Commuting - Rainman out to pasture for a couple of weeks

On my early morning commute Tuesday I hit fresh diesel spill and went down like a rock. I landed pretty hard on my left hip. Got up, shook it off, and continued my ride. A couple of blocks later I hit ANOTHER spill and went down, much more gently, on my right side. I rode on to work, not really hurting too much. As I changed clothes I noticed swelling at my left hip, but no pain. The swelling increased rapidly over the next hour, started to hurt pretty bad, and I became light-headed so I grabbed a cab to the ER, fearing a chipped hip bone or pelvis. After xrays and a few hours of observation the ER doc decided I was probably OK to leave. I had a hematoma the size of a(n American) football split lengthwise with half a grapefruit next to it, plus general swelling from my mid thigh to the upper pelvis. I got up to change clothes, felt EXTREMELY light-headed, sat down in a chair, and came to with 4 people standing around me asking if I was OK. Of course then I couldn't go home. BP 80/40. They started IV fluids and called my orthopedic surgeon who took one look and said "Whoa! I've never seen such a large hematoma!" He recommended incision and drainage which would actually speed recover, reduce the chance of infection from extended recovery, and so he could check to make sure not larger vessels were damaged.

So here I sit with a 4-inch incision and lots of shiny surgical staples, unhorsed until at least next Friday when the staples come out.

Oh, and in answer to the most important question, my bike is OK. I think I probably broke IT'S fall both times. :D

On the bright side I get to hang around BikeForums and bother people for a couple of days.
Rainman

One word - OUCH!

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to expediate the healing process. Kick back - watch the Vuelta this weekend and relax.

You'll be back in the saddle in no time, and have a cool scar to boot! :D

Sounds horrible.

Glad the bike is okay. :D It was very considerate of you to break its fall. Your bike owes you big!

Hope you get better soon.

Man that sounds painful.

I hope you make a quick recovery.

On another note, the transport of fuels over public roads is highly enforced and the mishandling of such can cause fines to the transporter.

Fuel spills can find their way into the sewer of coastal areas and travel out to sea causing further harm to sensitve eco systems not to mention infections in surfers.

If you have the extra time on your hands you might enquire as to who's at fault.

I'm not a litgious guy, but I'd be pretty pissed if I were you.

Dang. Diesel spills? Twice??? Man, that is awful luck.

Good luck with your recovery. You'll probably be back into it sooner than you think.

You Animal! I can't believe with an injury like that you were able to get up and ride. I realize the swelling didn't occur until later, but you must have hit the ground hard! I am sorry this happened and glad to hear your on the mend.

Tell me... did anyone see either of these falls? I just wondered if anyone offered to help. -Yvonne

Thanks for the notes, gang!

I think the spills may have been from a city bus that someone hadn't put the fuel cap on. Both spills were approaching bus stops at the edge of the traffic lane as if a bus were pulling over and slowing down, fuel sloshing out of the filler tube. Yeah, I was pretty ticked, but I doubt I can prove who spilled the fuel. I'm really surprised I haven't read of any cyclists getting run over the way many of them run redlights and such. Am I the only one unlucky enough to slip down. Would knobbies have handled this better than slick road tires?

The first spill hurt pretty bad momentarily, the kind that really shocks you for a couple of minutes. After a couple of deep breaths it really seemed to ease up and riding on was no big deal. Rear wheel seemed to have been knocked out of true a bit, but easing off the break adjustment let it work fine. I don't think anyone saw that fall. We're talkin' just before 6:00 AM, not much traffic. The second fall was much gentler. People stopped at the light across the wide intersection may have seen. In both cases I was on my feet pretty quickly and on my way after a quick bike check. The swelling and eventual pain came on over the next hour or so.

For the moment it's a little scary. If I had landed only a little harder I might have broken my hip. I don't feel afraid of riding, but I feel a little afraid of being afraid. Does that make sense? I'm thinking what if I see a little harmless patch of gravel and either panic brake or panic turn and CAUSE myself to crash where I wouldn't have before. Do they make training wheels for road bikes? :D

Makes me uncomfortable just reading about it. I haven't fallen yet, but I only do 10 - 12 miles per day.

I hope you are soon feeling better and that no permanent damage was done.

Rainman,

I don't get into this forum often (if ever) but saw something
about injury in the Vuelta thread.
My sincerest wishes for a speedy recovery.
As soon as you can, back on the bike!
I don't think you'll have a problem with being
afraid of being afraid, and yes it made sense.
Just kick back, watch the race and maybe tune
the bike, and Rainbabe's, and the neighbors and
so on and so on ad nauseum.

Get well soon
Marty

Raymond, sorry to hear of your troubles but glad you're ok. :)
Here's to a speedy recovery with no complications. :beer:
Keep us posted of how you're doing.
Glad Yorick is ok. ;)


Originally posted by RainmanP
On my early morning commute Tuesday I hit fresh diesel spill and went down like a rock.
Is it time for new batteries in the headlight so you can see those diesel spills? ;)

Just think you help contribute to the experience level of your doctor. If this was a RPG he'd owe you big time!:lol:

Originally posted by RainmanP
Oh, and in answer to the most important question, my bike is OK. I think I probably broke IT'S fall both times. :D



You always protect the one you love.

Get better soon.

I've never had a slide on the bicycle on diesel, but on the motorbike it got so I could tell where it was by smell!! Used to leave clench marks in the seat with my butt cheeks if I realised there'd been a spill.

ouch!

get well soon!

Tom

Get well soon. We need you healthy.

Rainman,

I know what you're dealing with, as that was one of my major injuries in May (aside from being knocked out for about an hour, and dizzy for a weekend).

My hematoma was an area of skin which separated from the underlying tissue, and filled with fluid. I had to get it drained immediately, then three days later, then a week later for four weeks, then at two-week intervals for another month. It's finally stabilized, and the healing is beginning. I have no feeling over that particular part of my skin, just below my thigh bone's protrubance. That may and may not come back, depending upon the doctor I've been talking to. I've been riding again for a couple of months, and I needed to begin again easy-like. So I completely empathize.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful commute ride (see my entry on the "How was your commute" thread for 9-11-02). I think it also marked the end of my recovery period from my accident. I'm much more confident now, and have learned many lessons. Hopefully, I will start a new thread on those lessons in the fairly near future.

Anyway, glad to hear that you suffered no more than you did, as those falls can be really nasty.

John

PS--I had a good ride about 6 years ago in New Orleans, but it's the only place I know of where the LBS where I rented the bicycle gave me a map which told me the areas not to ride into, for my safety. Even at 90 degrees, and high humidity, I enjoyed the large trees, parks, and sights I saw.

Missed this thread earlier.

Hope you're recovering.

Richard

at least you had the courtesy to fall on the non-drive train side to protect your derailleur. I keep thinking of you falling, going to work and eventually going to the ER all......LOOKING LIKE THE JOKER!!

get well/.

RiPHRaPH,
Around 11:30 when my BP had dropped to 80/40 and I passed out I was actually about as pale as the joker.

MORE bad news from the doc today. Everything looking good but still some puffy fluid swelling right around the incision. Nothing of concern, but NO RIDING FOR TWO MORE WEEKS!!!

I want my mommy.

Sorry to hear of the added 2 weeks. A month off means you should take your time rebuilding. That's OK, but still very frustrating. Try to be patient. I hope things no longer hurt.

Rainman,

I tried to write in yesterday, but apparently it did not go through. Anyway, I hope you're feeling better, and not too discouraged about the recovery. It will take some time, but thank goodness it is a "flesh wound," and not bones and nerves.

It's turned a bit cooler here--I drove today, but mostly because I didn't sleep well last night. Tomorrow, I hope to be back on my bike.

John

Heal well.

Pete

Thanks, again, gang. You know John, I posted a reply to a thread on Bicycle Mechanics forum that day, and the next day it was not there. I'm sure it posted. One of those computer mysteries, I guess.

Sorry to hear about your spill. Your muscles will be rarin' to go when you get back on that bike.
:beer:

Probably a bus - I'd write a letter or something to the bus
company general manager, just to let them know that one
of their employees carelessness on their part made you
suffer in a unnecessary way and you were just letting the
management know what was going on so they can prevent
further occurrences of the issue. Sorry to hear it and hope you
get back to riding soon.

Rainman, (you Joker!)...

Dang, I hate it when "stuff happens" but at least you can just be "da man" rather than Rain man (given the current weather!)

I ended up with this nifty scar on my leg from my spill, a few months ago. :eek:

Heal up quick pal. The New Orleans roads just won't be the same without you!

Hi Ray, sorry for being so late, you're probably back in the saddle by now. Somehow I missed the thread earlier.

Hope everythings going OK!

Originally posted by RainmanP
I want my mommy.
Damn, Boy!

(get a hold of yerself, soldier!)

:D

Raymond, you are THE MAN. (Hey, trust me, I understand! :( )

Like our old pal Gene Autry, "I'm back in the saddle again."! Still a little swelling, and I will have a nifty battle scar, but otherwise doing fine.

Right after my doc appt Friday I went out for 15, Saturday 23, Sunday 65. I would not normally jump the mileage like that, but I am determined to ride the MS 150 this coming weekend. If I didn't do 60+ Sunday there wouldn't be time to recover. I feel confident I can do the Tour, but it won't be as comfortable as I had hoped. Back to commuting this week and loving it. I put my 10W Vistalite back on in place of my small headlight (my morning commutes are in the dark). I am trying to avoid anything that even LOOKS like a wet spot. Might take a while to get over that.

Thanks for all the good wishes!

Rainman, "avoid the wet spots" is good advice in just about any situation! :D

Glad to hear everything is back in working order. Watch out for Lili, she looks to be a beast.

It's good to hear that you're back up and ridin'. Enjoy the Fall weather.

John

Great to hear your back in the saddle so soon Raymond.

Withdrawl symptoms to strong hehe?

Guess us dedicated commuters are like the saying "old Soldiers never die they just fade away" ;)

Regards Willi`c

Be careful, Raymond !!! Like the others, glad to hear you're back.