December 4,2011- a day that will never be forgotten, at least for our Jennifer. Not because it was her 35th birthday but for what happened during what was suppose to be one of her bucket list goals. It was the day of the Dallas White Rock Marathon and she and two other friends had been training for this day for months. It was going to be her first full marathon. She was so excited that it was scheduled on her birthday and this was going to be a highlight of her long running career.
We had sent them off and told them to have a great weekend. Taylor and Presley were staying with us and we had a big weekend planned for them as well. We headed over to Granbury to do some shopping (we needed a new Christmas tree) and then to eat out and see a movie. The kids decided on The Muppet Movie. Presley controlled the popcorn bucket and would occasionally give you your portion! It was a really cute two bucket movie and enjoyed by all. Everything went as planned. The kids had a great time and the marathon couples were enjoying each others company in Dallas.
We got up early on Sunday morning to watch the marathon on tv hoping maybe for a glimpse of our crew. The weather was horrible- cold and wet but we knew they were in that crowd somewhere. We were texting her back and forth between us and Jeremy when about mile 17 things began to go south. She said her left leg and hip started hurting. By mile 20 she could not continue and her leg would not go forward anymore. She was taken to the finish to meet Toby and she said as she turned to get out of the police car, it snapped and the real pain began.
Not having any idea anything was broken, they headed home and eventually to the ER where an x-ray revealed the bad news- a broken hip. When Toby called to tell us, Beverly lost it. It's one of those times when you're angry, upset, scared and feeling sorry mostly for her that her dream won't come true and you know what she is going to have to go through. She was taken to Scott and White by ambulance where they did surgery during the night. Nothing could have prepared us for this. After all- 35 year old's don't break their hips and she didn't even fall! A week in the hospital and a couple of weeks here with us, physical therapy and time and we are happy to report that she is making a fast recovery.
She has gone from a walker to a wheelchair to crutches and is back at school teaching from her desk. She goes back to the Drs. next week for a checkup and more tests but we are hopeful that she will make a full recovery. There is some concern about the blood flow to her hip but we are confident that everything will heal. We would, however, like for everyone to keep her in your prayers. People have been so good to her and we want everyone to know how much it has meant to all of us.
When she went back to the Dr. the first time she wore her White Rock shirt and asked him about when could she run again? He started laughing and reminded her that she had told him the night of the surgery that she never wanted to run again!! She and her Dr. have become good friends- he's only a year older than her and just happens to be an Aggie! He said she was famous at S&W, her x-ray's having gone viral among the staff! He also told her that her long distance running days are probably over but she's had a good "run" so to speak- three state championship cross country team wins and some half marathons. But, she is a tough one and who knows what the future holds!
