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My close call with death - Page 2

post #31 of 60
6/21/09 at 6:31pm

Re: My close call with death

That is an amazing survival story, and it occurs to me that if this accident had been as short as 40 years ago, in the exact same circumstances, the medical skills may not have been there for you. It is a good day to be alive.
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post #32 of 60
6/23/09 at 11:25am

Re: My close call with death

Glad to hear you're OK, Scott! Good luck with the further medical care and stay safe!

Now get yourself a nice Escalade.
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post #33 of 60
6/23/09 at 4:31pm

Re: My close call with death

Hello Scott,
Ive seen you around and dont know you as well as some of the others here but I have to say thats an increbile story and glad your drs know what they were doing.

HTF is a great place with great people and yes it is a family. Glad we didnt lose you.

God bless
Matt
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post #34 of 60
6/25/09 at 5:07pm

Re: My close call with death

Scott,
Only found this thread today.
You're a lucky man.
I ride, and if you don't mind I would like some more details about your protective gear.
If anything is to be learned from this accident, something that might save another life, please share.
What style helmet did you have on? Must have been a good one, everything that happened to you seemed to be below the neck.
You may not remember the accident, but did the driver make a left in front of you?
My bike is a Moto Guzzi, I do enjoy it, about 35,000 miles in just over 21 months, but, there are risks.
I think you getting to the keyboard as fast as you did is very impressive.
Get stronger soon.
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post #35 of 60
6/25/09 at 7:22pm

Re: My close call with death

Scott, I saw the subject line and thought to myself, "Hey..I had a brush with death years ago too." But then I read your account and was speechless. Good to have you back on the mend, bro...
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post #36 of 60
6/25/09 at 9:03pm

Re: My close call with death

Quote:
If anything is to be learned from this accident, something that might save another life, please share.

Henry you have a point there. I bought a rollbar from Hard Dog for my Miata. They have a warranty that if your crash your Miata and survive, they pay for a replacement rollbar for your next Miata. Hard Dog Roll Bars - Customer Testimonials

Quote:
Any Hard Dog Roll Bar involved in a rollover incident will be replaced free of charge if you provide documentation with photos, return the damaged bar, and repair your existing car or purchase another Miata.

So far they've had quite a few customers take them up on their offer.

It's heartening to see the progress in safety gear these days.
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post #37 of 60
6/26/09 at 1:55am

Re: My close call with death

You woke up? Did you feel anything?

I understand why but that's pretty bad itself.

A friend of mine had a rod shoved into his liver for the insertion of a drain tube.
However the physician negleted to wait for the anesthesia to take effect. Of course my friend felt everything.
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post #38 of 60
6/26/09 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 

Re: My close call with death

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Gale
I ride, and if you don't mind I would like some more details about your protective gear.
If anything is to be learned from this accident, something that might save another life, please share.
What style helmet did you have on? Must have been a good one, everything that happened to you seemed to be below the neck.
You may not remember the accident, but did the driver make a left in front of you?

Thanks Henry,

I was wearing a typical "beanie" style helmet. Here is a pic of what it looked like afterwards:


It did its job! I am very happy with how well it protected me.

No, I had a driver cut me off from my left at the same time another car pulled out in the lane on my right. Perfect storm. I had nowhere to go but down.

When I woke up during the operation, I only recall some doctor making a smart-ass remark about my size and the second time I remember having a sheet across my face that annoyed me. Other than that, I was out for the whole crazy long surgery. The real pain has been since then. My ribs are such a mess. I get times where it feels like I just cant breathe...which makes me panic a little...which makes it worse...etc. My accident was a month ago today! I am doing much better (obviously) but still seems like a long ways to go.

Thanks again for all the feedback. It makes me so happy to hear from each of you!
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post #39 of 60
6/26/09 at 1:45pm

Re: My close call with death

Hang in there Scott. Thank goodness you are a smart motorcycler and you were wearing your helmet. The human body is an amazing thing and a month from now you will feel a lot lot better I am sure.
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post #40 of 60
6/26/09 at 1:55pm

Re: My close call with death

That photo of the helmet tells quite a story.

Glad to hear the healing continues, Scott!
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post #41 of 60
6/26/09 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 

Re: My close call with death

For those that are interested (and not grossed out) here is a picture of the damage I took from the heart surgery. I post this in a hope to educate some as to just how serious a "simple" accident can be on a bike.

*Not for the faint of heart*

This picture shows the incision they did to work on my heart along with 2 of the 3 holes from the tubes in my lungs.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)





I had 20+ more staples in my groin for where the blood transfusions went it. I cant recall the technical term for it. The big insicion shown above has been healing up really, REALLY well. The one in my groin has proven to be much more stubborn. It was infected for a while and just wont seem to heal properly. I have a nurse come to my home every other day to change the dressing. I just pray it cleans itself up soon.
On a positive note, my INR level is finally correct (it has to do with how thin my blood is to prevent clots) so I dont need to get a blood test every day (which was a pain).

Again, thanks to all of you for your thoughts, concern and feedback!
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post #42 of 60
6/26/09 at 7:32pm

Re: My close call with death

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott McGillivray
My ribs are such a mess. I get times where it feels like I just cant breathe...which makes me panic a little...which makes it worse...etc..
It's your flight or fight reflex overreacting to a massive injury your brain still hasn't made its peace with yet. As someone who has suffered from panic attacks from extreme stress in the past, I can promise you that things get a lot better once it sinks into your brain that you're not actually going to die. You find little coping mechanisms to break the feedback loop and then you only had the physical symptoms to deal with -- which in your case are obviously enough.

Proof that miracles do happen (or at least extremely lucky and unlikely events).
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post #43 of 60
6/26/09 at 9:07pm

Re: My close call with death

God damn... Glad you're still with us Scott. It sounds like you've got all the quality care in the world out there. Did they take you to VGH? Time to get plenty of rest and watch lots of blu ray if you can. Glad you made the decision you did regarding the bike. Definitely time to dump it, not only because of the high accident factor, but also the psychological aspect now as well.

The world is a beautiful place! Enjoy your second chance.
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post #44 of 60
6/26/09 at 10:16pm

Re: My close call with death

Aw, dude. My heart breaks from looking at that picture. I am so glad you are taking this all so well and recovering so well besides!

I guess (just like me) you've now lost your burgeoning career as a swimsuit model too. Makeup can do a lot of things...but sometimes it's just not worth the effort!

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post #45 of 60
6/27/09 at 3:00pm

Re: My close call with death

Wow! It's good to hear you made it through that accident. That's amazing they had to make such a large incision! Well at least when your kids or grandkids ask you one day about wanting to ride or get a motorcycle you'll be able to show them your scar and maybe they will rethink wanting one.

Good luck with your recovery.
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post #46 of 60
6/29/09 at 7:36am

Re: My close call with death

Yikes! Now those are some serious stitches.
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post #47 of 60
7/5/09 at 11:20am
Thread Starter 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul McGowan View Post

It sounds like you've got all the quality care in the world out there. Did they take you to VGH? 

Thanks Paul,
  No, I was taken to the Royal Columbian Hospital.  Not sure if I shared this part of the story, but the lead paramedic that arrived on site was my brother-in law.  As I lay on the road gasping for breath through my broken ribs and bloodied face, I looked up and saw him like an angel.  It was such a great moment to see a loved one right there taking care of me with his team.  He drove the ambulance back to the hospital (and hit EVERY bump in the road! haha) and again, amazing that he took me to the Royal Columbian as they are the regions specialists in trauma hear surgery!  No one had any idea I had a torn aorta at the time until they did the CAT scan on me.  

I just want to say that I hear a lot of complaints about health care being a rip off or no good or whatever.  I want to make a point that I was treated exceptionally well from start to even today with the follow up.  I was always treated like a person and never felt ignored or neglected.  A nurse even held my hand late at night in intensive care and allowed me to pray with her.  God bless all the great staff that not only saved my life, but made it a bearable experience.

One last thought, all of us Canadians that bitch and moan about paying high taxes for our healthcare, well here was one case where, for me and my family, it made all the difference.  In talking with my family doctor, he guesstimated that the total bill for my accident, trauma heart surgery, hospital stay, multiple CAT scans and X-rays, medications and on and on was around $500,000.  And that was all FREE for me as a Canadian.  I think I got my share of my tax dollars back.  

Again, just and upwelling of thankfulness to all involved and for those here sharing my story and giving me such positive and fun feedback.

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post #48 of 60
7/5/09 at 3:37pm
Well, technically it's not free. we are paying for it through our tax dollars. But at least we don't have to worry about having our insurance policy canceled at a moment's notice or being denied coverage for a number of cocked-up reasons.

Hang in there Scott!
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post #49 of 60
8/3/09 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
 Hi Gang!

  Well, after 9 weeks of healing up, I feel good enough to be heading back to work on Tuesday.  Very excited about being this healthy and getting back to "normal" life.  I go back for 2 days and then head back into the hospital on Thursday to get that creepy blood-clot filter removed via my neck.  Yuck.  Otherwise, I am doing pretty good.  Ribs are still sore and sneezing just about kills me with pain, but much better than it was.
  My bike has been repaired, but I am going to have to sell it.  Sadly, the market for motorcycles has really dropped up here!  My bike is not even 1 year old and I stand to lose over $10,000 selling it!  That really hurts.  I would love to keep it, but my family just cant go through that kind of trauma again.
  Thanks again, seriously, for all the support and love!  You guys are the best.
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post #50 of 60
8/3/09 at 3:37pm
Over this summer, a neighbor was struck on their bike. They were stopped at a light and an old woman literally ran them over.  Crushed/destroyed the bike (a 2005 Harley) and put them in the hospital for a few weeks, as well as ending their career as a long-distance truck drivers, as the damage to their back puts them at months out before sitting for extended periods will be an option.

The lesson in all of this is: LOOK TWICE FOR BIKES!
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post #51 of 60
8/4/09 at 5:28am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott McGillivray View Post

I go back for 2 days and then head back into the hospital on Thursday to get that creepy blood-clot filter removed via my neck.  Yuck.

Any chance of posting a video of the procedure?

Sorry! I can have a morbid sense of humour sometimes!

It's great that you're feeling so much better now! Remember to take small steps! Don't rush!

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post #52 of 60
8/4/09 at 6:47am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott McGillivray View Post

 Well, after 9 weeks of healing up, I feel good enough to be heading back to work on Tuesday.  Very excited about being this healthy and getting back to "normal" life. 




Quote:
Originally Posted by Francois Caron View Post

It's great that you're feeling so much better now! Remember to take small steps! Don't rush!
 

Scott:  What Francois says.  The thing I remember most about easing back into my work routine is to go REALLY slowly!  I worked part-time for awhile before I got back into a regular workload.  I found myself getting tired very quickly and had to realize that I couldn't just make a "return to normalcy" without a realistic plan of starting out with a few hours before getting back to a full day's work. 

Listen to your body.  It'll let you know when it's done too much. 


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post #53 of 60
8/4/09 at 6:59am
Glad to hear you're out of the hospital and regaining your strength. Mike's right: don't overdo it. We he-men want to get back at it and conquer the world, but you're helping no one if you ultimately sabotage your own healing.
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post #54 of 60
9/2/09 at 3:11pm
Hi Scott. How's the recovery coming along?
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post #55 of 60
9/6/09 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 
 Thanks for checking-in with me!  I appreciate it.

I am back at work.  I am at about 60-75% of my normal hours.  Really excited that they hired a second IT person at my job.  Now I can shift a bit of the load to him.

I had a bit of a setback last week.  I was having chest pains and so I went to the hospital.  My heart was fine, but I had another blood clot in my lung.  I guess I was not dillagent enough with my blood thinning meds.  Amazing that about 3 months after the impact I still can have problems.

Overall, I am feeling very blessed.  Much of my ordeal is surreal to me now.  I feel like I am lying to people when I explain what I went through just over 3 months ago.  I saw my heart surgeon and told him how wierd it was to me that he had his hands inside of me.  He laughed and said, "Oh yeah!  DEEP inside of you!"  He is a pretty cool dude for a surgeon!  (Heck he is only about 35 years old, too!)

Again, cant thank this place enough for the great love and support.

God bless.
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post #56 of 60
9/6/09 at 11:46am
 Wow, that's an awful story and I'm glad you're on the road to recovery.

I had a stupid bicycle accident crash. My fault, went down a decent too fast and hit the side of the hill. Broke a rib and collar bone and punctured a lung. I had a chest tube for several days. The broken rib hurt like heck, so I can relate, though not to your level. Fortunately for me, a Stanford Hospital nurse stopped right after it happened and took me to Stanford.

That was 20 years ago and I kept riding up to 2 years ago till another accident that took out my bike and some teeth. Not my fault. But I'm actually looking at buying a new road bike and riding again. Now is that stupid or what! 

Best of luck with your recovery and I hope you feel 100% soon!
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post #57 of 60
9/6/09 at 7:47pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott McGillivray View Post

I had a bit of a setback last week.  I was having chest pains and so I went to the hospital.  My heart was fine, but I had another blood clot in my lung.  I guess I was not dillagent enough with my blood thinning meds.  Amazing that about 3 months after the impact I still can have problems.

Overall, I am feeling very blessed. 

Coumadin is going to be your friend for a very long time, Scott.  Then, you'll be off it (finally!) and a short time after that you'll hardly be able to remember that you were taking it so often!

Oh.  And you probably feel blessed because you are blessed!   

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post #58 of 60
9/8/09 at 10:16am
Glad to hear you are doing well Scott.

Speaking of blood thinners, my 4 year old daughter has already had 3 open heart procedures and has an artificial mitral valve.  She was placed on Coumadin originally but that was costing us about $40 a month.  We switched (with doctor's approval of course) to Warfarin and that cut the cost to $5 a month.  Not sure if you have to pay for meds up north but if you do you might ask your doctor about this.

Do you get to keep the flter after they remove it?  Would you even want to??? :)
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post #59 of 60
9/8/09 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 
So sorry to hear about your little girl!  I really pray she is all fixed up now.  That is no way for a little princess to have to suffer.  Give her a hug for me.
 I am also on Warfarin, but I was told it is the exact same thing as Coumadin.  Not sure the price difference.  Both are rat poison!  My mom recalls spreading that stuff around the farm to kill mice and rats.  
I really, REALLY wanted to keep my IVC filter, but they would not let me.  They showed me one that had not been inserted into anyone yet.  Wow...it was a lot bigger than I expected.  
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post #60 of 60
9/30/09 at 9:29pm
Thread Starter 
 Cool.  I just found a video that is pretty close to the operation I had.  Not for the weak of stomach.  Pretty amazing that this is what happened to me.  I just cant believe I had all that done to me.  Plus, mine was worse (according to my surgeon) as the tear was worse than first thought.  I had to get the cloth aorta put in a few times.  It took over 7 hours.  Stunning that I am alive.


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