Well, I have another life adventure to add to my list. This year was my first year to participate in a great biking event aptly named “Death Ride”. 129 miles, five mountain passes and 15,000 feet of climbing. After climbing all the passes I got to sign the official poster (then it's picture time - point to your signature so you can sign again in the same spot next year), celebrate with 5 or 6 ice cream bars and then coast the last 20 miles back into town. 10 miles down the hill my bike started wobbling badly and 10 seconds later I was laying in the middle of the road stunned that I had just crashed at 40 miles per hour and appeared to be alive.
I’ve strung together a bunch of the emails we sent out to friends and family, trying to keep everyone updated throughout the process.
Update I
So this is just a brief update - I know that we have spoken with many of you so likely this will sound repetitive to some....
Just to recap - Tom had a crash on the last descent of the Death Ride on late Saturday afternoon - after examining him for cranial, bone, and other issues at Tahoe Hospital it was identified that he has an acetabular fracture (effectively a fracture of the socket in his hip) - He will need surgery to fix the damage and given the nature of the injury he was transferred via helicopter (cool) to a trauma unit in Reno - (Found out later the ride cost $18K and 100% covered by insurance!)
He has been seen by one of the very very few specialists in the field of Acetabular Fractures - an orthopedic surgeon - Dr. Shonnard - who specializes in this kind of reparation surgery.
After much discussion, and a preliminary determination to transfer him to Stanford, the insurance company indicated that given there was no difference in the level of care at the Renown Regional Center in Tahoe versus Stanford and the expertise of the related orthopedic surgeons, insurance would not cover the $10,000 transfer costs to get Tom to Stanford....so while my husband is absolutely PRICELESS as many of you know, we have established that transportation that will likely permanently limit our children's future college funds was not the best and highest use of limited resources...so...
Tom is scheduled for surgery here in Reno on Tuesday at 5 pm - we believe that the recovery will be roughly 3 more days of hospitalization allowing him to be discharged at some point Friday - We are highly confident that the surgeon is well qualified for this particular surgery and appreciate everyone's help in this process - you guys have been AWESOME!
I will return to the Bay Area Monday evening, work to ensure final arrangements are made for Parker (thanks for EVERYONE who is helping out here - it really does take a village to raise a child and for Parker that is likely going to be many villagers....) - then Kira and I will drive back to Reno Tuesday morning to ensure that we are here for emotional support prior to surgery - we are hopeful that we will then be able to transport him back to the Bay Area - I will have to be mindful of my speed and tendancy to like to change lanes when other drivers are going S L O W....might not feel so good even with morphine!
Will keep you posted as things progress - looking forward to all those offers of help to come pouring in after he arrives home.. HA HA - no really - this is one time that I likely will accept help (and for those of you who know me well this is not an easy thing for me to admit - come to think of it not sure I ever have in my 39 years to date on this planet....HA HA again?)
Will send out an update tomorrow - you should all know that he is in amazingly good spirits, his sarcasm has extended to several nurses who have missed a multitude of jokes today (but I think I got them all) - Thanks again
Good night (I hope!)
Dianne
Update II
Just met with the doctor that is going to operate on me tomorrow afternoon. The bad news is that my right butt cheek still reminds the nurse of a baboon in heat. 
I hope the red inflammation disappears before I head out in my speedo again. Surgery Tuesday at 4:45 and it should go for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. The accident slammed my pelvic bone very hard into the socket on top of the leg. The ball part of the joint is badly damaged and the socket has cracked and separated up to and into the pelvic bone. Surgery should clean out the ball area, push the socket back together and pin it in place. I will have pins in me forever.
After surgery it's back to my room where I should wake up, albeit a little groggy, in an hour or so. Healing in the hospital is a couple day process and if all goes well, Dianne can drive me home on Friday. Lots of PT work before jumping in the car.
Once home I need to find a family doctor, a hip joint specialist and a PT. The surgeon has given me the name of a hip guy to help, but I need a PT and a family doctor. Recommendations gladly accepted!!
I should be on crutches and ready to get mobile by the time I leave this place. I'll need to start PT as soon as I get back. Carrie, set up you're shop and I'll make you rich. Need to check with Patrick to see if he would recommend you first though :)
Lots of pills and shots for a while. Blood thinners, pain pills and other such delights.
I'll need to check in with the local specialists. Return doctor visits in 10 days, 6 weeks and 3 months.
Possible risk factors include death during surgery, strokes, nerve damage and other fun stuff! Can't drive for about 5-6 weeks.
Thanks for all the good vibes coming my way!
Feeling good about the process. Bring it on!
Tom
Update III
Hello everyone -
Thanks for all your kind thoughts, offers of help etc as we were preparing for Tom's surgery -
We have just received GREAT NEWS from the doctor - the surgery went very well - the doctor was able to reconstruct his hip joint and was able to smooth out the top of the femur that had also been impacted - additionally he was able to move the hip socket back into the proper position - My guess is that there is a lot of hardware in Tom now!!!
Tom will be in recovery for another hour or so and then back into the hospital room where his lovely wife and favorite daughter await the king's return!!! (King of the mountain that is - for those of you Tour de France fanatics - I am in the market for a polka dot jersey if anyone knows where I can find one....)
The doctor has indicated that given Tom's overall strong health and physique (he does have an amazing physique....) he should recover relatively quickly allowing us to return to the Bay Area by Friday - which is really great news -
The path to recovery will include a lot of pain meds, some blood thinners (shots in the belly from what I hear), PT, lots of delicious food donated by our good friends, family, and neighbors (hint hint) and follow up with either his surgeon or another equally trained surgeon in the Bay Area (for which we understand there is one....good speciality to be in so long as there is a high risk of accidents that involve trauma in your area....) -
He will likely come home with just crutches - no hospital bed - and a smile on his face because, while Reno might be a good spot for those who like the world of gambling, Tom's gambling days are over and while he has taken his chances on the hills those are over for a while as well.....Danville is home sweet home (another plug for great desserts made by our friends, family, and neighbors)
We will keep you posted as we learn more and are prepping for "a tough night" according to the doc...hopefully Kira can handle it while I rest comfortably in the hotel room....
Hugs, kisses, and loads of love to everyone
Dianne, Kira (and in their absence because they are having more fun than us - Conner, Parker, and Tundra)
Update IV
Hello all
Just thought it would be good to share with you some of the lighter parts of Tom's surgery/recovery -
The day of surgery Tom was not allowed to have anything other than a clear breakfast - YUM - so the "nutritionist" arrives with a full breakfast of bacon, eggs, etc - Tom indicates that he believes he can't have this so she then leaves - returns 30 minutes later with a breakfast labelled "Tom Glynn special order breakfast" - voila - pancakes and bacon! - so Tom politely indicates that he can't have this either and that it does not look like a clear breakfast - she leaves (in a huff) and returns 30 minutes later with a clear breakfast - YUM YUM YUM
Quotes while coming out of high doses of morphine during surgery:
(1) Upon arriving back in the hospital room, the first thing Tom says to Kira and myself is - "OMG - they did the wrong surgery - they turned me into a dog" - and then he prompty starts to bark loudly and pant.....
(2) While falling asleep after being returned to the room Tom began having hand gestures that included giving the finger to someone while his eyes were shut and he was snoring - not sure whom but guessing it was therapeudic and have convinced myself that it was neither Kira nor I....
(3) After the nurse showed Tom how to use the Patient Assissted Medication (ie morphine on demand) she then went on to explain that neither Kira, myself, nor her could push the button for Tom - for which he promptly then said "You want to push my button - I know you do - come on try it!"- morphine is great!
(4) Tom decides he is going to rest for the night - we begin to leave and then he turns his head to me and opens and shuts his eyes like a 2 year old pretending to be asleep - Parker at 49....
Review of the operating report indicated " a need to be extremely careful around the rather tender buttocks area when performing the incision" - Tom's baboon but must have also frightened the attending surgeons!
Our motto for the day - Enjoy the other side! (mostly because Tom's right side is so painful - ha ha)
Love to all
Dianne
Update V – July 27th
I'm currently sitting around waiting for bones to heal!
I'm up and around, feel great and I'm pretty good on the crutches. No weight bearing for 8 weeks; the hardest part being no driving during this time.
I look and feel normal, have good range of motion and lots of strength in my legs. Dianne and Kira are not happy, but I've picked off all my scabs as I sit around healing :)
I am very, very lucky not to have broken bones, injured my neck, spine, banged my head etc. I've got an unbelievable support staff of friends and family helping out and should be back to normal at some point; hopefully sooner rather than later!
On with life's adventures.
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