Not so merry Christmas! (long post)

**jaydee** · 01-13-2009, 12:14 AM

I realize that Christmas is well and truly over - but I am only just getting back to the computer after my not so happy Christmas.

On Christmas eve I was having a great ride - weather was cool and I was thinking that one of you lovely people in the snow had bottled some cold weather and sent it my way to cool down the summer.

I saw the car on my left, it slowed down and I assumed the driver had seen me and would stop at the Give Way sign at the intersection. So I kept pedalling - and the car accelerated into me. I heard the crash and was flying through the air before hitting the ground on my left side, left arm stretched out as if I was body surfing.

The car stopped, as did a couple of others. Police were just down the road so they were there quickly too. Ambulance called and I was hauled off to hospital, the bike taken to the police station. The driver who hit me was most distressed too - and his mum arrived to take him home I think.

Well, broken collarbone and ribs, and pulled muscles all through the chest. I live alone with all my family interstate, so I had to call on a cycling friend to collect me from the hospital and take me home. I have a 2 storey home and there was no way I could manage the stairs so my friend hauled cushions and blankets downstairs for me.

I was not going to tell my family until after Christmas as I didn't want to upset them for Christmas. But when they rang me on Christmas day I burst into tears and confessed. I couldn't do a thing for mysel at that`stage so my dear 76 year old dad hopped on a flight straight away and was with me that` afternoon. Of course that meant leaving my mum by herself which was a real worry as she is a bit wobbly herself.

But with Dad helping, I was able to get on a flight on the 28th December and come up here to recover - and keep an eye on mum too.

I am pretty good now considering - the sling is gone for the collarbone and as long as I am careful I can do most things for myself.

I am still keen on the idea of riding but am not too sure when it will happen and how nervous I will be. I still have to get the bike etc sorted - it was damaged but I won't know the extent till I get home.

As much as I get embarrassed by wearing lycra, it was`a huge bonus in the crash as I slid along the top of the road and lost very little skin at all.

My first crash - and one I do not ever wish to repeat!!

**GraysonKelly** · 01-13-2009, 01:12 AM

Good Heavens! Jaydee, I'm so sorry to hear about all that. What an awful way to spend the holidays. I'm happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery and received some love and help from your folks. I'll keep sending positive thoughts for a continued recovery.
Hugs to you,
Gray

**lph** · 01-13-2009, 01:20 AM

aaw, that's terrible, jaydee! glad your folks could come help you when you needed it. painless healing to you!

**ClockworkOrange** · 01-13-2009, 02:23 AM

Hi Jaydee

I was just about to log off and suddenly noticed your thread.

Oh you poor thing, Christmas as well.

May you mend really quickly but it is so good to know you are with your parents, sounds like you will all be looking after each other.

Sending lots of hugs and good karma across the pond.

Clock

**crazycanuck** · 01-13-2009, 03:26 AM

OOO..Jaydee

Crap!!

I'm sorry to hear you've had a crash

YOu'll heal soon & be back on your bike soon!!!

I know what it's like to be off your bike for a while(did something similar in the collarbone/sternum area..), as do many TE'ers!!

Please take care of yourself & ensure if you need any help..ASK!!!

Take care

C

**sbctwin** · 01-13-2009, 04:31 AM

Please take care, Jaydee. I hope your wounds heal quickly.

**OakLeaf** · 01-13-2009, 04:35 AM

Oh man.

So sorry that happened to you. But glad it wasn't worse - and that you've had friends and family to care for you when you needed it.

Hope you continue to heal quickly - that you're getting good physical therapy - and that the driver was cited appropriately!

**bmccasland** · 01-13-2009, 05:15 AM

Jaydee -

Hope you're feeling better. What a way to spend your Christmas. Recovering from a crash is never fun.

**derailed** · 01-13-2009, 05:24 AM

I am so sorry to hear of your crash.

The young man who hit you didn't panic and didn't leave? Good for him, good for his parents!

You chose roads public enough to have good support when you needed it? Awesome!

You had a friend you could rely on to get you home and tucked in? Excellent!

Your Dad is fit enough to travel and help you travel? You win!

I am so upset to hear that you crashed, and so relieved by all of these better-than-could-have-beens.

Please recover well and completely. Take time to heal. Get a good lawyer.

And when your PT team says you can, I hope the inspiration to ride stays with you.

**Jo-n-NY** · 01-13-2009, 05:41 AM

Sorry to hear of your horrible crash.

I took a fall a few years ago and fractured by shoulder, not half as bad as what happened to you. I was in a sling for 6 weeks.

Although as much as it was scary I always planned on getting back on the bike. When my shoulder was better I began riding my mtn bike through my developement and eventually went on my road bike. Although my fall was caused by broken up road, it made me a more cautious rider.

I hope you heal quickly and that you eventually enjoy riding again, it may just be with a different frame of mind.

~ JoAnn

**gingerale** · 01-13-2009, 06:38 AM

Oh wow!

I am so sorry. I really hope you're back to 100% very soon. And hearing about your dad hopping a plane that very day...Christmas Day...to come and get you just warms my heart to no end. I'm so glad you poured out your soul to them so they could help.

Here's wishing you many, many quick healing vibes.

**Biciclista** · 01-13-2009, 06:58 AM

Jaydee, get well soon. I'm sorry you were hurt so badly but i'm really glad you told your parents! that's what family is for.

By now your ribs should have stopped hurting so much so life must be more tolerable. Take care and when you're ready go get your bike back.

Not sure where you live, but the driver of the car is liable for your medical expenses and the repair or replacement for your bike

**Grog** · 01-13-2009, 07:15 AM

Oh - this is truly awful. I hope you recover quickly.

And you are very lucky to have no road rash at all, congrats on a somewhat good fall (considering the circumstances).

I hope your bike makes it through as well as you will.

*gentle hug*

**tzvia** · 01-13-2009, 08:37 AM

Oh my, prayers headed your way for a quick full recovery!

**Ninabike** · 01-13-2009, 08:53 AM

Jaydee, So sorry about your crash, but thank God for your parents and cycling friend. You will be back on you bike; just give yourself time. Best wishes for the New Year.

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