Faulkner's new adventure.

[Faulkner]

what happened next? you left us hanging.

I ended up spending 24 hours in ICU, then transferred to a regular room for another 24 hours until the swelling reduced enough for the ENT doctor to determine that I had a severely bruised larynx but no breaks in the airway cartilage. The short term consequences is my voice is at about 50% capability.

I could probably articulate another entire story just about my stay in ICU, it is certainly a happening place 24 hours a day. The gentleman in the ICU suite next to me coded and died during the night, and later there was some kind of altercation just down the hall where they had to manhandle a patient to the floor and then restrain them on a gurney. I couldn't figure out what was going on because the very emotional patient was speaking Spanish. I had a fleeting thought of helping out when I heard the struggle but the thought of Nurse Christy and tag team giving me a catheter convinced me the better part of valor was to lay low.

When they finally moved me out of ICU to a regular room I'd not slept in two days and was pretty worn by then. My new nurse was a pretty, late 20's young lady who introduced herself as Nurse Hanna. After they got me settled in the room she asked, "do you need anything Mr. Faulkner?"

"Can I have something to eat?"

"No, doctor's orders."

"Then when you change out the next IV bring me something strawberry flavored, that's my favorite."

The blank stare indicated she didn't get it, then she said, "I'll see what I can do."

During most of the hospital stay I was on IV's with no food or liquid going down my throat. When they finally allowed me to have some cherry Jello, it was as wonderful as any steak I've ever had. After two days in the hospital I was released and placed on a liquid only diet for another 10 days.

I returned to the doctor two weeks after the incident and he advised there is still significant bruising but I am on the mend. Unfortunately, a bruised larynx is a slow healer and it will take 3 months or so for my voice to fully return. Not having a my full voice is frustrating, but I'm not complaining one bit as my ordeal could have been much worse as already noted by several. I've often said that I hope my guardian angel gets overtime pay because he certainly earns it.

 

[jimmyj]

HOWDY:
After your "Incident" you still had clean underwear??
I spent 31 days in ICU (on duty incident) and the nurses and aides were all young "Hoties" and I have NO secrets now. I was on a spine board with cervical collar the whole 31 days and had tubes and wires every place on my bod. I decided if I was ever in a "Beer Drinking Contest" having a Folly Catheter would be the way to go. Learning Lesson: NEVER say no to a wife or nurse.

 

[mc5aw]

I suggest this tale be titled "Electra Glide in Black and Blue".

 

[Faulkner]

Glad yer OK!

When ya going out shopping for a new ride?

I started shopping on line with my iPhone while I was laying in ICU. Once the insurance settlement check arrived I beat it down to the closest dealership and started trying them on for size.

Decided on a 2014 Electra Glide Ultra Classic in Candy Orange.

 

[mkk41]

I started shopping on line with my iPhone while I was laying in ICU. Once the insurance settlement check arrived I beat it down to the closest dealership and started trying them on for size.

Decided on a 2014 Electra Glide Ultra Classic in Candy Orange.

Well , best of luck to ya! I'd like to say "They'll see you a mile away" , but we both know it's only a matter of time before someone doesn't! Hopefully you see them first!

I keep hearing 2014 will be the last year for a totally air-cooled Harley. They tune them so lean to comply with EPA and they get HOT in slow traffic!


I'll keep chugging along on my '97 Cop-sykle!

 

[Faulkner]

I keep hearing 2014 will be the last year for a totally air-cooled Harley. They tune them so lean to comply with EPA and they get HOT in slow traffic!

My 2007 was the first year that Harley introducted the TC96 engine (96 cubic inch) up from the TC88 and I had terrible heat issues with it in stock form. Once the engine warmed up it was just plain painful to ride without leather chaps. I installed HD heat shields under the seat and installed an electronic fuel injector tuner programmed to actually "un-lean" the engine. The thermal problem disappeared and it ran better too. I could literally ride it in shorts if I wanted to.

Since 2007 Harley has re-routed the exhaust to minimalize the heat issue on the rider and passenger, added underseat heat shields as stock issue, engine oil cooler, and done some retuning of the fuel injector for slow speed operation. So far I'm riding the 2014, even with it's bigger TC103 engine, without any significant thermal issues but I admit it is early with only 500 miles on it, though I'll tell you at the 500 mile point on the 2007 I was already looking for thermal solutions.

Also, Harley has introduced the new 'Twin Cooling' water cooled system on the 2014 touring bikes as an option in the Limited package. My new Ultra has everything the Limited package offers except water cooled option.

 

[Straightshooter2]

Faulkner, glad your ok and sorry about the bike. I understand the "battle" with the nurse as my first incident with a nurse wanting to do something and me not wanting to do it was at age four. Mom, who was an RN wanted to give me a penicillin shot to which I vociferously objected! Mom won of course.

CW

 

[pawncop]

Faulkner,

First, very glad you are OK and on the mend. I work in a pediatric ER and the type injury you describe would have our full and undivided attention.

Second, ER and ICU staff, in cases like your's have a limited sense of humor. It is very similar to our sense of humor regarding street safety, only it is regarding your safety and well being. There have been many occasions when I have told a patient they cannot do something "It is not in your best interest" end of story.

Third, sorry for the entire incident. I will say that is one cool looking ride.

Finally, you do have a gift with words. Seriously think about developing your talent further.

You and Charlie Sherrill could go far.

 

[Old TexMex]

Faulkner, shame about the crash, hope you heal up right quick. I like the looks of the new Glide.

 

[dereksfl]

Faulkner: Any time you are without your voice, just make up a flash card on a stick that says "YES DEAR!!" and wave it at her.

 

[gaucho1]

"You have a way with words."


Faulkner..............................may have some special genes..........

 

[Doug M.]

There is not much dignity left in a hospital after a day or two. When I developed a DVT (clot) after a stay and got put back in, I was not allowed to get out of the bed for 31 hours after I checked in. I was already used to pissing in the jug, so that was ok, and I was able to sit on the side of the bed to do that. I drew the line at dumping in a bed pan and having someone wiping my furry backside. The nurse and I came to a state of forced neutrality, but it had the potential to be a new low in personal dignity until then.

Sorry about the hog and dog. I gave up riding about 27 years ago. Around here, the troopers call M/Cs "donorcycles". No thanks.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Well, did you get the catheter or not?????

 

[Faulkner]

Well, did you get the catheter or not?????

I did NOT!

 

[2hawk]

Good job, Faulkner- I know you'd of rather not had this happen, but hey, at least you got a good story and a new bike out of it. I just hope the pains are only temporary, and the bike works out better than the last one. Keep on truckin'!

 

[mtgianni]

Glad that you are OK, rides are replaceable. My nurse had the sense to fill me full of demorall before telling me I needed a catheter. I said "sure no problems".

 

[2hawk]

BTW- Be thankful you avoided the catheter.

I stacked a bike pretty good when I was 17, racing some buddies. Broke my pelvis in two places. They noticed blood in the urine, so automatic catheterization.

Ok, bad, but not the worst...

One of my buds is visiting me and while we're BS'ing, he just kind of idly sees the bag hanging off the bottom rail of the bed, and sort of just pokes it with his foot, not having any idea what it was.



That's one you don't forget!

 

[Old TexMex]

I did NOT!

A buddy of mine refused it too, said if a band aid was gonna cost $8.00 in the hospital, he sure didn't want to pay a finders fee.

 

[Faulkner]

Glad that you are OK, rides are replaceable. My nurse had the sense to fill me full of demorall before telling me I needed a catheter. I said "sure no problems".

The nurse told me the doctor had authorized morphine if I needed it. I was never in any pain so I always declined but I suspect had I accepted it I may have woken up with a catheter.

 

[Road Rat]

However, in the end: YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!


You told your wife you were OK.

You told the doctors you were OK.

They wasted $20K only to prove you were RIGHT.....................

And everyone wonders why medical costs are sky high.....