--------------------
On February 25, 2010, I left client site, with the intent of going for my Business Unit meeting at the office. I had been loaned to another Business Unit for some time, and literally had to insist that they allow me go for my meeting, if they didn’t want to go for theirs. Both the client site, and my office were on the island, and I was not driving then, so I had to take a bus, since my other team members were not interested in going to the office.
In front of silverbird galleria, I saw hands hailing from a car. It was three of my colleagues, and they were going to the office for the BU meeting, from their own client site, so they parked, and waited for me, so I could join them in the car. I was about to cross to go and meet them when…
From their point of view, they waved at me, and beckoned on me to come, and then, I disappeared from the face of the earth. They were wondering what kind of magic just happened, since I wasn’t Enoch that walked with God, when they noticed a commotion.
From my point of view, I was crossing to go and meet them, and few seconds later, something was climbing my body.
Yes, a bike was riding on top of me, like actually riding. Now, to the story of how I did not die. Everyone in my office carries a laptop bag everywhere they go, and we normally prefer to carry the back pack, rather that the shoulder sling one. So I had my back pack on me, and as the bike was riding on me, the laptop bag on my back kept protecting me, and causing the bike to move backwards, as he tried to climb back on me. So it was like a back and forth ride on me, with the back pack pushing it back all the time. To cut the long story short, the back pack protected my real back, and the prevented the bike from climbing fully over my head. I shudder to think of the state of my skull, were it not for the back pack.
The next thing I knew, my body was sprawled all over the ground, my shoes gone, my phone scattered. I just thank God that my colleagues were actually around. They got me safely into the car, picked all my items, took me to a pharmacy to sort me out, put me in a taxi, that then took me straight to the hospital. They couldn’t take me to the hospital themselves because the hospital I chose using my HMO was not an island one, and my skull wasn’t shattered anyway. Till today, I don’t know what the bike or the bike guy that ran me over (and ran over me) looks like. My colleagues did not even stay on the scene for a second, after they moved me into the car.
I had bruises on my face, my knees (the fall was so bad, my trousers couldn’t protect my knees), my upper arm, my wrist, etc. I had bruises all over my body, but the worst was my right ankle. In fact, if you apply pressure there today, I will still scream. I still have all the scars from the accident, except the on my face.
So I went to the hospital, and got dressed up. My brother came to pick me from the hospital, and my mum kept calling from the US to be sure I was very much alive. See pictures of some of the bruises below. These are by no means the only injures sustained, but the ones I have in picture
See the knife scar on my cheek. That wasn't a close shave though. Another story |
If the bike accident, the dressing of the bruises, and the daily visits to the hospital were all, it would have been great, and I would just give testimony.
But…
About a day or 2 later, my body started swelling. In fact, if you saw me, you would have thought I had miraculously grown fat. It started with my legs, and after a while I couldn’t really walk again. Even though I was not supposed to go to work, I was bored at home, and I went to work. By the time I sit for some hours, my whole body will swell. The only solution was to raise my leg, so I used a carton to support it. My team lead did not like the way the whole thing looked, so he told me to stop coming to work. He said it would look to clients like they were making me suffer, by making me work under such conditions, and would not know I was the one who wanted to work. As for me, I think my whole sight just irritated him. See pictures of swollen leg below.
Even though my whole body was swollen, the right foot, in particular, was the biggest, since it was the most affected part |
Anyway, that is how I left that team. I did not stay at home for long before my own BU called me back from the BU they loaned me to, and sent me to another client site, where I was free to wear slippers for as long as I pleased. See picture of when the would started to heal. You can see that tissues were affected. I think that is why I still feel pain till today.
In summary, the reason I am alive today is because of a the grace of laptop bag
And this is the end of the Close Shaves series, part 1-6. I hope you guys enjoyed the stories that caused me pain, and many times, brought tears to my eyes. But remember, the goal here is to celebrate the many occasions God has delivered me from the claws of death. If you missed any of the editions in this series, you can click here to catch up on them.
P.S: The worst physical pain I have ever experienced was not featured in this series. It was something I went through as a result of complication after a dental/jawbone surgery, in 2006. I would not wish the experience on my enemy. Even though it was the worst experience so far, it wasn’t a close shave with death.
*kneeling down and joining you to thank GOD for your life!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! You are testimony-personified!
LOLA! GOD so loves you!
Sometimes, I remember my experiences and just shake my head.
DeleteYou actually went to work with your swollen self??? Come for a slap first before I hug you. You're just something
ReplyDeleteYes. I realised that I could always walk some few steps in the morning, and provided I raise my leg during the day, take a few more steps at night. But if my leg was down for a long time, then I won't be able to walk again. Besides, I was kinda bored at home.
DeleteOnly you?
ReplyDeleteHaa. Abi, you too join me open mouth.
DeleteWow
ReplyDeleteThis is real testimony!
Thanks o.
Deletekai...only you one all these trauma. Thank God for the testimonies.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the hymn "count you blessings name them one by one", there's this yoruba song that goes "if I decide to count the blessings of God, it will be through dusk to dawn".
God's mercies has kept us and His name be praised cos we don't take it for granted.
When I think of the things that has happened ehn, I know it is just because God intentionally wants me to be alive that I am still here.
DeleteHA!!! @ilola! God has a purpose for your life...like seriously!!! There's deffon no other explanation for this. My goodness!!!! I rejoice with you o! This is beyond mouth-openiing!
ReplyDeleteExactly. I have survived too many dangerous encounters to assume they are all coincidences. Thanks
DeleteWe thank God for HIS protection over your life. May HE continue to protect us all against every unwanted circumstances.
ReplyDeleteYour swollen feet remind me of how my wife's feet used to swell up anytime she's pregnant when we were still in the business of child bearing.
Oga surprise, long time. I saw your comment now, and decided to check your blog, only to find out that blogger has placed an embargo on it.
DeleteI don't think my feet was the pregnant woman type o, cos many times, I couldn't even walk. Too painful to even try.
let me make a confession here. What attracted me to this post is the 'ruff rider' thing. I thought somebody used it on you. But after reading the story i discovered that 'all join'.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comment, I thought for about 30 seconds about what you meant. I was totally confused. But then I had an Aha moment, and the light bulb was turned on.
DeleteIf you read my blog often, you will know I don't believe in premarital sex, and I am still a single lady, so....
wow! I dont even know where to begin! thank God for life! The hospital shouldnt have discharged you in the first place but all of that is crying over spilt milk now! This one na real thanksgiving! You have a purpose on earth.. God's got your back.
ReplyDeleteWith the way Nigerian hospitals are? Lai lai. I've only been admitted once, and it was when measles made me blind. I'm fine at home, thanks. Lol
Deletevoted as well
ReplyDeleteThanks ma'am. Pls tell ur peeps to vote too.
DeleteOh wow!! The more I read, the more it seemed almost unreal, like this actually happened to you?! I'm trying not to imagine the bike trying to ride on you! Wow.. God is soo soo GOOD! Wow Atilola.. I think I am speechless and like New Dawn, I join in giving thanks and praises to our GREAT GOD for yoru life!
ReplyDeleteYes o. This happened. God has really preserved me. Thanks
DeleteThank God for your life. This is a true evidence that God loves you.
ReplyDeletewww.buzzedbybeauty.blogspot.com
Yes it is. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteGod loves you, girl
ReplyDeletestop it o
Too close!
Yes o. He really does. Thanks
DeleteYou are a living testimony lola
ReplyDeleteYes I am. I thank God for preservation of life.
DeleteI didn't get this on my Dashboard ooo. Atilola of God gbaa ni e. God reallllllllly loves you and this great purpose your life is and continues to be was so pre-destined that the devil tried various ways to thwart it. The Lord is our help! Hallelujah!!!
ReplyDeleteLooooooll at Atilola of God. Thank you o, When I count the close shaves I have survived, I know its definitely not a coincidence. We just thank God.
DeleteI'm just reading this!! Wow!!! I thank God for your life o! And that wonderful, beautiful laptop bag! Chai!
ReplyDelete