The Day My Life Changed

It's been almost a year, in fact it's been 363 days. I think it's time to start writing about it.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - A beautiful summer day.  It was a bit cool, odd for August in Illinois.  Deane had to stay in town late that day to attend his gaming session so we could not drive to work together.  It was a perfect day to ride my motorcycle.  As I was getting ready to leave, something made me decide to wear my full face helmet instead of the snazzy new half-helm I had just bought.  I was already wearing jeans and my harness boots, I pretty much always ware those when I ride.  I put on my leather jacket and decided to wear my gloves too, as I said, it was a chilly morning.

We headed out the door at about 7am.  Deane was driving our Vibe and I was following him on my bike.  We took I-57.  As we approached Rantoul, traffic picked up and we both moved to the left lane to avoid the merging traffic from 136.  Suddenly, Deane pulled over to the left shoulder, I looked up and realized that the construction truck in front of me was not moving.  I had a moment of clarity when I knew I was going to hit the truck.  I was totally calm.

I heard my helmet hit the windshield of my bike.
I was on my back on the back of the truck.
I moved my fingers and my toes.
I never lost consciousness.
I was still calm.
I heard someone running around screaming "Oh my God!" over and over again.
I wondered what was taking Deane so long to get to me.
I heard the driver of the truck get out and say "Did you hit me?" to Deane.
Deane was there, standing over me and telling me not to move.
I begged him to get me down off the truck.  I felt like a bug stuck on my back.
He moved me to the ground.

I could feel the cars in the right lane speeding past us.  Deane was running around frantic.  I was afraid he was going to get hit.  I reached up with my left hand and grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him down to me.  I couldn't really speak, but I looked him in the eyes.  He calmed down and called 911.

Someone had stopped and she came over to help.  She said she was a nurse, then she recognized us.  She told me she went to church with me.  She helped get my helmet off. I remember she said she had small hands and that might make it easier to get it off. It was a huge relief to get it off.

The ambulance was there.  They were cutting off my clothes and asking me where I hurt. Just my lower back.  I wanted to roll onto my stomach, but that wasn't going to happen. One of the paramedics told me his name was Howard.  He held my hand all the way to the hospital.

Deane couldn't ride with me. I told him I loved him, to take care of the kids and call work to tell them I wouldn't be in.

I was still calm.

I don't remember much about the ER. I know my Pastor was there with Deane and our dear friend Dave B.
I remember getting very cold and knowing that meant I was going into shock. My back really hurt. I remember going in for a CT scan, then nothing.

I woke up in ICU. Deane was there, that meant I was ok.  I couldn't talk, there was a tube in my throat. I don't know what time or day it was. I was on my back and I couldn't move, but I wasn't in pain.
I woke again later and the kids were there. I was so glad to see them, but I didn't want them to be scared.
The next time I woke up they took the tube out of my throat.  I could talk. The nurses left us alone and I could finally ask Deane what was wrong with me.