Long Road to Recovery

By Steve Brodie

I'm 51 years old now, and it's been a year since my accident. And although I don't feel real comfortable writing about it; I'm sure it will help with the healing process. I have been riding for about 32 years without any incidents to speak of, (I've fallen down a few times) but, this time last year, I was in ICU cheating death again while suffering a heart attack at the same time.

On the morning of July 27th, 2005, I was on my way from my business office, to my work office on the Norfolk Naval Base, putting along Robin Hood Rd. around 11 am on my Honda Shadow when my life changed forever. I don't remember much of the accident. I was told that a lady celebrating her 65th birthday wasn't paying attention and pulled out in front of me. I was only doing about 30 MPH but, the amount of injuries I sustained is unbelievable. It appears I tried to stop, however there was no real time to react and I was going down when I broadsided her car. My bike was totaled, and so was I, almost. When I was taken to the hospital, they thought I was going to be alright with cuts and a broken bone or two. Well, it didn't work out that way.

After x-rays, I had 10 broken ribs with MULTIPLE fractures and both collar bones were broken. My left knee was sliced open, and my right lung had collapsed. When my left lung collapsed, I was placed on life support, where I remained for four weeks under heavy sedation. During that time I drifted in and out of consciousness a few times; waking in a semi dream state not knowing where I was or what I was doing, not to mention all the weird dreams I had while under sedation.

During my third week in ICU I had a heart attack, which wasn't diagnosed right away, but that's another part of the story further down.

In my fifth week in the hospital, I was moved from ICU to another floor where I was in and out of consciousness quite a bit, and still not fully aware of my surroundings nor in full control of my senses. I was able to get up a couple times and try to learn to walk again, which went well I understand. At first I was walked with the help of a nurse, then with a walker or pushing a wheel chair.

During my sixth week, I was sent to another floor where I recovered more rapidly, but still had some issues. Finally, the Trach was removed, and I was able to talk again, and on Labor Day weekend I was released from the Sentara Norfolk General.

That's when the fun began. It took over three weeks to find aftercare, because the hospital messed up, and when I finally found the right doctors, I was a mess. I couldn't sit down, I couldn't sleep and wandered around the house all night, I lost about 40 or so pounds and I couldn't eat. In fact, my wife drove me around in the car for hours at a time it was the only place I could be still for more than a few moments, then exhaustion took over and I dozed off for a short time. It was like driving an infant around and then they fall asleep. Unfortunately, I could not sleep more than a couple hours. I also suffered from a case of "restless leg" syndrome for a few weeks.

Eventually I started physical therapy, and started to get some strength and balance back. I did suffer some minor brain damage. Fortunately, prior to this accident I had purchased my first full face helmet; which I feel saved my life. (You should see the helmet). Today, things are better, but I'm still suffering from pain in my left foot, numbness in both feet, my collar bones healed, but not correctly and I still have muscle pain in my chest and shoulder blades.

On the plus side; I am fortunate that my wife is a nurse at the hospital. A cardiac nurse to boot, which is probably why the heart attack was discovered in time; I owe a lot to her for being by my side and not letting me give up. Right now, I really miss riding, and I will ride again someday. In the meantime, enjoy riding in this great weather, and I will join you all again when I can.

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