Feel The Cracks

This thread came of course, from recalling an incident where the bike, which was about to be taken from me, because of something I had done (stealing five cents for a chocolate marshmallow fish – see blog November 7^th 2012), had reminded me of a time when I had been in a bike accident. I had been struck, probably accidentally, by a car (which I remind you had not stopped) and now I lay in the hospital awaiting the results of those x-rays. My mother was asking if I could see any better. But with my eyes (one more than the other) still somewhat welded shut with blood and other matter, despite the gentle soaking cloths that had been applied by the nurse, while I lay there, the answer was a definite, “No”. The doctor had commented that there ‘may’ be residual gravel etc, (it was the etc touch that really made me wonder) trapped under the lids. And while it was difficult to get a look at that time, as the eyes had also started to puff up considerably, he had tried. I flinched several times as he had attempted to lift the lids.  “Perhaps it’s better to cover the eyes to reduce eye movement, and when the swelling goes down we’ll get a better look at them.” He had said.

The x-rays then apparently arrived. No doubt the doctor did the very recognisable action of walking over to a light panel and sliding them up under the top clips. I had seen it often enough previously that I didn’t need to have my eyes open to see what was going on. These were the thick Acetate sheets types (which were great in later years to use for cutting out stencils for spray painting). I heard my mother ask, suddenly slightly more concerned. “Is everything alright?” “Ahhhhh” was the doctor’s first comment. Pause while he must have examined the image “Hmmmmm?” was his second. He was obviously changing his pre x-ray opinion “Well…. Its not too bad.” Was his third hesitant comment.

My mother was not the sort to pussy foot around when it came to health issues of her children, well, depending on the actual injury (more on that in a later blog). “Well? What is it?” “Oh”, the doctor responded somewhat surprised. “Well, it’s fractures, definitely fractures, but very small”. He sounded fairly casual. “Fractures(ssss)” My mother responded, emphasising the ‘S’s. “Yes,” The doctor answered. “Multiple fractures, but they are all very fine, around the face and side of the head.” I lay there. Multiple fractures? My face was ….. shattered? Wow. I felt pretty impressed, despite the pain. “Are they serious?” my mother asked, definitely raising her level of concern. “Well, they could have been” The doctor answered in what sounded a little absentmindedly, “In fact the ones to his temple are very serious. Well, could have been” He corrected himself. “The temple is a very fragile area. Smash that in and it can kill you.”

(Continued tomorrow)