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kodalaiSo, uh, as some people on this list know and others do not, I was hit by a car on Tuesday morning. As I'm sure you've gathered by my sitting here and typing, I wasn't seriously hurt at all.
When I say it, it sounds all exciting and full of drama, but to be honest? I really don't remember much. I don't even have all that good memories leading up to the collision. I was riding my bike to school, running a little late, very typical. Because the bike ride was so routine, I don't remember much of it either. I think I must have gotten pretty close to the school -- within the last few blocks, after the turn-off from the main road.
I have a vague memory of seeing a car coming out of a cross street towards me -- very vague, tbh I'm not sure this isn't a memory from some ofhter time and place, dragged in to fit the situation. I couldn't tell you know which street I was on, or what was the make or even the color of the car I saw. But the next thing I was aware of, I felt like I was waking up for school again. And then I noticed that I was not at home in my bed, but at a hospital, with Shinmura-sensei there next to me. I managed the piercingly observant statement "Something happened, didn't it?" which was the brilliant observation of the century, I'm sure.
I spent the rest of Tuesday in the hospital, mostly unconscious or semiconscious. I was on an IV, which was annoying because it meant neither arm was available to scratch my face or other such things. I remember asking for and receiving some orange jello, because I hadn't had dinner the night before and was worried about getting off track food-processing wise. Funny thing, now that I think about it, was that I actually had to dig my wallet out of my bag (which they had brought with me) and give it to Shinmura-sensei to go get something; they didn't provide me with any food. After school let out, around 4:30-ish, Hayashi-sensei came and drove me home.
The man who hit me was, I gather, the father of one of the students at my school; he was very sorry and upset, and came to visit me in the hospital and later at my house (brought me fruit, which I have yet to open and eat.) My memory is patchy, but I recall Shinmura sensei translating hs apologies the first time, him saying something like "when I saw how pale you looked in the road, I was terribly frightened" and I said something like "I think I look like that all the time" -- the point being that there is no hard feelings. Especially because *his* insurance paid for my medical bills and will be paying for my new bike.
As I mentioned before, I wasn't seriously hurt at all. No bones broken, nothing torn -- I don't think I even did any bleeding, although I have red raw patches all over my left arm and ankle. They were concerned about my left arm, and put it in a sort of splint while I was at the hospital, then decided it wasn't necessary and gave me a sling. When I visited the next day they told me that the sling wasn't necessary, although I still continued to use it, because it hurt! I still can't use my left arm with any force, or extend it fully, although it's getting better already. My back took the worst of it, I think, because it hurt to bend or move, and hurts like a BITCH to cough or sneeze.
Of more concern than my arm was my head -- I do think I had what was a minor concussion (or not so minor, I dunno how you judge these things.) All tuesday in the hospital I was throwing up every time I moved, plus the memory loss to consider; and for several days following that I felt dizzy every time I turned or tilted my head. Still do if I change the level of it. There's been no further loss of memory, however, and any lack of focus or scatterbrainedness I must attribute to my natural state.
My bike, sadly, did not fare as well. I got a chance to see it after I got out of the hospital -- had to, my keys were still in the bike lock -- and it's fairly well totalled. Fortunately, the man who hit me's insurance will pay for a new one. I can't say I'm thrilled at the thought of getting a new one simply because the old one was still working just fine, but at least I don't have to pay for it myself, or go without. :)
I stayed home on Wednesday, then called in Thursday because I was still feeling dizzy (and because I had four classes on Thursday and didn't think I was up for it.) I did go in Friday, although I ended up not teaching any classes because both my co-teacher had made non-ALT-involving lesson plans. But I actually got a lot of work done (it had been piling up thanks to the three days absense) so I'm glad I went. Also glad I had stayed home Thursday as by the end of Friday, despite no classes, I was dizzy and lightheaded and exhausted and hurting.
And today is Saturday, and I stayed home all day and now I feel fine. And that was my adventure. :)
When I say it, it sounds all exciting and full of drama, but to be honest? I really don't remember much. I don't even have all that good memories leading up to the collision. I was riding my bike to school, running a little late, very typical. Because the bike ride was so routine, I don't remember much of it either. I think I must have gotten pretty close to the school -- within the last few blocks, after the turn-off from the main road.
I have a vague memory of seeing a car coming out of a cross street towards me -- very vague, tbh I'm not sure this isn't a memory from some ofhter time and place, dragged in to fit the situation. I couldn't tell you know which street I was on, or what was the make or even the color of the car I saw. But the next thing I was aware of, I felt like I was waking up for school again. And then I noticed that I was not at home in my bed, but at a hospital, with Shinmura-sensei there next to me. I managed the piercingly observant statement "Something happened, didn't it?" which was the brilliant observation of the century, I'm sure.
I spent the rest of Tuesday in the hospital, mostly unconscious or semiconscious. I was on an IV, which was annoying because it meant neither arm was available to scratch my face or other such things. I remember asking for and receiving some orange jello, because I hadn't had dinner the night before and was worried about getting off track food-processing wise. Funny thing, now that I think about it, was that I actually had to dig my wallet out of my bag (which they had brought with me) and give it to Shinmura-sensei to go get something; they didn't provide me with any food. After school let out, around 4:30-ish, Hayashi-sensei came and drove me home.
The man who hit me was, I gather, the father of one of the students at my school; he was very sorry and upset, and came to visit me in the hospital and later at my house (brought me fruit, which I have yet to open and eat.) My memory is patchy, but I recall Shinmura sensei translating hs apologies the first time, him saying something like "when I saw how pale you looked in the road, I was terribly frightened" and I said something like "I think I look like that all the time" -- the point being that there is no hard feelings. Especially because *his* insurance paid for my medical bills and will be paying for my new bike.
As I mentioned before, I wasn't seriously hurt at all. No bones broken, nothing torn -- I don't think I even did any bleeding, although I have red raw patches all over my left arm and ankle. They were concerned about my left arm, and put it in a sort of splint while I was at the hospital, then decided it wasn't necessary and gave me a sling. When I visited the next day they told me that the sling wasn't necessary, although I still continued to use it, because it hurt! I still can't use my left arm with any force, or extend it fully, although it's getting better already. My back took the worst of it, I think, because it hurt to bend or move, and hurts like a BITCH to cough or sneeze.
Of more concern than my arm was my head -- I do think I had what was a minor concussion (or not so minor, I dunno how you judge these things.) All tuesday in the hospital I was throwing up every time I moved, plus the memory loss to consider; and for several days following that I felt dizzy every time I turned or tilted my head. Still do if I change the level of it. There's been no further loss of memory, however, and any lack of focus or scatterbrainedness I must attribute to my natural state.
My bike, sadly, did not fare as well. I got a chance to see it after I got out of the hospital -- had to, my keys were still in the bike lock -- and it's fairly well totalled. Fortunately, the man who hit me's insurance will pay for a new one. I can't say I'm thrilled at the thought of getting a new one simply because the old one was still working just fine, but at least I don't have to pay for it myself, or go without. :)
I stayed home on Wednesday, then called in Thursday because I was still feeling dizzy (and because I had four classes on Thursday and didn't think I was up for it.) I did go in Friday, although I ended up not teaching any classes because both my co-teacher had made non-ALT-involving lesson plans. But I actually got a lot of work done (it had been piling up thanks to the three days absense) so I'm glad I went. Also glad I had stayed home Thursday as by the end of Friday, despite no classes, I was dizzy and lightheaded and exhausted and hurting.
And today is Saturday, and I stayed home all day and now I feel fine. And that was my adventure. :)
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no subject
Date: 2007-11-17 02:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-17 02:01 pm (UTC)... well um next time you write some guy with a concussion you'll have insider's knowledge? OR SOMETHING. (... somehow I'm kinda thinking it's a good thing you don't remember the accident itself because DUDE that would be scary. brrr. At least you woke up when the worst was over? DX )
RIP bike. ;_;
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Date: 2007-11-18 05:14 am (UTC)They kept saying that it was okay if I didn't remember, and that I shouldn't try too hard to remember, because it might be traumatic. Honestly, I'm not stressing out too much, but I felt kind of annoyed that they kept repeating this last bit. I survived in one whole piece, so how scary could it possibly have been? I just wanna know what happened, dammit!
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Date: 2007-11-17 02:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-17 02:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-17 03:52 pm (UTC)And do take pain medication for your sore arm and back. You need to keep using those muscles so you don't develop a permanent limitation of motion. But don't push it too hard.
I know you hate change, but you will soon learn to love your new bicycle!
*much love & concern*
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Date: 2007-11-17 10:51 pm (UTC)*hugs & love*
AND REST!!! If you need Monday off, take it off!
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Date: 2007-11-18 05:18 am (UTC)I'll take your word for it. I knew enough about concussions to recognize that that's what it was, but I don't really know how to gauge the seriousness of it. Ironically, although I was much more worried about the concussion, most of my co-workers and such seemed to be more worried about my arm, and I think they were a little puzzled when I told them I wasn't coming in on Friday because I was dizzy. Ah well!
I have been resting pretty well. They also gave me medication -- an anti-inflammatory and a painkiller, three times a day, which I've been taking. And when I went back on Wednesday I asked if it would be ok to take ibuprofen, and (after a brief confusion over pronounciation differences) he said that since what they gave me is basically ibuprofen writ stronger, it would be fine to take that as well. So I have been.
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Date: 2007-11-18 05:26 am (UTC)*cuddlepets you gently* I'm so glad you're (sorta) okay now though.
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Date: 2007-11-18 03:37 pm (UTC)MUCH LOVE!!
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Date: 2007-11-19 09:16 am (UTC)