Face plant off my bike

Just after arriving in ED

Three days into the new year the weather was on the improve with a nice calm day.  We went for one of our favourite rides around the bays.  About 600 metres from home, near the top terminus of the Cable Car, I made a mistake and hit the front brake too hard when slowing.  In slow motion, I went over the handlebars and smacked my face, elbow (right arm), knee, knuckles and other parts of my body on the tarmac.  The result was a lot of blood and one very shocked person, plus a rather concerned Bev.  I managed to get up off the ground and move to the side of the road. There were a number of people nearby who came to my aid.  Bev had watched all this occur in real time and, later described to me that I seemed to slide along the tarmac for ages.  It was suggested that an ambulance be called but I wanted to just go home.  Bev insisted that it happen.  There was no bystander apathy in my case.

 

The ambulance arrived, I was cleaned up a bit and duly carted off to the Emergency Department where further cleaning up was done.  My nose kept bleeding and a few sutures were inserted.  The most painful part was the insertion of the local anaesthetic which stung rather a lot. 

 

I was x-rayed and because of my age I was given an CT scan as they do this routinely for those who are over 65 years of age due to the increased risk of a brain bleed.  Fortunately nothing was broken nor was there any evidence of bleeding on the brain.  Ten hours later a very sore me was discharged with lots of drugs.  They were going to give me some dressings but they never eventuated.   

 

The care and service that the health system provided was superb and I have no complaints about it.  I was probably lucky that it wasn’t a Saturday night with lots of drunks etc.  The only complaint I had was the food that was provided was almost inedible.  There is no reason to provide tasteless grey food with a bit of whiteness from the rice.  Needless to say not much was eaten even though I was a bit peckish.

 

Remarkably I slept quite well that night. 

 

We were due to go cycling six days later but it was clear I was not going to be able to do that.  I was able to move the Great Taste Ride around Nelson to the beginning of February and we will instead go to Nelson for a few days before heading down to Hokitika to start the Wilderness Trail as scheduled. I just hope that the very stiff and sore knee heals quickly enough.