Best to Worst in a Day

[Cassandra_Cain]

It was a perfect day, cool and breezy, sparkling sun dotting the deep blue horizon. A day that had seen my best ride to date, by far, since returning to riding after a 6 year absence.

I did over 1500 feet of climbing on tough grades, 5-10 percent, even some a bit more steep than that. What was rare, was even me passing some riders in the flats, were I'm anything but fast. Ok, I'm slow!

A mere six blocks from home, airy pedal strokes hasting my descent, is when it suddenly changed. An all too common situation, going straight through an intersection, and then (right then), a car turned right in front of me from my own lane.

I remember the sudden appearance of the truck in my path. It was that instantaneous recognition in the mind that states, loudly and clearly - F#*k, I'm not going to make it.

Then as if in slow motion, the impact. Going over the bars of the bike, catapulted into the air, landing heavily on my right shoulder. The impact. The radiating pain. The hazy gaze through flowing tears. The bike, crushed under the tire of the truck. The paramedics. My head spinning. The ambulance.

A badly sprained shoulder, sharp abrasions and cuts on my shoulders, elbow, and knee, plus a cracked rib.

Now I'm home, alive, and doing ok, though with a badly aching shoulder, a rotator cuff in pieces, stinging road rash, ribs that hurt immensely at movement, don't even ask me about sneezing or coughing. That's absolute masochism for me at this juncture.

In my mind, I've replayed the entire sequence endlessly. Could I have somehow done anything different? What if I had been going faster or slower? The possibilities are never-ending, and there's little sense outsmarting yourself with 'what if's'

[kelownagirl]

Wow, how scary! I have come close to that several times - I don't know what you could have done differently. So glad you're not more seriously hurt though. Take care of yourself and hope you're back on your bike soon!

[mary9761]

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident but I'm glad it wasn't worse. I'm sure there's nothing you could have done to avoid the accident. We can ride as safely as we know how, but we cannot predict or control motor vehicular traffic nor the drivers in them. I hope you heal quickly, as bad as it sounds, better that it was the bike under the wheels of the truck than you. ((((HUGS))))
Mary

[Selkie]

Cass - Take care of yourself. You are OK and that's the most important thing. You'll heal quickly--think positive.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Thanks :)

Definitely, it could have been far, far worse. Bad as it may sound, my bike fared much worse than me. I admit, I get a little glassy-eyed looking at what is now a distorted heap of metal in my living room - she was soooo purrrrty, and new just 3 weeks ago.

I'm sure I'll be back to riding again soon enough. :D

[spokewench]

I'm so glad your injuries weren't worse! There are times when we just can't avoid the impact even though we do everything that we know to be safe! All it takes is a moment of indecision or inattention on the part of a driver to put us in harm's way. I know you will be sore for a while and that recuperation will take a little while. Hopefully not too long. I don't think that car driver's ever think about the person they hit afterwards to realize how long it takes to get over the bruises, contusions, and all the pt to rehabilitate! I know, I've been hit once too (I think I'm luck it has only been once). Anyway, if you need to bit_ _ while the healing takes place - you just come on this site and do so ! Maybe it will help.

[Bike Goddess]

Cassandra- You say " a rotator cuff in pieces". What does that mean- do you have to have surgery?

Please let us know- meanwhile many wishes to a speedy recovery (hmm- not sure how long that might be!). I too am sorry to hear the news, and, no don't let your mind make you think you could have done anything differently.

What happened, happened. Now you just need to heal and that means putting to rest the "what if" stuff! Whatever we can do to support you, please ask. This is a great group of women.

[mtkitchn]

OMG, Cassandra, that is just awful. Glad you are home and healing up and will be okay.
There is nothing you can do about the way people drive. Get yourself better!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I guess you just have to count your blessings that YOU weren't under that truck wheel instead of your bike. I hope you heal rapidly and well. What a terrible thing.

We should all read this about those right turns, it makes sense:
http://bicyclesafe.com/
I think it was Nanci who pointed it out a few days ago, and I was glad to read and think about it.

[Cassandra_Cain]

BG - the doctor said I'd a partial tear of the rotator cuff. I can feel it actually because that area hurts the most in my entire shoulder.

No kidding about practicing right turns - you can never take them fast or sharp enough when it comes to avoiding a car. Practice and more practice.

100% agree with all of you - better the bike, rather than me, under the tire. I shudder at the thought.

Still, I'm anxious to ride again. I figure I'll go to the gym once I'm feeling up for it - and just ride a little stationary exercise bike to keep myself from getting too stiff.

Thank you all for the encouragement and positive words. :)

[wavedancer]

Cassandra,
Sending you healing thoughts and prayers. What an awful thing to have happen to you. I am sure there was nothing you could have done to avoid it. So now keep your thoughts focused on your healing and let us know how your recovery goes.

Best wishes,
Linda

[KSH]

WOAH! Very scary stuff!

Thank goodness you are alive! What a very close call!

I hope you have quick healing.

[Nokomis]

Oh no! :eek: Mend quickly ~ sending you healing & pain free thoughts!

*virtual hug* - don't want to squeeze & hurt ya!

[chickwhorips]

i'm glad to hear your ok and that it wasn't worse. positive thoughts for a speedy recovery. :)

[Bad JuJu]

Oh, that's scary! Like everyone else, I'm glad to hear you didn't get hurt worse than you did. Also glad to hear that you're eager to get back on the bike...eventually. I know you can't help replaying the whole thing in your head, but don't try to second-guess yourself--there's only so much you can do to combat the inattentiveness of drivers.

Take care!!!

[WrensMom]

OMG, I'm glad you are ok!:eek: I am always worried about the drivers here in ABQ--they seem so clueless, and sometimes even out to get us. Of course, that kind of thing goes on everywhere for cyclists, I guess:( What intersection were you at when it happened? Let me know if there is anything I can do for you while you are recovering, since I am local here and all.

[Lifesgreat]

I was so sad when I read what happened to you. :( I am wishing you a speedy recovery.

I don't mean to be a doo-dah (a derogatory term my toddler nephew conjured up)by suggesting the following so soon after your accident, but I have mentioned this with others who have been hit and I will with you. BE CAREFUL when the driver's insurance person contacts you. Don't be too hasty to settle. In fact, you may want to contact a "bicycle injury specialty" attorney in your area. Yes, sadly, there is a need for that type of specialty.

Rest and remember we are all thinking of you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wonderful idea you had, riding stationary bike as part of keep in shape while you are recovering slowly. Keep your diet healthy too, to give your body all the tools it needs. Mend well!

[Lise]

I am so sorry to hear about the accident. I'm glad you have the memory of the ride before it. Glad you're alive to tell the tale, as others have said. And thanks, Lisa, for posting the bicycle safety site. I was glad to see I do most of what they suggest, and learned some new things, too.

Healing best wishes, Cassandra--keep us posted on how you're doing. Some Traumeel (homeopathic remedy for injuries) and Rescue Remedy (homeopathic treatment for a bad scare) might not be a bad idea. Take care. L.

[Brina]

I am so sorry about your crash and hope you are feeling better soon.

Pleae stop second guessing yourself. First, you were obeying traffic laws and there is nothing you could have done to change this. Some drivers do not see bikes - they just don't. Or maybe the driver was on a cell phone, or just lost in his or her own head. Whatever it was, you cannot change it, and it was not your fault. Second, you cannot undo the accident. Use your energy to heal.

[colby]

Oh no, Cassandra, that sounds horrible! I'm so glad you turned out okay.

I messed up my rotator cuff 6 months ago and my advice is to start the healing process now and do NOT be afraid to tell them when something isn't working. I was seeing a chiropractor who was trying to help for 2 months, who then sent me to PT who tried to help for 2 months, and then I had an MRI which didn't spell "surgery" clearly, which led to possible steroid injections, which led me somewhat trepdiatiously to acupuncture... I am healing on my own, maybe with assistance, who knows, but finally improving to the point that I don't think about it constantly.

The earlier you start, the earlier you'll feel better. Tell them (whether you go to a PT, or you stick with your MD, or a chiropractor, or all of the above!) everything you are feeling. Write it down if you have to -- where exactly it hurts, what sensations you are feeling (are you getting the tingles? stiffness? is it directly in the rotator cuff area over the shoulder or is it in your armpit or elbow or neck or all of the above?). You will be off the bike for as long as you can stand, probably longer -- a trainer might be possible to keep your legs going.

If you go to more than one place (a PT, a chiro, MD, your grandmother for free healing or at least good tasting cookies, anything) try to get them communicating, and at the very least know how you are being treated so you can relay this information yourself. I thought sending "reports" to my MD meant he would read them, not true. I tried to relay how many treatments I'd had, what they had done in each, how long they did things for... it was mesmerising at times.

I really wouldn't be afraid of telling them when things are NOT improving. If you feel like you've felt the same way for a week with zero improvement or change at all, they need to know. Encourage dialog and interaction, share as much as you can, and still try to make progress.

I've been down a hard healing road for not being completely torn, and it's been frustrating. Hopefully my experience can help someone ;)

[Cassandra_Cain]

OMG, I'm glad you are ok!:eek: I am always worried about the drivers here in ABQ--they seem so clueless, and sometimes even out to get us. Of course, that kind of thing goes on everywhere for cyclists, I guess:( What intersection were you at when it happened? Let me know if there is anything I can do for you while you are recovering, since I am local here and all.

Hi - I had finished riding the five fingers in the foothills and was returning home. It was just blocks from where I live - the intersection of Comanche & Eubank, heading west.

I already thought this was a great forum *before* my accident, but I'm terribly flattered by all of you who have taken a few moments to wish me well. Wow - that's fantastic.

[Bikingmomof3]

I am so glad it was not worse. You must have been terrified. I certainly would have been. Rest, take care, heal quuickly and try not to think about the what ifs.

[colby]

Healing best wishes, Cassandra--keep us posted on how you're doing. Some Traumeel (homeopathic remedy for injuries) and Rescue Remedy (homeopathic treatment for a bad scare) might not be a bad idea. Take care. L.

Traumeel! That's the name of that stuff. My acupuncturist was talking about it recently and used it on my shoulder. <writes down>

[Susie]

I'm so, so sorry about your accident. I was hit by a truck in May and my bike ended up under the rear tire of the truck, too. Take very good care of yourself and don't try to push it too hard too soon. And if things aren't feeling right, go see your doctor immediately. I waited a long time before doing that and found out that I had problems that hadn't been found the night of the accident.

Take care and I hope you start feeling better soon,

Susie

[margo49]

Healing thoughts your way!

MY $0.02 is
$0.01 Take the pain meds. Pain simply depletes your resources, physical and non-physical. There are a zillion pills out there and if one doesn't work, try another.
$0.01 Let people help you. People want to help and like to help. They do not like to see others in pain or distress.

Keep us posted
Thinking of you.

[emjae]

Ohmigosh, what a terrifying, surreal, unfortunate experience. So sorry that happened to you. Here are wishes for a speedy and complete healing.

[weathergal]

Yikes, how scary. Glad it wasn't much worse, and hope you heal soon.

[CorsairMac]

Hi - I had finished riding the five fingers in the foothills and was returning home. It was just blocks from where I live - the intersection of Comanche & Eubank, heading west.

I already thought this was a great forum *before* my accident, but I'm terribly flattered by all of you who have taken a few moments to wish me well. Wow - that's fantastic.

Holy Smokes Cass - you live like within Blocks of me (Candalaria & Eubank). Please let me know if there is anything you need or anything I can do/bring, heck I can probably Walk to your house! and what Is it about Comanche?....do ALL the crazy drivers in our fair town pick That street to drive on? keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that you heal well, heal quick and take it slow getting back into cycling, the road (and the crazy drivers) will still be there waiting for you. :(

[btchance]

My goodness girl, I'm glad you're okay. Take time to let yourself heal and you'll be back before you know it.

[kaybee]

Wow! So sorry about the accident, but glad to hear that you'll be okay. Do not secondguess yourself -- as someone else said, what happened happened and you need all your energy to concentrate on healing right now. So sorry about the bike, too, but it can be replaced and you can't. Take it easy for a while and let us know how the recuperation progresses.

KB

[pooks]

Healing thoughts your way!

MY $0.02 is
$0.01 Take the pain meds. Pain simply depletes your resources, physical and non-physical. There are a zillion pills out there and if one doesn't work, try another.
$0.01 Let people help you. People want to help and like to help. They do not like to see others in pain or distress.

Keep us posted
Thinking of you.

Listen to Margo! This is not the time to be a big girl and tough it out. Your PT and everything else will go better if you're conisistently taking whatever pain meds are recommended by your doc. And don't wait until the pain is excruciating before you relent and take them. Pain meds can keep your pain under control if you take them consistently and keep a reasonable amount in your system, but often can't handle severe pain if you wait too long to take them.

How did the drive react? (Or do you have any memory of that.)

Prayers ascending!

Pooks

[Cassandra_Cain]

Listen to Margo! This is not the time to be a big girl and tough it out. Your PT and everything else will go better if you're conisistently taking whatever pain meds are recommended by your doc. And don't wait until the pain is excruciating before you relent and take them. Pain meds can keep your pain under control if you take them consistently and keep a reasonable amount in your system, but often can't handle severe pain if you wait too long to take them.

How did the drive react? (Or do you have any memory of that.)

Prayers ascending!

Pooks

Actually I do remember the reaction - once I got up off the pavement. She (it was a gal), kept saying she was sorry and didn't see me. I honestly did believe her, I didn't think she was making it up. Then again, if she had looked, she would have seen me, she just didn't.

Every day, I'm getting a little better, though admittedly my anxiousness to ride again is far outpacing my recovery :D

[Cassandra_Cain]

Holy Smokes Cass - you live like within Blocks of me (Candalaria & Eubank). Please let me know if there is anything you need or anything I can do/bring, heck I can probably Walk to your house! and what Is it about Comanche?....do ALL the crazy drivers in our fair town pick That street to drive on? keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that you heal well, heal quick and take it slow getting back into cycling, the road (and the crazy drivers) will still be there waiting for you. :(

Hey~!

You aren't kidding about being a neighbor - that's really close! I was riding comanche because I had written straight from it (heading east to the mountains), to get to the fingers - sunset canyon, etc. I hate to say this, but in florida, (in tampa bay), there were always quieter, single lane roads with large shoulders and w/o masses of stop signs that I could always take instead of the main ones. Here you have that north-south, like pennsylvania or morris, but not in the east-west direction. Instead you only seem to have larger 2+ lane roads were cars zoom by you, in those tiny and dangerous bike lanes.

I need to take my bike to ABC today, to get an estimate on the damage, or to see if it has seen its last ride :(

[pooks]

What about your rotator cuff? Will you need surgery?

[mtbdarby]

Cass, sorry to hear about your accident. Sending healing vibes your way - and how cool to find out you have 2 TE gals near you. I think you need to have Corsair come over so you gals can post a picture, lol. Keep us posted on your recovery.

[tulip]

I hope you feel better soon! I hope you get a fantastic new bike out of this, paid for by the driver's insurance, of course. Rotator cuff injuries can be slow to heal, so be patient and do what the PT says so you won't reinjure it. Okay enough advice!

Be well!

[Cassandra_Cain]

Pooks - thankfully no surgery on the rotator cuff. I was a swimmer way, WAY back in high school and had an injury to it, but that also didn't require surgery. I'll be buying a set of 1/2 pound dumbells real soon!

Darby - it is very very cool to have two fellow TE gals so close by, it would be fun to meet them.

[esther231]

Yikes. That must have been scary as all get out.

Glad you are safe.

Keep my fingers crossed you heal quickly.

[pooks]

I don't know how similar the injuries are, but my sister had a couple of shoulder injuries -- once from crashing on her bike years ago, and another from an auto accident. No amount of PT ever made her pain go away. She always had trouble with that shoulder. Finally last winter she had surgery. The doctor was surprised when he got in to find her shoulder "frozen." He had to physically "unfreeze" it -- twist it? Break it loose? All I know is she had horrible pain afterward, worse than ever.

But she did the PT religiously, even when it brought her to tears. The therapists told her they'd rarely seen anybody take it so seriously who wasn't an athlete. Her doc was amazed at her progress and speed of healing.

And now she's doing physical things she hasn't done in years, including looking into buying another bike.

All that is a long way around the block to say -- do your PT, be faithful, stick to it. You'll be glad you did. (My MIL refused to do PT for a torn rotator cuff because it "hurt too bad" and for the past twenty years she hasn't been able to lift her arm without pain. Sigh.)

I'm sure you already know this, though, and will stay on top of it!

[CorsairMac]

I don't know what size you are but I have a bike (or 2) you can borrow once you're up and riding again until you either get yours fixed or get a new one. Just PM me.

[Geonz]

Ouch, ouch... take care of that shoulder. ROtator cuffs ... you'd think "it's my arm, it's my legs I need for biking" but yea, communicate well with the docs and PTs aand don't assume it'll just get better.
Yea, you can't help but wonder "should I have been further out in the lane," "should I have been closer to the side?" Do you have a mirror?

[WrensMom]

So we are all Heights Rats here (you, me, and CorsairMac):D I am over by Comanche and Louisiana. It would be fun to meet up with you guys sometime, either for a ride or just coffee (while you are on the mend!)

[Cassandra_Cain]

Update...of sorts anyway...

Managed to drive myself to the LBS. I already knew the front wheel was destroyed but sadly, my frame is toast as well. RIP lovely bike that was new just 3 weeks ago :(

Now I'm waiting on the police report to be filed, which it hasn't despite 3 days having passed. I'm sure if I don't contact the driver's insurance company, that they'll do nothing on their own - (unless the driver was a rare breed who actually called and reported it herself - I'm not counting on that).

I wiggled myself into the saddle of a few nice bikes they had there, all women's models....a Lemon Alpe D'Huez, a Trek 1600 (2007), Trek 5000. One of these is probably going to be the next bike I get, once this whole insurance thing gets settled. Who knows how long that will take.

[maillotpois]

Scary scary story!! I am glad it sounds like you are basically going to be okay. I hate when they turn right in front of you!! And even worse, when they speed up to pass you and then turn right in front of you!! Grr.

I hope that the driver's insurance takes care of you. Do not sign any release without talking to an attorney or being sure that your medical issues are fully resolved.

Good luck!

[Cassandra_Cain]

So we are all Heights Rats here (you, me, and CorsairMac):D I am over by Comanche and Louisiana. It would be fun to meet up with you guys sometime, either for a ride or just coffee (while you are on the mend!)

Long live the heights! Down with heights drivers! :)

We might even be neighbors even, I live on comanche/wyoming. I'd be up for coffee and a ride in the near future once I get on my feet again and have a road bike.