New pants (an "i'm alive" update)

 
We went to the dealer yesterday (Saturday) to check on the bike in the
shop but I was told I have to work through the accident repair claims
person and she wasn't there.  So we looked through the clothing
section while we were there and I struck up a conversation with the
manager of the clothing line. She was friends with the adjuster, and
knew that there was a 2003 ultra classic in for accident repair.  

Turns out she is a distant relative of the *other* Ron Christian who
is also a customer, (which has led to hilarious misunderstandings and
odd phone calls in the past) so the name stuck in her mind and she
sort-of knew who I was and which bike was mine.  She asked me about
the accident and I told her the story -- that I couldn't remember any
of it, spent 8 days in hospital and was currently spleen-less.  I
showed her the scars on my knees and she steered me over to the line
of protective clothing.

To make a long story short, I tried on several pieces and we decided
that the "summer" ballistic nylon pants without the winter insulation
but with the armor plates on knees and hips would be a good fit for
me, so I ordered that.  I'm also considering a new jacket with built
in kidney belt and back brace, but she said that I should first check
my old jacket, because (she says) all recent Harley jackets had
pockets for the armor and it might be cheaper to put mine back
together (The EMTs cut it off me, but followed the seams) than to buy
a new one.  Also, the dealer retains a contractor who repairs jackets.
So I have some things to do.

As far as me individually, I lost the "broken glass" feeling in my
guts last week, and only feel the incision now if I try to lift
something too heavy.  If I'm careful, I'm not in pain.  I have been
walking in the evenings with the old dog, and although we both still
arrive out of breath, I'm much better.  (The dog isn't any better, but
she appreciates the walks.)  I'm not back to normal but getting there.

The scar, which goes from breastbone to crotch, is actually starting
to fade.  I thought I'd look like something out of Re-Animator the
rest of my life but apparently a lot of what I thought was scar tissue
was just localized swelling.

My memory now functions 100% (in my opinion) for new memories, but the
ones that were lost are still gone.  It's curious -- it actually seems
like my mind is working *better*, like the concussion freed up some
vapor lock in my brain.  I'm writing a lot more than I used to, and
getting more done at work.

It kills me to see all the bikes on the road and I'm not out there
myself.  I put wife's bike on the charger last night, will take it out
for a short spin today and see if I can still ride a bike.


    Ron
-
2003 FLHTCUI "Noisy Glide"
http://www.christianfamilywebsite.com
http://www.ronaldchristian.com

 On Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:43:20 -0700, Ronald O. Christian


Snip<<<

Good luck with that!

danl

 
<snip>

Ron, Glad to read that you're healing nicely. Good luck with your
recover and getting back on the road.


Dean
2011 FLHTK
06FLHR  Sold
EKIII

 
(massive snippage occurred right about here)


Glad to hear you're feeling better every day; enjoy the ride tomorrow,
and....

.... let's be careful out there!

Tim