The great thing is that I didn't break my neck. The bad thing is that your forearms aren't designed to take that kind of shock (at least not when you're old like I am). Essentially, the radius crashed into the humerus creating a fracture on the head of the radius. Little bone meet big bone; big bone wins. Here's a diagram I found online.
The pain was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. After I nearly passed out during the x-ray process at the ER, Danielle commented that she might let me off the hook with the whole "men don't know pain like giving birth" argument. I'm pretty sure the x-ray tech got her training during the Spanish Inquisition.
But that wasn't the worst part. While we were waiting on the ER doc's diagnosis, Danielle and I were praying that they were just sprained or bruised. When he came back and told us that both radius' were fractured, my heart broke. That meant we would have to do something we haven't had to do in the 8 years of photographing weddings; tell a bride and groom that we wouldn't be able to photograph their wedding. We have two coming up- Kate and Chris' this weekend in Robbinsville and then Emily and Andrew's next week in Knoxville. Both of them are great couples and their weddings promised to be stellar. And now we're going to miss them. :(
The first thing Wednesday morning, we started calling all our photographer friends to find out if anyone was open on such short notice. We are so blessed to have such a tight-knit group of friends! Tara Kneiser (Dixie Pixel) and Steven Bridges had availability and were gracious enough to rearrange some engagement sessions in order to help us out. So a HUGE THANK YOU to both Tara and Steven. We are seriously indebted to the two of you and cannot even begin to express our gratitude for all they are doing.
We are also blessed with very understanding clients! We have always said that we do have a backup network of photographers in the event something were to happen to us and we weren't able to photograph the wedding. But, like us, I'm sure the brides never think that it could actually happen. Kate, Chris, Emily and Andrew said they completely understood and we made sure they are in good hands with Tara and Steven. So to our couples to whom this has impacted, a big THANK YOU to you too. We know that weddings can be a tense event to plan and I hate that something like this has happened and that we've created a hiccup, but thankfully you all will have some of the best photographers in the Tennessee area taking our place.
We also have to say a huge Thank You to our church family. They have really helped out a lot, from cooking and bringing us meals so that Danielle doesn't have to cook, to giving us money (since our livelihood is on hold until I can use a camera), to even coming and mowing our yard. We are truly blessed!
So what does this mean for me? In the past couple days I've seen my mobility increase in both arms. I can feed myself with my left hand and do little things like push my glasses back up my nose and scratch my face when it itches. But Danielle still has do a lot for me because I simply can't move my arms without pain. Having someone else brush your teeth is a weird experience, let me tell you! But it's been tiring for her since she's just a little bit pregnant and all. She's such a wonderful wife!! Our 8th anniversary is Tuesday and I'm really testing out the "for better or for worse part of our vows".
The orthopedic doctor told me that I did have a simple fracture which was the best kind to have. No surgery, no casts. Hopefully within 2 weeks I should have full mobility back, but it could still be a little while before I can handle any weight. Which means no cameras and no Maddie. We've postponed several upcoming portraits sessions (thanks to those understanding families too!!), but luckily I can tolerate working on the computer. That means getting caught up on the last few sessions and weddings. And some housekeeping like getting our website updated.
Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts. And give your elbows a kiss tonight... you never know how much you need them until they're taken out of commission.
All the best,
Wes
