He's home!

First of all: what a weekend!! Vinny called me when he was leaving class (at CW Post) on Friday at about 12:50pm to say that he was walking to his car from class. I said 'OK, I can barely hear you b/c of the wind in the phone so I'll talk to you later'. And he said that was fine and that we would relax that night-- wine, music, have dinner and maybe light a fire b/c it was chilly. So I said that sounded great and the last words besides I love you were 'be careful'... which is something I always say.

Well, then the accident happened at around 1:30pm... I can't even tell you the feelings that came over me when the police called my office. I answered and I just knew, right away, that something was wrong. It's amazing how people say they know immediately but it's true... I was so upset I immediately took off my sweater (that was over a t-shirt I had on) b/c I got hot all over. I just started to cry and my boss tried to comfort me, told me to calm down for a few minutes and then to go to him but to be very careful driving b/c I was so upset...

I didn't realize how serious the accident was-- the police said he was going to be fine so I just thought he was taken to the ER to get checked out... I had no idea it was a hit and run, no idea the car was totaled, no idea that Vinny couldn't even walk or move b/c of the pain, nothing. So I got there and he had some major cuts, scrapes and bruising from the seatbelt but nothing too bad so I was relieved-- then, I figured we would be going home that night. Well, when they took him to get an X-ray done I realized (b/c they had to try and sit him up) just how much pain he was in-- he COULD NOT MOVE! and it was absolutely devastating for me-- to see someone you love in so much pain that he was literally IN TEARS. He told me when I got there that the guy hit him-- drove him off the road, all in two seconds, and he saw the trees coming-- so I asked him what went through his mind and he said 'you' and I will NEVER forget that moment as long as I live...

So he went for a MILLION x-rays and a cat-scan. The x-rays were OK, no broken bones but the cat-scan showed fluid in his lungs and around his heart (so that sack that holds his heart was enlarged). That is when I started to realize how bad the trauma was... so the Dr said that was somewhat normal with that serious of an accident-- so I said OK. This is when I learned that he had blacked out at the scene for 5-7 minutes. I was like, do you remember anything? and he doesn't remember anything from when he saw the trees coming all the way until the police were poking him to wake up... He doesn't even know who called the Police. So then I started to get really upset-- and they told me he had a bad concussion so I realized that this was really serious... The Police, once I was there, just kept telling me how LUCKY he was and how they really didn't think they would find anyone alive in the car.

Well, at that point they decided to admit him-- so from Friday at 2pm until just about 3 hours ago he was in the Hospital and basically so was I. I came home a few times to get clothes, shower, change, take care of the dog, etc. but that was it. It was a really hard couple of days-- sitting there with him while he basically slept-- when he was not sleeping he was in so much intense pain that it brought tears to my eyes every time to see him that way.

Doctor after Doctor saw him-- specialists came and they determined that the fluid would go away on it's own, that he would be OK, that there was nothing major in terms of damage and nothing permanent. So we were happy about that-- but the pain and the swelling was still so severe-- his back is like SO swollen... the doctors said it would just take time. So, then finally today (this afternoon) they told him he could go home once they determined that he was stable. They prescribed Vicodin and told him to REST for like two weeks straight-- walking a little each day and stuff but he needs to take it easy. They also told him he is going to need major physical therapy for his neck, back and overall pain. They want to see him in one week and then a week after that. So we went home and he was very happy to be home-- he moves REAL slow and they took him in a wheelchair to the car but he is walking a little-- he walks like an 80 year old man lol-- little by little.

On the way home Vinny demanded that we go see the car. So I said OK and we went to see it. Well, if anyone lives in Smithtown take a ride over the Riverside Auto Body (on Jericho Tpke. right by the Bull) and prepare yourself. Vinny and I pulled in and both gasped. The car looked like HALF of it was GONE. I have never seen anything so upsetting in my life. I took a ton of pics with my camera phone but tomorrow I'm going back to take more with my camera-- and I will post them so you could see just how lucky he is and how an angel must have been on his side... b/c the car was literally a 'U' bent around the tree he hit. I can't even believe it. If ANYONE was in the backseat of that car they would be dead-- if the tree hit just SIX INCHES more towards the driver seat Vinny would have been killed.

The thing that gets me the most is that the person ran-- to hit someone and send them into a tree, such a big crash and then LEAVE is just unbelievable... people really are sick. And to think that NO ONE stopped, NO ONE pulled over, nothing-- not even to see if he was alive or ask if he needed help. Luckily, at least one person called 911 on their cell as they passed by the scene. Just unbelievable. I'm truly disgusted with how people are-- terrible.

We did have a really great staff of people at the Hospital though-- that was a silver lining for sure-- Huntington Hospital was excellent and very clean. The staff were AMAZING. I bought them all munchkins and coffee-- they were fabulous. Vinny was treated so well. The one thing we did today before leaving was stop by the maternity ward to see all the babies in the room-- all sleeping, all wrapped up like little angels! That made us feel better for sure... very uplifting.

OK, wow this is long! But so many people POURED their hearts out for us and SO many people called me, wrote me, posted, etc. that it really brings tears to my eyes-- it was so stressful but I just read all the posts and it's so nice to have that support... some of you I don't even know personally! But that's the amazing part-- and that is what makes me believe that there are still so many good people out there.

So, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH-- I told Vinny EVERYTHING that you all had to say, all the messages, FM's, texts, voicemails-- I saved them all for him to listen to! He thanks everyone from the bottom of his heart. He was so scared and let me tell you-- riding in the car today for the first time was REALLY hard for him.

I really can't thank everyone enough. I will post pics of the car tomorrow-- I want people to see it, I want everyone to be aware and be careful when you drive-- even though Vinny was always so careful- there are so many IDIOTS on the road that you can NEVER be too careful. And the fact that he was only doing about 62 MPH in the right lane DEFINITELY helped him big time! Thanks again everyone-- I thank GOD that he is OK, I really do. It helps put things into perspective and it reminds you how much you love the people in your life-- everyone, tonight, no matter what-- give your FH's a BIG hug and a kiss... b/c you just never, ever know.

And on a lighter note b/c I have to end this on a lighter note.... how was everyone else's weekend?? lol mine was great!

God Bless you all...