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| Back in action |
The confirmed break in the collarbone is less than severe - I wish I had a copy of the x-ray to prove my point. The plate (from 2003 or 2004) held nicely, which is a great thing because, if it had been compromised, surgery would be the only option. The tiny piece of bone between the plate and the shoulder broke. I couldn't tell if it was a complete break or a bad fracture. The ortho was the only one that could get me in on short notice during the holiday week but he wasn't a sports guy nor did he really have any good advice other than a timeframe to gradually get on the bike in 6-8 weeks. Suffice it to say, my follow up appointment is with a different ortho who IS a sports guy and comes highly recommended.
The stitches above my eye were a whole 'nother debacle. I went to my primary Doc on Thursday (after Christmas) to get them removed because I couldn't get a plastics doc to take me within the allotted time frame. I'm told that leaving the stitches in too long gives you a less-than-desirable criss-cross scar. I will definitely have a scar (I'm channeling Tommy Boy:"Son of a ...That's gonna leave a mark"), but I didn't want to make it worse than it had to be. My "primary" is the one I had to list for my health insurance company. I studiously browsed the accepted doctors and selected one based on very stringent factors: her office is near my home and she shared my first name. Come on, aren't all Wendys as cool as me? Apparently not.
She started the visit by chastising me for not knowing how many stitches I had (sorry, IF they told me a number I was kinda in shock at the time. They could have said "gummy bears" for all I know). Mmm... gummy bears. She also attacked my method of caring for my wounds by saying that the (pardon the visual) ooze that was coming from the wounds was an infection, likely a staph infection and I could die from it. Bedside manner, anyone?
I do recall the ER seamstress saying that the stitches would be BLUE. So they could easily be seen. I helpfully mentioned that to the primary but she was not impressed with my assistance. She proceeded to yank and pull on whatever she could grab, which included skin and eyebrow. I expected the momentary pain but I was truly afraid she was ripping open the wound. She finally finished and started to walk out when I stopped her. Motioning to my face, which was still pretty banged up, I asked if she had any advice on healing/scar prevention. She tersely shook her head and walked out with a parting comment that was something to effect of "You're going to have some marks". Thanks, Dr. Obvious.
On Friday evening, I was cleaning my wounds and noticed a blue string. I pulled it with the tweezers and it came out - a remnant of one of the ones she clipped, no doubt. Ok, shoddy work but ok. Then I saw a blue string that was going against the normal eyebrow direction. I started to yank on it and ... Son of a ... are you kidding me? She missed a stitch. IT WAS BLUE. She was all up in my face and missed a BLUE stitch in my (sparse from the crash) brown eyebrow. I spent my day Saturday going back to the fantastic ER in Loudoun County and had them take out the stitch. They also informed me that the wounds were healing nicely and no, that wasn't staph and I probably wasn't going to die from it. Seriously. Where does one lodge a complaint for poor Doctor service?
One nice side effect of this drama is that I've had the chance to visit with friends off the bike (how novel!). Please, lets do this more often, sans injury! Thank you to everyone who reached out, sent advice, shared a cup or two of coffee and brought required medical assistance (e.g.: wine, chocolate, bananas - for sustenance, scar cream, nail polish and a fabulously lux blanket). Favorite comment on my last blog goes to Brian ... made me laugh ... because I'm sure the EMTs weren't sure what to do with that and because even though I don't remember it, I know it is SO me and I'm sure it made you guys laugh.
Anyhoo, as requested (for you, Ycycle!) I'm posting a couple of pics of my helmet and one of my bike. It was hard to get the helmet damage to really show on photo, but I did my best. I'm also adding a pic that one of my teammates took at the scene - it's graphic but it made me laugh at the same time. Facial wounds bleed like a stuck pig so I imagine that's where my head landed.
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| I stopped momentum with my head and face. Note the blood stains on the strap. |
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| I don't think photos can do it justice. The top left circle is what I think caused the gash above my eye - I would have assumed it was my Oakleys but they survived unscathed. |
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| My teammates knew I'd want to know how my bike survived. Photo Credit: Michael Stearns |
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| I know, somewhat morbid but it made me laugh. Photo Credit: Tods Manggon |
