Bismarck Tribune

By KAREN HERZOGBy KAREN HERZOG

Five months later, Sister Susan Lardy remembers nothing of the November car accident which left her in critical condition.

She remembers earlier the day of the accident, a fall day beautiful enough to wear a spring jacket to attend a concert in Minot. And she remembers afterward, knowing she was in a hospital, and somehow knowing that it was not St. Alexius. She also knew she had lacerations in her scalp because she could feel the staples.

She also said she is pretty sure that she and Sister Mariah Dietz said their travel prayers for their Minot trip that day.

In one light, it could look like those prayers backfired. But there is a more far-seeing perspective, five months later, to the day, of the accident that severely injured her right arm and neck:

"I have my arm," Sister Susan said. "I'm alive. I'm loved and I'm here."

Sister Susan Berger, prioress of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, was at Sister Susan Lardy's side in the Minot hospital within an hour, and sisters from Annunciation have taken turns being with her in intensive care there and at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., during her hospitalization and surgeries.

On Nov. 26, an air ambulance flew her there from Minot, in a neck brace for a fracture in one of her cervical vertebrae and the rest of her bound as snugly as in a cocoon, Sister Gerard Wald at her side.

Initially, Mayo doctors weren't sure they would be able to save her right arm. And the break in her cervical vertebra might have paralyzed her. But doctors repaired a complicated break in her upper arm bone, requiring screws and plates to reconstruct; did elbow surgery; grafted muscle from her back to her arm; and fused the break in the cervical vertebra.

After the accident, word had spread quickly, said Jill Ackerman, director of communications for the monastery. People in the community inquired after Sister Susan daily, Ackerman said.

"It's so humbling to know people from all walks of life are praying for you," Sister Susan said.

Because of that, "I told the doctors I had to recover,"she said.

By the time she was flown back to Bismarck Dec. 29, she was up and walking after four weeks in bed, grateful to stand, she said.

Taken directly to St. Alexius, she spent two weeks in rehabilitation there, and finally was released to Annunciation on Jan. 12 for her recuperation.

Her first trip to the monastery dining room only lasted about 20 minutes, but it was very emotional, she said.

She now has therapy at the Human Performance Center and from University of Mary physical therapy students. Therapy, including heat, ultrasound and movement, helps loosen the joints in her shoulder and elbow that were reconstructed.

She also is a faithful walker to strengthen the muscle tone in her legs lost from the long immobility. A month ago, she put aside the cane she was using, and now also has taken off the neck brace. Her handwriting has returned and looks good, except when her right hand gets tired, she said.

All her life, Sister Susan had been busy, always occupied. Months before the accident, Sister Susan remembers during prayers, saying that she'd never had to suffer.

"I had never been sick in my life," she said.

Now, she said, "I had to put aside the doing. I learned a new meaning of patience and waiting."

She also realized how fast one's life changes, she said.

"My heart is just full of gratitude," she said. "The concern people had was overwhelming. It filled me with wonder and love. The loving support from (the religious community) is so peace-filling,"she said.

The Mayo doctors have told her to give her recovery a year, she said.

No matter what, "I won't be the same," she said.

"Hopefully, I'll be more grateful for whatever comes my way."