Last thursday I was in a bad bicycle accident. I was riding with my 13 year old brother and 3 of his friends, and decided to go off of a ramp in the backyard. They went off of it with no issue, not so for me. I tried goin off of it on my mountain bike and ended up going over the handlebars, and landed on my head and right shoulder. I ended up breaking my neck and back, I broke 3 vertebre, c1, t7, and t8. I'm extremely lucky that I am here and am able to type this today. For now I'm on short term disability from work, and I have to wear a back brace (2-3 weeks) and a neck brace (2-3 months). I won't be able to drive until I get rid of the neck brace, so my buicks and the rest of my motor vehicles are parked until then. I found it ironic that with my arenal of "power toys", it was the one I power myself that almost got me. I'll never hop on my bike again without a helmet, even if it's just a "spin thru the backyard" or "just up the street". Just a reminder for everyone to take it easy, and keep your "toys" safe! You never know what can happen next, and thank God I can still live the life I enjoy so much! Thanks everyone for listening!!
I'm glad you're OK! Yeah, I don't wear a helmet, but I know that it's a dumb thing and I should probably get one.
:shock: Wow. Hope you have a speedy recovery, I would think its time to repay that second chance by lighting a few candles in church. Glad its nothing long lasting. Get well soon, Rick Mratinez
How big was the ramp ? It sounds like a helmet wouldn't have helped. you didn't crack open your skull, bike helmets have no neck support. do you ever watch "real" tv? , if somebody got the crash on tape you could be a star. be sure to thank the doctors and medical staff for giving you a second chance.
I'll bet it's tough to consider yourself lucky today! :eek2: Take it easy, and don't rush the recovery. It's better to be fixed right than to be fixed fast, and that doesn't just apply to Buicks!
Glad your OK. I broke my neck(C3 & C5) years ago. Having recovered from an injury like that (lucky to be alive) will make you realize how dangerous and dumb some of the things we do are and how much we take for granted. Be safe and good luck with your recovery:TU:
Dude, I'm glad you're still with us. What's amazing, is that you never really think sensibly about stuff like that until you've almost bought the farm. Sometimes people don't get a second chance. You are lucky. What I find amazing in the state of Maine, is that you are required by law to wear a helmet on a bicycle, but you are not required by law to wear a helmet on a motorcycle. uzzled: uzzled: uzzled: Some lobbying goin on here or what? Lets see, you have to wear a helmet on a bicycle, you have to wear a seatbelt in the car, but no helmet on a motor cycle because of freedom of choice. Whatever.
Scott - Wishing you a speedy recovery!!:TU: Sounds like you like to 'play hard' too!!:Brow: I'll tell you, it's amazing any of us ever got out of our teens!!!ou: :Brow: My friends, brothers and I crashed and DESTROYED more bikes in our youth than I can even remember!!:eek2: I could just about write a small book about some of our 'encounters'!!:grin: I've landed the front tire in a garbage can, smashed into a maple tree with the sprocket of the pedals 'sticking' into the tree, crashed into the back of my dad's wagon, took off from a 3' ramp and landed about 22' out - flat on my back, etc., etc.....you get the idea!!!:grin: :grin: Glad you're still with us...sounds like it was pretty close!! :TU: :TU:
I'm glad your still here... really sux about the back though.... my neighbor who competitivly <sp? mtn. bikes (single track) was flat trail riding on finely packed gravel with a few of his buddies hit a small rut (like pavement crack) ended up going over the handle bars at about 5 mph, and cracked his helmet in 2 upon landing (normally he woulden't have been wearing it but some freak reason he was this time) needless to say whenever he goes out he wears it. I picked up a helmet shortly after that though I still don't wear it often enough it's cheap 20-40 dollar insurance. 20 when you find them clearing out the older models for a change in colors... Nate
Thanks for all the words of support, guys! It is true how you don't think about how such a little thing could "get you" until after it happens. Trying to sit back and relax is going to be the hardest part, it's not something I am very good at! I just want to get back to "normal life" and that's 2 months away, at a bare minimum! Today makes one full week since the injury, so at least the time is going quick!
Scott, I wish you a speedy recovery.By the way,did it hurt? If that is a pain like most broken bones I can't see how you get pain to stop because you have to move your neck a certain amount to function.Hope you are not hurting.
Welcome to the "Lucky Dudes Club"! I just finished my "recovery period" from blowing out my C6 and C7. Had to have the discs removed and bone wedges put in their place complete with titanium plate and screws. (Fusion surgery) It was at least a week before I could even sit at the 'puter for a short time. Be prepared to rent many, many DVD's because unless your into "soaps" or watching the same movie 12 -15 times. Daytime TV S--ks!!! And don't be an Ahole like I was. When the doc says he doesn't want you reaching or extending, or not lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk, he is not kidding. Take it real easy!!! Even if it's boring as heck.
Tony - Send me an IM when you know for sure if you'll be in town! Rusty - I don't remember the inital impact, but I do have some vague memories of early on where the pain was overwhelming, and I had a hard time breathing because of it. I was very drugged up and from impact time on thursday until sunday is very much a blur to me. The neck brace I have on is very restricting, allowing maybe 5 degrees movement at most in any direction, so I can't really move it enough to really hurt. My back causes me the most pain, with horrendous muscle spasms that make my worst lower back pain seem like child's play in comparison. Bill - I got the same "gallon of milk" line from my Doc. I will be even more careful to heed his advice. It's tough to not do all the "fun stuff" but I'm sure ignoring Dr. orders now will make for an even longer recovery. Oh, and I think I've already had all I can take of Maury Povich and Jerry Springer :grin:
