The day I didn't plan on

[Seth D. Willard]

Well, it is time for an update. I hardly know where to start as so much has transpired since my last blog post. I hope y'all have enjoyed keeping tabs with me on Facebook or Twitter. I really love hearing from you and appreciate your support, prayers, and encouragement. The trip has gone by so fast, yet it has also dragged on sometimes. Mostly, there is not much time to think about it, between biking, eating, talking with people, and trying to sleep.

Now I have time to think. Yesterday I got in an accident. It was raining. There was a patch of gravel along the shoulder of the road, and it extended all the way out into the road. There was a rumble strip along the white line, and I knew it was dangerous when I saw it up ahead. Brian was in front, then Lyzz, Deb, and me. I swerved toward the road, assuming I would make it through where it was less gravelly. Yet I lost balance, skooted over toward the guardrail, and assumed it would stop me. But it didn't. I flew over the barricade (with my bike) and rolled two or three times down 20 feet into a gully. On the way down, something gashed my leg, and I also hit my head on a tree but the helmet protected me. When I was stopped by some trees, I was ready to hop up and climb up the hill, when I looked down and saw an huge gash on my upper leg. I could see my muscle (the skin was pulled back) and I tried to scream for help. Lyzz told me I wasn't very successful, since my screams sounded more like stomach bellars.

Lyzz rushed down, pulled a cloth out of my bike trunk, and started applying pressure to my wound. I was so scared, but she made sure I stayed conscious and told me it would be okay. She was really calm. Deb called 911, and soon I heard sirens. I remember thinking "They are coming for me. I am not supposed to be in accidents. I can't believe I am here. I can't believe this is me."

Since there was an incline, the first responders had to find a creative way to get me up the hill without jarring me. They strapped me to a board, put down some sort of ladder, and pulled/carried me up with ropes. I'm sure it was a sight to behold. My eyes were closed the entire time, since I didn't want to see what was going on. I hear there was a ton of vehicles there, and the responders were excited about the challange the situation presented.

I rode in the ambulance for 18 miles to the trauma center at the University of Tennessee Memorial Hospital in Knoxville. But when I got off the ambulance, I discovered that the place was crammed full and I would not be given immediate attention. In fact, the rooms were full, so my bed was parked in hallway "I" right next to a nurse's station. And I sat there for a couple hours, pretty much ignored by everyone except my dear friends Criselda, Josh, Brady, and Deb (who also got pretty banged up and had to be examined). I wore a crazy neck brace and had to remain with it until the results from my x-rays and CT scans came back negative, showing that I had no spinal damage or fractures throughout my body. I was in a lot of pain, and finally convinced a nurse to give me some medicine. Also, they cut my spandex shorts off in the ambulance, and cut the sleeves off my yellow rain jacket. I forbid them from cutting my jersey, so it was rolled down to my waist and remained there the whole time. In short, I was naked, laying under a blanket in the middle of a busy hospitable. People kept peeking underneath to examine my wound. I felt very vulnerable!!!!!

Being at the hospital sucked a lot. But it was a lot better because I had company, and in some ways it was fun. I've always wondered what it would be like to be the person being treated, not the person waiting for someone else. It was kind of a let down, since I didn't get the attention I wanted, but oh well. We took pictures of the wound, so you can see them later.

I was starving so bad, having not eaten since 7 am. I begged for food, but since there was a possibility that I might need surgery on a tendon, I wasn't allowed to eat. At 7 pm, I finally get my wound stitched up, and then wolfed down a burger. I have 7 big stitches, which doesn't seem like a lot, but they are really far apart. Then I got a lesson on using crutches, was given a prescription for Percocet (we call it Perk-up-Seth) and was discharged. Being all drugged up, I was in a crazy-fun mood (and still am). But I am also really bummed. I have to keep the pressure off my leg, which means I can't ride my bike for quite a while. I will be in the Mother Falcon Van for the rest of the trip, which I am trying to stay positive about, since what matters is that we finish the trip as a team, not necessarily individually. I really wanted to ride today, though, since we entered Virginia via Bristol and I consider VA my home state. Yet, I know everything is gonna be alright, and though I don't know why the accident happened, I know that the purpose will be revealed at some point.

There are lots of little mini stories that could be told from this sad day in Tennesee, but they will have to be saved for that random time when we get to talking and they sort of spill out. Stories about my spill, stories about stitches, stories about that crazy summer when I biked across the country. As we love to say, who does that?

[Michelle]

Seth..that sounds scary... glad Lyzz was there to help. She can be very calm when needed. Michelle...(Lyzz's aunt)

[Nancy P.]

Oh, my goodness, Seth, how scary! It sounds like all of you handled it like champions and kept clear heads. I, too, appreciate your sharing and your good attitude. I'm glad you're gonna be ok!

[Mom Catalano]

Anthony's mom here - Anthony told me yesterday about your crazy crash and the leg damage you sustained! I know I am in fellowship with all of your mothers when I pray multiple times a day for the safety of all of our children out there, and with your mother in particular when I pray thanksgiving that you came out of that crash relatively intact! So much more could have happened! Heal quickly and have patience! As I told Erin when she totalled her knee, everything happens for a reason, and we may not know what it is, but He does! Consider, maybe He took you off the road to protect you from something worse further on!! Who knows? But there are rewarding experiences wherever we find ourselves, even in Mother Falcon! I know your other teammates will miss you on the pavement, but you still support and serve from where you are! Stay on the Perk-up-Seth, you have to stay ahead of the pain! It too shall pass! Prayers, Mom Catalano

[Erin McDermott]

ohhhh seth. im so glad you are okay. thanks for updating us on what happened. you have such a good attitude! you are right to say that this happened for a purpose, and you couldnt be in better hands with Criselda and Erin White always by your side. not to mention the rest of your incredible teammates! thanks for sharing your life with us all, Seth. i cant wait til we get to have another conversation and more stories spill out. im praying for you as you finish the tour.

[Jesse Olson]

Thanks for the update. We care deeply about you and are glad to hear your in good spirits.

[Venture Expeditions]

I'm so glad that nothing worse happened. You will make it through this and I'd love to finish the last bit of the tour with you when you are all healed up. You're a good man Seth Willard.