I smashed my face in a bike accident

Well it finally happened. After all the miles on my feet it turned out that the bike would be the culprit that sent me to the emergency department. Just when I was starting to try and heal from my calf strain and keep my fitness up by riding my bike. I guess they don't call it endurance for nothing.

On my way back home riding through the neighborhood faster than I should have I wasn't paying close enough attention to the parked car that took me out. It all happened so fast that I can't really say exactly what happened other than knowing that I landed flat on the curb with my face ( Yes, I did have a helmet on and pretty sure it saved the rest of my skull).  

The homeowner came out of the home pretty upset that some blinking guy in the street was by her car “what the __ are you doing?” she yelled from her front stoop because it was 4:30am and dark. When she approached, I politely explained in my pain that I had hit her car. Her tone changed immediately the minute she put two and two together looking at my bike in one direction and my body in the other direction. 

After a moment on my back regaining composure, I managed to get to my feet, slip the chain back on my bike, pick up my headlamp, and finish the final half mile home.

As soon as I walked into the house, took off my coat and felt my cheekbone I knew something wasn't right. The asymmetry between the right side and the left side let me know that something more than a mere bruise was developing. I woke Joylynn up who came about quite quickly and I said we're going to the emergency department.

I can't think of the last time that I went to the emergency department. Or was admitted to the hospital for that matter. The whole process is sort of unfamiliar, but not difficult. I had a bag of peas over my right eye as my body shook with shock as I answered questions about insurance and date of birth and of course what brought me into the hospital. To my chagrin I would need to tell  and retell the story of how I hit a parked car at 4:30am in the morning. Frustrated, this whole situation could have been avoided if I moved over 2 feet and kept my head up. 

After a CT scan the ED doctor came in and said, “yup, you smashed some bones in your face.” He proceeded to explain that the specialist who could potentially do surgery did work in my town and I’d be transferred 40 minutes away. Rather than the expense (and discomfort of an ambulance ride, Joy made arrangements for the neighbors to get the kids to school and she drove. 

We arrived at the next hospital emergency room and the limbo started. Because of the surgeon's intense demand it wasn't known when he would round. “Might be 5pm…or later”. The implication of this uncertainty ment I would not be eating or drinking for a while so if I were to be whisked off to surgery my body would be repaired. 

I learned a new level of endurance I feel like the months of training prepared me for. If I could run 10 miles through crazy weather, I could go without food or water in a windowless room for 12 hours. Mindset matters.  

So I passed the time with my thoughts retracing the details of beautiful spaces I’ve visited, listened to the audiobook of Thomas Merton’s biography, a movie and a much needed nap. 

Finally, the Doctor walked in about 6:40pm and discussed my case with the ultimate decision no surgery would be needed. A welcome end to a long day. All the waiting might have been frustrating, but complications with a surgery (even a successful one) would mean a different sort of course. 

All kinds of lessons are blossoming from this whole event. More than anything I am struck with an incredible level of gratitude for my health and how much of my body simply works without any attention to the details. I never really gave much attention to my cheek bones or orbital bones in my skull before yesterday. How many other parts of my body just miraculously work together so I can function? Even with a smashed up face, I’m grateful I am literally walking away without more damage mentally or physically. 

In a way, this episode fits into the broader narrative of miracles and physical grace throughout my life from childhood to today; from the times I ended in the emergency as a kid for some crazy stunt, to the protection during a car wreck 10 years ago, to the protection yesterday. It’s harder and harder to think of these instances as mere happenstance, and easier and easier to lean into the belief that they are directing my attention toward the One who is, in a mysterious way, guiding the protections.

Plenty to think about and unpack in the days ahead.

The  Easter Triduum starts in a few hours.