Speaking of Chris my hubby.......today was the first day (of seven) that he started the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).
He is embarking on a journey himself. One that will show others that there is triumph over tragedy. The Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge is an unforgettable seven-day, 620-mile journey down the California coastline from San Francisco to San Diego. The money raised from this race will help towards the payment of handcycles, racing chairs, sports chairs and sports prosthetics for challenged athletes, as well as helping to subsidize for competitions and training expenses. It's an awesome foundation.
In case you didn't know, my husband suffered a near-fatal head injury, a little over 2 years ago on June 30, 2007 - when Austin was just 9 weeks old. I will never forget that day........ Chris was playing on a co-ed indoor/soccer team and it was just 'another' game. I was home with our newborn and received a call that I thought would change my life forever.
My dear friend Rian (who played on the team with Chris) called and said that something terrible had happened. That Chris was playing, fell and hit the wall with his head and was being taken to Palomar Trauma Center. Well, it doesn't help that when you were a paramedic and she was describing some of the symptoms he displayed that in that moment I felt like someone punched me in the stomach. I remember calling my neighbor - screaming and crying - and asking that they come watch Austin so that I could get to the hospital. She came over right away (love you Tania!) and off I went. Thank God for my other neighbor Christina - who calmed me down so that I could actually 'make it' to the hospital (ok - my neighbors are AWESOME!!). :) Looking back, I should NOT have driven myself there but I made it safely. So, when I got to the ER, and saw my husband laying on the trauma bed with blood pouring out of his ear, I just about died. When the Trauma doctor started saying he sustained a 'coup - contra- coup' head injury with bruising on the brain - I knew it wasn't good. So, as I lost it and started bawling he walked over and said, "Don't worry - your husband will be fine." And from then on, it was about 6 months - 1 year of recovery.
Chris doesn't remember what happened (still to this day) and he doesn't really remember the first month after his accident. The doctors said that the reason why he made it through that accident was because he was in SUCH good shape. He had JUST finished running the last 3 academies at the Fire Department and was, really, in the best shape since I had first met him. Had he not been in such good condition, the outcome could have been very, very different.
So, about 7 months ago, I got an email about the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. Chris was trying out different sports because the doctors told him that he really couldn't do 'contact' type sports again - if he got another blow to his head, the 'next time' could be fatal. He had been doing spin classes at the gym to get back in shape and so I mentioned this ride to him. And he looked it over and signed right up. Granted, he had never ridden a bike maybe more than like 25 miles before this but I will tell you one thing.....just a few weeks ago, Floyd Landis (Tour De France winner 3 years ago - but yes, got it stripped for doping) rode with them on one of their training rides and Chris was with him the whole time. Most of you that know Chris know that he is a VERY talented athlete. So, to see him get to this 'pace' in just a short time is pretty cool.
I am glad he did this - it's been quite a journey for him to get to where he is and I couldn't be prouder. Many doubted him even going back to work and within a year of his accident, he took the Captain's test and finished in the top 5 out of about 80 applicants. DAMN! He was born to be a firefighter and obviously this accident wasn't going to stop him from continuing to pursue his goals in the fire service.
Today he finished his first day - San Francisco to Santa Cruz (86 miles) and tomorrow it's from Santa Cruz to Big Sur. He told me how inspired 'he' is by athletes that are riding next to him using handcycles and with prosthetics. Can you imagine doing a handcycle from SF to SD? That's just amazing!! I am proud of you Chris and so are your babies!! YOU ROCK!! :)
As far as tumor news - phone calls, phone calls, phone calls on Friday. Followed up again with a couple different doctors. This one doctor in San Diego hasn't called me back and his secretary doesn't quite understand 'what' I am asking him to do. So, what do you do when this happens?? Make an appointment to meet him face to face! That's what I did!! So, I am sure I will get more answers when I see him next Tuesday! :) Where there's a will, there's a way - right??
Have a great weekend!! Tomorrow is my fund-raiser (still feel weird about that whole thing) and I am in AWE of what Kim and her hubby have gotten in just a few weeks (for silent auction items) - you both are the bomb!!! Go to www.rachellebabler.com to check out the items - it's fricking amazing!!!!! Thanks to everyone that has helped out, donated an item or have made donations and last but not least, for the daily prayers and positive energy. I am making it through this because of you!
Today's Daily Affirmation:
"The exceptional patient is the person who, despite their diagnosis, takes charge of their health and decides to be responsible to their illness or their condition and not necessarily feel responsible for it. One stance is drenched in blame and the other is full of power." - Dr. Christiane Northrup
I am definitely feeling empowered - everyday!
Night :)
Rachelle
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