Why I have not posted for a while and my terrible accidents

[Ely]

Well, as the title says, I haven't been on for a while. In fact I haven't been on for a couple of weeks. I am now back, but I won't be posting as much as I did because of school, work, etc...

I must also tell you why I have not been on as much and what my accidents were. Unfortunately bad experiences come in pairs, or worse.

While skiing with some friends I decided to try my hand at some jumps. It has been a few years since jumping and doing tricks, and I was not used to that type of skiing. We warmed up on a cruiser run to start the day. We then took on some advanced - expert terrain doing quick turns, mogules, and cut powder. We followed that with an intermediate run at high speed, maybe 55 to 60 mph. My skis (Volkl AC4's) just had a coat of hot wax and were screaming fast. I had to slow down to let my friends catch up at times. Near the end of the course we cut off into the trees for some powpow, which was not too fresh... We then went to the terrain park.

We did a few slides on the box (after changing skis of course) and did a couple small jumps to get preped for some big air. I followed lead and bombed it straight at the hip jump (kind of like a quarter pipe with another quarter pipe attached 90 degrees off the side). Little did I know I had way too much speed. I must have gone at least eight or nine feet off the top of the jump (which was a good ten feet off the ground), sailed forward, and caught my ski on the lip of the jump on the way down. That flipped me over and I landed head first with my head turned far to the right. Right after impact I knew I broke something in my arm or shoulder. Luckily me helmet saved my melon. After sliding to a stop I was screaming in pain and crying for maybe half a minute. After that it was just lout yelling and cussing. I had snapped my right collar bone in half. After being taken to the ski patrol room, arm in a sling, and answered questions, I drove home. My dad took me to the ER, another 30 miles, to get X-rays. The bone had broken and the right portion had slid under the let portion about 30cm. The closest gap between the bones was 9mm. That's quite substantial. The next friday I went in for surgery. I now have a titanium plate, and eight screws in my right clavical. I also have a nice scar to show off. My lack of thought has shown me what can happen in a high speed sport.

Before the surgery, three days after I broke my collar bone, I wrecked my car. I was still able to drive, but too hurt to do my job working with little kids. I slowed down on the high way from 60 mph to 50 mph to avoid losing controll on some slush. I caught it anyway. My car slid across three lanes, impacted the embankment in the opposite direction, rotated another quarter turn and flipped a quarter turn. Nobody else was driving near me, so I am lucky. I walked away from my car, having to climb throught the moon roof to get out. Unfortunately Toyota parts are expensive, so repair costs are around $9000. GRRR!

Well, I'm doing well now, and able to take care of my orchids, but still not allowed to lift more than five pounds with my right arm.

I hope my story is sufficient evidence to prove that logical thinking and extra caution is the best way to keep safe.

Thanks
Ely

[Dorothy]

OH MY GOD!
I am glad you have made it through it all .. now it's time to rest up and heal
You just get yourself better and recover ...
Glad you came back to OB to let us know ...
I will keep you in my s and send you some positive healing vibes

[Lorraine]

Sorry to hear about your accidents Ely. Get better soon. Glad to have you back to OB. Good thing orchids don't weigh too much. (at least mine haven't reached 5# yet) It sound like you'll be having some time to give them some TLC too.

Lorraine

[quiltergal]

Holy cr@p Jordan!!!!! They let you drive yourself home with a broken clavicle????? I'm very happy to hear you were wearing your helmut. Bummer about your car.

So glad you're OK. Are they going to leave the hardware in, or take it out once you've healed? Sheesh! Take care of yourself! Spend lots of quality time with your plants and your homework.

[philoserenus]

thank God that you are still here... man... u're quite lucky if u really think about it. broke a clavicle when it couldve been more, and walked away from such a car accident... 2 thumbs up

[kiki-do]

Hi Ely, It's funny but I happen to see your old post on one of my threads, and wondered why you hadn't come back on with any more imput. Who knew!!!
Anyway, sorry you are having such troubles and I'm so glad you are okay....well, as okay as you can be, huh? That was one painful experience on the skiis, and then to have another life-threatening occurence must have been very humbling. Toyota parts are expensive, but it sounds like that vehicle got you through unscathed.....alot to be thankful for in that respect.
We are all happy to have you back on line and knowing that your are able to heal and will recover from this.
Take it easy, enjoy your orchids, and stay in touch with us. And do your homework!!!! (yeah, I'm a typical Mom ) kiki

[Lagoon]

Jeeze Jordan! I'm sorry to hear about your troubled time, you've really been thru it
I'm glad your here back posting and happy to know you still have your orchids

Take good care of yourself

[tuvoc]

Hurry up and get well, Ely! I really missed your youthful enthusiasm about everything orchids!

Kim

[GreggC]

skiing. Just remember the one thing that I learned long ago...you are not crashproof!! You can always replace your car, but not yourself. Good luck to you and I am glad you were not more seriously hurt.

[Ely]

Yes. Cars can be replaced, people cannot. Luckily my insurance company has decided to have the vehicle repaired instead of declared totaled. I'm happy about that because the damage was not extremely bad (needs lights, a hood, buber, grill, front corner panels, mirror, alignment, and paint). Thinking back I can see why I stopped jumping in the first place .

The orchids are doing OK. I had to pull one out of the pot and cut off the dead roots and soak it. I hope it lives!

The titanium plate will be in there for the rest of my life, or until it wears out. I can opt for removal down the road, but that will be at least a year.

It is quite amazing the power of pain medication. One thinks they can do anything! Anything, until it hurts again!

I was told I might be out of school for a week recovering from surgery, but I felt great on Sunday and decided to go on Monday.

Oh yeah, did I mention my dad broke his clavical skiing too? His story is different... His binding prereleased after an unexpected bumb blocked his path. He was in the process of carving into the next turn when the ski just popped off. My dad wnet down hard and landed rigt on the ski. His broke out a two inch section. Same clavical as mine, same surgery as mine, except a month earlier. Oh the irony. Wait; is that irony? I'm not sure. If someone knows what satirical device I meant be sure to tell me please.

The really upsetting thing is the fact I ended my season so early; and the conditions have been phenominal! I haven't seen that much snow up there for at least five years!

Well I'm back, and I thank you for your kind words.

Ely