Saturday, May 5, 2012

Day 11: Clint, TX to Fort Hancock, TX

Sorry I didn't post Day 11 yesterday, but we had a small bump in the road...

We only got 30 miles yesterday because at 10:00 a.m. I got in an accident. Matt and I were biking along a road that was smooth and had no traffic--everything seemed to be going really well.

We were riding passed a yard--that was on the other side of the road--with a chain-link fence when a black dog ran out of the yard from the open fence at the driveway. It came running towards us and Matt yelled for me to ride ahead of him. I tried to pass Matt on the right, but I hit some gravel on the side of the road and my bike skidded and I lost my momentum. The last thing I remember for a while was glancing over and seeing the dog still coming at us.

Grandma Gina said that she saw the accident in her rear-view mirror... the dog ran right into my back tire which sent me flying. Luckily, a policeman pulled up right after it happened and gave Matt directions to the hospital and said he would go and talk to the dog owners. Matt loaded me up in the truck and started driving fast to the hospital back in El Paso. Matt and Grandma Gina said that I kept asking over and over again, "What happened?" and, "Where's my shoe?" and telling them that I don't like dogs. I was not myself and they said it was really scary.

Matt pulled over to give me a priesthood blessing (We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for more information on what priesthood blessings are go to http://www.lds.org/manual/family-guidebook/priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings.) and shortly after, I was myself again, "woke up," and started remembering things.

I remember waking up from what I thought was a nap and looking down and asking where my other clip-in pedal shoe was and then later waking up and seeing that I had my normal shoes on again. I remember telling them that I had a dream about dogs. When they were asking me to recall things (like where we had stayed the night before, what we had for breakfast, and what color the dog was) I was telling them things that I thought had been in my dream because they seemed fuzzy and without detail like dreams do when you wake up. As we got closer to the hospital, I started remembering more and more details.

Matt put my arm around his shoulder and walked me into the hospital and then got me in a wheelchair and started filling out paperwork. Nurses came and pushed me around the hospital... first to my "room" where they left me for a while and Matt sat on the bed (Grandma Gina had to sit in the waiting room). Matt and I talked about how unexpected this was and that finishing the bike trip wasn't looking realistic. A nurse came and pushed me to the x-ray room where they x-rayed my arm/wrist. I went back to my "room" for a while and then got pushed to the CT scan room where the doctor helped me get up on the bed and slide me under the CT scanner. It was kind of relaxing laying there. Then I was pushed back to the room and Matt traded places with Grandma Gina for a while. She told me how scary it was looking in her review mirror and seeing it all happen.

I was glad that all of the doctors and nurses were asking me what had happened and I was able to tell them that Matt and I were biking across America and raising funds for JDRF. They thought it was awesome! One of the doctors said that his daughter has juvenile diabetes and that El Paso is having their "Walk to Cure Diabetes" next weekend and his whole family is participating in that.

Gratefully, the doctor said I just had a minor concussion and a sprained wrist. Thank you, Matt, for being worthy to give me a priesthood blessing! Who knows what the results would have been if you hadn't. Also, it was a good thing I was wearing a helmet because there was a crack in it.

As for our plans for moving forward... I'm going to ride in the truck with Grandma Gina for at least a few days and then will either join Matt again if I feel it's okay or fly home. Matt is going to keep riding come Monday because the bike I wrecked on won't be fixed until tonight and then tomorrow is Sunday.

14 comments:

  1. I can't tell you how sad and disappointed I am. But I am also so grateful that it isn't more serious and that you'll be okay. We're praying for you and supporting you back home. Love you so much!
    Love, Ash

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    1. Love you lots and lots, Ash! Miss you just as much too!

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  2. Hang in there girl! We're back home praying for you three!

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    1. Thanks Shirley! :) Miss you and your beautiful laugh!

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  3. I'm so glad you're okay! Don't push it--take it easy and get all the rest you need. It took David about two months to fully recover from his concussion this summer. We love you!

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    1. Wow two months! Hopefully mine won't take that long since it was only a minor concussion. Thanks Aunt Julia! Love you all too! (Grandma Gina told us all about Robert's play; she said it was wonderful!)

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  4. Amber!! You are an inspiration to all of us!! You are so awesome! Keep hanging in there!! Seriously, you are incredible! I hope you start feeling well soon!!! You are in my prayers! Love you!!

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    1. Michal, you're a sweetheart. Thank you so much! I'm already starting to feel better than I was :)

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  5. We love you and we're glad you're okay! Be patient and let yourself heal!

    Love,
    Michael and Shaughanie

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    1. Thanks Mike and Shaughanie! I've been having people tell me that now is the time to rise up and take the challenge and get back on my bike... I'm not sure they understand concussions and how important it is to heal first. Don't worry, I won't ride until I think it's safe. Love you!

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  6. Hey there Amber, I grew up with your Dad in South Africa. What you and your brothe is amazing. I am sorry to hear about your accident. Hopefully you will recover soon so that you can rejoin your brother. While I was on my mission I had a couple of close encounters with dogs while on bike, buy luckily did not have an accident. It is a wonderful blessing to have someone who holds the priesthood close by. We wish you and Matt well from Bundaberg Queensland Australia.

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    1. Thanks, Keith! My Dad has shared some fun stories of his childhood in South Africa. I appreciate your concern for me. I'm already feeling a lot better than I did on Friday. Thank you for your kindness.

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  7. Hang in there Amber. We wish you well and are praying for you.

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    1. Thank you, Stephen and Elaine! I really appreciate the prayers. Matt and I love that you follow our blog so closely!

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