I'm very concerned about Jen too. If you read the report from our visit, I am sure you'll see it probably won't be soon. She will need one more surgery before she can think of home...and has lots of rehab ahead of her. Very little she can do for herself as things are now. Both arms are disabled, (rather: one arm and one wrist/hand). Wish her the best, send cards if you can, or post notes. Although she doesn't have email yet, our notes are read aloud to her over the phone.
It was about dusk, and a little coolish. She had saddled her horse and was exercising it in the arena. She said noting much was different, and she could tell (through the eyes of her horse) that he was feeling really good and happy. Playful. Suddenly, her pony began to buck and pitch and it was so quick, she was thrown into the air and down to the floor of the arena. She landed on her hands/arms first. She was bleeding profusely, and didn't know how she'd get help. An hour or so later, she was able to get to her phone and call for help. She seriously thought she would die on the arena floor. With both hands seriously injured, dialing a phone would be almost impossible
She has been thinking about breeding miniature horses. Her current stock is owned by her father, and he is threatening (rather insisting:) that they be sold. Methinks this is the final straw for him! This isn't the first time she has been injured so critically. She is truly, reeeeely hurt badly.
That's the thing with horses. They feel really good in cooler weather, and will often act out in joy. Hence the bucking and all. I agree with Jen, that it wasn't the horse's fault. It's what horses do, when it's cooler. But, with Jen's situation with her husband, perhaps it's time to rethink the horse idea. She can't be disabled, too. I so hope she's able to have successful rehab and recovery. I know she doesn't want to get rid of the horses. I wouldn't either. Sometimes hard choices are difficult to make.
I loved having horse, never had a serious accident with any of them. But I did have one roll me over in the lake. Laughing just thinking about it... ahhh I miss them.
I can see her Dad's point though, one just never knows what can happen. Poor Jen! ((Jen)) I hope you will carry a cell phone on you from now on ((hugs))
Jen told me that she has thought seriously about getting into the minature horse breeding business.
These are tiny little horses that are gaining popularity and would keep her with her love of horses, but horses that would not hurt her already fragile body.
My sister raises mini's in Washington state. I think she has 11 now. They are so cute. Her problem is that each and every one is "her baby" and she can't sell one of her babies!!
I've ordered some books (on mini horses) for Jen to peruse. I'm sure she is bored crazy there...anything you guys can send along the same line would be so nice. How about the current magazines you've read. When she finishes, she can share them. Just getting mail would brighten her day I'm sure. Isn't there one of you (Nikki?? maybe) who is into horses? Are there horse magazines? Let's brighten up her room....OK?
."...whatever we do for the least of these, we do it unto Him"
What a sweetie you are, Nancy. Excellent idea. So many of us are looking at "downsizing" abodes, responsibilities, lifestyles, etc., I think it makes perfect sense for Jen to downsize her ponies.
Nancy, you are kind and thoughtful as always! I have a card ready to send. I should include a picture of the road in front of our house. It's usually littered with myriad horse droppings. (Or whatever they're called). We have a farmer across the road and one just around the corner that have stables, so our little country road is travelled mostly by horses. And it shows <grin>. If this gets read to you, Jen : thinking of you and wishing you well!
I think "myriad droppings" says it all, Jeanette. Funny ...I was thinking about you earlier today. Are you fluent in Dutch or can you get by with English where you live? Your husband IS Dutch, correct? I cannot imagine all of your bike riding. How healthy your heart must be! (grin). With my recent luck, I'd fall over and break my neck if I got on a bike.
Yes, I've spoken Dutch fluently ever since I first came: set out to learn it, and did, in the first couple years. Dh is Dutch, and we've spoken Dutch at home ever since the kids went to kindergarten. I am in education and my conviction was that children need to grow up in one language that they can immerse themselves in and develop their thinking freely. I always read bedtime stories to my kids in English, so they grew up with at least a passive knowledge of it which easily became active during our frequent trips to the States. The rule was: we all start talking English together the moment we get on the airplane. On the return trip they rejoiced to be allowed to go back to Dutch! Now I can speak, understand and read it just as fluently as English although I still make mistakes and my "r" always gives me away as an English speaker to anyone who is at all knowledgable about accents or languages. The most frustrating thing for me is that I can't make verbal jokes in Dutch. I mean, I CAN, but people, even dh have always looked at me as if they wanted to correct me (instead of laughing). So I gave it up, I think. I taught literature for many years in English so I could joke to my heart's content.
jen is back in the hospital and scheduled for surgery tomorrow. She is terrified, and may possibly lose her arm if they can't realign it properly. She thanks those who sent flowers and cannot get online to thank people. she is in definite need of prayers, and being alone as she is, she is scared. She is at the University of Va hospital in Charlottsville, VA..
Oh, I am so sorry. She must be terrified, lonely and scared. I cannot imagine what she is going through! Much prayer being sent and lots of hugs and caring.
Yes, thanks so much for the info.....Sent a card, but does anyone know the what floor or room she is on? I'm wondering if this info can even be shared. -----Will she be in ICU? She's in my prayers too.....