Dear Tyler,
August 2007 around noon, you called me and said that you had been in an accident.
I started panicking but you told me you were fine. I drive to where you are. On the North Bound freeway entrance off Center Street in Provo. I see your Landcruiser completely totalled and being towed away. You were sitting in a Cop car filling out lots of paperwork. I started to calm down when I saw you in one piece. Until you tell me what happened.
You were driving the fast lane of the freeway. Another truck swerved into you and pushed you up against the cement wall. The Landcruiser caught some loose gravel and threw you across all 4 lanes of traffic until you flipped between 4-6 times. You said that you're eyes were wide open the whole time you were flying through the air. I think I remember you saying you even laughed to yourself thinking, "Is this really happening?" The car landed on the hood.
You told me that people pulled over to help you and they said that they figured they were going to be pulling a dead man out of the car. Witnesses said that the truck that hit you, pulled over for a second but decided to drive away instead.
You crawled out of the windshield. You declined the offers to go to the E.R. because you felt fine. Only a few scratches and a lost shoe.
It wasn't until the next day when the adrenalin and shock wore off that you felt the full effects of the previous day.
For the next two years:
Bulging Discs, Nerve Damage, Numbness, Muscle Spasms. Debilitating pain 24/7. Physical Therapy, Cortisone injections, weird back contraptions and lots of Icy/Hot. But nothing worked.
January 6th you had back surgery. A Discectomy and a Fusion. It was an amazing feeling to know how many people were praying for you. I could feel each and every prayer. I have never been so nervous and scared for you but I have also never felt so happy for you. This literal Hell was finally over. When you were wheeled into your room, I will never forget the look on your face. In that moment, I knew what it felt like to be needed and loved. You
needed me.
You said you instantly felt relief. No more nerve pain.
I loved being with you those days in the hospital. I loved hanging out with you all day. I loved helping you out of bed, helping you into bed, helping you walk, and sleeping in that horribly uncomfortable chair next you bed and holding your hand.
Now you are home. I love being your crutch when you walk laps around the house. You look so cute when you wander around with your cane.
I am so happy that this chapter of our life is closed. I love seeing the old Tyler. You are back.
I love you.