My Motorcycle Accident
So, on Wednesday I was in a motorcycle accident. Long story short was travelling west on King, east of Peter, going well under the speed limit (I’d just turned onto King, speeding on my little scooter would have been impressive in that short of a distance). Cab parked in the right lane jumped in front of me (10 feet to spare). I braked, swerved, tire caught in streetcar track, flipped the back, smacke my head, cabbie got out, yelled at me, took off.
About 50 people saw it happen (King St, theatre district, right before shows open). Some video, some photos, lots of witnesses. Only mistake I really made was when I swerved, I swerved into oncoming traffic (there wasn’t any, but it happened so fast I’m not 100% sure I realized that).
Was in the hospital for a day. Then at home drugged up for 3 more. At work today, barely, but a bunch of folk have started asking “what happened”. Instead of retyping it all, I figured I’d just copy/paste my Twitter updates from the episode, since I was basically updating live ;-)
Before I do, though, a few notes (for the paranoid types, like my parents):
- This was a low-speed incident. Equivalent to if I’d been riding a bike. Except I’d have had less protection on.
- Given the accident, if I’d been in a car, I’d have had minor whiplash, so my injuries would largely be the same.
- I’m still looking at upgrading to the Piaggio MP3, which has 3 wheels, which wouldn’t have tripped up on the streetcar tracks.
- Besides pain meds and being tired (probably go hand in hand), I’m currently fine.
- Yes, I’m going to the doctor Wednesday to make sure there’s no longer term damage.
“Movement up. Pain down. Running out of pain meds, though, so will likely need some less intense ones for the week.”
20 hours ago“Range of movement: 8. Pain. 7. Work should definitely be doable monday :)”
Saturday at 4:17 pm“Another 20hrs of sleep down. Pain is almost bearable without meds now, as long as I don’t touch or lay on my left side. Range of movement=6.”
Saturday at 10:57 am“After another 4hrs sleep (that’s 20 out of 24hrs, for those keeping track at home), I’m going for a walk.”
Friday at 3:37 pm“16hr sleep. Awake. Paaaain…”
Friday at 10:01 am“Irony? I’m taking a cab home. But I’ll never ride a coop cab again. Found out the dispatcher told cabbie it was okay to leave the scene.”
Thursday at 5:05 pm“Off to home. Drugs in hand. G’night, and thanks for joining me on another episode of jeremy’s gawdawful adventures!”
Thursday at 5:00 pm“Gonna head into the office for a bit (it’ll take 2hrs to fill my prescription). Then to bed, I guess.”
Thursday at 2:09 pm“Not that I’m complaining, I’m just happy no serious damage was done!”
Thursday at 1:56 pm“Ugh, 20hrs in the hospital = a prescription for painkillers and a laxative (painkillers cause constipation). Seems a touch extreme, no?”
Thursday at 1:56 pm“Pain is still there, stiffness still there, bruising still there… Suppose I should just go home, get drugged up and rest, right?”
Thursday at 1:42 pm“A little anticlimatic… Now what?”
Thursday at 1:41 pm“Spine is fine, they’re kicking me out.”
Thursday at 1:36 pm“Food on its way, and gravol for nausea.”
Thursday at 1:29 pm“Amazing how much of a sanity keeper / lifeline twitter can be in a situation like this…”
Thursday at 12:25 pm“Test done. I think I’m having panic attacks or something… Dunno, will ask doc. Hoping for food sometime soon too…”
Thursday at 12:11 pm“Whoa that’s a *big* machine!”
Thursday at 11:31 am“This is one of those “I don’t want serious damage… But I’d like to know what’s wrong” moments… Nervous.”
Thursday at 11:29 am“Woot, time for my scan!”
Thursday at 11:24 am“Ahhhh… No food cause you shouldn’t eat before a CT scan…”
Thursday at 11:23 am“Update: CT scan should be “soon”…”
Thursday at 11:21 am“Do hospitals no longer serve food? I’d kill for soup right now…”
Thursday at 11:15 am“Pain/spasms getting worse. Can’t sleep. Fark…”
Thursday at 11:08 am“Thanks @rachelsegal for friendly face + berry charger + tea! Still no word on CT scan, but that’s probably pretty normal. Drugs = tired.”
Thursday at 9:58 am“Okay, now it’s been 12hrs. At least I can nap in my new bed.”
Thursday at 7:31 am“Hmm, berry battery is redlining. Will die any minute now :(”
Thursday at 4:56 am“Back to my psuedo bed/chair thing for a percosset (sp?) induced nap.”
Thursday at 2:47 am“I dyiydn’ty realiyze how much layiing on myi left for xrays would hurt. Also diydn’ty realize ity was really possible to pass out from pain.”
Thursday at 2:46 am“My doc enjoys causing pain way than I enjoy receiving it. 3 worst words in the english language? “Does this hurt?””
Thursday at 12:57 am“Doc came. Only took 5hrs. Next up: xrays. Anticipated wait time: 23hrs. So yeah, this is gonna be an al night thing. Without a bed for rest”
Thursday at 12:41 am“Talking to other patients. One guy’s been here 14hrs. He’s at least *seen* his doc. But still, 14hrs and he’s still in the hallway? Wow…”
Wednesday at 11:56 pm“Water fountain skill: +1.”
Wednesday at 11:51 pm“Just checked the secret doctor board, and I’m #3 to be seen. Based on previous patterns, means another hour or so before I see a doctor …”
Wednesday at 11:48 pm“Still haven’t talked to *any* medical personnel outside of admissions. After nearly 5hrs.”
Wednesday at 11:12 pm“Got my room @ 1100pm. Le sigh.”
Wednesday at 11:11 pm“Battery about to die. G’night tweetosphere. Thanks for continued happy thoughts :)”
Wednesday at 8:34 pm“Oops, @ mount sinai. Le sigh.”
Wednesday at 8:33 pm“Physically still very stiff, 5/10 on pain scale, shaky. Waiting for room still.”
Wednesday at 8:26 pm“Statement done. Officer says this *was* an accident. Cabbie leaving *was* a crime. He *was* at fault. His insurance *will* cover everything.”
Wednesday at 8:24 pm“Can’t move neck. Erngh. Emt’s were fantastic once they arrived. Gonna send a letter thanking them.”
Wednesday at 7:43 pm“Cop showed up. Nice guy. Taking statement now.”
Wednesday at 7:59 pm“It is amazing how much “personal information” you hear sitting in a hospital… Goes to show IT systems are important… But not everything!”
Wednesday at 7:55 pm“Hmm, lots of cops around. Guess none feel like talking to me? Feeling slightly slighted, given cabbie put my life in danger…”
Wednesday at 7:53 pm“Erngh, pain getting worse… That’s normal right? And shaking? Will ask nurse when she’s free…”
Wednesday at 7:51 pm“Just waiting for a room. Staff here at hospital have been fantastic as well!”
Wednesday at 7:50 pm“Admitted @ st mike’s … I think. Can’t see any signs…”
Wednesday at 7:49 pm“Thanks @ everyone for support. Nice to have friendly words amidst stress and shock!”
Wednesday at 7:47 pm“Ambulance showed up. @ hospital being checked out. Unsure if cops are coming, since there was no “contact” (I managed to swerve just enough)”
Wednesday at 7:40 pm“Still waiting on ambulance…”
Wednesday at 7:15 pm“Neck/head are sore (bike biffed and whacked my head on road)… Okay though. Still waiting on ambulance…”
Wednesday at 7:01 pm“Ambulance got lost, lol…”
Wednesday at 7:01 pm“Just got run off the road by a cab. I’ll be okay. Bystanders called cops/ambulance and are sticking around for statements. So kind of’em.”
Wednesday at 6:52 pm
POSTED IN: Ensight News
