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itsbob

I bowl overhand
Don Arthur Update
as reported by Prakash Krishnamurthy, “unleashd” off the LT-Forum
Several of you have asked off list how I’m doing. Thanks
for asking and for continuing to care! First, I’ve put 0 (that’s
“zero”) miles on any two wheeled conveyance in the past three
and a half months. That will await the coming of Spring.
A quick recap for those who don’t know me... I was headed
for the IBR in August when a woman made a U turn on an
interstate highway and came from the median onto the
highway in the passing lane (where I was riding to pass a truck)
just after the rise of a hill and just as I crested the hill at
highway speed. I hit her and suffered a badly fractured pelvis
(four places), separated shoulder, broken ribs, pneumothorax,
and closed head injury with about 30 minutes of unconsciousness
at the scene. I was wearing a full Aerostich suit - so no
road rash - and a carbon fiber helmet - so I’m alive.
I spent a week in a trauma center in Missouri, then three
more weeks in the naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland -
which I was privileged to command until just a year before. I
have recovered much more slowly than I had ever anticipated.
Although I’m an emergency medicine physician with a lot of
experience taking care of acute trauma, I lacked a true appreciation
for the time and effort involved in recovery for this
kind of injury.
I have only been without crutches for two weeks and am
still getting around slowly and with significant stiffness and
discomfort in the evenings. My shoulder will require definitive
surgery. However, the biggest surprise to me was the time it
took to recover from the head injury! Until just two weeks ago,
I was mentally sluggish and unable to engage in many of the
cerebral activities to which I’d been accustomed. In just a
couple of days, the fog lifted and I really appreciated a
noticeable difference - and so did my staff. They said “You’re
back!” I asked them what they meant and they told me they
knew I was not ‘all there’ and were waiting and hoping I would
recover those mental functions.
I’m grateful to be back! I am nowhere near being able to
ride just yet and will wait until Spring when I’m stronger. I
hope to see you at the next LT gathering and will look forward
to doing so on two wheels.
Silver lining department: I’ve always wanted to be an
amateur (ham) radio operator. I’ve used the down time to study
for the FCC exams and am enjoying a hobby which somewhat
fills the void temporarily left by not being able to ride.
Continued gratitude department: I continue to be amazed
and grateful to Coni Fitch for immediately flying to Missouri
after my accident, planning to forsake her own IBR start to
help me and my wife, Bean. Coni and Bean helped pick up the
pieces - of me and the bike. She is a special friend whose
kindness symbolizes the very best in people!
Note to self department: I will never say to another patient
“You’re doing well for someone your age.” I have recently
found this phrase to be more annoying than fingers on a
chalkboard and tell my well-meaning physician friends that
it’s not having the intended effect!
Lastly, I feel blessed... to be alive and to have wonderful
enduring friends.
Best regards for the Holidays! Don Arthur

And this is an update on Don Arthur, the Navy Surgeon General.
 

aps45819

24/7 Single Dad
Got my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket today. I've been bugging my friend to order it since before thanksgiving. He finally called in the order yesterday and it arrived today.
 
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