Alaska trip report.

[Slade]

Here's the link to the (first ever attempt..be gentle) online blog that I tried to keep up with during our trip from Minnesota to Alaska.

https://motorcyclealaska2010.spaces.live.com

Sadly I did not get to complete the journey as on the way back to the USA I encountered one of British Columbia's suicidal deer just east of Lunby. The bike was totaled and I was pretty close to totaled myself. Fortunately I was geared up properly which saved my life. But no amount of gear can protect you from blunt force trauma to the body.

My left hip was pulverized and emergency surgery (basically cobbled together so I could be transported) was done in Vernon, BC. I spent two weeks there and was finally air evacuated to Regions Hospital ( a level 3 trauma facility) in St. Paul, Mn. There I underwent a second surgery from Regions top trauma surgeon to implant a new modular hip. Canada sent me on with a present...a staph infection from the surgery....Those interested in how Canada's Health Care system performs feel free to PM me. No offense to our brothers to the North, but if I ever find myself in a similar situation, duct tape me up, fill me with Morphine and get me across the border asap.

I am now looking forward to twice daily 2 hour IV (pic line) infusions for the next 4-6 weeks. Not to mention dealing with the health insurance people on out of country claims. No idea when I can get back to work. Months sounds hopeful. Great to have wonderful friends and coworkers to fall back on.

The FJR performed wonderfully, the TourMaster Air mesh jacket and pants saved me from any road rash, and the Shoei X-1100 allow me to sit here and type this.

For those from the States riding out of country. Please look into "traveler's insurance"....never heard of it myself, but apparently it's a no brainer in Canada and it will make your life significantly easier should you need medical help. (Cost me $855.00 just to get from the ambulance to the ER...don't know what would've happened if I didn't have it..)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the trip report...I have to look at it to remember what actually happened prior to the accident.

Ride safe, get a deer hunter's license this year, and enjoy that venison!

 

[Beamer Reamer]

Dude - that sucks.

Sorry about the deer strike, Slade - it is totally not the way to wrap up what would otherwise have been an epic trip. My wife and I had the same experience ourselves on June 12th and we still have a fair bit of recovering to do, neither of us walking yet. I tell you that just so you will feel free to reach out if you have questions about the healing process or just want someone to commiserate with as the days go by. Our deal can be found:

Deer Strike

I wish you the best and please feel free to reach out if it suits you. PM me and we can swap some contact info. Colleen and I discussed the future of motorcycling and have chosen to keep on with this hobby - it was still an important part of our life. It gets mixed reactions from those within our sphere but mostly it the decision has been supported.

Surely you had more than a hip? As bad as it was injured I would have figured some ribs, maybe a shoulder. Sorry about the infection, just insult to injury.

David

 

[SacramentoMike]

Damn it Slade, sorry to hear this. Frankly, I enjoyed Frenchy750's Alaska ride report MUCH more. And FWIW, after Beamer's encounter, I resolved to buy a deer rifle and take up hunting again this fall after about a 40 year hiatus. Too damn many of 'em out there. :angry2: Good luck in your recovery.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Sorry to hear of this. Heal quickly and just take it easy for a while.

BTW - Both pilots female, and male nurses.... Just sayin'. I would ask the pilot for a sponge bath not the other two dudes. :blink:

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Whoa! Sorry for your trips demise by the bambi-off spring.

Prayers for a speedy recovery my friend, and patience for the long road ahead.

Good to have a support network as you stated with co-workers and Family...means alot.

.Thanks for the report....

 

[Solo]

Slade, I hate to hear about your run in with the deer. Sounds like you got whupped bad by the impact. Give yourself time to heal and then think about riding again. You will make the correct decision for you, whatever it is. Get rid of that staph infection and heal up!

 

[Patriot]

ah man...my heart goes out to you

you sound up and matter of fact in your post...I hope you share here how you're doing

I know they'll be good days and bad days...we are here for you to vent and give a listening ear

it's funny...I can freely with comfort share with internet friends things I wouldn't with local family and friends

 

[cruppelt]

Very sorry for a bad end to a great trip!

I'm just glad you get to tell the tale...

Best wishes and Mojo sent your way from Portland for a speedy recovery.

 

[airboss]

Seems to be a lot of falling down and breaking things ( mainly people ). Ya know we really should stop doing that.

Heal well Slade. take your meds and listen to the Docs, from way your post is written I would say you have the attitude thing covered.

 

[Auburn]

Glad to hear you are around to share your story. Get well and ride another day!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Sorry about the damned deer...get healed up fast!!! :clapping:

 

[dcarver]

Man o Man. Heavy hit - I'm off to read your blog.

Hope you quickly feel better - although it sounds like you're in for a fairly long recovery.

Best wishes..

 

[Leskid]

wow, seriously....

hang in there, get well and keep us posted

 

[Big-D]

I know there are a lot of Deer vs. Vehicle collisions each year, but it just seems those deer seem to seek out motorcycles. I've come so close to hitting a deer a few times and I seldom ride where the deer are a real threat. Sometimes you start thinking they wait in the brush and wait for a 2-wheeler to come by before they dart out in front of you.

I'm really sorry about your encounter! Take care and watch that staph infection.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Double whammy...first the deer and then the infection. Hope you're able to heal quickly.

Taking up hunting again is looking better and better. Good luck!

--G

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Yet ANOTHER reminder of the forest rat threat!!! So glad it wasnt worse and glad ya had gear on! I have taken care of four motorcycle accident victims this week, though none due to deer.

Good luck healing and hope that infection is able to fully clear! Dunno, be glad you didn't get syphillis? just sayin'........ keep positive and hoping for a speedy recovery!

 

[Slade]

Thanks all for the support and encouragement. Sitting here hooked up to the IV for this morning's infusion it's easy to feel pretty isolated.

As for riding again...I looked at some of the unpublished video from the trip last night and it's really difficult to think of not riding again. However, in my family it was just my little brother and myself. We lost Chris to cancer a little over a year ago. This latest episode really hammered my parents. I can't in good conscience ride again while they are still with us. It would make them miserable with worry.

So, I sit here and contemplate what other passions I can cultivate with my new messed up body. As mentioned before there will be revenge on the Evil Forest Rat population...even if I have to be wheeled out into the woods. Must've been providence that I found that 1965 Winchester Model 70, 30-06 in excellent condition last Xmas.

I'd say to all to Ride Safe and keep your eyes open...but as I've learned...no matter how vigilant...sometimes you just don't stand a chance. Absolutely nothing you can do other than grab a handful of brake and hope for the best. You often have no more time for anything other than that.

 

[MCML]

Slade - Sorry to hear about all of this. I rode to Alaska last summer.....and went down, too, although it was not from a deer strike and I was not injured. Your sense of humor comes through all of the horror and, I suspect, is serving you well......well, at least better than the Canadian health care system apparently did. My mother had a similar pic line/i.v. experience. Ugh!

I know (well) a nurse/epidemiologist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center here in L.A. She is extremely familiar with all aspects of MRSA (hospital and community acquired) and other staph infections. Please let me know if that resource can be of help to you.

Keep that 30-06 well oiled.....and buy a really good recoil pad for your shoulder.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

My worst nightmare happened to you, and I'm really sorry to hear of your travails. Since I will be motorcycling twice out of country in the next few months, I will take your advice and call my insurance company to see if I am covered. I appreciate your gumption. Hang in there!