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.
#41: Esso To: randge (#31)
No, not really. I asked the ambulance attendants if anyone else was hurt. and they said no, they refused treatment. I asked if any children were involved and they said no again.
I'll probably go downtown Monday and get the police report and see what it says. I don't know anything about what is being claimed by the other driver or witnesses, if any.
Esso posted on 2013-11-28 23:05:54 Reply Private Reply
#42: Fred Mertz To: Esso (#27)
I think about that once in awhile. It could happen to me or anyone else in a split second.
Best wishes,
Fred
Fred Mertz posted on 2013-11-28 23:29:11 Reply Private Reply
#43: Fred Mertz To: Turtle (#35)
WTF is meridian?
Fred Mertz posted on 2013-11-28 23:31:16 Reply Private Reply
#44: Esso To: Cynicom, noone222, 4um (#32)
Go ahead, OM. I'm not up for much jostling around right now. Last night, one of my gal friends went to hug me which was not what I needed right then. When I got home, I sat down on the couch and laid down on my side. When I did, this intense shear of pain went through me, my vision when went pure white like someone shining a spotlight in my eyes, I had this wave of intense dizziness and nausea come over me, I thought I was going to throw up which would be damned painful. I won't be doing that again anytime soon.
Now if you happen to know of a good nursemaid (thin, beautiful, smart, 29-42) to help me get my socks on & off, we'll talk. If you're wondering, I'm 52 and can afford to be picky. Damned picky.
Esso posted on 2013-11-28 23:40:21 Reply Private Reply
#45: Deasy To: Esso, Lod, scrapper2, HOUNDDAWG (#44)
Deasy posted on 2013-11-29 01:42:41 Reply Private Reply
#46: Pinguinite To: Fred Mertz (#43)
Hmmm.... Must be one of these:
1.Geography .
a) a great circle of the earth passing through the poles and any given point on the earth's surface.
b) the half of such a circle included between the poles.
2.Astronomy . the great circle of the celestial sphere that passes through its poles and the observer's zenith.
3.a point or period of highest development, greatest prosperity, or the like.
4.(in acupuncture) any of the pathways in the body along which vital energy flows.
adjective
5.of or pertaining to a meridian.
6.of or pertaining to midday or noon: the meridian hour.
7.of or indicating a period of greatest prosperity, splendor, success, etc.
My guess is #3 or #4.
Pinguinite posted on 2013-11-29 01:47:42 Reply Private Reply
#47: Pinguinite To: Esso (#27)
Car was totalled... Front end was maybe 1.5 feet shorter than it was before, but I felt okay immediately afterwards. About 2 weeks later couldn't swing a baseball bat. Discovered how wonderful the treatment of chiropractic can be. Took several months of that, and needed more sessions a few years later. I think the seat belt's single point of restraint across the center of my chest was the reason, which caused strain & micro damage at that point on my backbone. Perhaps the airbag served you a bit better.
Keep chiro in mind, starting in maybe a month. Thanks for the report.
Pinguinite posted on 2013-11-29 02:00:44 Reply Private Reply
#48: Deasy To: Pinguinite, Fred Mertz, Turtle (#46)
www.thefreedictionary.com/median+strip
Deasy posted on 2013-11-29 02:02:42 Reply Private Reply
#49: farmfriend To: Esso (#44)
leaves me out. one out of 4 ain't bad.
farmfriend posted on 2013-11-29 02:05:18 Reply Private Reply
#50: farmfriend To: Turtle (#35)
some turtle probably made off with them.
farmfriend posted on 2013-11-29 02:11:12 Reply Private Reply
#51: Cynicom To: farmfriend, turtle (#50)
A+++
Snicker hehehehe
Cynicom posted on 2013-11-29 06:59:15 Reply Private Reply
#52: noone222 To: Esso (#44)
noone222 posted on 2013-11-29 07:04:12 Reply Private Reply
#53: Turtle To: Fred Mertz (#43)
Where I'm from we called them meridians. It's the grassy area on an interstate between the two lanes.
Turtle posted on 2013-11-29 08:01:52 Reply Private Reply
#54: Turtle To: Deasy (#48)
I'm from the Midwest.
Turtle posted on 2013-11-29 08:03:29 Reply Private Reply
#55: Turtle To: farmfriend (#50)
Insolent puppy gets smacked on its nose with a rolled-up newspaper.
Turtle posted on 2013-11-29 08:05:09 Reply Private Reply
#56: Ferret To: Esso (#27)
Ferret posted on 2013-11-29 08:31:17 Reply Private Reply
#57: christine To: Cynicom (#56)
christine posted on 2013-11-29 10:41:08 Reply Private Reply
#58: farmfriend To: Turtle (#55)
hey you walked into that one.
farmfriend posted on 2013-11-29 13:33:18 Reply Private Reply
#59: James Deffenbach To: christine (#57)
James Deffenbach posted on 2013-11-29 13:38:05 Reply Private Reply
#60: Lod To: James Deffenbach, Esso, Cynicom, 4 (#59)
Lod posted on 2013-11-29 13:50:26 Reply Private Reply
#61: X-15 To: Esso (#27)
Jim, you're fortunate to walk away from that one. That's what the Honda is designed to do: crumple up like a cheap beer can and absorb as much energy as possible. Like others have mentioned, line up a good chiropractor.
X-15 posted on 2013-11-29 13:51:37 Reply Private Reply
#62: purplerose To: Esso (#44)
purplerose posted on 2013-11-29 14:11:06 Reply Private Reply
#63: Turtle To: farmfriend (#58)
smack smack smack yelp yelp yelp.
Turtle posted on 2013-11-29 14:29:05 Reply Private Reply
#64: farmfriend To: Turtle (#63)
farmfriend posted on 2013-11-29 16:15:40 Reply Private Reply
#65: James Deffenbach To: Lod (#60)
James Deffenbach posted on 2013-11-29 19:41:43 Reply Private Reply
#66: Hmmmmm To: Lod (#60)
I think that is the k-13 route, that bus is always that crowded.
Hmmmmm posted on 2013-11-29 19:43:00 Reply Private Reply
#67: Lod To: James Deffenbach, Hmmmmm, 4 (#65)
I know that I'd give it a ride.
Lod posted on 2013-11-29 20:30:01 Reply Private Reply
#68: James Deffenbach To: Lod (#67)
And the bus too? ahaha.
James Deffenbach posted on 2013-11-29 20:45:32 Reply Private Reply
#69: titorite To: Esso (#44)
titorite posted on 2013-11-30 11:26:52 Reply Private Reply
#70: GreyLmist To: Esso (#27)
It sounds like someone did CPR chest-compressions while you were unconcious. That can result in broken sternums and possibly heart bruising. Broken sternums can take 10-24 weeks to heal. Something like these elastic supports might help reduce the pain:
Elastic Rib Belt
Rib Belt / Chest Support
For nausea from pain, try peppermint tea or candy, ginger ale pop or ginger root tea, or coca cola syrup (namebrand example: Flents) sold at drugstores.
Edited for spelling.
GreyLmist posted on 2013-11-30 21:19:06 Reply Private Reply
#71: GreyLmist To: Esso (#27)
6 and 8 seem contradictory.
GreyLmist posted on 2013-11-30 21:36:14 Reply Private Reply
#72: Lod To: GreyLmist (#70)
Lod posted on 2013-11-30 21:49:03 Reply Private Reply
#73: GreyLmist To: Lod, Esso (#72)
You might be right. They can cause severe injuries and if they can break a windshield, like this site mentions, I suppose they could break bones too:
Did I Fracture My Sternum?
In the Comments section there, someone wrote that wrapping a sternum injury can cause pneumonia. They also wrote that they still had chronic pain two years later. Maybe not wrapping is why. Another person said that hiccups caused them extreme pain. As long as someone isn't diabetic, I think some sugar on the tongue might help to stop hiccups quickly.
GreyLmist posted on 2013-11-30 23:16:10 Reply Private Reply
#74: Lod To: GreyLmist, Esso, 4 (#73)
Things like this take serious bed-rest to heal.
Lod posted on 2013-11-30 23:57:48 Reply Private Reply
#75: GreyLmist To: Lod (#74)
GreyLmist posted on 2013-12-01 00:42:38 Reply Private Reply
#76: Prefrontal Vortex To: Esso (#27)
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 Reply Private Reply
#77: Esso To: 4um, all, LATEST UPDATE (#76)
Thanks everyone for your kindness & concern.
Jim, alias Esso
Esso posted on 2013-12-02 20:21:18 Reply Private Reply
#78: Esso To: All, wreck pic (#77)
Esso posted on 2013-12-02 20:51:35 Reply Private Reply
#79: abraxas To: Esso (#77)
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 Reply Private Reply
#80: purplerose To: Esso (#77)
purplerose posted on 2013-12-02 21:06:18 Reply Private Reply
#81: Jethro Tull To: Esso (#77)
Beat whatever is in front of you, you survived for a reason.
Peace brother.
Jethro Tull posted on 2013-12-02 21:26:38 Reply Private Reply
#82: Lod To: Esso (#77)
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 Reply Private Reply
#83: Esso To: Jethro Tull (#81)
Esso posted on 2013-12-02 21:35:41 Reply Private Reply
#84: Esso To: Lod (#82)
Thanks, Loddy.
Esso posted on 2013-12-02 21:48:22 Reply Private Reply
#85: Original_Intent To: Esso (#83)
All joking aside, one of the reasons I am still here is that, among my many vices, I am stubborn as hell.
Don't let a little reversal get you down. Look for ways to keep busy and enjoy life. Life is good. I have my artwork and music, and I need to get back to writing.
However, the greatest jewel of all is having friends that care.
Be well, and get well.
Original_Intent posted on 2013-12-02 22:28:18 Reply Private Reply
#86: christine To: GreyLmist (#73)
oooh noooo.
christine posted on 2013-12-02 22:52:53 Reply Private Reply
#87: christine To: Original_Intent (#85)
christine posted on 2013-12-02 22:53:44 Reply Private Reply
#88: Original_Intent To: christine (#87)
Original_Intent posted on 2013-12-02 22:56:59 Reply Private Reply
#89: titorite To: Esso (#77)
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 Reply Private Reply
#90: HOUNDDAWG To: christine, Esso (#0)
And, Jim, having re-broken the same poorly knitted rib three more times in twenty years and having it nick my lung and result in a nasty infection the last time, I can only sympathize with what must be considerably more discomfort than I endured. (It required surgery to clean out the messy 4-inch thick infection hanging on my lung and finally repair the rib)
The worst part was waking up and discovering that a balloon catheter was inserted after I went under. (There were only women in the super chilly OR!)
But, seriously Jim, I have two things to recommend; OXYCONTIN and COD LIVER OIL. The injury to your sternum will require heap big medicine so you can sleep, and the CLO will greatly minimize the constipation that narcotics often cause.
The new (brand med) OXYCONTIN contains something to minimize off label abuse, i.e., crushing and shooting and/or snorting and I've been told that some people have complained about the pills passing through without even dissolving. When I took the original compound they were the most effective oral med and you could have cut my head off with a chainsaw without me feeling much. And, they ain't cheap even with prescription coverage, but at least try them if you require serious amelioration of any pain.
Please don't be afraid to ask your doctor for what you want. All MDs are so gun shy these days (thanks to the FEDs who would rather shoot pain patients than permit the freedom to self medicate) that you'll end up seriously under-medicated (with 5 mg Percocet) if you don't assert your need for relief.
Managing our health in general and moderate to severe long term pain in particular is a partnership and there's no reason for anyone to suffer when relief is readily available. (We aren't sheep and we don't seek treatment from Vets)
If the med you have ain't makin' it then call the doctor immediately! Don't wait until it's time for a refill.
I am so sorry to learn of your accident and despite the fact that it could have been worse, it's not unusual for soft tissue injuries (i.e., neck and back muscles) to manifest days or even weeks after the initial trauma. And your sternum injury may granulate fairly slow and not without regular reminders not to roll over,, roll your shoulders forward, breathe, etc.,.
I'll feel better if I know that you or better yet an assertive advocate is seeing to your needs. And, you may want to use a driver and protect yourself with a large, firm pillow when riding shotgun in the unlikely event of another airbag deployment.
Please take care.
_JimDAWG
HOUNDDAWG posted on 2013-12-03 08:25:08 Reply Private Reply