dnuzzomueller

UPDATE: I finally got to see Jim today. There were some complications with infections so Jim is back in the Hospital again. He is fine though aside from significant pain and will be heading to rehab shortly. Jim has also had trouble with the Hospital's Wifi so he has not been able to keep up with much, he has noted that talk radio has kept him company but he has fantasies of spending alot more time here during his recovery. He appreciates all the well wishing and thanks everyone for their kind words.

gear

Hope you feel better Jim.

miss kenton

Thanks for the update. I have been checking here regularly for news of Jim's recovery. I am disappointed to hear of his setback due to the infection, but trust he'll work diligently in his rehab. Have at it, Jim!

Jim from Boston

Dear fellow cycling commuters,*

This my first opportunity to correspond with the Forums since my accident June 1 and I am grateful for all the posts to this thread wishing me well. In particular I want to thank dnuezzomueller for his opening post, and also mtalinm, both for their *gracious subsequent comments, and welcome and enjoyable hospital visits.

My basic injuries are fractures of the sacrum requiring orthopedic pinning and a soft tissue gluteal wound requiring three surgical procedures. I left the acute care hospital after about four weeks and this is my first full week in a rehab hospital, and I may be discharged from the rehab hospital this week. Then I'll be recovering at home.*

Besides*not suffering a severe neurologic trauma I have some fortunate circumstances that are helping the recovery process:
-great and compassionate medial care here in Boston, and a private room in rehab
-close-by supportive family (my wife is a nurse), friends, and workplace
-access to high tech materials like an iPad and speech recognition to give me activities throughout the day.

So while the accident was a bad thing, I can really say it's not been horrible. My future plans for cycling are unclear, but think a reasonable goal is riding *a stationary cycle for the rest of the year to recoup some fitness. I can commute to work by subway and train. One current intermediate goal is to allow me to sit comfortably at a keyboard for long periods since my job requires I sit at desk and keyboard.

Finally, I've avoided thinking much about person, who hit me, but two trusted lawyer friends have offered to help me resolve those issues. So while I'm not cycling for *a while, reading and posting to the Forums continues as an enjoyable daily activity.

Sincerely

Jim from Boston

kookaburra1701

Hooray! I'm so glad you're back with us on the forums, and on the road to recovery.

himespau 

Glad to hear you're on the mend.

idc

Good to hear from you. A stationary bike sounds like a reasonable goal given your injuries.

ckaspar

Welcome back man!

canyoneagle

Welcome back, Jim! Heal well.

alan s 

Awesome! Glad to hear things are looking up for you. I bet you'll be back on the road just in time for the big winter snowstorms.

no motor?

Glad to hear you're doing so well. Keep up the good work and please keep us informed about your recovery.

buzzman

Jim, what a relief to read your post! Thank you for getting back to us and please keep us updated with your progress and healing. I'm in NYC these days and if I'm back in Boston soon would love to pop in for a visit- I'll PM you if that looks like a possibility. In the meantime, continue to heal well. Just for fun you could watch the Tour de France for a little bike motivation. And if you're thinking about a stationary bike watch for ads for the high tech Le Tour stationary trainer- major high tech comes to the indoor trainer!

Wishing you all the best!

jeffpoulin

Jim, I'm sooo glad to see you post. You sound like you're in pretty good spirits given the circumstances. I hope your rehab goes well and that you don't suffer any long term effects. Please keep in touch and let us know how your recovery goes.

Doohickie

Sounds like a long road ahead still. I'm sure I speak for the whole forum when I say we'll be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

chefisaac

Jim: I am glad to see you post. Though we do not know each other in person, you have taught me so much about commuting since I started.

mtalinm

Jim, where are you rehabbing - Spaulding or some other center? I'll try to drop by on the way home one day

Jim from Boston

Thanks for your reply, mtalinm. Spaulding in West Roxbury until this Thursday AM, 7/12 (barring unforeseen circumstances).

miss kenton

You can't keep a good man down!

mtalinm

right on (one of) my way(s) home. will try to stop by tmw, though a bit under the weather so might not ride after all

sherbornpeddler

Jim,
I've only recently pulled my head out of the sand and learned of your accident. You have a great number of forum fans and I'd like to add my name to your list. I hope you are continuing to recover and look forward to your contributions and wisdom anytime and new cycling adventures soon.
Best Wishes,
John (Sherbornpeddler)

Jim from Boston

Hi John,

Thanks for your gracious note. I always read your posts whenever I encounter them, and I sincerely enjoy the Metro Boston thread you started on the Northeast Regional Forum. You really brought together nicely a group of friendly local cyclists who have become active correspondents. I have occasionally cited you as one of the best writers on Bikeforums, with your erudite and witty style. (He once called me "James de Boston"---I wish I had thought of that. )

My plans for future cycling are unclear; it might depend on when I get my orthopedic hardware removed, still months away. I continue to read and (rarely) post to the Forums. Just this week though, I was thinking about trying a Hubways Share Bike since we have station in Kenmore Square. Otherwise I am walking a couple miles a day, with a cane for distances, and getting around by Subway and Commuter Rail.

Sincerely,

Jim from Boston

waynesworld

Get well soon!

BTW, lots of non-injured people don't walk two miles a day (by choice), so you're doing great!

Jim from Boston

Thanks for the note. The two mile-walks are a Physical Therapy prescription. As a cyclist I was always goal (mileage) or destination-oriented. Similarly, the walks are easiest when they are directed, for example to get the newspaper, or travel to outpatient PT. I'm lucky that I live in a lively residential/light commercial/college/entertainment area called Kenmore Square in Boston, known as one of "America's most walkable cities," with easy access to the subway system known as the (T). Also it's been a gorgeous summer with inviting weather outdoors.

SteamingAlong

I'm glad to hear that you are doing better Jim. You gave me the best tips on riding in and out of Boston to and from Norwood.

I just biked home from Boston a couple of weeks ago and wound up riding route 1 most of the way home rather than 1A. It was after midnight and the road was suprisingly barren. I only saw maybe four cars in 32 miles of riding.

Jim from Boston

Howdy Neighbor,

Thanks for the note. A post-midnight ride from Boston to Attleboro sounds intriguing. I' m sure you had good lights.

I rode Rte 1 frequently on the VFW Parkway, with a nice bike lane, then from the heavy commercial segment starting at Rte 109 to the Dedham rotary where I picked up Washington St (Rte 1A). It was always early in the AM in the reverse commuter direction and I was comfortable. On a snow day it was the only way to go since as a major thoroughfare, it was well-plowed as soon as the the snow began. I know Rte 1 mostly from driving as far south as Foxboro.

Whereabouts around Norwood and Boston do you ride? One of the joys of cycling for me is reading maps, finding new routes and learning the geography of this crazily-mapped area. I have referred to myself as a "cartographile."