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NNadir

(37,698 posts)

25. When I was 22, I spent three days in a coma, got checked for brain activity, five days in ICU, three weeks...

Mon Feb 23, 2026, 06:57 AM

6 hrs ago

...in the hospital, blood transfusions, collapsed lung, huge gash on my head, broken ribs.

I don't want to do one upmanship, but I will: That was my bicycle accident.

To this day, I joke that I failed the brain activity, but they decided not to take my organs lest they be poisonous.

Other than that I was OK.

After that, I moved to LA, sold my van, bicycled everywhere, for three years, my private little (failed) revolution against the internal combustion engine.

The bicycle accident was my fault, however. I was being stupid, going too fast down a hill, and couldn't stop when I hit sand in the road at the bottom. The car that hit me was totaled, (a Volkswagen bug).

There's probably nothing more stupid than a 22 year old provincial in good shape, bicycling at high speed down a hill. That was me.

Every day after my survival has been on borrowed time.

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Highlight:

They say that riding a bicycle is good for your health. LIARS! [View all] Wonder Why Friday OP

Healing vibes on the way to you! SheltieLover Friday #1

I Admire Your Composure! And Maybe Even a Wee Bit of Sense of Humor in There, Too. The Roux Comes First Friday #2

Wishing a speedy recovery and a good law suit for you. sinkingfeeling Friday #3

Get well soon malaise Friday #4

Don't give up biking, it is good for you. I stay on sidewalks and the beach as much as possible. surfered Friday #5

I used to run but now walk malaise Friday #6

At my age, if you see me running, please kill whatever is chasing me. surfered Friday #7

Bwaaaaah malaise Friday #8

🙏 surfered Friday #9

I call it slogging. Slow jogging. I do see others pass me while they are "walking". multigraincracker Friday #10

Gotta keep moving. surfered Friday #19

Don't run, they think runners make good food. Chemical Bill Friday #17

Please pay attention to the pedestrians on the sidewalks dflprincess Friday #14

Most sidewalks around this town don't have pedestrians. Golf carts are the rage. surfered Friday #20

Even the license plate? Figarosmom Friday #11

My dashboard camera also has a rear camera under the basket on the back so it records both simultaneously. Wonder Why Friday #15

I bought my daughter one for xmas last year. Nt Figarosmom Friday #16

Ouch!! Hope you mend quickly!! FemDemERA Friday #12

People with dilated eyes shouldn't be driving swong19104 Friday #13

I am glad nothing was broken and hope you heal soon. LoisB Friday #18

Hope you are back in the saddle soon! MLAA Friday #21

Bummer ProfessorGAC Saturday #22

Helmet and fluorescent orange vest every time I get on my bike. Didn't help. Wonder Why 16 hrs ago #23

I Actually Like That Law ProfessorGAC 8 hrs ago #24

Yes. Have to be vigilant passing parked cars. I ALWAYS pass a parked car or truck with enough room that Liberal In Texas 5 hrs ago #29

A Wise Plan ProfessorGAC 2 hrs ago #31

When I was 22, I spent three days in a coma, got checked for brain activity, five days in ICU, three weeks... NNadir 6 hrs ago #25

Crashing is the part that isn't good for you WestMichRad 6 hrs ago #26

I hope you got the driver information and insurance carrier. Hope22 6 hrs ago #27

Wow. Very sorry to hear that. Liberal In Texas 5 hrs ago #28

Healing hug 🫂 to you. mwmisses4289 5 hrs ago #30