multiple pelvic fractures in cycling accident

"Alis Whitt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

Sorry, no medical advise just a word of encouragement. Take it easy out
there!

Firstly, ouch! I know the pain that you are in. About 7 years ago I too
hit my right side fracturing my pelvis and cracking several ribs.
A question--Are your fractures stable? If they are it should make for an
easier recovery. Mine was stable, and I was told to keep all weight off it
for 6 weeks. I was able to get around on crutches, but it sounds as though
your injuries are more severe. Obviously, your orthopod will guide you. I
found that the soft tissue damage was much more debilitating over the long
haul of about 8-10 months. While I was back on the bike in 10 weeks, it was
almost a year before I didn't daily feel the after effects.
What helped me recover well from the soft tissue damage, IMO, was deep
massage therapy. I began that 5 days after the accident. My therapist was
a very sensitive magician who could feel how far to go without hurting the
injury further. After about three weeks of seeing her twice a week, I went
to another MT in her shop who was good and continued that twice a week for
another month or so. After that I went once a week.
I did get a referral for physical therapy but found them to be not very
helpful. The gave me some band exercises to do for lateral strength and
cycling did the rest.

Now when the weather is changing and rain is on the way, my hip tends to
ache. I always doubted old people's complaints about such aches, but no
more. Other than that, all is well. Good luck on your recovery. Let
common sense be your guide.

"Alis Whitt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

No advice either, except to be thankful for your life and the ability to
hopefully ride your bike again someday soon!

God bless you and PLEASE be patient with your rehab!

"matabala" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Alis Whitt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

Sorry, no medical advise just a word of encouragement. Take it easy out
there!

Calling Mike Murray M.D..... Calling Mike Murray M.D.... STAT!!!!

[email hidden]

http://www.obra.org/contact.html

"Alis Whitt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

B. Lafferty said:

Firstly, ouch! I know the pain that you are in. About 7 years ago I too
hit my right side fracturing my pelvis and cracking several ribs.
A question--Are your fractures stable? If they are it should make for an
easier recovery. Mine was stable, and I was told to keep all weight off it
for 6 weeks. I was able to get around on crutches, but it sounds as though
your injuries are more severe. Obviously, your orthopod will guide you. I
found that the soft tissue damage was much more debilitating over the long
haul of about 8-10 months. While I was back on the bike in 10 weeks, it was
almost a year before I didn't daily feel the after effects.
What helped me recover well from the soft tissue damage, IMO, was deep
massage therapy. I began that 5 days after the accident. My therapist was
a very sensitive magician who could feel how far to go without hurting the
injury further. After about three weeks of seeing her twice a week, I went
to another MT in her shop who was good and continued that twice a week for
another month or so. After that I went once a week.
I did get a referral for physical therapy but found them to be not very
helpful. The gave me some band exercises to do for lateral strength and
cycling did the rest.

Now when the weather is changing and rain is on the way, my hip tends to
ache. I always doubted old people's complaints about such aches, but no
more. Other than that, all is well. Good luck on your recovery. Let
common sense be your guide.

"Alis Whitt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

Brian--

You probably knew Lorraine V--she fractured her pelvis maybe 10 years
ago, when she would have been in her mid 40s. She was out riding again
in a couple of months.
I think the key is that every situation is different, and any orthopod
who sees the OP and the x-rays will know much more about when, and how
much, and why.
Best to the OP for a speedy recovery.

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

Alis Whitt said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

As one who is two weeks into recovering from a broken arm and surgery (plate, 9 screws) I feel your pain. Let us know how it goes.

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

B. Lafferty said:

Firstly, ouch! I know the pain that you are in. About 7 years ago I too
hit my right side fracturing my pelvis and cracking several ribs.
A question--Are your fractures stable? If they are it should make for an
easier recovery. Mine was stable, and I was told to keep all weight off
it for 6 weeks. I was able to get around on crutches, but it sounds as
though your injuries are more severe. Obviously, your orthopod will
guide you. I found that the soft tissue damage was much more
debilitating over the long haul of about 8-10 months. While I was back
on the bike in 10 weeks, it was almost a year before I didn't daily feel
the after effects.
What helped me recover well from the soft tissue damage, IMO, was deep
massage therapy. I began that 5 days after the accident. My therapist
was a very sensitive magician who could feel how far to go without
hurting the injury further. After about three weeks of seeing her twice
a week, I went to another MT in her shop who was good and continued that
twice a week for another month or so. After that I went once a week.
I did get a referral for physical therapy but found them to be not very
helpful. The gave me some band exercises to do for lateral strength and
cycling did the rest.

Now when the weather is changing and rain is on the way, my hip tends to
ache. I always doubted old people's complaints about such aches, but no
more. Other than that, all is well. Good luck on your recovery. Let
common sense be your guide.

"Alis Whitt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

Brian--

You probably knew Lorraine V--she fractured her pelvis maybe 10 years ago,
when she would have been in her mid 40s. She was out riding again in a
couple of months.
I think the key is that every situation is different, and any orthopod who
sees the OP and the x-rays will know much more about when, and how much,
and why.
Best to the OP for a speedy recovery.

Steve

No. I'm afraid I don't. I agree with you advice which is why I said her
orthopod would guide her. The more general soft tissue recovery is actually
more generic. I know two people who fractured their pelvi and both found
the longer soft tissue recovery frustrating, as did I. When ya get older,
the bones heal quickly but the tissue takes longer. Best not to fall.

"Alis Whitt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

Alis,

I'm just past the 2-year "anniversary" of getting hit by a car on a training
ride. I had a fractured pelvis, severly broken hip (nearly severed the
femoral head0, broken ankle and a compression fracture of the spine.

As another poster said, I'm sure every case is different and every
individual is different. After surgery to repair the hip and ankle (I now
have a number of titanium parts), I was ordered to be non-weight bearing for
6 weeks. I was partial weight bearing for another 3 weeks after that. Then
I was in physical therapy for a number of weeks after that.

Bottom line, I was hit by a car in mid-October. I was doing every exercise
I could invent in the easy chair I was confined to when I got out of the
hospital. I was riding rollers by mid-December. In late January, I was on
the road and finishing winter training rides with my training buddies. The
following May I did a century with over 7,500 feet of climbing and finished
with the lead pack of racer-types in just under 5 hours ... my personal best
for that ride.

This was my second serious cycling injury. I'd broken my kneecap in a crash
a few years before. I was determined that I wasn't going to let it be a
setback for long ... and it wasn't.

Today, the ankle probably causes me more problem than any of it, but I have
a farm and I hike the property and some very rough terrain every morning.
The pelvic fracture was never even on the radar screen because the hip and
ankle were so much worse. By the time those things were good to go, the hip
was fine. The compression fracture will be with me forever. If I'm sitting
at my desk working, it sometimes starts to ache and it can really bother me.
But riding, moving around, doing anything active I don't notice it at all.

What worked for me was constantly pushing and fighting it. I did everything
I could not let muscles atrophy. The day my cast came off my leg, I started
laying on my back on the floor and bicycling my legs in the air. It was
non-weight bearing and the doc said it would be good for my flexibility. I
did dips using the arms of the chair. Etc. My doc never told me I was doing
too much. But she was wonderful in that she understood that I REALLY wanted
to get back on the bike and she was determined to help me get there. Oh,
and stretching exercises ... those were REALLY important. I had a lot of
stiffness in the hip and pelvis areas and it really took some painful
stretching to get through that.

One final detail that may be relevant to you ... when this happened, I was
46.

One last word. Be very careful about the drugs. I had to take some
powerful pain killers for a while. I tried to keep them to a minimum, but
the doc advised I was better off not to let the pain get too bad before I
tried to knock it back. (And sometimes pushing things the way I did
resulted in some delayed pain.) I ended up taking enough that, when it was
time to get off of the pills, I suffered withdrawl symptoms. That was the
worst part of the entire recovery episode. Talk to your doc about pain
management and try to avoid overdoing the pain medication.

I hope you're back in action soon!

Bob C.

psycholist said:

Alis,

I'm just past the 2-year "anniversary" of getting hit by a car on a training
ride. I had a fractured pelvis, severly broken hip (nearly severed the
femoral head0, broken ankle and a compression fracture of the spine.

As another poster said, I'm sure every case is different and every
individual is different. After surgery to repair the hip and ankle (I now
have a number of titanium parts), I was ordered to be non-weight bearing for
6 weeks. I was partial weight bearing for another 3 weeks after that. Then
I was in physical therapy for a number of weeks after that.

Bottom line, I was hit by a car in mid-October. I was doing every exercise
I could invent in the easy chair I was confined to when I got out of the
hospital. I was riding rollers by mid-December. In late January, I was on
the road and finishing winter training rides with my training buddies. The
following May I did a century with over 7,500 feet of climbing and finished
with the lead pack of racer-types in just under 5 hours ... my personal best
for that ride.

This was my second serious cycling injury. I'd broken my kneecap in a crash
a few years before. I was determined that I wasn't going to let it be a
setback for long ... and it wasn't.

Today, the ankle probably causes me more problem than any of it, but I have
a farm and I hike the property and some very rough terrain every morning.
The pelvic fracture was never even on the radar screen because the hip and
ankle were so much worse. By the time those things were good to go, the hip
was fine. The compression fracture will be with me forever. If I'm sitting
at my desk working, it sometimes starts to ache and it can really bother me.
But riding, moving around, doing anything active I don't notice it at all.

What worked for me was constantly pushing and fighting it. I did everything
I could not let muscles atrophy. The day my cast came off my leg, I started
laying on my back on the floor and bicycling my legs in the air. It was
non-weight bearing and the doc said it would be good for my flexibility. I
did dips using the arms of the chair. Etc. My doc never told me I was doing
too much. But she was wonderful in that she understood that I REALLY wanted
to get back on the bike and she was determined to help me get there. Oh,
and stretching exercises ... those were REALLY important. I had a lot of
stiffness in the hip and pelvis areas and it really took some painful
stretching to get through that.

One final detail that may be relevant to you ... when this happened, I was
46.

I hope you're back in action soon!

Bob C.

Geez Bob, that makes my tiny arm break look wussy by comparison. Glad to hear you were able to recover so well - it gives me hope for getting back all my range of motion, which is really limited right now.

Let's all just quit breaking stuff, ok? That would make life easier.

lw

Can you tell us about your accident so maybe others can learn from it
and try to avoid a similar accident.?

Best luck in your recovery.On 20 Nov 2004 08:35:12 -0800,

(Alis Whitt) said:

Hello. Six weeks ago I fractured my pelvis and one vertebra on a
metric century ride. I am a 41 year old female and until this
accident I was in excellent health. I broke the front pubic bone, the
rear "sitz" bone, and have a compression fracture in the upper part of
my pelvis. My understanding is that the compression fracture is why
I'm advised to put no weight on my right leg (all these injuries were
to the right side). The L5 vertebre has a transverse process
fracture. I was hospitalized for two weeks. They did not do surgery,
though it was debated for a number of days. I have been unable to
walk, drive, work, or, obviously, ride. I have been taken out of
physcial therapy in order to allow more healing.

On Monday, I return to my orthopaedist for a six-week x-ray. I wonder
if anyone out there has had similar injuries, has any advice or
suggestions as to what I should ask my physician? I also wonder about
other web discussion lists where I might find some expertise?

Thanks in advance.

Alis

pedalchick said:

Geez Bob, that makes my tiny arm break look wussy by comparison. Glad
to hear you were able to recover so well - it gives me hope for getting
back all my range of motion, which is really limited right now.

Let's all just quit breaking stuff, ok? That would make life easier.

lw

Wow--I can imagine someone considering racing and reading through this
thread.
Best wishes for a complete recovery!

Steve

"Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

pedalchick said:

Geez Bob, that makes my tiny arm break look wussy by comparison. Glad
to hear you were able to recover so well - it gives me hope for getting
back all my range of motion, which is really limited right now.

Let's all just quit breaking stuff, ok? That would make life easier.

lw

Wow--I can imagine someone considering racing and reading through this
thread.
Best wishes for a complete recovery!

Steve

I've talked about my accident and recovery quite a bit in this newsgroup and
others. I've considered that it might be a deterrent to cycling and I hope
it's not. I try to remember to tell about how enthusiastic I was to get
back on the bike. I felt like a caged animal while I had to be off the
bike. I was back on it absolutely as fast as I could possibly get out
there.

I used to smoke 2 1/2 packs per day and I was an alcoholic. At 35 years old
I wouldn't be able to fall asleep at night because when I laid down in bed
I'd wheeze and cough so much ... well, I actually feared if I fell asleep I
might not wake up. Cycling helped me completely change my life. The worst
shape I was in as a result of my accident was better than the shape I was in
back when I was 35.

Bob C.

"psycholist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Wow--I can imagine someone considering racing and reading through this
thread.
Best wishes for a complete recovery!

Steve

I've talked about my accident and recovery quite a bit in this newsgroup
and others. I've considered that it might be a deterrent to cycling and I
hope it's not. I try to remember to tell about how enthusiastic I was to
get back on the bike. I felt like a caged animal while I had to be off
the bike. I was back on it absolutely as fast as I could possibly get out
there.

I used to smoke 2 1/2 packs per day and I was an alcoholic. At 35 years
old I wouldn't be able to fall asleep at night because when I laid down in
bed I'd wheeze and cough so much ... well, I actually feared if I fell
asleep I might not wake up. Cycling helped me completely change my life.
The worst shape I was in as a result of my accident was better than the
shape I was in back when I was 35.

Bob C.

Inspiring story!

I think it should be noted that falling on ones hip is indicative of a rider
obeying the first rule of all crashes--Protect The Bike!

"B. Lafferty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"psycholist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Wow--I can imagine someone considering racing and reading through this
thread.
Best wishes for a complete recovery!

Steve

I've talked about my accident and recovery quite a bit in this newsgroup
and others. I've considered that it might be a deterrent to cycling and
I hope it's not. I try to remember to tell about how enthusiastic I was
to get back on the bike. I felt like a caged animal while I had to be
off the bike. I was back on it absolutely as fast as I could possibly
get out there.

I used to smoke 2 1/2 packs per day and I was an alcoholic. At 35 years
old I wouldn't be able to fall asleep at night because when I laid down
in bed I'd wheeze and cough so much ... well, I actually feared if I fell
asleep I might not wake up. Cycling helped me completely change my life.
The worst shape I was in as a result of my accident was better than the
shape I was in back when I was 35.

Bob C.

Inspiring story!

I think it should be noted that falling on ones hip is indicative of a
rider obeying the first rule of all crashes--Protect The Bike!

I was hit by a car (teenager talking on a cell phone ... how can anyone
justify allowing that?). Still, same rule applied. I'm layin' there on the
pavement waiting for the ambulance and asking how my bike is.

It was totaled.

Bob C.

"psycholist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"B. Lafferty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"psycholist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

>
> Wow--I can imagine someone considering racing and reading through this
> thread.
> Best wishes for a complete recovery!
>
> Steve
>

I've talked about my accident and recovery quite a bit in this newsgroup
and others. I've considered that it might be a deterrent to cycling and
I hope it's not. I try to remember to tell about how enthusiastic I was
to get back on the bike. I felt like a caged animal while I had to be
off the bike. I was back on it absolutely as fast as I could possibly
get out there.

I used to smoke 2 1/2 packs per day and I was an alcoholic. At 35 years
old I wouldn't be able to fall asleep at night because when I laid down
in bed I'd wheeze and cough so much ... well, I actually feared if I
fell asleep I might not wake up. Cycling helped me completely change my
life. The worst shape I was in as a result of my accident was better
than the shape I was in back when I was 35.

Bob C.

Inspiring story!

I think it should be noted that falling on ones hip is indicative of a
rider obeying the first rule of all crashes--Protect The Bike!

I was hit by a car (teenager talking on a cell phone ... how can anyone
justify allowing that?). Still, same rule applied. I'm layin' there on
the pavement waiting for the ambulance and asking how my bike is.

It was totaled.

Bob C.

Not a good way to get an new machine. Last spring a friend and I were
riding along, taking pulls at about 22 or 23 mph when a guy pulled out from
a side street after stopping but not seeing the cyclists. My friend was up
front and saw the guy a nanosecond after I did. He hit the van broadside
but managed to rotate so that his back and neck took the hit thus sparing
his Agis (a bent chainring was the extent of the damage). I barely got
around the van upright by going into the oncoming lane. Fortunately there
was no oncoming traffic.

Bruises and abrasions were all that he suffered. The insurance company paid
all the medical expenses and he took (the fool) their first offer of $3500
for P&S.

When riding in Massachusetts with its very aged population, beware of the
following:
1. A cuetip behind the wheel (old, thin person with white hair).
2. Driving a Buick or older Oldsmobile.
3. A green MA plate as opposed to the newer red and white one.

If all three are present, stop and get out of the way.

"B. Lafferty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"psycholist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"B. Lafferty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"psycholist" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
>>
>> Wow--I can imagine someone considering racing and reading through this
>> thread.
>> Best wishes for a complete recovery!
>>
>> Steve
>>
>
> I've talked about my accident and recovery quite a bit in this
> newsgroup and others. I've considered that it might be a deterrent to
> cycling and I hope it's not. I try to remember to tell about how
> enthusiastic I was to get back on the bike. I felt like a caged animal
> while I had to be off the bike. I was back on it absolutely as fast as
> I could possibly get out there.
>
> I used to smoke 2 1/2 packs per day and I was an alcoholic. At 35
> years old I wouldn't be able to fall asleep at night because when I
> laid down in bed I'd wheeze and cough so much ... well, I actually
> feared if I fell asleep I might not wake up. Cycling helped me
> completely change my life. The worst shape I was in as a result of my
> accident was better than the shape I was in back when I was 35.
>
> Bob C.

Inspiring story!

I think it should be noted that falling on ones hip is indicative of a
rider obeying the first rule of all crashes--Protect The Bike!

I was hit by a car (teenager talking on a cell phone ... how can anyone
justify allowing that?). Still, same rule applied. I'm layin' there on
the pavement waiting for the ambulance and asking how my bike is.

It was totaled.

Bob C.

Not a good way to get an new machine. Last spring a friend and I were
riding along, taking pulls at about 22 or 23 mph when a guy pulled out
from a side street after stopping but not seeing the cyclists. My friend
was up front and saw the guy a nanosecond after I did. He hit the van
broadside but managed to rotate so that his back and neck took the hit
thus sparing his Agis (a bent chainring was the extent of the damage). I
barely got around the van upright by going into the oncoming lane.
Fortunately there was no oncoming traffic.

Bruises and abrasions were all that he suffered. The insurance company
paid all the medical expenses and he took (the fool) their first offer of
$3500 for P&S.

When riding in Massachusetts with its very aged population, beware of the
following:
1. A cuetip behind the wheel (old, thin person with white hair).
2. Driving a Buick or older Oldsmobile.
3. A green MA plate as opposed to the newer red and white one.

If all three are present, stop and get out of the way.

My wife and I joke that getting hit by a car was the best financial move I
ever made. I bought the farm ... literally. I was very fortunate to have
been hit by a person driving a car whose owner had excellent insurance. I
was also fortunate to have a county deputy arrive on the scene who actually
knew the law, knew that I was in the right and cited the driver
appropriately.

I hear you on the Q-tips.

Bob C.

psycholist wrote:

(snip)

Quoted message said:

I hear you on the Q-tips.

Bob C.

I've been called a Q-tip. I doubt it had anything to do with the color
of my hair though.

Steve

"Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

psycholist wrote:

(snip)

Quoted message said:

I hear you on the Q-tips.

Bob C.

I've been called a Q-tip. I doubt it had anything to do with the color of
my hair though.

Steve

Do we really want to go there?

Best wishes on your recovery. I broke my hip just over 3 years ago on
a training ride, and it was a very humbling injury. But oddly, I'm
actually grateful for the experience I had as a result. Having the
opportunity to start again from zero (as an adult)is an amazing
journey.

As you are probably already discovering, the human body (especially a
fit one) has an amazing capacity to heal and recover. My advice is to
make the best of your recovery, accept the help that is offered to you
by friends and family, and to not be afraid to ask people FOR that
help. Ask friends to loan you some good books and stay away from the
TV as much as possible. Do the exercises the therapist tells you to
do in bed, and make THOSE your new training goals. Forget about your
bike, and take it easy. You probably have a lot of soft-tissue
damange and bruising from the crash, and that can be very painful and
uncomfortable. Let your body heal completely and don't use some of
the people here on r.b.r as examples (most of them seem to hop on a
trainer far ahead of the doctor's advice). You'll be back, and yes,
your life has changed for now. You are on a new course.

Seek physical therapy from those who tend to specialize in the needs
of athletes (they all say that they do), but really, most of them are
rehab-ing sedentary people. Ask around for a therapist/clinic that
really does see your end goals in their rehab plan. Don't be afraid
to challenge your therapist and ask tough questions.

Best wishes,

-k