Crashed one week ago today, went down hard on my right side, dog coming at me hard not sure if he hit me or i just swerved. As so many to whom this has happened have reported it happened so fast I was on the ground thinking wow that hurts, i don't remember ever thinking uhoh, this could be bad I'm going down. Broken ribs, collar bone and pelvis on R side. Surgery on clavicle was friday, other injuries hopefully nonoperative. Got home from hospital yesterday. Thought I would start a thread posting my experiences so anyone who has little nuggets of wisdom can comment also, and hopefully it will be a waste of your time reading information you'll never need.
My first is simple and obvious- if you ever even think of riding w/o a helmet, don't, don't don't. My Giro prolight was cracked, both the plastic and styrofoam, and I had no head injury. No helmet=skull fracture. Thank you Mr. Giro. Second, if you are injured and having to take narcotic pain meds, start immediately taking a laxative. Nuf said. And this is one as a doc I knew but didn't follow, no oral pain meds on empty stomach. Don't call anyone to come get you until you know the extent of your injuries- really added to my wife's stress level when she gets to where I said I'd be expecting to take me home only to be told I had already left in the ambulance.
On the plus side you dont realize until something like this happens what awesome people your cycling buddies(and actually all your friends, family and colleagues) are. Amazing outpouring of support.
Probl looking at 4-6 weeks off work, 3 mos off the bike at least outdoors. I will post more thoughts as they occur.