Silver is Home

[emily_in_nc]

Silver, wow, you are quite a trooper. Those are some awful-looking owwies!

When I had my crash (April 2005) that fractured my pelvis, I was bad off on the inside, but only had two small scrapes on the outside (thumb and elbow), since I didn't slide but just went right over sideways with all the force going to my hip. My helmet also "looked" perfect, but of course I replaced it anyway, since my head did hit the pavement (after my hip!) I looked a lot better than you on the outside! I would have been an even bigger baby than I was if I'd been all scraped up on the outside -- those things HURT.

Healing wishes!
Emily

[silver]

Silver, wow, you are quite a trooper. Those are some awful-looking owwies!

When I had my crash (April 2005) that fractured my pelvis, I was bad off on the inside, but only had two small scrapes on the outside (thumb and elbow), since I didn't slide but just went right over sideways with all the force going to my hip. My helmet also "looked" perfect, but of course I replaced it anyway, since my head did hit the pavement (after my hip!) I looked a lot better than you on the outside! I would have been an even bigger baby than I was if I'd been all scraped up on the outside -- those things HURT.

Healing wishes!
Emily

Emily, my hip looks ugly but it's still pretty superficial. my biggest pain comes from the broken ribs. and the thing thtat kept me inthe hospital form 10 days was the collapsing lung. but even though the doctors say its ok my pelvic bone hurts. so I've wondered if there's something wrong there.

It hurts to bang the ole hip bone on the pavement, doesn't it?

Emily I'm feeling afraid of riding again. how did you go back?

elaine

[mary9761]

You may not have broken the hip, but you could have BRUISED the bone. I fell once right onto my shin hitting the edge of our concrete steps, I was in terrible pain and the swelling was something aweful, ended up having bruised the bone. I hope you heal up quick, let those pain meds work for ya though. ((((gentle hugs))))
Mary

[bike4ever]

Elaine - I am so glad you are home. Please try to rest. I am also glad you responded to Sally in regards to a helmet.

When I crashed in April (no where near as bad as you), I received a "deep bone bruise" in my left cheek bone. I was lucky it was not broken; unfortunately, it still is uncomfortable at times even today. My doctor at the time told me it can take up to 6 months to heal these type of bruises.

When you can, I would suggest you get up on your bike on a trainer to spin. Get comfortable again with your bike. I know it can be scary back on the road - I am still playing mental games going around corners. Everyone I speak with says this will take time.

Rest and I am glad you had on a helmet.

[silver]

Mary, I think you are right, that there may be some element of bruising there. it just feels loose, like after childbirth. They said everything looked fine on the scans. And I know that a great element is the inactivity when I was on the suction chest tube. I could not be "unplugged" to take walks like theyusually take the patients on to keep them moving. I'd have to move around a small 4x4 foot space in my room.

Mary thank you for your continued kind words. I'm soooo glad that we got to meet at the Hilly. I only wish that I gotten to spend more time with you.

[silver]

Elaine - I am so glad you are home. Please try to rest. I am also glad you responded to Sally in regards to a helmet.

When I crashed in April (no where near as bad as you), I received a "deep bone bruise" in my left cheek bone. I was lucky it was not broken; unfortunately, it still is uncomfortable at times even today. My doctor at the time told me it can take up to 6 months to heal these type of bruises.

When you can, I would suggest you get up on your bike on a trainer to spin. Get comfortable again with your bike. I know it can be scary back on the road - I am still playing mental games going around corners. Everyone I speak with says this will take time.

Rest and I am glad you had on a helmet.

Thank you, that sounds like a good idea. Right at first Ifelt so determined to get back on the back on the bike, but as the days go on and dealing with this pain in reality (trying to go about my regular life, not in the hospital with lots of vistiors stopping by to tell me how great I'm doing) now I'm getting so fearful and teary about trying to ride again.

I feel quilty for having the Madone sitting downstairs in my kitchen and for causing everyone so much trouble.

elaine (feeling whiney this morning)

[DeniseGoldberg]

Right at first I felt so determined to get back on the back on the bike, but as the days go on and dealing with this pain in reality (trying to go about my regular life, not in the hospital with lots of vistiors stopping by to tell me how great I'm doing) now I'm getting so fearful and teary about trying to ride again.

I feel quilty for having the Madone sitting downstairs in my kitchen and for causing everyone so much trouble.

elaine (feeling whiney this morning)

Elaine -
Try not to feel guilty about not riding. Right now it's much more important to give yourself time to heal, and to ease back into both your normal daily life and riding. Your bike will still be there when you're ready; I'm sure she is patiently waiting.

I don't know if it will help you any, but recovery from my own crash experience took longer than I expected initially. I was off of my bike totally for 6 weeks, and then it took me a number of months to work up to my previous mileage levels. Give yourself time; I'm sure that you will be back.

--- Denise

[SR500]

Best wishes for continued fast recovery. Feeling good on the bike will take some time. Start slow, ride a trainer some, take it easy, you will be back. The really neat thing is you will LOVE that Madone, riding it will be so much different then your 1000, IT will help you get back as much as anything else.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily I'm feeling afraid of riding again. how did you go back?

You are completely normal, never fear. It definitely took awhile for me. I was unable to ride for several months while my fractures healed. After about two months, I was able to start slowly riding on the trainer. I had my first road ride about 4 months after my crash. I was slow and could only do short distances at first. I was nervous about riding anywhere near others (my crash occurred when I hit my husband's wheel when two large dogs ran out right at me without my seeing them until the last moment). I had residual hip pain on longer rides, which took some of the fun out of riding, but I did manage a hilly 50-mile event 5 months after my crash (Sept. '05).

That's still my longest ride to date, because the following month, my father died in a car accident, and that made me even more fearful of the road and just what could happen out there -- I just felt far too vulnerable on a bike. I didn't ride on the road for about nine months after that, but I did start mountain biking this past June and loved it. I bought a lighter mountain bike and concentrated on that, since I didn't have to worry about dogs or cars. Of course, mountain biking being what it is, I managed to fall several more times as I attempted single track and realized how little I knew about technical bike handling despite years of road riding, but no broken bones (just a few bruises, abrasions, and yet another new helmet!) I did finally get back out on the road a few times later this summer, doing rides up to the 30+ mile range, but I'm certainly not riding like I did prior to my crash -- I used to ride five days a week, and this year I think I rode (on the road) five times total! But each time I felt a little more comfortable.

Sorry I can't be more encouraging. For me, it's a combination of continuing pain issues from my pelvic injuries that you will hopefully not have from any of yours, and definitely some psychological issues. And then there's the fact that getting away from road cycling for awhile allowed me to discover other activities I enjoy a lot too -- hiking, running, kayaking, and of course, mountain biking. Now, instead of forcing myself to road ride in the cold over the winter, which I always endured rather than enjoyed, I'll spend all winter hiking (a much warmer activity!) And who knows what next year will bring? I might get back to road riding, I might not. I just try not to pressure myself too much and go with what feels right to me at the time.

I surely hope you will be back on the road sooner and with less "baggage" than I have. But be gentle with yourself and only do what you are comfortable with. You will find your own time table.

All the best to you!
Emily