Over 18 months ago I was in an accident and suffered a concussion. The whole experience was a little obfuscating to me, especially since friends' stories of it seems that I was conscious the whole time, but yet I keep saying "when I came to . . .". Then I saw Conan O'Brien on the Tonight Show. He suffered a concussion doing a skit/stunt and sat with Andy Richter to share what happened. This was a light bulb turning on, it just all clicked for me, especially since Conan kept reiterating that he doesn't remember anything from a certain point and on, but he was obviously conscious. Since my viewing of that episode I have been "at peace" about my Swiss cheese memory of that experience. I am still upset that I don't remember the ambulance ride. But here is what I do know:
Floating around in my head, like a dream, I remember a conversation I had with a colleague who was on the phone to someone and he didn't know who I was but I recognized his voice. I finally said with major embarrassment, "you know me, *Harry!*" That caught Harry off guard, I could tell by his voice. Because I recognized his voice I thought I was at work, but the surroundings didn't match, and this other person hovering on my left that I wouldn't look at but she seemed to think I was in trouble.
And I "woke up" in the emergency room and the last thing I remember was I had been upstairs in the bathroom cutting my hair. So what could I have possibly done in the bathroom to make my face hurt so much? I heard two voices that seemed familiar, but I didn't know who they were. One was holding my hand and the other person seemed further away. Then I wake up again at the end of a conversation, and I don't know what we are talking about, so I clarify, 'I know I've probably just asked this, but what am I doing here? Then in the far corner there is a here-we-go-again-groan, while a gentle patting on my right hand and someone says, "remember, you were in an accident". "What day is it?" "Have I finished the Masters program? (I was starting my last three courses in three days.) "What? What did you say?" (This was after each time I heard the two voices whisper about something. I was worried there was something impossibly wrong with me.) Can you get me a mirror? (There is something wrong with my face, I can feel it!)
Then the doctor comes in, "Who is that?", He's your doctor. Then there is slight tugging on my eyebrow and the doc says, "now open up your mouth." Why? "i need to clean out the gravel and sew you up." I knowingly keep me mouth shut, make me. "I can't clean her up if she doesn't open her mouth." "I just need a minute." I contemplate keeping my mouth closed, but at this point I almost know who is in the corner so then I finally say, "Okay, I'm ready." and I open my mouth, but the doc didn't jump right in so then I close it.
Throughout this whole deal there are comments about calling sisters, their numbers, who can come, who can't, what time they can get there. I'm not really sure.
Towards the end voice-in-the-corner says "I'm going to go pick up the bike." "Where is it?" 300 West 100 North "Where is that?"
Gentle-hand-patter has to go and my sis will be there in 45 minutes. The ER needs the room so I am moved to another room, they make me walk?!?! Will anyone get me a mirror?
SISTER! No, I don't want a wheelchair to the car. ha, I found a mirror!! MY FACE? Then my best comment, "I think my right side of my face hit the ground." what gave that away, all the stitches?
I stayed the weekend at my sister's house, on the day of her son's high school graduation. I felt so guilty that she had to miss his ceremony, but SO thankful she is taking care of me. i don't get any pain prescription but I can take OTC pain meds. Sister alternates every two hours with Advil and Tylenol.
Monday at class I get lots of stares and possibly a gasp as i walk in. Unfortunately the professor had already started talking and i think he even hesitated. Then he states I think you need to tell me about yourself and we proceed around the room. My turn I state my career logistics and then i add that I went over the handlebars on my bike on Friday. Professor seems relieved that it wasn't a domestic violence case. At a break my colleague came over and said this is what i know, he was in his car waiting for the "problem" in the street to move and realized there was an accident and they needed his assistance. He got out of the car and called the EMT, than he mentioned that I had said, "you know me Ryan". He stayed until the ambulance got there and he stated that I was visibly assured that I was in good hands. I remember it as I can't cry in front of these people.
Voice-in-the-Corner found out about my accident because after I was in the ambulance an EMT stopped by the school to tell him a teacher was in an accident and she didn't have any family in the area. VitC called some of my friends, but they were out of town and he called Gentle-Hand-Patter because we were on a team together. So that's how they both ended up there. I am very grateful for their concern.
I wish I had a pic, but it is lost in digital world.
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