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I feel like I got run over by a truck
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Im sure youve heard or used the expression “I feel like I was run over by a truck” to describe the aftermath of a really bad asthma exacerbation or some other aliment. Ive used it several times myself in my blog posts, but this time around Im not using it as an expression, I actually did get run over by a truck!
I was doing my daily 1.5 mile morning walk, the same that Ive done almost every day for the past 10 years, when I got hit by a pick up truck while crossing the street…in the crosswalk. Before crossing the street I saw a truck coming down the hill approaching the intersection on the other side of the median from me. I made sure he came to a complete stop at the sign before I stepped off the curb. Everything was fine until I was right in front of the truck.Then all of a sudden in my right ear I hear an engine rev up. Reflexively I extended my arms and hand to my right side hitting the grill of the truck to absorb the impact, but the force knocked me to the ground. As Im trying to roll out of the way, his right bumper hits me square in the right butt cheek and tosses me into the street. As crazy as it sounds, had it not been for that second blow to my hip, his right wheel would have run over my head and I wouldnt be here writing this.
Obviously, I was pretty dazed from the impact. For a few moments I thought this person was deliberate trying to run me over. I thought for sure that the thud of me bouncing off his front grill and hood would have alerted him that he hit something, but as I hit the ground I could see him still coming at me. I was terrified and thought I was gonna die. Thankfully, he finally stopped. But get this, as he gets out of his truck to see what he hit, he says…” Why the heck did you run into my truck?”. I said , “Are you F’ing kidding me, you just ran me over! I couldnt believe it. At this time im thinking, this guy is either a lunatic or is high on something.
Miraculously, and I truly believe that my fitness level played a huge roll in this ( along with some luck), I was able to get up off the ground and walk back to the sidewalk where he backed up and pulled over. I think the seriousness of what just happened finally sunk in, because the guy kept on saying..I didnt see you man.. I didn’t see you. The fall to the ground damaged my phone , so I wasnt able to take any pictures of his vehicle or even his license plate number, so I had him write down his info for me. Probably not the smartest thing as he could totally lie, but I was so out of it. Thinking I was ok, I didnt insist that he call the police. He asked if I needed a ride somewhere, I said no of course( like Im gonna get in a car of someone who just ran me over). He said ok I’ll report the accident to police as soon as I get to work, and then he took off.
Dazed and confused, I started making my way home when a couple of passerbys who witnessed the aftermath of the accident, asked if I needed medical help. I was so out of it, I didn’t realize my hand and elbow s were bleeding. It was then I realized I was injured and should call 911, which I did. The CHP and fire dept showed up took my statement and examined me. I tell them Im fine, just some abrasions, no big deal. The ambulance shows and the paramedics examine me again and though they dont notice any apparent life threatening injuries, they recommend I be transported to the hospital to get checked out just in case. Again, thinking that Im not seriously injured and worrying about what an ambulance trip would cost me, I told them I would take myself to the hospital. With that, they made me sign a release and I walked, or should I say..limped the rest of the way home.
About an hour later I started developing severe pain in my right hip, it got so severe I couldnt walk. It’s amazing how shock and adrenaline can block pain, but eventually it wears off and reality sets in. Anyway, I called my partner and we headed to the hospital. 12 xrays later, turns out I fractured my left pelvis and had a contusion in my right hip. The fracture was stable, so they referred me to physically therapy to strengthen the supporting muscles. It’s been a month now since the accident and Im doing better. Ive been able to gradually start walking again and my hip only hurts now if I touch it or I lay on it the wrong way.
While the ordeal is literally a pain in the ass and super stressful ( Im stilling having some PTDS from it ),the real reason this incident is such a big deal, is that it directly affects my ability to exercise, ie walking. Fitness walking is my life blood which has a direct impact on my health as a person with severe lung disease. And the timing of it couldnt have been worse, because it also has an impact on my ability as a potential lung transplant to stay physically fit, which is essential for those heading down the transplant road. I hope for everyone’s sake that I continue heal, so that I can get past this and move on.
My message to others out there who walk, run or bike for fitness..Dont stop what you love doing, just be extra careful. Regardless of how well you know your route, if you’re on city streets,be aware of your surroundings. Never assume that a crosswalk will protect you. Never assume that people in cars and trucks can see you. This accident shook me up so much, that when Im at a crosswalk now, I wait until there are no cars there at all. If I see one, I wait for them to proceed before I step off the curb. Still shell shocked I guess.
http://breathinstephen.com/
Source: http://breathinstephen.com/i-feel-like-i-got-run-over-by-a-truck/
