Victory for All: The Crash of the Ironman

Disclaimer, I'm a really sporadic blogger. So, I'm going to catch you guys up on a few things. I shall start with this post being about my dads bike crash he had a little while ago. First off, we should all remember that my dad had a full knee replacement surgery in February I believe. So he was just feeling good and getting into his biking again. Second off, we should know that my dad has been known to say "One day when I' m 70 I'm going to be riding on my bike and someone is going to be texting and take me out." Comforting, eh?

So I was at work on a Friday when my dad left work a little bit early to go on a bike ride. Since it was a Friday there were very few people at the office, so it wasn't too busy. About an hour and a half after my dad left, I get a call from my mom and right off the bat she says "Did you hear what happened to dad?!" Initial reaction, my heart sank somewhere down to my feet, second, that love phrase my dad loves to say went racing through my mind. A million things were going through my mind. I said "No, is he ok?" my mom then proceeded to tell my that my dad had been in a bike accident and the ambulance had to be called. She was at Costco buying my dad his birthday present when she got the call from Mason who got the call from our home teacher, who was on the ride with my dad. Through the game of telephone, not much information was related. I hung up with my mom and immediately went to find our home teachers number so I could call him and get more accurate information. Meanwhile, the tears are already flowing for me. I was able to look up Ryan's number and give him a call. He told my they were all riding in a pace line and the guy in front accidentally hit a pot hole of some sort and went down, which made my dad basically t-bone him since he was right behind the guy. This launched him in the air and he came down on his head and shoulder and landed on his back. He told me that he thought something was wrong with my dads back and blood was coming out of both ears. All I knew was when blood comes out of the ears in the movies, things aren't good. I started to lose it on the phone. But Ryan told me everything was going to be ok, but to bring consecrated oil when I came down to the hospital in Payson. I hung up and called my mom back and told her what I had found out. After that I was in a mad scramble to find some oil. Finally I gave up and called Jeremy and asked him if he had any since his office is right off the Springville exit. He was able to find some, and I blazed a trail to go and grab it and then continue on to the hospital. Let me tell you, that was the longest drive of my life. I felt like everyone was obeying the speed limit and it was driving me nuts. I was able to stop off grab the oil then continue down to the hospital. I was crying the whole way down, imagining my life without my dad. Let me tell you, it was one of the worst things to experience. I needed to see/hear my dad before I could be comforted that he was going to be alright.

I finally, finally, FINALLY was able to get to the hospital where I met up with my mom and some of the guys on my dads ride. I was so relieved to have been told that my dad was talking and being his stubborn self. I remember just hugging my mom and crying with the sweet sweet relief. I wasn't able to see my dad at the Payson hospital because he was transferred to the Provo hospital right when I got there. They wanted to life flight him, but my dad being stubborn told them no way Jose! Because it would take the same amount of time whether to be flown or driven.

So we all got to the Provo hospital where my dad got stitched up in the ER and put on a lot of pain meds. Are we ready for the injury count?

5 broken ribs
Ear split open
Fractured vertebra
Separated shoulder
Broken wrist

Not too shabby for one wreck, huh?
The guy who went down in front of him had a separated shoulder as well as a concussion and major road rash. Luckily for us, everyone was going to be ok. My dad had to spend his birthday in the hospital, which was pretty unlucky. But after five days in there, he was able to be released! Wahoo! Recovery is going pretty well, in fact, he has actually been on his bike a few times. You can't stop and Ironman. All I know is, I sure do love my dad. With all my heart, and I'm glad he's ok. I am also so grateful of all the concerned family and friends who were willing to drop anything in our time of need. Our home teacher, Ryan especially went above and beyond taking care of us. As well as Ryan Fish, Kyle Marshall, Rob Franks, and everyone else I'm missing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.