*Edited to include update
I was just in the stupidest car accident known to mankind.
I hit a pole IN THE MIDDLE OF EFFING NOWHERE.
No one was with me, thank goodness. Jonathan and I had (had being the operative word here) a 8 hour rehearsal today and we were at different locations for the beginning of it so we drove separately. Long story short, I was turning around to go to a different parking space, dumped an entire 44 oz. soda in my lap, lost control of the wheel due to, um, ice cold liquid hitting my girlie bits on an already freezing moment. I went to hit the breaks and hit the gas instead and I plowed right into huge, concrete based lamp post.
I hit pretty hard.
My car is totally FUBARD.
There were a lot of lovely women that were on their way into rehearsal who saw the debacle and were lucky enough to get to see my utter breakdown of despair in the parking lot (HI, LOVELY LADIES, SOME OF WHO READ THIS BLOG). Luckily, there was a nurse in the group and she verified that I am generally ok as far as broken things.
She said I was extremely pale but hello! I always look like that. The police and the fire department came (due to the huge amounts of fluids my car dumped out on the parking lot) and they all advised me strongly to go to the hospital to get checked out since the car is really banged up.
As I am in increasing amount of back and neck pain, I concur.
So, I’m just here posting and passing time while I wait for Jonathan to finish taking his dad home after towing our car and we’re going to the ER. I am going to have one hell of a case of whiplash, I can tell.
Yay.
I am glad that I didn’t hit another person, that I am not seriously hurt and know things could be worse.
Still…
2009 has totally rocked my world, y’all.
*UPDATE
I went to the hospital and got treated. Nothing is broken but I am going to have pretty bad muscular goo and pain for awhile. It was emotional because I was right across the hall from where Matthew died and I could see right into the trauma bay. Everything was the same. Even the ugly patterned curtains and green linoleum. I am fairly proud of the way I handled it, though. So…there is that, right?
I got a shot of morphine and went back to choir practice (I know, but seriously, we have 4 rehearsals till our performance, I missed last week because of being really ill and the thought of having to be in bed AGAIN on a Saturday was making me sob. Besides, it won’t REAAAALY start hurting until tomorrow.
The loaded me up on drugs, but had a severe allergic reaction to the anti-inflammatory they gave me. I am very allergic to Ibuprofen but we were hoping that I could still take Naproxen as getting the swelling down really speeds up healing. NOPE. It was pretty scary for a little bit but I had an inhaler and took a mega dose of Bynadryl and am starting to be able to breathe again. Whew. Hopefully, the eye swelling will go down soon.
As for the car itself…we are worried it will be totaled. We are upside down on our loan to about $1,000. It’s not a lot to many people but it is a whole bunch of money for our family. We have the insurance adjuster calling us on Tuesday and so we’ll just hold our breath until then. It’s not driveable at all, so it also leaves me without a car.
I had my camera in the car but it was dying and I only got one shot off.It doesn’t look too bad in this photo but it’s the most flattering angle. If I was just looking at it from this side I would have a lot more confidence and peace of mind that they aren’t going to total our car .
The side is a lot worse. There is literally a huge ass hole and the area above the tire was basically ripped in half. The front part of the car was literally hanging down on the ground but Jon picked it up and kind of stuck it back in place. The force was so hard that the OTHER side of the fender was dislodged and is popped out and destroyed, it just didn’t make it into the frame. The brown stuff is what the fire department put all over the fluids that poured out of my car.
The lamp post is fine, but we made sure to get its license and registration. :)
And yes…it is right next to the cemetery.
Awesome.
THERE IS A SILVER LINING: I will get more physical therapy and we have great auto insurance. SO, hopefully I won’t have more medical bills. We want to trade in our car soon and we had some grill work, light socket replacement and other stuff that had to be replaced anyway that would likely cost as much as our deductible. It also means I will finally get my cracked windshield wiper container replaced. As long as they don’t decide to total it, we will actually be ok , car wise. Hopefully, we’ll be able to trade it in for the van we need soon.
It’s been a really long day. I’m worn out and feel like hud, and my meds are kicking in, so I am going to sign off.
I’m praying the next few days aren’t as sucky as I am thinking they’re going to be.
Later, gator.
Stumble it!
Filed under: 
ohhh, I feel so bad for you… Rest up (yeah, right!) and take care. Hope EVERYTHING improves for you soon :)
What is that saying about things under pressure cause the best parts to rise to the top?
I totally don’t know all those old wives’ sayings.
But stick strong, sister. What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger and build your character. Seriously.
Not trying to give you useless platitudes, but just trying to be a cheerleader in your corner!
oh no hon. That stinks. I am so sorry that 2009 is still being such a bastard to you. So happy that no one else got hurt. Take it easy and hopefully everything will get fixed up like new.
P.S. I would so totally listen to your radio show-I think that guests would be neat as well.
xoxo
Loralee! That suuuuuucks. Please let us know that you’re okay, okay?
2009 can suck it. 2010 is almost here and I for one, and more than ready.
That totally sucks. Glad to hear you’re okay though. Don’t feel too bad it happens to lots of people. My friend hit a lamp pole in a parking lot once in his mom’s car and totaled it. My mother-in-law backed into a mailbox last year after seeing the mailbox and making a mental note to NOT hit it!!
Oh no! Do you have pics of the car?
Hope you start feeling better soon.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Orlando Chiropractor. Orlando Chiropractor said: Can we still call it a car accident if it was just me and a light … http://bit.ly/44nAqS [...]
TOTALLY rocking thus far hey – and it’s nearly over. Time to write this year off me thinks? You and me both!
I’m another one who is anxiously awaiting the end of 2009. Too much crazy sh** goin on for one year. So sorry to hear about your car, your neck, and the 44 oz of wasted diet coke. All are tragedies in their own right. Hang in there sweets.
You poor thing! Maybe we should have a mock new year’s party before the end of the year and pretend it’s over! Stupid 2009.
(glad you’re mostly ok)
If it makes you feel any better I ran OVER a fire hydrant in the middle of a parking lot! Yeah every time we are in that church parking lot my husband teases me!
One more thing – sorry about the suckitude of whiplash and back hurting! No bueno!
Damn. That is so tough. And I’m so sorry that it’ll be kicking your ass for a long, long time.
Aw, crap. If it’s any consolation, I’ve heard from a lot of people (including myself) that 2009 has been the crappiest year they’ve had in a long time. So, you’re not alone, kiddo.
In en effort to make you feel better, I wanted to let you know that I did the EXACT same thing except I was in a parking garage. A COMPLETELY EMPTY parking garage at 3:00 a.m. Was leaving work after a long day and just backed into a concrete support beam. Oh, and I was driving my husband’s car not mine. And he wasn’t my husband, he was my boyfriend. Yes, that was a good day.
I hope you didn’t hurt anything too much! Take care honey!
Yuck. I can relate. Well actually I can’t REALLY relate as my car has never attacked an innocent pole like that, but seriously, we’ve all done rock-stupid things while distracted. In the 80’s (shut up, I’m OLD, I know) I was running late on my way to work. I parked my car in the lot at the subway station, and then, well, I’m not sure what happened. The next thing I knew my car was locked (from the outside), and the keys were in it. To be precise, the keys were in the ignition. And the ignition was in the “on” position. Yes indeedy, the engine was running. Yep, locked myself out of my car while it was still ON. Wasted I-don’t-want-to-remember-how-many hours waiting to get someone to jimmy my car door open for me.
So I can relate. This year HAS been about all kinds of really huge suckage. Is it New Year’s yet?
Huge hugs anyway, even if it’s not New Year’s yet.
David
Oh girl, that sucks. I’m glad you are okay though.
Um just to make you feel a bit better…I once ran over my own mailbox.
Oh lady. This would be funny if it wasn’t so terrible. You poor thing.
Also I hit a car in my parents’ driveway in high school if that makes you feel better.
I am glad that you are mostly okay after that. It could have been so much worse. Hugs. Let me know if you need help.
Bonus physical therapy, though! ;)
I am just sitting here shaking my head…… I swear to GOD Loralee!! WHAT NEXT?
Can I say Jesus Christ on your blog? Because that is about the only thing that comes to mind while reading this.
I am flying your ass down here, if for nothing else but entertainment purposes and because you make me feel so damn put together. Everyone needs you to be their BFF!
I will check in on you tomorrow.
I’m glad you’re ok and I can relate. No really. I hit a horse in the middle of nowhere. It was evening and I came around a blind corner and SURPRISE there’s a horse. You’ll say you’ll hit a pole and your insurance will go ‘ok’ you ever tried explaining how you hit a horse?
I hope they don’t total it. What you’re describing(and it looks newer) is fairly easily fixed but they’ll have a mechanic see if the frame is tweaked cause that’s a bigger deal.
Good lord girl! You’re batting a thousand. Email me if you want some old wives tales tricks to help shake what’s been plaguing you!
Take care and be well.
Blessings
Leann
Im sooo happy to hear that you arent hurt badly! Phewww, cause your car is banged the eff up…
How awful! I know you will be hurting tomorrow but hopefully you won’t be in much pain. Thinking of you and wishing you well!
Sorry for the accident, but you do get more physical therapy, YAY.
I find that Magnesium (tissue salts) is really good for my muscles to keep them relaxed so I don’t need drugs anywhere near as often. It is natural and you can get it from a health food shop or a chemist. The one I take has 300mg of magnesium per capsule and ‘may also benefit nervous tension, muscular cramps & spasms(which I suffer in my back), stress, mild anxiety and sleeplessness when these conditions are associated with low levels of magnesium.’ I find if I don’t have it, I suffer. Maybe something like that may help you.
As a side note, my hubby always says if I’m (or anyone else for that matter) crashes (into) our car, he hopes it is written off. Because a) our insurance will replace it, and b) they are never the same after a repair if it is slightly damaged structurally.
Lots of love.
as long as the light pole doesn’t sue you then you’ll be fine. lol.
my sister did almost the same thing a couple weeks ago. she was in a gas station parking lot, and as she left to take her daughter to her ex-husband, she looked back at her daughter and ran smack dab into the only pole in the entire parking lot. they didn’t total her car (why i don’t know – i guess b/c the car is only a year old) …the entire front was in the shape of a u. it did 5 grand in damage.
*sigh* (HUGS!)
I can’t believe your luck these days. 2009 has GOT to get better (hear me, universe?).
Take it easy on yourself, whiplash is nasty (I speak from experience). Lay in bed, watch crappy movies, eat chocolate, and just rest for awhile.
Everything else will sort itself out. K?
Unbelievable, honey. ((((you))))
Wow. Here’s hoping this is the last bad thing to happen this year. I’m glad you’re OK!
Ugh! Reminds me of when as a 18 yo new driver I hit my friend’s dad’s parked vehicle. Originally just a graze, maybe some paint touch up, but then I panicked and tried to back out and made it much much worse. My parents advised to not use my insurance as it might increase the rate (that I paid, not them) so I used up the $2000 I’d saved for college to fix it but then had no access to a car for the next two years so it wouldn’t have mattered if my rates increased. If you detect bitterness, you are right.
Crap woman. This is just wrong, especially on heels of your family being so ill. Sending good thoughts your way.
Suck a duck friend. That just bites the big humongous one. I can not believe your luck. I’ll bring you lunch one of these days if you need/want. Call me.
Wow. Sorry about your year.
I had an epic bad year once. Gradually, stuff started appearing in my cubicle. I got a dreamcatcher, a Catholic saint protector of something or other (redheads? does that sound right?), incense, a buddha, a four-leaf clover, and a horseshoe. Tell your friends to fix you up, girl!
About your question… I work in the emergency services field, and your experience used to be called an MVA – for motor vehicle accident. Now it’s called an MVC – for motor vehicle collision.
Because who can say what’s an accident and what’s caused by drinking the wrong beverage. 8-O
Diet Pepsi rocks! And so does your site.
Cheers!
DUDE.
That really sucks.
I backed into a tree in our driveway a few years ago. A tree that is nowhere near our driveway. My husband was ticked.
And I bet they won’t total it. Fingers crossed.
I hope you aren’t too jacked up tomorrow.
Oh. My. I am thinking good thoughts that things turn around for you soon. Hugs.
If it makes you feel any better, in the early days of my pregnancy I drove off the road in the middle of nowhere and ended up in the ditch – on the other side of the road – when I was looking for a cd. I forgot to check where I was going. Yay. Oh, and then I totally drove into someone when they had the right of way. hahaha
But I’m glad you’re okay!
I’m glad you’re okay. Shame that the car is not.
I remeber my mom’s doing something alike. When my dad was in hospital a few years back, she was driving his car, shiny new (then, at least) Nissan Micra. She was trying to park it… as she explained later: “This tree wasn’t there when I looked back! It apeared out of nowhere!” xD No wonder my dad’s blood pressure was sky-rocketing when she was telling him that xD (He had an ABPM at the time, so the doctor later couldn’t figure out what trigerred that reaction, until my dad explained what happened xD)
regards,
Amy.
I almost ran into a car in my own driveway last year just because I forgot it was there….
I can’t remember if I commented on this (and I’m too lazy to look back) but OH MY WORD LIKE YOU NEED SOMETHING ELSE TO WORRY ABOUT. Sheesh.
xoxoxoxo
DOOD! THE WAGON!!!
Hey, girl!
I’m a newfound fan of your blog; my online friend Fidget blogged about your site on her Finding-myself-despite-myself blog and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’m sorry you’ve had a rough time of it this year.
About the pole thing… this might not be helpful at all but I wanted to mention that if the insurance company DOES total your car but it won’t cost you more to fix than they pay you for it, you almost always can BUY it back from the salvage yard, fix it, and then reuse it.
I know that sounds weird, but if they paid you (for example) $6000 for it and it only would take $2000 to get it up and running, you might be able to buy it from the salvage yard for el-cheap-o and come out okay. (This happened to my best friend earlier this year.)
Anyway, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you that you’re feeling better soon, that the performance goes well, and that whatever would be BEST (other than a time warp back to before the wreck!) will happen to you w/ the whole car/insurance company thing.
-Sarah
I read your story, and I’m glad you are OK. I was just involved in a very similar accident, and I’d like you and all the ladies that have left their stories that they….made me feel better.
I was in an underground parking garage, backed out of my spot and ALMOST hit a support column. Then was on my way out, turned and *boom*, right in the turn I hit a square concrete column. I didn’t even see it…..I was paying full attention and didn’t see it. Headlights were on. Huge dent in the front of my new car. Radiator fluid everywhere. It needed to be towed. I felt like a HUGE idiot (and still do). The funny thing is, I had a bad feeling driving in because I noticed right away how poorly lit, shadowy and cramped that garage was.
I was driving less than 10mph, but the damages still amounted to $4,400. Airbags did not deploy, but I needed a new hood, bumper, grill, radiator and condenser. It honestly felt like I rolled into the column, and I suffered no injuries.
Anyway, I’m glad you shared you shared your story with us and I’m glad your safe. From now on, I’m going to be even more prudent when driving through parking garages – so if any of you are behind a super slow driver in a garage, so sorry, thats me!!