It was an unexpectedly full day today. I took the girls to a music class this morning and stopped for a snack at Elmer’s, a schizophrenic little store in Ashfield. When we got home, Laura was on the couch with ice on her leg. She had fallen again, but this time she hurt her leg. It was similar to other falls recently; she briefly blacks out and has tremors. We don’t know exactly how she fell because nobody saw it, but she couldn’t walk on her right leg.
Meanwhile, we got a call from our neighbors who had borrowed my pickup two days before. The whole family — a 3 year old friend of our kids, dad, and mom great with child — were driving in my truck this morning to pick up their car that was in the shop. The car slid on some ice sideways down a hill into an embankment and rolled over onto the top of the cab! Pregnant mom, due literally any day, apparently climbed out of the window upside down. Miraculously, nobody was hurt. And I say miraculously because I later drove to the junk yard where it was towed and found the truck to be a total loss. Amazingly everyone is alright, but I can imagine the shock they must have been in! Apparently they were taken by ambulance to the ER in Greenfield and the EMTs were stymied that they couldn’t find any injuries. I am so so so so so glad they are OK.
But that wasn’t the only trip to the ER today. When I got back home from the junk yard Laura still couldn’t walk, so away we went to the Greenfield hospital, too. Unfortunately, the xrays showed that Laura broke her leg. Apparently the fibula, which she fractured, doesn’t carry much weight — that’s the tibia’s job — so she didn’t get a cast or splint. When the nurse was about to release Laura, she said, “I’m sure with all you’re going through that you needed this like a hole in the head.” And as the nurse left, Laura slyly said, “you can’t even begin to know.” (One of the possible cancer treatment options involves drilling a hole through her skull directly into the spinal column to allow direct delivery of chemotherapy.) Sorry, we think it’s funny.
They sent us home with a walker. Laura seems to be handling it all pretty well. I have to admit that despite all my neurotic obsession with cancer — the facts, the prognoses, the tests, the treatments, etc. — I never gave much thought to how difficult it might be if Laura became permanently immobile. Getting around the house isn’t easy. Getting in and out of the house is harder. Inside, Laura has to scoot backwards up the stairs and we haven’t figured out, yet, how she can easily stand back up at the top. Hopefully it will heal quickly, but this has definitely added an unexpected twist to decisions on treatment and travel plans.
We’ll be back in Boston tomorrow (Thursday) and I’ll post again tomorrow night.
P.S. Unrelated, but I’ve been meaning to say: recently I’ve heard several people express concern that a visit or phone call might be “too much”. Or when people call they’re worried about disturbing Laura and sound surprised when I quickly hand the phone over.
Don’t hesitate. Laura was depressed and bedridden. But right now, even though things really suck, she’s OK. So call or visit whenever you want (unless you’re coming from out of town — then call us first). And if you really want to “do something”, send her flowers. She loves flowers. We like unarranged mixed bunches the best.
What a day…
Wed, Jan 30th, 2008 11:01pm by dkulp
Tags: Uncategorized
8 responses so far ↓
1 Danine // Jan 31, 2008 at 12:53 am
I went to high school with Laura and know her sister Elena from doing weddings at the chapel at George Mason. You all are in our prayers. Laura and I had a few classes together (physics, I think, being one). I remember her smile the most. When I saw her picture on your blog today, I recognized it right away. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
2 Heather // Jan 31, 2008 at 8:04 am
Oh boy – good thing mom & dad are on their way, huh?!?! Well, just get yourself a loud bell and you’ll be set ;).
3 donna casey // Jan 31, 2008 at 8:16 am
I know we have been told that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle,but do you ever wonder if he’s gotten you mixed up with someone else??!! Hang in there!
4 Irene Bosch // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:01 am
David,
I just can not believe what has happened to both of you yesterday!
Recently at my home, Natalia (12), broke her wrist, playing soccer, Alex (14), his toe, kicking a shoe…I saw them both with casts at the same time. I thought, I am sure if someone else sees you they will think you were fighting each other…I really miss taking such a picture. The nurse at Children’s Hospital saw me one day in and out with different kids in casts and she thought she was imagining things…she said “You again ?”
The bones take good 4-6 weeks to solidify and by the time it is done, I guess we have adapted to these new ways of moving around and seeing them do it. At first is a shock as you realize how mobile we are.
By now, you and Laura most be driving to Boston.
I will be leaving a bouquet of flowers for Laura at 11 am at the FRONT DESK.
I forgot to ask you for a better way to contact you, so I hope you read this note.
It will have a note and you will be able to recognize is for her.
Here I go, I will try to find both of you, and if I can not find you, I hope you find the flowers. But, all of the flowers in the world, wherever they are go to Laura today.
I will check for the bouquet, and if it is there by the end of day, I will sent it over your home.
Irene.
5 Laura Conway // Jan 31, 2008 at 11:14 am
Laura – You and your family are in my prayers. May God watch over you in your time of need. LLC
6 Allison Beasley // Jan 31, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Laura and David, this Danny Grad friend of your mom’s, David, sends love to you both. I’m so sorry about the broken bone. I’m thinking of you lots and saying prayers.
Allison
7 John Tuttle // Jan 31, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Zoiks. Remember the time I totaled my boss’s daughter’s truck on the 17 Freeway just a few minutes before arriving in Santa Cruz? What a day! The next day you had class or work or something so I spent the day with Laura – probably the most time I’ve ever spent with her. It was a real hoot despite the circumstances.
FYI, my friend is a brain tumor researcher at UCLA. He says there’s a cancer drug called rapamycin that may be in trials right now. It’s known to cross the brain-blood barrier (one of the issues my friend is researching now). It may or may not be effective against breast cancer but it’s worth a Google search anyway.
8 Karuna // Jan 31, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Oy!! What a day. I’m glad the family is all right, but what a bummer about Laura’s leg!! Did they at least put on a cast that the girls can color?
Anyway, glad you are keeping your spirits and humour up! Sometimes the darker the humour the better!!
With Love & Many Blessings,
Karuna