Wow! I actually felt like cutting loose a couple of tears reading this update from Linda G (aka - Monster) Man, I'm humbled and in complete awe and admiration of this hardcore biker chick. Screw bikes, screw M/C's, screw all the crap you thought you knew about the biker. This is the true core of every "real" biker. The strength here IS what it is all about in my opinion. So you thought you were a bad-ass...read on my brothers and sisters and weep.
Hear Monster speak:
"It's me, Linda G. - writing my own email update! I am so blessed to be alive, and I am so happy to be home! The hospital staff was great and I feel that I made many friends there - honestly, I was not ready to come home until now. A beautiful bouquet of two dozen red roses greeted me from my wonderful Harbor staff and Commissioners, who are holding my job for whenever I can return to work. Made me cry reading the card (happy tears!). The love, prayers, messages of encouragement, emails, cards, gifts and flowers are overwhelming and did so much good - I had no idea I knew so many people and that so many people cared about me. I cannot thank you enough for your support.
My 3 kitties were a little huffy and hesitant but today they are back to normal. One of my two wonderful Mothers-in-Law, Betty, a retired Registered Nurse, moved in with us and is such a comfort and security blanket! I am getting around in the wheel chair that Lifter Dave loaned us, and I negotiated the ADA ramp that wonderful friends built immediately after the accident - Rick and crew and Brother D - I cannot thank you enough and am overwhelmed by your generosity!
This morning a flatbed came to take away my totalled 2007 Harley Fat Boy. I had not seen it but went out to say good by to it - owned it for exactly 3 years - and boy, is it evident that I lost that left leg immediately upon impact - I took the full force of a 100 mph wheel on that left leg. But even so, I cried to see my favorite bike go.
But it's all good! I am alive, I'm home, my wonderful husband and Mother-in-Law are taking such good care of me, my kitties are "letting" me pet them (!), the sun is shining and I'm breathing fresh air for the first time in 6 weeks. A friend from the Legion just gave Mike the walker that Wayne had - a truck is coming to pick up the wheel chair and walker that I had rented - why rent when you have caring and generous friends? Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
For those of you who aren't aware, this accident made me a better person, I swear! The Lord has filled my heart with love and gratitude and I know that He has a plan for me. I can't wait to fulfill His Plan, but really I know that everything happens at His pace, on His schedule and timeline. When He's ready to call on me, I will be ready. Everyday I praise the Lord for the gift of love and life that He has given me, and that He is there to give all of you if you don't already know that. How ironic that a previous atheist is now spreading the message of our Lord and how arrogant of me to ever have doubted His existence, His love and His presence with us in all we do. It is so evident that He is there, how could I - or anyone - ever have doubted it? I pray for all those who don't believe or who have doubt - He loves you and His son died for us! "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts - and be thankful." Colossians 3:15.
Oh, yeah - the injury - the graft is healing although there is a big chunk out of my thigh; the graft donor site on my "hip" (read: butt cheek) is healing but my advice to you is NEVER VOLUNTEER YOUR BUTT CHEEK FOR A GRAFT DONOR SITE!!! It is still tender and painful after over 2 weeks! I am opting for synthetic skin if they want to do another graft on my stump! At the moment, the stump is smaller by far than when they first did the amputation when it was three times the size of the other one. It has a wound vac on it that is stimulating blood circulation and healing. It should be on for at least a month, and a home health care nurse will come Monday, Wednesday and Friday to change the dressing. My first return appointment to see the doctor is next Monday and hopefully, he will be pleased with the progress. Once the wound is small enough to continue healing on its own, the wound vac will come off and I will not be tied to a machine anymore! So please continue to pray for healing of the wound and thank you so much for your prayers!
I did hire an attorney to pursue a settlement that will cover my expenses including prosthesis expenses for the rest of my life as well as pain and suffering, which both Mike and I experienced big time, and it's not over yet. Yes, I am happy to be alive and I have a great attitude and high spirits, but as a practical matter, there is not enough money in the world to compensate for my loss - so I will take what I can get! We did find the RN who saved my life at the scene and I had a wonderful meeting with her; now I need to find the Vietnam vet who was a medic over there who put the tourniquet on my leg and also saved my life. Any suggestions on how to find him?
Again, I want to thank all of you who visited, sent messages, cards, books, gifts, flowers, calls and prayers - I could almost reach out and touch the support that I felt in that hospital room. God bless you all!
Love, Linda G. "
Yeah...I'm thinking it too. Best wishes sister...best wishes.
