Thursday, February 17, 2011

Who is Tifster???

There is no way to make this a short story.   When I was young I had so many nicknames.  T, Tiff, Tiff Tiff, Tiffy (which I hate), TT, T-bug, Tiffer, Tiff Bo Biff, Stiff, Moose (long story), etc.  I was called Tifster a couple of times.  My first job out of college was at O'Connor Hospital.  For the life of me I can't remember who started the whole Tifster thing, but that's where it really stuck.  Now here's why it's still here 13 years later.

I was so excited to pass my boards!  I said I was going to get a personalized license plate that said "Tiff OT".  OT meaning occupational therapist.  Several months passed until I finally ordered and received my plates.  I had a sporty Toyota Paseo (coffin on wheels. Will explain later) and proudly placed them on just before Thanksgiving, 1999.  The car was paid for and my goal was to drive it until it took it's last breath. 

My husband and I had just been married that September, and we were excited to spend our first Christmas together.  Christmas was great and now the big year 2000 was approaching.  I remember everyone was saying computers were going to shut down, airport navigation would not work, ATMs would malfunction, etc. etc. etc.  On December 30 I had a job interview in Alameda (another long story).  My cousin was living there at the time and we met for lunch.  After, we went back to her place to watch my wedding video and look at the wedding photos.  At 4:30pm I left.  She warned me of traffic and I clearly remember my response "I have all night to get home.  I'm not in a hurry".  We said our goodbyes and off I went in my Paseo. 
I was finally able to get on 880 south.  I finally made it to the middle lane.  I passed the Coliseum (TLC was coming) when I noticed many break lights ahead.  I never made it to the speed limit and was only going about 50mph.  I began to gradually slow up still in the middle lane.  I saw the car in front of me stop and I stopped about a cars length (paseo length) behind him...the next sound I heard reminded me of the scene in Titanic when all the metal was bending a breaking.  I was hit by an 82' olds cutlass at approximately 55 mph.  This threw me into the car in front of me deploying my airbag at 225mph at my face.  I was sandwiched and when I realized what had happened I screamed in pain.  There was smoke in my car and I thought it was on fire (which I later found out was the airbag chemicals).  I tried to open my door, but the frame was so bent, it would not open.  I was able to grab my cell phone and called 911 only to hear "if you'd like to make a call...".  I dropped the phone.  I leaned back, as blood poured from my face, and said "I am going to die."

Oakland Fire was about 1/2 mile behind my wreck.  They were coming back from a fire.  They found me before getting the call.  Immediately they guys got my door open and began cleaning up my face.  I later found out the chemicals from the airbag continue to burn you if not cleaned off.  They kept asking me the standard questions.  Name, date, where were you going, etc.  One guy asked me what I did for work when I told him he said "My wife's an OT".  I politely told him "That's great and I would love to talk more, but could you please get me out of my car?'  At this point my face was huge and my lips could no longer close.  Everything I said was mumbled and painful.  Oakland Fire and AMR were wonderful and I will never forget their care.

I was taken to Eden Medical Center's Trauma ED.  I was quickly wheeled in and the staff immediately swarmed around me.  I was in c-spine and just remember moving my eyes to navigate around to see the faces.  I had 1st and 2nd degree burns on on the lower part of my face/neck, a laceration (that almost went completely through) above my lip, minor concussion, two sprained fingers, and many bruises from the airbag and seat belt.  My face looked like I went a round with Tyson.  After about 6 hours there, I was able to go home.  Blessed...

I went to see my car about a week later.  The front seat looked like a crime scene and I can still remember the smell.  I was told to remove my bent up plates as my car was a total loss.  We removed the plates and I looked at them and said no matter what car they are on, I will feel like they are cursed.  Plus the DMV was going to charge me a lot to replace them.  Forget it!

A few weeks later, I went on to purchase a new car and returned to work.  Everyone was welcoming "Tifster" back.  DMV had sent me some standard plates for my new car.  I decided "Tifster" is back and she survived.  I still have the "Tifster" plates on my car to remind me that nothing is to be taken for granted.  Life is precious and one second can change everything.

Told you it was long story :)  

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