Seven Years

James Walter Moore, July 4, 2018

So here we are. Seven years of living with a Spinal Cord Injury. Surviving it. Doing it.

August 8th, 2011. Less than two months after our wedding.

Jimmy was injured -- almost killed -- in a car accident while in a work vehicle.

I left our apartment just after him and would eventually be stuck in the traffic from his accident. We worked at the same TV station and were both working the evening shift, that day.

A phone call my from co-worker alerted me of the incident just as I started to see brake-lights just ahead. Later, a call telling me they were life-flighting him.

Working in news, I knew this was no good.

It was bad. But just how bad? I just sat there, in my car, talking to a few people, trying to make sense of what was happening; gathering information from our newsroom as they were getting it from officials or hearing it come across the scanner. Contemplating driving on the shoulder to get to him. How far ahead of me was he? I couldn't be sure. I was trembling. I wasn't confident enough to do it.

Some amount of time later, cars were finally starting to move and I was instructed by home-base just to drive on to the hospital. That's where I saw my boss who met me with a hug, and told me where he was. They had already cleared the accident and the car.

I saw him, extremely bloody head from his scalp injury, and had to step out and breathe some different air and splash water on my face. He was conscious, happy to see me and he was laying on a table. His arms were kind of up and bent and he asked me to pull them down, but they really wouldn't go.  Neither of us really knew why, but in the coming days I would use that as an argument as to why he couldn't really be paralyzed.

His arms were up. His arms were up.

Nope, his body was just in extreme shock.

I was pulled aside and put in tiny patient consult rooms every time there was an update on his condition and the tests they were running.

The news would get worse before it got better.

The very next day a neck fusion surgery and a scalp surgery happened. It was a long day. His spinal cord injury was high up. That would mean no movement below the neck. And his diaphragm would be compromised which mean... ventilator.

It all freaking sucked.

After his surgery, he was out of it for awhile. It would be awhile before I could explain to him what was happening to him.

We spent two weeks in Spartanburg Neuro-ICU and after meetings with liaisons and taking advice from friends who knew what the hell they were talking about -- we decided to fly Jimmy to The Shepherd Center. August 23rd. My sister's birthday. He was in the air. I was on the ground. We'd meet up in Atlanta.

The best decision we've ever made regarding his healthcare.

Our friends and family packed up our brand new apartment in Upstate SC and had it all shipped up to us. I quickly found us an apartment near Shepherd. It was way too small for our needs, but, at the time, it was a place for him to come home to.

We've come a long way since that horrible, confusing, emotional, draining. soul-crushing, traumautic time.

We've survived a lot.

Jimmy's almost died several times since that dealing with infections, etc. He's had a lot of surgeries, a lot of complications, a lot of rough patches.

It's a constant work-in-progess. A constant battle. Never let your guard down. It's inevitable that something will be coming around the corner.

Jimmy is currently battling three pressure wounds. The last time he had that many wounds, he had lost a ton of weight, while septic, and spent a month in the hospital. It was 2015.

His wound doctor is monitoring them closely and has given us his instructions.  Jimmy is limited with the time in his chair, daily, as they heal. It's got him down a bit. Not gonna lie.

We ended last year with several visits to urgent care and started the new year with several ER visits and hospital stays.

With all of the bad, there's always the good.

Jimmy makes the most of his mornings. He's up much earlier that he used to be, and most days, he's off with nurse to run errands Downtown before he goes back down.  He's got his usual joints he hits.  He's a regular at many places and is well-received and well-loved by many around Decatur.  He comes back re-charged, mentally. He comes back feeling productive.

Our dynamic at home has changed a lot.

Since Spencer was born in 2014, Jimmy's had to rely on me a lot less. I used to cook and feed him every meal. I've let go of the injury reigns quit a bit, especially because we've had a nurse who was willing to step up as I needed to step back. This has continued as I get busier with Spencer and during renovations.

On therapy:

Jimmy still sees his wonderful therapist he's seen since 2011 from a group that specializes in catastrophic rehabilitation therapy.  I also have been going to a therapist there from the very beginning.

Guys. I highly, highly recommend therapy to all and anyone and just GO.

We also see a couple's counselor.  So, ALL the therapy. And, I'll say it's just as important now as it was just mere months after the accident. Just when we think we've got a handle on all of this, new obstacles and feelings pop up. Just like with anything, I guess.

We handle it all the best we can with what we're given. Sometimes we have to work really hard to rise above the funk.  Sometimes we're not always successful.  It's been a really weird year. But, we're here, surviving, breathing -- doing it.

It's Life Day.

We started calling it that six years ago to try and focus on the positive. To celebrate life.

And at this moment, Jimmy and I are watching Spencer set out her fake food on her little toy plates at her little kid size table for... Santa and his reindeer. (Insert hands up emoji.)  "Now we're cooking," she says. Santas plate consists of bread and cheese.

He'll like that. Nice change from cookies, I think.

She's making her Dad smile.  She's his joy.  I hope she always knows that.

Our little light.

Thanks to those who of you who have shown up for us. Who check in. Make us laugh. Our family. Friends. We love you.

"Keep Going. Keep Going. Keep Going." - James Patterson