she gets better.

  23. You all are in my prayers. Somebody was looking out for her with the timing of getting the Jeep. But then I have always believed God is in the details. Please keep us posted!

  24. Good gravy! It's good to know that the airbags actually worked on her new Jeep but I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this. You're all in my prayers.

  25. I just read this today I'm so sorry I had talked to Ginny that day on Campus and noticed her new vehicle which was parked next to mine in the lot – if you need any thing let me know.

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