The Pain Hits Later

So now, it's been over 24 hours since the Accident (aka Reese meets Guard Rail).

I am in extreme pain! I cannot tell you just how much. My mom decided to run me a bath to see if it would help, and obviously, it didn't. I hurt everywhere, literally. I didn't think I would, but I guess those paramedics were right. Hot, and right.

I managed to talk to a bunch of friends and family in the last day and bring them up to speed on the situation. So I was surprised when people wanted to come over right away and visit. The looks on everyone's faces was so sad. I wasn't prepared for that. It felt a little like a reprimand, like I disappointed everyone somehow. I know that's not the case, but mind you, I'm not myself lately. Thinking about what happened didn't make me want to cry, but seeing my family's faces did.

I spoke to my little brother, Princess, long-distance in the Philippines. He, of course, was very concerned and serious sounding. He said: "I'm so glad that you're okay, because I love you." I responded: "Ya, because it would totally suck if I didn't make it to your wedding and finding a last-minute bridesmaid can be a bitch." That response was meant to be funny and truthful, but instead it made my usually non-emotive brother sob on the phone. I was taken aback. I didn't mean for him to cry. I'm still here, aren't I?

I just didn't realize how much my life meant to people. Am I just crazy in shock? Or am I just detached? All my life I wished I knew that people cared, but now I kind of wish that they didn't so much. It hurts to see them hurting over me.

I finally relented to my family's concerns and went to the emergency room at Scarborough Grace Hospital. Amazingly enough, I was seen by a doctor within 45 minutes! Wow! That's unheard of in modern day Ontario medicine.

Anyway, I must be in a strange state, because I found the young doctor on staff really attractive. He was so kind, gentle, and attentive. Also, he had amazingly light eyes. I must have hit my head very hard!

The good doctor prescribed some good ole Tylenol 3s and told me that I suffered some soft tissue damage in all the areas I experience pain. As for head trauma, only time would tell. He then noticed my cane. I mentioned to him that I had a pre-existing knee injury, but that it got banged around in the accident. I asked if he could refer me to a knee specialist. He agreed, and presto-chango, I had my orthopedic surgeon referral! So I guess my car accident, in a roundabout way, helped me get an expert's opinion on my knee condition. There is always a bright side.

Now I go to sleep, and dream of little Tylenol 3s dancing in my head.