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)!
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!
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!
