This image shows the window where my youngest son was sitting durning the accident. You could see tiny holes in the metal and light going all the way through to his seat.
A fire fighter came to the ER to check on my family and bring comforting items from the high way that were once packed neatly and orderly. My youngest sons blanket was one of the. There were thousands of tiny holes in it. Right before the accident my youngest son had covered his head and face with it to block the light from the TV and movie that was on. It must be fait that he had done this as it helped block some of the glass from getting so deep into his face. The fire fighter waited with me until my son had come back from testings to give it to him and check on him. When he came back his eyes lit up as the kind fire fighter placed the blanket over him. My son was so thrilled that he would find it and bring it to him. I am sorry I don't remember their names.
My youngest son had to have the objects removed from his head and staples put in. I was able to hold his had during this process and stay with him. He was brave and did very well. After getting cleared he was taken to the room with the girls. Everyone there was almost asleep now. I continued to check on them, tell them how much I loved them and pray.
My oldest son was who I went to next. He was able to have the collar off and feeing better. He wanted to sleep still and needed the nurse to keep him awake/alert. My son asked me to check on the others as he was okay and let him know how they were.
I went to my husband and heard some of the test results. All the muscles were torn from his collar bone and his heart and or other major organs may have been bruised. These are serious conditions and not such good news.
I was able to reach my cousins who we were going to see and about an hour away from. After they realized how serious some of our family members were on their way to help.
My youngest son needed additional care and the other four children were all able to be put in a room in the hospital. It was a good feeling to have them in the same room. Once my middle son was stable he joined us the following day. My husband was on the same floor and on a heart monitor among other things. I kept going back and forth until I could walk no longer.
The nurse brought breakfast for the kids. They didn't eat but had just fallen asleep. I crawled into the bed with them and passed out.
Another nurse and the hospital pastor came into see us. The pastor was kind, prayed with me and for the family. The nurse brought clothing and arranged for something for me to put on and shower. At this point I could view myself in a mirror. I still had open injury and asked to be looked at. Glass had to be removed from my seat, legs and feet and I was in physical pain now but didn't want to be admitted where I couldn't care for my family.
Other nurses came in with toys for the children as well. My cousins arrived and made hotel accomidations and rental car for us. I checked on my family and made it out to the rental car to sign some papers. I could not bear the thought of getting behind the wheel again. He had to park it for me and I went back to the room. My cousins went to get medicine and the rooms set up for us.
My middle son was doing better and finally awake. I felt such joy that he came about and cried. He was still in pain and needed surgery. Able to see my husband now as well. He was doing better with pain management. We set up the surgery for our son for the following day.
A strange man was brought to the room where my children and I were. He had found my planner with our family photo in it along the high way and was bringing it to us. He was told we were in the hospital and said he had to see if we were okay after seeing the photo. This was so kind of him. Not long after he left the pastor came back. He brought news of a prayer from his church for us and had collected funds to help us from the church. I didn't know what to say other than Thank You. Such a kind act from people who never met or saw us. Other members would call and come to pray with us through our time in West Virginia. The prayer and kindness of these people brought comfort to us worth more than all the money in the world.
All but my middle son and husband were released and it was time to go to the hotel. It was so hard to leave my son and husband. I was torn between having to leave and wanting to stay. I had to pray with my middle son and husband and try not to cry. I took the other children to see them and then we had to leave.
Getting into another truck was difficult. Not only physically painful for my kids and I but the emotional strain was so great. I'm glad my cousins could come and help us out. Their employeers were kind and able to allow them to miss work for us.
My cousins had the rooms set up for all of us and stayed in the room next to us until my in-laws came.
It was a restless night. My family in physical and emotional pain beyond anything I could imagine. My mind was going crazy thinking of what happened and what the future would be like. My kids looked to me for comfort and security. I had to do my best to keep it together for them. I felt so torn not being with my middle son and husband and still wanting everyone to be safe together. My mind raced. My body said it had to much trauma. My kids were now feeling the lack of pain medication and are very uncomfortable. I sent my cousins to the pharmacy for pain medication for my kids. As I looked around the room I noticed all the things that didn't really matter any more. It didn't matter we lost our shoes, clothes, truck and contents. The camera equipment and studio equipment I worked so hard to save and purchase didn't seem to have a purpose to me now. I prayed to God that I didn't want anything but my family to be well, for us to heal, for us to live. I would give my own life that my family would be well again. I prayed with my children and thanked God for looking over us. I thanked Him for the rescue workers, doctors, nurses and staff that came to our aid. My kids saw me cry and break down depending on my Faith to help us through this time.
My cousins returned with the medications and something to eat. No one was really hungry but we managed to get a little rest. As we lay on the bed we try to get some sleep. My kids were scared and wanted the lights on