My end of summer bike accident - Roger Lister

I went for a simple bike ride with a friend August 21st down Middle Canyon here in Tooele. I got home Monday September 12th after 23 days in the hospital at the U. My front tire went flat at about 30-35 MPH in a downhill situation. I hit the ditch headfirst. The helmet took a lot of the blow, but I'm 6'3 and 280 pounds... I broke my neck at the base of my skull, crushed one of the arteries that drain the blood from the brain (I'm on stroke protocols for a while), crushed 2 thoracic vertebra, am now fused from T7-T12, broke some ribs, and have some serious road rash and memory issues. [click 'more' to read on]

I remember unloading the bikes, strapping on my helmet and thinking how much fun this was going to be. Next thing I remember is waking up on the lifeflight helo. A big New Zealander taking care of me asked if I knew what happened, I said something must have messed up big for me to be on lifeflight. Out again until in my room and some family and friends around. First gap, about 6 hours, second about 3. Since then, I've been told things that I remember in a TV sort of remembrance. Like I saw it but wasn't there.

On Monday the 22nd, I had back surgery to fuse things. I don't recall. The next few days are blurs of being shoved into all manner of torture device, lots of XRay/CT/MRI and who knows what else, just leave me alone for a bit. My upper and lower GI quit working together. My stomach made too much fluid. Between tubes down my nose to suction fluids I shouldn't have had, and other tubes elsewhere to try and get other things going, it worked. Mostly. On the 30th of August I finally got moved to the physical rehab section of the hospital, and received my first real solid food since before my bike ride.

I had also been fit for a custom made body brace, covering the back of my head to just above my butt. Front and back. I can't get out of bed without it. When I'm not in this brace, I have wear a neck brace and can't sit above 30 degrees.

Without that helmet, I could have died. Or I could be paralyzed from the neck down or the middle of the back down. I'm lucky to have full feeling and functions in my feet and hands. And elsewhere.

Overall, my prognosis is for a full recovery. I'll have some limitations due to the back fusion. How much, I don't know, but at least the fusion is in the least flexible part of the back. I hope to ride a bike again, but am making plans for recumbent trike since the recumbent will be easier on my back.

So please. Just think about slipping that helmet on before going for that bike ride. Make sure your kids are wearing them too. And wearing them properly fit.

In the last 11 days I've made significant progress.  My stamina is up, I've had three physical therapy sessions with a therapist I trust.  I still have a very long road to recovery, but am looking forward to getting on a recumbent exercise bike soon.  I heal quickly for a middle aged fat guy.  But this is my 5th week out of work, and I'm going nuts.  I've lost the end of summer.  But am blessed to be alive and looking at a full recovery.

I'm an optimist most of the time.  I had my left knee replaced last November and decided that was a perfect avenue towards getting back into shape.  I'd been an avid cyclist in years past, and that was my goal.  I've been able to run again some on the treadmill, which is pretty cool.  I see this current situation as a serious setback, but it won't define me.  I have no desire to a spectator in life anymore.

-Roger

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