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| Erin Harding's Fundraising Page |
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| I am a Mommy of two amazing children, a Marine Corps Wife, and a Triathlete. On July 23rd 2009, while living overseas in Okinawa Japan, I was hit by a drunk driver while riding my bicycle. I was on my way to swim practice, and was hit. The bicycle and I flew approximately 40 feet. I was rushed to the ICU of the Naval Hospital Okinawa, where it was discovered that I had a crushed lumbar spine, broken pelvis, and severe road rash abrasions on my face, and the right side of my body. Because my spine was broken, there was a portion of it laying on a series of nerves, and I required my first of 6 major surgeries. The Naval Hospital Okinawa was not equipped to handle the trauma of my injuries, so it was decided that I would be sent back to the United States so that I would be able to be cared for. After 9 days in the ICU getting strong enough to travel from Japan back to the United States, I was able to get on the plane. It took 6 days to get from Okinawa to the US, with stops in Hawaii, Northern California, and finally settling at Balboa Hospital, San Diego California. Once arriving in San Diego, I was able to be treated right away. I had the second surgery on my spine. It was a fusion surgery of the T11 vertebrae to the L3 vertebrae. 2 Vitalium rods were placed, along with 8 titanium screws to keep my spine in place so that it will fuse together. I will lose all movement in that area of my spine, and the vertebrate above the fusion and below the fusion will take on the movement and strain of the 5 fused vertebrae. The next day after the fusion surgery, I had a second surgery to correct my broken pelvis. A titanium rod was placed into the pelvis and the bottom portion of my spine, the sacrum. Eight days after the two surgeries, I was released from Balboa hospital to the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute. I needed to re-learn the simple things in life, like walking, sitting, and bathing. About 7 days into my stay at rehab, it was discovered that my fusion wound had developed an infection. I was taken back to Balboa hospital where I was immediately sent back into emergency surgery to clear out the wound. I had 3 subsequent surgeries in a span of 8 days to clear out the wound and eventually close it up. I went back to rehab to start again. In total I spent 51 days in the hospital, and then was able to come home. I lived in a bedroom in our house where I had a hospital bed, and had nursing assistance twice a week. My husband was put on humanitarian orders, and was able to stay home from work until I was recovered enough for him to return. As I write this, I am in training for Ironman Arizona 2010. My goal before the accident was to complete a full Ironman race. I believe that exercise and lifestyle has been imperative to my recovery, and I am using my training as rehabilitation. Each day I continue to recover and get better. Please look for me to cross that finish line on November 21st, 2010.
Event: Ironman Arizona 2010 on November 21 |
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