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My Car Accident Story

Most of my youth, I did not have to take medicine nor was a “sickly” child. I was in good health, and never broke a bone. I took pride in the fact that I did not have to keep going to the doctor. My childhood best friend had to constantly keep going to the doctor due to her health conditions. Also, I did not at the time have allergies. In grade school, I remember learning about illness and I knew many adults in my life that were unwell.

In 2018, I was in a three-car accident. This accident changed my life. At this time in my life, I was twenty years old, just finishing a semester in college, working part-time at a local museum. It was a Saturday; my family and I were going to the movies together. I was in the car with my mother and father. Thinking about it now, it feels like it just happened. My mind can still hear me having a beautiful sweet conversation with my parents. The music from a local radio station is playing in the background as we speak to each other.

My father, who is driving alerts us that there is a slowdown ahead. The car right behind us slows closely behind our car. The third car behind us did not stop but was still at a highway speed and hit the car behind our car which hit our car. I remember hearing the tires hitting. Fear hits me, my hands raise to my neck to protect myself. Thankfully the car just jolted forward and didn’t spin us out of control. Our car and the car behind us had to be towed away. A police report was filed and my older siblings picked my parents and I up from the car accident seen. My family somehow still made it on-time to the movie. After the movie, my family went to dinner and kept going on.

The car accident happened on Saturday and that upcoming Monday I had one last final. It was an online course and I was sitting in my living room taking the final exam, when all of a sudden, I started feeling my back and neck feeling terrible. It felt like I could barely move. I was in so much pain. I told my mother what I was feeling and she explained she was feeling very similar. The next day my mother, father, and myself went to a local doctor’s office that specialized in car accidents. The first time in my life I had an MRI. First and foremost, I had no idea what was an MRI. Since the car accident, I have learned more about medicine and medial terms and information that I was not fully aware of before. I now learned more about an MRI scan from visiting the doctor. I learned how an MRI can reveal my medical history and information about my injures. The doctor explained how my injures were affecting me and how long it would take for recovery and if I would have long term health affects on my body.  

To say that I was nervous was an understatement. I felt like I was learning something new. I had never really had to go to the doctor even often growing up, just for an annual checkup. My body was healthy and strong and now because of a car accident, I was in terrible pain in my body. My entire back was just hurting me, and all I wanted to do was sleep.  It was difficult for me to understand all the medical terms and medicine because I was someone who never needed to go to the doctor.

I remember mentally trying to remember everything that the doctor was telling me and all the medical terms, so that I could research it more afterwards. The same day the doctor recommended I take medicine for my pain. I mainly took Advil when needed for back pain and purchased pain patches from Walgreens. These two medicines helped me while I underwent physical therapy to help my body heal. After about a week, I went back to the doctor to meet with him to discuss my MRI results.

Now, this was when things got interesting. The doctor told me that I had injuries from the car accident. He wanted me to continue physical therapy and see the neurosurgeon to get more clarity and information on my injuries and also help the physical therapist know how to help me with my injuries. After the doctor states these facts he states that he believes that I might have scoliosis but this was not because of the car accident but something that I already had. My mind went blank, as I had no idea that I had scoliosis and was never told about this. Without even thinking, I checked out of the doctor’s office to schedule my next appointment in a couple of weeks. When I got to my car, I just remember wanting to cry and feeling angry.

First, I had this car accident that caused me so much pain in my back and neck, now I had to make changes to my schedule and life just to go to physical therapy and deal with an attorney and a legal case. I felt like my life was just getting worse and worse. Now to top it off, I had scoliosis and now needed to go to another doctor to figure out what to do next. It just so happened that I had an evaluation with my chiropractic. I asked him to do an x-ray of my back and if he believed I had scoliosis.

I also let him have the report to my MRI. After a while of waiting, he came back and told me that he did not believe that I had scoliosis. He went over my MRI results with the x-rays of my back and he did not see anything that would cause this. Relief hit me hard. I remember thanking him and telling him how happy I was to know that I did not have scoliosis. At least it was one thing less I had to think about.

Over the next three months, I went to physical therapy and my chiropractic for adjustments. It was a painful process and I learned more about medical and health over these last few months then I had before. Yes, in school I learned but I was rather healthy most of my life, so I never truly needed to think about doctors and taking medicine. I learned about bones, and how they heal and how to take better care of myself. I also started going to the gym to make sure I was okay. Now I look at sickness and illness differently. I have now myself experienced pain and not feeling well. Having days where I just could not take the pain in my back and neck. It suffered a lot with me injures I even had to quit my job.

 It was hard for me. My mental health was even affected with everything that was happening to me. I felt like my life had changed. I still every now and then get back and neck pain. I have to be careful working out. In addition, I get monthly massages just to help with the neck and back pain. My life was changed by the car accident but it didn’t stop me. It taught me to not take my health for granted and I don’t.

Message me on Social media (@headphonesthoughts) (@headphonesTblog) and/or email me @ contact@headphonesthoughts.com

Whatever life takes you, just enjoy your life. Think positive and be positive.

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Comments

  1. What an extremely stressful time that was caused by this car accident. I am glad you are doing better and that you’re not in constant pain. Having to live with something like that will have an impact on your mental health so it just goes to show you how debilitating pain or mobility issues brought on by injuries can be. I hope your parents are doing well too and you all continue to heal.

  2. That’s a scary story, and one of my biggest fears. But it sounds like after all the pain, anxiety, and doctor appointments you came out on top. Definitely a great reminder to never take your health for granted! As the saying goes, health is wealth.

  3. I’m sorry to hear that you went through that car accident. But, thankfully, you’re better now, and that’s wonderful to hear. It’s true that we should never take our health for granted, so thank you for sharing this message!

  4. Wow, that was a lot to go through. It’s good that you were able to come out from it whole and are taking care of yourself! We should all make our health a priority.

  5. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve suffered from something that’s caused you so much pain. I’ve never been in a car accident thankfully! My back is bad though and I’m currently seeing a chiropractor about it.

    Corinne x

  6. Life can really take you on an unexpected detour sometimes. The important thing is you don’t give up! Continue to live life to the fullest!

  7. I’m so sorry you needed to experience all of this, and that you need to deal with physical problems to this day. You are so right, we shouldn’t take our health for granted. But we are often only reminded how much our health meant to us, when it’s already too late. Thank you so much for this reminder!

  8. I too was in a car accident years ago. The car was damaged beyond repair. Luckily the occupants had no serious injuries. Seat belts save lives. But one think i have learned from this accident is that life is short. So love life and live life in the now.

  9. Firstly, I’m so sorry this happened to you and your family. Having good health is one of the most important things that a person can have. Yet, we usually don’t realize this until we aren’t “healthy” anymore, which is frustrating and sad.

  10. I am so sorry this happened to you. But I am beyond glad that you are better now. Life is too short and we must learn to appreciate everything we have. We should never take our health for granted because like a popular adage says “Health is wealth”!

  11. I know what a painful and traumatic experience can such an accident be especially at a young age. Myself had that kind of experience which actually put my life in danger. Doctors said that it was a miracle I survived but my life was never again the same. I also used to be a really healthy as a kid and never remember myself having to visit a doctor before that day. However, no matter how hard time we had due to our accidents, we are still here and keep doing things and live our lives with gratitude and positivity. Yes, our life isn’t as easy going as it is for some others but I think we turned out to be much stonger after what we experienced and what we have to live along with. Even bad experiences are lessons. We know that 🙂 thank you for sharing your story!

  12. Sounds like you all suffered from whiplash in the car accident, was that what the doctor told you? Although you didn’t have scoliosis, did the scans show you had more of a curve in your back than most? I have a curvature of the spin which which gives me no end of back pain, but it’s not scoliosis

  13. This sounds like you went through an awful time! I know what you mean about never being a sickly child. I was never sick, now I’m always sick as an adult 🙁 Boo! There really is nothing worse than neck and back pain. Hope you’re doing okay 🙂

  14. I am so sorry you had to go through this. Frankly, I have also been healthy most of my life. Not much pains or injuries. So I can relate to what you were saying. Even in my first pregnacy & delivery I was fine. But my second pregnacy & delivery gave a lot of pain & made me uncomfortable. Had depression I had never felt before. One incident can really impact the function of your life. Kudos to you too getting back and moving on in your life. Take care.

  15. It’s amazing how sometimes it takes a huge life altering moment to make us really appreciate life. That car accident sounds so awful & glad that you are okay now. Any car accident, no matter the intensity or severity, is pretty serious & shocking. You don’t expect it to happen to you & when you do you just sit there in numb disbelief. But it is a way to remind us that cars are not things to be taken lightly. They are powerful machines that can kill and hurt people. It is another reminder that we must not use our phones or get distracted while driving but take it as a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe.
    Thanks for sharing your story 🙂

  16. I’m so sorry to hear about the impact this event has had and continues to have on you. I don’t think we appreciate the long term effects that something like this can have on us. As you say, we shouldn’t take things like our health for granted.

  17. Thank you for sharing your story and being so honest! I’m sorry to hear the accident still impacts your daily life! I’ve been in a car accident and it took me a while to get over it so I completely understand you xx

  18. I am sorry to hear about this and I totally agree with you that we should not take our health for granted. I got into an accident 4 years back and it had a huge impact on my life. the physical injuries were cured soon but the effect on my mental health took time to getaway. After that incident, I appreciate my life more.

  19. Hi Deborah,

    I’m sorry to hear about your accident. It sounds as though you had a case of whiplash. It’s painful, isn’t it? I’ve had a similar accident but fortunately at a much lower speed than yours so the damage was relatively minor (but still very painful for a few weeks). To compound matters, the driver that hit my car drove off without stopping to exchange details – I was fortunate that there was a witness who took his registration number!

    I’m glad that you have been able to get on with your life, even if there have been changes.

    Continue to take care of yourself 🙂

  20. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m glad to hear that you are doing all you can to live your best life, taking each day as it comes and doing healthy activities to ensure you are at your best!

  21. So sorry to hear about it. I had an accident several months ago when a van hit me as I was crossing a road – a life-changing traumatic experience. I’m still recovering and actually have an MRI scan tomorrow 🤞 While the traumatic event has taken so much from me and I was diagnosed with PTSD, I feel like I also found strength I never knew I have. I now try to help others who go through similar experiences. Thanks for sharing your story and best wishes!

  22. I’m so sorry to hear you went through this car accident. I agree, it’s definitely very important not to take things for granted. Thank you for sharing your story.

  23. My mom, stepdad, brother and sister all have back issues. My poor brother was stuck on the floor crying tears in pain, it was so bad. Thank God your experience was not as bad. lol. It is strange how you got an MRI then an x-ray, Usually it is the other way around. i have not had back pain and such my whole life. And I thank God for that. My mom just got whiplash and a concussion-not from a car crash but from hitting her head on stone column. It is good it was not scoliosis. Indeed, that must have had a weight lifted off your shoulders! God bless!

  24. Thank you for sharing your story. I am happy to hear you are doing better and you are not letting anything stop you from living your life. We often take our health for granted and I appreciate you sharing this.

  25. Wow what a traumatic thing to go through. It’s terrible how something like this can come out of nowhere when you are just doing everyday activities. And it’s so scary how you felt ok at first and it wasn’t until the next days that the pain hit. Glad you are going okay now and are mostly able to manage it. Marnie xx

  26. I’m sorry you had to have this experience. I’m glad that you’re on top of your injuries and not taking your health for granted. I hope you’re feeling better now and that the rest of your family has recovered as well. Thanks for sharing your story.

  27. that was a scary accident and you guys even went to the movie. Once a doctor told me I have mild scoliosis, sometimes going to hospitals seeing a doctor is scary but its important to do so.

  28. I am glad you came out on top with a positive attitude, that sounds like a scary situation. Also, good thing you were misdiagnosed with scoliosis although I’m sure you would take that with a positive attitude as well.

  29. I am so sorry to hear about your accident, though glad that you managed the pain. Hope you’re feeling better now and completely agree that we shouldn’t take health for granted! x

  30. What a life changing experience. I don’t think the connection between long term pain management and mental health is talked about enough, being brave enough to share your experience might just help someone else. A really thoughtful, thought provoking post.

  31. I’m so sorry you had to go through this! I was in a very similar accident, and dealt with back issues from it. I too, was told I have scoliosis. Unfortunately, back issues can be such a gray area. Multiple doctors confirmed it, including massage therapists, physical therapists, and anyone who looks at me can see my back curves not only side to side, but front to back. But, I had a doctor tell me recently that I never had scoliosis, just an injury from the accident. I’m at a point where I don’t know what to believe, other then the fact that it hurts! I hope you are able to strengthen your back and not have drawn out problems! It really does take over your entire life.

    https://thenutmegdiaries.com

  32. OMG so mad to think you walked away thinking you were fine, and then it caused you all that pain! I’m so sorry you had to go through this

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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