Helen:

My husband, Charles, is a lucky, lucky man.

If it were not for God (or some busy guardian angels), he would not even be here.  

Of course, at the present time, he is pretty well banged up; it's going to take a while for him to fully recover from his injuires:  numerous broken bones, including broken ribs, two broken legs, a broken arm,  and a broken back, a lacerated kidney, a bruised liver and spleen, and a punctured lung.  He will be hurting for quite a long while.

Charles is currently in the Intensive Care Unit; he looks pretty rough, but compared to where he was two weeks ago when all of this happened, he's come a long way.  In fact, he's doing so well, doctors are considering moving him to the Medical Floor sometime tomorrow.  

This is his last night in the Intensive Care Unit, which is huge!!

Charles:

I won't be talking long: in too much pain.  I feel like I've been beaten then dragged for the dirt for good measure.  Every inch of my body hurts.  Heck, even my teeth and hair hurt!  Doesn't help I have tubes in and on me; it's hard to move around in bed or get comfortable: these hospital beds are as hard as a brick!

I don't remember much from the accident, but from what I've gathered, I was taking my evening constitutional when, while crossing the street, a wayward driver struck me.  I was thrown at least 50' into the air; when I landed, that was the last thing I remember before waking up here in the hospital.

Doctors tell me I've been here two weeks.  Fourteen, nearly fifteen, days. 

Guess I was injured a lot worse than people reallize; otherwise, I wouldn't be here in the ICU.

I do know this much:  I won't be going anywhere anytime soon: not with three busted paws, a bruised liver, a lacertated kidney, a punctured lung,a busted back, and several busted ribs.  It's gonna take me a long while to heal from my injuries.  

I'm surprised that I wasn't killed or injured more than I was.  It's only by a miracle that I even survived; God must have wanted me around, so much, in fact, He sent angels to help me during those first few minutes after the wreck and afterwards, up til now.

Kinda makes me feel humbled by it all.

Helen:

Tonight, Charles had his first "normal" meal.  The ugly nose hose he had since coming into the hospital was removed two days ago; yesterday afternoon and all day yesterday he was on clear liquids, but he tolerated the food well: no getting sick or throwing up.  The doctor was so pleased he put him on a regular diet starting with dinner; tomorrow he will have regular food for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner!

Answered prayers!

While all of this has been going on, the pastor and members from our church have been stopping by every day, as have his buddies from work and some of the neibhbors.  Charles is a great guy and I'm not surprised that he is as well loved as he is.

Charles does have the heart monitor on (that's standard practice here in the ICU), as well as prongs stuck into his nostrils (for oxygen) and his IV, as well as a catheter tube in his penis, as he cannot get up to void.  He also has a tube in his rump.  It's not very comfortable, he says, but at least he's doing his personal business again.  It shows that his body is healing, slowly, yes, but surely.  His vital signs have been improving steadily; it's a most encouraging sign!

Charles:

Tonight I had steak with baked potatoes (plain, if you please), broccoli and carrots, a lettuce salad (also plain), cranberry and orange juice, and for dessert, carrot cake.  It was very good; it felt great being able to taste real food again and being able to chew and swallow it!

I am truly a lucky, lucky man, and I give God all the credit for saving me like he did.  I could have very easily died, but obviously the Guy Upstairs had other plans.  While I am in no shape to run any marathons or take into any football contests, the fact of the matter is this: I am geting better.  I hope and pray that continues!

~To be continued.~