"But... your husband has been seriously wounded and will be going into surgery in the next 30 minutes. Don't worry... he'll be okay." *GULP*
It's 12:15am on June 21, 2005. I just went to bed 45 minutes ago and I was almost asleep when the phone rang. I figured it was hubby calling from Iraq - but the voice on the other end of the phone was not hubby's. In the next 30 seconds (or so), my brain went through the following process:
"Don't panic, Joan. It won't help the situation. Ask questions, stay calm, listen to what the voice on the other end of the phone has to say. Stay calm... kids are sleeping. THANK GOD HE'S ALIVE! Don't try to think too much into this, just stay calm. This is a phone call, not someone standing on the door step in Class A's. HE'S ALIVE! THANK YOU, LORD!"
I hung up the phone and contemplated whether to call hubby's mother at such a late hour. Five minutes later, I called and told her what happened. No panic attacks involved - I was just telling her what I knew. And I stayed calm.... I was in shock! No doubt!
The next few days were a blur - phone call, people visiting, more phoce calls... The support I received from family and friends was nothing short of amazing - and exhausting!!! I joined my hubby and my mother-in-law at Walter Reed on June 25th... the beginning of whole new chapter in our lives.
I wanted to post this to open the door for others to share their experiences, ask questions, or give advice to others who are experiencing (or have experienced) "the phone call." If you don't feel comfortable posting a comment for everyone else to read, please e-mail me at jean.of.arc@gmail.com. I'd like to know what you have to say.
