Close Call

Yesterday started out like any other call day. I woke up early, got ready, made sure I had my call bag ready, and kissed my sleeping husband good bye. The prior night it had snowed and the side streets were not plowed, but once I was on the freeway the roads were plowed and clear.

I'm currently rotating at HCMC (Hennepin County Medical Center) in downtown Minneapolis. During the week I take a different route than I took yesterday morning. The 94 freeway has the worst traffic and even though it is a slightly shorter distance, during the week it takes longer than my preferred route. Howevever, it was 7am on a Saturday and I knew traffic on 94 was not going to be a problem.

The road was well plowed and I was moving along with the flow of traffic. I was driving in the far right outside lane. When 94 crosses the Mississippi River, the outside lane turns into an "exit only" lane for the next exit. I had forgotten this so as soon as I saw the sign I tried to get over to the other lane. I checked the next lane over but a car was there and I couldn't get over. However, when I looked back straight ahead I realized the lane I was in was no longer plowed.

Well I was going way too fast for a non-plowed road and I lost control of my car. It was terrifying as I felt my car swerve to the left and then back to right and then the next thing I knew my car was pointed in the opposite direction of traffic. I felt so helpless as my car was sliding and scared that I would either crash into the side of the bridge (there is no shoulder) or get hit by a car in another lane. Well neither happened. And by some miracle all the cars I had been riding with continued along and during the slide I was the only car on that part of the road. As soon as my car stopped, I saw a couple cars coming toward me but I had enough distance to turn my car around and continue to the hospital.

I was definitely shaken up by this experience. My heart was pounding and I was literally shaking all over. After I had parked my car in the parking garage I had to walk down the stairs and my knees were shaking so hard it was difficult to walk.

I have been in a couple fender-benders but have been fortunate enough to never have been involved in a big accident. Well, I thought for a split second that Saturday was going to be my first. I think it is a miracle that nothing happened and we (my car and I) drove away physically unharmed. Next time I pray thanking our Heavenly Father that John and I were able to travel to and from work and school safely, this phrase will have new meaning!!