Everything must come to an end

Well, it finally happened to me.  On April 21, 2011, I was T-boned by a car on Marine Drive and NE 122nd Ave in Portland.  I was riding to work at 6:30 in the morning, minding my own business and a guy made a left turn, didn’t see me, and hit me straight on.  Just a brief run down of the action and repercussions:  I ride on Marine drive all the time, knowing that it’s some what of a dangerous road, but I take the bike paths wherever  possible and always keep in the shoulder of the road when there aren’t bike paths.  At every intersection, I’m usually a very cautious rider, usually slowing, make eye contact with drivers etc.

Well, the morning of April 21st, I was doing just that – and upon coming to the intersection of NE 122nd, which is a T intersection, I saw that one car was stopped, headed opposite direction of me trying to turn left onto 122nd.  The other cars all stopped at the stop sign/light trying to turn onto Marine drive from 122nd.  I noted that the car turning left was complete stopped, and turned my attention to the guy who was edging out onto Marine drive, trying to turn right.  I made eye contact with him, noting that he saw me and wouldn’t turn in front of me.  Then, before I knew it I looked left again just in time to see the car turning left gunning it and there I was, on the hood, into the windshield, back down, bumping his front bumper and being pushed under the nose of a car who was stopped at the intersection.

Agony. Anger. Pain. You name it, I felt it.  All at once I was lying there feeling extremely angry that this had just happened to me.  ME!  Of all people!  I have over come so many obstacles this year with trying to ride and train and I was just getting back into fitness – and this happens.  Not that I would wish this on anyone, but seriously people!  So, I’m screaming hysterically in anger and in pain.  There were plenty of people on the scene, once guy in general who took charge – making sure 911 was called, that the guy didn’t flee the scene, making sure that I was still breathing and conscious.  The only thing that I remember about this guy (my care taker) was that he was leaning over me making sure I was okay with a half smoked stogie hanging on his lips. haha I just thought…if that thing falls on my face, I’m gonna lose it haha But, also just wanted to laugh because it was just amazing that he could talk and it was still hanging onto his lip.

Police arrived first.  Fire/Medics shortly there-after.  They took such good care of me.  Ironically enough, my team-mate Irene who rides cross with me was on the responding team.  What a relief to see her!  And a surprise of course. Everything was in pain, they got me on a stretcher after splinting/tractioning my leg and cutting my backpack off of  me  My bike went with Irene to the fire department, and I went in the ambulance.

Many Xrays and doc’s later (and morphine) I was told that I had a broken femur in 3 different places and it would need surgery and that I also had 2 fractured vertebrae.  Forget the leg, that’s easy – but my back????  That’s the last thing I wanted to hear.  So, the surgery was successful and I now have a rod and a few screws in my leg.  The back, luckily, does not need surgery as of now and I’m wearing a superwoman brace, complete with a place for my boobs (which I was really excited about when i first got my brace!!!)

This is what I get to wear for the next year 6 months of my life

My bike is trashed, my wheels are trashed.  They had to cut all my cycling clothes off of me.  They cut my bag off as well.  But, honestly, that’s the least of my worries.  Now the doc appointments start.  I was in the hospital 11 days.  Most days were good – a couple days really bad.

I always wondered what kind of a person I would be if I got seriously injured like this.  Honestly – it’s hard.  Harder than I expected.  I am blessed with good friends, family, co-workers and bosses that give me so much support and truly believe in me and take care of me.  It helps my spirits a lot, because I certainly couldn’t do this on my own.

So, all I can do right now is heal.  I’d like to think that my arms are getting buff from the wheel chair and the walker.  :)  But my legs are atrophied to pretty much nothing.  I’m still non-weight bearing for my broken femur, and probably will be for another 3 weeks.  I just want to get workin’ on it – but  I know it will take some time.  Currently I have no desire to get onto my bike – at least not on the road.  It scares the hell out of me.  We’ll see how that changes as I heal and time goes by – but it might be Mt Biking and track from here on out – we’ll see.  I know time heals a lot of wounds but the mind is also a powerful thing.

So, a thank you to everyone who helps me.  The fire department, the civilians that rushed to my aid, my coworkers, my friends, my family, my cycling community.  It’s amazing the support that everyone is willing to give.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!