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Hi AZ riders!

Close friends of mine from Denver (a married couple) are in Tucson. They were there for the bicycle event "El Tour de Tucson" held this past weekend.  

Unfortunately, the experienced rider that he is (6,000+ miles a year on his bike), took a tumble and is in ICU with a brain injury and in a coma.

She is staying at their hotel but that cost is adding up.

Thought I'd see if there was anyone here who knows of cheaper alternative housing or if anyone had a spare room/bathroom for her – whether it's for a week or two...?  She is a great person, kind, quiet, personable.  Would be coming and going late and early....

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Please PM me if you have any.

Thanks everyone!!  

Temporary housing has been found - thank you!  Not sure for how long but my friend is set for the time being.  Many thanks to everyone for the thoughts, suggestions and well wishes (via Facebook).   [thumbsup]

great! if anything changes let me know! we've got a big comfy couch your friend is more than welcomed to. and if their stay extends into mid december, we'll have a guest room available. Keep us posted on the surgeries!

Good news.  PM me if she finds herself needing another place.  I've got family in town with extra room.

Hey Stella,

Maureen and I rode in El Tour and I happened to hear that there was someone taken away on a stretcher from a rather serious injury. I'm so sorry to hear that it was your friend and that he was hurt so badly.

Many wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Dave.

Thanks a bunch Dave! 

I will be surprised (and grateful and ecstatic) if he does survive. It's that bad but the thing he has going for him was/is that he was always in the best of health and shape possible.   [thumbsup]

Any idea exactly what happened? Was anyone else hurt?

Having done the tour, you're familiar with the large "crevices" on the roads.  Mile 4, his front wheel got caught in one of those and he somehow twisted during the fall, hitting the back of his head on the pavement.  Significant brain injury, on a ventilator and in a coma. 

The one good sign is that he has responded to some commands such as "wiggle your toes". 

The race director and a few others with the AZ cycling board have been in touch with his wife and the paramedics have also visited.  Great people down there!   [thumbsup]

Wow - I think I saw the aftermath of that. I recall seeing a bicycle with it's front wheel bent in half and wondered how that could have happened.

I'm so sorry to hear that. It doesn't sound like his helmet held up very well - which is sad because that's all there is between you and injury - and it isn't much.

I sincerely hope that he recovers. It is a good sign that he is responding. I'll get in touch with the people from Perimeter Bicycling and be sure they are aware of the situation.

Dave, thanks for leaving the nice note today with Lise and Joe!   So thoughtful...   [thumbsup]

D*mn..that's a bad accident!   :-\  I'll be in Tucson tomorrow.  My dad's friends have fully furnished rentals down there but I see your friend has a place already.  Hopefully, everything turns out OK.  What hospital is he at?

He's at University Medical.  And yes, housing is set for now, thanks! 

Just chatted with my friend for a few minutes.  She's now moving to a guest house (at no cost) of the distant relatives and will need a few things.

The place is on S. Palomar (zip 85711).  Will provide exact addy if you're able to loan anything, just pm me.

Apparently the place doesn't have much so if anyone can temporarily spare any furniture (we didn't get into specifics but I'll find out) in addition to towels, microwave, and a printer (we shipped her laptop the other day) so she can get some time in at work (as a graphic designer and editor) – it would of course be much appreciated!

I can also put you in direct contact with her.  Might be easier?

Just throwing this out there. Will also check with our other non-moto circle of friends too and their connections in the area.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU EVERYONE! 

I'm on the north side and I've got a bunch of stuff she can use. PM me with specific requests, or her info...or send me an email to the one on my profile!

Email sent.  Thank you!!!!    [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

A huge thanks to everyone who sent well wishes and offers of support of all kinds to my friends during their ordeal.

Joe is now stable enough (which is amazing really) to be transported back to Colorado, likely this week.  The people of AZ are awesome!

Thank you again and enjoy your holidays with family and friends and, of course, travel safely.   ;)

 [beer]

That's splendid news, Polly. Safe travels to Joe & his wife!

Thanks for the final update Polly!

I hope that his recovery moves well as he returns home.  [thumbsup]

That's great Polly! Send our best! Were going to be in Denver at the end of the month. Please send along his hospital info and we'll try to pop in

You're more than welcome to stay at our place if needed, plenty of room and space.  At the very least, if you have time, let's get together for a beverage! 

The hospital is:

Kindred Hospital
1920 High Street
Denver, CO 80206

Thanks again everyone!

 [beer]

Thanks Stella! We're flying in and staying at a friend's condo in Dillon, but maybe we can grab a beer while we're in the area!

Joe is now back in Denver, but at a significant out of pocket cost to he and his wife.

If you can help out in any way, whether it be means of a donation, or forwarding this link on to someone who can, please do.

http://funds.gofundme.com/1hj3s (http://funds.gofundme.com/1hj3s)

Thank you very, very much!

- Randy

Hey Gang,

Joe has physically improved quite a bit over the last several weeks after getting back to Denver.  He's in a great rehab hospital now and undergoes extensive physical and cognitive therapy.  Physical is improving, cognitive is plateauing. 

He'll be moved to a fourth care facility next week that requires less medical attention for their patients and an equal amount of, if not more, cognitive therapy.  He's at the level of about a 3 year old so he's got a loooong way to go.  His feeding tube is also being removed tomorrow.

Funny, ironic, thing is that he still just wants to ride his bike.   [thumbsup]

Continued good healing vibes are appreciated by his wife Lise and of course by all his friends as his challenges are far from over.

Thanks again!!!    [beer]   [moto]   [bacon] 

Thanks for the update!  [thumbsup]

It's obviously been a LONG time since my last update and I thought I'd throw out one more since everyone here was SO kind when this all began.

Our friend who was injured in a cycling accident has yet to get home and remains in a "clinic" of sorts because of his incredibly slow progress which may have, unfortunately, plateaued.  His mindset is that of about a 3 year old.  His body, which rode about 6,000 miles annually, has a hard time staying upright.

His wife is grateful for work to help pay the bills and friends to help keep her sanity.

Brain injuries certainly do suck, don't they!  

Sorry this isn't more positive but I did feel the need to share since everyone was, as I said, so incredibly kind and helpful when this all began mid-Nov.  AZ people - and most definitely DMF people - are truly amazing!!!!!!!

Keep them in your thoughts if you will - miracles can happen, right?!   [thumbsup]

very sad

 :-\

A final thanks to all who raised their hands to offer assistance in any way and/or for kind words for my friends Joe and Lise.

Our buddy Joe finally gave up after many ups and downs he endured for nearly 3 years after his cycling accident. (For someone who rode 6k miles a year with just a flat or two, it's crazy but goes to show you just never know...)

It's a relief actually but sad to have seen someone suffer so long.  (For the record, if any of you see me plugged in, please please please "accidentally" trip over the cords, ok?!)

Thanks again to all.  DMF people are the best.    [beer]