Lucy Hanouille
Austin, Texas
When I was 16, I was rushing to field hockey practice on a moped when an accident flung me the ground, head first, at a speed between 30 and 40 mph. Miraculously, I was able to walk away from the wreck. I never gave it a second thought. By Monday, I was back on the field.
At the age of 44, after years of chronic migraines, poor balance, and difficulty with fine motor tasks, I was diagnosed with advanced cervical spinal stenosis. In layman’s terms, my accident had damaged all the disks in my neck, and half the disk at vertebra C5/C6 was gone. A calcium deposit had built up over the years, narrowing the spinal canal. I needed surgery.
On the day of the surgery, I walked in alone. I was met by my surgical scrub nurse— a tall, strong man. He put me at ease and explained in detail all that we would do to prep me for surgery. I relaxed into deep sleep as the first sedatives took hold. I awoke in a panic. I was awake, but I could not move or even open my eyes. I knew I was going to be violently ill. I know I cried out in panic. I heard my nurse’s voice telling me, “You are safe,” and felt a strong, warm hand grip mine as he said, “This is recovery. You are still feeling the effects of anesthesia. It’s all right. I am here to help you until you can help yourself again.” Through my tears, I surrendered to his care. Later, when I woke in my hospital room, I was feeling much better. I never saw my nurse again, but I remember his lovingkindness to this day.
Now I know it is all right to let others help until I can help myself again.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:41 — 3.4MB)
Audio Credits:
- “Moped Sound” by HKS via freesound.org
- “Street Sounds” by LS via freesound.org
- “Corsica Hospital Lobby” by Corsica_S via freesound.org
- “Heart Rate Monitors” by Hupguy via freesound.org
- “Woman Moaning” by CDelaney – Used with Permission.
So — how is he/she doing? It’s a story! Tell us the ending! Did the surgery go well? Was the calcium deposit removed OK? Is he/she healthier now? The “moral” of the story is fine to point out, but we want the REST OF THE STORY!!! Thank you.
Ann- yes, the surgery was highly successful. I was out of surgery and awake so much faster than they expected, my surgeon actually sent me home the same day.
In August, I was pass the ten year mark. I still remember my first walk after being released from my surgeons care a year and a half after surgery. It took me twenty minutes to walk to the corner and back. Today, I can walk a mile in 18 minutes.
I now enjoy daily walks, singing and Pilates. Life is very good!