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Title: Esso
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URL Source: [None]
Published: Nov 27, 2013
Author: C
Post Date: 2013-11-27 09:50:44 by christine
Keywords: None
Views: 2667
Comments: 110

I received an email from Esso (Jim) this morning. He was involved in a very serious car accident last night. It was a head on collision. Jim's car is totaled. He sustained a fractured sternum, lacerated spleen, the doctor's suspect heart damage and internal bleeding.

Jim is one of the most unselfish, generous, good hearted men I have ever met. I think the world of him.

Please think healing thoughts or prayers of a speedy recovery for him.

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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 77.

#27. To: christine, James Deffenbach, Lod, Original_Intent, Jethro Tull, Cynicom, Hmmmmm, Deasy, Pinguinite, Prefrontal Vortex, X-15, titorite, farmfriend, noone222, scrapper2, GreyLmist, Dakmar, randge, Buzzard, 4um, All (#0) (Edited)

Thank you, everyone, for the kind words.

Here's what happened: At about 6:00pm on Tuesday I was travelling northbound on Maplecrest Road in the company 2007 Honda Fit wagon. I approached the stoplight at Lake Avenue which was green to continue on northbound. The turn arrow for northbound traffic to proceed west on Lake was also activated. The northbound turn arrow went to solid green (yield for turn) and both southbound lights went solid green (proceed straight, yield for turn eastbound).

When that happened, the driver in the southbound lane turning east must've thought it was a green arrow and darted into the intersection directly in my path about 30 feet in front of me. I was travelling 40-45mph (speed limit 45) and slammed directly into them head-on.

The event probably lasted about a quarter of a second. I didn't even have time to lift my foot off the gas. The last thing I remember was the initial sound of the crunching metal then I was out.

When I came to, the police, fire trucks and ambulances were there. I knew I was hurt pretty badly. The firemen removed my coat in the car and slid me out onto the backboard and strapped me onto it and taped my head down. A cop got in my face and told me it was pretty obvious that the other driver was at fault and not to worry, I would be taken care of. Into the ambulance I went.

Enroute to the Parkview Trauma Center, they went to work on me cutting my clothes off, right down to my boxer-briefs, hooked up their electrical DooDads to me and worked me over with their tools of the trade. At that point, I was alert, lucid and able to answer all of their questions and monitor my vital statistics.

My blood pressure was running about 200 systolic, pulse was in the high 100s, glucose was high, cardiac rhythm was OK. The high readings were probably caused mostly by shock and fright.

They got me to the hospital and did their hospital stuff. Bottom line: Fractured sternum, lacerated spleen, just about all my internal organs showed signs of stress from the impact, but not too much internal bleeding. The only visible injuries were a small scrape on my left pinky and my right knee. They took me up to the room, hooked up their monitors, IVs, etc. They started me on pain killers and Pepcid. Trying to sit up caused me much dizziness but it passed. I tried to sleep, but they had pressure cuffs on my lower legs that would inflate and deflate every minute or so which kept me awake all night.

The next morning some young cocky punk doctor came in and I told him I wanted the hell out of there. He told me I couldn't even walk and needed to stay longer. I told him of course I couldn't walk with all their tubes and wires hooked to me and to take them off and I'd walk. He did and I did. Then he said I wouldn't be released until I ate something and was able to keep it down. I ate and was fine. I was released about 1:00pm Wednesday.

I am one, hurting sumbitch. Any upper body movement causes a shearing pain in me that about makes me pass out. Mundane tasks such as putting on my socks is a lesson in pain. Bending, twisting and lifting are out for awhile. Walking isn't too bad. The painkillers they gave me don't seem to help the pain much, but they sure make me feel crappy and tired. I'm going to try to get into my GP tomorrow, my fingers started going numb today, that has me a little concerned.

All-in-all, I'm doing OK. Your kind words mean a lot to me.

Thanks,
Jim

Edit: I saw the Honda yesterday and recovered my belongings out of it. The car is totaled. The entire front end of the car is destroyed and twisted badly. The engine is pushed into the firewall, windshield is broken from the unibody distortion. Driver's side front airbag is deployed. The driver's side B column is distorted and the seatbelt is destroyed. There is a lot of damage to the inside of the car from the G forces. The impact turned my reading glasses into a pretzel, and my fancy new metal e-cigarette which was sitting on the passenger seat was broken in half and badly dented. My cellphone which was clipped to my belt was nonfunctional. And I just filled up the goddamned gas tank that morning. Dammit.

Esso  posted on  2013-11-28   18:04:26 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

#76. To: Esso (#27)

Holy cow.

Not a helluvalot can be done for a sternum!

One idea: Apply dmso. Might speed healing.

Prefrontal Vortex  posted on  2013-12-02   16:00:33 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

#77. To: 4um, all, LATEST UPDATE (#76) (Edited)

[ Body of post deleted and archived to PM, too personal]

Thanks everyone for your kindness & concern.

Jim, alias Esso

Esso  posted on  2013-12-02   20:21:18 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

Replies to Comment # 77.

#78. To: All, wreck pic (#77) (Edited)

[Deleted]

Esso  posted on  2013-12-02 20:51:35 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

#79. To: Esso (#77)

My career is most likely over. The limits of her liability insurance might cover a year and a half of my salary. Her auto medical insurance is probably already near the limits then my car insurance takes over and will probably will exhaust itself quickly at which time my health insurance takes over and will also probably hit the million dollar lifetime limit. Xxxxx is saying rehabilitation may take years. I hope to hell he's wrong.

People here are telling me how lucky I am to be alive and should be grateful for it. I'm not so sure about that.

Jim, I have been worried about you. You are going to have to take it very easy on yourself for a while.

Her liability insurance may not be all that she has. If she has any assets it is likely that she has an umbrella policy. Also, look into the uninsured/under insured policy on the vehicle you were driving. Were you in a company vehicle? There are generally umbrella and under insured coverage available for this sort of incident.

Give your self and your body much needed rest. Folks are right that it is a blessing that you are alive. You have more to do and you will get through this. Remember, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger and everything happens for a reason, even the crappy things. We are all sending you prayers and best wishes.

abraxas  posted on  2013-12-02 20:52:08 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

#80. To: Esso (#77)

Take it one day at a time, Esso. Healing takes time. Especially what you've been through.

purplerose  posted on  2013-12-02 21:06:18 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

#81. To: Esso (#77)

Jim, believe me when I tell you, your recovery is largely in your hands. You are still young enough to bounce back from this set back. It won't be easy; I couldn't get out of bed unassisted for two weeks when I went down, but I soon decided to become the physical therapist's best patient. I realize this might seem a long way off for you now, but may I suggest you make it your goal too?

Beat whatever is in front of you, you survived for a reason.

Peace brother.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2013-12-02 21:26:38 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

#82. To: Esso (#77)

Damn Bro -

Best wishes for a great night's rest tonight.

Nothing can beat a solid rest for healing.

Lod  posted on  2013-12-02 21:30:33 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

#89. To: Esso (#77)

Aye, you are in a bad way. I always want to help those in suffering. Alas... This is one of those things. If you have Keegan water or know someone with a Keegan machine... IF ANY OF YOU READING THIS HAS A KEEGAN WATER FILTER Maybe take to esso for three to eight weeks :). The Keegan thing makes cleaner better water that honestly can stimulate and accelerate healing. However the Keegan people are remarkably proud of their expensive device. ....

Otherwise only rest and light movement will make you right.... I wish I could offer more or do more. Your road maybe hard but you're alive , you get to keep all your limbs, no permeant brain damage requiring short busses and caretakers... I am very glad you felt strong enough to update us. Rest easy and know our prayers and love is with you. May Christ be with you.

titorite  posted on  2013-12-03 00:57:37 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  

End Trace Mode for Comment # 77.

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