Ten years ago today, August 25, I received a call that no wife wants to get “your husband has been in an accident.” I was rocking my 3 month old son Kaden at the time and my first words were “is he OK?” The president of our company was the one who called and reassured me that Brad was talking and that the ambulance had arrived.
As I think back to the moments following that phone call, they were one of panic but also of shock. I called my mom to come stay with the kids and I headed out to the hospital. I arrived before the ambulance, which did nothing for my heart. I can vividly remember sitting in the waiting room so scared and overwhelmed, I did not have any idea what his injuries were.
Brad had been involved in a ditch cave in at a job site. He suffered a broken pelvis, 
bruised tailbone and a torn urethra. Brad was in a lot of pain when I first came back to his room in the ER. He had been to x-ray already and we knew about the broken bones, but we did not know about the urethra problem until about 10:00 that evening when the doctor asked for a urine sample. When we saw the blood in his urine, I recall the exchange of fear that went between us. That was the first time I saw how scared Brad was and it about broke me. Thankfully the doctors were immediate with their response and he was taken off for emergency surgery to put in a Suprapublic catheter to redirect the urine. We didn’t realize till later how major this problem really was and Brad could have died if this would not have been caught.
Brad was in a hospital bed for 6 weeks in our living room. There were many doctor appointments and therapies during that time. Brad remained strong in spite of the pain. There were times when he didn’t listen very well either. He was cautioned not to do steps several weeks after the accident but one afternoon I found him sitting in the van in the garage. He had gotten there himself with his walker and he said “I’m here now, take me to Dairy Queen.” That determination was a big part in his recovery and healing.
Brad had to wait until his urethra’s bruising was healed before he could have surgery to repair it. This did not happen till December 4 at the University of Chicago. We were so excited the following February that everything had healed correctly and the catheter could be removed.
In reflecting over the months after the accident, I sometimes can’t fathom how I survived. I had a 5 year old son with special needs, a 3 year old and a 3 month old. I am so grateful for the amazing friends and family who came and helped out during the recovery time. I want to thank my Heavenly Father for sparing Brad’s life and for extending His arm of peace and love. I know He carried me through this entire time. I am so thankful for Brad and the wonderful husband and loving father that he is today. I love you Brad!
