That big white peninsula that goes horizontally across the top is my clavicle. That biggish island floating offshore? That's not supposed to be there.
Friday, October 30, 2009
My Big Break
That big white peninsula that goes horizontally across the top is my clavicle. That biggish island floating offshore? That's not supposed to be there.
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I feel for ya! Your story is all too familiar to me. One year ago next Sunday I had my first ever broken bone. I was out for a Saturday ride. I decided to cross a bridge with a metal grate bridge deck. I know better. I usually take the cement sidewalk on this busy bridge. But that day there were no cars in sight and I thought I'd get across the fast way in the traffic lanes. As soon as I hit the metal grating my front wheel went out from under me. I remember, like you, my head hitting the guard rail on the way down and thinking to myself that I was glad I wear a helmet. Then my out stretched upper arm landed on the sharp curb. When I looked up from the ground I could see my arm was pointing off over my head in a very unnatural position. (just typing that still makes me cringe) My first adrenaline filled thought was to get out of the way. I jumped to my feet and tried to move my bike, but the intense pain from my right arm required me to support it with my left arm. Luckily a car came along and asked me if I needed help. I knew I did some damage and asked them to call an ambulance. I remember telling everyone it was my collar bone or dislocated shoulder. Turns out (and this is my surgeon's assessment) I had blasted apart my humerus bone. He said it was the worst break he'd ever seen. It required a plate and screws, six weeks home from work, three months of rehab, and lots of pain medication. One year later, I have yet to have a pain free day.
ReplyDeleteWhat did I learn? I learned how one split second and a questionable decision can change your life forever. I still have trouble wrapping my brain around it.
Doug, this was the scariest thing I encountered this Halloween. "blasted apart" your humerus... brrrrr.
ReplyDeleteWere the grates in the bridge parallel with your tires? Tracks for light-rail trains scare me for this reason; it seems very easy to get a tire stuck in there and you're done.
Sorry for the year you've endured. I hope Sunday's anniversary brings the beginning of a better year and the beginning of the end of pain.
It was metal grating, the whole bridge deck is metal. So it was both parallel and perpendicular. It's a lift bridge. The bridge is made with a deck that allows wind to pass through it when it is lifted. There was a light dusting of snow coming down, but the roadways were dry. The snow must have had just enough moisture in it to make the metal grating very slick. It was a dumb mistake.
ReplyDeleteAnyway...I hope your recovery goes smoothly and you'll be back on the bike before you know it.