Glenda Graves 2015
Glenda was peddling down her typical path when riding her bike; all of a sudden… she was being transported by ambulance to the St. Francis Memorial Hospital and would soon be life-flighted to Creighton’s trauma center. “I could feel and hear a semi-truck behind me. A semi-truck and a bike, you know, doesn’t turn out well.” Glenda recalls most of the traumatic events that occurred on July 26, 2014, as she remained conscious after being hit by a semi-truck and tossed into the wheel-well. She sustained a cracked pelvis and deep wounds. Glenda was kept at Creighton in the Intensive Care Unit for 11 days before being transported back to St. Francis Memorial Hospital for her journey to recovery. With the help of her doctors, nursing, physical and occupational therapists, “I had to learn to walk all over again. The big thing was being able to come back here to my community. That was really important.” Once Glenda was able to put weight on her legs, she could begin to see the light. Physical therapy assisted Glenda in managing the wound vac to help heal her deep wounds and begin healing her hope that she may walk again. She had a Home Safety Assessment completed with an occupational therapist to assist in making modifications to assure home was a safe place to transition to. She was able to go home on October 6, 2014, and returned for outpatient physical therapy until February 2015. “You can never give up, remain positive…there’s always a light” are the encouraging words Glenda would share to others who are encountering difficult time. Since then, Glenda has gotten back to doing the things she loves. Glenda is a very active member of her community, during the Cuming County fair as she serves as the co-superintendent of schools during the fair. “I’ll be at the fair this year…God willing!” She also enjoys exercises, gardening, baking, and writing poetry in her spare time. She has written a beautiful poem in tribute to her “Support Team”.
Tangling with trucks
You just can’t win
It’s not an encounter
You wish to be in
God’s support team
Came into play
A fervent call
To save my day
Doctors and nurses
Therapists true
Special angels
Knew what to do
Days and weeks
Bones knitting together
Time observed
By watching the weather
Miraculous healing
God’s gift from above
Through God’s support team
My heart’s filled with love
Sand so through these words
Amidst pain and strife
I salute YOU ALL
GOD’S SUPPORT TEAM
For saving my life!!
