A couple weeks ago, my sister, Mandy and I were on our way out the door to get a coffee at a local coffee shop, Kaldi’s.  There’s a small step coming out of the kitchen at my house.  I forgot to tilt her wheels up when I helped her down the step.  I wasn’t thinking.  I guess I was used to my son’s stroller, which doesn’t need to be tilted back, the wheels just go straight down.  She fell out of her chair and broke both of her legs.  To top it off, she had a fatty embolism that punctured her lungs and was in the hospital and ICU all last week.  It was very serious.  Everyone was so worried.  I couldn’t imagine life without my sister.  I felt like I was going to choke on my heart.

Last Monday, she got to go home.  I am so relieved.

Anyway, here is an interesting story about my sister and the accident.  When she got back in her wheelchair right after it happened, she said she was fine.  Since Mandy has spina bifida, she wouldn’t feel it if her legs were broken.  Her one leg had a bump under it right under her knee.  She insisted that it wasn’t broken because she touched it and didn’t turn white right away.  (I think that was what she said.)  So we went to meet my friend, Nichole at the Kaldi’s.  We stayed for about an hour and a half.  Then walked home.

On the way back, Mandy started to feel short of breath.  She couldn’t push herself up my driveway.  I pushed my son’s stroller up then helped her up.  The bump on her leg started to look worse and worse.  An hour later, my dad left work to take her to the hospital.  That night, they took x-rays and found out one leg was broken.  I felt terrible.  How did I not know I was supposed to tilt her chair back?  How many years have I been taking her around?  

She sent me a text that night that said, “Yeah it’s broken.”  I responded a few times.  One of the next texts really says a lot about my sister read, “I forgot to say thanks for a great day!”  I thought she was being sarcastic at first.  No, she was serious.  Despite 2 broken legs, she still had a great day.  Wow!!!

So back to the injury, they didn’t find out the other leg was broken until Sunday.  She couldn’t breath.  The doctors originally thought she had pneumonia.  Her breathing and pain had gotten worse, so Monday night they moved her to the ICU.  They had her in a coma.  She improved a few days later.  They removed the ventilator and feeding tubes.  On Thursday, the home nurse discharged her.  She is going places again and transferring in to her bed and the couch from her wheelchair.  YAY!!!

Now, she has a whole new outlook on life.  I will have to have her tell you about it.  Thank you everyone for all your prayers and wishes!!!  We greatly appreciate it.  It so great to have the real Wendy (Mandy) back on wheels!!