Broken Leg Photos And Thanks

Jolene will be staying at the hospital overnight. She may come home tomorrow. The pain is still pretty high, but with morphine she can rest. We haven't seen the doctor again, but the word is she can't put her weight on it for 2 months (she'll be on crutches).

Here she is after I moved her off the trail and we got her comfortable (and gave up trying to splint the leg).


The Search and Rescue team goes to work. Get an I.V. and morphine in, sweet pain relief.


Strapped in the stokes and ready to roll down the trail.


If you look really hard you can see the breaks.



Thank You!

I'm sad Jolene broke her leg, but I was deeply grateful for all the help we received from friends and complete strangers.

- Within minutes of the crash, four guys on motorcycles stopped and stayed with us for 2-3 hours, instead of enjoying the ride they had planned. One of the guys was able to make the cell call that got help coming right away. Two guys rode down Tibble and brought back a jacket and blanket for Jolene. They got the fire going. They offered to give whatever they had to make a splint. They didn't know us, yet they treated us like friends. Wow.

- Josh and Nate stayed at least 2 hours to make sure we were OK. We had to badger them to leave with darkness fast approaching. And Josh has continued to check in us. Other mountain bikers also stopped and offered to help in any way.

- The Utah County Sheriff Search and Rescue Volunteer Team was amazing. The first two arrived on motorcycles, saw to Jolene then gave updates to the rest of the team. Next four guys arrived carrying the pieces of the stokes. Then the rest of the team arrived with the medical personel who jumped right in and got Jolene ready to travel. These folks buy their own equipment and spend personal time for training. When they get the call, they come running - dropping plans to see a movie, leaving a son's soccer game, etc. I am deeply grateful for what these people did for us.

- Every medical professional did a fantastic job - from the ambulance staff to the hospital doctors, nurses and staff. I was very thankful for their skill and service.

- Family and friends have been incredibly supportive. Jolene's brother works for the Orem Fire Department and he came to the ER on his day off - his medical knowledge and familiarity with emergency situations was very comforting to us. Jolene's Mom and Dad came immediately to the ER. I got calls, texts, facebook updates, etc. from her and my brothers and sisters. Friends, coworkers and neighbors expressed concern and offered help. And the people we know from biking and through the internet have wished Jolene well with kind words.

This flood of people rallying to our aid has deeply impressed me and filled me with gratitude. It seems there's a lot of bad news these days, but this outpouring of compassion reminded me how much goodness and kindness is out there. There's no way I can repay what all these people have given - all I can do is offer a heart-felt thank you!

10 comments:

Spandex King said...

Two Months! That's crazy! Hope you heal fast!

KC said...

She is smiling in all of the pictures! That is so Jolene. Wow, what a long recovery period. I will miss seeing her on her bike. Please offer her my best wishes.

Watcher said...

Wife and I also got a laugh that Jolene is smiling in every shot! With a break like that (that X-Ray- ouch!) I would be bawling my eyes out...

Cyclin' Missy said...

Wow! Those fractures are intense! Sorry about the broken leg. My wishes for a quick and low-pain recovery!

Carl said...

I hope you heal quickly and with as little pain as possible.

Carl
Team Fatty

Brian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel said...

Jolene, I'm so sorry! You look so patient in the pictures...I hope it lasts, though I'm sure 2 months of non-usage will test you.

Take care. :)

ER Dad said...

Wow! Sorry about the bad breaks. Dot and I wish you a fast strong recovery! Let us know if we can help in any way.

Patrick said...

Just read about this via Fat Cyclist, I hope you have a quick recovery and are back on your bike ASAP. Great to read about the little acts of kindness that made a potentially terrible situation so much more manageable.

Jason McGrew said...

I am one of the riders that came up on you two right after it happened, and gave the GPS number to the search and rescue. I am glad the two of you got out of there!

I felt horrible the entire ride back to the summit knowing that we left you there and could not do anything to help.

Best wishes on the recovery!