Briztoon V's Truck!!!!

[moosterbounce]

Hey Briz. I've not been super active recently (dealing with my own selfish issues), so just read this thread. Glad to hear you are on the mend and posting feverishly to allay boredom - I'll be joining you on that one

Keep the chin up. I know it isn't easy all the time with the mending you need to do, but take heart that we are all thinking of you.

[alkhoo]

Hey Briztoon,

Omigosh! Shocking news! Good to know you're on the mend. It is incidents like yours (and my wife's - she went over her handlebars last year - ICU, ventilator, fractures to skull and clots in brain but she's good now) that remind me of the risks that come with cycling. I'm just happy to know you're okay and you will get back on the bike in time to come.

Take care mate.

[Mugglechops]

Just saw this after being linked off the bike gallery.

Hope you heal up quick.

[ironhanglider]

Saw this after a link from another thread.

Another +1 for having a good story to tell.

+ several more for being able to tell it.

Hope the driver is dealt with appropriately and ends up being a better driver for it (or non-driver if that is not possible).

Cheers,

Cameron

[ACT SC600]

Saw this after a link from another thread.

Another +1 for having a good story to tell.

+ several more for being able to tell it.

Hope the driver is dealt with appropriately and ends up being a better driver for it (or non-driver if that is not possible).

Cheers,

Cameron

+1

all the best mate

[briztoon]

Thanks guys,

The accident report still has not been finished by the police yet. So I do not know the outcome of their investigation yet. Or if the truck driver will be charged with anything.

I'm healing slowly. I'm slowly gaining more use of my arm and shoulder. Managed to get half way through brushing my teeth this morning before having to swap hands. Still can't shave and need help with this. and my writing has gone to hell. It's like my muscles have forgotten how. It was weird and frustrating try write my name and address yesterday when I went to the news agent.

I feel my ribs, and how they affect my lung capacity and breathing, hold me back a bit. I run out of breath and energy fairly quick. I'm really amazed at how unfit I feel just from 3 weeks inactivity. I can't wait for my next check up with the orthopaedic surgeon, and hopefully I get a referral to the physio so I can start my rehab. If possible I want to get a gym routine set up by the physio. I plan to do my rehab at my work where I also have have access to the gym and hopeful I can also get access to some of the training folders work has for different positions within my department.

[briztoon]

Sigh. Not feeling happy today.

Visited the orthopaedic surgeon today for a regular checkup and got to see some X-rays. Told I can't start physio for another four weeks, but I can walk or jump on a stationary cycling machine as long as it doesn't put any load on my shoulder.

The bone is healing ok. There is a spur above the bone mass that may need to be shaved eventually. Looking at my X-ray, most people I've seen with "less damage" had surgery. I understand that having 9 broken ribs complicated the matter, but really wishing I had surgery.

I don't have any X-rays of my ribs. The seven down the side are still sore, but the two at the front just below the shoulder are healing. You can feel and see them sort of. Best way I can describe it is that the two ribs straight above the nipple snaped forward but didn't pierce the skin. They are now healing, but have two large calcius lumps growing around where they broke and you can feel the two lumps and they bulge out of (my admittedly flat chest). It's like making a fist and I have two knuckles pushing out of my chest.

The collar bone on the day of the accident.


Today

[coffeeandwine]

Hey Briztoon,
I've been following your progress over the last 5 weeks. Bugger that the collar bone is so slow but sounds like you have still been making progress (despite how frustratingly slow it must be). Hope the pain continues to settle. Heal well.

Do you have access to a trainer/stationary bike?

[cowled]

Hey briztoon, gotta say I'm shocked by those xrays. Is that second Xray an 'after' shot? If so, I'm really surprised that there was no apparent attempt to reset the bone (or am I looking at it wrong). Are you able to insist on surgery?

It looks really painful. I hope you're holding up.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[briztoon]

Hey Briztoon,
I've been following your progress over the last 5 weeks. Bugger that the collar bone is so slow but sounds like you have still been making progress (despite how frustratingly slow it must be). Hope the pain continues to settle. Heal well.

Do you have access to a trainer/stationary bike?

Thanks coffeeandwine. I'll be joining a gym down the road. They have a few different types trainers. Two different types I can sit on. When I start rehab, I will ask the physio to do up a gym program for me. I had hoped to start back at one of my jobs by November, and the other by December. Looks like I'm pushing this schedule back.

[briztoon]

Hey briztoon, gotta say I'm shocked by those xrays. Is that second Xray an 'after' shot? If so, I'm really surprised that there was no apparent attempt to reset the bone (or am I looking at it wrong). Are you able to insist on surgery?

It looks really painful. I hope you're holding up.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Hey cowled.

That second X-ray is from TODAY, some five and half weeks after the accident. Basically while in ICU I was advised against surgery by the Orthopaedic surgeons and doctors multiple times. My second night in ICU one of the nurses showed me my X-rays and explained more to me than what the surgeons or doctors did. Basically I was told that a bone mass would form around the broken bones and my collar bone would remould itself. I was told that over the first two weeks or so the bones would pull themselves back a bit. My last visit three weeks ago, I had an X-ray and they said that the bones had moved out 1cm since the accident. Certainly doesn't look it to me today.

I've just been pretty bummed today. I wish I had the surgery, especially if I'm going to have to have surgery anyway to shave the bone down.

[thecaptn]

It doesn't look any different to me but I'm not a Doctor.

[briztoon]

It doesn't look any different to me but I'm not a Doctor.

That's what I thought today. But I'm not a doctor either.

[trailgumby]

I'd advise against taking their word for it. We accord respect to people in white coats too easily, That respect needs to be earned.

It's important to get on the front foot with them. If they brush you off, find another who will welcome your involvement and take your concerns seriously. They're just like us, they're not infallible.

[The 2nd Womble]

I'd advise against taking their word for it. We accord respect to people in white coats too easily, That respect needs to be earned.

It's important to get on the front foot with them. If they brush you off, find another who will welcome your involvement and take your concerns seriously. They're just like us, they're not infallible.

Doctors are doing everything they can to discourage surgeries simply to cut waiting lists in Qld and particularly Brisbane. Your collar bone is affecting Qld Health's bottom line.
Dont listen to their advice, get this fixed.

[A_P]

If that was my clavicle, I'd want it plated

[marinmomma]

Hey there Briz

Bugger about your progress, totally get your frustration, some days it feels like everything is going in the right direction others like you are back at step one again

Great that you can start walking and using a stationary bike, trust me it fells great to be able to exercise. I'm finding that I have to pace myself some days, sleep evades me for most of the night which doesn't help recovery.

I'd be getting a second opinion re that collar bone too.

[winstonw]

Doctors are doing everything they can to discourage surgeries simply to cut waiting lists in Qld and particularly Brisbane. Your collar bone is affecting Qld Health's bottom line.
Dont listen to their advice, get this fixed.

agree with this. there was a thread a few months ago where I said Qld public hospitals generally don't want to operate on collar bones, and I confirmed that with a phone call to colleagues at RBH. then a few others posted the opposite experience. think they were south of the border. I'd definitely get a 2nd opinion from a private orthopedic surgeon if the public system stone walls.

just found this thread Briztoon. sad to hear about it, and hope your recovery is full.
Totally moronic culpable driving by the truckdriver. don't let time slip away on this. the inertia of the law re negligent or dangerous driving really is making me rethink where i ride these days.

have been enjoying your shining wit over the last few months of posts.

[briztoon]

Thanks winstonw.

Thing is the doctors new if I was going to have surgery I was going Private. I have private health insurance and my family were adamant about moving me to Greenslopes Private Hospital. The doctors talked my family out moving me, and really counselled against surgery. A lot of their advice centred around having 9 broken ribs and their concern about the risk of infection.

Today, if I was to look at surgery, I need my doctor to refer me to an Orthopaedic Surgeon and just to get an appointment, there is anywhere from a 2 week to 4 week wait just for an initial consultation. Tomorrow is 6 weeks since the accident, and it's highly likely that I would be looking at surgery somewhere between the 10 and 12 week mark, which would mean rebreaking the bones, and going back to day dot, in effect putting myself back 12 weeks.

I do not have income insurance, and am living on my savings. "Lucky" I have been saving for a house.

I have already sought legal advice and that is being taken care of.

And thanks for the comment about my contributions to the forum recently. I'd much rather be out riding my bike, but I've had fun posting the last few weeks and like to thank everyone for putting up with me.

[briztoon]

Well I got a second opinion from a private orthopaedic surgeon, and he to counselled against surgery. Basically the only reason for surgery would be for "cosmetic" reasons, to balance out both shoulders. I may still require some minor surgery to shave the bone down a little in 6 months or so.

Also was told that I can get back on the bike.

Have to say I'm some what nervous about this.


The Lawyers are currently pursuing a Property Damage claim to recover the cost of the bike and damaged equipment. It will be some time before the Personal Injury claim moves in to top gear.


Also if a Mod could move this out of the Info/announcements forum, I'd appreciate it.

[bychosis]

I feel for you with the shoulder. I too had a collar bone break off a bike crash (stupidity by me, not a vehicle fortunately). It also set 'wrong' I went back after it had healed as the spur that formed was not smooth and scratching things around inside. I saw a surgeon when it healed and he said I could have it shaved, but I would need to strengthen it by swimming before the op. I never ended up getting it done because the tearing sensation stopped and work got me away from home for a few months shortly after. I wish I had it done because there is still a lump which can be very painful if hit, usually when one of the kids come in for a 'vigorous cuddle' on that side.

Best wishes in your continuing recovery.

[thecaptn]

Has the bone pulled itself back in line a bit more than it is in the X rays like the doctors said it would?

Pete

[cowled]

Well I got a second opinion from a private orthopaedic surgeon, and he to counselled against surgery. Basically the only reason for surgery would be for "cosmetic" reasons, to balance out both shoulders. I may still require some minor surgery to shave the bone down a little in 6 months or so.

Also was told that I can get back on the bike.

Have to say I'm some what nervous about this.

The Lawyers are currently pursuing a Property Damage claim to recover the cost of the bike and damaged equipment. It will be some time before the Personal Injury claim moves in to top gear.

I hope that this second opinion has eased your mind, briztoon. Yeah, I can totally understand your anxiety about getting back on the bike, and I'm sure it's not just the physical issues. I'm having some real problems with depression at the moment, but at least I am very aware of it and have sought the right help.

I hope you get your cheque for the property damage soon. It's bound to be fun spending insurance money in a bike shop. I'm still waiting on mine.

I'm very interested to know what the outcome was of the police investigation. I'm assuming they found the truckie at fault given your lawyers are pursuing the insurance claims.

Craig.

[WestcoastPete]

I'd advise against taking their word for it. We accord respect to people in white coats too easily, That respect needs to be earned.

It's important to get on the front foot with them. If they brush you off, find another who will welcome your involvement and take your concerns seriously. They're just like us, they're not infallible.

In my experience, most doctors take their job very seriously and make decisions with the patient's interests in mind; they won't avoid surgery if they think the outcomes are worth it. 10+ years of very challenging training earns respect in my book. Sure, get on the front foot, ask the questions, listen to the answers, ask more questions, and try for a second opinion if you need to, but specialist doctors are just that; specialists. Now, they might not always be the easiest to interact with - surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons especially have a reputation for this - but they usually know very well what they're doing.

[trailgumby]

I'm sure they do take their jobs seriously. Not doubting that.

The other factor required for trust is competence. Not all practitioners are equal in that regard.