For those of you who havent heard, I had a biking accident Saturday night that landed me in the hospital for 3 days. I was released yesterday and am recovering quickly, so I am deeply thankful.
Because I have heard so much that was not true (ie, PB was hit by a motorcycle), I will fill you guys in on what really happened:
Saturday night, at around 7, I had just finished final preparation for Sunday's message. I knew I had about an hour left before the sun would set, so I rushed to try and get a 10 mile ride in. I had just gotten a new pair of bike shoes that clip in, to where you get power on the upstroke as well as downstroke.
Enter the problem. The guy who sold me my bike told me that I needed to take some time to lean against a wall and get a feel for using the shoes. But, true to my nature, I rushed out to beat the sunset and thought, "I'll figure it out while I ride." So I clipped one foot in, then the other, and realized instantly I was in trouble.
It took all of about a second to fall with a bone crushing THUD onto the street.
I immediately knew I had broken a rib, as I couldnt breathe and the pain was searing. Stubborn as always, I managed to pick up the pick and determined I would ride it off and ride through it. I rode about a mile and a half and was practically passing out as I could not breathe. I was by myself and could sense something was very wrong inside, so I decided to take myself to Emergency at West Florida Hospital. I called Deb on the way and she met me there, as well as Pastor Roger to tell him to get my notes as he would have to probably preach my message in the morning.
As I stiffened, it got worse. They took xrays and the doctor came in and told me: Its not your ribs. You dropped a lung and this is much more serious. He told me simply, "This is going to be a long, painful night for you."
Great.
I wont go into the gory details of them putting the lung tube in without anesthesia, but the doctor was right. Agonizing is about the only word to describe it.
Thankfully, I had a ton of prayer directed my way and my lung was back up by Monday. They took the tube out Tuesday and I was able to go home. I will have a pretty good scar on my side where the tube went in, but considering the fact that the doctor said if I had NOT gone in I would have been dead in the morning from the fluid compressing my heart, I am not complaining. :)
And, Lord willing, I am preaching my message this Sunday!
I want to publically say how great my wife Debbi was through this. She was there morning til night, took off work, to be with me. When I was scared as you know what, she comforted me and relieved the fear. I am thankful for her.
My kids as well were there alot. Michael even said he had a great gift for me whenever I got out: TRAINING WHEELS. :)
I am probably not going to be able to make this years triathalon, but I intend to keep training for it. I am sure my new training wheels will help.
Love you guys and thank you for all the prayers. See you Sunday!!
PB
PB, I've been praying for you! Scared me to pieces. I have friends that work at West Florida and you have been the talk of the ER!!!! No one could believe the guy with the puctured lung that drove himself to the ER! You are one tough dude. When I told the docs I knew you, they told me you were lucky... I said nah, not lucky.. just Blessed. :)
Posted by: Lisa Kelly | August 02, 2011 at 02:45 PM
It was good to see you back on Sunday. Praying for a continued speedy recovery.
Love you PB.
Posted by: Henry | August 02, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Wow! When you do something, you do it with full gusto, don't you??? So thankful you are on the mend. Continued prayers your way...
Posted by: Annie G | August 01, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Debbie & I have beenpraying for quick recovery & the pain that you experienced. I am old bicycler myself. Love to ride but not here in the US. Had an incident in Norfolk. I use to ride my bike from home to base everyday except in winter months about 12 miles each way. Almost got run over by an individual who did an illegal left turn. I had to eat the pavement & curb. It could have been his car. He stopped & said that he was sorry. He made repairs on my bike. When I rode I used toe clips. The Bike shop person was right. You must learn to use new equipment like that before adventuring out. Be safe & bless before heading out again.
Posted by: Dave & Debbie Bixler | July 30, 2011 at 08:24 AM
God is such an awesome God! So glad that you are recovering and trusting God to make it a speedy one! I do think the training wheels might be a good....In our thoughts & prayers!
Christ Love John L & Julie Royer
Posted by: Julie G Royer | July 30, 2011 at 05:24 AM
It's so good to know that you are doing better. We have been praying for you and your family.
Posted by: Stephany | July 29, 2011 at 06:30 PM
Good to hear you are home. We have been praying for you and are continuing to pray for you. Look forward to seeing you on sunday.
Posted by: Jason and Ellen Beck | July 29, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Bobby,
Glad to hear you're on the mend. Remember, we're not spring chickens anymore! Lifting you and your family up to our God.
Posted by: David Mouton | July 29, 2011 at 08:12 AM
So glad to hear you are ok! Just don't overdo it.
See, exercise really is bad for your health~ I had a bike vs shoe incident a couple of years ago myself, but not nearly as serious.
Posted by: Marcel Jack | July 28, 2011 at 10:17 PM
We are so glad you are doing well. The Lord is so faithful!!
Posted by: Andres and Monica Garcia | July 28, 2011 at 09:45 PM
From the nursing side of things....WOW, You are TOUGH. Love you man.
Posted by: Joel Shirley | July 28, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Hey Pastor Bobby! Glad to hear you're feeling better! Now don't get over motivated and try to start back up too soon! Miss you and the rest of my Harvest Family!
Posted by: Dawn LeBlond | July 28, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Thank God you're okay! He is always looking out for His children. :) Glad to know you're out now and feeling better.
Posted by: Autumn Helms | July 28, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Thankful for you and your wife. Thankful you are okay bro. Much love and prayer from us.
Posted by: Chris Dufrene | July 28, 2011 at 07:19 PM