Calm to Chaotic

For the most part, an Army Wife’s life is comprised of long stretches pretty boring events punctuated by short, irregular intervals of frenetic activity.

Monday started out normal enough with my hubby heading out to work, a day of parachuting. The kids went to school & back just like any other normal day.

Dinnertime rolled around and my hubby’s secretary called our home to find out if he was coming back to the office to pick up his things. I told her that he hadn’t been home yet so she should just leave his office unlocked.

I’m now suspicious that something atypical is going on because hubby would have called by now to tell me he would be late for dinner or home in a few minutes… at least some sort of status update… the action plan starts:

in other words…prep for the worst.

Shortly thereafter the phone started ringing again. It was my husband’s “Captain Adjutant“. The “Adjt” keeps track of the personnel in the unit.

Now to get a call from the Adjt when my hubby is home is no problem as a commanding officer and the Adjt often work closely to manage the personnel in the unit. BUT to get a call from the Adjt when my hubby is NOT at home or in his office… the action plan goes into hyperdrive!

The Adjt tells me that my hubby suffered a shoulder injury on his last parachute jump and is currently in the emergency room at the local civilian hospital. I thank him for the info and put the emergency plan into action.

Seconds later the phone rings again. It is the medic that accompanied my hubby from the drop zone to the hospital. She said he is going to be fine but is in pain and I should come to the hospital. I told her that as soon as my parents arrive I’ll be at the hospital. She volunteers to come to my house & look after my kids until Nanny gets there.

The medic arrives in 20 minutes and I’ve got a change of clothes & shoes for my hubby in a backpack and I’m off to the hospital.

I got to see my hubby shortly after I arrived at the hospital. He had dislocated his shoulder and the emergency doctor had put him under and “re-located” it. My hubby was in pain & on some heavy-duty medications but otherwise just fine.

They had cut his uniform off so the shirt was in pieces and everything was SOAKING wet! Apparently, on one of his jumps he had landed in a swamp. I got him home and to sleep.

The following morning we went to the Base hospital for “sick parade” and spent the afternoon back at the civilian hospital to see the orthopedic surgeon. To make this long story shorter, hubby will heal well after about 6-8 weeks.

So, all will be calm for the next few months (I hope!)

NOTE: It is not normal procedure for a medic to come to your house to look after your kids. This particular medic went above and beyond her normal duties. We sent her flowers.