Little White Pills & Neck Braces

My dad was a doctor, my mom a nurse. One of the things I learned growing up is that prescriptions for antibiotics should be taken completely regardless of how one feels to avoid developing treatment resistant infections and medicine resistant bugs. On the other hand prescriptions labeled x pills y times a day "as needed for pain" were to be eliminated as soon as possible to avoid developing dependencies and to get back to a medication free life as soon as possible.

I have three take "as needed" prescriptions. All for pain. I'm taking fewer than x pills and taking them less often than y times per day. But I still can't give up the little buggers and make it through a day. It's a frustration. I'll get to zero-zero I'm sure but sooner would be better than later in my book.

As for the neck brace, that's something I've been wearing since regaining consciousness in the hospital. They even had me shower with it on because of concern over additional damage that might be done to my fractured vertebra if I didn't. Regardless of my determination to follow doctors orders, and I will, I think the brace is a contributing factor to continued consumption of the little white pills. It seems to create some pressure at the back of the head that over the course of the day ends up leading to head and jaw pain and that gets me back to the pills.

My initial blog entry indicated three skull fractures. That was what I was told on the day I left the hospital. It seems that may have been a simplification because apparently skull refers to particular bones in the head. My understanding now is it would be more correct to refer to a single skull fracture, plus a fractured eye socket (right eye), and multiple fractures of the right cheek bone. Don't know if this is better or worse but believe it is more accurate. Doesn't change the amount of pain either.

I've been thinking of posting a picture of my face to go along with the helmet. Let you all see the effect of the impact on my head even after the major impact absorbed by the helmet. The head shot I have is three days after the accident so suspect it maximizes the apparent effect of the impact by giving time for swelling and bruising to become more evident.

Thanks for all the comments and emails received to date.

Update - damaged helmet

As promised with yesterday's post here's the picture of the damaged helmet. Thought there was a picture that gave a better view of the depth of the damage but this will have to do for now. When I look at it I imagine the same level of damage to an actual head as being fatal. Bikers wear your helmets. I didn't "need" mine for 20 years of riding but it was on my head when it needed to be there.

Nearly dead - the beginning

A few details,,, I was dead (maybe not technically, nobody got a flat EEG as far as I know) no breathing, pulse, pupil response when the EMTs got to me. They resuscitated me on the road. From that point I had tubes in my throat for the ride to New Milford Hospital, LifeStar to Hartford and through Tuesday when I was transferred from ICU to "step down" in Hartford and the tubes came out.

All of the above is second hand of course. I don't recall anything. My memory from late Saturday to the the hospital step down unit Tuesday afternoon is completely blank.

What I have noticed different and don't know yet if it will change...
- I have a lisp (most likely result of 3 skull fractures I'm told I suffered)
- Can't close mouth all the way, water leaks when I drink from a glass, fun at kids parties (again skull fractures probably)
- Teeth on top of mouth, right hand side, don't seem to fit in place any more (blame the skull fractures again)
- Something in my back cracks when I inhale and exhale (told I got two cracked vertebra too)
- Right eye doesn't close all the way
- Can't close my right hand all the way

...other things but thats a good starting list

Believe helmet was definitely a life saver. Will post a picture of the damaged article when I get the chance. If as much stuff came off my head as ground off the helmet there would be a quarter inch or more of grey matter spread on the road.

Wish I knew what happened. Want to go back to the spot and see if it stirs any memories. Have done lots of riding (tens of thousands of miles) without any incidents. I'd recently maintained the bike and ridden a few hundred miles on the maintenance with no issues noted.

Knew the EMT who resuscitated me. He didn't recognize me because of the blood and swelling. Haven't spoken to him in person yet but second hand reports from people who have say he said a 911 call came in from folks who wouldn't identify themselves and wouldn't stay around for help to arrive. Maybe nothing, maybe something. Regardless I'll probably never know unless memory magically comes back at some point.

Typings very tough. Won't be getting wads of content out. Probably not even after typing is easier since talking to the wind isn't my usual thing.

Anyway, all you bikers out there, ride careful, keep the rubber side down, wear your helmets. Friends and family - I will be back on the bike! !