Rider down!

[lakecountrydave]

I am sorry to hear about your misfortune. Get well soon!

[dbeardslee]

Looks like the site's fixed, so I'm back. I got a message from Don yesterday and he said they still have to put his collar bone back together. Matt and I are planning to visit him tonight, so we should no more later.

I had tried to call Don earlier on the day of the accident. I figure he was laying there in the weeds, and just pushed the talk button on his phone and it went to me. He was in obvious pain, and at first I thought he was just screwing with me. Then he managed to catch his breath and he said "I'm down, man. I'm not joking." I asked him where he was, and if he had called 911. He said "I'm going to right now." He called 911, and I did as well 'cause I wasn't sure he was going to stay awake long enough. I called him back a few minutes later, and other people had showed up and he sounded pretty normal. I don't think he wanted to show any pain in front of witnesses. Don's evidently a lot like a cat - he won't let you know when he's hurt, but you'll find him an hour later behind the couch going f@#kin' meow, man.

Anyway, more after we talk to the man himself.

[XS1100 Newbie]

You are in my prayers Don. Hope you come back stronger, and better than before.

[dbeardslee]

I just spoke to Don, and here's the story: He was riding on route 8 in KY (a notoriously twisty road) and he got off the road a bit, saw he was headed for gravel and tried to stand the bike up to stop in a straight line. Unfortunately when the wheels hit the gravel things went haywire. He said he wasn't sure exactly what happened next as things progressed rapidly and he found himself laying in the weeds. Final toll on his injuries are two broken bones in his lower leg (don't know if it's left or right), broken collar bone, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-10 broken ribs. His head, neck and back all checked out OK. He is in good spirits, and says he's out of the woods - just has to heal.

[3Phase]

He is in good spirits, and says he's out of the woods - just has to heal.

Yeah! That's great news, Doug! Clumsy... get well soon, Don!


Regards,

Scott

[cywelchjr]

Good thoughts and prayers from central Ca. Get well soon. I always hate to hear about someone being down, we have been having too many down from this group recently.

[tinman905]

Thanks for the update . I wish and like many of us Canucks that we were closer to offer and help in anyway. If there is anything he needs to recover personal or bike I would be glad to assist in anyway I can to help make his recovery easier. Good luck Don !!!

I just spoke to Don, and here's the story: He was riding on route 8 in KY (a notoriously twisty road) and he got off the road a bit, saw he was headed for gravel and tried to stand the bike up to stop in a straight line. Unfortunately when the wheels hit the gravel things went haywire. He said he wasn't sure exactly what happened next as things progressed rapidly and he found himself laying in the weeds. Final toll on his injuries are two broken bones in his lower leg (don't know if it's left or right), broken collar bone, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-10 broken ribs. His head, neck and back all checked out OK. He is in good spirits, and says he's out of the woods - just has to heal.

[yamtom]

Get Well Soon

Doug,

Get well soon from MidMichigan.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Doug,

Get well soon from MidMichigan.

Heh..heh..Doug's OK (I suppose) Don's the one that's broken.

[petejw]

Ive cracked 2 ribs and the pain was bad enuff
to break 8 - 10 ribs as well as the other breaks
must be excruciating, hope the drugs are working well.
hope u heal fast.

[Ivan]

My only words of advice. They will ask over and over again if you smoke. DO NOT jokingly say "Yeah about 8-10 packs a day." They will start trying to administer some weird stuff to help you come off the nicotine easy. Supposedly its bad if you aren't loaded on nicotine.

Also, if they ask whether you were wearing a helmet for the 97th time, use your middle finger to indicate how many you were (or could have been) wearing. After that they will stop asking stupid questions.

Also, if you want some entertainment in the ICU, just say "You know, since this accident, my pee tastes kinda funny."

Glad to hear he's doing better, and I have lots more stuff to help pass the time if need be...

[The Lorax]

well, Doug got down to see Don, I tried but got held up in the aftermath of a wreck on I-75 so I missed visiting hours by about 10 minutes. Doug said don was in good spirits and had the magic pain reliever button by his bed, the leg was a compound fracture of his lower right? leg, 8-10 broken ribs and a broken or dislocated collar bone, he is apparently in good spirits, I tried like hell to get there in time, but time wasn't having any of my nonsense. I am going to try again to get down there this weekend, hopefully I can get a better update for all those who are interested. that is all I got for now, have a nice day and ride safe

[dbeardslee]

I got in to see our boy this evening, and he looks pretty good considering what he's been through. They put a pin in his leg because, as Don put it, he left a little piece of himself by the side of the road. Evidently it was a compound fracture and he lost a piece of bone that they replaced with steel. He's also sporting some new steel in his collar bone. He said the reason he's in intensive care is because his lungs are bruised, so they're keeping an eye on him. His main complaint is that he can't sleep (didn't someone mention that?). He said he found out in the hospital that he's got sleep apnea, so every time he falls asleep and stops breathing, the bells and whistles go off, and they come in and wake him up. I asked him if he wanted me to bring him anything and he said "yeah - ear plugs. They have to listen to these alarms. I don't." He definitely hasn't lost his sense of humor.

[xsilerating]

Thanks for the update, Doug. Although it could be better, that's none the less, good news.

All the best for a speedy recovery, Don and, a quick escape from the 'inane' asylum

[latexeses]

Lorax,

Don't hurry too much or you could wind up in the bed next door to Don..

Decent news though. Except for the missing piece of bone....

Our best wishes go out to you brother.

Rodger & Deb