Accident

[sarahfixit]

Yay, trekkies.
I used to do lots of caffine(from sodas) but never coffee, and now I cen't understand how I ever did it, lol. It was so bad for me.

[MightyMitre]

Yes - we've been assimilated. Resistance had proved to be futile. The Starbucks plague has been over here for about 3 or 4 years. Just recently they even opened one up in my old home town - Hereford ( as in the place where the cattle come from, for those who know their cow ) a small, sleepy market town in the west of England on the boarder with Wales.
I don't live there any more and these days use it a gauge for the spread of globalisation - if it's reached Hereford then things must be bad ! ( or good, depending on your view point and if you like coffee.)

Trouble is, I LOVE Starbucks lattes. I've tried loads of other places but I still prefer the Starbucks stuff. My BF and I try and balance it out by only going every other coffee and going to Costa Coffee instead for their Fair Trade coffee beans.

PS Bring on the decaf Earl Grey - it's my drink of choice at home. PPS Bring on Jean Luc -mmmm what a great voice.

[CorsairMac]

MM - good news about your friend! Still keeping all of ya'll uppermost in my thoughts! Another thought - when my grandmother had cancer and my aunt was the care-taker, we the neices and nephews took turns going over to sit with grandmother so my aunt could have some time away. No matter how much you love some one - there are just times when you have to get out - say for a bike ride. Since they know you well - she may feel comfortable enough to leave him in your care for a few hours while she gets out. Or better yet, have your partner stay with him while you take her out - riding!

as for all us Trek-heads - isn't this board pretty much about just how futile resistance is?

[SadieKate]

You know, I have lived and died by the motto "Friends don't let friends buy Starbucks" but then I had one of their peppermint mochas this Christmas. So, now I'm trying to fess up to the addiction and break free so I can support my LCS the way I support my LBS.

So, I'm on a 12-step program of homemade hot chocolate with peppermint schnappes. Hardly any caffeine!

I'm am so glad to hear news of his good progress.

[LBTC]

Hey, MM, how are your friends doing now? I just found this thread and see it's been over a week since an update! I hope the improvements have been dramatic!

Add this crazy canuck cyclist to the list of those thinking about you and your friends getting fully recovered and making it through a difficult situation. There will be something you all get from this and you may not know it for years to come.

My own experience with injury was minute in comparison, but between a broken shoulder and the loss of my fur-kid to cancer, I developed a passion for taking pictures that got me through a two year depression (which, in turn, increased my photographic experience and skill). Life's like that, there's always a reason.

Sunny thoughts to all of you!

namaste,
~T~

[MightyMitre]

Thanks LBCT - I haven't actually got to see my friend this week as both me and my BF have had rotten colds and thought it was probably better if I kept out of the way till I was better.

Her hubby came out of hospital today so is much better but as he's got so many fractures he's obviously going to need a lot of help round the house for a good while. My friend is actually studying to become a physiotherepist which is ironic. Maybe she can use some of her newly learned skills on hubby.

As I'm unemployed at the moment I'm going to be dragging her out as much as possible, for walks on the beach or just for a quick beer/coffee. Also thought I'd make myself available for if she needs to go out but feels hubby should have someone there.

I also like to look for the learning point out of situations. It'll be interesting to see what comes out of this one, apart from realising that it can only take an instant to turn life on it's head and maybe I should live for the moment more. Rather than waiting for the perfect day to ride I should just get out there. In another thread someone had a great quote,
'Ride Till the Apocalypse' - I liked it so much I printed it out and stuck it to my wall. Think it's time I went out and grabbed life instead of just waiting for it to come to me.

Thanks for your interest LBCT and your kind thoughts.

[CorsairMac]

Good Morning MM: I was just thinking of you, your friend and her DH and wondered how he was doing. Any updates?

[bikerchick68]

you've gotten some great input here already... just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear that your friend was in such a horrible accident... certainly every cyclists worst fear realized...

the only other thing I can say is... don't worry about "what to say"... most times you don't need to say anything... just BE there... human companionship, in and of itself, is the best support you can offer! You're a good friend to care and want to help... don't forget to take good care of YOU too... this is certainly stressful for everyone that cares for them! Hugs...

[MightyMitre]

Hi there! Thanks for your thoughts all. There must be something cosmic going on CorsairMac - I was just thinking yesterday how I ought to post an update since everyone was so kind.

I just read back over the thread and I know they all say time is a healer, well it seems the saying is true.

Friends DH, Phil, has been at home for about 6 weeks now and last week he was given permission to start putting some weight on his legs. The pevlic break was very near the hip and the bone seems to have knitted well to the massive pin they put in to secure it.

Phil seems to be in good spirits and has had lots of visits from friends bearing gifts ranging from fruit, to videos of classic riders like Eddie Mercx winning races way back when, to even a Playstation. This caused much hilarity as my friend and I were struggling even with the most basic driving game. Think it must be an in-built male skill to be able to be immediatly competant at computer games!

Now Phil can weight-bare it looks like he might even be able to get on the home trainer in the next few weeks, just to turn his legs round. He's very keen to get back to it which is great, but my friend is a little more cautious and will be very sure to make sure he takes things very gently.

For a week or two back then things seemed to be pretty grim but spring is on the way and things look a lot brighter all round. Thanks again everyone, for all your kind thoughts.

[LBTC]

Fantastic news, MM!! I bet the taking it easy part will be a struggle for him, but he's got all that time before he could put weight on it to remind him of how far he's come!

You're a great friend to them!

Namaste,
~T~

[CorsairMac]

Wooohoo MM!! That's Grand news! I'll still keep ya'll in my thoughts until I hear he's up and riding again - but what a relief. I reread the first part of this thread right before I posted and I remember it was very grim, and very disconcerting to cyclists just how vunerable we are. Nice to know he's "on the mend"! Keep us posted!

[nuthatch]

Yay! Hope he's drinking his milk (or other calcium type beverage) to build up those bones. It's good to hear his progress - I was just thinking how hard it is to bear being too hurt or sick to ride.

[AutumnBreez]

It definitely shakes you - but don't let this keep you away from cycling. Just think of how many rides you've had without incident. The non-cyclists I know who really don't know me just assumed I wouldn't get back on my bike after my crash - but biking is an important part of my life, and I was riding again as soon as I was able. I would bet that your friend's husband will be back on his bike too.

It sounds like he may have a long recovery - but I'm sure that your support is important to both of them.

Being new, your friends accident made my head spin! The visions of such action. Just terrible. Plus the...that could happen to me thoughts...
The quote above helped alot in reminding me, that for how many people ride everyday, how many times so far we (I) have rode, there are not many of these accidents to be letting fear govern our (my) joys out on the road. Many prayers for your friends recovery. Let's all get back up and ride.

[MightyMitre]

Hi Autumnbreez. Hope you haven't been put off riding by Phil's accident. I admit it certainly shook me for a while, but like you say, it's very rare and the idea of no longer being a cyclist just hasn't entered my friends head.

Obviously we can all do things to make sure we stay safe, always wear a helmet, light ourselves up like Christmas trees if riding in the dark and ALWAYS assume that motorists haven't seen you - even if you're riding down the middle of the road waving a red flag.

[AutumnBreez]

No, this will not keep me off the bike either. Just going to be cautious enough yet confident. Take care.