(Warning: Morbid) Cycling in Thailand Part II
04-02-08, 11:30 PM
#51
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Got a second opinion from "the best" orthopedic surgeon in Chiang Mai. He said it's a stable fracture and will heal itself in 2-3 months, no surgery needed (very good to hear that coming from a surgeon). In that time I've just got to take it easy and wear the brace any time I'm not laying down. He said I'd be back riding in three months or so but I'm still not getting my hopes up.
Great to hear some good news in this story!! Get well soon, and fingers crossed you get the money for your bike!
04-02-08, 11:34 PM
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Ouch. Get better soon! Coming from SE Asia (Indonesia), I know how brutal it is to ride on the streets. I would love to visit Thailand someday. Maybe spend a few months training Muay Thay at Fairtex Pattaya? One can dream.
04-03-08, 12:47 AM
#54
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geez man, i'm stoked your boss is so standup, i've heard the thai legal system is completely crazy -- especially when it comes to foreigners. definitely good to see you're able to move around a bit, coulda been much worse.
04-03-08, 11:23 AM
#55
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Tim, This may be too personal, so no reply's okay. I got hit from behind, broke and arm, healed all too slowly and finally was able to ride again. I was pretty spooked for a while, which really surprised me...pretty much okay now. So are how's this playin' in your head?
I am wishing you the best and still think your sig rocks.
I am wishing you the best and still think your sig rocks.
04-03-08, 12:04 PM
#56
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this is my unnofficial way-too-early-to-discuss-it call to start a "get timarchy a new build" fund. it wouldn't be too hard for each of us to toss in a few jacksons ($1,000 + ($20 x 20 heads) = a head start towards an adequate replacement for what seemed like a nice build) once he knows that he can ride again.
Last edited by sp00ki; 04-03-08 at 12:10 PM.
04-03-08, 12:59 PM
#57
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04-03-08, 06:01 PM
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this is my unnofficial way-too-early-to-discuss-it call to start a "get timarchy a new build" fund. it wouldn't be too hard for each of us to toss in a few jacksons ($1,000 + ($20 x 20 heads) = a head start towards an adequate replacement for what seemed like a nice build) once he knows that he can ride again.
paypal?
i'm down.
04-03-08, 07:15 PM
#59
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Glad to hear you're keeping your spirits up, even if you say your hopes of riding again are less certain. Prognosis sounds good though. Get well soon!
04-03-08, 07:20 PM
#60
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No matter the cost, get the **** out of Thailand and back home. The healthcare cannot be compared to what we have in North America, seriously, get the **** out of there.
04-03-08, 09:56 PM
#61
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Other than that I can't complain.
like I said before, 6 days in the hospital + meds + x-ray + MRI + ambulance =$1,700 US.
I'll deal with a little more pain to keep me out of debt for the rest of my life.
I will be checking with some physical therapists when I get back this summer though.
04-03-08, 10:01 PM
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power. you'll be back up there before you know it, and this will just be a crazy story. we're all behind you. get well-- rehab is serious biz.... respect!
04-03-08, 10:04 PM
#63
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Tim, This may be too personal, so no reply's okay. I got hit from behind, broke and arm, healed all too slowly and finally was able to ride again. I was pretty spooked for a while, which really surprised me...pretty much okay now. So are how's this playin' in your head?
I am wishing you the best and still think your sig rocks.
I am wishing you the best and still think your sig rocks.
My big thoughts are more about if I'm goign to return to thailand next fall to finish my teaching contract. I don't really have much money saved right now, was planning to do that next year. And going back to the US and job hunting and apartment hunting is not something I really want to do this summer.
On the other hand I don't know if I can really be comfortable here for another year. I may or may not be able to ride. The danger in the traffic will always piss me off now. It was something I just didn't think about before. Lots of other stuff.
Like I said, I'm taking it day by day and so far it's only been two weeks and I've barely been outside the hotel. I've definately got a lot of thinking to do.
04-04-08, 06:52 AM
#64
Senior Member
As a trained paramedic I can tell you bluntly that no one takes a spinal injury lightly. If at the secne of an accident they did take such an injury lightly, I would then check their head for obvious signs of trauma because only a person without rational thought would think a spinal chord injury is not a potentially big problem. There can be a million different things wrong with your spine right now that don't present symptoms. Obviously this is a message board on the internet and I cannot tell you how to lead your life but if I knew you or if you were a friend of mine, I would spend hours on the phone convincing you to come back home and wouldn't hang up until you promised you would buy a plane ticket as soon as possible.
But, like yeah, whatevs, do what you like dood
Last edited by jet sanchEz; 04-04-08 at 07:09 AM.
04-04-08, 10:20 AM
#65
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Wow, that sucks dude. Glad that you're ok and you're on the mend. Good luck with the compensation/conviction and teaching.
__________________
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Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
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Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
04-04-08, 10:58 AM
#66
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You are wrong about this.
As a trained paramedic I can tell you bluntly that no one takes a spinal injury lightly. If at the secne of an accident they did take such an injury lightly, I would then check their head for obvious signs of trauma because only a person without rational thought would think a spinal chord injury is not a potentially big problem. There can be a million different things wrong with your spine right now that don't present symptoms. Obviously this is a message board on the internet and I cannot tell you how to lead your life but if I knew you or if you were a friend of mine, I would spend hours on the phone convincing you to come back home and wouldn't hang up until you promised you would buy a plane ticket as soon as possible.
But, like yeah, whatevs, do what you like dood
As a trained paramedic I can tell you bluntly that no one takes a spinal injury lightly. If at the secne of an accident they did take such an injury lightly, I would then check their head for obvious signs of trauma because only a person without rational thought would think a spinal chord injury is not a potentially big problem. There can be a million different things wrong with your spine right now that don't present symptoms. Obviously this is a message board on the internet and I cannot tell you how to lead your life but if I knew you or if you were a friend of mine, I would spend hours on the phone convincing you to come back home and wouldn't hang up until you promised you would buy a plane ticket as soon as possible.
But, like yeah, whatevs, do what you like dood
I hope you get well soon
04-05-08, 03:19 AM
#67
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You are wrong about this.
As a trained paramedic I can tell you bluntly that no one takes a spinal injury lightly. If at the secne of an accident they did take such an injury lightly, I would then check their head for obvious signs of trauma because only a person without rational thought would think a spinal chord injury is not a potentially big problem. There can be a million different things wrong with your spine right now that don't present symptoms. Obviously this is a message board on the internet and I cannot tell you how to lead your life but if I knew you or if you were a friend of mine, I would spend hours on the phone convincing you to come back home and wouldn't hang up until you promised you would buy a plane ticket as soon as possible.
But, like yeah, whatevs, do what you like dood
As a trained paramedic I can tell you bluntly that no one takes a spinal injury lightly. If at the secne of an accident they did take such an injury lightly, I would then check their head for obvious signs of trauma because only a person without rational thought would think a spinal chord injury is not a potentially big problem. There can be a million different things wrong with your spine right now that don't present symptoms. Obviously this is a message board on the internet and I cannot tell you how to lead your life but if I knew you or if you were a friend of mine, I would spend hours on the phone convincing you to come back home and wouldn't hang up until you promised you would buy a plane ticket as soon as possible.
But, like yeah, whatevs, do what you like dood
Just because it's not the US, it doesn't mean the people don't know what they are doing. And if I was in the US, it wouldn't guarntee that they would do things right. (my stepdad had a doctor in the US misdiagnose a growth on his arm and concequently a surgeon unneccessraily cut off three inches of the main nerve bundle heading to his left hand)
But thanks again for your concern. If you're offering, I'll happily let you buy my ticket back to the states this summer.
04-05-08, 12:14 PM
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You should also argue for lost wages on top bike cost & medical bills whether or not you'll get it, it will help increase the burden of cost on their part.
Good luck with the recovery. I had a similar situation in Mombasa, Kenya.
Good luck with the recovery. I had a similar situation in Mombasa, Kenya.
04-05-08, 07:18 PM
#69
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At this point, arguing for more money isn't going to do any good. They can't afford to pay the $3000 I'm asking for. If they can't pay, they'll go to court which may take several years and I definitely won't be here by then, in which case they'll either go to jail or get off. In either case, I won't get anything.
The owner of my school thinks that the prospect of going to jail will scare them into getting me at least half the money in the next few weeks. That will be that part that goes to replace my bike. I'm sure I won't see any more than that. The rest they will pay monthly to the school. My insurance paid for most of the hospital bills.
If you're confused by this whole process, so am I. I'm depending in the owner of my school to do the right thing by me.
The owner of my school thinks that the prospect of going to jail will scare them into getting me at least half the money in the next few weeks. That will be that part that goes to replace my bike. I'm sure I won't see any more than that. The rest they will pay monthly to the school. My insurance paid for most of the hospital bills.
If you're confused by this whole process, so am I. I'm depending in the owner of my school to do the right thing by me.
05-05-08, 09:18 AM
#70
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Here's an update to the story that TimArchy posted on another website:
I just got back from the doctor. He took two more x-rays (no led vest for any x-rays up to this point. I may get back riding but it won't be the saddle that keeps me from having kids) and the verdict is that I'm healing fine. I only have to wear the brace if I'm going to be sitting or standing for long periods. I went back to teaching two weeks ago so basically I'll only have to wear it at work. I've got a pretty nasty feeling kink in my spine (not painful, just feels wrong when you run your hand down it) just below my shoulder blades that I'll probably always have, but he said it shouldn't cause me any problems. The cartilage between the discs is completely gone but it's a part that only has about 6 deg. of flex so that shouldn't bother me either.
The physical therapist gave me some stretches and light exercises to do. She also said I could go to the gym and work on my arms and legs with very light weights. Obviously no sit-ups or anything that puts pressure on my spine.
I plan on trying to ride again sometime in July, depending on how i'm feeling. The doc said I could ride again in 3-4 weeks so I figured I'd be safe and double it. I don't think he has a good idea of what kind of bike I ride. (not riding at all is better than riding a hybrid, at least for now)
The driver and owner of the company didn't contact us with their offer of payment so it looks like we're going to court. It is looking very doubtful that I'll get any money at all.
So thats the deal. I've still got a long way to go, but it's looking better.
The physical therapist gave me some stretches and light exercises to do. She also said I could go to the gym and work on my arms and legs with very light weights. Obviously no sit-ups or anything that puts pressure on my spine.
I plan on trying to ride again sometime in July, depending on how i'm feeling. The doc said I could ride again in 3-4 weeks so I figured I'd be safe and double it. I don't think he has a good idea of what kind of bike I ride. (not riding at all is better than riding a hybrid, at least for now)
The driver and owner of the company didn't contact us with their offer of payment so it looks like we're going to court. It is looking very doubtful that I'll get any money at all.
So thats the deal. I've still got a long way to go, but it's looking better.
