May 27th 2008 - 16:00 hours
pretty much dressed alike, to train for the Dexia Team Time Trial 2008 to take my revenge on 2007.
16:20 hours
At a place called "HëtterMillen" (or Mill of Hettange?) I crash headfirst into a parked Truck trailer and destroy not only my helmet, bike and a few front teeth, but also made a dent in the steel back-side of the truck.
Later that day...
I am flown to the St.Elizabeth hospital in Luxembourg by Medicopter, the entire time drifting in and out of consciousness.
May 28th
After scans, MRIs, x-rays, probes and checks, here's the tally of my bill of health:
a) 3 cracked vertebrae
b) 2 cracked ribs
c) 3 missing teeth, 3 more chipped
d) cuts on chin and upper lip with 30 stitches
e)concussion
f)bruises on head, arms, left knee and swollen lip and nose
g) broken cartillage in nose
h) swollen upper right leg due to massive bruise
i) a little blood on brain
j) a little blood in spinal cord
The j) was actually of major concern to my doctor (Dr Fries) who was worried that it may impair my mobility permanently. But as I was showing pretty good reflexes and my arms and legs were working at nearly perfection he guessed that the blood was not actually in the marrow but around it. Inside would have made it impossible for me to move my extremities the way I did. Surgery was discussed but Dr. Fries decided to keep me in the Intensive Care unit for a while for observation instead. So I was able to spend nearly 6 days in IC. Thanks to my nurses (Cédric, Nathalie, and the others whose names I do not remember)for taking care of me and making my pain tolerable with those amazing IV painkillers.
After 6 days and numerous visitors (First and foremost my Angel who was there almost every day despite having to work AND having to study for her evening classes) I made it out of bed...
... and into a regular room.
Thanks Babe for being there!!!!
The following week...
Some pics of myself and my babe...
...trying to kill the time until I was released on the 7th of June.
Finally I was able to have an outside ice-cream and feeling pretty lucky.
I'm still here MoFos!!!!!
Too bad about SHO though....
Before...
and After...
Farewell SHO!!!!
In the meantime I am back on the bike... Albeit the trainer...
...which still is my old Specialized that I "crashed" in 2006 with the bend frame.
Riding for 1 - 2 hours a day since last week...
..watching my TdF, Giro, Tour of California etc.. DVDs.
BACk to MAIN