Well, I had 3 good weeks of trying to get my feet back under me before they were violently knocked back out. Two weeks ago today I was doing my normal morning ride w/the boys and unfortunately had a fight with a median. The median won. To say the least. I was riding along a route I am all too familiar with and somehow missed seeing the median b/c of some big street signs that had just been put up. The parts I remember are seeing the median, cursing a few times, and then standing up and informing everyone I was fine. I must have been pretty convincing b/c I talked them into continuing the ride. I’d say I got about 50 yards before I called Jeff back to me and told him I needed to ask him something. I asked where Heath was, then asked where Addison was, and then asked where Sarah was. When Jeff finally informed me that Sarah had Addison and he was fine, the sheer relief had me in tears. For a brief few seconds I thought I’d left him home by himself. I’ve never felt that kind of panic before and hope I never have it again. The feeling haunted me for days.
Jeff told me I was taking a trip to the hospital since it was now evident that I needed medical attention. The logistics of everything still had to be worked out though. Heath was out of town, I was still trying to convince everyone I was fine, Sarah was asleep at my house w/AJ, and I really wanted the boys to finish their ride. Finally after a few phone calls, a very irritated hubby, Dave decided he’d follow me back to the house where Sarah and AJ would take me to the hospital.
The hospital trip was quick, efficient, and NONINFORMATIVE! They did a CT where it showed no bleeding, and then sent me on my way. I was convinced I was fine, even contemplated doing a workout after work. Sarah was a dear and helped me get ready for work and took AJ to daycare for me. By the time I got to work I think everything hit me. The headache was monstrous. I just didn’t feel right. I couldn’t say what it was, just not myself. I made a trip to get my bike fixed at Ride On, where they informed me I had no business getting on a bike later that evening. They also had me questioning my decision to stay by myself that evening w/AJ. It was about that time Dave called to check on me and informed me I was actually knocked out at one point and slurring like boxer who’d been hit. Long story short I went to my primary care doctor, Dr. Berglind, and he got me in working order. I wasn’t to be myself for the next 24 hours, no exercise for a week, and try to chill out and give the brain a break. The chilling out didn’t happen, we were short at work which meant the last thing I was going to do was not go back. The more I had to think, the more my head hurt. It was all very bizarre. Sarah stayed w/me again even though she had tons to do at home, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciated it. She made me laugh, even though that hurt, and helped w/little man. I don’t know how I would’ve functioned on my own. It was now very obvious I had no business doing anything as I was in a complete and utter fog.
The next day I woke up to my abs killing me and also found a knot on the back of my head. The knot was obvious, I mean the helmet was cracked to the inside in 3 different spots, and the back of it crushed in. The abs took a few days to figure out, but at PT for my shoulder they informed me they (atleast one) were cracked. Nice.
The days that followed the wreck just sucked. I can’t explain what a concussion does to you afterwards, but mine just had me in a state of fog w/a bad headached. The more I thought about stuff the worse I felt. The ribs weren’t doing me any favors either, it really just depended on what screamed worse on how I felt. 12 days later I finally got in a trainer ride. It was awesome. 13 days later on National Running Day I did my first run, and I felt like I was free….up until mile 2 and then I just hurt. The ribs actually kept me up all night. I thought surely after my run the ribs would stop hurting but it just seemed to flair them up all over again. Oh well, can’t blame a girl for trying.
Moral of the story, wear a helmet, and a good one! I can’t thank Julie Murphy enough for giving me that helmet as a gift. It saved my life. I have since tried 3 different helmets, all of which suck and will be buying another Rudy Project. Major thanks to the boys for making sure I got back safely and went to the hospital. Another big thanks to the guys and gal at Ride On for having my best interests at heart and pointing me in the right direction of seeing the doctor again.
