Jeannierides is back in the saddle!

[silver]

Of course, I don't mind you asking, Silver. Ohhh yes, I did/do feel stiff!!

I didn't ever have too much pain from the ribs. Of course, in the beginning, I suppose most of that pain was very well medicated! The lung did cause some discomfort, and yes, I had a chest tube. I have a not so pretty scar just under my right shoulder blade from the chest tube and ensuing stitches. They didn't worry so much about the look of things. I also had a stint put in my ureter to keep it open because my bladder was lacerated.
I'm not having any issues with those injuries, and surprisingly never had any real issues with the ribs. I guess the pelvis was enough.

As far as issues I'm still dealing with... there are many, but mostly manageable. Some pain in my lower back/coccyx/pelvis - mostly achy, and mostly when I've over done (which is pretty much every day). My knee was also involved somehow, and the nerves going to my right foot, and I have a good bit of pain from that. Flexibility. I can't sit yoga-style with my feet crossed. I can't stoop. I can do squats, but if I just stoop down to, say, get something out of a bottom cabinet, it hurts so bad I have to go all the way to the floor! Those are things I can work on... Not major, and life goes on...
There are other things that aren't physical... I'm very emotional these days, and have a bit of trouble focusing on things for more than a short while. I have trouble dealing with crowds. That is at least partially due, I'm thinking, to the fact that I've pretty much been out of *real* life for six months now. Hopefully it will get better with a little more time.

And now I'm getting prepared to go back to work part time this week. My disability company has totally messed things up, and stopped paying me with no warning, so I'm dealing with the added stress of having, through no fault of mine, absolutely no money.

My strength and patience are being tested at every turn.

I ended up finding out later that I had broken my wrist in my wreck. But I think that the broken rib pain was so over whelming that I never noticed. My right wrist was the only thing not x-rayed/MRI'd during my hospital stay.

So, with all your injuries, it's not surprising that the ribs were not as big an issue. It's absolutely amazing how strong you are and how hard you have worked. I hope that the continuing issues will resolve soon. I had to use one of those "grabbers" to get things off the ground for quite some time. I found that I tried to keep my torso as straight as possible to avoid engaging the broken ribs.

I still have some emotional issues. Flashbacks mostly. Every time I descend a hill that curves to the left I feel myself holding back and stiffening up.

I did not realized that you had not gone back to work. take it easy there. insurance companies.......don't even get me started.......

You are awesome!!!!!

(I learned from the kids who most recently TP'd my house, that using a badminton racket is the most effective way to get the rolls up really high )

[KayTee]

(I learned from the kids who most recently TP'd my house, that using a badminton racket is the most effective way to get the rolls up really high )

I'll spring for the badminton racket as well as some TP -- thanks, Silver, who'd 'a' thunk it? Oh yes, and a camera so we can report back to the brain trust here

Jeannie, you'll have to update us on how your return to work went today. That's a huge step, and I know you'll feel better when it's behind you. Sending encouragement and hugs to ya through cyberspace....

[DeniseGoldberg]

Jeannie -
That is just awesome news! I'm so glad that you're back on your bike. I know how good that feels after an unplanned absence - and what a wonderful recovery!

--- Denise