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hickmangene
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 29
Location: West End, NC
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 Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 4:08 am Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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As of yesterday I now have another surgery scheduled on my right foot for May 4. At that time, while I am knocked out, they will try to break up scar tissue in my left knee so that I will be able to extend that leg normally. My left hip and leg are healing fine but physical therapy has a long ways to go before I can walk. The surgery on May 4 will require me to be off that foot for another 6 weeks.
I now have a copy of the dash cam footage from the policeman that was a ways back behind me at the time of the collision. I am about 1/4 ++ mile ahead of the officer, down a long gradual curve. You can actually see the lady turn in front of me and see the crash, with her momentum dragging me and my bus sideways across three lanes after contact. We are little more than fussy dots in the distance, but you can see what happened.
The most upsetting part of the dash cam video is not the collision or seeing the EMS and fire crew cutting me out over a 20 minute interval. At the very beginning of the video the officer was on a side street waiting to turn onto my direction of travel. What upsets me the most is seeing me pass by in his camera view, on my way home from work, the old bus gleaming and purring along, less than a minute away from a fate that would change my life and everything. We should all live like we could die any moment....... |
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scottvw
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2004
Posts: 2821
Location: Centennial, CO
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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| Good luck in your upcoming surgery. I can't imagine going through what you have. |
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BarryL 
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14269
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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| hickmangene wrote: |
| What upsets me the most is seeing me pass by in his camera view, on my way home from work, the old bus gleaming and purring along, less than a minute away from a fate that would change my life and everything. |
It's like a flashback of a premonition. May every cell in your body join hands and come together for you as best they can. Thanks for telling your feelings. |
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BOORNA
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2010
Posts: 12
Location: CROATIA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Sad story. That's why I would never lower my Bus. I feel uncomfortable even at stock height when cars are speeding at me.
I'm following this thread from beginning, wishing You fast recovery. Hang on, let us know how it's going with surgery and everything. The Bus will buff out...
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far rider
Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2005
Posts: 771
Location: Rutland, VT
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Sorry about the accident. Better days are ahead. Best of luck, hang in there.
_________________
67 zenith blue sunroof
Contentment; when what you have is what you want.
Last edited by far rider on Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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LAGrunthaner
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007
Posts: 5509
Location: 1st Coast
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:49 am Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Gene, I continue to send good Karma and prayers for you to get stronger and heal. Good luck on May 4th with the surgery and just try and do things that make you happy as that positive feeling will help distract you, build up your immune system and give you power and control. I'm sure there are many samba members who use this site and their vehicles to make them happy therefore do what ever it takes to heal, reading, videos, talking on the phone being with friends that make you laugh and meditation.
You are so right about "We should all live like we could die any moment". May you live long healthy and pain free, thank you for sharing your story so we can all be safe out there and treat each day as a gift.
Namaste
| hickmangene wrote: |
As of yesterday I now have another surgery scheduled on my right foot for May 4. At that time, while I am knocked out, they will try to break up scar tissue in my left knee so that I will be able to extend that leg normally. My left hip and leg are healing fine but physical therapy has a long ways to go before I can walk. The surgery on May 4 will require me to be off that foot for another 6 weeks.
I now have a copy of the dash cam footage from the policeman that was a ways back behind me at the time of the collision. I am about 1/4 ++ mile ahead of the officer, down a long gradual curve. You can actually see the lady turn in front of me and see the crash, with her momentum dragging me and my bus sideways across three lanes after contact. We are little more than fussy dots in the distance, but you can see what happened.
The most upsetting part of the dash cam video is not the collision or seeing the EMS and fire crew cutting me out over a 20 minute interval. At the very beginning of the video the officer was on a side street waiting to turn onto my direction of travel. What upsets me the most is seeing me pass by in his camera view, on my way home from work, the old bus gleaming and purring along, less than a minute away from a fate that would change my life and everything. We should all live like we could die any moment....... |
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters 
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
| Lind wrote: |
| Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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hickmangene
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 29
Location: West End, NC
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Thank you so much everyone. I am a bit apprehensive about this knee "straightening" they are going to try to do while I'm under.
Allstate did finally make me a settlement offer on my 67 Deluxe, although the lawyer is handling things presently. I can give out more details later once things have settled. Man some of those Westy Vanagons in the classifieds sure look fancy.... LOL  |
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LAGrunthaner
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007
Posts: 5509
Location: 1st Coast
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Totally understandable Gene, maybe you can talk to your doctor about something to calm your nerves without being addictive meds, you have been through enough. Keep your eye on the prize of getting all this behind you. I'm glad you are able to get this off your chest here as that in itself is helpful to relax more.
| hickmangene wrote: |
Thank you so much everyone. I am a bit apprehensive about this knee "straightening" they are going to try to do while I'm under.
Allstate did finally make me a settlement offer on my 67 Deluxe, although the lawyer is handling things presently. I can give out more details later once things have settled. Man some of those Westy Vanagons in the classifieds sure look fancy.... LOL |
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
| Lind wrote: |
| Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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obus
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11070
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
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Pacmanfever
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2013
Posts: 201
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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| hickmangene wrote: |
Thank you so much everyone. I am a bit apprehensive about this knee "straightening" they are going to try to do while I'm under.
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They'll be able to tear the scar tissue loose that's hindering your range of motion, the key is going to be to continue to work that knee while you recover to prevent future scar tissue formation.
Listen to your Dr, and get fully recovered so you can enjoy your next Bus to the fullest! Best of luck to you, keep us all posted on how it's going. |
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SDBob
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2013
Posts: 89
Location: St. Petersburg, Fl United States
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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| Prayers for a speedy and solid recovery brother. |
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hickmangene
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 29
Location: West End, NC
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| Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Moving slowly since the surgery and knee manipulation last week. I guess I don't deal well with setbacks, even if they are necessary.
I've seen several deals on VWs come and go in the classifieds here and on eBay while I wait for my lawyer to do whatever it is she is supposed to be doing with my property damage proposal.... geez, I thought it was MY money, but evidently I was mistaken!
Feeling kind of taken advantage of these days..... |
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Red Fau Veh
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2012
Posts: 3037
Location: Prescott Az.
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| Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Wow what a thread, I'm getting angry thinking about the insurance issues, and I like your thought about getting a Vanagon Westy. Good luck going forward and fingers crossed you end up with a good settlement.
_________________
1971 Deluxe Sunroof Bay 1905 stroker, dual idf40's, 74mm Scat forged crank, engle 110 cam. CB 044 heads, AutoCraft rockers, chromoly push rods
1973 Orange transporter stock type 4 with dual 40 Dellortos and Empi single quiet pack
1969 Adventurewagen blue whale Gene Berg 1776 built by Dave Kawell dual 36 DRLA's, Vintage Speed exhaust, Bosch 019 screamer
1961 Swivel Seat camper, L345 grey
| Touch Nicks Thing wrote: |
Swivel Seat panels are for people with no friends  |
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LAGrunthaner
Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007
Posts: 5509
Location: 1st Coast
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| Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 3:26 am Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Keep your eye on the prize so you don't think about anything negative, I like the Vanagon Westy idea as they sure are sweet and have a great stance, so utiliterian says this German . Hop on their forums too and start doing your homework. As a matter of face as a teacher I'll assign you homework to research best years and why for the Vanagon Westy
| hickmangene wrote: |
Moving slowly since the surgery and knee manipulation last week. I guess I don't deal well with setbacks, even if they are necessary.
I've seen several deals on VWs come and go in the classifieds here and on eBay while I wait for my lawyer to do whatever it is she is supposed to be doing with my property damage proposal.... geez, I thought it was MY money, but evidently I was mistaken!
Feeling kind of taken advantage of these days..... |
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
| Lind wrote: |
| Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14269
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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| hickmangene wrote: |
| I've seen several deals on VWs come and go in the classifieds here and on eBay while I wait for my lawyer to do whatever it is she is supposed to be doing with my property damage proposal.... geez, I thought it was MY money, but evidently I was mistaken! |
What kind of monkey shine is happening if it's any of my business? |
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hickmangene
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 29
Location: West End, NC
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| Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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| Well, Allstate made an offer, but I was told by the lawyer to refer any offer to her. That was well over a month ago...... |
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Erik G
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13280
Location: Tejas!
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| Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Trust the Lawyer - if Allstate made an offer already, they know they are in big trouble. Your lawyer is trying to get the most for you and her
best wishes on a 100% recovery
_________________
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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hickmangene
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 29
Location: West End, NC
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Four months to the day of that fateful afternoon on my way back from work. I still can't walk, and my left leg still has a hole in it where one of the broken bones came out. But I'm healing - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My spirit is stronger; I can show my emotions so others can share in my brokeness; and I WILL walk again! There is some little, or maybe big thing left for me to do - that's why I'm still here! 🙂 |
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14269
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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| The fact that you can post is a miracle in itself. Post up anything anytime. Nobody but you can know the second by second life you are living now, your thoughts, your suffering, your triumphs; from figuring how to configure the pillows to getting past that next surge of pain. I hope you keep on. |
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hickmangene
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 29
Location: West End, NC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: Samba member? Bus wreck in Pinehurst, NC |
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Wore a (loose) real shoe on my right foot for the first time since the accident on January 26th!! Seems a small accomplishment, but one I welcome!! Love my Chuck Taylor's!!
Now if I can just learn to walk again! |
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