Sunday, December 04, 2011

Friday Night's Adventure

A lot of people have been asking what happened, so I thought I'd take a minute to write it all out here, which is a lot easier than writing it out a whole bunch of separate times.

Friday night, Jenni James and I were on our way up to Logan to participate in Midnight Madness at the Book Table. The weather was gorgeous all the way up there until Willard, where it started to lightly snow. That wasn't a problem - it was actually really pretty and sparkly. The sun started to go down, but visibility was still pretty good, and we were enjoying the drive. We had just entered Sardine Canyon and were heading toward Logan when we hit some black ice. Jenni, who was driving, managed to get the car back under control, but it slipped again. She battled it for a couple of seconds, and I thought we were okay, but then we hit another patch and the car went into a big U-turn right into oncoming traffic. The main thing that was oncoming was a semi-truck.

After we stopped sliding, Jenni was able to move the car a little bit, and I honestly thank God that she did. The semi hit us from behind, because we were backwards at this point, we spun around, and impacted with the semi on my side. I hit my head, the side of my face, my right shoulder, right hip - pretty much everything on the right side of my body - into the door. The next thing I know, Jenni's checking my pulse, pupils, etc. and begging me not to die. I almost blacked out again, but didn't.

Then I heard a man's voice. "What were you doing, making a U-turn in the middle of traffic?" It was the truck driver, who thought that's what Jenni had been doing. She explained about the black ice, but he wasn't really in the most listening mood right then.

Next thing I know, another girl is in the driver's seat, talking to me. She was a first responder, and asked me a bunch of questions about how I was hit and where I was hurt. Then we had firemen and the police gathered around, and they went right to work.

The engine of the car had been smoking, and I'd made a feeble attempt to get my door open, but I couldn't. Because it took the brunt of the impact with the semi, it was smashed shut. So the firemen went to work clipping wires in the car and removing the battery while another fireman started talking to me. He held my neck in position while they removed the battery from the car. Lo and behold, he was the husband of one of my good author friends, Lori Nawyn, and it was great to have that familiarity there. The firemen then took hold of my door and pulled it back and practically off its hinges, put a neck brace on me, put me on a back board, and I was treated to my very first ambulance ride. I also got my very first CT scan.

Funny, the stuff you think about at times like that. I told the EMT that it was his lucky day - I'd just lost 60 pounds, so he and the other guys had a lot less to lift. They all congratulated me, and I'm sure there's a note in my chart somewhere, "Patient is talking about really random things."

Jenni and I had both been able to talk to our husbands briefly before we were taken to the hospital, which is a miracle right there because they told us that part of the canyon doesn't get cell reception. After we got to the hospital, Jenni called my sisters, and they came to see me there in the ER.

Today, two days after it happened, Jenni and I are both in a lot of pain. We're stiff, we're sore, but we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the outcome. By all rights, we should be dead. Hyundais don't crash into semis and come out with live passengers. And not only are we alive, but we have no broken bones, and more amazingly, no bruises. The right side of my face is swollen and it feels like I should have a black eye, but I don't. We're both sore from the seat belts, but there are no marks on us. My glasses had flown off my face, but Jenni found them neatly folded and resting on the back seat like someone had lovingly placed them there just for me. And from the way everything went, if Jenni had not been able to move the car like she did, the semi would have smashed us into the bridge supporting the overpass. We are blessed that we hit the way we did.

Angels are real, Heavenly Father does send them, and there were a ton of them in Sardine Canyon on Friday night.

*Update 12/8: Jenni and I have both been to see the chiropractor and are receiving excellent care. It will be a long process of recovery, but we have a lot of optimism and know we'll come through this well.

44 comments:

LisaAnn said...

Wow! How scary! I'm glad to hear you guys are okay. Take it easy and enjoy the pampering.

The British Homemaker said...

I cannot tell you how I feel right now but I am pretty sure that my tears are for relief that you are both ok, for the gratitude that Heavenly Father DOES indeed send angels and that in it all you are going to be ok. I know we've never met but I feel like I know you in some way with out chats and banter on facebook/emails. I'm just so thankful that you are ok.
Sending you lots of gentle hugs xxx

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

So many blessings for both of you. I am so grateful that guardian angels were with you. Take it easy and allow yourself some healing time. Love you Tristi!!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Oh, my gosh, Tristi. I'm really, really glad it wasn't your time to go home. Even with no broken bones getting shaken up like that can have some long-term consequences, so you'll be in my prayers.

Cheri Chesley said...

Thanks for the details. I've been going a little crazy, being so far removed now, and trying not to worry. You are both truly blessed. I can just imagine our Father in Heaven sending a legion of angels to Sardine Canyon for your protection that night.

Betsy Love said...

Tristi, You and Jenni are so truly blessed with angels who watched over the two of you. I guess the the world is not ready for your literary works to leave this realm. HUGS

Andrea said...

Making a U-Turn? As if! Someone shoulda knocked some sense into that guy! :-)

Okay, I'm done joking. Seriously, I'm soo sooo very grateful you and Jenni are alive! I love you both so much - I can't imagine how things would be (not just for me, but your families, too) if you were taken.

Please let me know if you need anything. I'll come down and help - we can watch White Christmas there, if you'd like, and Elf, too. (So long as it's okay if Chuck, the guy I married, ;-) brings his art work.)

Accidents are awful on the body. I'll take some of the pain, if you'd like. :-)

Andrea said...

Oh, and we'll take things one day at a time, regarding Friday. You just let us know what you want.

Love you!

Author Sherry Gammon said...

WOW! so very glad it wasn't worse!

Author Sherry Gammon said...

WOW! so very glad it wasn't worse!

Janice said...

The Lord truly watches over us.

Marie Higgins said...

Tristi, I'm so very happy you and Jenni are all right. And this is a miracle. I live in Brigham and hear all the time about accidents like this. Most people don't leave alive, and if they do, they're hurt very bad with cuts or broken bones.

Ronda and I were coming over the overpass and noticed the accident. By this time, the police were directing traffic and the ambulance was there. I was driving slow anyway because of the snowstorm, and I didn't want to focus on the accident for very long since I was driving. If I had known it was you and Jenni, I would have turned around and tried to help.

When Ronda and I got to Logan and heard it was you and Jenni in the accident, it literally turned my stomach! And you are so right about Lori Nawyn's husband. Isn't he a treasure? (grins)

Love you, girl!

~Marie~

Chantele Sedgwick said...

I'm so thankful you're okay! Relax and let your body heal. Sending lots of **hugs**! :)

Nichole Giles said...

Holy cow, I can't believe that. So glad you and Jenni are both okay. Talk about scary.

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen said...

Oh, Tristi, I am soo, sooo, sooooo glad you and Jenni are okay and safe with your families again. Sooooo glad. Take care.

Daron D. Fraley said...

Glad you are both OK! Tristi, being that this is not the first time you have had an accident on the way to a book signing... maybe Matt better get a Helicopter Pilot license. :)

Or, you could parachute in?

Cheri J. Crane said...

So glad you both survived all of that. You were truly watched over. =) But keep on taking things easy for a while.

Stephanie Black said...

So grateful that you and Jenni are all right! What a blessing!

Robin said...

Yes you were both blessed and I am glad you are ok. Take it easy. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

mormonhermitmom said...

Oh yeah, you're gonna be sore for a while. My husband was in a car accident back in June and he came out with the same thing - very few visible bruises but a lot of soreness.

And yes angels are real and they had you're back that night! Glad you're still alive and kicking - though I advise not kicking for awhile, that will probably hurt too.

Randy said...

Wow. I'm glad both of you are okay. Guess the Lord still has work for you to do.

Jewel's Gems said...

Oh, my heck, Tristi! I'm cringing and hyperventilating just reading this! I'm so glad and grateful you two are okay. That canyon is so scary and I driven through there myself a few times humming, "Jesus Take the Wheel" the whole way:-)

Pam Williams said...

So glad those angels were there for you!

kbrebes said...

The thought of you not being with us in this world...well, it would have been a huge loss leaving a tremendous hole EVERYWHERE...and I've only been associated with you for 18 months. I remember the first time I saw you at the 2010 StoryMaker's Conference. I thought you were nutty but brilliant...and you are! I'm so glad the Good Lord let you stay. xo K

Marsha Ward said...

I'm so glad both of you are safe, although you hurt, and will hurt for a while. I have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father tempers our adversities. We have to go through them, but He has His hand over us while we do.

John Waverly said...

Oh, Tristi! I'm glad you're all right . . . Well, I'm glad you're as all right as you are. I'll pray for you to have a fast recovery.

Angie said...

Thank heavens! I am so glad you two experienced the miracles you did. So glad you are all right. Take it easy!

Emily Mah said...

So glad this wasn't worse! Hope you have a quick and (relatively) painless recovery.

Vicki said...

You were so watched over and blessed! It really proves miracles happen! Sorry you're hurting, but hey, the irony is, you ARE hurting. Love you. Heal quickly!

. said...

Holy cow! What an experience! I'm glad you're safe. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Mary Ann said...

Whew! So glad you both are okay! I'll remember to thank the Lord for his tender mercies.

AuntAlice said...

Oh, my! That was a bit too much of an adventure. I'm so glad you're still with us. You'll be in my prayers for a speedy recovery. {Hugs}

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

Thank heavens for angels, human and the other kind. I'm glad it wasn't worse. Take care, dear friend. :)

Small Town Shelly Brown said...

Wow. I'm grateful to have read your story and think about how blessed we are in times of serious need. Yes, angels.

Emily R. King said...

What a scary event! You are blessed to have walked out of that relatively unscathed. I hope you and Jenni feel normal again soon. Your angels were working overtime Friday night. (New follower.)

Unknown said...

Oh man! I'm so glad you guys are okay! Make your family do *lots* for you while you recuperate. :)

Unknown said...

Holy cow! So glad you're gonna be all right but sorry you had to deal with this. Take care and let people take care of you!

Anna del C. Dye said...

What a way to get in the news, Tristi. WOW! girl. I am so glad you two are alright. Best wishes for your recovery. I new knew being a writer had some hazerdous moment but this WOW!
Yes, I too believe Heavenly Father watch over us. :)
Anna del C.
Author of "The Silent Warrior Trilogy"
http://www.annadelc.com

Maria Hoagland said...

So glad the two of you are okay. What a blessing! I pray for a quick recovery.

Lori Folkman said...

That is terrifying! I'm so glad you are okay.

Ann Summerville said...

How scary, but it looks like someone was looking out for you and you managed to get out of the situation. Thank God. I hope you feel better soon.
Ann

Taffy said...

Thanks for the update and testimony, Tristi. Tears of relief for you and Jenni and your safe return to your families. And tears of humility for a loving Father.

Anna Maria Junus said...

I am sure angels were with you. Your post makes it so much clearer and more real than the fb posts. So glad you're alright.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Tristi, I'm so happy that you guys came out unscathed considering. *hugs* You guys are amazing and Jenni is such a fantastic person...

luv,
Elizabeth

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