Holes in the head
On August 12 last year I was riding my Powabyke in Newmarket High Street. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, sunny and with little traffic about. Suddenly something appeared from my left and the next I knew was waking up in an ambulance. Apparently a pickup had reversed into the main road, collecting me on the way.
Five weeks later I lost the use of my right arm, leg, fingers and toes and part of my voice. I was again rushed into hospital and they diagnosed a 'chronic subdural haemotoma' or a blood clot on the brain. I had to have two holes drilled through my skull and the blood flushed out. The improvement was immediate but it took weeks to get over the full effects of the operation. Apparently bleeding can take place over many weeks when you have had a bang on the head.
Fortunately I was wearing a crash helmet when the accident occurred otherwise I would not be writing this now.
So I know all about idiots on the road. I am 74 and how I did not break a bone I just do not know. The driver responsible was taken to court. At first he pleaded not guilty. Then they produced video from three CCTV cameras. He changed his plea and was subsequently fined.
As a cyclist there is little you can do apart from being extra cautious, wearing a helmet always and wearing a high vis yellow jacket or something like that.
I have been back on the road again for many months and today took my new Synergie Mistral out for its inaurgural ride.
The moral of this tale is that trouble can strike even when you are least expecting it! Happy riding everyone.
Rod
|