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The Pioneer Woman star Ree Drummond experienced some bumps in the road after Ladd’s accident. She also had a busy season helping her daughter, Alex, get ready for her wedding. One bright spot is that Ladd is almost finished wearing his beck brace. The Pioneer Woman is happy her husband is almost healed up.

Ree Drummond spoke about Ladd Drummond’s accident

'The Pioneer Woman' star Ree Drummond with her husband, Ladd Drummond, in 2017
‘The Pioneer Woman’ star Ree Drummond with her husband, Ladd Drummond, in 2017 | Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Pioneer Woman Magazine

Ladd (also known as Marlboro Man) had to wear a neck brace after getting into an accident with his nephew, Caleb. Their vehicles reportedly crashed into each other while they were putting out a wildfire on the ranch. As a result of the accident, Ladd broke his neck in two places and needed surgery for one of his fractures. Caleb broke a few ribs, had a concussion, and additional injuries. Drummond says when she first heard about the accident, she “lost all feeling” in her knees, according to The Pioneer Woman site.

Drummond says she’s not only thankful for Ladd and Caleb being OK, but also for the supportive messages he received from her fans. “Rather than wish the accident didn’t happen, I’m gonna live in a state of gratitude—not just for the guys being okay, but also for the love, kindness, and prayers of so many of you,” says Drummond. 

Ladd Drummond is almost done wearing his neck brace

Ladd Drummond with guests at The Pioneer Woman magazine event.
Ladd Drummond with guests at The Pioneer Woman magazine event. | Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Pioneer Woman Magazine
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Drummond was happy to announce in The Pioneer Woman magazine that Ladd will be done wearing his neck brace soon. She says she is grateful things turned out well, because she knows the outcome could have been much worse.

Following the accident, Ladd was required to wear the brace for three months. Drummond says he did a “pretty good” job when it came to compliance. “While wearing a neck brace for three months hasn’t been easy for my rancher husband, he has been pretty good about following doctor’s orders,” wrote the Accidental Country Girl. She put an emphasis on “pretty good,” suggesting he didn’t always follow orders.

Ree Drummond calls herself a ‘steel magnolia’

After the accident, Drummond says her daughters Paige and Alex came home to help with the animals and support her. She mentions that her daughters checked in with her regularly and asked how she was doing. Drummond says she told them she was doing OK. According to her, life has helped her develop thick skin.

“I looked at [Paige and Alex] and said, simply, “I am good,” says Drummond on her website. “After all, we women are Steel Magnolias. Dealing with unexpected family happenings like this simply comes with the territory. I guess if you’ve lived enough years as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, you’re going to develop the ability to power through crises without crumbling.”

Although Drummond felt strong, she says she is aware she could have a moment where she crumbles under the pressure. “I may still have a crumble ahead, don’t get me wrong, but right now I’m firmly in Steel Magnolia mode,” she says.  

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