Takes a licking and keeps on ticking

For those of us who wonder if the pacemaker can take a g force shock I did give mine a pretty good test last night and according to the docs it should be fine.

For those of you who have been following my training to ride the Triple Bypass first the bad news. I won't be riding the Triple. Now for the good new, I am alive.

Seemed that as I was riding home from work last night on my bike I got within about 4 miles of home when I got broadsided by an SUV that decided to take a left turn right into me. Luckily I was only doing about 12-15 mph and the SUV couldn't have been doing much more but still I few, landed on my helmeted head (NEVER RIDE A BIKE WITHOUT WEARING A HELMET). My riding days for at least several weeks are over because I have at least a broken fibula, two huge hematomas on my thighs, at least one and maybe two separated shoulders, some good road rash on one arm and I still haven't even seen my bike yet because the police took it as evidence against the driver of the SUV. My wife has said I am not to leave a padded room next June (last June was the surprise pacemaker implant).

Anyway, I still plan on working on my weight but have to find another way to exercise for a few weeks at least. See the ortho surgeon tomorrow to see what if any cutting he will need to do (the fib is displaced so it may have to pinned and I am not sure what else might need to be worked on). But as the paramedics, my ER doc and my wife all reminded me it could have been a lot, lot worse.

Anyway... now I know when someone says they feel like they have been hit by a truck I will know exactly how they feel.

7 Comments

OMG

by Pookie - 2010-07-01 08:07:24

Wow. I am surprised you can sit at a computer so soon after being so banged up. It wasn't a hit and run I hope.

The main thing is - you are here to talk about it.

Please keep us posted during your days of healing.

Take care,
Pookie



Oh, No!

by heartu - 2010-07-01 08:07:44

First things first. Thank God it wasn't worse and you can post here so lightheartedly about this! Also, smart man to be wearing a helmet!!! I am sure because you are in such great physical shape that it wasn't worse.

I am so sorry to hear that you won't be participating in the Triple Bypass. You had been training so hard for that. Well there is always next year?!

You take care of yourself and I know you will be back riding soon. I guess you need a new bike now. When you get the other one back you can always make it into a sculpture piece.

This one is for you. I hope you like Queen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CTPLUcQAjk



Mini Helmet

by ElectricFrank - 2010-07-02 01:07:29

You need a mini helmet over your pacemaker!

Glad you came out in recoverable shape. Like we've been saying here the pacer isn't the limitation. You would be in about the same shape if you didn't have one.

Here in the desert we have a lot of narrow 2 lane roads with no shoulder or just a couple of feet at best. Legally in CA we are supposed to ride with the traffic, but the few times I've been on one of these roads I ride against it. For me it seems like having a death wish to have 5000lb vehicles coming up from behind me, and just trusting they will stay over. A few years ago we had a woman killed by a passing pickup with extended towing mirrors.

good luck on your recovery,

frank

wow

by LS - 2010-07-02 09:07:11

So sorry it happened, but so glad you're here!
Liz

Thanks....

by COBradyBunch - 2010-07-02 12:07:29

I will keep everyone posted. Will be seeing my ortho surgeon tomorrow and then I will know more of what is happening. Those of you who are athletes will relate to this, the one thing the ortho said last night was that I was not allowed to get on my bike until he sees me, because he knows cyclists can be a little crazy about their training.

WOW OH WOW

by ccallahan - 2010-07-03 06:07:32

I feel for you. I had a PE just over a week ago and only fell in the shower. I have had a complete shoulder replacement, titanium and plastic, I will have the other one done next year. I have a PM, stenosis and crushed discs in the back. Hip was injured with knees and ankles but they are fine. I did not have near the injuries and did not have a truck hit me in the shower. I am not allowed to be on bikes or ladders right now. Sounds like you need a new name like I have. I am known as the family "Crash Dummy." I prefer "Poppa Crash Dummy." My grandkids love teasing me and baby sitting me.

Good luck and keep us advised. We are praying for your speedy recovery!

Rev Chuck

Add a possible torn MCL

by COBradyBunch - 2010-07-04 01:07:00

Injury total right now. sprained left ankle (pretty swollen), broken left fibula, possible torn left MCL (they can't MRI it or really test it because of the fibula break), possible torn cartilage in the left knee, hematoma left thigh, massive hematoma right inside thigh, bruising and road rash right knee and elbow, separation right shoulder. PT will start next week. Leg can't be cast due to location of the break so I just get to walk on it as is (with crutches of course at first) and will get everything re-evaluated in 5 weeks.

Could have been a lot worse. Without the helmet I probably wouldn't be writing this. Doc says probably a minimum of 8 weeks before I am back to training shape. The hematoma on my right inner thigh looks like it might take a month to reduce back to normal size anyway (looks like I am trying to smuggle a grapefruit strapped to my inner thigh).

Some friends gave me a teddy bear who has an extreme sports t shirt along with all sorts of bandages, slings and casts on it. I want to name it Crash but my wife thinks it should be named Lucky. Figure I would see what the rest of the crew here thought.

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.