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Update on injury

4K views 20 replies 15 participants last post by  Jerry K 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all,

Thought I would update on Laurie's condition from her crash last Wed. She had surgery on Thu for a clavicle plate to stabilize her shoulder. Typically the clavicle or collarbone is set but allowed to heal on its own. But this plate will support and allow her rib cage to be more stable. She broke 8 ribs, 3 on the front and 5 on the upper back. Some with multiple fractures. Partial collapsed lung is healing well. She was moved from trauma ICU to an intermediate critical care unit. She has an epidural on her upper back to mask the pain for the next few days. Was able to stand and use the chair in the shower. After 3 days, it was nice and refreshing... She is perky, alert, walking with therapists, and ready to come home but probably not till next week. We're finding new bruises, some scrapes. Nothing serious.

She does not remember much of the impact. We were in a merge lane to the frontage road to take the freeway home. Sweeping right curve lane that enters a 3 lane frontage road. Mini van in front of me who appears ready to flow into the frontage lane. We are all moving towards the flow and then the van stopped short. I moved left slightly and braked hard and Laurie, we feel must have had her head turned over her left shoulder to clear her view for the merge when I slowed. She plowed into me from behind. She remembers seeing me stop and knew immediately she was going to hit me and she tried to move left and miss me but did not. Hit me directly on the rear fender and angled towards the left saddlebag. I didn't know she was going to impact me, didn't see it coming...just felt the impact but knew it had to be her. Shoved me forward but I stayed upright. I put my kickstand down and killed the motor and ran back to her. She was crumpled on her left side. Unresponsive, wide eyed, lifeless, unconscious, I suspected the worst though. Thought the impact of the ground may have killed her. Good Samaritan nurse came by and felt for a pulse. She said she was ok but "out". First responders arrived and got her helmet off and stabilized her with a neck brace and on a back board. We lifted her bike and moved it away. Firefighters help me move my bike which was damaged and unrideable. Rear fender crushed around the tire. Stuck in place. Got it to an adjacent parking lot. Incredibly I rode her bike to the hospital with only her left mirror missing.

Local hospital was not a trauma unit, so they transferred her to the trauma hospital in Austin. I went home on her bike while waiting for the ambulance and got my truck to follow them to Austin. Great great team there and took care of her. Could not have been better for her and me wih the support they offered. We feel thankful she is doing so well so soon. Staff feels she is a super star for how she had progressed to this point.

We appreciate your prayers and well wishes. I picked up my bike yesterday with truck and trailer. I got it to the dealer here for a damage estimate and start that process. It will be sometime, may be next year before we ride together again. She loves to ride her bike and we love to ride together. She is not a back seat rider. She's been riding since she was 5 years old on mini bikes, then to dirt bikes, raced as a teenager and then moved to street bIkes. This experience will not change her or me to continue riding. It's our lifestyle. Her daughter knows it and trusts her mom. My son, firefigher and his wife, EMT are not sure what's next for us but my son trusts me to enjoy life. This whole thing could have been much much worse. It's a tough one but she will recover and we will ride on.

Thanks, RV
 
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#2 ·
Thanks for the update. The VR site is acting up this morning and just letting me read the Left half of the posts but sounds like she's doing better. Tell her Get Well Soon.
 
#13 ·
I was finally able to read the complete post and sounds like she faired okay. I'm sure the helmet helped a lot like they're supposed to do.
 
#6 ·
Glad to hear that Laurie is on the mend, is this the same lady that you posted about that had surprised you when she bought her own bike without telling you in advance?
If I remember correctly she wrecked on that bike shortly after getting it, seems like it's been about a year or more since you posted that.
 
#14 ·
What a memory you have for girls in my life... Hahaha. No, that was back in 2014 or so and I knew then, right then, she was not for me. Compulsive to an extent that I learned later was something I could not go all in with.

I met Laurie after I relocated to the Austin area late last year. She's from San Diego area and moved here 3-4 years ago. Rides a nicely equipped Shadow. We recently rode the Twisted Sisters loop here which is known nationally for its twisties and hill country back roads. She hung back there on my tail for hundreds of miles. Probably has more experience than me which is 40 years or so. We've been starting to plan to ride Trans American Trail from CO to OR next summer. Off highway, off road, through 5 states. That's actually where she excels me.

Thanks.

RV
 
#15 ·
Think I might have found a picture of Laurie, based on your description I think this might be her.
Interior design Room Furniture Ceiling Font
 
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