There is a happy ending to this sad story

[skiwishes]

I haven't posted this season.

Two days before Christmas my husband was returning from a training session along a flat trail (Road Runner for those of you who ski Sunday River). A young teenage girl was coming towards him, and at the last minute she turned right into him. She put her head down and her helmet struck him in the chest, fracturing his sternum.

It was an excruciating injury. The x-ray showed a small nodule in his right lung. It was malignant. In February he had the upper lobe of his lung removed.

We have been unable to identify the girl. She saved my husband's life, and we will be forever grateful. Without the accident we would not have known until probably too late.

Grateful to Dana-Farber, too, and our surgical team.

I've been back on snow for almost a month. It has been wonderful. January was a blur, February indescribable. My husband will be back to skiing and instructing next season. The Universe is a beautiful, wondrous place.

 

[ski diva]

Wow, what an incredible story! Your husband's injury sounds dreadful, but how fortunate it led to the discovery and treatment of his other problem! Glad to hear that he is on the mend, and that things are looking up. Best wishes to you both.

 

[ski now work later]

Miracles happen in mysterious ways, thank you for sharing your beautiful story.

 

[skiwishes]

Thank you. When really bad things happen, we get a chance to see the best in people.

It puts things in perspective, too. Two days after getting out of the hospital, I drove him (role reversal!) 1 1/2 hours to attend a fly-tying class. He has his priorities straight!

 

[skiwishes]

It was miraculous.

 

[mtnbikegirl]

So glad found out in time. It happens more than you think. A good friend's dad cracked his ribs while giving his granddaughter a bath. Went in for x-rays and they found out he had early stage lung cancer. They caught it in time. He's lucky he broke his ribs.

 

[pinto]

WOW ... thank goodness. A lady at my tennis club ran into the wall and knocked herself out; they took her to the hospital and found a brain tumor when they did a CAT scan to check out her injury. Same deal.

SO glad all is well! It's nice to hear good stories, for a change, isn't it!

 

[skiwishes]

According to the surgeon, the majority of lung cancers that are small enough to be considered 'cured' by surgery are 'incidental' findings: usually after car accidents.

I'm not sure why we don't still have routine chest x-rays, like they used to do.

 

[skidoc120]

Thanks for posting, skiwishes! You never know where life is going to take you, do you? I was holding my breath, fearing to hear of his ski injury, and then thrilled to hear of the good news. Here's hopes of a speedy recovery. Sounds like he's well on his way!

 

[skiwishes]

Thank you so much.

 

[ski4fun]

Wonderful story! was wondering, did the girl even stop after hitting your husband? or did he think he was ok just after it happened, would be so great if she could hear (the rest of the story!)

 

[SnowHot]

What an incredible blessing.
Embrace life every day!

 

[skiwishes]

She stopped and they exchanged the usual 'are you okey's.' When he said, 'no, I need ski patrol,' she was devastated. Her dad arrived, my husband explained how to get help. When ski patrol arrived, the father said they were staying at the Summit Hotel and would report what happened to the concierge and left. SP was busy with my husband. We have tried to find her, with no success, because we owe her our future!

And, you are right: it would be good for her to know there was an ultimate good that came from the incident. Accidents happen, and we are glad she was unhurt. If she were only a guardian angel, she earned her wings!

 

[overthehilldiva]

The universe works in wondrous ways sometimes. My thyroid cancer was found because of another less serious parathyroid adenoma. Glad to hear he's doing well and that this was "a happy accident."
OTHD

 

[atlantiqueen]

I have goosebumps. So glad to hear of a happy ending!

 

[Swamp Dog]

wow wow wow! So glad to read of your happy ending!

 

[MaryLou]

Wow...what good luck, although it probably seemed like the worst luck that day. I'm very familiar with Road Runner, such a flat trail but some good blind spots and since it's not so wide I can see how an unexpected move can cause a crash. I post on the SR board, if you want me to relay your story there, someone may know someone who knows the teen...

 

[skiwishes]

Thanks, MaryLou. I plan to do that.

 

[Robyn]

Wow, what an incredible story. All my best to you and your hubby!

 

[Pequenita]

It's anecdotes like these that fuel my faith in the world and the powers that be. Thank you for sharing this story.