Peeing Is Overrated | The Untold Story of "The Miracle Patient"

THE MIRACLE PATIENT

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This film is not just about another near-death experience. This is the story of the prayer that changed everything, the power of forgiveness, finding love in the most unexpected places, and the resiliency of the human spirit.

TAKE PART IN THE MIRACLE

The making of this documentary has been a labor of love. Like Erin's recovery, the process has been filled with challenges and victories, as well as stops and starts. Erin, Jordan and their team of contributors and partners remain committed to sharing her story and the mission to inspire and support the spinal cord injury community as well as advocate against the devastating consequences es of driving under the influence along with the non-profit, Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

One of the biggest obstacles remaining is the funding necessary to complete the film, submit it into film festivals, and share it with the world. Erin, Jordan, and her team would very much appreciate your support. Any, and all, contributions are welcome. Please also be sure to subscribe to the Peeing is Overrated The Film newsletter (below) to follow along with their journey to make this film a reality.

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11 years ago on this day— 11/05/2014, four days before being hit head-on by a wrong-way drunk driver— after house church, we took these photos. I felt oddly terrified after looking up blue orbs and connecting them to the need for protection.

I drove home feeling terrified that I was going to get into a car accident and be injured.

I truly look back at this night, surrounded by love and spiritual conversation during Midweek, and in this moment feel so loved and taken care of by God that days before I almost died, my angels were with me.

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.1.14.NIV

On the second full day of MADD’s 45th anniversary event, and after hundreds of us spent the day on Capitol Hill advocating for the implementation of the HALT Law passed in 2021, MADD held a special vigil for victim survivors and their families and friends. I was honored to be apart of the vigil, to read a poem, and to be gifted a “healing portrait” that MADD had commissioned by an artist.

Each MADD National Ambassador was gifted a “healing portrait “ of either themselves as a survivor, or of a loved one killed by a drunk and/or drugged driver. The healing portraits were presented to us by a former MADD National President. They called it a passing of the baton in a sense. We are so grateful for the women and men who went before us and showed us the way.

Thank you to MADD for the most amazing gift to remember our own journeys/memories of loved ones lost. I sobbed because of how special of a gift this felt for me, and also because I have made a personal connection with MADD’s most recent National President @tessrowlandtv , and this was the first time we had met in person. Thank you Tess. You, and MADD’s other former National Ambassadors including: Alex Otte, Jan Withers, Millie Webb, Glen Birch, Wendy Hamilton, Helen Witty, and Karolyn Nunnallee, among others, leave an amazing legacy behind, and we are honored to know, and follow, your leadership under MADD’s CEO, Stacey D. Stewart.

#maddnational #maddnationalambassadors #maddnationalambassador #MADD45 #carcrashsurvivor #capitolhill #HALTLAW #nomorelives #lifeaftertragedy #washingtondc #dontdrinkanddrive #vigil #drunkdrivingvictims

It’s hard to put into words the incredible experience I had in Washington D.C. this week advocating for change, the HALT Law, and passive drunk driving technology that can be implemented RIGHT NOW, and with a simple software update in most cars that would cost, literally, in the SINGLE digits.

For cars that don’t currently have updated safety technology including automatic braking systems and sesnsors, auto manufacturers from Europe and GM said to retrofit a car with passive drunk driving technology would cost as much as $50. IIHS acknowledged this technology as the gold standard for safety.

NHTSA, The National Road Safety Foundation, and others came and supported/sponsored this two-day event hosted by MADD—Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.

I had the privilege, &honor of a lifetime, alongside hundreds of other victims and survivors, to fulfill my role as one of MADD’s 11 National Ambassadors and meet with State representatives/Senators/office staffers on Capitol Hill to educate, make our voices known, and ask for their continued support w/implementing this technology that was supposed to be implemented by 2026.

There has been misinformation circulating in Congress, and among the population, about this passive technology, and I’m here to tell you that this technology has the potential to save more than 10,000 lives a year and prevent hundreds of thousands of injuries like mine WHEN fully implemented. The goal of the software and technology is NOT to infringe on anyone’s privacy, nor does it send the information anywhere, or store info, but it does calculate BAC and prevent the car from moving (not starting) if the driver is at/over the legal limit. It is also as passive as a backup camera.

We are so grateful for our supporters and applaud the future that is already here. We are grateful to responsibility.org for your partnership in this fight. Thank you to MADD for all your work over the last 45 years and HONOR/CELEBRATE all you’ve been able to accomplish since your inception on your 45th anniversary!

Thank you to @soup.photo soup.photo , the co-director of our documentary, friend, and brother, for traveling with me and filming this monumental occasion!

Support Spotlight: Misha ✨

She’s more than a best friend—she’s family.

I’ve known Misha since the 3rd grade, and she’s been by my side through every season of life. From our “Girl’s Club” days in elementary school to flute-section squabbles in band, our friendship has stood the test of time.

The truth is, I had been praying for Misha among other things. Two days before my crash, I had a premonition during prayer that something tragic would happen, and that it would happen to me. I looked to the sky and prayed the hardest prayer I’ve ever prayed: “God, do what you need to do, just please do not take my life.” After my life was spared, Misha was one of the very first to step in and hold me up. She never left my side—staying overnight at the hospital, writing me letters of encouragement, and even dancing by my rehab bed with my sister, and two other best friends, Sevil and Sissy . 💕

In her words: “I’ve never known a love or faith like yours [Erin’s] before.” 🌟
—
#SpotlightStory #UnbreakableBond #ChosenFamily #TheMiraclePatient #DocumentaryJourney #PeeingIsOverrated #womeninfilm #walkingparaplegic #carcrashsurvivor #lifeaftertragedy #perseverancepaysoff #basedonatruestory #film #makingafilm #spotlight #contributors #besties

I had the privilege and honor to share my story with Seattle’s @warm1069 and Kate Daniels back in June. Thank you for sharing my story! It was a privilege pleasure speaking with you!

https://warm1069.com/episode/6-15-25-erin-rollins/

Please check out this article I contributed to in the City Biz Chicago: https://www.citybiz.co/article/696335/madd-launches-safe-summer-campaign-ahead-of-memorial-day-impaired-driving-survivor-erin-rollins-shares-lifesaving-tips/

Happy Memorial Day! We honor those who have served our county and those who have sacrificially lost their lives in the line of duty.

I come from long line of military members and veterans. My grandfather served in WWII, my uncle in the Vietnam War, and one of my cousins has been deployed four times to Afghanistan, while another one currently serves in the Air Force.

Enjoy your holiday and please think before you drink and plan a safe ride home.

@maddnational #maddnationalambassadors #dontdrinkanddrive #carcrashvictim #nomorevictims #techsaveslives #ambassador #madd

Happy Birthday Bestie Jacqui McGowan !!!!! 🎉🙏🏻💕🥰😍.

From designing Dennis and my “Save the Dates” to our wedding invites exactly as I had envisioned, to serving as an attendant in our wedding, and ending up in my documentary, (during a weekend you stayed with us while we were filming) to becoming one of my bestest friends, I truly believe our friendship was God’s great design!

From laughing so hard we cry, to actually crying, laughing about how I mess up the lyrics to songs EVERY TIME— “Give me the sugars!!!” — to helping me finish my website, assisting with graphic design for my many ideas and projects 😆; and dreaming about finishing my documentary/all that God can do with my story, I am so so grateful to have found such a loyal, fun, considerate, creative, best friend in you!

You have a heart of gold 💛 and I hope you know how truly amazing and awesome you are! I LOVE you! Thank you for loving me and dreaming with me! I can’t wait to celebrate you!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful moms! This is my mom’s second Heavenly Mother’s Day. I miss you so much Momma, and wish I could hug you once more. 💐

I am also so so grateful for my Mother-in-law, a woman I prayed for since I was a child. I always desired to have a close relationship with my future husband’s mom. Momma Paula, you are loving, nurturing, caring, smart, fun and so many more things! I struck gold having you as a mother-in-law.

Happy Mother’s Day to Pam, who has become like a pseudo mom to me, and is playing my mother in the re-enactments for my film. I love you and am so grateful for your friendship!

Enjoy the day and hug your mother close! 🌹🙏🏻

A couple of weeks ago, Director of Missions Operations with MADD, Erin, fellow MADD National Ambassador, Sheila, and myself met with Representative Bill Foster to advocate for the HALT Drunk Driving Law. @austinslanterns @maddnational

Here are a few facts about the HALT Law:

- Since 2006, thousands of drunk driving victims
and survivors have advocated for ypassenger
vehicles to incorporate passive technology that
prevents drunk driving before it occurs.

- In 2021, Congress passed the bipartisan
Honoring the Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate
(HALT) Drunk Driving Act (Section 24220
of PL 117-158) as part of the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

- The law directs the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) to create a
rule, or federal motor vehicle safety standard
(FMVSS), requiring all new passenger vehicles
to have built-in technology to prevent
drunk driving.

- The HALT Drunk Driving Law was not tied to
a specific technology; Congress recognized
the potential for multiple industry-developed
solutions to compete for standardization.
Anti-drunk driving technology is NOT a
breathalyzer or ignition interlock device. The
technology is “passive,” which means it operates
without driver engagement, seamlessly ensuring
a normal driving experience — except for those
attempting to drive drunk.

- Technologies in development by auto
suppliers include breath-based, touch-based,
and monitoring eye movement for alcohol
impairment, all of which would take action
to prevent a crash if the driver is intoxicated.
Our organizations do not have a preference
regarding the type of technology.

We are fighting everyday to get drunk drivers off the roads and make driving safer for everyone. Thank you to Bill Foster for meeting with us here, and in Washington DC last year, and helping us fight for safer roads. Sheila, my fellow MADD Ambassador’s, son was killed by a drunk driver. As a victim, and survivor, of drunk driving myself, we will continue to advocate against a completely PREVENTABLE crime. Technology exists that could save the 10,000 lives lost every year to this crime.

Happy Birthday to my ride or die, best friend, and soul sister!

Thank you for always being there for me and believing in my story/project. Your love has changed my life and I’m so grateful to walk this second chance of life that I have with you!

@sissycharles3

Happiest of Birthdays to my BFFE! You are one of the most amazing 🤩 people I know, and I’m so grateful to call you a best friend and #soulsister. Life is more full of depth, joy, love, and fun because you are in it. You have been a loyal friend through and through. Your love has changed my life!

P.S. You are drop dead gorgeous inside and out and I love you so much!

#bestfriends #birthday #lifeaftersci #lifeaftertragedy #love #celebrate #carcrashvictim #friendship #support
#childhoodfriends❤️ #memories #threemusketeers #highschoolbesties

The last time Dennis and I were in Houston for a surgery was in the middle of a pandemic in 2020. My co-director, @soup.photo , and one of my closest friends/brother flew with us to document the surgeries (I had bilateral nerve transfer surgeries 2 months apart). Jordan filmed for the documentary& did a mini couple’s photoshoot in our hotel room 😆. I feel they are the perfect cross between a really cute/awkward photoshoot.

While I believe the nerve transfers helped me significantly, I just found out that I developed painful neuromas behind my right knee from the surgery. A neuroma is a benign tumor/growth that usually forms when peripheral nerves that are regenerating go haywire. I will see my plastic surgeon next month to go over my options as it has become really painful and is affecting the signal on my sural nerve.

Tomorrow, 11/22, I will be undergoing a procedure that is most likely unrelated to the crash. We don’t know for sure, but I developed weird symptoms during &after moving out of a home with Aspergillus mold— weight gain, fatigue, sinusitis, burning nerve pain, headaches, light sensitivity, hormone imbalances, etc. I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor in 2022& even though my prolactin levels were high, my endo and a surgeon I attempted to see, told me I would need to live with the tumor. My endo refused to even medicate me. I found another endo. She put me on Cabergoline, which reduces prolactin& increases dopamine, &overnight I felt more normal than I had in years. After praying and surrendering to God’s plan, a kind woman named Afton reached out to me about an NIH article I had posted in the mold group about some pituitary adenomas being linked to parasitic, viral, bacterial, or specifically aspergillus mold fungal infections. I asked if anyone had had that experience. She connected me to Dr. Ian Mccutcheon, whom I met in June in Houston while I was visiting my bestie @amandaglisch for my birthday. He acknowledged, &validated what I already knew about my tumor actually being functioning since it secretes prolactin— albeit a small amount. Surgery is tomorrow. It’s a bit scary, but I trust God. I am thankful for all, and every prayer! 💕

When you think your friends forgot about your Lifeversary and your bestie sends you a compilation video — with a side of personal talking head videos people didn’t want shared 😉.

It’s hard to put into words what the last ten years have taught me, but I know one thing is for sure: God’s grace is sufficient for me.

There is so much for me to share, and I will. This anniversary hits differently this year. Ten whole years. Ten years since a wrong-way drunk driver almost took my life. Ten years of fighting every day to relearn how to live, walk, eat, love, work, and just be me. Ten years of figuring out who I am after my body was devastated and crushed by a car because of the choices of another person. Ten years navigating life after a #spinalcordinjury and now functioning as a “walkingparaplegic . Ten years of surgeries and countless hours of PT and OT. Ten years of friendship, losses, meeting and marrying my husband, disappointments, victories, and BIG answered prayers. Ten years of life that I almost didn’t have.

Thank you to all— friends, family, surgeons, therapists, first responders, and hospital staff— who saved my life, worked on me, loved me, served me sacrificially, and laid down their lives to support me. Words will never be able to express my gratitude for you.

Here is a motto I live by: Life is a gift and I don’t intend on waisting it— Jack, Titanic

So much more to come!
#carcrashvictim #dontdrinkanddrive #survivor #love #hope #loss #victory #nomorevictims #mothersagainstdrunkdriving #forgiveness #healing #surgeries #documentary #keepgoing #walkingpara #paralysis #lifeaftertragedy #God #crashanniversary #lifeversary

Happy Father’s Day Dad! I love you 😘 so so much and I am so grateful for all that you are! You’re wonderful!

Thank you for always showing up for us!

Happy Mother’s Day to my sweet Momma in heaven 🌸💕🙏🏻.

We all miss you terribly, and because of the hope of the Resurrection, I know that we will see you again some day. I hope you’re dancing and singing in God’s glory the same way you sang with your nurses! We love you!!

MADD National Ambassador training in Irving, TX was perfection!

What an amazing opportunity all of us have to represent MADD and other victim/survivors! MADD used to elect a National President for a two-year term. This year, they replaced the National President with seven Ambassadors (one unfortunately is not represented in this photo).

We each have a unique story to share about how we have been personally, and negatively, impacted by impaired driving.

I’ve found a place I feel safe, heard, and understood. I felt so delighted to meet, and interact, with each of these women— and what amazingly strong and resilient women they are.

Thank you to all of the MADD staff— Monica, Heather, Meghan, and Katrina, as well as all of the women on the TEAMS calls, CEO Stacey Stewart and MADD employees, Becky and Stephanie— for pouring into us all weekend and for ALL that you do!

MADD— Mother’s Against Drunk Driving— was originally founded by Candace Lightner who lost her 13-year old, Cari, to a repeat drunk driving offender on May 3, 1980. She has been credited with saving more than 400,000 lives.

Since its inception, MADD is responsible for instituting the .08 BAC law, and enacting more than 1000 laws including the minimum drinking age, server laws and sobriety checkpoints. All of us Ambassadors hope to continue to fight for change and have our voices heard!

Happy Belated Birthday to my PERSON, best friend, sister, and everything in between! You have loved me since Day 1 and have taken on the role as sister, friend, mother at times, fierce protector, roommate, boss, etc. God blessed me big time when he picked you as my big sister.

How can I thank you for all of the fun, wisdom, prayers, advice, and love you’ve shared with me all of these years?

I know celebrating your first birthday without mom has been brutal. I’m here for you as we both navigate uncharted territories.

You are joy, adventure, depth, love, fun, intuition, kindness, intelligence, organization and spirituality.

And yes we are celebrating your birthday, whether you want to or not 🥳 😉!

At the end of last year, I felt honored to be asked to serve as a keynote victim speaker for the yearly MADD vigil on December 5th. I gladly accepted. Any opportunity to share my story and advocate against the negative consequences of drunk driving, I am there. I am forever indebted to my victim advocates and MADD staff for all they’ve done to support me and other victims, as well as, work to get drunk drivers off the road— @karenleigh1104 , Kristi H, and Erin Payton, who I am hugging in the first photo.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted because my mother was in and out of the hospital for the duration of the holiday season, however, I also wanted to share that I was asked to be a MADD National Ambassador earlier this year.

Today, I am taking my first trip to speak on behalf of MADD, share my victim story, and participate in an officer training to help police officers— who work to keep drunk drivers off the road— learn about impaired driving and the tragedies they cause. I am so grateful to represent MADD and other victims in this way.

Videos of my sharing at the MADD Vigil and the conference tomorrow are coming!

Photos 📸: Kramer Photographers

This year, Dennis and I spent our 9th Valentine’s Day together (more photos on my @themiraclepatient IG). I haven’t been posting much since my mother’s passing, however I’ve been surrounded by love and support from friends and family. It’s been a difficult time, however, I’ve been trying to lean into spending time with my favorite people, get back into art, and essentially function.

Looking at photos of us so many years ago, I feel like we look like babies. Dennis also met my dad for the first time that year, and he tried to dress my husband in his jackets 😂. My dad has always been a coat man.

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a loved one. I’ve never had to mourn someone I loved the way I loved mother. When I was a pre-teen, the only grandmother I had known, Alberta, (not biological) passed away. I felt numb, I couldn’t even cry at her funeral. It took years before I could open that wound. I decided to write about her for a college paper, and I finally mourned her death. My inability to mourn at the time of her death didn’t denote my love for her. In fact, I often referred to her as the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. As an adult, my mother and I often talked about her that way.

Mourning the loss of a parent is truly unprecedented territory me. I haven’t had to grieve alone. Our family has had so much support from other family members and friends including gifts, meals, cards, calls and texts, and time.

People who have offered support through a meal, or by initiating time has been the most helpful as I’ve felt super discombobulated and at times don’t know what I need. We are in the process of making sure my Dad is taken care of, helping to handle my mother’s affairs, and also plan her service to honor her life the way she would’ve wanted.

One thing that has been nagging me has been the absence of feeling my mother in any capacity. It’s actually been shocking. I surprisingly felt my dog, Gizmo’s spirit as he left us and it was a feeling of beauty, and as if he kissed me goodbye. It was not something I imagined or even thought about prior. I long to feel her. I’ve seen things that feel like she’s here with me, but the absence has been the most difficult.

Today, I opened a card from a friend who also sent me a journal to remember my mother’s life when I am ready. The moment I opened the card, I saw this scripture and I immediately started crying. Thank you Connie.

John 14:18:
“I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.”

It felt as if God was saying he’ll come to me in my grief, and also like Mom wanted me to know that too from her. It helped me hope that someday, she will come to me in a way that only I can understand ❤️🙏🏻.

Thank you to everyone who has shown up for our family. Your support means the world right now.

This past Friday, January 26th at around 3:50pm, my mother took her last breath surrounded by the family she always dreamed of having— her husband, two daughters and sons in law, two grandchildren and two dear friends.

My mom died with dignity and surrounded by love. 💕 She passed away just moments after we were all together the second time and her grand babies were on the bed with her and touching her.

No one felt ready to say goodbye, but after months of fighting several rare cancers, and years since her first cancer diagnosis, my mom is now free in the arms of our Savior, and with her fur babies: Ziggy, Lady, Gizzy and Bubba— as well as friends and family, some lost too soon— Alberta, Grandma Saddie, Grandma Lillian, Pop Pop, her best friend Rose, Uncle Nano and Uncle Mitchell.

Mom, words can’t describe the hole that you have left behind. I don’t think you knew how truly beautiful and loved you were for everything that you were, and still are, for the angels who have the pleasure of enjoying your company now. I long for the day when I can hug you again, and see your bright smile and sweet and determined spirit. I thank God for a mother in this lifetime who understood me, was my biggest cheerleader, nurtured my heart and my soul, prayed for, and with me, and wiped away every tear. Thank you for everything Mom. As your eldest daughter and my sister, Nikki, always says, you loved us valiantly. I hope you felt wrapped tightly in our love as you took your final breath, and we will all wait with patient longing until we meet again. We love and adore you.

Stages after Tendon Transfers/Osteotomies on my right foot 8 years after lower spinal cord injury.

This surgery has been one of the hardest recoveries in terms of pain that I’ve had at home, but in the grand scheme of things, recovery isn’t linear and the short-term pain is really worth the long-term gain for me. In this case, it has to do with no longer living with unstable ankles that roll and cause falls. I am soooo grateful as I didn’t know stability with my nerve injury was possible, otherwise, I would’ve pursued these surgeries on both feet years ago!

I went to see my orthopedic surgeon this past Friday and while my foot is doing great from a surgical perspective, I do have a pretty painful stress fracture that changes my plans in terms of recovery/working out for the next 4 weeks. If the pain doesn’t subside, (it’s been hard to walk) I will need an MRI.

But whether my dreams are delayed or not, my goal is still the same. I want to learn to run again after spinal cord injury. For now, I will pursue something I’ve been wanting to pursue for years— swimming. I was told by the Paralympic Master’s Swimming Program that “I was too healed” to swim with other alternatively-abled people. Then, the colostomy felt like a huge hindrance, and after 8 years, on January 3, 2023 that long-term dream of colostomy reversal became a reality and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself.

Some of what I’ve learned in 9-plus years, and 17 procedures, directly caused by the decisions of another person to drink and drive—which resulted in a head-on collision— is this: Always advocate for yourself. Doctors are amazing, but their recommendations are not the end all say all. Listen to your gut/inner God voice& be willing to take some risks to get to where you wanna be. A quote that has always stuck with me is: You will miss out on 100% of the opportunities you don’t take.

So jump in faith, or take that next faithful step, and trust that things will work out the way they’re supposed to. You may even surprise yourself.

A scripture that I’ve loved since I made Jesus Lord of my life is this: “If you believe you have received it, it’s yours.” - Matthew 21:22

Jesus healed a paralyzed man because of his friends’ faith. I would not be where I’m at— a walking paraplegic who has shocked more surgeons than I can count with my amazing recovery—without support, and so many prayers, from SO many friends and family.

I will never forget your kindness, love and prayers.

Also, yes I added my own apostrophe because the original was incorrect 🤣 #alwaysaneditor #journalism #correctingpunctuation

Happy Birthday @luereatha !!!They say you know the caliber of friends you have when something horrible happens.

What I learned about you was something I already knew: You weren’t going anywhere, and the tragedy of me being hit head-on by a wrong-way drunk driver in 2014 only made our friendship stronger. Thanks for loving me all of these years, and being one of the few people who I entrusted enough in rehab to learn how to help me transfer to, and from the wheelchair, and even to catheterize me if I couldn’t do it myself. Thanks for cheering me on during all my major life events including graduating and marriage (and I you) and even being one of the biggest cheerleaders for me as I learned to walk for the second time in my life.

You are a true one and I’m beyond grateful for you! Happy Birthday best friend! 🥰🥂🥳

I’m so grateful for the best videographers and co-director— @soup.photo @aarontlegg !

We made HUGE headway with our website, interviews, and re-enactments this year, and we hope 2024 will be even more fruitful! Our website is up, but not yet completed at Miraclepatient.com or Peeingisoverratedthefilm.com. We will also be doing another fundraiser/event prayerfully later this year!

We are so grateful for all of the support and help with the website and from sooo many others— Milissa and @jmcgowan315 ! More to come!

Love you so much Momma! Prayers continually.

Thank you so much Kristi Hosea and Erin with MADD Illinois/Iowa/Wisconsin for my beautiful 9th Lifeversary gift!

I couldn’t have done it without your— and Karen Leigh’s— support in and out of the criminal court system. I’m so grateful for MADD and how they fight hard to keep drunk drivers off the road and support people like me who have been negatively impacted by another person’s choice to drive under the influence.

I’m so grateful to also be able to share my story with high school students and DUI offenders.

Happy 7th Anniversary my love! I couldn’t be more grateful to spend this life with you! I love reminiscing about our wedding— the best day of our lives!

Link to the DailyMailUK story 👉🏼: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7036397/amp/Woman-left-paralysed-waist-hit-drunk-driver-walks-aisle.html 👈🏼

#husbandandwife #wedding #weddinganniversary #fyp #love #mybestfriend #reminiscing #truelove #themiraclepatient #marriage #miraclepatient #film #docu #ourstory #walkingpara #lifeaftersci #lifeaftertragedy #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #loveaftertrauma

On 7/27, I went under the knife for the 17th time—16 surgeries, 17 procedures— as a result of the crash on November 9th, 2014, and all because of a woman’s selfish decision to drive drunk.

No, this is not my last surgery, but we’re nearing the end of a really long road. I’ve heard a lot of people say lately that they hope this is my last surgery. I do NOT. Surgery has been a gift. Surgery has not only saved my life, but it has significantly improved my life beyond anyone’s imagination.

I have chosen all of my surgeries since 2020. In 2020, I had bilateral nerve transfers after I tracked down a surgeon in Texas that took me 2 years to find. I then chose all of the orthopedic surgeries— minus the glass removal surgery— for the last 2 years.

I also chose the colostomy reversal against a lot of opposition.

As I sit here and reflect, I’m brought to tears by God’s goodness and feel so much gratitude for all of my surgeons, most recently @ankl_man , who not only is giving me the gift of stability, but he is 1 of only 2 doctors who encouraged me to lean into my intuition and have the Ostomy reversed and it was the best decision for me!

For 8 years, I’ve fought to get my body “back,” not because I can’t cope with difficulty, but because “Why not?” I’ve always believed, “If there is a will, there is a way,” & I will find it.

So no, I don’t want this to be my last surgery. A spinal cord injury is permanent— &other than miraculous healing— surgery is my ONLY option for more return. I may look “normal,” but the truth is, I’m not. I’ll never be the same. I’m stronger in every way, but let’s not forget how much has been taken& I’ll never give up hope for more recovery.

I haven’t yet found a surgeon to do the surgery I’ve wanted since the nerve transfers in 2020. It’s never been done before— a pudendal nerve transfer— & may help restore bladder function. A sacral nerve stimulator is the option &may require 2 surgeries.

I’m forever indebted to the surgeons I’ve had—brilliant and kind— &we hope this will be the last major foot surgery. The video shows how much progress I’ve made with the last 2 foot surgeries & I asked Dr. Kadakia to document it. Thank you 🙏🏻.

I meant to share this weeks ago. I’m recovering from R foot surgery (Thursday)& trying to distract myself from the pain, so I thought I’d share 😉.

Eight years ago, I had just undergone my first ER laparotomy after the crash. My sister stood next to my bed; I actually don’t think she left the hospital for days, always sitting by my bed, stroking my hair, and rubbing my hand while I was in and out of consciousness. I remember distinct moments. One specific moment stands out. Medical professionals were in my room with my family and lingering questions filled the air.

My sister asked what I didn’t know to ask. It didn’t feel like a core need at the time: “Will Erin still be able to have biological children?” Others asked, “Will she survive? Will she walk again?” The answers to the latter were a bit more dubious: “The first 24 hours are critical. We don’t know if she’ll walk again.” In terms of bio children, the doctors said nothing had been damaged that should affect my ability, so as every woman finds out, you don’t know until you try.

I also had a question. All of the most important questions had been answered already. I felt concerned with something that had partially defined summers for as long as I could remember: “Will I ever be able to go on roller coasters again?” I laugh now thinking, “Where were my priorities!?” But that’s just it, it was a priority to me— having bodily function to be able to enjoy life in such a way, I wondered if that too had been taken because of a woman’s selfish decision to drive drunk.

For years, my neurosurgeons said, “not yet.” I said, “OK, I’ll wait.” One day they said, “We don’t think it’s wise to go on roller coasters due to the external forces.” I knew that based on their wisdom/knowledge of my spinal injury, they were being cautious. After advice from a friend who is a PT and my own inner voice, I found two rides at Six Flags that are either for kids or super smooth and every year I just go on those. It’s been so freeing to be able to enjoy Six Flags with others even if I have restrictions. This was also my first time at Six Flags since the crash without a colostomy bag! Such a wonderful day with the hubby and Daeson!

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