Dear diary - apparently I crashed

Damn, man, take it slow an easy. Rest and please tell us you are still under profesional care. Get well soon dude.

For anyone else who might end up in these kind of situations - look into RoadID (www.roadid.com) They're kind of like modern dog tags that can give emergency responders access to identity, contact info, and medical info if you want. They were developed for runners and cyclists but are a good idea for anyone who spends time in dangerous activities. It gives access to info you control, and you don't have to worry about your phone. My wife bougtht me one and says she has some peace of mind now when I'm out on my road bike. TBH, I feel a lot better wearing it too.

In reply to ultraclyde:

On that same vein - I have a Medical Information Carrier System on my helmet. It is just a little waterproof packet with the medical cross on it and a form inside with critical info. It is a requirement for w2w racing but a pretty good idea for any sport that you can end up in a hospital from. I will have to grab a few more and stick them on my (and the kids) gear for MTB, and so on.

They are $1.99

Here's to hoping you feel better soon Fox. Please do what your wife says for the time being.

Been reading this thread nervously due to the early mental confusion and the possibility of bigger problems popping up as time passes. . Get lots of rest of course but PLEASE keep us updated on your recovery.

Yeah man, heal up, and keep us updated. Get better soon!

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: In reply to ultraclyde: On that same vein - I have a Medical Information Carrier System on my helmet. It is just a little waterproof packet with the medical cross on it and a form inside with critical info. It is a requirement for w2w racing but a pretty good idea for any sport that you can end up in a hospital from. I will have to grab a few more and stick them on my (and the kids) gear for MTB, and so on. They are $1.99

didn't know these were required for w2w .. do you have a link for these ?

I hope you have a speedy recovery, I'm glad your still with us

In reply to wbjones:

I think it varies; my local motorcycle roadracing sanctioning body required a copy of their own medical form be stored in one's leathers (it had much the same info, but also insurance info, etc...)

I wear a RoadID bracelet while cycling, but I should really grab one of GPS's carriers for the motorcycle. Googling got me nothing for a link...

Today seem like a brighter day. I'm getting tired now, but I've been up a few hours.

I'm home. Dawn is in charge.

I have a cane. It's not that I need it, it's just that I sometimes need it. The walking therapist? She wants me to stop touching walls and just walk. That means the cane for stability when I need it. Outside in the grass, it helps, a lot.

Yesterday was a record. I was awake for five hours at one time. I don't know if that is good or not, but I was happy.

This morning, I felt ready to go. Embarrassed to not be at work. But then the fog dropped in. Not as heavily, not as thick. But there.

Ribs hurt a lot this morning. So does my neck.

I thought I'd write more. About the hospital and the people there (wonderful). But, I think I'll go have another nap.

Was this on the Harley or a dirt / mtn bike?

wbjones wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: In reply to ultraclyde: On that same vein - I have a Medical Information Carrier System on my helmet. It is just a little waterproof packet with the medical cross on it and a form inside with critical info. It is a requirement for w2w racing but a pretty good idea for any sport that you can end up in a hospital from. I will have to grab a few more and stick them on my (and the kids) gear for MTB, and so on. They are $1.99

didn't know these were required for w2w .. do you have a link for these ?

BMWCCA requires them (and includes one in the packet you get with a license app). I'm not sure if other organizations do.

4 pack, $10 http://www.meds.org/catalog/motorcyclehelmetsystem-p-85.html

Glad to hear things are progressing. Take it slow! But keep at it too. Baby steps man!

That's a first. Go to lay down for a nap and I don't fall asleep.

So I want to write about incontinence. I don't know how to go into it gently, but I very much want to discuss it. That and dignity and nurses and the old tv show mash.

Remember the show MASH? Do you remember the one they did from the patients perspective? That's very much what it was like. I didn't know what was happening, and had no control. I didn't even care that I had no control or understanding. Remember nurse hoolihan giving him a sponge bath, while preserving his dignity? That's the point I'm trying to go for.

I don't know how long I was incontinent, or when it started. Maybe at the crash, maybe later. Maybe just once, but I kinda think it happened several times. Man, this hard to write through the tears.

I was vaguely aware of being on a diaper pad. I think I remember smelling poop a few times, or feeling wet. And magic happened, and I was dry, in clean sheets, and I didn't smell it any more.

I know I had control of my bowels a day later. Though maybe there was that one time.

But never was I shamed. I don't remember ever a face wrinkled up in disgust, or an exclamation. Just nice caring people, and magic.

That was the nurses. Think you for letting me keep my dignity. Even later, when I asked. Just a wave of the hand, like it was nothing.

I suppose it sounds silly, but it really means a lot to me.

Ouch, been busy and not on here much over hte last few days, had missed this. Hoping all is fine and your 100% soon. Good luck

hope the improvement continues ... quickly ... sounds like you're being taken care of by some real professionals

get well bro ...

Nurses, on the whole, are incredibly underrated. I'm glad they took care of you Fox.

Onward through the fog buddy! The sun is shining brightly on yonder side. As far as Nurses are concerned, to some it is a calling, not just a profession.

Here are wishes for a speedy recovery. I can't recommend the Road ID enough. I always wear one when I ride.

In reply to foxtrapper:

That reminds me of the time my buddy and I had a bad bike crash. We were both on boards and he started screaming he had to piss, so they catheterized him...I'm a little surprised they didn't do that to you. After that I kept my mouth shut until they admitted me to a room and used the jug (couldn't walk to the toilet).

The nurses who took care of me after my prostate surgery were incredible. I gained a whole new respect for them, escpecially after a young hottie had to explain how to care for my catheter.

Get well soon Fox.

It was a pretty brite day today. Foggy in the morning, and it came again in the afternoon. But for several hours, it was great. I walked around outside without getting tired or overwhelmed, and quite steady on my feet!

I sat on the harley, for the fun of it.

Thanks for the well wishes and advise about the medical info bracelets and helmet thingies. I think I'll do both. And the cell phone.

I looked at the helmet again, and again, it looks fine. Not perfect, but darn good. Confusing. Then I had a thought. Try it on. Oh my. It's now very loose in the front. That matches with the forehead pain and the neck pain.

Near as I can tell, I went face first into a big clean boulder. Something so big it didn't scrape the helmet. Good thing I was wearing my old motocross helmet and not my regular open face unit.

Not sure about how hard the coffee cup foam is though. It didnt crush much. I'd think more energy could have been absorbed and less brain trauma if it had. It, I really don't know how hard I hit, or how much or little it takes to scramble a brain.

It's about bed time, so until tomorrow.

Glad to hear things are moving forward. Keep it up.

foxtrapper wrote: Note to self. Security on the smart phone to keep out nosy cops meand no one Elsa can find your contacts. That's not good. It was hors before my wife found out I'd crashed and was at the hospital.

I was thinking about this recently. I was thinking of locking my phone. But I always carry it with me biking in case something happens to me. I have my ICE1 (my fiancee) and ICE2 (my dad) contacts in there. If I am unconscious, I want emergency personnel to call them ASAP.

Remember everyone, ICE (In Case of Emergency) your phone!

i've got my wife marked out on mine already, and I don't lock it- not like you're gonna get too far with what's on there. OH NOES YOU STOLE MY CANDY CRUSH POINTS.

In reply to foxtrapper:

Hopefully they're keeping close tabs on you for swelling/fluid issues. Good thing you were wearing a helmet. :-)