bdbiker1

Get well soon, A good friend of mine had that happen to him. No one found him though and he ended up waking up and getting help himself.

Lanceoldstrong

Monday Check In: 12 Days since my crash...

Yesterday my BF buddy Midland (Steve) came by for a visit and to babysit me for a while when my wife took some well earned time for her. He said he has my helmet, but I am not ready to see it just yet. In time I will be interested to see it and the damage to it. Better damage to it than to my brain.

Seeing Steve and Bikingshearer was so good for my spirits yesterday. They and Cccorlew and MiLilpony and all of you.are setting a great example for me to learn from of what it means to be a friend. A million thanks.

I continue to show progress. I am getting less double vision and better depth perception daily. My doctor who saw me after my release from the hospital says the gradual lessening of the major swelling of my left cheek will continue to improve my vision. This is due to the improvement of both eyes easily moving and working together again with time.

Tomorrow I see a neurologist for another recommended step in post-concussion care. I am hoping the neurologist can give me a timetable for a return to work. Oh well, at least this Wednesday is the 4th and a paid holiday anyway.

Seriously though, my work has been great. I am fortunate to have 15 years in at a company that gives paid sick time and I have saved up a whole bunch. The Company has been kind in their wishes that first and foremost I get well.

To all of you here on Bike Forums: Your well wishes and support are the air in my tires right now. Thanks, my Bike Forums Family.

JoelS

So very glad to hear that you are continuing to improve! Keep us posted and keep resting.

curiousmike

Don't eat your PTO - look into short term disability. If you can swing with 80% of your income, it's the way to go.
I had a motorcycle accident in October, where I was off work 3+ weeks and would have eaten all PTO.
Called work, they directed me to our HR person who sent me (wife) papers to fill out. Painless, and you've likely been paying for it.

gpelpel

Keep the good news coming Dan. Very glad hearing them. I hope you vision issues still allow you to watch the Tour.

bigbenaugust 

If you ever pass through Stanford Hospital for an appointment, give me a heads up. I'd love to eat with the man who went down Diablo headfirst and lived to tell the tale.

Lanceoldstrong

I have been watching the Tour. Great racing so far too. It is therapeutic to see the beauty of the sport of cycling elevated to art in the Tour De France peleton,

Lanceoldstrong

Thanks for the nice lunch invite. So far all my doctors are in the East Bay like me. I see a neurologist in Lafayette today for the first time for the next step in post concussion assessment and care.

Midland

So happy to see Lance posting and on the mend.

kster

Yup, look into getting state disability and see if your employer offers short term disability to bridge the gap to meet your normal income level. When I was hit by a car a few years ago, this was my income for the four months I was out of work.

Hope you get better very soon.

cthenn

Don't know the "old" guy, but I hope you heal fast! Along the lines of "but how's the bike", I know how much it must be *almost* as miserable being unable to get back on the bike, attacking the mountain again. I've had (not nearly as bad) a crash coming down NGR, and though it was mostly skin, I was off the bike for a few weeks, and by the end I was going crazy! Get better, and get back on the bike!

Lanceoldstrong

Saw a neurologist today for the next step in post concussion assessment and care. Mrs. Oldstrong did a Google search for reviews of the neurologists on the short list from our family doctor. I trusted her choice with no additional research of my own.It was amazing. The Neurologist conducted an interview style cognitive assessment of me, asking lots of questions and listening carefully to my answers. He studied me for comprehension of his questions and the thoughtfulness of my answers and I could tell he was taking notes on my clarity and train of thought. Then he had me play patty cake with him and touch my nose with either hand and squeeze his hands on command.

He said my rapid recovery from being knocked out cold on 6/20 and ending up in the ICU was outstanding and that it gave a prognosis of full recovery.

Then he asked if I was riding again yet, which I thought was weird. I said no, double vision and poor depth perception were keeping me off the bike... duh. He said my improving vision was a good sign and should fully correct itself soon. Then he gave another clue to his nature...
"Have you been on the trainer yet?" I got an inkling that something was different about this neurologist at this point, but played my answer straight: "no, not yet, I am looking to you for advice about resuming activities..."
He said that as an endurance athlete my mental state could suffer from lack of exercise so for holistic health, I could start on the trainer again now. Then he asked me if my concussion had forced me to miss any big planned rides. (huh? Who is this guy?) I told him I missed the Wild Sierra Century - 3 Death Ride Passes and 10,000 feet of climbing on June 30th. I told him my friend midland (Steve) was great about me cancelling our plans. The Doctor told me not to worry, it was a great ride and I could do it next year. So I caught on and made him come clean with a direct question: "Doctor are you a cyclist?" You guessed it, he is.

So he says I can gently get on the trainer again, I should take a B complex vitamin (sports nutrition) and I should not go back to work for 1 1/2 more weeks. Oh, and buy a new helmet. He says it did it's job incredibly well for me, but they are single use equipment.

When I told him I thought I could go back to work sooner, he gave me a "who's the doctor?" look and said I could have a set back from too much too soon. He posed, what if I went back and was forgetful at work and made mistakes... It could take a lot of time to rebuild my reputation at work that I have worked hard to earn in 15 years. So take it slow.

I said that as an athlete I was used to HTFU and he smiled. So I said, "It sounds like you are telling me not to have my HTFU spirit write any checks my brain can't cash." He said, "Well put. now take my advice. "

So double awesome, a great prognosis from my new neurologist and he is a cyclist too!
Good choice of doctors Mrs. Oldstrong!!!

cccorlew

Funny, Tricia and I were just postulating on how long it would be before you got on the trainer. I was guessing the weekend. Sounds like you'll beat the expert prediction.
And how cool is it that you got a cyclist doc. That's great! You may actually listen t him.
Carry on!

alainp

Wow! First time visiting the forums for some time and I come across the horrific news of your crash. Glad to discover you're well on the road to recovery .

Red Rider

I <3 your doctor. Props to Julie for choosing him.

Chris and I are available to spell Julie and your kids...just hollla.

Your post indicates you still retain your sense of humor. That's key in life. So happy to see this post and glad your doc gets you. Be patient, D, you'll be on the bike before you know it...and not before you're supposed to.

Keep healing, D. You're doing great!

uspspro

Great news! You're doing great Dan!

JoelS

That is excellent news!

Midland

Great news! Thanks for the update Lance.Kudos to Mrs. Oldstrong fpr picking a cycling Nuerologist.

jobob

LeeBob and I are thrilled to read about your excellent progress, Daniel. Your neurologist sounds awesome, well done Mrs. O.

msincredible

Wow, just seeing this for the first time. So sorry to hear about the crash, that sounds really scary. I'm very pleased to see all the progress you have made and it sounds like you have a fantastic doctor! Hope the recovery keeps proceeding quickly.

Lanceoldstrong

[QUOTE=Lanceoldstrong; ...
"Have you been on the trainer yet?" I got an inkling that something was different about this neurologist at this point, but played my answer straight: "no, not yet, I am looking to you for advice about resuming activities..."
He said that as an endurance athlete my mental state could suffer from lack of exercise so for holistic health, I could start on the trainer again now.... made him come clean with a direct question: "Doctor are you a cyclist?" You guessed it, he is. So he says I can gently get on the trainer again...great prognosis from my new neurologist and he is a cyclist too! Good choice of doctors Mrs. Oldstrong!!![/QUOTE]


Update 7/5/12 So I Rode on my trainer today, a day after seeing the cycling neurologist. It was tentative at first but my body soon warmed to it and rejoiced at the activity. The oxygenation and increased circulation seemed to really help clear my head. It was a tonic to be on my trainer! I went for an hour at a pace on the light side of medium and it was splendid.

bigbenaugust 

See, cycling is good for you. Listen to your doctor!

Midland

Sweet! Back on the trainer is a good sign.Will help with your physical & mental recovery.

DiabloScott

OK that's all good news. Although without providing any detail that would out myself as a total dork, I will just note that it IS possible to fall over while riding on a trainer. Please be careful.

Lanceoldstrong

Thanks for the cautionary note, Midland said the same thing. I don't mind good advice one bit. Keep it coming.
I rode for an hour again today on the trainer. It is still helping clear the head. Another very light duty session. I never got my heart above Zone 2.3 - so keeping it very mellow.