Saturday, May 14, 2005

Okay, my Friday the 13th wasn't very good, how was yours?

No, I'm not superstitious and don't believe in that stuff, but I did have a bad Friday. I got hit by a car as I was walking across a downtown street, headed to the Bread Company for lunch, reading and writing. If you read nothing else, please read this: Accidents happens. If you are ever in an accident and clearly in the wrong and at fault, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE show concern and remorse to your unintended victim. Even if for some reason you have to fake it. A simple, "I'm sorry. It was my fault," can go a long way in making pain and suffering more bearable. It can go a long way in someone seeing your humanistic nature, your compassion and in returning that compassion. But when you hit somebody and your victim is on the ground in obvious pain and there are tons of witnesses around, trying to blame the victim by saying, "She just jumped out of nowhere" when she had the green light, the walk sign, and was in the crosswalk with people walking in front of her," well, that possibly might even make your victim's pain and suffering even worse. Compassion goes a long way in healing and soothing the mind and body. If you're ever in an accident and clearly in the wrong, just apologize and see if there's anything you can do to rectify the situation.

So yes, I'm walking across the street, headed to lunch and out of the corner of my eye, I see this massive moving object coming at me. It happened so fast. By the time I look at it head on, I'm in the path of the middle of the car to the passenger side. My mind tells me that I need to move quickly because this car is coming so fast and it appears not to be slowing down. At the same time, my mind is saying that the worse thing would be for me to freeze and be knocked down and run over by the car, because I was dead center of the moving vehicle. It's amazing how many thoughts go through your head in one or two seconds. I had envisioned being knocked down, run over and possibly dragged by the car.

I don't know if my legs were actually able to run. I do know that my brain sent the signal, but I don't think my legs had time to react. The car was coming so fast. So the passenger side bumper hits my right thigh and hip (and arm, I think), and the force of it knocks me backwards, spins me around and knocks me down hard on the pavement on my right side. I use the ball of my left hand to brace the fall and I guess it jams my shoulder joint because it's sore later. And I land HARD on my left hip. Oh the pain! It really hurt! At first, it was just a looooonnnnnggg sharp pain. As we sat there waiting for the ambulance, the pain was diminishing, but never completely went away until I was given a shot of pain medication in the tushie hours later. On the pavement, the officer put out his leg and let me lean against it to try to ease the pain. But they didn't want me to move and I was sitting exactly how I landed, on the arm and the hip and it felt AWFUL!!!! I really wanted to lie down and take the pressure off, but the didn't know if anything was broken and didn't want me to move. Those were the most uncomfortable moments I have ever had in my life. I've never been in any type of accident with possible bodily injuries. Although I know it could have been a LOT worse had I'd been a couple of steps behind, but still, it was no walk in the park.

So, it's the next morning. Now I'm feeling aches and new aches in places that weren't hurting yesterday. My lower back is stiffening up and hurting and the sharp pain in my hip is starting to come back. I have a headache. I didn't hit my head so maybe that's from stress. Don't know. And the right side, where the car actually hit me is starting to get a little sore. I'm just going to get the pain medication prescription filled and take it easy for the next few days. Gotta try to see if I can figure out a way to lie down and type because already, sitting and typing this post is hurting my left hip.

I'll try to post periodically.


8 comments:

princessdominique Sun May 15, 10:41:00 PM EDT  

Cherlyn I'm wishing you a speedy recovery! And yes, showing remorse is a good thing. People are so silly they don't even amaze me anymore. Hope you're feeling better.

Anonymous Mon May 16, 12:42:00 AM EDT  

I hope you are feeling better today. The person should have said I am sorry. Like you said if might have shown that he really did not mean to hit you. Sometimes people are just so into themselves the do not take the time out to think about someone else. I hope you are doing better today. Get Well Soon your book club friend Rose

Shelia Mon May 16, 03:49:00 AM EDT  

Cherlyn, I'm just thankful you're okay. The person who hit you could have showed more compassion. Accidents do happen, but it doesn't sound like they had any remorse. Hope you feel better soon.

TMock Tue May 17, 01:00:00 AM EDT  

OMG! I'm so sorry this has happened to you! I wish I lived near you so I could help out in some way. I was hit by a car when I was 17, so I know how bad it hurts.

Keep taking your meds and take it easy for a few weeks.

PS-Mean people suck!

Stormy Steele Sat May 21, 09:58:00 AM EDT  

Oh my God Cherlyn! I'm glad you are ok. Yes you are right, it could have been much worse. Hope you recover soon!

Anonymous Sun May 22, 05:36:00 PM EDT  

This is quite belated, but I hope you're recovered and doing better now.

princessdominique Mon May 23, 10:14:00 AM EDT  

Hope you're hanging in there!

CydneyR Tue May 24, 06:21:00 AM EDT  

Wow, I knew I hadn't heard from you online in a while. That sounds so frightening but glad you're now recovering. I hate any type of pain and hope you feel 1000% better soon.

Take care, Cherlyn.