Titanium Valve has a second epithet... "No Spleen". Allow me to explain (exspleen?). On my way home from work on the night of 12/21/17 an 11 point buck attempted to jump across the road as I was riding along at about 55 mph. He was so close that all I saw was white underbelly. There wasn't even time to react before impact. Needless to say, we both went down. Right after the wreck, an acquaintance came along and called 911 for me. I called my wife to tell her what had happened and to come pick me up.(I'm not sure why I said "pick me up" , I knew I had injuries that required medical attention.) Anyhow, by the time she arrived, Med Flight was already in route. I've assisted with loading many patients into the back of a chopper but this was the first time I've been the one loaded. This is not what I envisioned as my first helicopter ride.☺ By the way, helicopters ride like hay wagons as opposed to Lincolns!
My injuries consisted of broken left side ribs, (all of them,) broken left shoulder blade and a crushed spleen among others. Upon arrival at MCV the attending physician sent me to surgery for an emergency splenectomy (thus the new epithet.) I stayed in intensive care for 2 1/2 weeks and step down care for another week after that. I'm truly blessed to be alive and to have a wonderful wife that stayed with me the entire time I was hospitalized. She's the best! I'm also grateful for all the prayers and well wishes that were expressed on my behalf.
I'm probably 99.44% recovered and have started riding to work again, although I'm avoiding riding at night. As for the buck... he didn't make it. As for my wife's CBR500R... sadly, it didn't survive either. In spite of the tragic bike loss, she still let's me drive her car.
Although I have one less body part than last year, I'm still planning to make ROTR 17, even if I have to go solo... again.☺
