I went to the library after school, took some books and left home. Now that I look back at yesterday, I'm starting to think there was someone looking after me because nothing really bad happened.
I drove down the street with my bike I went cross a few intersections, driving. I remember a girl who went really fast in front of me and thought "Geez, she must be late." Se drove on despite of the red light. I got off my bike and waited for the light to turn green. I looked at a guy on the other side of the road and thought he looked familiar but couldn't really crasp the thought. Then I went ahead. I was thinking about people going by, how this one girl was wearing too tight pants, and which way to go home. First I decided to go the usual way but then I thought I needed some change. I went through the central bus stops and ahead, it was -what- fourish in the afternoon and I was thinking that there wasn't much people there. Then in the second place of decision I chose to go ahead towards the police station as there is a sidewalk that bikers can use too and I don't like biking on the driveway as the traffic here is crazy in the afternoon.
Then again, the last point of decision. I noticed a car parked in a weird spot on a driveway to a local hardware store, thinking what an idiot he was. I noticed a nice, dark car parked in front of me and two people in it. I needed to either choose going straight or take it to the right and go the way as I usually go. I liked the car - it was a plain, but rather new so I decided to go straight to get a better look. i don't remember the make of it or if it really was a nice car now - guess I lost some of my memory a few seconds later. I was looking at the intersection far ahead to check if I can go across the street there or should I turn back. That intersection has changed a lot during the last year so I wasn't sure. Then I noticed a white car coming from left. Well actually I didn't notice it until I understood it was moving. I hit the breaks, too late. I always keep my fingers on the hand breaks so I did break, but when I did that, I lost the ability to turn the bike fast, so the pedal hit the car's extra headlight set. The next thing I was thinking: "Ok, you're gonna fall badly, relax and watch for your head." I pushed the bike and tried to jump off but I had a long white coat on and a bag full of books so I wasn't that flexible.
I fell to my left side and blacked out for just a sec. Then I thought that I was okay until it hit me. The pain. It hurt so much I couldn't breathe for a moment. Tears bursted out and I couldn't help the sounds coming out of my mouth. I was somewhere in the twilight zone until I realized nothing's broken and didn't feel I'd hit my head - and I remembered that years ago, I had learned a breathing technique I could use. Everyone was yelling and talking around me and someone called the ambulance and the police. I managed to ease the pain by concentrating to my breathing and was able to talk. I remember that I was worried about the car. I tried to get up but the pain kept me down there. I wasn't shocked - though. Guess everyone else was more shocked. There were people coming and going and staring and asking had I hit my head and if I was okay.
I decided to get up. The first attempt to get up didn't result as I wanted. I couldn't use my left arm to push me up so I took some deep breaths and forced myself to get up (for the stinging pain was momentarily only) as there was audience and I felt really stupid being on the ground when I wasn't lethally injured. My whole left side was burning and aching but I stood up. I called J to come and pick up the bike and luckily he was nearby. I stood the whole time, not straight, though - and the world was going around but I kept breathing and told everyone I was okay. Then I noticed the blood. A little, but blood anyway, on my leg. Something in my bike had punched a hole, but it looked worse than it really was.
J, the police and the ambulance came soon as we were right next to the police station. J came over me and was - I don't know, embarassed to be there - and the officer asked my name and date of birth and then went on asking the people who were there to find out whose fault it was. I was taken to the hospital so I won't know who's fault if was until I receive a charge or a bill. J took my bike and followed me to the hospital.
The driver of the white car was really nice and I think he got more scared than me. He apologized ten times and I said - not thinking - that we might bumb into each other some other time. Literally. Guess no one understood the joke - I understood it later.
The ambulance dude was really nice, we talked the whole way to the ER and he said that the car came from left, so it was basically his job to not hit me. Then they asked for my insurance - which I never had because the healthcare is free - I only have one that covers if I mess up someone else's stuff. The people had said I drove too fast. But I never drive fast! I never even cross the street on red light! The ambulance dude and the driver asked if I wanted them to carry me in, but I said I could walk. But it hurt like hell. At this point I actually started laughing for everyone being so considerate as I wasn't really hurt. I guess I was, because I actually yelled like a crazy monkey when I had to take a step down of the car. My hip felt like as if someone had stuck a 12 inch nail in there. The ambulance people laughed when I said "geez, I yell like a littel girl". The younger ambulance dude said again "want me to carry you?" and I said I'm doing fine. Then the older guy said: "She likes this" and I had to state that "Yes, hit me harder." They laughed. They put me in bed and put a blanket on and said "They're probably coming soon to give you a shot for the pain, have a nice day". I would have ran if I could've moved without help.
I young guy came over first to take my blood pressure and ask for some details . I told the same story I told the police and J and the ambulance people. He was, like, "You seem to be doing fine, stay here and the doctor will come soon. Oh, we should probably give you a shot." "Oh no you're not." I felt panic arising. "For the pain" he said. I refused. And refused again and decided that I'll stand a week of pain rather than take a needle. "Oh, a little needlephopic, eh?" he asked and went somewhere. I waited for the doctor for like an hour or so. The ER was full of old people with headache - nothing serious - and I was feeling only a bit dizzy but my butt hurt like hell. The nurse came and asked if I wanted another blanket and I said I'm quite fine - thinking why there were on a good mood as the ER is known of their rather non-customer-service -staff.
The doctor appeared to be a 35+ dude with nice blue eyes. He wanted asked the same questions ten-or-so people before him and I answered. He checked if I had broken a hip bone and he did a rather unpleasant check. I had to lay down and he took a crab of each side of my hip and twisted. Didn't hurt, but the feeling was somewhat unpleasant. Then he twisted my leg, did a lot of pushing and squeezing (gee, that sounds perverted) and then asked me to stand up. It took me about 30 secs to get up and stand. Then I noticed the doctor was at least 20 inches taller than me and I'm tall! He asked me to take a few steps and then as I was having hard time walking he wanted to check my spine and ribs. He was, like, "you know how to fall, eh?" I answered: "Guess those years training aikido and karate weren't useless. And I have never been so glad for my big butt."
Okay, so I was fine. The doctor told me to stay in bed for at least three days and then try moving outside of the house. He said that the pain was going to be terrible and told me to take a lot of painkillers. Then they sent me home and asked to come again if I had any doubts of injuries as they didn't want to take x-rays for I seemed to be doing fine.
By the time I got home the pain had gone wild. The whole left side of my body was aching (and by the way - still is - even with the painkillers). I'm glad I knew I had to come with my butt first but my heavy load and the coat caused the landing on the whole left side.
Now that I have relaxed a lot I know that there were some injuries they didn't notice. My neck feels like shit, I felt sick and feverish and right now I feel that I actually hit my head because the base of my skull feels sore. Well, if I die in haemorrhagia intracranialis or whatever I know they were wrong not x-raying me. Every inch of my body from the left ankle to the left ear hurts.
Now I'm just waiting what I'll have to pay for the damage to the car. Because I'm sure it will eventually be my fault as the driver appeared to be somewhat whealthy as I had the change to notice his suit and three cell phones. He was - luckily - driving a crappy car. But I heard the extra light sets can be really expensive. I can't stop thinking what I'll have to pay and why didn't I crush my skull in the street.
Or course, J doesn't understand. He takes it as if it was nothing. He doesn't realize that if the car didn't come from a parking lot it would have driven faster and I would probably be dead as I never wear a helmet when biking. Guess he doesn't care after all. He was very servicing, though. Even bought me my favorite ice cream today.
It seems like forever and that was barely 24 hours ago.