Riding after a wreck

[garyahouse]

Just curious, as it's been about a month now; how's that nerve damage in your shoulder?

Also, you'll recall that you said, that your wife said that she would get working on quitting. Most smokers I've known were doing just that... for years and years. They certainly didn't plan it that way, but that's what happened. One exception that comes to mind would be the fella across the street that smoked all his life until earlier this year when he decided to try this product called the Awesome Vapor electronic cigarette (available online). He said that it turned out to be cheaper per month than what he was spending on cigarettes, and it enabled him to quit. A week later we were talking about it, and another guy who was working on our house overheard the conversation. He commented that this product had worked for him as well.

Small world.

My neighbor commented that he was reluctant to try them because he'd tried these electronic things that he found at the drug store (a cheaper brand) and they didn't work very well. He assumed they were all the same. He was really excited to say that he couldn't have been more wrong. "After 35 years, I can't believe I don't even WANT a cigarette," he said. He was pretty excited about that.

I just happened to remember this and thought I'd mention it.

For what it's worth.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[majicmaker]

No one, and I mean no one, will tell me not to ride except me. There are no deals or insurance requirements. I ride because I can.

That's Me Bounce! I will know when it's time. No one else. I've let Many Wonderful Ladies walk out the door over it. Good thing is, another one walks in that very door within Minutes.

Life is Waaaay too short!

 

[LAF]

I ride after a wreck in The Bad Lands in 2010. Totaled a 07 BMW K1200 LT. I will never stop riding as long as I can breath. Here is one of my pinned parts.

Hey, my company makes those screws. Just to let you know they cost anyware from $1200.00 to over 2K depending what type. That is the price just for one. You are one dam lucky guy just for your information. That is one of the worst area's to operate on.

Stay safe

Dave

Yes it is a bad place. They tried the front way in and failed, a week later I was in and they went in from the back. No fun. I have some expensive jewelry at those prices for 4 screws! ATGATT If not for my gear I would be a vegetable or dead. No fun at all but no one in my family said a word when I went and bought my FJR not even knowing if I would be able to ride again. No person or doctor would tell me not to ride if I felt I could safely.

It is a risk to ride and more so when one is injured. The biggest thing is if you can do it safely and with out danger to others. That is something only I can determine not a doctor or person in my life.

7800 miles and 28 days out west last year was me facing those ideas and thoughts. I had a blast!

Thank you for letting me know the cost of my jewelry.

As to the electronic cigarettes mentioned they work and are cheaper then regular smokes. I am a smoker for the last 45 years and they work for me. When I grew up we knew nothing of the damage smoking causes and the addiction they are. I wish I could tell everyone who smokes to quite but know what a smoker faces. I have fought MANY addictions in my life and these damn things are the only one I can not beat for long term. I have went a year and picked one up and it was like I never quite.

I am in the gym 6 days a week 3 lifting and three cardio. I raise my BPM of my heart to 140-150 for 30 minuets spending about 34-38 minuets to do that 3 times a week. I still smoke but less and use the electronic when with my girl. She is a Nurse and even if we spend 3 days together I do not smoke. She is more important to me then a cig. However the addiction is still there so I feel for the OP's girl and what she faces. However her and my addiction is a known outcome compared to riding a bike even with it's associated risks.

 

[SigepKat]

So a month later, I'm almost all healed up. There's still some minor nerve damage in my shoulder, but I hardly notice it at this point. As far as the quitting smoking, she's gotten on wellbutrin which apparently helps w/the cravings, but that's only as of this week, so no results yet. I'm also shopping for a bike (what a pain in the a**), and I've got new equipment arriving this week (tourmaster flex pants and jacket, arai signet lid.)

Thanks for all the responses. It really helped w/the initial conversations.

 

[russperry]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Chuck35" data-cid="1066422" data-time="1368232621"><p>

Get plenty of life insurance and make sure she is aware of it. She may encourage you to ride afterwards.</p></blockquote>

That's the way I've taken it. I've told my wife three things and for now everything's OK:

1). I've got $1m in life insurance and she's the one and only beneficiary

2). The unfortunate truth is that actually does make me worth more dead than alive

3). I've led a good life, and now the kids are in college my actual "useful" years are nearly over anyway.

That probably sounds morbid to some, but within a few years I will switch from being a provider/creator to being a consumer. And at some point, whether its tomorrow, 10 years from now or 20, things I can physically and mentally do now will become impossible.

So in summary, im living now and if it kills me, so be it. It working for us right now but things change - who knows what my story will be next month or next year?

Good luck in your rehab and with your relationships. We're only here a short time - you should enjoy it

 

[ctfjr]

So a month later, I'm almost all healed up. There's still some minor nerve damage in my shoulder, but I hardly notice it at this point. As far as the quitting smoking, she's gotten on wellbutrin which apparently helps w/the cravings, but that's only as of this week, so no results yet. I'm also shopping for a bike (what a pain in the a**), and I've got new equipment arriving this week (tourmaster flex pants and jacket, arai signet lid.)
Thanks for all the responses. It really helped w/the initial conversations.

Just started reading this thread Sigepkat & hope you are doing fine. fwiw my only collision in almost 50 years of riding occured a few years ago. I was at a stop light and a woman rear ended me - fortunately not too fast. Fast enough to flip me off onto my (helmeted) head. Here it is a few years later and I still get headaches that I never had before. . . My doctor had me do another scan a month after to be sure there was no 'slow bleed'.

Of course my friends say I was lucky I landed on my head - otherwise I might have gotten hurt.

Be well!

 

[FJR30FAN]

Sorry to see one more rider got hurt, I am in San Anton and have ridden the three sisters a few times in my FJR. Hope you recover quickly and be safe out there!

 

[Fred W]

All of this talk about life insurance is all well and good. I guess you'll just have to make sure that when you crash, you off yourself. Because let's face it, that isn't the worst thing that can happen to a spouse. No, a much worse scenario is that you are a veg after the crash and she has to take care of your ass. And, oh... The life insurance won't help with those bills at all, at least not until she unplugs you.

But this really isn't the point. The real issue is that, yes, riding a motorcycle is an added risk of injury or death. So are lots of things. What are you going to do, sit around on the sofa because everything else is too risky?

If you need to convince her that you should ride, just tell her that since you already had an accident, now you are less likely to have a second one. Most people will buy that argument even though it is statistically a fallacy. Yes, there are some crashes that you have control over, but there are also certain kinds that you don't. Assuming that you are a fairly sane and conscientious rider you probably already do all the things to avoid the preventable ones, which just leaves those unpreventable ones. And guess what, in reality you have the exact same odds of having one of those that you did before your first one..

 

[frankenfeejeer]

I've been in 2 accidents in the last 3 years and been married for 22 years. My wife was against me riding for the first 15 years of our marriage. We had small kids and she just didn't feel comfortable with me on a bike. She said that she trusted me, but the other drivers out there scared her to death. It wasn't easy for her to let me get on a bike.

After the first accident, where I took a corner too fast, froze up and went into a ditch, I assured her that the accident was completely my fault. I rode beyond my skill level. I promised to not ride for the thrill, but the thrill of riding. After my injuries healed, I continued to ride with her consent.

2 weeks ago, I was in another accident. This time I was attempting to avoid a Toyota Corolla that was trying to avoid a deer. I avoided the car, I avoided the deer, and I avoided the ditch. I was wearing all of my gear, and everything did its job. It wasn't easy calling her to come pick me up, but the State Trooper assured her that I had done everything right. Accidents are accidents. And I was properly prepared.

I am back on my bike again with the wife's consent. She knows that I take this very seriously, and that reassures her. More importantly, she know that I love to ride, and because of that she pushes her fear aside.

I guess I haven't really answered your question, but perhaps some insight into my situation may help with yours.

Good luck!

Brian