E-Bike Accident
WARNING: The image at the end of this article may be disturbing. It shows a laceration with stitches on the pinky toe.
I see Mr. Skeptical sitting across from my desk, eating salt and vinegar potato chips, which happens to be my favorite. He seems happier than usual. Like he’s overjoyed, I’m using crutches now.
Before I can say hello, he offers. “Want some?”
“No, thank you.”
My eyes narrow in on him, and he smiles back. “I imagine you’re going to write about your e-bike accident today. Can you guess what I’m going to ask?”
“Why do I have a shirtless picture of me on crutches?”
He nods.
“I figure I better take a pic because I’d recently gotten a 6-pack for the first time in 30 years.”
“I don’t blame you. Let the world know you can get a 6-pack at fifty-four. Impressive. But with your injury, you won’t be able to work out for a while.”
“Nope.”
His lips curl up slightly, like a six-year-old about to get a lollipop. “Such a shame.” He puts on the fakest pouty face you can imagine and asks again. “Want some?”
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet
After recovering from a hamstring injury, I was happy to e-bike to work. On the way up a bridge connecting Indian Creek Drive into Alton Rd, I decided to go up along the walkway because no one was walking across the bridge. See that bridge below.
That turned out to be a bad decision.
As I started going along the walkway, my foot, while still on the pedal, hit something very hard. It was either one of the wooden blocks or the square piece just before the wooden blocks on the sidewalk. See pic below.
I was going fast, likely 15 miles per hour. As soon as I hit it, I felt a jarring electric pain from my left foot up through my body. I kept going across the bridge and stopped at the next light. I got off my e-bike carefully, for the foot pain was tremendous, and I felt in shock.
I removed my shoe and saw a smear of blood on my sock. My shoe was only slightly damaged. I thought maybe it was just a scrape that was bloody. Since I was already closer to Crunch than going back home, and I knew Crunch had a first aid station, I decided to forge ahead.
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet
Using my left heel, I could peddle and use the electric motor to make it to Crunch. I got there, locked up my bike, and limped inside to collapse on the floor. Several employees came to help me. I removed my shoe and sock, and blood poured out. They had plenty of gauze and paper there to deal with it.
The cut was deep, and it showed flesh. One employee poured alcohol on the wound, and it hurt like hell. I started to become nauseous. Another employee brought an ice pack for my neck, keeping me from passing out.
“So, you pass out when you see blood?” Asks Mr. Skeptical.
“No, I normally don’t. I’ve had blood taken out of me, and I’ve taken blood out of others way back in chiropractic school, and I never felt nauseous before. But something about the flesh wound and the throbbing made me almost faint.”
“Poor you.” He manages to say it so perfectly sardonic that I don’t retort, for it was an outstanding performance.
My mom came to pick me up and took me to an urgent care facility. I received four stitches, and X-rays showed I fractured my left pinky toe.
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
The Subconscious Fat of the accident is that I was trying to be safer by going up the bridge’s walkway. However, the walkway is narrower, making the likelihood of hitting something greater. In hindsight, it would’ve been safer to remain on the street, for the right lane is for bikers anyway. Also, on that bridge, cars are moving slower, and my e-bike can safely keep up.
All that is water under the bridge now, but I know what I’ll do next time.
The next day, I went to see a podiatrist, and she’s recommending surgery. She says the way my fracture is, it may not heal correctly. I plan to get a second opinion. However, whether I do the surgery or not, I won’t be able to train clients for a few weeks.
Mr. Skeptical interrupts. “If you need help ending it all, I’ll be a nice guy and help you out.”
“Wow, thank you, Mr. Skeptical. You’re so kind.” I try to mimic his sarcasm but don’t even come close.
“You’re going to gain weight because you can’t exercise. You’re not going to be able to earn money for a while. Let me help you out. I think the best way to go is carbon monoxide poisoning. I’ll help you set it up. You just fall asleep. Painless.”
“Wouldn’t you be afraid of being accused of murder?”
“You’ll have to write a good suicide letter, and I’ll wear gloves, of course.”
Apparently, Mr. Skeptical hasn’t seen many murder documentaries. It’s rare to get away with murder nowadays. I stare daggers at him and give him the finger.
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
I’m not at all considering Mr. Skeptical’s idea. However, it’s a good idea to plan for the unexpected. I used to have disability insurance as a chiropractor. It’s good always to have a plan B, especially if you can’t accrue sick days at work.
I don’t have disability insurance now, but I’ll be okay. Thinking about what would happen if you couldn’t work for a while is smart.
Be aware, for the unexpected can happen. Life and health can end suddenly, so enjoy and cherish the present.
