Cheryl-- Tell Al I said I know he can get through as he is tougher than nails to just get to the point of where he is at. I have had a little deal lately to handle as he knows so sorry for the delay in finding this out.
One thing to tell him he will need but will be hard seeing him as the type A athlete will be the patience once things begin to get better.
Good vibes from the whole team are going your way just as they did me and you can really channel this in to get better.
I'm still alive and kicking and finally able to type, tho with 2 digits. i have checked out of the forums, save for this thread. I will post short periodic updates here q 1-3 weeks; wife will be posting weekly entries to my blog (see sig line) for those interested in details.
Briefly, in ICU on trach with crushed larynx and myriad other problems. Walking, communicating via iPad, and feeling love from EN and elsewhere. Progressing daily, but long haul.
Thanks to you all; your kind words and concerns helped greatly in scary first days.
Al- thank you so much for checking in. Just that short post must have been pretty tiring! I've subscribed to your blog and will follow your progress with the details there. I hope you get good news today with the scans and that the trach can come out sooner than currently projected. That's gotta be the worst part right now.
So great to hear from you. FWIW, I think about you every day and send you good healing wishes. Can't believe this happened to you, feel so sorry that you were so injured, and can't wait until you turn that corner and know you're well on the way to recovery. Hugs and healing energy.
Good to hear from ya. Just read your recent blog update. Healing juju coming your way on the Trach issue and even more juju coming your way for a speedy, well paced recovery. Not the same around here without you. Seriously.
Al - great to hear from you. We look forward to more of your posts and insights as you progress. My wife, Karen, sends you her best wishes as well. r/Paul
Great to hear you are starting to rally and getting back on to the forum ever so briefly. While only a member for a couple of months, I can't tell you how many of your posts I've read and learned from - so looking forward to when you are back for more wisdom.
On a personal note, a few years back, I'm broke my neck (fractured C7) in a freak skiing accident in Switzerland. I spent months in a neck brace not able to exercise - just stuck on the couch and rehabbing. But each day I kept thinking about and visualizing that first bike ride back and when it came months later, it hurt like crazy, but it was just outstanding to be back riding. I can tell you'll be back with that same passion as before - just keep seeing your self out there racing again - it will happen.
All The Best in your rehab and I look forward to meeting you at IMCDA next June!
I'm sorry to hear about the terrible accident, Al. Your physical conditioning and mental toughness gives you a recovery advantage. Please keep us posted on your progress. I know you will be back early cause your "really pissed off"! Hope they get the jaw fixed and the trach out soon. Speedy healing Mojo your way.
Al, so glad that you are able to post and participate in the forum, albeit a bit at a time. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be checking out your blog so I can keep updated on your progress! Huge hugs to you, my friend!
Al Have been away from the forums but was confirming today that you and the Matt's would be in Kona and was looking forward to tracking you on Saturday. Very shocking. I read the blog first and so am happy that you are home now. I expect that Saturday will be bittersweet for you but as Matt indicates above, you have had a huge impact on all of us at EN. This was my first season, but I was introduced to you in the Jan OS and I always appreciated your wisdom over the summer. I have started this fun late and you are a role model of a great IM career from the late 40s through 60+. You are an inspiration and we will be watching your recovery and I am sure you will inspire us with that as well! God bless. Scott
For those who haven't read his blog...OMG =========================== The Accident Posted on October 2, 2010 by admin Until I have more strength to put together a more coherent tale, is is a brief description of my bike accident on Sat Sept 18, and a list of the injuries I sustained.
Briefly, I was riding 25 mph in a time trial, aerobar position on my bike at Ft Lewis. Base roads are closed, but there was a running event that day. A paramedic was parked in the road in a pickup. The pickup was not moving. I had my head down and … Bam … Hit pickup literally head on with my lower jaw. I think the c spine and throat stuff happend from severe extension at that time.
I did not hit the upper part of my head, my helmet had no marks on it. I think it was all in the lower jaw. I did not consciousness until the paramedics started to move me.
I was drowning from a mouth laceration, and stayed alert long enough to hoarsely tell EMT to keep “head down, hips up”, then my memory is gone.
Paramedic came back to see me, told me he thinks I saved my own life that way.
Injuries
Spinal cord contusion, causing weakness and parathesias in C 4 5 6 with loss of sensation and fine motor control especially in thumb, index and middle fingers, and weakness in small hand muscles. Hard to do stuff like write, type, surgery, … This is SLOWLY improving every day.
Neck trauma to larynx, pharynx, thyroid cartilage, with much swelling and deep bruising, necessitating a tracheotomy, and thus a feeding tube. Swallowing is still ineffective, so I now have a gastric feeding tube. No timetable for this resolution ofnthe swallowing difficulties.
Multiple cervical spine fractures … Stable, but neck brace for six weeks. I can have collar removed for cleaning.
Mouth trauma … Displaced bone holding lower front teeth, loss of 8 teeth. This will require further work, including temporary plate, the jaw surgery and tooth implants by oral surgeon.
Bad laceration of entire lower lip extending Into cheek. Significant blood loss from this. Lower lip muscles work, but area is still swollen and numb in places.
Multiple bruises and superficial abrasions, minor in nature, including laceration of left forefinger.
Small broken bone left wrist 3 mm. Radial styloid Fx. Not a significant issue. Wrist Brace only needed if I push hard with my hand.
I was hospitalized for two weeks, first week in ICU. I got home Oct 1st. Every day I improve, but the road ahead seems to get longer.
Al - I've been checked out for a while and was shocked to hear of your crash. I'm so glad to hear you're on the road to recovery, long or short as it may be. So, sending you good healing vibes and wish you the best.
Al, that is truly horrible. My husband hit entirely with this face too. His impact was entirely borne by the upper part of his face. Apologies for the gallows humor, but put the two of you together, and you make one complete mess of a whole face and neck. I feel so sorry this happened to you, and continue to wish you the best and quickest recovery possible. Your wife is traumatized too, and I send her healing thoughts as well.
Comments
One thing to tell him he will need but will be hard seeing him as the type A athlete will be the patience once things begin to get better.
Good vibes from the whole team are going your way just as they did me and you can really channel this in to get better.
I'm still alive and kicking and finally able to type, tho with 2 digits. i have checked out of the forums, save for this thread. I will post short periodic updates here q 1-3 weeks; wife will be posting weekly entries to my blog (see sig line) for those interested in details.
Briefly, in ICU on trach with crushed larynx and myriad other problems. Walking, communicating via iPad, and feeling love from EN and elsewhere. Progressing daily, but long haul.
Thanks to you all; your kind words and concerns helped greatly in scary first days.
Al- So good to hear from you "in person". I know you have a long road ahead of you, but thankful you are moving, breathing, thinking.
Pulling for you every day !!
Hi Al,
So great to hear from you. FWIW, I think about you every day and send you good healing wishes. Can't believe this happened to you, feel so sorry that you were so injured, and can't wait until you turn that corner and know you're well on the way to recovery. Hugs and healing energy.
Al:
Good to hear from ya. Just read your recent blog update. Healing juju coming your way on the Trach issue and even more juju coming your way for a speedy, well paced recovery. Not the same around here without you. Seriously.
John
Take care.
Great to hear you are starting to rally and getting back on to the forum ever so briefly. While only a member for a couple of months, I can't tell you how many of your posts I've read and learned from - so looking forward to when you are back for more wisdom.
On a personal note, a few years back, I'm broke my neck (fractured C7) in a freak skiing accident in Switzerland. I spent months in a neck brace not able to exercise - just stuck on the couch and rehabbing. But each day I kept thinking about and visualizing that first bike ride back and when it came months later, it hurt like crazy, but it was just outstanding to be back riding. I can tell you'll be back with that same passion as before - just keep seeing your self out there racing again - it will happen.
All The Best in your rehab and I look forward to meeting you at IMCDA next June!
Get well soon! Wonderful to hear form you!
Great to get some input on your recovery...keep up the good work!!!
P
I'm sorry to hear about the terrible accident, Al. Your physical conditioning and mental toughness gives you a recovery advantage. Please keep us posted on your progress. I know you will be back early cause your "really pissed off"! Hope they get the jaw fixed and the trach out soon. Speedy healing Mojo your way.
Great seeing your post. I have you in my prayers.
Great to heare from you Al, and sounds like the you're beginning the upswing towards recovery....
Hopefully, this concludes 2010, the Year of the crash
Sensei - Thank you for all you have taught me!!!!!
You are in my one thing list for when it gets tough at Kona!
Matt
===========================
The Accident
Posted on October 2, 2010 by admin
Until I have more strength to put together a more coherent tale, is is a brief description of my bike accident on Sat Sept 18, and a list of the injuries I sustained.
Briefly, I was riding 25 mph in a time trial, aerobar position on my bike at Ft Lewis. Base roads are closed, but there was a running event that day. A paramedic was parked in the road in a pickup. The pickup was not moving. I had my head down and … Bam … Hit pickup literally head on with my lower jaw. I think the c spine and throat stuff happend from severe extension at that time.
I did not hit the upper part of my head, my helmet had no marks on it. I think it was all in the lower jaw. I did not consciousness until the paramedics started to move me.
I was drowning from a mouth laceration, and stayed alert long enough to hoarsely tell EMT to keep “head down, hips up”, then my memory is gone.
Paramedic came back to see me, told me he thinks I saved my own life that way.
Injuries
Spinal cord contusion, causing weakness and parathesias in C 4 5 6 with loss of sensation and fine motor control especially in thumb, index and middle fingers, and weakness in small hand muscles. Hard to do stuff like write, type, surgery, … This is SLOWLY improving every day.
Neck trauma to larynx, pharynx, thyroid cartilage, with much swelling and deep bruising, necessitating a tracheotomy, and thus a feeding tube. Swallowing is still ineffective, so I now have a gastric feeding tube. No timetable for this resolution ofnthe swallowing difficulties.
Multiple cervical spine fractures … Stable, but neck brace for six weeks. I can have collar removed for cleaning.
Mouth trauma … Displaced bone holding lower front teeth, loss of 8 teeth. This will require further work, including temporary plate, the jaw surgery and tooth implants by oral surgeon.
Bad laceration of entire lower lip extending Into cheek. Significant blood loss from this. Lower lip muscles work, but area is still swollen and numb in places.
Multiple bruises and superficial abrasions, minor in nature, including laceration of left forefinger.
Small broken bone left wrist 3 mm. Radial styloid Fx. Not a significant issue. Wrist Brace only needed if I push hard with my hand.
I was hospitalized for two weeks, first week in ICU. I got home Oct 1st. Every day I improve, but the road ahead seems to get longer.
Literally gives me chills. Within minutes, this could have ended much worse than it did. Sending strength & patience your way.
Al - I've been checked out for a while and was shocked to hear of your crash. I'm so glad to hear you're on the road to recovery, long or short as it may be. So, sending you good healing vibes and wish you the best.
Dominic
Al, that is truly horrible. My husband hit entirely with this face too. His impact was entirely borne by the upper part of his face. Apologies for the gallows humor, but put the two of you together, and you make one complete mess of a whole face and neck. I feel so sorry this happened to you, and continue to wish you the best and quickest recovery possible. Your wife is traumatized too, and I send her healing thoughts as well.