Saturday, February 12, 2011

GRATITUDES

GRATITUDES
i am grateful my brain is intact, thanks in some small measure to my bike helmet.
i am grateful i can walk.
i am extremely grateful for modern medine and my hand surgeon.
i am extremely grateful for the two women driving by who saw me take this nasty tumble and whisked me to the er.
i am extremely grateful to my mother who arrived minutes later and has taken such good care of me and my children.  i am so blessed to have her so close and able to help.
i am grateful for my two children who are buffering my hardships with their sweet hearts and willingness to help out.
and all my good friends who have stepped up to help and send me kind words, warm wishes for a speedy recovery, and love. thank you!

this is a photo of after the surgery. i tore a ligament on my right thumb. this one will take the longest to heal and makes me grieve the most. before surgery i put a note to my doctor on the other thumb, just to make sure.  thankfully he smiled when he saw it. it is my only working finger at the moment as i type this with one thumb. my left hand had two dislocated fingers, lots of road rash, three fractures and bone chips. my left elbow took some road rash abuse and i have a lot of bruising.  this is what happened when i went too fast and didn't make the turn. the bike has not one scratch.  doesn't seem fair.

meanwhile, i would like to apologize to the quilt guild of west houston for having to cancel/postpone my lecture/workshop next week.  you can trust me that i will do my best not to let THIS happen again!

28 comments:

suzanengler said...

Ditto on your list of things to be grateful for...I hope you heal quickly! How did you type this...? Take care!

Jeannie said...

Oh No! So sorry for your accident and I hope you heal quickly. Take care and let others do for you, because we know that you would be there for them.

Gerrie said...

Oh no, Kathy!! My daughter just had a bike accident in SF. She fractured her right wrist and her right elbow in two places, but not as badly as you!! She makes her living painting and drawing so this is a big problem. So glad you have loving people in your life to take care of you.

Tabitha O. said...

Wow that is a lot to be grateful for, the world is full of amazingly wonderful people and family to love you....quick healing vibes!

Jamie Fingal said...

I am so glad that you mom is there to help you. If I lived closer, I would bring you some dinners. My heart goes out to you my friend. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Edith Bieri-Hanselmann said...

Kathy, I'm so sorry for your accident and then to have both hands unable to use! I think this is the worst case that could happen. But on the other hand it sure could have been even worse. Get healthy again soon.
Edith

Lee Ann L. said...

Oh man, you make me scared to ride a bike! I'll be praying for a speedy healing for you.`

Kay Koeper Sorensen said...

I am so sorry to hear this.
I wish you fast healing and patience while you heal.

9patchnurse said...

Oh my goodness! This is awful. Feel better ASAP!

Nancy said...

A wonderful gratitude list! But oh my, I'm so sorry to hear this happened. It must have been frightening as well as painful. How kind of the ladies to rescue you and get you to the er. Sending healing thoughts!

The Quilted LIbrarian said...

Wishing you a speedy healing process and sending you lots of positive thoughts.
Kind regards,
Dana Fisher

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Glad you are hear to tell us all about it. You will be back to normal in no time at all, and in the meantime you will figure out how to do the things you love with the few fingers you can use. Left hand as a whole with a working thumb. Ever see the video of the blind quilter????

Bee said...

Kathy, I'm sorry to hear about your accident! I'm glad you have wonderful people around you to help, much to be thankful for and that you are able to focus on the positive. Warm wishes for a speedy recovery.

Kristi said...

Holy cow! You must feel both lucky and sad at the same time. I know you must have a hard time sitting still without working on a project. And having two hands out of order puts you at the mercy of loved ones for everything. I hope you mend quickly and are back at the machine in no time! Hurray for helmets!

Lori Gravley said...

Your attitude of gratitude will surely help you heal faster. May light fill your hands and speed your healing.

Jan E said...

Oh Kathy: I'm so sorry. Hope your recovery goes well! I'll be sending light in your direction. Keep your chin up.

Cheryl said...

Kathy! Oh no! I am praying for a speedy recovery. My best thoughts are with you. Keep your spirits up. All the best...

Annie said...

OMG Kathy! That road can do nasty things when it jumps up to bite you. My cousin is a cyclist and has broken an elbow and hip. And that road rash is sooo uncomfortable. Many healing thoughts and prayers coming your way...

Brandi said...

OMG you poor thing! I am so sorry to hear about the accident. I am wishing you a speedy recovery!

cathi said...

OMG--i am so sorry this happened--glad you were wearing a helmet. My son should see and read this because he rides a lot--fast--and doesn't wear his helmet!! Take care of yourself and get well soon!

Anonymous said...

Oh Kathy I'm so sorry for your injuries. I hope you have a full and speedy recovery.

Diane Doran said...

Wishing you a super speedy recovery!

Susan Brubaker Knapp said...

Oh, Kathy, I am SO sorry! Is there anything I can do to help from afar? I am so glad that you were not injured more severely. I will be thinking about you and sending healing vibes your direction.

Leslie Tucker Jenison said...

Oh honey.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I'm not all that far down the road.
Seriously.

Karen said...

Ow, Ow OWWIEEEE! As my now 23 year oldcyclist son would say(earlier this week in Pittsburgh, he was saying it about the hail that fell on him as he biked to work - the nutcase doesn't drive).
Maybe you'll end up with some cool ambidexterity!
So sorry to see you take a tumble. Hope you don'thave to give up your cycling. I KNOW this won't affect your quilting other than just a little inconvenience.

Unknown said...

It’s really important to wear protective gear when riding your bike. We’ll never know when we’re going to get in an accident – safety first. I know by now your injuries are healed and fully recovered. Have you tried riding your bike again?

-Raleigh Crowl

Cindie Guevara said...

There are so many things to be grateful for! That’s the attitude! Everything happens for a reason and there’s always a lesson behind it. What is life if not the best teacher?I hope that this injury or accident will not stop you from riding bicycle again. Be more careful next time

Unknown said...

This is a good example of how important it is to wear helmets. Unfortunately, protective gears for hands are not yet available. Well, maybe in the near future. =\ Anyway, I think what’s important is that you have your family and friends to comfort you. ^__^ I hope you’ve gotten back into riding your bike, only this time, more precautious.

Amy Baron