Poop Shute

The Big Update

Man, I'm not sure which of The Pantheon we pissed off, but this December was one hell of a crappy month at the Moore household. We'll have to sacrifice some goats or something this weekend.

Three days after my last post Noel and I were in a terrible car accident. A teenager who had been drinking ran a red light and plowed directly into my car. Our car was destroyed. The impact landed, very literally in Noel's lap. I have been home for about a week and a half and I have logged in three times to write this post, but I just wasn't ready yet. Some of you may wish to skip down past the line of asterisks if you already know the specifics of the crash.

I suffered a concussion, a huge friction burn on my shoulder from the seatbelt, severe internal bruising to my right kidney, and cuts and bruises all up and down my right leg. As a result of the kidney trauma I peed blood for about a week, and due to the leg difficulties I had to get around using a cane for the same length of time. I also developed a mild and intermittent stutter and other psychological problems that I imagine were brought on by a combination of the concussion and the post traumatic stress of the whole thing. Unfortunately for me I was concious the entire time and the images will haunt me for quite a while.

Noel came out of it much worse than me. Her pelvis was fractured, both her lungs collapsed and she had several fractures in her skull. After a couple of days with several tubes in her lungs she made a full recovery there, and is back to her old sarcastic self already. She's getting around with a walker and getting stronger every day. The only lasting difficulty she has is a problem with half of her facial muscles. Due to the skull fractures she has some lasting damage to the nerves involved in controlling her eye movement and the left side of her face. The doctors are optimistic that with therapy she will recover there too. The one small small blessing is that because she was knocked out she will suffer no post traumatic stress or haunting nightmares like me.

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After our accident the insurance company offered us a loaner car and Meg's dad went to get it. Some jackass in a big hurry turned into him and totalled the rental the first day he had it. Then that same week a drunk driver went barreling down Meg's aunt's street in the wee hours of the late night / early morning and plowed into her aunt's car. Luckily nobody was hurt in either accident, but COME ON! Are you kidding me? Is it Pinto, the mexican patron saint of cars that we pissed off, or what?

Then Meg's grandma passed away on Christmas morning. She went peacefully in bed and surrounded by loved ones, which is one of the best ends any of us can hope for, I think. Even though it was not a shock, she had been suffering for a few weeks now, it's never easy to lose someone. Most of her family recognizes that it was a blessing that she let go, and that small comfort seemed to make her passing slightly easier to handle. Meg sang Ave Maria at the funeral and it was heart-wrenchingly beautiful. I never met Grandma Heames, but listening to all those wonderful stories that people tell at funerals makes me feel like I got to know her a little.

Lastly, my employer is giving me the run around and may have taken all my clients away. I informed them that I wanted to return to work this coming Monday and they tell me that they need a medical release stating I am cleared to work again. Fair enough, but then they tell me that in the meantime some other guy named Rob has all my clients and I may not get any of them back. The tiny bit of good news is that I have been with a handful of them for several months now and they really like me. All they have to do is say they want to switch back to me and it is done. I just have to call them and let them know to do that once I'm back.

On a lighter note, our Christmas was actually okay. We got to see our family and share food and gifts and love with people that are very important to us. It was kind of sad opening presents with Noel because she was just so subdued with her injuries that her enthusiasm was at about a 2. She spent WAY to much money and lavished us with wonderful, thoughtful gifts. We got her a tiger stuffed animal, an Avenue Q sweatshirt, some cute undies, and then little stocking stuffer toys and candy and stuff. It was hard watching her open the Ave Q shirt and very softly say "cool" when I knew that she would have been jumping up and down if she were at 100%. I know she loved the gifts, but it was just very obvious that she wasn't herself, and that was the hard part.

Here's to wishing 2006 is better all around. For everyone. For all our friends and family who were scared or suffered because of this accident, for everyone who lost someone, and for everyone who is stuck in the hospital for Christmas and New Year's (we love you No'). I wish you all a Happy New Year this coming year. May it bring you health, wealth, and joy.

COMMENTS

Much love and a Merry belated Christmas to all. Just to add a bit to the vehicle insanity, Jo and I got rear ended on 12/21. We're both okay, but the back end of her car got pretty messed up. The car should be back good as new in a few weeks, so all things considered, we're none the worse for wear. I'm very glad to hear you both are recovering well.
Josh 12.31.05 - 3:23 pm

much love and respect
monkey boy
mulk 01.01.06 - 9:06 pm

That's why I don't recommheons. You're never sure whom to be pissed off at. Now Old Testament God, there's a guy you can always pin your troubles on.
Guillermo 01.03.06 - 9:06 am

...you don't what? I'm not sure what you meant to say, but I think that is a typo.
But, yeah. That Old Testament guy was a jerk.
S'okay though. I subscribe to the ol' school greek pantheon. WHatever my transgression, it's nothing a few slain goats can't fix.
Joey 01.04.06 - 1:17 am

I meant to write "recommend pantheons." Man, I was so wasted...
Guillermo 01.08.06 - 11:53 pm

yeah memo tould me after it happend sorry terrebly sorry man hope you get better late.
Luislopez 01.09.06 - 12:14 pm

HAHA. Recommend pantheons. Is "recommheons" like 1984 double-speak for recommend pantheons?
yeah, you must have been wasted. Good times.
Joey 01.09.06 - 1:51 pm