Darrell Hudson, home at last
Tammy Seimears - The Madison News
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
It's been a long, painful journey but Darrell Hudson is finally home in Madison.
After twelve surgeries, nine broken bones, third degree burns over much of his body and months of physical therapy, Hudson is ready to begin at least a year of physical therapy on his road to recovery.
On April 25, 2011, Hudson was in a one-vehicle collision just west of Olpe.
Although he doesn't remember anything about being pinned in the fiery accident, he was left with visible scars to remind him of that day. Suffering burns to 25 percent of his body and numerous broken and crushed bones, Hudson has been through what feels like a lifetime of ups and downs during his four months in the hospital.
Although he uses a wheelchair much of the time, Hudson is able to walk around the house with the use of a walker. He moves slowly and haltingly but as he says, "I gotta do this myself."
He looks forward to being able to walk without any assistance but he knows much work lies ahead.
Even through the obvious pain that remains as he heals, Hudson still retains his sense of humor to those who know him. As he points out some of his injuries, he jokingly calls his left leg his "shark-bite leg," referring to the misshapen calf that bears the large sunk-in scar where his legs were pinned when the pickup caught on fire.
"I want to write a testimonial to Red Wing boots," Hudson said as he found a picture on his phone showing the red blistery burns down to a perfect line around his calf where the top of his boots ended. Everything below the bootline was unburned and uninjured, even though the steel-toed boots were almost completely melted in the fire.
Hudson gets emotional when he thinks about all that's happened to him. He chokes up a bit when he points to his wife Sharon and calls her his No. 1 angel.
"She's been there through thick and thin," Hudson said, his voice cracking a little. She called the shots and called them right."
Sharon Hudson stayed by her husband’s side in his room at the University of Kansas Hospital as he was transferred to the different areas of the hospital.
"We visited every floor except the OB/GYN floor," she quipped.
The Hudsons related that throughout all the transfers, certain things went with them from room to room. The big banner that all of Darrell Hudson's friends and family signed as it hung in Chubby Foods was one thing that moved with them. It provided hours of comfort as they read and re-read all the loving sentiments that people had written.
One of the most-treasured items given to him is a large black-and-gold card signed by the Madison High School football team. He teared up as he pointed to the card and read what the boys had written.
"I don't know if they know how much that card means to me," Hudson said. "I want to work as hard trying to get myself repaired as they do practicing."
His resolve to work hard became evident when he came home a week and half earlier than the doctors projected. Hudson’s son, David, is getting married this weekend and he was determined to make it to the wedding.
"I actually died three times," said Darrell, telling how his heart stopped during surgery. "The Lord asked me, 'Do you want to go back?' and I said, 'Yes, I want to see my son get married.'"
The Hudsons' three children, Chantel, David and Jessica, Darrell Hudson's sister Peggy, and so many other friends and family, or angels as they fondly called them, have been their rock throughout the whole time.
"I get overwhelmed when I think of what everybody's done," said Sharon Hudson.
Some of the angels the Hudsons referred to are Glen and Darla Stout, who have been right there throughout the ordeal, from building wheelchair ramps, organizing the Madison Days fundraisers, and taking care of their home and animals. Others include Chubby Foods for their part in a benefit dinner, Dale Fox, Jason Beyer, Lance Shaklee and others who cooked the meat, and all the other friends and family who have helped in so many ways and who are too numerous to mention.
During the helicopter transfer when he was airlifted from Emporia to the Kansas City hospital after the accident, somehow Hudson’s false teeth were lost.
"Dr. Polk from Elite Dental has been so great," Sharon Hudson said. "Kendra Johnson from his office has not only come to the house three times to fit new dentures, but she went all the way to KU Med Center one time!"
"Simmons Foods has been wonderful," related Sharon Hudson. Both Hudsons work at Simmons Foods in Emporia. Sharon told how they had been so gracious in allowing her time to be with Darrell.
The Hudsons received many visitors and cards while they were at KU as well. "It's unreal how many friends you have," said Sharon Hudson. "It makes you think about when stuff happens to other people and you think you should drop a card and don't get to it. I won't do that again. I see how important it is. It's a lifeline."
Some of the “angels” Darrell Hudson holds especially dear are the ones who stopped at the accident scene and helped to save his life. Eldon Hink, Dale Wolgram, Steven Miller, and Connie Dean all were there just moments after the wreck. He believes their valiant efforts made the difference between life and death.
Many of them visited him in the hospital during his rehabilitation.
"We worried about them just as much," said Sharon Hudson. "It was so traumatic and they were still willing to stop and help. That takes something in itself."
Even though the road ahead won't be an easy one or a short one, the Hudsons have a great attitude towards the rehabilitation journey.
"They're just bodily injuries," said Sharon Hudson. "At least there are still legs here to heal."
Darrell Hudson, one of MHS football's biggest fans, is determined to be back for Madison football this year.
"I may not be on the sideline, but I'm going to be there somewhere, rooting them on," he said.
The Hudsons know there is no way to know how many people have been involved in helping since the accident, not only with physical needs but in prayers.
This experience and the last four months have left Darrell deeply moved. He credits his healing to his faith in God.
Darrell Hudson related that at one point in his life he felt called to be a preacher. He pointed to one comment left on the football team’s card by one of the players, Kole Schankie. It read, "When you're down and out, read the Book!"
Hudson spends a lot of his time these days reading the Bible. The comfort and support from family, friends, and his faith makes the end seem not so far away.
"I'm still the same Darrell," he said, "just a little closer to the Lord."