a rough day....

[jwbookworm614]

So I had my gear on yesterday and went for a ride on my new bike--got rid of the ancient suzuki that I spent more time fixing than anything, and bought a 2003. Was really looking forward to finally getting some experience in riding. Went out in the morning and it was awesome - just going around the neighborhood and getting used to how it handles.
Went back out in the afternoon to a parking lot to do some maneuverability practice, and immediately skidded in some gravel and dumped it. Got myself out from under the bike and managed to get my helmet off. Sheriff came around and picked up my bike. I called my husband. Medics checked me out. Neighbor came along and said I should ride the bike home....that if I didn't, I'd be too scared of it to get back on later. Once everyone cleared out (2 sheriff cars, fire truck, ambulance, two random neighbors in pickup trucks), I rode my bike home again....slowly, with DH behind me in the jeep. Ended up going to the ER afterwards.
Long story short - I've got two cracked ribs and a separated shoulder. Thank God I was wearing my leather jacket, helmet, etc. It could have been so much worse. I know what I did - my back wheel skidded in the gravel, and I panicked and squeezed the brake. So stupid.
Definitely not giving up....I'm keeping the bike. At least its pretty much the end of the season, so I have plenty of time to heal, replace my brake pedal, buy a new helmet, etc. Going to look into leather w. armor....I don't know if that would've helped or not.

Guess I'm more disappointed in myself than anything right now...:(

[4Raven]

ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(

That is awful...how did you get that many people involved and not go to the hospital? Glad you are okay...although cracked ribs...hurt!:(

Hope you mend quickly!;)

[jwbookworm614]

Probably because there wasn't any blood and I was standing up on my own, talking to them normally.:)

The prescription Motrin helps, but it really sucks to change positions. Sitting to standing, laying down is awful, as is attempting to roll over.

Me too:o

[4Raven]

Did they give you some binding tape or do you have a velcro belt? That helps for a little while to reduce the temptation to move around a lot and take deep breaths...

[Cie]

jwbw ... very sorry, sorry you had such a sucky ending to a nice casual ride day ... so thankful it wasn't worse ...

dh had broken ribs a few years ago and best suggestion is sleep sitting up for awhile (recliner) and use a pillow for "guarding" ... and if you can, get your hands on an "incentive spirometer" for after the initial healing (ask doc - but you may be able to start w/in a few days). you don't want to be laying down and "guarding" (where you take baby breaths & not fully expand your lungs) ...

you took a nasty and it's time you took care of yourself. the more you take it easy now, the quicker you'll heal - and NO rolling over or twisting.

(ok - i'll shut up now - i get such a case of mommy-itis)

hugs - hope you're feeling better soon and hope your bike is getting over his "love bites", too.

[jwbookworm614]

No belts or anything - they want me to take deep breaths as much as possible (and gave me a spirometer) so that I don't end up with pneumonia. Doctor gave me a sling for the first couple of days, but wants me to do some easy movement (circles and such) so that my shoulder doesn't freeze up.
I am trying to take it easy- not too much moving around, being extra careful not to bump anything, picking up things with my left hand instead of my right. Did get an extra pillow so that I'll be more elevated when I sleep.
Hoping to get back to normal soon.
4Raven and CIE-thank you for the support and the info.

[iamjustifyd]

We all make mistakes, as long as you learn from it don't beat yourself up. Never had problems with the ribs before but heard they hurt pretty bad. Hope you heal up quickly. And good for you riding back home!!
Reminds of a story from a friend of mine. Long story short, a kid ran out in front of her while she was driving, luckily out of a parking lot so she was going slow. Nothing she could do about it. Police came, ambulance, her husband showed up. She was shaken up real bad. She told the policeman she was going to leave her car there and her husband would drive her home then get a friend and come back for her car. Cop said, no way....if you don't drive home now you will never drive again.

[jwbookworm614]

Neighbor came along and said I should ride the bike home....that if I didn't, I'd be too scared of it to get back on later.
"Cop said, no way....if you don't drive home now you will never drive again."

That makes sense. Its like you have to get that bad experience overwritten by a good one - or at least one where nothing bad happens. If I hadn't ridden home, it would've been a lot harder to get back on later...I'd still be picturing the fall, instead of knowing I made it home without any other incidents.

I'm glad your friend and the kid were ok iamj.

[Firecracker]

Sorry you had a fall! Ribs can be terrible! I cracked a couple after crashing my dirt bike a few years back. Ugh, do not want to repeat.

You'll be back out there soon enough :) Don't worry about it too much, it's part of learning! And you were smart about gear!

[DoM3K]

Medics did a pretty bad job if they didn't notice the dislocated shoulder and Ribs. :(

Sucks you laid her down though. Just get back up and ride :)

Also get better quickly! :D

[jwbookworm614]

Its been just over a week....the bruises are fading. I can move my arm pretty well now - still being careful though. Ribs still ache, but keeping up on the motrin.
Have a good Thanksgiving everyone! Be safe :)