The Oeths: It's been 3 years....

On Sunday July 3, it had been three years since our car accident. On July 3, 2008 at about 5:30pm we decided to make a trip to IKEA for pillows since our TMO stuff had just gotten delivered and get some Pizza Hut as this pregnant Mama was craving it. It was a bit rainy and wet, but we piled into Lady Liberty (our Focus) and were off. About 3 minutes away from our house on one of the backroads leading to the autobahn, we went around a corner to see a LandRover hydroplaning sideways straight at us. There was nothing Aaron could do to avoid it, and we hit straight into the side of it as the front of the Land Rover went over the guardrail. Aaron got out immediately and got Jacob out of his carseat. Aside from biting his tongue and being shaken up, Cubby was untouched. Aaron had a few burns on his nose from the air bag, but aside from that was in good shape. It took me a minute to catch my breath and upon trying to get out of the car realized I couldn't much move my legs or feet. I got out and over the guardrail into the grass and a few nice people who were behind us got out and started cleaning several cuts I had on my legs. I looked down to see my feet, and knew for certain they were broken. I also knew my wrist was broken, and had fears of a broken hip. At this point, I didn't care about any of that, but only the unborn baby I carried in my stomach (now sweet amazing Joshua!).

The ambulance arrived as did the helicopter carrying a doctor to check me out. We arrived at the hospital to find another American family from our town already there to meet us. They told us they had passed the accident and seen Jacob in the front of the ambulance. They were an incredible blessing and took Jacob for most of the evening. Another good friend who we considered family and who was at Dyess with us arrived shortly after and helped us the next three days with keeping Jacob and so many other things.

The doctors found I had five broken bones in my foot and a broken wrist, and while my other foot wasn't broken it was very badly sprained (it was two months before I could pressure on it). They wouldn't give me pain meds or go in to do surgery or set the foot because I was pregnant. This led to several problems down the line, but regardless we are all alive.

After being in a wheelchair for almost two months, I was finally walking again with a cane. I didn't drive for several months and then headed to the states to deliver Joshua. Also while I was there, I had corrective foot surgery which included a rod and two screws to repair the damage done by not having immediate trauma surgery. The recovery from the surgery after Joshua was born was 6 months (at the very least) and I was still walking with a cane about 9 months after the surgery.

Now, three years after, I still struggle with my foot and have a permanent nerve disorder caused by the accident and surgery. But beyond that, life is mostly normal. As I look back, I cannot believe how incredibly blessed we are that we are all alive. Each time I look at JoJo or hear his little laugh I am more and more grateful for life. The accident was a big changing point for us, and has impacted us all a great deal. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for all of us, for I know he kept us here for a reason.