Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Bad Day
Broke down and cried in the ER today.
The ER tech, a former co-worker, came to my room and gave me the news. One of PGHNSTRACH's other ER clerks lost her six year old son today.
ATV accident, head-on collision with his older brother. Some of our medics brought him to the ER, desperately working to resuscitate him. If I hadn't been in my own ER room right about then, it may very well have been me working the code - it happened in my response district.
And I might have kept it together too, if I hadn't had a serious case of the shakes resulting from coming off my own adrenaline high.
In case you missed the reference, I was laid up in the ER myself this afternoon, brought in by yet another of The Borg's ambulances. A lady from Texas driving a beat up Chevy Cavalier tried her best to kill me on the way to work today.
She damned near succeeded.
I'm banged up, folks, but reasonably intact. I cannot say the same for my bike, my cell phone, my laptop, my CPAP, and my uniform. All are totaled.*
I'll post more on it later, but right now my friend and co-worker could use some prayers. When you pray tonight, if praying is something that you do, might you ask God to look down with some special mercy on a grieving mother in southwest Louisiana tonight? She needs it.
Right now I'm going to go hobble to bed, pop a handful of Motrin, and cry myself to sleep. I'll blog tomorrow.
*For those of you well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning commenters who are tempted to use this as a platform to decry the inherent danger of motorcycles and ATVs, save it. I'm hurt, and upset, and not in the mood to read it, well-meant or not. I'm not going to stop riding.
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91 pithy observation(s).:
I will pray for you and for the grieving mother. That those things happened together probably have you asking some deep questions. I'll keep praying for you, AD.
I'll be praying for her. I'll include a thanks that you're not in worse shape than you are. Hope you feel better soon.
We'll be praying here, too. There'll be a special one for the child's brother, who is going to have to deal with survivor guilt, I'm sure. Hope you are going to be okay as well. We can probably throw a prayer or two up for that while we're in the neighborhood.
That poor family! The sorrow they must endure, I'll keep them in my thoughts. (I don't pray to a God)
As for you, get better fast! And I hope karma kicks that idiot woman in the ass!
{{{{HUGS}}}}
My thoughts and prayers are with that Mother and that boys familiy right now.
I can't even begin to imagine... Nor do I want to.
As for you, AD... Just glad you're okay.
I hope that in her grief, the mother does not blame herself for letting her son live his life to the fullest.
The things that make life worth living are always the things that can hurt us the most, or even kill us.
AD, does the "lady from Texas" know what she did? Unless she acted from malice or gross negligence, I can't wish anything bad on her, but I hope she at least knows how close she came to having a life on her hands.
Take care, AD. Hug your girl, and let her hug you, for all of us.
My heart and thoughts and prayers go out to that family. How heartbreaking.
As for you, drive on. After you get better.
Oh, AD. I'm so sorry to hear it all. I'll keep you and your co-worker (and your bike ;-) in my prayers.
Hope you heal up soon. Take care of yourself.
My thoughts are with you, and the mother and family and friends of the boy... I hope you heal quickly, and that everyone's hearts aren't sad for too long.
My thoughts and prayers are with the mother and the entire family.
Glad to hear you are okay, AD.
Ouch. You just take care, 'kay?
/random reader
Good luck with your recovery. My thoughts will be with the grieving family. Good on you for wanting to get back on the bike.
There are two kinds of riders inthis world, those who have been down and those who are going down. I am a member of the 1st group. I know how you feel.
As for your friend, i understand her loss and will keep her in my prayers.
Ray
Jeez, AD. Prayers for all of you!
I'm sending up prayers for all of you. I'm so, so sorry, AD.
God Have Mercy,
Ad, Glad you're no worse off than you are. I hope the good Lord spares me the loss of a child or the child of a friend.
When you replace your bike Check into a Kawasaki Vulcan 900, I just bought a new one and I love it.
Get better brother.
DW
Terrible news on both counts. Prayers being sent immediately.
AD
Glad that you are okay.
I can't imagine the grief that family of the boy is going through. I will be praying for all.
Linda in Miszippi
Prayers for you and the boy's family. Hang in there.
I'm so sorry AD . . .
I'm very sorry, AD. That hurts. I will see your request for prayer for that mom, and raise you one for you.
AD,
Prayers and good thoughts all around.
One word on the woman in the car: Lawsuit.
Take her to court. Make an example of her. Make. Her. Pay.
Since she was in a car, she felt invulnerable to a mere motorcyclist.
Make her feel it in the pocketbook.
And buy a Harley with loud pipes with the settlement... :)
Here's hoping you recover quickly, and your co-worker can find peace in her moment of grief.
Oy, AD. What a day.
I'll keep you and that family in my prayers.
Take care, mkay?
Oh, and I'd suggest siccing Lawdog on that twit in the Cavalier.
Healing hugs to you and prayers to the grieving family in LA. Very sad.
The bad thing about having an accident with a beat-up old car (aside from the pain and lossof property) is the tendency for said car to have no insurance. The driver probably doesn't have a pot to pi$$ in or a window to throw it out of either. So suing her will just be an exercise in futility.
Get well soon.
Will be thinking of you all with a prayer, especially your friend and her older son. I can't imagine what the other boy must be feeling now. Being a dad I can imagine what mom is feeling and I will be praying for her too
I can't imagine losing a child in such a way. The family is in my prayers.
Get well soon, and let us know if you need help replacing your stuff.
AD,
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of your old co-worker. I will also pray for your speedy recovery. I also hope that your bike can be salvaged. I check your blog daily and enjoying reading it. Take care.
Bloody hell. You and your co-worker are in my thoughts, AD. Hang tough.
Such dreadful news, AD. I'll be praying for you all, especially the family.
Our hopes and prayers for you and the family of the child. Real sorry to hear your hurt. Godspeed on your recovery.
[...]Rider down, a really bad day for AD[...]
A.D. take it easy, hope you feel better and heal up real quick.
As for your friend, I will pray for them tonight.
Everyone's mother tells them when they are young that there will be bad days ahead. Some people tend to think their moms meant the day when they get passed over for a promotion, or it rains when they want to go to the park. AD just found out what it really means.
Now the true test of character begins. Picking up the pieces and putting them back together again, or giving up.
Not that we really doubt you AD. ;)
Good luck and best wishes to you.
Prayers for them and get well yourself.
Damn. :( bad news all around. Get better soon and my condolences to the grieving family.
I am sorry for the mother's loss. And I hope you feel better soon.
These are the events that you never forget, but often wish you could.
This kind of pain you hope never to experience, it is haunting.
How is the older brother?
Feel better, physically and emotionally.
OMG! So sorry for the both of you. Keeping you both in my prayers and thoughts. HUGS!
--Chas
Hang tuff AD, Prayers out for a quick recovery and back in the saddle.
I'm so sorry AD. Sorry for the mother and her family, sorry for the brother and sorry for you.
I'm excessively glad you will be ok too.
http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/2008/06/feeling-weight-of-my-lightened-load.html
This is an amazing blog of a mom as she copes with the death of her 18 month old baby...she has found so much inspiration and wise words as she copes with her own trauma, that I think the parents of the 6 yr old boy would really find comfort in reading her blog.
I'm sorry you're banged up as well!
Take motrin AND Tylenol at the same time...it's a post-operative pain trick I learned...
AD, Prayers to both you and the mother of the boy. I can't imagine the pain of losing a child, even though mine are all grown up.
I'm sorry, AD.
While there are no words that can console the shattered heart of your friend... know that she is in my thoughts.
Hope you feel better too.
I am SO sorry. My prayers are already up there, and for the older brother especially: what an incredible burden to carry forward with. He's going to need someone telling him over and over for years that sometimes life just happens, that there was no such intent involved ever, that he's still a good and loveable person. Poor kid.
You, you take care of yourself too. You don't need me telling you such a thing, given your profession, but, the head injury that wrecked my balance apparently was pushed greatly along by the brain swelling that set in the day *after* a reckless driver screamed into my car at full tilt. Keep checking those pupil sizes. And headaches sometimes convey valuable information.
*hug*
You're in my thoughts. I hope you and your friend both heal quickly and find some solace.
Well heck. That is a bad day. :-C
Good thoughts for all of you.
Hey. Sorry to hear about the loss of the young child. I will be praying for the fanmily. I am glad to hear that you were not seriously injured. Maybe we can catch up at EMSStock or the TDH conference in Ft. Worth this year. Hang in there - happy to help if you need anything.
Tears heal--let 'em flow.
Prayers said for all involved and for you, too.
God bless & guide your friend, AD.
Thank the same Deity you're OK. Of course you're gonna ride again. I told my physical therapist I'll ride within 6 months, & she looked at me like I had 6 arms.
I hope you're able to heal quickly.
I hope that little boy's family does, too.
God bless the child, his family, and you.
I'm so very, very sorry.
AD - Ouch! Many thoughts and prayers to both of you. I hope they find a speedy road to peace - something I know all too well is difficult after tragedy strikes.
As for your belongings - you already know, they can be replaced. Glad to hear you are ok. Also, hopefully you've been able to find a replacement CPAP. Having been forced to spend a few nights without mine, I fully appreciate what sort of private hell that can be.
You and the Mother get the prayers, especially the mother, an important part of her love and life has died and that will take more heart and healing than I need for me. You I expect will recover, get back on the bike and continue to do your best to make the world wonderful, just watch those drivers they aren't paying attention.
How sad for that family - definitely sending out prayers for them. Just heartbreaking when things like this happen.
Glad you're relatively okay - all things considered. Hope you recover and get back on the road again. Prayers for you, too.
I'm so sorry for all. Hugs for all and extras for the brother. Prayers ongoing.
Good freaking gods.
What an awful day, all around.
Your stuff can be replaced. (at least mostly) You cannot.
My heart goes out to the grieving mom.
Thoughts and wishes are with you both.
My sympathies to your coworker and to you, AD.
As for telling you to stop riding... are you out of your rock-happy mind? As a member in good standing of the Lugeless Pavement Racers myself, I say: "Get thee to a bike shop, go!"
my thoughts & prayers are with you and your co-worker.
glad to hear that you do not intend stopping biking.
Thinking of you and your colleague :-(
My condolences to the family, and a get well wish for you.
Well... damn.
Hey AD - many have already said it, but here are heartfelt prayers and thoughts to both the family who is unwillingly learning of loss, and to you as you heal.
Get back on a bike as soon as you can, and keep on keepin' on, Mr. AD.
Hugs.
Glad you are okay- I feel for that mother- I absolutely cannot imagine!
Bless your friend and her family, and bless you. I'm glad you'll be okay, and I'm so sorry for her loss.
Good luck with a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with you and the family.
All I can say is I am sorry and get well soon.
Like they say - it's not "If" but "when" you wreck a bike. And I liked how you noted that you dressed for the wreck, not the ride.
Of course, if you ever make it to Austin, I have a hubby who can give an unofficial motor safety course - from the perspective of a motor officer. And perhaps offer a beer or two in sympathy. (Note, too - he's thinking of selling the FJR so if you're interested.....)
Rest and ride again when you can.
Prayers for the grieving Mom and family,prayers that you heal quickly.
Wow, AD...what a craptastic day all the way around. I'll say a prayer for all involved. Sorry to hear about all the "stuff" but glad to know you're OK.
What a horrible, unthinkable tragedy. I am so sorry AD, for the loss of your friend's son. Six years old is way too young to be taken from this earth. How unbelievably tragic.
I am sorry about your accident too. Things can be replaced, as you know, but I am glad to hear that you are doing alright. Take your time to heal and get better, and to support your friend through this terrible time.
Take care.
Slinky
Hope you get better soon. I am a rider myself and things like this are sometimes unavoidable with some of the people on the road toay.
AD,
I'm so sorry to hear all this.
I'll be praying for her, and for you.
Get well soon!
I'll say the same thing I said a few posts back: motorcycles are like guns. Their level of danger is equal to the experience of the user.
The fact that you survived some idiot's attempt to kill you is a testimony to that axiom.
'Nuff said.
I am so sorry. I will deffinitly be praying.
I am so sorry that people have tried to make you feel worse.
I am so very sorry for the family having to deal with this terribly tragedy. Mom, Dad, brother and the entire family will be in my prayers.
I will also thank Him for letting you be here. I know it takes a lot for first responders (who've been on the job as long as you have) to cry. Take care of yourself, too.
AD,
I'm glad you're here and able to tell us your own story. Prayers for you and especially for your co-worker. I cannot imagine losing one of my kids. The brother who was driving the other ATV must really be suffering too.
Deepest sympathies, pal, both for you and your friend who lost her child. Somehow, I have a feeling that you'll heal long before she does. Our thoughts and prayers . . . .
JPG & Holly
I am so very, very sorry for your friend's tragic loss.
I will send up a prayer for her and for some speedy healing for you.
Oh wow. **HUGS** and hope you are recovering well. And I am so sorry about the loss of the little one. WE'll be praying here, too.
Sorry to hear you were hurt, and sorrier than I can say for the loss of the six-year-old. What a tragedy!
I hope you're up and about soon and feeling better, and that nothing permanent was damaged.
Just get wellI will pray for you and your friends.
Thank God you are still with us. I am very sorry for your friend's loss. There is a season for tears and mourning and this looks like it for a number of reasons. I hope you have daily conversations with Jesus Christ. He is a Savior who comforts the broken-hearted and heals the body. Thanks for treating the woman who caused the accident kindly. I hope that you get a great new ride, new leathers, all your broken stuff replaced, lost wages, and maybe a few grand to deposit in the double-wide fund. Praying your leg and toe and misc. road rash mends well. Jojo, a newish reader from Ohio
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of a 6 year old child. I do want to know...WTF was a 6 year doing on an ATV? Who was watching this child and allowed this?
The parents of the child own an ATV park. He was riding his own 4-wheeler.
The kid in question weighed over 120 pounds - bigger than most ten-year-old boys. He was certainly big enough physically to handle an ATV. Whether or not he was mature enough is another question.
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