Today is a day that I take extra time to thank God for his many blessings, his provisions, his healing hand and his watchful eyes! It has been 7 years today since Ryan was involved in the fire truck wreck, and 7 years that we are thankful and blessed to be a complete family!!
7 years ago today, I got a knock on my door at 10pm at night. It freaked me out because I had no idea why 3 men would be standing outside my door at that time of the night. I was greeted with "Mrs. Sanford" and at that point, I knew that something was wrong with Ryan! I was told that he was in a wreck in the fire truck! They told me that it looked like he had scratches, bruises and maybe a few broke bones. I, of course, quickly got the boys taken care of (they were asleep. Colton 3 and Pierce 6months), got dressed and a sweet guy from AMR drove me to UMC where they had taken Ryan. I had no idea what to expect when I got there, but I wanted to make sure that he was O.K.!! The Assistant Chief at the time was standing outside Ryan's door and tried to explain to me what happened. After that, he handed me Ryan's wedding band that had been cut off and I broke down!! It broke my heart to know that whatever happened it required them cutting his wedding band off! They tried everything they could to get it off but nothing worked.
I was not prepared for how I found Ryan in that ER room. He was on the stretcher, had blood everywhere, had gauge wrapped around his left hand and forearm, his face was cut open from his nose to his chin, his head cut at his forehead going into his hair, and his right shoulder looked like it was coming from his cheek, it was that swollen!! Of course, I broke down again, first because I was with him and knew that he was still with me and two, it was really hard to see the love of my life in that condition! Ryan was such a trooper through all of this! Ryan had a broken shoulder, better yet, the ball in his shoulder was broken, a broken ring finger on his left hand, bad road rash on the side of his left hand, a bad cut at his mouth and his forehead cut! We spent all night in the ER. It was a LONG night to say the least! A plastic surgeon was called in to repair Ryan's face around his mouth. It was one of those spots that was important to do it right. His mouth is a spot that everyone sees and they wanted to make sure that it was repaired the best that it could be! That plastic surgeon did an amazing job, and over the years it looks better and better! I was blessed to have people there to support me and be there for us, even at the time of the night it was! After making sure that Ryan was O.K., I went and checked on Ryan's partner who was in the truck with him. His name is Danny. Danny was blessed and didn't have as many injuries as Ryan did. He had a cut above his eye and messed up his shoulder (I can't remember what was wrong)!
The following morning, Ryan was taken to surgery to repair his left ring finger. When he was done, he had 2 long pins sticking out of each side of his finger with yellow balls on the end of each one! We were taken to a room, where we spend 9 days! There was a lot of confusion about what was going on with Ryan's shoulder. Do they do the surgery, do they wait, is there too much swelling, etc... It was chaos to say the least!! Ryan was blessed with many visitors coming to check on him. Some just to visit, some bringing goodies, and some being sweet and going and buying a stand up fan for our room. It was really hot in the room, and a few of the guys were sweet enough to bring us one! Eventually, the dr's decided that the would do the surgery to repair his shoulder.
After 9 days in the hospital, we got to go home! But Ryan's journey to recovery was long from over. Over the next 7 months, Ryan would have 3 more shoulder surgeries and spend many many hours in rehab! Not long after the wreck, the drs told Ryan that they didn't think he would ever be able to go back to being a fireman! The look on his face was devastating to me and I can't even imagine how he was feeling at that moment! I think that was the extra push to do his best in rehab! Ryan has never been scared to work and do things and he did an amazing job through this long recovery period! There were many days of working, chasing 2 kids and taking care of Ryan. He wasn't able to do much since both sides of his body had broken areas! I can't say enough how tough Ryan was through all of this! He endured SO much pain through the whole process!
I can remember Ryan and I talking, praying and thanking God for watching over him and Danny! The outcome of this wreck could have been much worse but God had his hands on them! We have thanked God everyday since the wreck that they both survived and are still with us today! After 7 long months of rehab, Ryan got to return to work on light duty and then eventually he was released back to full duty at the fire department! We praise God that Ryan was able to go back to the job that he loves and has a passion for!!
Just a little detail about this truck. The picture above is after they pulled the truck upright. As you can see, the top of the truck was squished and rested where the bottom of the windows are! Ryan was in the passenger seat of the truck. He was thrown into the driver side floor board over Danny! They were able to get out and Danny helped Ryan walk to the nearest house! The family that lived there were generous enough to help them and do whatever they could for them until the FD and ambulance arrived! We were able to meet that family and thank them for what they did for Ryan and Danny!
There isn't a day that goes by, that I don't thank God that my husband is still here with me and our family! I can't imagine life without him!! We walked a long tough road together though this journey and it brought us closer to God and together as best friends and husband and wife!!
Never take life for granted because none of us are promised tomorrow! Always tell your loved ones that you love them, never leave anger and always cherish the time you have together!!
We Are Blessed!
Thank you Lord!
