Kevin

October 31, 2007

Sorry I haven’t written in over a month, but things on campus have been crazy.  I’ll start off with September and write as much as I can remember seeing that was two months ago.  Classes were finally getting into full swing and I had already had tests in all of my classes but one.  Unfortunately, I was not satisfied with my performance when I received them back. D’s!  I am not a straight “A” student, but I’m definitely not a D student.  This was surprising to me because I had actually studied for them.  However, once I realized the mistakes I made on each exam I decided I would change my study habits and have recently been doing better. 

Like I talked about in my last blog, time has truly been flying by.  It seems like the semester just started and already we are signing up for next semester’s courses.  October finally saw a temperature in the upper 60’s, something that Valdosta apparently does not normally see.  Being from Atlanta, I’m used to cold temperatures at the end of September but Valdosta is definitely a different story.  However, after Fall Break everyone came back with hoodies and long sleeved shirts.  As Halloween got closer the talk of parties could be heard all over campus.  The different fraternities had parties and the sorority’s had socials.  I did not attend any, however many of my friends did and had a great time.

However, this past Friday a strange turn of events occurred and I ended up in the hospital with a broken femur!!  The night started out much like any other; my friends and I got ready to go out and drove to Remerton.  While we were out, we were leaving one restaurant to head to another and I gave my friend a piggy back ride.  During our journey to our next destination, I managed to trip and fall.  The next series of events was something I never expected.  The girl who was on my back flew over my head and tumbled to the ground while I slammed my leg into the concrete.  At first, I thought I had a dead leg but soon after looking at my leg this was definitely not the case.  My leg had been shattered and my bones were lying on top of each other.  This may sound graphic, but it is nothing compared to how it actually looked.  My friends the realized how serious my fall was and took me straight to the hospital.  Once we got there they did their best to bring me inside to get me checked in.  After a few minutes in the waiting room I was called back where they had to undress me and put me into a gown.  Undressing with a serious broken leg is not the easiest thing, trust me.  The two girls that were with me did their best to take of my shoes and while I was distracted tore off my pants.  This hurt like hell, but at least it was over.  My mouth began to get dry, which was the point.  They were trying to dry me out because I was going to have to have surgery.  It still had not struck me that this had actually happened.  A few minutes later I was taken to get x-rays and then headed to the operating room.  I said my goodbye’s to my friends as they left to return to the dorms.  However, one friend stayed.  He was the only one that could go back with me into the operating room so he did and just before I went under he took my phone and wished me luck.  When I woke up it was hours later and I was somewhat unsure if the surgery had even been performed.  The nurse told me I would be ready to go to my room once my heart rate went down.  My resting heart rate was 165 which for those of you who exercise know that 165 is high even when running.  After about half an hour my heart rate lowered to 130 which is still high, but is definitely less threatening.  When I arrived in my hospital room there to greet me were my two friends and my Dad.  I was so happy to see them, I couldn’t stand it.  Later that day I had more visitors who brought cards and balloons.  I was then informed I had to stay overnight, which I wasn’t looking forward to but soon got over.  The next morning when I woke up I was just ready for this whole ordeal to be over.  The physical therapist soon came in to show me how to use my crutches.  After about ten minutes of practice, I returned to my room to wait for my lunch and after eating I was released.  The long and short of the surgery was that my bone had completely broken.  They made three incisions on my right hip and three at my knee.  Then to repair the bone they placed a metal rod running up and down with screws running parallel.  I was placed on two pain killers and returned to my dorm.  My friends continued to visit me, but due to the fact my bed is lofted, sleeping in it was not an option.  I was loaned an air mattress and after three days of hell, my mom finally came to get me.  I am now back at home waiting to have my staples removed and an update from the doctor.  I am hoping to return to classes soon and hope that I don’t fall behind on my blog as I did this time.

I’ll be sure to write again at the end of this month!  The semester is coming to a close which is surprising because it’s gone by so fast, but I will be sure to keep you updated.

Until next time,

Kevin