Facing What Happened

[simongandolfi]

I got run down by a truck six weeks ago down in Tierra del Fuego. I am out of plaster, the bike is repaired and I head north towards New York on Tuesday. I had been making jokes about the accident during the day and having nightmares at night. I was in a cab last week in Bs As with the doctor who plastered me and got me walking quickly.The doctor pushed me to relate exactly what happened. I wrote it up on my Blog at home under the heading CRASH. I got the shakes as I told him and got close to throwing up. However the nightmares seem to be finished with. I have no idea if this is normal. I am 75 and this was my first near death crash! I would prefer not to have another - though, at my age, I should probably be expecting something permanent in the not so distant future. I am in no hurry.
simon

[Van Isle]

Friend,
I think you have suffered a great deal, and it is probably very scary on so many levels. I think one of the best ways to deal with it is to talk with understanding people.

Much like what you are doing now!

I don't imagine this is the end of it any time soon (the nightmares and bad vibes) but for sure keep talking it over, and remember to tell your loved ones how much you care for them.

As a former Naval officer of 10 years (despite my young age) I have learned some things about counselling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: basically I don't counsel! But I will recommend talking to a professional about it, and as I said before, at the very least, you should continue to talk to friends and family about it, and anyone trusting who will listen!

Best of luck in future travels.

Mitch

[oldbmw]

back in teh early sixties I had a crash. after a week in hospital i was returned by ambulance. I had them drop me off at a friends house where he had recovered my bike. I rode it home from there. Somehow, I knew if I put off riding again for any reason it would be dificult for me to get back on the saddle. For years afterwards, whenever i pushed the safety margin and started earholing, my left ankle would ache. As soon as I rode sensibly it would stop.

But I knew, really knew I had to get back on right away, any delay would make it much more difficult or even impossible. Both me and another Triumph riding friend had an accident that year, and he still talks about it. these things do affect us deeply at any age.

Actually this posting has made me think. Eight of us used to ride together then. Now only My Triumph rider friend and I are still alive.

[TobyE]

Simon, it sounds like you had a very lucky escape. Glad to hear you are OK. And I think many of us would struggle much more with getting back into riding after something like that, so what you are doing is admirable.

Wishing you all the best on your continous travel!

[Dizzie]

You were lucky Simon. Very lucky.
I,m no phsyciatrist or expert in dealing with this sort of stress, but from reading you post here on HUBB and your Crah-post on your blog I think you are just about to come out in the other end as a result of the way you are dealing with it. Your a novelist and use your writing skills as theraphy. Great.

The fact that you (still:-) have your sense of british humor will help you deal with it even quicker.

Good luck, and safe travel back home!

[ukKev]

I think most of us would be prity shaken up by that crash i know i would .
I also think i would need new under pants as i dont think i could get the stains out . You obviously have a lot of guts as to facing somthing your afriad of take real courage at any age & in doing so you are an inspiration to us all.

Good luck with the rest of the trip .
Kev

[Martynbiker]

Simon, that reaction is nothing to worry too much about...... I had bad smash 4 yrs ago, pelvis in 3 pieces,...... the first ride was a slow one! and Yes, I stopped and puked my guts out, the nerves and the shaking was unbearable. But persevere it doesn't last long this nervous feeling, a couple of shortish gentle rides and you should be starting to feel calmer. I was told this was normal after a big 'off'!. ( its your mind and body having a battle of wills) Your alive and im sure not pain free but at least you are able to continue your journey and eventually return home.

Best wishes fella!

[78Suz]

This sounds like a very normal reaction to such a traumatic event-defined as something that could have killed you, and at the same time was way over your normal range of stress. The doc getting you to tell your story was good old fashioned exposure therapy, where you get better as you tell your story a few times, diminishing the stress. you can read up on acute stress, and PTSD for more about this. Well done to get back on the bike-best thing you could have done.