Jeremy and Melissa's Recovery

Hi, My name is Melissa Bemis. My husband, Jeremy and I were in an accident Friday, April 12th around 6:45 PM in West Columbia. Due to the circumstances avoiding the accident, I can not go into great detail about what happened because of the potential of this turning into a law suit. And anyone who has been in an accident knows law suits take forever. I can tell you that another vehicle struck the passenger side of my car. The whole passenger side was crushed in. My husband was on the passenger side resulting in them cutting the door off to get to him. We were both taken via ambulance to the hospital where we were admitted into the ICU with pneumothorax (collasped lung) and fractured ribs. I also came in with damage to the aoerta (main artery of heart) which resolved on its own. Jeremy had severe abdomen pain and swelling leading to the discovery of injuries and loss of blood. They performed surgery to repair the damage. He also has a deep laceration (cut) going from the elbow up that took surgery to close. Minor cuts to the side of his face from glass fragments. And of course, we are bruised intensely. Tubes have been placed in each of our lungs to help drain build up of fluids and trapped air to help them re-expand.

As scary and mental exhausting this whole ordeal has been, the thought of what is yet to come is more terrifying. Anyone that knows us well knows that the last few years have been rough from a work related injury, to job issues with my husband and transportation. We finally seemed to be getting back on track and things were moving along (slowly, but surely) in a positive direction.

Then, BOOM! Life seems to keep kicking us while we are down. My car was our only personal means for transportation and now it is totale. Both my husband and I will be out of work (not sure how long yet) due to our chest injuries. But unfortunately the bills to run our home doesn't stop. We have two children that rely on us. Thank God, they were with my mom when the accident happened.

I am not one to ask for help much.. especially the way the economic is right now and groceries/gas are through the roof. But after all this, and the help and support our family has already gave and continues to provide. I don't want to cause more burden to them. But I don't know how the outcome of this will be and my main focus is ensuring the important bills will be paid, groceries will be available for my kids and gas money can be offered to those who will be giving ride to the upcoming doctor appointment we will have.

If you can spare a few dollars, that would be more than appreciate. If you can't, please whisper a prayer for my family!

And please know this was super embarassing for me to have to ask. I am not the type of person that would if I didn't have to.

Thank you.

Melissa