TekDiveGirl / Kimber Hawkens Thurman

[D_B]

Today, June 3rd, 2006 ... This was the day her life almost ended, and mine really began

Think Pink!

Every year she would post something about that day , thanking those so many people ... this was her last post on it

Kimber Hawkins Thurman is feeling thankful
June 3rd 2018
Twelve years ago, today, an event occurred that dramatically changed not only my life but the lives of my children. I suffered from an arterial gas embolism while SCUBA DIVING here in San Diego on the wreck of the Hogan. I surely would have died if it had not been for the quick and flawless execution of emergency management and evacuation by Captain Carl, Joel, Anita, Eric and Chad, I truly believe that I would not be here posting this today. I thank you all as well as of my dive team Tyler, Eric, Dale, and Paul. �
However, as I laid comatose in the hospital bed, nobody knew if I was going to wake up and if I did come out of it the doctors were uncertain of exactly what would my life be like?
The diving community was amazing. [ScubaBoard] People came together to raise money to help pay my bills (this was long before GoFundMe) and at Christmas sent gifts to my children and me two years in a row. There were so many people that participated in this. I thank you all. �
Don who was originally recruited by the members of Scuba Board to do a recon mission to go to the hospital and gather information about my condition and report back has become such a wonderful source of support. I thank you. � My friends Sue who visited me almost every day while I was at Scripps inpatient rehab and TJ, the fearless "Great White Mola Shark" diver , who put her own life aside for a while to stay at my house and help me after I was released from inpatient rehab - I think you both. �
To Logan and Kylia - you both were so young at the time and had to grow up far earlier than you should have. For this, I am truly sorry. �
Despite the severity of my accident, I was in better shape than anybody had ever expected and in 2011 I began attending the Acquired Brain Injury Program at Mesa College. Being around other brain injury survivors was incredibly therapeutic and healing. The information that I learned in the classes, as well as the guidance and support that I received from Marla Margaret, Heike, JoAnn, Debby, Mia, and Lori, was instrumental in my progression to where I am today. I thank you all. �
I have had so many ups and downs, and, in many ways, I feel as if I have been on a roller coaster ride for the past twelve years. I have had triumphs and tragedies. I have had to reinvent myself – alter my plans – find new passions -- change my goals. As I begin the twelfth year of my recovery, I can see many great things on the horizon and a bright future ahead. Will there be challenges? Of course, there will be. Will I meet those challenges head on? ABSOLUTELY!! To everybody mentioned above – thank you, I could not have the successes that I have had without you! And thank you to all of my friends for your support as well and coming on this journey with me. ��


Here is a video of her dive, she is near the end of the video, in the pink wing and 07 on her tank .. I notice she had a distinctives frog kick .. well of course she did (-: ...

 

[D_B]

Today my calendar reminded me that it's Kimber / Don day from 2008 so ...

I went to The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate (we would stop there when Kimber and I went to the Apple Store)

Think Pink .. a Chocolate Martini to start (I and Kimber's favorite drink)

then my favorite, Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp O M G it was so good

and dissert of course .. another chocolate martini and a tiramisu .. again O M G !

 

[D_B]

4 years ... who would have thought it's even possible ... Sweetie

 

[Sea_Jay]

My Dear Sweetie, Kimber Hawkins Thurman / TekDiveGirl
who I met here on ScubaBoard in the MOF/NMOF thread some 13 years ago passed away suddenly. 9/28/1970 - 4/2/2019
View attachment 512973
This would have been her on 4/17/19 graduating from Cal State San Marcos with a Bachelor's Degree in psychology.

from her son, edited by me:
"She was 48 years old, survived major brain surgery in 2004, an AGE bilateral stroke due to a PFO in 2006, woke up from a coma that doctors said she had a 5% chance of survival, she managed to power through 13 more years to see all three of her kids graduate high school and see their 21st birthdays.
More than surviving, she did everything she could to thrive. She approached physical therapy with a passion that I can hardly describe and gained independence despite her injuries.
She was graduating Cal State San Marcos next month with a Bachelors Degree in the field of psychology and had already applied for grad school.
She took the GRE test just this past Saturday.
She always said that one of her big regrets was that she never got a degree, and I can't explain how unbelievably proud I am that she managed to do it even though she won't be able to walk her graduation next month.
She had an extremely supportive network of friends and peers and she said that the only thing she wanted to do was to work with other people who had suffered brain injuries, so she could be the type of person that helped her through so much.
I would say rest in peace, but she wouldn't like that idea ... whatever afterlife she's in, she's gonna **** **** up over there."

Continue to kick ass and take names Sweetie

While I didn't have the opportunity to know her, your story of her life & her determination despite obstacles, reminds me of my grandmother Millie who we lost a few years ago. Reading the words you typed, it sounded like someone describing my grandma. Without getting into too much detail and taking away from your post --- thank you.

you can throw a peanut shell at me if you like ..

I don't know what this is in reference to - but I found it somewhat ironic - because since my grandpa has passed away (the husband of my grandma Millie referenced above) he has been leaving us "signs" in the form of peanuts. He used to love snacking on peanuts, especially boiled peanuts you'd find in the South. My entire family finds peanuts in random locations. Over the past month, I have found 100+ peanuts @ my vehicle --- once on a shore dive in beach parking spot prior to getting in the water, the whole car was surrounded by peanuts @ daybreak....didn't realize until we were gearing up. Second time there was a shopping bag tied neatly @ the top which was placed perfectly next to my passenger door of my pickup truck at the boat ramp.....my truck has a broken driver's side door which forces me to enter thru passenger side. If the door wasn't broken I would have likely never seen them. We, as a family, are roofers by trade; immediately after my grandpa's passing, my cousin was repairing a roof leak for my grandma Millie & he found a peanut UNDERNEATH a roof tile. My father was taking his Harley Davidson in to the shop for service last week, and as he was unlocking the forks, low & behold....a peanut on the stanchion.

I really don't know why I've continued to type this long. Maybe just to say "look out for signs from your friend Kimber" as I have a feeling that they'll be *both* apparent & plentiful.

 

[D_B]

Thank you Sea Jay for sharing stories of your grandpa & grandma with me , I loved them!
The one of the peanut under a roof tile sounds like your grandpa is having quite a chuckle about it

I hope I see something of her as a sign, but I am pretty clueless so it's going to have to slap me upside of my head to notice < BTW that's Kimber's smiley

 

[D_B]

5 years *sigh*
.. I was looking at your last messages to me on my phone and I decided to message you that I miss you ... Imagine my surprise when someone who now has your old number responded in a most concerning way causing me much distress ... I explained, asked them to please forgive me .. and they blessed me, told me to have a nice day and stay positive .. I was so relieved that I cried .. There are still kind and loving people out there
.. I Miss You Sweetie

 

[The Chairman]

Wow. That would be a shocker. I lost my sister last year and still have her number to avoid just that. I keep the phone off, I just don't want her number to go to anyone else. Love ya, man. Stay strong.