What Happened

On June 8th, 2008, I was returning from Ottumwa Iowa to my home after getting clothes to wear to a new job I was hired to start the next day. The weather was really bad that day, but I thought I could beat the storm and make it home. I called my mom to tell her I was on my way, and left Ottumwa. That is the last thing I remember...

From eye witnesses who were behind me on the road, I learned what must have happened. As I topped a hill, Tornado force winds hit the truck I was driving and turned it sideways. The truck went rolling on its side down the road tossing me about like a rag doll. No other cars involved, a freak accident. The Paramedics said I was awake and talking when they got to me, but I don't remember that.

My Mom said she heard the sirens and immediately got a bad feeling and started to worry. Shortly after that the Tornado warning went out and the power went off all over the area. They say a Tornado touched down close by too. When the Paramedics got me to the closest Hospital, the power was also out there.

The Police came to my Mom's house and told her of the accident. Soon after she arrived at the Hospital, because of the power outage and the lack of a Trauma Unit at the local Hospital, I was evacuated to Des Moines, a 2 hour drive away. My Family didn't know if I would make it. They were worried sick. Everyone was so scared for me. So you see, it truly is a miracle I survived.

After I arrived in the Trauma Unit at the Hospital in Des Moines, I was placed in an induced coma because of the injuries to my head. They say after a day or so I pulled the breathing tube out, but I don't remember that either. They put the Halo on me to keep my neck stable, and the next day did Surgery on my left arm and shoulder. I again pulled the breathing tube out. All I remember is the pain. I hurt in places I didn't even know existed. It seemed that nothing the Doctors gave me was working to relieve it. I spent 11 days in Intensive Care before being transferred to the Orthopedic Unit.

My Mom stayed by my side endlessly most of the first few days, not leaving to rest until she was certain I was out of danger. She is disabled and has trouble with her back, sleeping in the chair by my bedside was not good for her. She fed me and helped bath me, putting up with all the gibberish that came out of my mouth. The Doctors said that was normal for patients with severe head trauma. She even called the Trauma Team in to help one night when I was in terrible pain and screaming in agony. The Hospital staff got mad at her, but she said that was too bad, my daughter is in pain and you need to do something about it. Now! I love you Mom. Thanks for being there for me.

While in the Orthopedic Unit, the bones in my shoulder shifted and they again had to do Surgery on it. More excruciating pain followed. My elbow became swollen and hurt like hell. I just wanted it to be over with. I don't cry, but I got very emotional at this time, and cried over just about everything. I was so tired of being poked and prodded with needles, examined, lied to, discussed, ignored, and in pain. You can only understand my frustration if you have been through it yourself. I just wanted to go home.

I'm out of the Hospital now but there is a long, painful, expensive, road ahead of me still. I have physical therapy 3 times a week and have to travel to Des Moines every 2 weeks to see the Doctors. When they did the surgery on my left arm, they said there was a lot of glass shoved up into my armpit and they had to remove a lot of muscle tissue and I lost a lot of blood. They say my bones are very brittle and it may take a long time for everything to heal, if ever. There was also a lot of nerve damage. I may never regain full use of my left arm, but I guess I'm very lucky they could even save it. I still have a lot of pain and I get tired very easy.

Some people say it was the fact that it was a "Big Old Truck", that I survived this accident. The support bar, because it was a 4-door, really may have helped keep me alive. A new car would have been crushed like a beer can. My Dad says I have an Angel sitting on my left shoulder. I'm inclined to think God still has a plan for me. Why else am I still here, and so many others taken, with much less injury? I think my Dad is right. I feel blessed today.

I'm a very independent minded person. I hate letting anyone see me like this. I don't know how long I'll have to wear this stupid Halo bolted to my head or how long it will be before the injuries heal. I hate asking anyone for help. My Mom and Step dad are on a fixed income barely making ends meet. My Dad who lives in California has his own problems, barely keeping his head above water, after getting sober and recovering from alcoholism. Still they have spent money they do not have. The stress of this is almost unbearable. I can see it taking it's toll on my whole family. This is why this web site is here. I will survive this, I'm a survivor, but I need your help.

Take care and God bless... Thank you for reading this.

Angie Hollingsworth

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8