healing thoughts needed for fellow TE rider Helga [Archive]

bikerz

01-21-2006, 05:18 PM

Hi everyone - today during a training ride for the Cinderella ride (out here in Northern CA) our fellow TE rider Helga (Frances) took a spill. She is in the hospital now and although she has some fairly serious injuries, there's nothing requiring surgery or anything like that. She is going to be under observation in the ICU for the next day or so, and I hope have an update tomorrow sometime.

I know she'd appreciate your thought and prayers - she's an avid reader (and infrequent poster) here, and we've talked many times about what the forum and all you gals mean to her (we're friends, neighbors and regular riding buddies). So any spare healing energy any of you gals have, please send it Helga's way!

Thanks,
BikerZ

(I just saw CindySue's post on another thread - here's a link with more info and some timely safety tips. Thanks Cindy.)

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=4885&page=2

sydney_b

01-21-2006, 05:43 PM

Let Helga know there's lots of folks out here thinking of her and wishing her a speedy recovery.

/s

Lise

01-21-2006, 06:17 PM

Sending best wishes for excellent care and speedy recovery. Lise

DeniseGoldberg

01-21-2006, 06:35 PM

Healing thoughts and good wishes are on their way to you from me too. Once you're out of the hospital, please take it easy and give yourself the time you need to heal.

Wishing you a fast recovery.

--- Denise

slinkedog

01-21-2006, 06:48 PM

Hey Ann... I'm so upset and shocked hearing what happened to Frances today. Is there anything we can do for her? Will she be in the hospital for a while? I'll most certainly be praying for her. Please convey my best wishes to her and her family. Thanks for being there for her and for keeping us posted.

wavedancer

01-21-2006, 06:57 PM

Sending my thoughts and prayers to Helga for a speedy recovery and healing of all her wounds. May all who are caring for her provide the best care to support her healing.

Linda

cindysue

01-21-2006, 07:19 PM

it was encouraging to see Frances smiling despite how scared she must be right now. I know she will appreciate all the kind words and healing prayers that you all are sending her way.

Be careful out there!

KSH

01-21-2006, 09:06 PM

Tell her she is in our thoughts and prays.

I truly hope she heals up quickly.

LBTC

01-21-2006, 09:09 PM

Much love and light and healing thoughts speeding towards Helga from Canada! Please let her know that we're pulling for her....and keep us posted on her progress, too, so we can celebrate with her, and send extra healing thoughts whenever needed!

Big hugs to you and to Helga,

Namaste,
~T~

Trekhawk

01-21-2006, 10:21 PM

OH NO thats terrible news. Please tell her Im thinking of her and sending wishes that she will make a speedy recovery.

tomgrrrl

01-21-2006, 11:29 PM

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!! I'm so relieved that it sounds as though all will be ok.

crazycanuck

01-21-2006, 11:41 PM

helga-some funky chick in perth, western australia is thinking of you. Here's hoping that you're out of that ICU quickly and on the road to recovery.

Take care helga. YOu'll be back on your bike soon enough.

cheryl

DirtDiva

01-22-2006, 01:18 AM

{{{Helga}}}

Selkie

01-22-2006, 02:31 AM

Helga--I'm thinking of you & sending lots of good thoughts for a fast recovery!! Make sure you get pampered and spoiled while you are off your feet---it'll be a good time to catch up on some DVD movie watching, good book reading, etc. Take care!

nuthatch

01-22-2006, 04:13 AM

How scary, Helga! Heal fast!

Jo-n-NY

01-22-2006, 07:19 AM

Helga, I am sending good healing wishes your way and a speedy recovery, but also take the time you need to be back in tip top shape.

JoAnn

newfsmith

01-22-2006, 07:56 AM

Be well soon, home soon, ready to ride soon; you are in all of our thoughts.

mary9761

01-22-2006, 08:01 AM

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sending Healing Energy to Helga>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That had/has to be scarey having such a bad accident. I hope she can continue to stay away from necessity of surgery. Please pass on well wishes for a speedy recovery from Indianapolis
Mary

bikerz

01-22-2006, 09:24 AM

I talked to Helga's DH last night and he said they had removed the breathing tubes and she was talking a bit - so that's good news! I'm heading over to see her in a little while, and I'll post an update when I get back - I'll definitely tell her about all your good wshes!

Thanks everyone -

BikerZ

Duck on Wheels

01-22-2006, 09:43 AM

Wishing Helga a speedy recovery and safe riding from now on.

bouncybouncy

01-22-2006, 11:00 AM

Best Wishes from the other coast...Heal Fast!!!

Pedal Wench

01-22-2006, 11:05 AM

Hope you heal well and quickly. Please keep us posted on your progress back to health.

bikerz

01-22-2006, 12:04 PM

Update -

I just got back from visiting Francie (Helga) - I didn't talk to her because she was asleep, and I didn't want to wake her, figuring sleep and rest is absolutely what she needs.

The news is all good - as I said in an earlier post they've removed the breathing tubes, so she can talk. She hit her head very hard on the road (cracked the helmet!) and so got a bruise in the space between the brain and skull - but according to this morning's scans, that is resolving well and the neurologist says she'll be fine - so that is very good news! There's some damage to her liver that they're keeping an eye on, but all the signs are good.

Her DH told me the first thing she said when they took the tubes out was "I want to go home!", and knowing her, that is sure to be very soon.

So thanks all for your thoughts - I'm going back over to see her later this afernoon - hopefully she'll be awake and I can pass along your wishes to her.

betagirl

01-22-2006, 12:57 PM

Sending positive vibes your way. Here's to a speedy recovery.

Running Mommy

01-22-2006, 01:59 PM

Oh my goodness! I'm sending her warm healing vibes from AZ. WOW, it just goes to show you girls.... It CAN happen. Be safe and appreciate everyday that you peddle back to your driveway safe and sound.
Anything that involves a head injury is VERY scary. My prayers are with her and her family.

Quillfred

01-22-2006, 02:10 PM

Hugs and Metta to you from the North.

slinkedog

01-22-2006, 02:12 PM

Thanks for the update, BikerZ. We're thinking of her every moment. Our small group from church is getting together tonight, and I'll be sure we pray for her.

Geonz

01-22-2006, 03:21 PM

Thinking of you in Illinois, Frances/Helga :) Be good to yourself....

Trek420

01-22-2006, 03:27 PM

Thanks for keeping us updated Bikerz.

Best wishes to Helga for a speedy recovery and here's to many many happy and safe miles when she is healed up.

Pax

01-22-2006, 03:37 PM

Positive thoughts and energy headed your way! Get well soon Helga.

snapdragen

01-22-2006, 03:39 PM

Hope you're feeling better and back on your bike soon Helga!

Blessings -

snap

mary9761

01-22-2006, 04:19 PM

Good thing she had her helmet on! Head injuries are never pleasant, I'm just glad it wasn't worse. Thanks for the update.
Mary

aka_kim

01-22-2006, 04:26 PM

I cringe whenever I hear of another cyclist being injured, it's so scary what can happen in a fraction of a second. Sending positive thoughts Helga's way.

bikerHen

01-22-2006, 06:02 PM

How scary! Hope you're better soon. Give yourself plenty of time to recover. Like I keep telling myself, it's only January and you have a whole new year of biking ahead of you. So enjoy a little rest and you'll be back in the saddle in no time. :D BikerHen

PS: Hope your bike is recovering too!

cindysue

01-22-2006, 07:25 PM

I stopped by the hospital again today, but Frances was sleeping and I didn't want to wake her. The doctors confirmed what BikerZ reported earlier today; that she is doing better but will stay in the hospital a few more days.

I will try and visit her again tomorrow and will hopefully get to give her my well wishes in person, while she is awake. I'll be sure to tell her how much love is being sent her way from the forum. I know she will be touched when she reads all your thoughts and prayers.

take care!

jobob

01-22-2006, 07:43 PM

Z and Cindy, thanks for taking care of our Helga, and relaying our virtual hugs to her. It's wonderful to see what a caring community we have here, both online and in real life.

Hope to see you back here soon, Helga, and I'll add in my wishes along with everyone elses' for your speedy recovery.

- Jo.

sisisiesta

01-22-2006, 08:18 PM

Sending speedy healing thoughts to you.
Looking forward to riding with you soon.
In sunny spring like weather!

Diana:D

Veronica

01-22-2006, 08:22 PM

Sending healing vibes her way.

V.

massbikebabe

01-22-2006, 10:12 PM

Helga

You are in my thoughts and prayers!! Get well soon...

karen

bikerz

01-22-2006, 11:10 PM

I stopped by to see Francie tonight and woke her up (her DH said to - that she'd be sorry to have missed the company). She is really doing so much better - it was great to talk with her. She has no memory of the accident, or of the ride we were on, for that matter. I filled her in on what happened - she's a little worried about being afraid to ride again, but also asked how many miles we had gone before she fell so she could be sure to update her miles on Bike Journal! We joked a bit about this and that, but laughing is a little painful now, so I said we should talk about politics instead! She's in some pain, but the good folks at the hospital can take care of that for her. She is getting great care.

She was really mad about the EMT people cutting her cycling pants, jersey, and especially jacket off - she said "That jacket was really expensive!"

Tomorrow I'll go by with a printout of your messages (and the ones from BJ as well) - I told her the posts were pouring in and it really meant a lot to her.

So thanks everyone!

arnaew

01-22-2006, 11:21 PM

BikeMomma

01-23-2006, 12:29 AM

I'll second Jobob's thanks and thoughts exactly. Couldn't have said it better. It IS wonderful to have such a great group of ladies to chat with about bikes & life online, but equally great when you know they're special in "real life" too. Thanks, Ann (Z) and Cindy, for being such a pal for Frances. I'm sure her hubby appreciates it, as well.

Frances, hope to meet you at the Cinderella and speedy recovery to ya. Take care...and get back on that bike as soon as you're able! Spills happen...just like riding a horse, you have to get back on. Don't let the roads intimidate you. Just remember that we'll all be behind you 100%.:) :)

Hugs...
~BikeMomma;)

Lise

01-23-2006, 04:48 AM

She was really mad about the EMT people cutting her cycling pants, jersey, and especially jacket off - she said "That jacket was really expensive!"

When they get feisty they're getting better! Best wishes to Helga from under the world.
arnaew
Feisty is good! I'd be grousing if they cut off my clothes, too...and darned grateful to be alive to grouse. Bring her catalogs to start picking out a new dream biking wardrobe! :p Thanks for keeping us posted. There's a web of loving concern out here for you, Helga/Frances! L.

spazzdog

01-23-2006, 05:35 AM

Big hugs to Helga! You'll be up and pedaling before you know it grrl!

I read the other thread (Cindysue's) and curious if there are any more details on the accident. Bikerz, did you see what happened? What did our Helga land on that injured her so badly (other than her head)... was rate of speed a factor?

spazz-o-accident-data-geek

Surlygirl

01-23-2006, 05:36 AM

Get well soon Helga. So glad you had a helmet on!

vinbek

01-23-2006, 07:26 AM

I am so glad to hear that you are doing better. I have been worried all weekend about you. It is always upsetting to see a fellow rider take a spill and even more so, to see you wisked away in an ambulance. I have been praying for a speedy and full recovery for you - and put you on the prayer list at my church. You are one sharp gal - you had proper ID on you, including your health card. And you had a good helmet to protect that precious head. I hope to see you again on the road. Take care and best wishes. Bekki

yellow

01-23-2006, 07:41 AM

What all the shes above said! May you heal fast and be on your bike again soon!

Helga will have several experienced helpers here as we urge her back on her bike. We could also deluge her DH with requests for really nice clothing replacements!

bouncybouncy

01-23-2006, 08:01 AM

Glad to hear she is in good spirits...keep it up!!! Hope you are back in the group-ride soon!!!

bikerz

01-23-2006, 08:32 AM

You guys are great! I told her that there were postings pouring in, and I would print them out for her, but I joked that I was worried she would start to get a swell head, and she joked back "I already HAVE a swollen head!" So with Francie, once the jokes get going, we know she's on the mend!

I think it will be a while before she's back on the bike - her pelvis is cracked or fractured - so I bet sitting on a bike will not be any fun for a while. But she's already talking about wanting to be able to ride again.

I'll post more details about what I saw of the accident on the other Cindy ride thread...

mary9761

01-23-2006, 08:37 AM

cindysue

01-23-2006, 09:15 AM

where can I find this thread??

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=4885

Ninabike

01-23-2006, 09:31 AM

Adding my prayers and thoughts to those of all the other TE'rs here for Helga and her family!!

Nina

Bike Goddess

01-23-2006, 11:15 AM

Helga- The bike angels are all around you to aid in a speedy recovery. We're out in force as you can see from the huge response!!!!! Sending you lots of love too! We'll be here to comfort you anytime you need us. Don't be shy, this is why we have such a great support group- always available anytime of the day or night!

Please,if you can, come see us at the dinner for Spazz when she gets out here.

BikerZ- anything we can do for Helga?????

I

luv'nAustin

01-23-2006, 11:19 AM

I love your spirit Helga! No worries about the next ride at this point, it will happen when it is time and you will once again be logging those miles! Stay strong and mend quickly!

SpinSis

01-23-2006, 11:40 AM

I'm sorry to hear about the scary spill, Helga. Best wishes for a healthy and speedy healing process.

mary9761

01-23-2006, 01:58 PM

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=4885
Thanks for the link, I would have never found it since I don't live in California..

CorsairMac

01-23-2006, 02:02 PM

adding my thoughts and well-wishes to everyone elses! Any update today on Helgas condition?

tomgrrrl

01-23-2006, 03:00 PM

I'm so glad to hear she is on the mend!! I hope she gets home soon where she can probably get more rest (those nurses, though wonderful, can be pesky when it comes to interrupting sleep!).

I'm sure we shall see her back on the road when she feels strong and ready!

Take care,
Ellen

bikerchick68

01-23-2006, 03:14 PM

OMG!! How scary for all of you! For Helga of course, her DH and family and for all of you who were riding with her... I can't even imagine how terrifying this must have been for all of you... my thoughts are with ALL OF YOU!!! It sens a chill down my spine to even imagine this...

SO glad to hear that Helga was wearing a helmet and is recovering so well! what great, great news... thanks for all the updates... it's wonderful to be able to read thru the posts and see that she is getting progressively better!!! add my thoughts and well wishes too!

jpbayarea

01-23-2006, 05:36 PM

I am so sorry to hear another woman going down while riding. So sorry you have to go through this. We are all pulling for you to have a speedy and easy recovery. May you be well and back on your bike in good time.

Blessings for a return to health and well being.

from Jaquelin, another biker chick who knocks on wood every day that she rides without incident.

bikerz

01-23-2006, 05:40 PM

Wow - such great support for Helga! I've just printed out your wishes for her (10 pages!) and I'm heading over to the hospital now. I know she'll be really touched by your concern.

I'll post an update after I see her,

Ann (BikerZ)

and here's the update -

She's so much better even than yesterday - she seems much more like her old self (which she admitted might not be such a good thing! - ha ha) She's still got a lot of pain, and will probably be in for at least another couple of days, but definitely improving. I left her with an 11-page print-out of all your wishes - thanks so much for your concern and support.

LBTC

01-25-2006, 10:27 PM

Well? How is she doing now? It's been 2 days since an update!!

I hope she continues to improve in leaps and bounds, and keeps that great sense of humour!!

Still thinking happy healing thoughts while trying to get that scary picture out of my brain! whew! I'm so glad it wasn't any worse!!

Namaste,
~T~

bikerz

01-25-2006, 11:08 PM

I saw Helga (Frances) tonight and she is going so much better! I took her a printout of all of your good thought and posts for her, and she was very touched. She is very strong and resilient, and her sense of humer is back full force. Tomorrow she is being transferred to another local hospital for PT and some rehab, and hopefully she'll be back home here in our neighborhood very soon (it's way too quiet and boring without her!)

I'll post again with an update soon, and hopefully she'll be making her own contribution to the thread before long. Thanks for all your good wishes!

- Ann (BikerZ)

SadieKate

01-26-2006, 09:10 AM

DeniseGoldberg

01-26-2006, 09:29 AM

Do hospitals have Wi-Fi? Probably not because it would interfere with some equipment. Wait a minute, don't the docs have all kinds of hand-held gadgets these days? It would be nice if she could post and read directly.

Never thought to suggest this, but... when I was in a rehab hospital after my own crash (http://denise2004crash.crazyguyonabike.com) back in 2004, I asked if internet access was available. It turned out that I could get a computer next to my bed, with (wired) Internet access. There was a daily fee; I don't remember how much it was, but I believe it was reasonable. It never hurts to ask!

--- Denise

bikerz

01-27-2006, 08:21 AM

Great idea about the wifi - now that she has been transferred to a private hospital, she may have access to amenties like WiFi. She has been in a county hospital, and while this particular county hospital is exactly where you want to be for trauma, it's not really where you want to hang out once you've been moved to the "regular" rooms and are on the way home. I offered to bring in a spare laptop I have so she can watch DVDs, but the consensus is that as soon as she fell asleep the laptop would disappear - I hate to think that is the case, but apparently so.

I should find out today where she is and I'll take in my laptop just in case we can get her connected. She got a real kick out of reading all of the posts from you all I printed out for her earlier in the week!

She's been moving around a little bit with a walker, and with some PT and rehab she should be able to get more comfortable moving soon. Being relased to come home is the strongest motivator right now!

bikerchick68

01-27-2006, 10:13 AM

wow! that's great that she's already up with a walker! Great progress :)

What a bummer that ya can't even trust that in a hospital your stuff won't get stolen...:rolleyes: some places should be thief proof and sacred! Ah well... just more motivation to get outta there and back home... tell her we're pulling for her! :)

Bike Goddess

01-27-2006, 12:18 PM

Helga, Helga- We're all waiting to hear from you compliments of MS Bike Z- angel that she is! :D :D :D :D :D

slinkedog

01-27-2006, 02:22 PM

I'm so very happy to hear that Helga is up and about a bit. We continue to pray for you, Frances, every time we think of you, which is very often. We're looking forward to seeing you posting again. Then I can share my moniker story with you!! :)

Take care, Helga!!! And Ann... you are a great friend. Everyone needs a BikerZ in their life. You're the best.

cindysue

01-28-2006, 05:01 PM

Hey everyone!

I thought I'd tell you about an opportunity to contribute to the Frances get well fund. Those darn medical personnel (doing their job and doing it well) cut off all Francie's cycling gear including a very nice jacket (we all know how expensive gear can be), so Bekki (ride leader from Valley Spokesmen) suggested we pull together some money to help with the costs of replacing some of her gear. Bekki also has a poster for everyone to sign – so please be sure to sign the poster at the Cinderella training ride next week and contribute if you can. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

And if you want to contribute from afar, I hear that Bekki has received a few checks in the mail. Send her a PM for more info: forum name "vinbek" -

cindysue

01-28-2006, 05:15 PM

mary9761

01-30-2006, 05:24 AM

Ann (BikerZ) and I headed over to see Francie today after our training ride. It was good to see her smiling and joking! And she has obviously charmed the nurses as well, one of whom put a note on her patient white board that says "patient says I like to cause trouble" (or something like that). Praying she gets to go home soon!!!!!!!!!!

Turns out it costs $8/day to get internet access. That would be ultra expensive if you signed on everyday and was in the hospital for some extended time.

BikerZ is going to archive the forum for her so she can read it offline (anyone know how to do that?). I'll try to bring her some reading materials next time I see her (any suggestions?)

I don't know if going to favorites and saving it as make available offline would work since it's a forum. You might try. I'm on a computer hooked up to cable right now so it's always online. It will be MANY hours before I would get home to possible try this on my land line computer, so someone might try it? I'm glad to hear Frances is doing well, all things considered.
Mary

bikerz

01-30-2006, 07:29 AM

Thanks mary - I'm trying that now and it looks like it will do the trick - I'l post back with my results!

- BZ

sisisiesta

02-04-2006, 10:17 PM

Just checking in to see how things are going? It's been a while since the last post. Hope things are going well!

:cool:

bikerz

02-04-2006, 10:31 PM

I've dropped the ball on the updates because Helga has been doing really well. :)

She's already graduated from walker to crutches, and has been on some expeditions out of the hospital. Tomorrow she's "breaking out" for a lunch and drive with a friend, and the word is she should be home by Feb 10, if not (hopefully) sooner.

She has really enjoyed reading all your posts (I archived them to a laptop for her last week) and I hope within a week that she'll be posting her own update from her very own home! It's amazing the progress she's made in just 2 weeks - I always knew she was a tough cookie, and now it's official!

cindysue

02-05-2006, 09:04 AM

It's amazing the progress she's made in just 2 weeks - I always knew she was a tough cookie, and now it's official!

ahhh, good to hear! Wish I could go visit more often. How about a welcome home party?

Trekhawk

02-05-2006, 10:27 PM

Wonderful to hear Helga is making a speedy recovery. Hope to see her posting soon.:)

bikerz

02-10-2006, 09:40 AM

Helga's coming home from the hospital today!!!!!

:) :) :)

slinkedog

02-10-2006, 09:46 AM

That is REALLY wonderful news! Francie, we're thinking of you and sending our prayers. Glad to hear you're going to rest in your own bed tonight. What a relief for you! Hang in there... you're amazing!

Bike Goddess

02-10-2006, 10:12 AM

Looking forward to a wellness update from you Francie! Glad to hear the good news! :) :) :) :)

ladyfish

02-10-2006, 10:12 AM

I've been following Helga's progress, and want to say "Welcome Home"! I know the minute you walk into your home, you will instantly feel even better than you did when you left the hospital.

Take it easy and recover soon.

Best wishes from the other side of the US!

Cathy:)

bikerchick68

02-10-2006, 11:43 AM

WONDERFUL news!!! So glad you're recovery continues and you're getting better every day... welcome home... :)

Jo-n-NY

02-10-2006, 12:16 PM

Welcome home Francie...what wonderful news. I am in agreement with others that once you walk through the door of your home, you will feel even better than before.

Take each day in good stride. I am sending you the best of warm wishes.

~ JoAnn

DeniseGoldberg

02-10-2006, 12:58 PM

That's wonderful - welcome home! It should feel great to be back in your own space again.

Please make sure to continue to give yourself time to heal. Recovering from a brain injury can take longer than you expect, but I'd imagine that being in good cycling shape before your injury will help you to recover faster.

--- Denise