Crunch of metal

It was a beautiful Sunday morning when I slipped out of the house to drive to Puypuy Bay, Laguna, to buy bamboo plants for my home. I did not bring any of my children as I needed all the space in the car.

When I reached the intersection of Zapote rd. and Vito Cruz Extension, I suddenly heard the sound of metal crunching. My car spun around counterclockwise, then flipped and landed on its roof. I saw myself illuminated by light and upside down, but well strapped against my seat.  The light seemed to shimmer.  There was an eerie glow to it, yet it was also beautiful!

Steering wheel

I kept my mind alert and held on tightly to the steering wheel. I saw that a crowd of men and women had gathered by the car. I heard shouts to “help the woman” in the car. The men tried valiantly to put the car back right side up.

I used my elbows to inch out of the passenger window, then sat down on the road.

No one came to my aid. I called Dr. Becky Singson and told her I had been in a car accident, and that my car was a wreck. She asked me if I could move my toes and I said yes. I was afraid to get up until the medics came.  By this time, more people had gathered at the scene.

Dr. Singson arranged for an ambulance to fetch me and instructed the doctors at the ER to take a CT scan of my brain to look for blood clots and to X-ray my entire skeletal frame in case of fractures.

I talked to a friend, Marissa Oca, who told me to stay awake, resist going to sleep, and call my children. But I was hesitant to call the house because I was worried that the people at home would panic.

Injuries

After the hospital tests were over, Dr. Singson waxed ecstatic about my second “lease on life.” I had no major physical injuries, although I did exhibit “traumatic brain syndrome.” Was I spared for a definite purpose?

Later that night, I asked to be discharged.  The next day, I was back at work, although I felt a little woozy. But as I looked around, I realized that it had taken a violent accident to make me appreciate the beauty of life!

Join the Batanes Photo Safari on June 2-5. Visit mandy-navasero.blogspot.com, or call 896-3208.