I thought I'd move this out here, out of the other thread.

This was the situation 2 weeks ago ... Rowan had an accident at work and you can read more in the link ...

Addiction LXIX


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Thank you all for your concerns, thoughts, and prayers.

An update ...

Rowan has a chest infection, which they are treating. These are not unusual when on a ventilator.
Rowan has a blood clot in his right shoulder and arm, which they are treating.

Those two things are only incidentally related to the main issue: Rowan's brain injury from the accident he had on March 22.

He has been in an induced coma since he was admitted to hospital on March 22 in order to keep him and his brain calm so that healing can take place.

They are just starting to ease the sedation off and he has been responding to voice (people calling his name) by opening his eyes a tiny bit. He's not seeing or focusing ... it's just a subtle little response.

They cannot assess him and his brain function until he is fully awake.

There is still a long way to go.


And I'm tired.


Meanwhile, I've got a heap of things to do regarding all this ... paperwork, forms, meetings, appointments.

I'm also continuing with my university course. My instructor has been very helpful offering me flexibility with my assignments.

My employer has given me lots of time off to deal with this. Plus my work colleagues have been very helpful with many things. I see one or another of them almost every day and am in daily email or text contact as they check up on me and assist me with various things. One day I do plan to return to work ... probably half days for a while.


And since the accident I haven't been able to face the idea of cycling. The accident wasn't cycling-related but it is what we do together, and we were just about to go into two weekends of long distance events. We were packing and getting ready to go.

Sending prayers your way.

Hang in there Machka. If this is like the TBIs I've witnessed, both as observer and participant (I was in Rowen's shoes), this is going to be a lot harder for you than Rowen for quite a while. (I got my first awareness of the severity when I came home to my parents and saw how haggard my mom was.) This will change very slowly as he comes well along in recovery and appears to be doing far better. You will be thinking the best but he will be slowly starting to put together just how much he has lost.

I will pray for both of you. Feel free to contact me anytime. jeffries at spiretech dot com. My spam catcher will not let it through so put a very obvious title on the email (unless your email name is machka). I check it every few days so don't hold your breath. Once I accept your mail, you're good and I will see it immediately.

Ben

Amen.

Praying that God has mercy on both you and Rowan.


-Tim-

Charlene,

We are also praying for both of you.

Doug

Very sad news. I'll keep you both in my thoughts and wishing Rowan a speedy recovery. I cycled in the same event as you last year (Canada Day Populaire) and hope you both can make this years.

So sorry for you and Rowan. Was encouraging to hear you had such good support from others in your life - that's so important. Please do take care of yourself, even when it seems so hard to do so. You can provide your best support if your health is good. Do take care!

Praying for you and Rowan. I'm glad that you have such a supportive employer as well as university instructor.

Hi Machka,

Thanks for your moving update. I hope you read my previous note (link) of commiseration, including about my personal TBI in high school.

It seems that Ben and I have a few experiences in common, as I have previously posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

BTW @79pmooney, you may recall we have both lived and cycled in Ann Arbor, MI and Boston.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…I was also in a cycling accident three years ago, that kept me off work for three months and off the bike for five. I have pretty much recovered to a new normal, and work and family life are pretty comparable to as before.

I did have a lot of support in recovery, especially from my wife. I was particularly made aware of the toll it took on her when she gave a victim impact statement at the sentencing of the driver.

I am cycling again with her OK, but in large measure since she herself was a cycling companion early and for a long time in our relationship, and is not so fearful about the dangers. Also I have pretty safe routes.

I wanted to write something in response to your serious letter, as a fellow cycling lifestyle enthusiast and accident sufferer, but it seems to me that our circumstances are so different, that there’s not much I contribute except my best wishes for a good future. I am otherwise available on the Forums.

PS: FWIW, I posted to this thread on the Road Cycling Forum ”Coping with injuries and setbacks, how do you do it?”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…I just had to be patient and take time to heal, which was itself a consuming task. One-by-one I resumed the various activities, cycling being the last.

Going back to work certainly hastened the process, especially since cycle-commuting was a viable activity, as part of work. I am more enthusiastic about riding than ever, and may even be a better rider now too.

During that summer I kept up with Bike Forums, and got a lot of support from various subscribers, some with whom I had corresponded on or off the Board .I had had so much cycling experience over the years, that I always found topics to chat about.

BTW, this was one of my hospital experiences that gave me hope for the future:…[follow the link, if interested]

Dear Machka,

Thank you for the up-date.

You don't know me from a hole in a wall and I in return only know of you and Rowan from your postings here on BF but I will acknowledge that I have been amazed by the lives you both have lived and am constantly motivated to ask more of myself than I think possible because of the outstanding achievements accomplished by you-all, both as individuals and as a uniquely loving couple.

You are a pillar of strength as is evidenced by your second post and I hope for continual improvement in Rowan's condition.

Sincerely.

John Van Note
aka on BF--OldTryGuy

p.s.--A short spin of the cranks could be very therapeutic in more ways than one can appreciate. Be well and will be waiting for up-date.

My thoughts are with you both.

Best wishes. Thanks for keeping us informed of his progress.

So sorry to hear of this. Best wishes to both of you.

Continuous prayers for Rowan's healing, and for strength for both of you. Please try and get some rest Machka, you will need to get every bit you can.

Bill

A long & winding road you're both on, but that's what you do so well - prayers sent your way

My heart goes out to you.

wishing you both strength right now & hoping your history of cycling will help with his recovery & your stamina. & maybe some family to come stay with you at home?

Machka, I am SO sorry to hear of this. Sending prayers for healing and strength.


Scott Peterson
OC,OR,USA

So sorry to hear. Hoping for the best. I have a friend who was in an induced coma for a month following TBI (he was stopped on his bicycle at an intersection, got t-boned by a middle schooler, toppled over, hit his head, helmet notwithstanding, and that was it). He has fully recovered, including back to cycling, since but it was a lot of time and work on the part of his family.

Best wishes to you both, Machka. I have always enjoyed reading your posts and about your cycling and other adventures.

Sharing the concern and thoughts of all the previous posters. It sounds like a terrible ordeal for you both, and I wish you both well. I, too, have always enjoyed reading your posts about your adventures together, and look forward to more one day.

Sorry to hear of this.
Hang in there and you keep telling Rowan to hang in there.

Prayers for you both. For his healing and God's peace on you both.

Very sorry to hear of Rowan's accident. My best wishes for a good outcome. The trials we face in life are much like a very long hill climb. There is an appropriate pace that must be maintained and it can't be hurried. Finding the right pace is not easy. You already seem to be aware of all this.
Bern