October 19th

I am finally sitting down to write the story. I was leaving college on October 19th at about 9:30pm when I was hit by a car. I was crossing a busy 5 lane street. I was in a crosswalk and there is over a 1/2 mile clearance each way. I was running across the street because it is a wide sreet and I was not sure when the light would change etc. There were cars just in view from the left, nothing from the right except my friends’ car waiting with it’s hazard lights on over on the shoulder of the road. I was in the 5th lane when I saw a flash and thought my friends were flashing their lights, I turned to look and was hit on my right side. He was doing approximately 70mph when this man hit me. He did not see me and did not brake until I was hit. He threw me 15-17ft to the right side of the road (in front of my friends). I hit the road three times, first on my hands and stomach, then on my left side, then my face.

Long story short, I survived. The doctors couldn’t believe my injuries. They thought I would have much worse. I ended up with my right leg broken in 4 places (all below my knee) and some road rash and bruises. Nothing else. I was bleeding from my ribcage, forehead, nose, hands, legs, elbows, etc. Nothing was broken except my leg. I suffered no internal injuries despite severe bruising to my abdomen.

I had surgery and I am in a cast for an unknown amount of time. My next set of x-rays and cast removal is December 2nd. From there they will decide what type of cast is needed next. I have a clotting disorder so I have to give myself an injection in the abdomen each day and I’m in a wheelchair or on crutches but I survived and am thankful I will recover fully. My leg will forever bare the scars and I will forever have a titanium rod in my leg with 4 screws but things could have been drastically worse.

The people who love you and come out to show their support truly amazes me. My "Jew crew" took me to their home and cared for me. I am visiting my parents for two weeks then returning to them in Long Island. My new boss has been amazing and is trying to hold my job while I recover. My professors are allowing me to complete the semesrer online and by phone. Amanda came from MA to see me. My old friends Marie and Erin from high school call, text and send cards. James has been perfect. He came to the hospital that night and stayed for days by my side in a chair. I sent him home after 3 days only to have him come back with my parents a day later. He has spoken to me via phone at least 2-4 times per day. He took me to his house for 26hrs to baby me once I had my initial settling in at my parents house this weekend.

I have heard from most of the people I expected. However, Mike was basically non-existent. I have heard from him maybe 4 times. Very generic conversation via texts. He wants to come visit me he says, I am 10minutes from his job and on the way to his house but he has not made any effort to come yet. We will see what happens.

Derek even called from PA where he is currently living, working and dating someone. He offered to take a few days off of work to be with me in the hospital but I told him I was okay and had James there. He has followed up with a few phone calls and texts, all personal and concerend. I appreciate knowing he is there if I need him.

A handful of students in my classes have been texting, facebooking and emailing me regularly. One offered to drive my school work to me. I said mailing it was more than enough. I am glad I formed better friendships than I expected during that short time.

During this process we found out my metabolic rate is as high, if not higher than I expected. I’ve never had a serious injury requiring heavy medication. I was told to use laying on the street as a 10 and my everyday life as a 1. I was given morphine through the IV and stil felt pain of a 10. I was given a second dose of morphine, only to still be at a 10. It felt like they had given me water. They then gave me dilaudid (spelling) and my pain went to about a 4. They said it should last a few hours….it lasted 15-20minutes before I was back to the 10. They knocked me out to manipulate me leg. They based my medication on a weight of 140 even though I was 110. I woke up and asked them to stop manipulating my leg. During surgery I was "coming around" multiple times they said. After a few days they tried lowering my meds to percosets. They were like taking sugar pills. I was sent on dilaudid. I am now on Ultram to help manage pain but even at it’s strongest I can still feel the achy, dull pain. It’s good enough though.

I’m bitter he hit me. I see it over and over when I close my eyes. I truly believe his lights were not on till right before he hit me and that is why there was a flash. I stayed concious through it all. I was scared and angry and sad. I am still all of those emotions. It will take time but I will heal. I’m thankful to have James and my family and "Jew crew" and close friends like Amanda. I am devestated I cannot afford present for Christmas and birthdays because I have not been compensated for anything yet. I’ll be okay but my spirits are down.