invsblwmn in hospital!

[invsblwmn]

received the hope, love, and extra shot of courage today. also the beautiful bracelet. There was no return addy so I apologize for no thank you card. the beauty, strength, and ongoing support I am recieving is beyond what i have ever felt. you are a truly inspirational collection of women. how could i ever give up biking? i believe the sport has drawn us all, in our unique ways to build a community with more love than any community i have experienced. i am blessed by the opportunity to have brushed in any one of your presences. to think i originally thought i would only find about good deals on cycling clothes here and maybe sell my extra pair of sidis. i have found refuge...thank you all

[bacarver]

I crashed in June of 2005 because of a pit bull. I started each day after the wreck by hopping/crawling to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower. I couldn't use my right leg at all for days. (For some reason, my doctor wouldn't give me a pair of crutches.) The routine took so long. Each task required balancing on my left leg. Falling was out of the question because it would have been terribly painful. I had to concentrate and plan every move and change of position.
I realized how much I had taken this daily activity for granted.
I learned to be patient.
I was exhausted afterward, but I was clean and that helped me with my recovery.
Water and clean clothes are wonderful!
Barb

[invsblwmn]

Still progessing. taking a few wobbly steps with a cane and standing up to 5 minutes at a time. Loving all of the wonderful cards,gifts, and letters from everyone. three of my friends are waiting for me to get better to start biking with me, so i can;t wait. in two weeks i go back to the doc to make plans for the knee surgeries. the pain is managed and so is the restlessness by the pain meds. I have seen EVERY on demand movie but couldn;t name half of them. still have not bought a new helmet, and just noticed the two big wear holes in my red sidis from skidding on the pavement, nothing some duct tape can;t fix . hope you are all well, and thank you again for your support. Dawn

[mimitabby]

Honestly, I was just thinking about you. Can you read (hold up a book) yet?
Have you considered getting netflix? all you have to do is sign up and pick out movies on line. I have the "two movie" option that means I can have out up to 2 at a time. so I watch one and then mail it back. While i am watching the second, a new one may arrive so when I'm done with it, there's a 3rd waiting.


I'm glad you're in touch and your bike friends are visiting and talking to you!

[Pax]

Glad to hear you're slowly mending and looking forward to getting back on your bike!

When you're able to read post up your areas of interest, I bet the ladies here can come up with a catalog of books that would hold your interest.

[sundial]

Dawn, I was just thinking about you. It's so nice to hear of your progress. I hope you feel a little better each day. Someday soon we hope to hear of your first bike ride, but not until you are ready. Sending you lots of healing thoughts and well wishes.

[silver]

Oh Dawn, it's so good to hear that you could take a few steps with a cane!!! I know that when I was on the pain meds that my memory and attention span were both crappy. I actually wasn't able to read, but watching TV seemed to distract me fairly well. Do you have the movie Breaking Away? If you don't I'll send it to you.

If you are able to type, I was curious when you said that you needed leg surgeries. What are the injuries and what do they need to do? I know that I read once before what the leg injuries were but I didn't really understand what the surgeries were going to be. I have no knowledge about this stuff, I was just being nosy, really.

[crazycanuck]

hey, good to hear you're slowly healing. let;s heal together shall we

take good care of yourself

((((dawn)))))

c

[Jo-n-NY]

Dawn, it sounds like you are doing great.

Is your mailing address the 119 N Lakeview Dr., Harrisburg PA?

thanks
~ JoAnn

[mimitabby]

that's the right address Jo

[Voodoo Sally]

Yay! I love hearing that you're continuing to improve, Dawn. My heart goes out to you. Take just one day, this day, at a time. Each day is a blessing.

[RoadRaven]

received the hope, love, and extra shot of courage today. also the beautiful bracelet. There was no return addy so I apologize for no thank you card.

Hi there gawjus!
I didn't put a return addy on, cause I didn't want you to feel obligated to return anything, not even a note...
I just wanted you to receive and heal, and it sounds like you are receiving so many healing thoughts...
Take care, and keep healing and that is thanks enough
Arohanui
~R~

[invsblwmn]

hello all,
one week and two days till the next appt. potential surgeries include:
1.nothing, 2 knee replacements 3 icl acl repairs 4 miniscus clean up in one or both knees. ortho doc indicated that it will depend on pain levels. pain managed (and slept four hours in a row!) but when i wean myself off the meds, pain is near unbearable in both knees,ankles,and right arm. hoping for no surgery,but realistically expecting at least a clean up arthoscopically in the left knee. doc said to expect another week at rehab post surgery if we do it. i am ready. when this is all done the gallbladder still has to come out, (stone found with ct scan size of golf ball at time of accident) but that is not a big deal, laproscopic and outpatient. PT said to expect a couple of more months before being able to go back to work.
I am progressing well, but sometimes I feel like a big wuss when i read in bicycling or outside magazine about someone who had this terrible head or leg injury and was climbing mt everest in like two days. I want so bad to get back riding and do a charity ride for like best friends animal sanctuary http://www.bestfriends.org/ or just be brave enough to put on my sidis again. The fear is strong, but I have always been the type of woman to make myself do whatever I fear (skydiving, riding motorcycle WAY too fast on the highway, be known, you name it ). Patience is just not one of my personal virtues.
This experience has continued to give me many gifts, though. The forced reality that I do need others, that there are more kind and generous people than selfish mean ones, that I have way more friends than I thought, and that allowing myself to be known lets me know myself and connects me to a love I had never felt before, tearing up , the love of someone whom expects nothing in return. The love that comes from true animal kindness/spirit. Whoa, I am truely blessed. Thank you all for your gifts of yourselves. Your simply being is a part of my healing and my gratitude is overflowing. Till next updating...Dawn

[crazycanuck]

Dawn,

I'm amazed at your spirit. What a great woman I wish you the best in the next stages of recovery.

You will eventually bike again but give yourself lots of time. Be nice to yourself, you're worth it.

takr care

c

[sundial]

Dawn, I'm glad you are up to posting an update. I really love your new avatar. How cozy and inviting! I feel like laying down next to your pooch and sharing a little nap time.

You shouldn't feel guilty for not being able to do more. You know your body better than anyone and your body and mind will tell you when it's time for a little adventure--whether it's putting on the Sidis for the first time or taking a few more steps with the cane. You are a spirited, strong, intelligent woman who took matters into her own hands when you were hit before--when you straightened your wheel and headed in to work. Now that's gutsy!

I recently had an endo which resulted in an injury. When I think about it, I feel bad, almost embarrased, because I know how badly you were hurt. I think of you and how you struggle to gain a little more independance each day and you are an encouragement to me.

Since you are a pooch and kitty lover, I thought I'd share a picture of my 2 hooligans. This is Kali, the german shepherd, and Jodi Bell, the australian shepherd, playing in the snow.



You're close in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy