Not so merry Christmas! (long post)

[jaydee]

I realize that Christmas is well and truly over - but I am only just getting back to the computer after my not so happy Christmas.

On Christmas eve I was having a great ride - weather was cool and I was thinking that one of you lovely people in the snow had bottled some cold weather and sent it my way to cool down the summer.

I saw the car on my left, it slowed down and I assumed the driver had seen me and would stop at the Give Way sign at the intersection. So I kept pedalling - and the car accelerated into me. I heard the crash and was flying through the air before hitting the ground on my left side, left arm stretched out as if I was body surfing.

The car stopped, as did a couple of others. Police were just down the road so they were there quickly too. Ambulance called and I was hauled off to hospital, the bike taken to the police station. The driver who hit me was most distressed too - and his mum arrived to take him home I think.

Well, broken collarbone and ribs, and pulled muscles all through the chest. I live alone with all my family interstate, so I had to call on a cycling friend to collect me from the hospital and take me home. I have a 2 storey home and there was no way I could manage the stairs so my friend hauled cushions and blankets downstairs for me.

I was not going to tell my family until after Christmas as I didn't want to upset them for Christmas. But when they rang me on Christmas day I burst into tears and confessed. I couldn't do a thing for mysel at that`stage so my dear 76 year old dad hopped on a flight straight away and was with me that` afternoon. Of course that meant leaving my mum by herself which was a real worry as she is a bit wobbly herself.

But with Dad helping, I was able to get on a flight on the 28th December and come up here to recover - and keep an eye on mum too.

I am pretty good now considering - the sling is gone for the collarbone and as long as I am careful I can do most things for myself.

I am still keen on the idea of riding but am not too sure when it will happen and how nervous I will be. I still have to get the bike etc sorted - it was damaged but I won't know the extent till I get home.

As much as I get embarrassed by wearing lycra, it was`a huge bonus in the crash as I slid along the top of the road and lost very little skin at all.

My first crash - and one I do not ever wish to repeat!! :(

[GraysonKelly]

Good Heavens! Jaydee, I'm so sorry to hear about all that. What an awful way to spend the holidays. I'm happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery and received some love and help from your folks. I'll keep sending positive thoughts for a continued recovery.
Hugs to you,
Gray

[lph]

aaw, that's terrible, jaydee! glad your folks could come help you when you needed it. painless healing to you!

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi Jaydee

I was just about to log off and suddenly noticed your thread.

Oh you poor thing, Christmas as well.

May you mend really quickly but it is so good to know you are with your parents, sounds like you will all be looking after each other. ;)

Sending lots of hugs and good karma across the pond.

Clock

[crazycanuck]

OOO..Jaydee :( Crap!!

I'm sorry to hear you've had a crash :( YOu'll heal soon & be back on your bike soon!!!

I know what it's like to be off your bike for a while(did something similar in the collarbone/sternum area..), as do many TE'ers!! :(

Please take care of yourself & ensure if you need any help..ASK!!!

Take care

C

[sbctwin]

Please take care, Jaydee. I hope your wounds heal quickly.

[OakLeaf]

Oh man. :(

So sorry that happened to you. But glad it wasn't worse - and that you've had friends and family to care for you when you needed it.

Hope you continue to heal quickly - that you're getting good physical therapy - and that the driver was cited appropriately!

[bmccasland]

Jaydee - :eek:
Hope you're feeling better. What a way to spend your Christmas. Recovering from a crash is never fun.

[derailed]

I am so sorry to hear of your crash.

The young man who hit you didn't panic and didn't leave? Good for him, good for his parents!

You chose roads public enough to have good support when you needed it? Awesome!

You had a friend you could rely on to get you home and tucked in? Excellent!

Your Dad is fit enough to travel and help you travel? You win!

I am so upset to hear that you crashed, and so relieved by all of these better-than-could-have-beens.

Please recover well and completely. Take time to heal. Get a good lawyer.

And when your PT team says you can, I hope the inspiration to ride stays with you.

[Jo-n-NY]

Sorry to hear of your horrible crash.

I took a fall a few years ago and fractured by shoulder, not half as bad as what happened to you. I was in a sling for 6 weeks.

Although as much as it was scary I always planned on getting back on the bike. When my shoulder was better I began riding my mtn bike through my developement and eventually went on my road bike. Although my fall was caused by broken up road, it made me a more cautious rider.

I hope you heal quickly and that you eventually enjoy riding again, it may just be with a different frame of mind.

~ JoAnn

[gingerale]

Oh wow! :eek: I am so sorry. I really hope you're back to 100% very soon. And hearing about your dad hopping a plane that very day...Christmas Day...to come and get you just warms my heart to no end. I'm so glad you poured out your soul to them so they could help.

Here's wishing you many, many quick healing vibes.

[Biciclista]

Jaydee, get well soon. I'm sorry you were hurt so badly but i'm really glad you told your parents! that's what family is for. :D

By now your ribs should have stopped hurting so much so life must be more tolerable. Take care and when you're ready go get your bike back.

Not sure where you live, but the driver of the car is liable for your medical expenses and the repair or replacement for your bike

[Grog]

Oh - this is truly awful. I hope you recover quickly.

And you are very lucky to have no road rash at all, congrats on a somewhat good fall (considering the circumstances).

I hope your bike makes it through as well as you will.

*gentle hug*

[tzvia]

Oh my, prayers headed your way for a quick full recovery!

[Ninabike]

Jaydee, So sorry about your crash, but thank God for your parents and cycling friend. You will be back on you bike; just give yourself time. Best wishes for the New Year.

[Iris616]

Jaydee-I hope you continue to heal without complications. So sorry to hear about your crash.

[smilingcat]

Oh :eek: Heal quick and worry about your bike after you have healed. Really sorry to hear it happened, especially on Christmas eve. The good thing is you managed to come out not too badly banged up. Lycra protecting your skin and such...

sending you some healing thoughts,
Smilingcat

[Aquila]

Sorry to hear about your crash, and hope you heal quickly!

Maybe you've made it through your one bad crash, so now it's fun biking the rest of the way? (I can hope!)

I think Derailed has a great way of looking at things.

[gnGracie]

Big hugs to you, Jaydee! What a scare that must have been for you! I'm so glad you're with your parents during your recovery. I don't think we ever outgrow the comfort provided by Mom & Dad.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. :)

[Bike Potato]

I'm so sorry to hear about your crash, but REALLY glad it wasn't any worse. And what a great dad, I'm glad he could come out and get you!
Hope you're feeling better soon.

[jaydee]

Thanks so much for good wishes everyone. I have felt the need to be a bit stoic here with family - put on a brave face when I wanted to curl up and cry, but all your good wishes have made me feel well on the way to recovery.

I must admit there have been a couple of funny moments - waking up in the middle of the night to find Dad peering into my face about 6 inches away. He had left his glasses upstairs and couldn't see whether I was`awake or not. And him coming back from the shop with a bucket of ice-cream when I had asked him to get aspirin - he is`a little deaf! :o

[RoadRaven]

Sending you healing thoughts from Aotearoa too, Jaydee.
And for your parents too... how great your family are able to step up and support you in this way.

[Red Rock]

Hope you continue to heal. Wow! a bucket of ice cream. Hope you all are enjoying eating it. I have a friend who is a little hard of hearing too, so I understand.

What a great family to come pick you up and help you get healthy.

Best wishes,
Red Rock

[derailed]

ice cream instead of aspirin; you are still his little kid =) That's very sweet.
As saddened as I am that you are suffering, I am so glad you have this time with your folks.

edit: thanks Aquila. I try to be the voice I would need to hear, so perhaps they will come back when I need them as well.

[malkin]

Glad to hear you are on the mend.

The ice cream/asprin mix up is classic, and who knows for sure, ice cream might have healing powers!

[sgtiger]

((((((jaydee))))))))
I hope your recovery goes quickly.

[bmccasland]

((((((Jaydee))))))

Well, Ice-cream helps in other ways. So does a nice stiff drink. Does Daddy Dear bring you a hot toddy too?

I hope you're feeling better soon.

[ClockworkOrange]

I must admit there have been a couple of funny moments .......................Dad coming back from the shop with a bucket of ice-cream when I had asked him to get aspirin - he is`a little deaf! :o

Hi Jaydee

I expect your Dad did hear but probably thought the ice cream would be better for his 'little girl'! You didn't say what flavour it was? :D

Anyway jaydee, how are you repairing bet the bruising is coming out well, are you still being made a fuss of or are you now back home?

Take it easy anyway.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/penguins.gif

Clock

[bmccasland]

Jaydee,
Yeah, up-date girl! How are you feeling? How's the bike? Are you happy to be back in your own bed? :p

Hope you're feeling better!

[Brandi]

I would take your time getting back on your bike. But don't not get back on it. Don't let life hold you down like that. Youw ill be very aware of what is going on around you more now I am sure. Never under estamate a driver in a car. And it sounds like you got off fairly light compared to some accidents i have herd about. Not saying yours was not bad and on Christmas eve!
Take care! And should we be concerned about the black roses in your avatar photo?:confused:

[mtbdarby]

Also glad to hear you're ok Jaydee. The ice cream story was too cute:D I hope there was chocolate syrup to go with that. Definitely has healing powers!

What a wonderful family. Kinda brings back the true meaning of Christmas - you got just what you needed from them. Take care of yourself.

So where do you live? Maybe some local TEers are around and come check on you when you get home.

[jaydee]

Thanks for all your support.

This week I have actually felt that I might be on the real road to recovery. The collarbone is still a bit sore - especially when I do the wrong things, but because a lot of the other aches are disappearing, the ones that have been masked a bit are popping out, but that is okay as most are twinges rather than BIG problems.

I head home this weekend - fly down on Saturday. My daughter is home from England for a little while so she is coming down with me to 'supervise' - I think with a 22 year old daughter that might mean intensive shopping! :D

School starts in 2 weeks so I am hoping that I am right to go, as I don't really want my classes to start with the year with a supervising teacher.

The fun with lawyers etc will all start when I get home. But because the driver was charged by the police, I don't have to argue who was right or wrong which is good.

Many thanks once again!

[kelownagirl]

Jaydee - I just read this now - so sorry you had such an awful crash and that it messed up your Christmas. It's scary to think how vulnerable we are on our bikes. I hope you continue to recover quickly.

[jaydee]

Yay, I'm home - and slept in my own bed last night. It is lovely.

I know I have been looked after so well by my mum and dad, but there is nothing like being in your own home.

The collarbone and ribs are still 'delicate' at times, but I am sure that pottering around here at home and catching up with all my cycling buddies will do all bits of me the world of good.

I am ignoring the pile of bills that were waiting for me - I will sort all that out over the next few days. For the moment I am enjoying the company of my daughter who is here with me for a few days, the cooler weather and the luxury of wandering from my chair to my couch to my bed, carrying my cuddly cushions with me.

So thanks for your wonderful support. I am home!:D

[bmccasland]

Jaydee,
Glad you're home, and glad to hear you have someone there with you for that extra little bit of help. Just take it easy, unfortunately there's no rushing healing. ;)

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi Jaydee http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3223160291_296b6a4f86_m.jpg You can't beat being in your own home and bed.

Take everything slowly and have some fun with your daughter around, laughter is good for you. :rolleyes:

Clock

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Jaydee- how wonderful that you are home again and recovering!

I'd say you are truly blessed right now, having not only your parents but also your daughter to look after you during this crisis. A generation on each end is caring for you! :)

[derailed]

I'm so glad you are safely home, and wish you complete recovery.

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Jaydee, glad to hear you are home again

In the words of the immotal Judy Garland aka Dorothy... there's no place like home... there's no place like home... there's no place like home... there's no place like home... there's no place like home... there's no place like home... there's no place like home...

[OakLeaf]

Glad you're home Jaydee. Now remember to take good care of yourself. Hope the rest of your healing goes quick!