In light of Veterans Day, I wanted to share a story with you…

Last Thanksgiving started like any other. The day dawned chilly and clear, with the scent of leaves and dew in the air. We loaded up our stuff early in the morning, and drove to my parent’s house for the celebrations. My husband always has to work on the holidays, so we had to get there early so he would have time to make it into work by 11am. It was a beautiful 30 minute drive south and just a perfect day in general.

Ruger was still a little puppy then, well he was young I should say. He was a large, clumsy 75 lb 9 month old! It was also the first time my 85 year old grandmother would meet him, so I was cautious about everything. I made sure to put him in the pen outside when we first go there. We said our hellos, had some coffee, then my husband headed to work. I figured it was time to bring Ruger in so he could see everyone.

I knew he would be REALLY excited to see the family all together. He has SUCH a loving heart, and his favorite thing in life is being with his family.

I went outside to get him, put the leash on, and walked to the front door.

The things that happened next are strange, and I am still not 100% sure how they occurred. I opened the door, he pulled incredibly hard on the leash with pure excitement to see everyone. My left pinky finger got caught in the lock hole to the door and I heard a disturbingly creepy, CRACK!

I dropped the leash, stood there for a minute. I didn’t feel any pain at that moment, but as I looked down at my left hand, my pinky finger was pointing out 180 degrees to the left and bleeding. Fear rushed over me, and I fell to the ground. I started getting tunnel vision, but managed to say I think I broke my finger. Everyone laughs and says lol yeah he ran pretty fast. I said NO, I literally broke it.

I started feeling intense pain at that time and long story short, my dad rushed me to the ER. I kept blacking out from the pain and was on the verge of throwing up the entire time. I had to hold my finger in place because it was just dangling there.

The X-RAY showed, of course, my finger was completely broken in half. The two pieces were not even attached anymore! The doctor injected it and had to twist it back in the right direction, and she basically said I needed to go to a surgeon ASAP!

Needless to say, Thanksgiving was rough. I didn’t get to eat much, I was in so much severe pain. My parents had to take Ruger for the entire month of December because I couldn’t take care of him and risk hurting my finger. Plus, my husband works longer hours, so I would be alone with him.

I could barely decorate my Christmas tree!

The worst part of all this, the surgeon wasn’t sure surgery would be successful since I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have issues with my fingers anyways and take forever to heal. It has almost been a year and I will never be the same again.

It has been a HUMBLING experience to say the least and the other day I was reflecting on the year and realized some pretty important lessons have been learned from this bad experience.

 

One. Things can always be worse, be thankful for your situation.

I had pain everyday and some days it really gets me down. I get so frustrated having limitations on everything, but I had no idea what true limitations could really feel like. Not to mention, I have NEVER felt more pain like that in my life. Little things like putting a mug in the microwave were difficult with a mutilated finger.

When the pain hit, I would always close my eyes and think about all those other people suffering so much more than me. I thought about my husband who had his colon removed and had 75 staples all the way down his stomach. I couldn’t imagine the pain he experienced. I just thought about others the whole time and prayed for them.

Two. Everyone is different and that’s okay!

The doctor said bones always take 6-8 weeks to heal. After 8 weeks, he said well…it can be more like 8-12 weeks, especially with RA. I kept my hopes up. After another X-Ray at 14 weeks, my bone was still no where being healed. After talking with other people, I learned that it can take 6-8 months, or even longer, especially with an autoimmune disease.

I realized, not everyone heals or experiences the same things like majority of the population. All of our bodies are different and unique, so it’s okay that we don’t fit a certain mold of 6-8 weeks like the doctor’s always say! Here is a look after 6 months.

Three. It’s Amazing What You Are Capable Of!

People are pretty amazing and overcome limitations all the time. I couldn’t believe how fast I learned how to do everything one handed! Even though I can do things with my left hand again (except make a fist), I still catch myself doing things with one hand. Like, laundry, cleaning, getting dressed…almost anything.

I always think about the veterans I was around while my husband was having all his health problems. He was in San Diego and one of the largest military hospitals, and I saw so many who had missing limbs and devastating limitations, but they were out there living life in amazing ways. It was a humbling experience getting to see that and I was always in awe of what people can get through.

Four. Bad experiences can turn into sweet memories.

This was a lesson I learned during my husband’s many years of bad health. It was jut reinforced with this situation, but now as I look back on the year, it brings a smile to my face seeing what I have learned. I know my family and I make jokes of my crooked finger and even laugh about that day.

Some of our fondest memories are during my husband’s surgeries. They were special times and we grew really close. I think God brings the good out of every situation and it is neat to see how we grow through it.

Five. Fingers are REALLY important!

Most people during this year have said to me, oh it’s just a finger! HA! I had NO idea the pinky finger had so many nerves in it. My orthopedic surgeon said that kind of break in the pinky finger is typically more painful than a leg or arm due to the thousands of nerve endings.

Next time you know someone with a hurt finger, have pity on them! lol

Six. Sometimes things happen…

The last lesson and probably the most difficult to realize is sometimes things happen and it sucks! I spent many nights in pain wondering WHY in the world this happened to me?? I mean, it was a total freak accident. I deal with enough pain, bad joints, etc, so why this?

Sometimes bad things happen and we aren’t sure why, but God has a reason. If anything, it helped me have so much more compassion for others. Especially people who are truly suffering. I really thought about my husband during this time and I realized he was my hero for what he went through. And he never complained once! Even when he was in so much severe pain, he was humble.

Bless him!

I spent many nights just saying Philippians 4:13 ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” I could not have gotten through it without Him!

So, those are my lessons learned from a bad situation, and I am looking forward to this Thanksgiving. I will be so grateful to enjoy the food and the company of family. Something else I have taken for this is a MUCH shorter, more crooked finger!

Have you had a bad experience that taught you something? 

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