Welcome home Jobob!

[maillotpois]

We have kept this all a bit quiet, but Jobob had a bad crash last Saturday during a team training ride.

I will let her fill you all in on her story and how she's doing. I talked to her last night and she sounds great and she is coming home from the hospital today and I thought it would be good for all of us to give her a big WELCOME HOME!

[Veronica]

I hope you heal up quickly Jo!

Veronica

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh no! Was the bike okay too? Get well soon.

[OakLeaf]

Oh wow Jobob, welcome back and heal up quick!

[Ninabike]

Wow Jobob!! Hope you heal quick and are back on your bike soon.

[Biciclista]

get well soon Jobob!

[Fredwina]

But figured something was up from a post MP had made on facebook (considering we're have a discussion about "Friends" on Facebook, and I've never met MP and JoBob in RL)
{{{{{Jobob}}}} and on that new Lynskey?:(:(:(

[andtckrtoo]

Ooooh!!!! I'm glad you're back home!! How are you? What happened? Do you need anything?

[Possegal]

Oh my heavens. This is terrible to hear, but glad to hear that jobob sounded good and is at home now.

Hope you are better very very soon!

[aka_kim]

Welcome home, Jo!

[Badgirl]

Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!

[sundial]

GLAD YOU'RE OK!!

[indysteel]

Jobob, I hope you're feeling better and that you have a quick and full recovery.

Hugs!

[redrhodie]

Welcome home! I hope you're okay, the bike is okay, and all is well.

[uforgot]

Oh no! Get better quick. Have some bonbons, watch trashy tv and try to enjoy your recovery.

[SadieKate]

Just got off the phone with her. No one has come in today to talk to her about going home, but she has big plans for Fudge Ripple Ice Cream when she gets there. She'd just had her first shower and sounded pretty alert at the beginning of the call but faded quickly (though I'm not sure she knew it) probably due to "better living through chemistry." She's also feeling ripped off that she didn't get any of the microbrew IPA that someone had brought for the post-ride potluck.

So humor is intact and she was happy to hear about all the well wishes from TE. I'll send a link to Mr. Jobob to see if he can print off the thread to take to her. She's having troubles getting on-line from the hospital.

Fredwina -- She said to tell you that as far as she knows from what Mr. Jobob told her, the Lynskey is fine but the rear derailleur may be damaged.

[bikerz]

Yay Jo!

Welcome home and enjoy your ice cream (and the "chemistry")!

[mtbdarby]

Jobob - hope you get home and to that ice cream soon! When you feel up to it please fill us in on what happened. Take care of yourself and here's to a speedy recovery.

[Jones]

Welcome home, heal quick and enjoy the ice cream.

[Triskeliongirl]

Warm wishes for a speedy recovery!!

[bmccasland]

Welcome Home!

Hope you feel better soon. Don't sit on the couch too long eating bonbons! :rolleyes:

[ny biker]

Get well soon!!!

[smilingcat]

OMG!!!

I wish you speedy and complete recovery. If you want some one of a kind cookies to go with your ice cream, let me know and I will bake you some.

Hoping your crash isn't as serious it sounds. Get home, get all the rest you need.

smilingcat

[salsabike]

Ms. Bob. We are so glad you're going to be heading home and starting to mend.

[five one]

After reading the thread title, I thought I was going to read about some great cycling vacation you'd just returned from.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jo.

[crazycanuck]

:( No way Ms Jobob :( I wondered where you were.

I'm sad to hear you had a crash *sigh*. You're such a cool cyclist & have done some great rides up dose BIIIIGG Califonia mountains.

Here's hoping you'll be back on your bike soon.

Take care & don't fret over recovery time.

C

[Adventure Girl]

Ice cream, chocolate, beer, repeat!!!

[melissam]

Jobob,

A shipment of beer will be headed your way soon. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!!

- Mel

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm very sad to hear you had a bad crash. I'm so glad you are well enough to be able to go home now. I hope you recover and heal quickly!
Be extra good to yourself over the next few weeks. :o

[oxysback]

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

My Rx: lots of ice cream therapy! ;)

[SlowButSteady]

Heal quickly!!!

And welcome back!!!!

[Crankin]

Get better soon.
And eat as much ice cream as you want.

[dachshund]

Welcome Home Jo!!!

I'm so glad to hear that you're well enough to come home - I bet it's great to be back. I hope your recovery is quick and smooth!

[sgtiger]

Jobob - I hope you'll be back on your bike soon. Until then, take it easy.

[snapdragen]

Jo. There are easier ways to get a ride on a helicopter. Honestly. I would even have gone with you......;)

Get lots of rest my friend, feel better soon.

Edit to add: Yes, there will be polenta when you are up to it. :D

[yellow]

Jo,

Relax, take it EZ, make sure the sofa doesn't fly away, and double-check the ice cream for texture and flavor. Let Lee know we can help with bon bon consultation if needed.

y

[AnnieBikes]

Oh, so sorry to hear of your injuries. I hope that ice cream, bon bons, cookies, and other "chemistry" helps you along the road to recovery. We all hate to hear of injuries at this time of the cycling season.

Best wishes for a quick and easy recovery.

[NbyNW]

Get well soon!

[spindizzy]

Hmm.... minor injuries to the bike...you're in hospital for days...sounds like you took one for your bike..you are my hero!!!

eat well and heal well.

[emily_in_nc]

So sorry to hear this. Hope you're back in the saddle again soon, JoBob, and with no lasting pain. :(

[Tuckervill]

Yikes! Sounds serious. Sure hope there's nothing permanent! Feel better soon.

Karen

[jobob]

Hi gang -


I'm home, and THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for all the well -wishes, what a great surprise!

I'm still really achey, alas. The worst is the double vision I'm having -- I see fine from each eye individually, but both eyes together focus on diif spots so I see double of everything, ack. I'll be going to an eye doc in a day or two.

I do not remember anything about the crash or the helicopter ride. :p

Probraby won't be riding for another couple of months but I'll know more as the days progress.

I probably won't be online all that much for starters either.

Thank you all for the well-wishes, you're all the greatest!!

- Jo.

[Grog]

Oh no!

But I'm relieved you're well enough to visit us at TE.

Thinking of you, and lifting my glass: to quick healing!

[trinena]

our puppy sends you a gentle kiss for all your pain. wishing you all the best from a fellow eastbayer. :o

[jesvetmed]

Hope you are back home soon and on the mend. Keep up the good humor!

[lph]

OWIE! :eek: Heal well!

[divingbiker]

Wow, so sorry to hear of your crash. But that does it--no ti bike for me! They're evil, I tell you!;)

Feel better soon.

[Selkie]

Jo

Just saw this post and am sending you lots of "get well quick" karma. Fiona and Maeve join Trinena's puppy is sending you warm golden retriever smooches and cuddles (the world's best medicine!).

Take good care of yourself and let LeeBob spoil you rotten.

Thinking of you!!!

[Trekhawk]

Get well soon Jo!
Tell Mr Bob to give you a big but gentle hug from me.

[OakLeaf]

Take good care (((((((Jobob))))))).

Heal quick (a wish/vibe to your body); but take as much time as you need.

My inner busybody hopes you'll give Maillotpois permission to tell us what happened if you don't feel up to posting the details yourself (or don't remember them). Sounds like a bad concussion and as always abrasions/contusions/maybe lacerations, but no fractures? What about joint injuries? Was it a single bike accident, or was someone else (or an animal) involved?

In any case, sending serenity and healing vitality over the ether.

[Aggie_Ama]

Yes please let someone tell us! Helicopter?! I am glad you are out so quick. Jeez. Eat lots of ice cream and then eat more if you want it. Sending tons of healing vibes westward.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Bless your heart, Jobob! Sounds like it was nasty enough of a crash that your brain didn't WANT you remembering it! eeeeyoooww.

Me and my Cocker Crew are sending you lots of healing thoughts. Hope you recover quickly and thoroughly!

I agree with the others about the chocolate and ice cream therapy! Cheers!

[maillotpois]

For those of you wanting the story of all of our worst day on a bike, here it is.

Jo did a fantastic job on a 70 mile Death Ride training ride this weekend. She was super strong, new bike was great, weather was wonderful. However, about 2 miles from the finish, on a very short descent, she went over the bars (according to witness on scene - none of our riders saw what happened and Jo does not recall). Maybe a big pothole, maybe an animal - we will never know.

When I got to the scene a couple of minutes later (I was riding sweep at the end of the ride), Jo was on the ground, semi conscious, bleeding from the face, being tended to by passers by who had gotten out of their cars - these people luckily had EMT training and one was a med student. TE-ers Mel and Dachsund were there - all very upset. Just awful.

I sent all the other TNT riders on their way accompanied by coaches, and Mel, Dachsund and I waited for help. Rangers were everywhere within minutes as this was a National Park (Pt Reyes). The passers by with EMT training were doing C spine precautions. Jo's husband Leebob came on scene shortly thereafter as he had been doing SAG for us.

She was airlifted to the hospital where she was diagnosed with compressed vertebra, cheekbone fracture and had stitches. They continued to monitor her for several days there as she had some mild (!) internal bleeding apparently. She also had a concussion for sure, though no no one ever said that word to me.

Big hug to both Jo and Lee and I am so glad you are home.

[newfsmith]

That sounds a lot like Denise Goldberg's accident, except on a descent. Best wishes for complete recovery. In the meantime, gentle hugs.

[andtckrtoo]

Oh my! Sending massive healing vibes to Jo! That is scary! I am so glad you will recover. When you are feeling up to it, I'll meet you for a beer instead of a ride.

PS to Sarah, Mel and Dachshund - that is never easy to come up on. I'm just glad she had y'all there. Says something about the benefits of group riding. Also - if you start to feel a little down or depressed, you may want to see a counselor for a time or two - seeing a good friend hurt can have some odd consequences that may seem totally unrelated but are not.

[skinimini]

Jo, full speed ahead with your recovery. Best wishes and good healing vibes on its way from Atlanta! :)

[Chile Pepper]

Sounds terrible. Get well soon, Jobob.

[Ninabike]

That sounds a lot like Denise Goldberg's accident, except on a descent. Best wishes for complete recovery. In the meantime, gentle hugs.

As I was reading Sarah's account, I was thinking exactly the same thing!! It just makes you realize how the most experienced cyclists can have accidents like this. Thoughts and prayers going your way Jo, and to Leebob too.

[tulip]

Jobob, I feel your pain! I was in a similar accident 5 years ago, and I, too, got to ride in a helicopter. I also don't remember the ride. Too bad, because I've always wanted to ride in a helicopter.

Take care of yourself. Don't hesitate to get cognitive or speech therapy if you need it. That's what I needed, but I couldn't advocate for myself at the time, so I missed out. I'm sure Leebob will advocate for you if you cannot.

-tulip

[Aggie_Ama]

I have never wanted to ride in a helicopter. Eek. Glad you are back home. Wish you the best in recovering.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I hope you heal rapidly. Poor thing, sounds awful!

[jobob]

I'm doing fine, gang. Lee's been a champ and I have a cozy steup near the toob and a small laptop to mess with. I'm typing real slow (from me that means crawling :D) but I'm seeing the doc tomorrow and in the meantime getting lots of rest so all is good (well, OK, but you know what I mean).

Oooh I'm the proud owner of a nice soft new snuggli in bright blue. Awesome loungwear. :)

Thanks for the recount, mp. I was only there in body. :rolleyes: Can't believe I was only a couple of miles from the end -- and the beer! Yeesh.

Later, folks.

- Jo.

[wackyjacky1]

Just wanna add my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. :)

[five one]

I'm so happy to see that you are in good spirits and that you are getting the best of care at home. Three cheers for Leebob :D.

Take plenty of time resting and healing. The bike(s) will always be there when the doc says it's okay to ride again.

[solobiker]

I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope you feel better soon. My heart is just racing to think about your accident and I was not even there. All the positive energy I can get is heading your way.

[cosc]

I hope your healing comes quickly. Let everyone treat you like royalty while getting well.

[GLC1968]

Wow, I don't know how I missed this.

Jo - I'm pleased to see that you are in good spirits. Heal quickly and let Mr Jobob take care of you!

(personally, I'd be thrilled that I didn't remember the helicopter ride...*shudder*)

[michelem]

Wow, I don't know how I missed this.

Me too! Well wishes, and gentle hugs to you. :o

[melissam]

For those of you wanting the story of all of our worst day on a bike, here it is.

MP did a great job summing up the whole crash scene. Yeah, it was one of the hardest days I've had on the bike. I think I got there a few minutes after it happened. I experienced a series of terrible realizations -- my heart sank further with each one: I saw the rider on the side of the road (maybe they're just fixing a flat? No, they're lying on the ground - that's not good), I recognized the Team In Training jersey, and I recognized Jobob's knickers and legs. And the Lynskey. I looked at her face and recognized Jobob, but well, she looked a lot better when she was climbing Mt. Vision a few miles earlier.

MP arrived a little later, LeeBob and Dachshund came up a few minutes after that. LeeBob and MP handled the situation like pros; Dachshund and I fell apart just a little bit on the side of the road. We took care of little things, like getting Jo's bike back up to the car, and transferring stuff to the other SAG from LeeBob's car so he could head up to the hospital.

I remember being so grateful that passers-by with the right training stopped to help and that the rangers and emergency personnel got there so quickly. Jobob was in really good hands.

And the people were so nice. The driver who was following her and saw the crash wanted to stay in contact to see how it all turned out. (Of course, at that point, I would have given my eye teeth to know that it was going to turn out as well as it has.)



PS to Sarah, Mel and Dachshund - that is never easy to come up on. I'm just glad she had y'all there. Says something about the benefits of group riding. Also - if you start to feel a little down or depressed, you may want to see a counselor for a time or two - seeing a good friend hurt can have some odd consequences that may seem totally unrelated but are not.
andtckrtoo,

Thanks -- so far, we're handling the aftermath pretty well. I rode back to the start/finish line from the crash site. I was tucked safely between Coach Sarah and Coach Graham, and wasn't as shaky as I thought I'd be. I also did a recovery ride on Sunday and wore my Amici Veloci jersey in Jobob's honor.

I think I'm ready to roll on Saturday's training ride.

Jobob,

It was great talking to you this morning on the phone -- you sounded great! We're planning to head up to Lagunitas after Saturday's ride so we can score you some of that Brown Shugga'!

- Mel

[maillotpois]

Jo - sounds like you are well set up for a good recovery. Never underestimate the healing power of TV. and ice cream. :p We really missed you on the ride today but we all sent big healing thoughts your way.

Mel - we did get lucky on the location of the crash - those rangers were amazing. I was so impressed. Have you talked to the witness/med student person who wanted an update? She was great.

[melissam]

MP,

I've played a bit of phone tag with the witness/med student. I gave LeeBob her phone number, and I think they've actually had a live phone conversation. It's good, because she actually saw the crash, so hopefully she can probably answer a lot of their questions.

It was great that she was a med student and could give good first aid. It was really great that she's a fellow cyclist, so she gave Jobob lots of space on the descent.

- Mel

PS Coach MP, I'm going to do a nice little endurance ride tonight and then go pump some iron!!

[maillotpois]

Wow - I did not realize she was a cyclist. That's pretty lucky.

[aka_kim]

I also did a recovery ride on Sunday and wore my Amici Veloci jersey in Jobob's honor.I did too (wore my AV jersey that is). It seemed appropriate, and there must be special healing powers in those colors.

Mel, I'm glad you guys are doing OK.

Jo, I'm so happy to see you posting again, and can't wait 'til the snarking begins anew, that's when we'll know you're really healed. :)

[Trek420]

there must be special healing powers in those colors.

It's not the colors. It's the years of absorbed ice cream and beer. :rolleyes: Sorry about the crash, Jobob. Get better soon.

[msincredible]

Sorry Jo, nice to see you back posting already though. Heal up fast!

[dachshund]

Dachshund and I fell apart just a little bit on the side of the road.

Yeah, all I could do was react emotionally. Jo was completely still. I don't think I ever saw her move, so I was very scared. I sagged the last part of the ride because of a headcold, so I was riding in the car with Lee. We came upon flashing lights and I could see a couple of cyclists. I got out of the car thinking "no, no, no..."

But darned if they didn't get a helicopter out there a few minutes later. Jo, you had an extremely efficient crew helping you.

Yes, heal up fast! In the meantime we'll bring therapeutic beer!

[sundial]

What a bad accident. :( :(

Jobob, did you have reconstructive surgery? I sure hope you get to feeling better soon. ((((((Jobob)))))))

Dachshund, Melissam, Maillotpois, and other Jobob teammates--(((((((((hug)))))))))

[crazycanuck]

I just want to extend my thank you to Dachshund, Melissam, Maillotpois & all those that came to your aid Jo.

Take care ladies.

[evangundy]

Best Wishes for a speedy recovery. Hope you're back on the bike in no time. It's great you had good help right there. Thanks to everyone that helped :-)

Edna

[jobob]

I just want to extend my thank you to Dachshund, Melissam, Maillotpois & all those that came to your aid Jo.

Take care ladies.

Couln't have said it better! :D

I'm so lucky to have such great frends. And an awesome hubby who is attending to my every need. :)

-Jo.

[jobob]

Yes, heal up fast! In the meantime we'll bring therapeutic beer!

Hee hee, Therapeutic indeed! :cool:

Mel & daschshund brought me some of Lagunitas' best, the wonderful Lagunitas IPA and a truly fabulous"Censored" (http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/censored.html) Rich Copper Ale. *

They also brought me a large bottle of Hop Stoopid Ale (http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/hopstoopid.html) and of Cappuccino Stout, both of which I will be happy to share. :)

* Totally makes up for the minute disappointment emanating from the selling out of Brown Sugga. Oh well.

And they brought LeeBob some incredible root beers.

Darn I have great friends! :D

[Running Mommy]

Ahhh Jobob! What a nightmare!
But on the good side... You seem to be getting your fill of Lagunitas! :D
When I worked for a firm in Petaluma we were right around the corner from Lagunitas. The guys would go for a "walk" everyday and return with big smiles platered across their faces! :D -- kinda like that!
Anyway, hope things are progressing well.

[SheFly]

Jobob - I'm just catching up on some TE reading and came across this thread. So sorry to hear about your accident! Sounds like you are healing now though, and in the right ways - beer, ice cream and rest! Do take care, and heal quickly!

And kudos to all of you who were there to help, and who are providing Jobob with healing beverages :D.

SheFly

[bmccasland]

(((((((Jobob)))))))
Here's to a speedy recovery, with approved libations and other nutritional matters well in hand.

[jobob]

Hey gang -

LeeBob & I took my Lynskey over to wheelgirl in Berkeley today to get it checked out apres-crash.

(FWIW wheelgirl just moved to the corner of San Pablo Ave & Camelia St. in Berkeley, near REI & Gilman St.
http://wheelgirl.typepad.com/web_log/2009/04/wheelgirl-moving-to-1400-san-pablo-ave-berkeley-starting-april-11.html )

The Lynskey is in remarkably good shape. We were joking over the fact that I took the brunt of the fall to save my bike - heh, yeah, I meant to do that. :D

The R230 frame has replaceable rear dropout/derailleur hangar which is a nice feature since mine will need to be replaced - much better than repairing the entire frame, that's for sure! - and a couple of spokes may need to be replaced on the rear wheel, which will need to be re-trued. And the cable cover on the rear der has to be replaced. The Brooks Team Pro saddle is a bit scuffed up on the right back side but that's mainly just cosmetic, and can be fixed w a good leather polish/protectant.

Apart from that though, not much else! The XTR rear derailleur is a bit scuffed up and Kurt will double-check it once the der hangar is replaced, but apart from that everything else (incl the frame, fork and seatpost) have a clean bill of health.

The bike came through this much better than did I. :cool:

And it was really nice to get out of the house for a while today - a great day. :cool:

[Biciclista]

that's good news, it could have been so much worse.
get well fast!

[Over50Newbie]

jobob - sorry that my get well wishes are a little late - I just saw this thread.

But what good news - you are healng well and your Lynskey is too.

Who could ask for more?

And beer will fix almost anything! :D

Seriously, I'm so glad that you are okay.

Lynette

[jobob]

And beer will fix almost anything! :D


Heh heh, it sure is up there.

Thanks so much for the well wishes, gang. It means a lot. :cool:

[Trekhawk]

That is good news Jo!
Glad to hear that you and the bike are recovering well.:D

[DirtDiva]

Hey Jo. Not good to hear you've had a bike-related hospital stay, but glad to hear you are starting to get better. Take care of yourself, eh. :)

[spazzdog]

Hey Jobob... I'm REALLY late to this news. I hope you are on the mend and close to getting back in the saddle.

Those derned "involuntary dismounts" will get you every time.

Hang tight Jobob - you be one of my cycling idols ;)

spazzdog

[jobob]

Hey Spazz, that's so sweet of you, thanks! And DirtDiva too, hi there.

Trekhawk sent me some tim-tams, best things on earth just about, both Lee and I say thanks to that (and the arm wrestling has begun. :cool:)

I'm doing better all the time, I can get up and go out for a few hours at a time w/o any problem. Even when I get tired, or my back gets a little achey (or both), a short lay-down works wonders.

My right shoulder is healing up nicely, I can move it pretty well now.

The double vision is still hanging in there. :p It's slowly diminishing, though, thankfully.

[jobob]

Oh and I almost forgot to mention, Leebob and Veronica were comparing ideas today on how to "decorate" my removable vest-like cast. Oy. :rolleyes:

[crazycanuck]

Jobob...i suppose you could make/do a Tim Tam Slam...:D with your fave drink. I don't think beer would go well though..how about some Baileys :D

Oh, do what the students did to one of our teachers when he had a halo after a hockey incident...christmas decorations...:rolleyes:

[snapdragen]

Oh and I almost forgot to mention, Leebob and Veronica were comparing ideas today on how to "decorate" my removable vest-like cast. Oy. :rolleyes:

Ooh, should I dig out my beads? Who's got a Beadazzled?

:D:D:D

[SadieKate]

Don't forget the glue gun and glitter.

[snapdragen]

Don't forget the glue gun and glitter.

Oh, excellent. I think I actually have glue stick....with glitter in them!!

[maillotpois]

Oooh! Arts 'n' Crafts!! Let's have some beer and get creative! :D

[snapdragen]

Oooh! Arts 'n' Crafts!! Let's have some beer and get creative! :D

Where did I leave my feathers...

[SadieKate]

How 'bout some tassels? :eek: :p

[jobob]

How 'bout some tassels? :eek: :p

Gah, I knew the guy who made my vest should have added enhancements (in the bust area) !!! :mad:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Here is Mexican painter Frieda Kahlo lying in bed while painting her body cast:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pM7pHGnfp1c/SNfrAfiNC_I/AAAAAAAAAFU/R_bnixHIAQA/s400/Frida.JPG

[jobob]

Oh lordy, don't give 'em ideas!! :rolleyes:

:D

[jesvetmed]

How 'bout some tassels?

Now that's creative!

So glad to hear you are doing better, Jobob. What a nightmare, but it sounds like you were in good hands... both at the accident site and well after for recovery. So happy that you are out and about, even for short periods.

[jobob]

It's so strange, now that Lee and I are getting out more, and he's telling people about the accident and the days immediately after in the ICU, I think "dayam, I must have really been bad off!"

But since I don't remember anything from that day (still), and very little from the following days, it seems like he's talking about someone else.

Weird, I know.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Can we get an update on how your recovery is coming along?

[maillotpois]

Well, I can contribute that I have seen Jo twice in the last week and she looks GREAT and seems to be in very good spirits. He turtle shell is very becoming on her and I understand the double vision comes and goes (good thing as one of me is enough). She joined us for the post-ride pub outing on Saturday and we were all VERY happy to see her.

She can fill in the details - I just wanted to pop in with my impressions....

[jobob]

Hey, thanks for asking, Lisa.

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their well-wishes. I got lots of cards and some awesome gifts in the mail, and lots of emails and PMs on TE and messages on Facebook. Thank you all so very much. I cannot begin to tell you how moved and grateful I am.

I think I gained a pound or two on Tim-Tams from Australia, courtesy of Trekhawk. Those things are so good they are evil and should be categorized as banned substances. :p

And SadieKate sent me the most adorable knitted doll, wearing a cycling jersey-like sweater with back pockets. Inside one of the back pockets is a little green jewel shaped like a turtle – yep, it’s the infamous Amici Veloci inner tortoise! And the front of the jersey has a heart, reminiscent of the Amici Veloci design. I named her Emmaline. (sorry I can't find my camera right now).

My crash was one month ago today. :eek: I find it hard to believe its been an entire month now, it certainly doesn’t seem that long, April simply flew by.

I think I’m going to call April 2009 "the month that wasn’t". :D

I still don’t remember a thing about the crash, nor about an hour or so beforehand. Lee and I actually drove out to the site of my crash a week ago Sunday. Nope, nothing, it was like I had never been there. It was a moderately steep downhill section and the road was fairly bumpy there. At the time of day I passed through it last month, it was partly shaded by trees, somewhat speckled, so the irregularities in the road were probably harder to see. But to be honest I’ve ridden over worse pavement! So no great revelations, I’m still assuming I must have hit a patch of pavement badly, or maybe some pavement came loose as I went over it, or I rolled over something that wasn’t pavement. Perhaps I was distracted by something (darn those shiny objects! ;) ), but since no-one was riding with me at that moment, it’ll just be one of life’s little mysteries.

As mp mentioned, I was at a team get-together last Saturday. I was speaking with one of the assistant coaches who told me that day he was riding with me a ways before the accident. We were carrying on a conversation in which I told him about my work. I even met his wife, who is a park ranger in the national park we were riding through and who was on duty at the time and stopped to say hello. It weirds me out a bit that I remember absolutely none of that!

Anyhow, enough of that. Although I naturally wonder how my crash occurred, and what I could have done to avoid it, I’m actually very glad that I don’t remember the crash or the immediate aftermath. One less bit of baggage for me! :D

I was in the hospital for four days, two days in the ICU and two days in a regular room. I remember very little of those first couple of days, and the next couple of days, well, I guess they weren’t all that memorable.

I only found out a couple of weeks ago that, for the first day or two, there were some real concerns about my recovery! :eek: I had hit my head very hard on the pavement (yep, I was wearing a helmet) and, although I was more or less conscious, I wasn’t really “there”, and they had no good way of knowing how much of my mental acuity would return. I’m told the folks in the ICU were relieved when I got on the phone with my boss on Monday morning and described to him, in reasonably good detail, the patent papers that were due that day that he had to get filed in my absence (I work as a patent agent). I still think that’s pretty funny, actually – that they revised my prognosis on account of my recall of my patent docket! :D

My husband Lee was great through all this. He admits he was scared sh*tless those first couple of days, but everyone I spoke to afterwards told me that he kept his head and was a real champ. He stayed at home at night while I was in the hospital, and he had a long drive to and from the hospital each day. He said that the drive, and being at home at night, really helped him keep it together. I cannot imagine what I put him through...

When I got home from the hospital Lee dragged our spare bed downstairs and into the living room, so I could watch TV if I wanted to, and so I wouldn’t need to use the stairs (we have a guest bath downstairs).

Lee took a couple of photos of me a day or two after I got out of the hospital – wow I looked like crap!! The right side of my face was badly scraped up and covered with scabs, yech. I slept a lot for the first couple of weeks, and yeah, surfed the web, but that’s about it.

I’m doing MUCH better now, as mp mentioned. I’ve been getting out and seeing friends and basically getting re-acquainted with the world. :cool:

My shoulder is almost all healed, it still doesn’t have the complete range of motion back, but it’s close. My face is pretty well healed up and I had the last few stitches removed a couple of days ago. I’ll probably wind up with a bit of scarring on the side of my face near the hairline, but nothing dramatic – just a small momento.

I still have a bit of double vision, but it’s still going away. I had slightly damaged my fourth cranial nerve, which controls the muscle that points my right eye downward diagonally towards my nose. That particular nerve damages easily, it is a common injury among cyclists, motorcyclists, boxers(!) and others who experience any sort of trauma to the side of the head. When it’s damaged the muscle can’t move the right eye in concert with the left very well, especially if one is looking level or downward (interestingly, I almost never got DV while looking upwards). I saw my opthamologist last week and he says its recovering at a good pace and he thinks it should be pretty well healed within a month. I actually experience DV nowadays mainly in the morning when I wake up, and at night when I’m tired; my vision is generally fine for the rest of the day.

My back – eh, I don’t really know yet. I had a mild compression fracture of the T7 vertebra, and a compression fracture supposedly takes a long time to heal (weeks to months). I’ll be seeing the neuro dr. in a couple of weeks to get some new x-rays taken so he can gauge its recovery. Thankfully, my back has not been painful at all, the worst is that it gets a bit uncomfortable when I’ve been sitting or standing a lot, but that goes away very quickly if I lay down for a few minutes. I last saw the neuro dr a few weeks ago and he said the prognosis for my recovery was very good, and he thought at the time that surgery wasn’t needed. I have no idea yet if I’ll have any sort of chronic back problems coming from this, but time will tell.

I’m wearing that stylin’ brace practically all the time, and no, no-one has inflicted their artistic impulses upon it yet. :D

My memory is back to normal, more or less. The doctors had warned Lee that I might be a bit forgetful for the first couple of months, and they were right. :p I have a bit of trouble remembering names of people I don’t deal with often, names of streets that I don’t frequent, directions to places I don’t go often, that sort of thing –- things that I used to have much less trouble remembering. But that should improve with time.

I’ve been off work ever since the accident and I start back again this coming Monday, although I’ve made a few very brief cameo appearances over the past couple of weeks. Luckily for my boss, I remember my work pretty darn well (although I did have a bit of trouble remembering where on our network I had saved a computer file he was trying to find. Heh heh :D )

And now, for the really important stuff. I still have no idea when I’ll be biking again, but hopefully it’ll be in a couple of months. And I was getting so strong, darnit!! :mad: But I guess I’ll be starting more or less from scratch. Eh, slow steps, grasshopper.

And who knows, maybe I’ll give the Death Ride a try next year. :cool:

Good lord, if this isn't the longest post ever on TE ... thanks for your patience!

hugs to you all, - Jo.

[SadieKate]

Yes, I had to send a proxy hugger (dressed, of course, in Assos shorts).

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/SadieKate/projects/Jo_4.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/SadieKate/projects/Jo_2.jpg

[jobob]

Oh excellent, thanks for the pic (and for the hugger) !!!

[bmccasland]

Jobob - here's to continual recovery {{{careful hug}}} !!!

Shall we pitch in for a bike with fat tires and training wheels? :p:D:p and pink streamers?

Glad to hear you're feeling better.

[OakLeaf]

Jobob, it's really good to hear that your recovery is going so well. Head injuries are so frightening. From your post and MP's, it sounds like you're your "old self" and I'm so glad.

Keep up the healing. Sending gentle hugs and healing vibes.


(FWIW, the memories never did come back after my concussion - much milder than yours - either.)

[Grog]

Wow, Jobob. I'm so glad you're, all things considered, okay. That's a very scary story. I hope you enjoy returning to work on Monday.

It is a good reminder that life is full of surprises. As a friend of mine says: "Life is uncertain. Start with dessert."

And, SK, what a fantastic proxy hugger!!

[Trekhawk]

Great news Jo!

You gave us all such a scare. Even reading your post when I already knew most of the details gives me a chill.

Give yourself (very gently) and Lee a big hug from me.

SK - that is one cute doll.:)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What a great update! Sounds like you are healing very quickly- you must be doing something right.

That doll IS cute! (and I know a thing or two about little dolls)

Those bike shorts on her...she's got 'diaper butt'! :eek: :cool:
What a cute knitted jersey with a back pocket! Very very cool doll.

[arielmoon]

(((Jo)))

I have to tell you that I found your post very inspiring four and a half weeks from my own accident. I have no doubt that I will be back on my bike at some point but I have wondered what the emotional effects will be when I do.

I hope you heal quickly!

The doll is awesome btw!

[SadieKate]

That doll IS cute! (and I know a thing or two about little dolls)

Those bike shorts on her...she's got 'diaper butt'! :eek: :cool:
What a cute knitted jersey with a back pocket! Very very cool doll.Thanks, actually she doesn't have diaper butt. The knitting is shaped for the doll to be sitting down as dolls w/o some kind of articulation at the hip just slide off bookshelves (which I find completely annoying). She's standing in the photo which makes her butt look funny. Remember, I said they're Assos shorts which have the maximum in ergonomic shaping - not just a weird orange butt tag.:p

[Biciclista]

thanks for the thorough update. sheesh. how scary. keep getting better!

[ASammy1]

Jobob- So glad to hear things are progressing so nicely for you. Keep at it and know that we are all thinking about you ((((( the Bobs )))))

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks, actually she doesn't have diaper butt. The knitting is shaped for the doll to be sitting down as dolls w/o some kind of articulation at the hip just slide off bookshelves (which I find completely annoying). She's standing in the photo which makes her butt look funny. Remember, I said they're Assos shorts which have the maximum in ergonomic shaping - not just a weird orange butt tag.:p

Oh, I get it now. Assos shorts....too funny!

Did you knit that doll yourself?? :eek:

[SadieKate]

Yep, with no seams except the sides of the jersey pocket.

[Veronica]

It's very cool and quite huggable. I'm trying to fugure out how little I can hurt myself to "earn" one. :D

Veronica

[SadieKate]

4 of my fingers are now peeling from knitting so tightly that her stuffing won't leak. I won't even tell you about my poor wrists. How in the world do people do knit toys in volume for craft fairs?

I wouldn't put your own stuffing at risk on the impossibility I'll forget the pain.

But thanks for the compliment!

[7rider]

Jo.
I know this is very late, as I tend to have a really hard time reading these type of threads. But I did get through this today, and I'm so glad to see that you are on the mend. I hope that you recover completely and that soon you'll be able to get back on that beautiful bike!
7

[uforgot]

Glad to hear you are on the mend. It doesn't seem like it's been a month. Do you have any idea what caused the crash? Did anyone see anything? Kind of crazy that you don't remember so much before, but you hear that often. Maybe it's a good thing, for when you get back on that Lynsky.

Cute doll. Maybe stick her in your bag as a good luck charm!

Once again, I'm so glad that things seem to be returning back to normal for you!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

4 of my fingers are now peeling from knitting so tightly that her stuffing won't leak. I won't even tell you about my poor wrists. How in the world do people do knit toys in volume for craft fairs?

I wouldn't put your own stuffing at risk on the impossibility I'll forget the pain.

But thanks for the compliment!

I knit socks and mittens, etc with fingering weight yarn and tiny double pointed needles. I am VERY impressed with that doll- what a beautiful smooth tension you achieved throughout. Great job!

[shootingstar]

Jobob, take a easy. Glad to hear you are on the mend.

Sadie's doll gift is a like having a lucky charm for your health!

[Veronica]

But thanks for the compliment!

You're quite welcome. She's very cool. Thom and I both gushed over her. :)

Veronica

[Blueberry]

Jo-

Very glad to hear you're on the mend:)

SK - That is a fabulous knitting job:) Did you create the pattern??

[crazycanuck]

Sk-thanks for knitting the coolio doll for Madameeee Jo :cool:

Jo-did you eat the whole package of tim tams? There are many many shelves of them calling you & am happy to send more.

[jobob]

Jo-did you eat the whole package of tim tams?

Heh, just about. :cool:


There are many many shelves of them calling you & am happy to send more.

Oh, that's really sweet of you, cc!! But,

Noooooo!!!!

:D

[SadieKate]

SK - That is a fabulous knitting job:) Did you create the pattern??Thank yew!

I used the #308 Lola Bunny pattern to get an idea of the construction for the arms and legs but made a lot of changes to add a tummy, longer torso, hair, etc. You can see there isn't much of the bunny left.

http://host31.spidergraphics.com/yrn/yrn_pattern.taf?_function=event&ge_id=19

I'm really glad everyone, especially Jo of course, likes Emmaline. I so wanted to be there to help her and Lee.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I used the #308 Lola Bunny pattern to get an idea of the construction for the arms and legs but made a lot of changes to add a tummy, longer torso, hair, etc.


Did you give her a longer torso so she wouldn't need a special WSD bike? :D

[Pedal Wench]

Wow, Jobob,

I knew you were off the bike for a bit, but I had no idea why and that it was this serious. I'm so glad that you're back and healing - slowly, but surely.

Take it easy and when you're cleared for riding, start slowly and enjoy the ride!

[andtckrtoo]

Jo - I'm so glad you are recovering so well!! Wow, every time I read more about your accident - it's scarier. I'm just happy you are doing so much better. I still owe you a ride this year, so when you're able, we'll get together and ride. I'm up for anything you can do. {{{{HUGS}}}}

PS. Emmaline is simply adorable.

[jobob]

(this is more or less a copy of my blog post, with a wee bit of extra stuff because you guys are special :D )

So, I officially returned to work this week.

Check out what was awaiting me on my office door Monday morning!
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/jobob22/back2work/IMG_1164.jpg
Do I have some awesome co-workers or what?? :D

And, look what was waiting for me inside my office ...
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/jobob22/back2work/IMG_1165.jpg
:eek: Aaack!
Geeze, thanks Boss! :p
(Only kidding, I'll tackle it all in due time.)

It's really good to be back.

Even though I'm only doing half-days for starters, I was totally whupped Monday afternoon and took a really long nap after I got home.

But on Tuesday I felt considerably more energetic after my gruelling four hours :rolleyes:, and my after-work nap was much shorter.

And Tuesday evening it occurred to me that I was beginning to feel more like "normal" (heh, be that as it may).

Looks like returning to the rat race is good for me. :)

[aka_kim]

Cool! I was wondering how this week was going.

(Who knew the rat race could be good for someone?)

[maillotpois]

Well at least the outside of your office was festive! :p

[SadieKate]

Isn't that a lei on her monitor? It looks like they covered the bases. Maybe hoping to distract her from the piles?

[Ninabike]

Jo - glad you're back to work. The piles of stuff just means they can't do it without you. Nice to have job security!!

[jobob]

Isn't that a lei on her monitor?

Heh, that's mine :o It's hanging up on the arm of the light next to my monitor, alongside my collection of mardi gras necklaces and badges on neck cords from various old meetings.

Anyone happen to notice the artwork at the far end of my bulletin board, pinned directly above the faux orchid plant? :)


The piles of stuff just means they can't do it without you. Nice to have job security!!

You betcha! :cool:

[Adventure Girl]

Heh, that's mine :o It's hanging up on the arm of the light next to my monitor, alongside my collection of mardi gras necklaces and badges on neck cords from various old meetings.

Anyone happen to notice the artwork at the far end of my bulletin board, pinned directly above the faux orchid plant? :)I was looking around your office and wondered who that was in the picture. It looks like someone wearing sunglasses. My guess is that it is a cyclist. Probably from CSC. Perhaps Bobby J?

[jobob]

Hee hee, good guess, considering whose office it is. :)

Nope, it's Mimi's portrait of Barack Obama.

It's not very clear in the photo so we'll cut you some slack. :D

[Duck on Wheels]

Been following your progress reports and thinking I'm glad the posts started at the recovery progress end. The accident sounds horrendous, even in barely remembered retrospect. I hate those splotchy shadows! Not that we get them much here. Here it's the low sun straight in your eyes. Watching your reports keeps reminding me to stay alert while riding. :eek: I think I'll dedicate my day 1 ride to you, the sponsor I'll keep in mind while I struggle up hills and stay watchful on the downhills and in the rider packs. Anyhooo ... Good to know you're back on your feet, back at work, soon (I hope) back on your bike.