BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Nov 18, 2015 7:42:22 GMT -8
Last night I biked a half-mile home from work as I always do. As I crossed 28th St downhill with the light, a car that apparently didn't see me (it was dark out, I have multiple lights on my bike but he didn't notice) turned immediately in front of me. I slammed my brakes and the momentum launched me over the handlebars and onto the pavement. My helmet cracked and my head's okay, but after an evening at the ER I'm home with a broken collarbone, busted shoulder-blade and four (4) broken ribs. I'm in a sling and the ER sent me home with some good meds (my wife is at the pharmacy now filling prescriptions for more), so for the time being I find my self uncomfortably stuck at home with others waiting on me hand and foot. A guy that prides himself on self-reliance takes an ego bruise being waited on like this, lol. I'll see an orthopedist later this week to determine if anything needs surgery, hopefully not.
I feel damned lucky. There are so, so many ways this could've gone horribly worse. This'll lay me up for a couple months but I should hopefully make a full and permanent recovery. Chicks dig scars anyway. It puts a smile on my face to be walking around this morning, even if slowly, daintily and with frequent cursing.
Please folks, wear a helmet. ALWAYS. I could be drinking through an IV right now, I'm very glad I'm not.
Anyhoo, that was my night. Feeling very lucky and alive,
- Mike
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Post by Lamebeaver on Nov 18, 2015 7:46:23 GMT -8
Glad to hear you're OK. Hope everything heals OK. Broken ribs seem to take forever and make it very difficult to sleep.
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Post by graywolf on Nov 18, 2015 7:49:46 GMT -8
Glad to hear you will be okay. Thank goodness for the helmet.
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jay
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Post by jay on Nov 18, 2015 7:53:17 GMT -8
Wishing you a speedy recovery. I can related with the not liking to be waited on and taken care of, went through a similar situation a few years back with an injury. It definitely gave me an appreciation for being fully mobile.
Take care, follow the Doctor's orders and hopefully you will be up and around for Spring.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Nov 18, 2015 7:54:30 GMT -8
Glad you're okay. I broke a collar bone once. It hurt, but was probably more of a nuisance than anything. Probably the worst pain was when bending over to pick something up off the floor--it put just the wrong kind of stress on things. Seemed like I dropped the soap in the shower an awful lot during those weeks.... Hope you can do without the surgery. The good news is you'll now have a built-in weather detector in your shoulder! Edit: spelling
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Nov 18, 2015 8:04:14 GMT -8
You are lucky-=-and smart. Good advice about the helmet. I've crashed my bicycle twice where a helmet kept my head from cracking.
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Post by hikerjer on Nov 18, 2015 8:10:15 GMT -8
Man, it's a dangerous world out there. So glad you're OK, sort of. Hang in there and have a speedy recovery. So much for the argument I sometimes hear that helmets really aren't that necessary. I never ride without one. Never. But it sure doesn't hurt t be reminded. Heal fast.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 18, 2015 8:14:31 GMT -8
Glad to hear you're OK. Hope everything heals OK. Broken ribs seem to take forever and make it very difficult to sleep. Yeah. And DO NOT catch a cold or flu or anything that makes you cough! Used your accident to talk to my son about maybe actually wearing a bright-colored jacket on his commute...he's maybe thinking of listening (he already wears a helmet, of course, and lights when it's dim out).
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Post by Lamebeaver on Nov 18, 2015 8:16:45 GMT -8
If you had been wearing this, the driver might have seen you. (Sorry if this made you laugh. I know that hurts right now!)
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jay
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Post by jay on Nov 18, 2015 8:21:32 GMT -8
Oh wow...I am so getting my daughter one of those for a gag gift for Christmas.........
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BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Nov 18, 2015 8:22:07 GMT -8
Glad you're okay. I broke a collar bone once. It hurt, but was probably more of a nuisance than anything. Probably the worst pain was when bending over to pick something up off the floor--it put just the wrong kind of stress on things. Seemed like I dropped the soap in the shower an awful lot during those weeks.... Hope you can do without the surgery. The good news is you'll now have a built-in weather detector in your shoulder! Edit: spelling I actually busted the same collarbone decades ago in the 8th grade in a glorious sledding accident. It was just the collarbone at the time. Right now the problem is that bones on the front (clavicle), back (scapula) and bottom of my shoulder (4 ribs) are all broken, so pretty much any movement in any direction hurts. But with the sling holding it tight in place it's not so bad as long as I don't have to move, lol. Swelling's getting worse now, but that's expected I guess. Trying to keep it in check with Ibuprofin and some cold packs today. We'll see. I'm doing well all things said. I hope to have made a full recovery before our next Greenland expedition next Spring. I'm glad this didn't happen a few months later, it'd have imperiled much of the campaign. I understand that ribs might still twinge at that point, but I can deal with that. Still feeling lucky, - Mike
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BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Nov 18, 2015 8:29:08 GMT -8
Glad to hear you're OK. Hope everything heals OK. Broken ribs seem to take forever and make it very difficult to sleep. Yeah. And DO NOT catch a cold or flu or anything that makes you cough! Used your accident to talk to my son about maybe actually wearing a bright-colored jacket on his commute...he's maybe thinking of listening (he already wears a helmet, of course, and lights when it's dim out). That was definitely a mistake of mine. I had lights on the bike but was wearing dark clothing. It's impossible to say if that would've prevented it but every bit helps. I have a bright orange rain jacket I'm contemplating wearing from now on even if it's not raining. That doesn't make the driver any less technically at fault (I had clear right of way and he got ticketed for failure to yield), but any advantages bikers can give themselves above & beyond the basics are worthwhile. A learning moment, for sure.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Nov 18, 2015 8:39:12 GMT -8
That really sucks, but glad you are sort of ok. Hope the medical bills aren't too bad. I had a wipe out on a wet road in college. wasn't wearing a helmet. not good.
I always wear a helmet now & I make my son wear a helmet anytime he is on something with wheels.
Did you know that helmets expire?? I didn't until just a few months ago.
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BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Nov 18, 2015 8:46:43 GMT -8
Lol @ Lamebeaver. Well, not "lol" but a big grin nonetheless. I'll consider one of those!!
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echo
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Post by echo on Nov 18, 2015 9:27:49 GMT -8
I know Barbara will have her hands full with you and the being mom thing too. But she sounds very grateful you had the helmet on too, and that she has the chance to have you to take care of. RebeccaD and I both commented that it amazes us you can go to these bitterly cold, isolated places and not be injured and then have this happen five minutes from home just goes to show how you can't predict, and need to appreciate what and who you have every day, because things can change in less than a heartbeat.
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