[SIZE=12pt]After 32 days, I am home. I made the trip from Roanoke to Michigan Friday, 24 October with out incident, arriving at the house around 2100 that evening. I am resting comfortably (as can be expected) now enjoying the Valencia MotoGP as I type this and am well on my way down the road to recovery.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thank you's:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The absolute first thing I must do is say Thank You. And trust me, those 2 words do not even begin to scratch to surface as to the level of gratitude Annette and I have for the outpouring of support we have received during our time of need. It has been a truly humbling experience. You don't realize just how far your extended family reaches until you are on this side of things. The visits, phone calls, thoughts & prayers expressed here on the forum are what have given us both the strength to carry on each day. The camaraderie shared in the motorcycling community so similar to that of the Marine Corps is something that has been part of the reason I have been so consumed by motorcycling of the past few years. Thank you.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]To everyone who stopped to check in on us in Roanoke, Thank you. I can not tell how it lifted me to see each of you. Jim, Creta, Heidi, Endo(sp?), Jason, Charlie, Marty, and there are more that are in the drug induced fog right now that you'll have to forgive me. Along with the phone calls from so many that I can not even begin to list here. The sound of riding gear coming down the hall or a few minutes on the phone each day are what gave me the will to attack each and every task, to keep moving forward when every fiber was screaming just stop. Thank you.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]I can not even begin to tell you the love we've gotten from Jim and Creta Meadows. There is no better example of "good people" than Jim & Creta. They have been there for us at every turn since the accident. For that, we are forever indebted. Jim; there's a lake full of bass and monster bluegil with your name on it up here; just say the word![/SIZE]
And to Charlie (Red Diver) who was with us on that day. The first sound I remember was that of his FJR coming down through the gears as he stopped and I think he left it running as ran to us. I made one request, and he carried it out to the letter; "get Annette out of here first; leave me alone, stay with Annette, she goes first no matter what." I know there was no harder thing for him to do than see us there, but he stayed strong, calm through the whole ordeal. I know it was hard for him, as it turned out, I was just bad or worse shape than Annette, but he stayed true to my request, even as my BP continued to dropped, the Lifeflight that at first could not see us (Charlie picked up on of my FJR mirrors and signaled them) and then would not land... He followed us to the ER, stayed with Annette for as long as they'd allow. I am truely sorry for putting him through this, but I could not ask for a better wingman that day. Thank you Charlie.
[SIZE=12pt]Where we're at now:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Well, I'm in pretty good shape, considering. I have not read through all of this post yet, but here's a recap; Injuries I sustained were fractured right scapula (which feels well healed), Class 4 lacerated spleen (repaired via surgery 1 week after accident), minor lacerations to liver (self healing via medications?? – not enough jack & coke's!), 3 fractured ribs (healing – still hurts to cough), fractured vertebra (S1, L5, L4 were fused on 6 Oct, my back being the remaining major injury to heal and then work through physical therapy.) Annette suffered a broken left wrist (surgery installed some plates, and she now has here cast off and will begin physical therapy soon for), a fractured left heal (healed, walking boot/cast removed Thursday), 4 fractured ribs (healing), and punctured lung sack (I'm sure that there's a more technical medical term, but it escapes me at this point; healing- soreness from the chest tube incision). We both still have some lingering aches, pains, and bruising. Most of my bruising is gone; Annette still has a few very tender spots which are getting better. [/SIZE]
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[SIZE=12pt]You'll notice that none of my description above includes any mention of road rash. Number 1, ATGATT. I've always been for it, and this only enforces those beliefs. Our gear did its job. Mine was Joe Rocket; Annette was in a (brand new!) Tour Master Jacket with Field Sheer pants. There were no rips or tears in any of the gear. It did not, however, survive the EMT's scissors while being removed!![/SIZE]
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[SIZE=12pt]What lies ahead?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]This question that I've been asked most, "will you ride again?" I have pondered this question over the past month so much. This is the 2nd time I've been down hard on the street (1st being in 2000, courtesy of a 16yr old in NY, with just a dislocated shoulder). The difference this time is the fact that I hurt a loved one. I never in a lifetime fathomed how hard is would be to deal with the fact that I caused pain to one of my own. I would not wish this on anyone; seeing Annette the way she is even now pains me beyond words. As I sit now, I'm fairly certain I will continue to ride (after all, I've still got the Harley in the garage to screw up). The catch 22 that has been laid out for me by Annette is that if I continue to ride, then I have to allow her to as well. That will be the hardest thing I think I will ever do, putting her on a back seat again. I have swung back and forth on this, from, "I'm selling everything" to "when will the FJR be fixed or when are we buying a new one". I have not been able to bring myself to venture into the garage yet; the Harley has not been started since we left, my son's CB360 project waits patiently along side our CRF-50. I will force that step in the coming days, as I know it will be a key part of the healing process. Our long term goal right now is attending EOM 2009, where ever it may be.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=12pt]The Bike;[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]I'll put up pictures soon. Our last conversation with the insurance company ended with the bike being moved to a Yamaha shop near Bluefield, VA for a better look. The few pictures that we have look promising. I am really attached to this bike for all the memories I have had on it in the last 2 years. If it's not repairable, then the first dealership that I can find that will swap 2009 AE to A Tupperware will get a check. More to follow…[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=12pt]Again, Thank you to all, we are eternally grateful for everything everyone has done for us. I feel like I am missing or not saying so much, bear with me, I am still fighting through the fog at times.[/SIZE]
Time for a pill, a slice of apple pie, and snuggles with my 3 yr old on the couch. I'll begin reading through the 12!! pages of posted here and reponding over the next few days. Thanks again everyone!
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[SIZE=12pt]Wayne. [/SIZE]
