Silver is Home

[bikerchick68]

Silver... just wanted to tell you I'm aching right along with you... I'm glad these wonderful women have been able to help address your fears... I can only imagine what you must be feeling... just know we're all listening. Continued thoughts to you for a good recovery... both physical and emotional... hugs...

[Jo-n-NY]

Silver, I am happy to hear you are coming along. Yes, it is a slow process, but who is in a hurry anyway.

I wanted to add to the "fear" area. I crashed last year also although not as bad. I ended up with a fractured shoulder and road rash. Like you it was just me and the road. My tire got caught in a groove of bad roadway and down I went.

I felt the need to keep myself in some kind of shape so my husband brought in an old Schwinn exercise bike as I could get on and off of that without using my arm, then I progressed to the mtn bike on my trainer, again, I didn't have to put pressure on my arm to get on and off, then eventually on went the road bike, although I still could not fully reach the handlebars.

Then I felt let me try this outside, BUT I used my mtn bike and took it ever so slowly as I was fearful also. I just went around my small quiet development for about 15 minutes. That was enough for me and it felt good. I did the same the next day but a little longer. I eventually got on my road bike, but ever so slowly. Bottom line I took baby steps. I was out of work for 10 weeks. My goal all season was training for a century ride, but that did not happen, the century that is.

On a better note, I did achieve a century ride this past May.

Going through the winter on the trainer then when weather broke, slowly heading outdoors where I left off last year worked out best for me. Now I am riding better than ever, not as much as fit, but for alertness. My husband kids everyone that they better not ride too close to me because I need lots of space around me.


I hope this adds to help you somewhat along with what all the other ladies have said. Go by your own agenda; there is nothing to rush into.

~ JoAnn

[silver]

Ladies, i still feel weepy today, but so much more hopeful for the amazing stories of recovery that you all have shared. I know that I have support network that will get me back.

Already I feel plans developing in my head on how to get past this.

thank you so much for being here for me.

elaine

[Bikingmomof3]

We are always here. Remember a lot of us are going through the rollar coaster of emotions, for various reasons, and so your feelings are very much understood. (((((HUGS)))))

[mary9761]

Silver, anxiety/depression can be and is a natural part of the healing process when you've had a severe injury. Part of it comes with the injury itself and then the realization/fear that your life may be changed forever. Let yourself feel the inevitable emotions that you WILL experience it's part of healing. When you are physically and emotionally ready you will come back stronger. Give yourself time, but don't do like I did when I was injured in 1988 when I fell down 13 steps and had 2 compression fractures in my back. I gave up on everything and wallowed in my depression. I lost over a decade of my life because I didn't think I would ever be able to do things/be physical again. (I used to dance for my exercise) I gained 150+ pounds and my physical health went downhill along with my mental health. I wish that I'd gotten on a bike years ago. It's been a long road back, but I'm healthier physically and mentally than I've been for a long time. I still have days that I think I might want to crawl back into the hole I dug for myself, but then I remind myself of where I've been and where I DON'T want to return.
We're here for you whenever you need us.
Mary

[margo49]

This might sound silly but when I was just after my (Terrible Tractor Near Death By Squashing) accident;
I would set aside an hour each day (11 am- 12 noon) and think all my sad and frightened thoughts.
It was in between the Morning Dr's Round and midday antibiotic infusion so I was sure of no interruptions. I continued the routine when I got home till I felt it was enough.
I would just lie there and let all the thoughts come and sometimes I would be angry as H*ll, sometimes I would sniffle quietly, whatever. The rest of the time I was all "GO" - visitors, meditation, visualisations, hospital routines, walking up to the helicopter landing area in the fresh air, etc etc
So I was ok most of the time and I also knew that I had that time to let go or get into it or however you want to call it.