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TexasDebs

by texasdebs from Houston, Texas

Last Post 39 days, 2 hours Ago


Lucky To Be Alive- Update
Apr 24, 2008 | 1:43 PM
Category: News
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I was in a terrible near-fatal car accident in June 2000, and until a few days ago I thought I would never fully recover.


(My mangled car after a 100mph head-on collision, assuming we were both doing the speed limit [I was.] The speed limit was 50.)
The accident happened in New Jersey on Rt 9. I was hit head-on by an elderly driver who had a stroke at the wheel. I suffered many serious injuries from bones to organs:

-multiple breaks and fractures to both arms and both legs
-fractured skull
-multiple pan-facial breaks and fractures to my jaw, nose, eye
-ruptured spleen and intestines
-multiple breaks and fractures to my ribs
-collapsed lung
-multiple contusions and lacerations

I endured a tracheotomy (a hole in the throat with a tube to breath through), an intro-gastric feeding tube (a hose through the abdomen directly into the stomach that they squirt liquid food into), a breathing tube into my collapsed lung, and my jaw was wired shut.

I laid in a hospital bed with tubes in me and wrapped in casts for nearly four months.


(RWJU Hospital NJ, 3 weeks after the accident)

When they took off the wires from my mouth I still couldn't talk- not because of the physical injury, but because of the brain injury. I had to "remember" how to talk.
I also nearly lost my right eye, I still can't identify smells, and I have only 30% hearing in my right ear.


(Recent X-Ray showing titanium hardware)

Later my body rejected the titanium implants and they shot out of my knees and ankles and had to be surgically removed (there was metal protruding out of my skin).


(With doctor at the rehabilitation hospital)


It took me years to learn how to do everything again. They initially wouldn't let me get up because I literally didn't have a leg to stand on, and because both arms were also broken I wasn't allowed to try crutches until the doctors were comfortable with the healing progress my bones were making.


The accident was in New Jersey, and in New Jersey they have strict laws to prevent law-suit abuse. I was awarded the maximum allowed by law in the state of New Jersey: $250,000.00 in medical and $250,000.00 in cash. The first week at the hospital my bill was already over $400,000.00. The courts took two years to award me my settlement, and the medical was all used up by then, plus I was in a lot of debt from not being able to work. (I applied for SSI, but was declined).


(Benefit my family held for me)

By the time I paid my lawyer, got out of debt, and paid for the advances I had needed from my trust fund to pay my for my rent and bills, there wasn't much left to live on in the very expensive New Jersey economy, especially since I couldn't work and had no medical insurance money left in my PIP account and was still undergoing surgeries. I applied for SSI again in 2005 to try and get my medical paid for, but was declined again. So here it is nearly eight years later and I'm medically where I left off when I ran out of funds.

But here is the good news!

After all of this time that I have been in medical limbo, I am finally going to get my surgeries done. The pastor at our church had an epiphany a few months ago when St. Luke's was there for one of their blood drives. She knew my situation and we had all been praying about it. She gave us a call later that Sunday and said "Hey, how about if I put in a request at St. Luke's for Debs' surgeries to be done as a charity?" So we started the paperwork that week, and just this past Monday we got the call that they have accepted her request and my case, and they are ready to proceed!

HALLELUJAH! I can hardly believe it, I have waited so long for this. It is so hard to believe that it is really actually going to happen, but it really is- and I am so overwhelmed with joy! God bless Pastor Janie, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, and everyone who contributes to these causes.

This is an example of what the Bible refers to as "the body of Christ". It's when we all do our part and always put God first and next our fellow man, and sometimes we are the givers and sometimes we are the receivers, but both are equally just as important- and rewarding.

Prayer really does work. Thank the Lord.
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Member Comments Total Comments: 24
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SallyMac read my blog view my photos
Apr 24, 2008 | 1:55 PM

Debs,

I'm so glad your prayers were answered! I can't think of a more deserving person. Email me your contact info...now I want to do a story! sallymac2180@yahoo.com or sally.macdonald@foxtv.com

Best,
Sally Mac
texasdebs read my blog view my photos
Apr 24, 2008 | 2:15 PM

Hi Sally! Thanks so much. Ok sure.

Say, I missed you at the first blogger picnic, and there's going to be another one on Saturday May 17 from 2-6pm at Discovery Green (the new park across from George R Brown). I hope you will be there, and your nice puppy dog, too!
texasshirley2002 read my blog
Apr 24, 2008 | 3:42 PM

God is good. He's been there all the time. Love MOM
texasdebs read my blog view my photos
Apr 24, 2008 | 4:10 PM

Mom: Yes, God is very faithful to His word- Matthew 18:19-20 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." If it hadn't been for you guys's prayers, I probably wouldn't be alive today. You guys are the ones who never gave up (so now you're stuck with me! teehee) Thank you.
PBMom read my blog view my photos
Apr 24, 2008 | 5:20 PM

You are such an amazing person. I am deeply humbled by your experience and I would love to see Fox 26 do a story on you and how this wonderful opportunity came about. Seeing the pictures is eery; people with injuries like that never look like who they are and it is always such a shock when family first sees them. Route 9 in New Jersey is absolutely horrible. Unfortunately, while the cost of living is cheaper here than New Jersey, you've moved to the 5th District Court and they are horribly notorious to rule against people with disabilities, whether it be people like you who need assistance, SSI, etc., or families with kids with disabilities holding their social districts accountable. It's the worst one in the nation.
chassan read my blog view my photos
Apr 24, 2008 | 9:33 PM

TexasDebs,

You're story is so amazing. Many people in your situation would have given up.

You're a fighter. I'm so pleased that St. Luke's will be helping you out. St. Luke's is one of Houston's quality medical institutions.
kenswife read my blog view my photos
Apr 24, 2008 | 11:25 PM

Debs-I've said it to you before and I'll say it again-you are AWESOME and what a great testimony you have just shared!! I know God will continue to bless you!!
stormchaser06 read my blog view my photos
Apr 25, 2008 | 6:50 AM

Oh my gosh Debs-- I had no idea that you had gone through such a terrible accident. You had spoken about your health before, but I had no idea that it was because of this.

I am so happy for you, I can only imagine what a relief it must be for ya'll to finally be able to have your necessary procedures done.

I hope Sally (or anybody there!) does a story on this. You would be such an inspiration to so many.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! :-)
Robin9223 read my blog view my photos
Apr 25, 2008 | 7:59 AM

I agree with everyone, you deserve this. you go girl. When is your surgery?
kagua2 read my blog
Apr 25, 2008 | 8:51 AM

I truly believe in the power of God.I am so happy for you! Keep us informed!
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texasdebs

I am of the very artistic type. I love to indulge in a good hobby, especially if it keeps me learning. I am a native Houstonian. I grew up in Pasadena, and have family in Galveston, East Texas, and all over Texas. I am kind-hearted and some say it is my downfall, but I prefer it against the alternative. I love funny movies, action movies, or chick-flicks. I love GOOD MUSIC of all kinds. I love to SING, play PIANO, play GUITAR, and write POETRY. I was also a professional dancer in some small theaters in New Jersey from 1997 until my car accident in June, 2000. (I studied DANCE here in Houston under SONJA ISHAM, and I competed GYMNASTICS here in Houston under Coach FOY CURLY.) I'm an amateur PHOTOGRAPHER and I am really good when I have the right tools- I'm always looking for that perfect shot. I attended PAGE PARKS Modeling and Acting when I was 18 as per the advice of Houston's INTERMEDIA model DIANA TATUM, and DAN CARTER made me look amazing my first photo shoot, so now I'm a wanna-be photographer. I love driving my NISSAN "Nina" and taking good care of her (she takes good care of me, after all). I love KARAOKE BARS!, gardening, cooking, painting, crochet/macramee. I do a lot of JUICING because it's really healthy and I only eat 100% NATURAL FOOD- I feel better and it tastes better. I like to watch OPRAH, EXTREME MAKE-OVER HOME EDITION (me & my hubby 'CRY watching TY'!), THE SIMPSONS, SEINFELD, AMERICAN IDOL, and MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (five boys and a husband that acts like one- no wonder she flips out!). I'm a pretty spiritual person, we (me and my husband) are believers in Christ and my husband is also Hindu. We are newlyweds and we love each other very much. We have learned a lot together and from one another. Thanks for your interest. Nice to meet ya! Let's blog about it.

Member Since: 5/8/2007


 

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