So a bike, an ambulance, a great team, a cast and a really bad “pull my finger” joke…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)

So…. I have been M.I.A. since Saturday morning…. let me fill you in (and bear with me as I type with one hand).  I was on the MS 150 bike ride this weekend in the cities.  We drove Friday night to White Bear Lake, left our cars and then went to Duluth Minnesota.  The ride is Duluth to Hinkley 75 miles) and then Hinkley to White bear Lake (75 miles).

On Saturday morning I got up and was on the road with my team and 4,000+ other riders for this great cause.  The idea was wonderful, good weather, lots of stops every 10 – 15 miles, awesome company.

We were making awesome time and it was coming up on noon and I was about 4 miles from the finish for the day.  I was following a group of guys that were averaging over 18 MPH and I was hanging with them.  About that time another group was passing us on the left and I glanced up to make sure they were all past, when I looked back I was right on the guy in

shoes have clips that lock into pedals for more pedal power

front of me’s tire.  It was too late to do anything… my shoes lock into my pedals and as I tried to swerve I hit and went flying…not a whole lot I remember except my arm went up to protect my head, and next thing I know I am being lifted off the road by the team that was in front of me and carried to the grass.

They helped clean me up, my face was bleeding pretty bad, a lot of cuts and my pinky would not uncurl.  An ambulance was called and came to get me right on the trail.  I then went to Sandstone emergency room where they ran a few x-rays… cleaned me up and came up with a broken pinky, a dislocated finger and wrist. 

I asked how do you fix a broken pinky and the doctor said that he would pull it.  “That gives a whole new meaning to pull my finger,” I said.  He either did not get it, or did not want too… 😛

Part of my team came to the hospital to pick me up and while I waited for the doctor the nurse let them in with me.  They were awesome and cheered me up.  😀

Now thats what I call support!

Belinda.... cracking me up

After my ex-ray and confirmed break, the doctor did actually pull my finger to put it back in place and turns out… that is not funny at all. 

I was put in a cast to keep my fingers and wrist straight.  I have a cut very close to my eye and a small lump on my head.  All in all, I was very lucky.

I did not go home.  I spent day two of the ride going around with the wife of one of our riders and cheering the team in from the pit stops. 

So that is where I have been this weekend.  Monday What Are You Reading is coming up in the morning.  It is just too  late tonight due to this happening.  I am tired.

162 thoughts on “So a bike, an ambulance, a great team, a cast and a really bad “pull my finger” joke…”

  1. I’m so sorry to hear about your injuries but I am glad it wasn’t worse! I have to admit that I was worried when I didn’t see a Morning Meanderings post and I knew you were on the ride. I kind of hoped it was just Laptop acting up. I hope you feel better soon!

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  4. What a story! I hope you’re feeling better soon. That sounds like a nasty spill…AND you are still typing with a hand in a cast!!! That’s impressive! 🙂 Feel better soon!

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    1. Paula – I love people and good people are fantastic… my team and their kind hearts really touched me as well as everyone who helped me along the way.

      LOL and thanks for getting my finger joke! 😛

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  6. Oh my, I’m so sorry but you seem to be keeping in great spirits. I’m sure the other riders appreciate your cheering them on, making the best of the situation. Recover soon!

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  8. Ouchie! You’re such a trooper, Sheila! And brave to post your road rash. It’s good to see you smiling, though! I have a road rash scar on my shoulder in almost the same place. I wiped out turning around in a gravel parking lot.

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    1. Thanks Jill… if I can’t laugh…well, really what are the options? 😛

      I am concerned about that shoulder scar I can not imagine that will go away entirely – its pretty gross. We can be scar twins! (Did you name yours?)

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      1. Umm, no, it has no name. I have scars everywhere, I don’t think I could keep track of all of their names! And I hate to break it you, but it’s been 20 years, and it’s still there. You can even see the skid marks, if you know what to look for.

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  10. I’m so glad you weren’t hurt worse than that. Bike accidents can be scary. I admire your spunk by staying out there. Hope you recover soon and take care of yourself!

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  12. I left you a comment on Facebook…and it disappeared! So I left another one. 🙂 I’m so glad that you were not more seriously hurt. You take care of yourself. I hope the pain is not too bad. Great pics! You look fashionable, even in a hospital gown. 😀

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  13. Holy cow! I’m so glad you’re okay, so much could have gone wrong!!! I’ve always been so nervous about clip-ins, although I’m not entirely sure if they were more at fault or if it was just a bad set of circumstances! Hope you heal well 🙂

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  17. You are really a good sport. And you stayed to cheer on the team too. I’d be totally wiped out if I took a spill like that. Hope you feel 100% soon.

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  18. Well, I have to say you’re remarkably cheery for all that! Me, personally? I’m a terrible patient! When I’m in it, I go for all the drama I can get! Seriously, thank goodness you weren’t more seriously hurt and; I hope you recovery goes well and fast!

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  20. Wow, Sheila what a crazy bike ride you had! I’m glad to see that it wasn’t worse but I’m sorry that it is as bad as it is. I hope you are feeling better soon!

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  21. Sheila, you are the most cheerful emergency room patient I’ve ever seen (not that I’ve seen that many!). The word *indefatigable* comes to mind! I bet you and your friends provided plenty of entertainment to the staff at that hospital. Yeah, I think we’ll let you off the hook for It’s Monday! just this once….

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  27. Oh my goodness Shelia! I’m so glad you’re doing better and it wasn’t any worse. No wonder you needed to rest tonight! I hope you’re feeling better tomorrow and get some wonderful much deserved sleep tonight. {{hugs}}

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  28. So glad you are ok! If this doesn’t tell you to sloooowwww down a bit, I don’t know what will!!! Get some rest and heal up, for goodness sakes! (wow, I sound like your mother!) Hugs!!!!

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  30. Ahh!!! Sorry you had to go through that, but I am sure it’s nothing you can’t handle. You being an undercover superwoman and all. Nonetheless, I wish you a speedy recovery so you can get back on that bike again 🙂 Hate sports injuries!

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  34. Oh, you are a trooper…to make a blogging story out of all this! With photos, too. Gives new meaning to the saying: “when life gives you lemons…make lemonade.” Hope you have some good pain meds!

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  35. You only look a little worse for kissing the pavement, Good to know you are one tough lady and have been able to maintain your sense of humor. Heal fast and stay of the bike for a while.

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  36. Ouch! What a brave woman, you are an inspiration to the rest of us. Unbelievable you went out the next day to cheer the others on. You make me want to cry. You’re a darn good survivor. And your even thinking of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” If I were you, I would automatically cancel Monday’s meme. Of course, only two people follow me. So, it wouldn’t matter. You have a crowd of fans. It’s like being famous. You have to go outside of your self and go on with the show.

    What a mess, I’m sorry Sheila. He pulled your little finger??? Hmmmm, pain. Get well soon.

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  38. Oh, my goodness! You poor, dear thing! I always get nervous riding in a pack and now I know why!

    Take care of yourself. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

    Belle

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  39. I am so sorry to hear about your injuries! I’m glad that you are doing alright, or at least well enough to keep cheering instead of going home. All the best recovering.

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  40. Oh, how scary! I’m so glad the damage was minimal! I feel for you with that finger though. I sliced open my right pinky not long ago and had to get stitches – bathing, etc was a total pain for a while. Rest up and take care of yourself!

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  44. You poor thing, I know its tough but at least you can rest and Read!! Thank goodness you were not hit by a vehicle . Take care of yourself!!

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  45. I have to tell you, you’ve been an incredibly good sport about this all. I know I couldn’t have kept up my sense of humor in the hospital like that! I’m sorry you had the accident though and your finger’s broken. Like I said on facebook the other day, I’m sending you lots of internet hugs!!

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  47. I am so sorry you had a nasty accident but I have to say your spirit is awesome! I hope you recover quickly and without too much pain. I am thinking that finger won’t slow you down at all! You are like an energizer bunny!

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  49. Gosh, that’s quite an eventful weekend! It was good you had a lot of people around you and support at the hospital. Hope you’re better soon!

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  50. All I can say is ouch! Seriously, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! It’s cool that you kept a sense of humor, and not cool that the doctor didn’t really have one, eh? I feel like running over with some tea and scones for you. Heal up quick, OK?

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  51. OH Gosh! Good thing you had minor-ish injuries. The head could have been much worse, you must have been blessed that morning! It’s sweet that your riding buddies went to the ER with you. It’s awful being there, makes it so much better with the right company to keep spirits up. Geez, you were lucky you weren’t hurt worse. Hope you heel as fast as possible and be very careful.

    Best Wishes!

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  53. OMG! I am sooooo sorry, honey. Thank goodness you weren’t more seriously hurt. I do love how your wonderful sense of humor has, yet again, prevailed. The pictures crack me up!

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  55. It really stinks that you fell and got so banged up, but if you’re going to be injured and stuck in the ER, it looks like you had the right crew with you! They know how to keep a smile on your face!

    Cheers to a speedy recovery!

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  56. I’m so sorry to hear about your accident but I’m glad it wasn’t worse. My son broke his baby finger playing baseball and also had a cast. However, I don’t remember him saying that they had to pull it. I’m sure that hurt a lot. Glad you are ok otherwise!

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  57. You look lovely, my dear. Aren’t hospital gowns something? Guess the only thing to do is brush yourself off and get on with things, right? Seriously though I’m sorry you got hurt; it looks like you got mugged. Hope you heal soon.

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  58. OMG! You look fabulous for someone who took a major spill! I hope you are feeling better now and that you heal quickly. How does one read one-handed?

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  59. Boy Shelia, you poor thing. What an event! Hope you are feeling better.

    I just got Tina Fey’s book on audio from my library. I haven’t started listening to it but I am looking forward to it.

    🙂
    Michelle

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  60. Oh, I feel for you Sheila and am glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humour in it all. My husband, who is an avid rider, would always come back with some injury or other. For him, it was terrific ride when that happened! I used to joke with him that it wasn’t a good ride unless he came back injured. Ask me sometime about “widow maker!” Hopefully that doesn’t constitute a good ride for everyone!

    Speedy recovery 🙂

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  62. I’m so glad you weren’t hurt more! (I have my first bike race in a month…making me nervous there, girl!!)

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  63. Oh hon, look at you. Only you would be able to spin that and make us smile and want to just hug and be there with you.

    Here’s hoping to you being able to type very soon, so frustration doesn’t kick in.

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  64. Ouch sorry to hear about that Sheila! Did you do the Tour of Lakes? Get better soon. Maybe see ya around soon, we will be in Brainerd July 5 and 6th probably. Don’t think we will head in for the parade this year, hear there is a good one closer to my mom and dads cabin.

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  68. I learned last year when I dislocated my shoulder that yes, they literally do pull on bones to put them back into place. No fun AT ALL! Sorry you got banged up, but hoping you bounce back quickly!

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  70. Ow! Looks like you did quite a number on yourself, but glad to hear that it wasn’t any worse and that you seem to be in high spirits despite the bumps and the bruises and the finger pulling. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for you!

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  71. Oh my goodness! You are lucky that it wasn’t worse … and it doesn’t sound like it was all that fun. How scary. I’m glad you are relatively OK. You do have an exciting and unpredictable life. (And still manage to look super cute even with bruises all over!)

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  78. Dang Sheila, that is my fear with riding in clipless pedals although, in situations such as yours, I am thinking the toe-clips would not be any better. I am glad that you did not get hurt anymore than you did. I cannot stand riding close to others, my son who races demonstrated how close they ride during a time that I was riding with him. Claustrophobic big time. I hope you are doing well.

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