In May we went back to the land to get more fire wood…
it started out like usual, Daddy giving the kids 4wheeler rides into the woods
and checking out which trees to cut…
Since Papaw was there to help the kids and I took off exploring the woods while we waited for them to cut enough for us to start bringing back. After being gone a while we came back and hung out where the guys were. Reygann found this toad and we all took turns playing with it. I was taking that picture when it happened. I heard the chain saws whining, a cracking noise, and Deric yelling for me. I was sitting on a stump leaning on the tree behind me and the kids were all around me, I remember jumping up pushing through them and yelling behind me to STAY where they were! When I got down there the chain saw was still running and it was right next to his foot, do you know how bad it could have been if it had cut him? We were pretty much in the middle of nowhere, sure it would be a quick ride out of the woods, but we would have to unhook the truck from the trailer and pack the kids up and try to find a hospital. (There is one somewhere close by, but we don’t have a clue where) In the one second it took me to get to him I was preparing myself for the worst… and a LOT of blood! Thank the Lord he wasn’t cut!! We flipped the tree off of him and I picked up the chainsaw (it was still running) I didn’t even know how to turn it off! I’m so glad Papaw was there instead of it being just me. Deric stood up and knew something wasn’t right with his knee right away. We sat him on a log and we all kinda took a breather, man the adrenaline was pumping! The kids came down to see how daddy was and the girls were so worried they cried when they saw him.
After a while I went back up the hill and took these picture of ‘the scene’
We got Deric loaded up on the 4wheeler and his dad drove him out of the woods
the kids went on the next trip
I loaded up the cart and packed up the guys tools while I waited for him to return
After he made it back he cleared some of the tree that was blocking the path, I waited there while he cut it just to be safe. :0)
He drove the last cartful back and I walked behind him
When I got back this is how I found him, water, pills, and ice from the cooler on his knee
He wanted me to get a picture of him and his dad with their deer heads while we were there (you know, before all this happened), and he still wanted me to so he stood next to the table I took a few, and I took this one of all the boys.
the side by side
still smiling
I drove the truck home! (He HATES it when I drive!) See the nice scratches?
We dropped Papaw and the kids off at home and they unloaded the the truck while I took him to the ER.
Not much happened while we were there, he got an x-ray (I think) and this super cool brace and crutches :0)
The next day we headed to the specialist to get daddy checked out better
Brody liked looking out the window and watching the ambulances go by
and I liked watching Deric try to get his shoes on! Don’t worry, I helped him! :0)
Brody also liked the rides
He tore his ACL and MCL and the verdict was surgery was needed. So a few weeks later we found ourselves waiting for them to call him back.
Before surgery, after happy juice
After surgery
…we can tell it is after by the ‘get the camera out of my face\I am SO not thrilled’ look below.
A few hours later we were in the car on our way home!
We got home and got him all settled in on the couch
After a quick nap a gave him a few new hunting DVD’s to help pass the time
The next day back to the Dr’s to get the dressing changed…
Deric wasn’t doing so well, you can tell by the bucket we had to bring with us from home!
The surgery site was a lot smaller then I thought it was going to be
…and if I knew all they were going to do was put bandaids on I probably would have just done it myself!
The kids were eager to check it out when we had the bandaids off later
They did their best to take care of daddy… Brody even gave him his blankie and doggy.
Tons of PT later he is almost good as new! We are going to have to get wood again in a few months and I am praying things go MUCH smoother next time!