Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Americans barely caring about Afghanistan is so last month.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

No one could have predicted…

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

“But what about the lurkers?”

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

You are here: Home / Balloon Juice / Readership Capture / Leto & Avalune Update

Leto & Avalune Update

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Many of you have asked if you can help, and Avalune has emailed me the following:

At 7:20 am on Wednesday, October 17, my phone alarm and ring tone went off simultaneously. I might have ignored the phone since no one calls me except to tell me my car insurance is expiring or I have four serious charges pressed on my name (why is it always four). But the alarm was going off and the name said Mike (commenter Leto). But the person speaking wasn’t Mike. The reception was bad. I told him I couldn’t hear him and asked him to hang on while I turned the alarm off.

But that isn’t entirely true. I didn’t hear every word but I hear what sounds an awful lot like “motorcycle accident.” He steps outside and reintroduces himself. He say me Mike was in an accident and at the hospital. He asks if I know the location. No. I don’t know any locations. My internal GPS has malfunctioned since returning to the states. I’ll figure it out, I tell him. He says he will text the address.

When I get there, I only know he was in surgery. I retain about half what people tell me. He was hit by a car turning left. He was going pretty fast. It would have still been dark. He would have almost arrived at work. We were going to buy a car in three more days so he wouldn’t have to keep taking his motorcycle. Now his motorcycle – or what is left of it – is in a Sunoco station somewhere.

More pieces come together over the next couple days. He saw that she was going to turn in front of him. He tried to avoid the accident. There was a 15 ft skid mark on the road, nice and straight where he tried to stop and move over without dropping the bike. He was going 33 in a 40 area. His breaks and headlamp are new. There was a car behind her which he probably assumed would zip around like they always do, so he didn’t move over enough to be in oncoming traffic. He hit the car head-on next to her left headlight. A big chunk of her car is missing. There is a circle on her windshield that would have been where his head impacted. Was it at that point when the plastic shield on his helmet lacerated his upper lip? Or was it when he went over the top of her car and flew 13 ft away where was lucky the car behind her swerved and avoided running over his body? He was conscious all the way until they sedated him in the trauma center to start the work of stopping his bleeding. They tell me he was “pleasant.”

His pelvis slammed into the gas tank on the motorcycle. There are huge dents where the force gave him an open book fracture of the pelvis. Did the open book shear then or when he hit the ground yards away? The bone cut through his body, permanently damaging some organs and leaving a gaping wound. Blood filled the area around the pelvis. This is often a fatal injury they tell me. The doctor kind of laughs as he says it. He laughs a lot when he talks. It’s jarring to hear him laugh while he’s saying the words “serious” and “life-threatening” and “lots of blood” and “we’re going to cut up his abdomen because we have to make sure there’s no contamination.” Somewhere in that his tibia jammed into his kneecap.

Over the next few days we watched him lay immobile and sedated. They unstuffed and stuffed his wound. They put plates and screws in the front and back of his pelvis. They put a plate and screws in his knee. They let him come out of sedation. He was confused. Broke out in sweats. Hallucinated from a combination of the sedation wearing off and an adverse reaction to some of the drug changes. The walls moved. Dead birds replaced the surgical gloves. The hazmat bin was blood. But each day he showed improvement. Drugs adjusted. His mind started to be a little less fuzzy and his voice a little less raw.

His progress is remarkable so far. He has a long road ahead in therapy before he will walk again but the doctors are confident he will.

I don’t know what kind of mess this is going to be financially but one of Mike’s coworkers started a go.fund.me page for expenses. Over the next few days I expect he will begin to regain more dexterity in his hands and be able to comment for himself again and I can go back to the lurking. Thank you all for your support. Your messages cheered us both.

Heather/Avalune

Y’all are in our thoughts. Man I bet he is dying for a shave.

Reader Interactions

59Comments

  2. 2.

    Amir Khalid

    That smile on his face looks encouraging. Hang in there, Leto. Wishing you and Avalune strength, within and without.

  6. 6.

    Betty Cracker

    Clueless people turning left in front of motorcyclists who have the right of way is an ever-present danger to all two-wheelers. Thank FSM Leto survived that terrible accident, and I am glad to hear he is on the mend. I hope the numpty who caused the accident has tons of insurance! Hang in there, Leto and Avalune.

  7. 7.

    Nicole

    @Betty Cracker:

    Clueless people turning left in front of motorcyclists who have the right of way is an ever-present danger to all two-wheelers.

    The brother of an acquaintance of mine died because of this. I’m really glad Leto survived and is on the mend, too.

  8. 8.

    geg6

    Seeing that smile, I am very happy to see Leto coming along. It will be a long road, but remembering to smile every now and again will get both of you through this. Good thoughts to both Leto and Avalune.

  9. 9.

    OzarkHillbilly

    I wish you good fortune in the years to come.

    Man I bet he is dying for a shave.

    If he’s like me he’ll just say screw it and keep it when he gets out. That hospital stay cost me a lot of money but I probably made it up with all the money I saved from not buying shaving crap.

  10. 10.

    WaterGirl

    Great smile, Leto! I am so glad you are still with us in the land of the living! Hope springs eternal.

    Looks like the GoFundMe was right at the 5,000 mark when Cole posted this thread and the link. Let’s make a mark, you guys.

    I suspect that many of us are overextended because of all the political contributions we’ve been making — okay, this is the last one; okay just this one more. But I get paid on the 1st of the month, and that’s when I will be able to contribute.

  11. 11.

    Ken Shabby

    @Betty Cracker:

    This never changes and phones make an already constant problem worse. Anyone I taught to ride, I took special and specific mention of Left Turn. It’s not that it’s always or mostly malicious; it’s just negligent. But, effect on rider is – well – This. And, it’s almost always Last Instant, like, a bike is …different than a car and 2, 3 – Trigger!

    I don’t know this person but, I feel for him. Every time you ride, some part of your mental prep involves checking whether or not you feel…lucky. Rest is quiet alertness. When no one’s around, you can enjoy the scenery!

    I don’t ride any more but, I sometimes miss it. Then I see where everyone’s eyes are at a light and….don’t miss it at all.

  13. 13.

    A Ghost To Most

    @Betty Cracker: It’s one of the reasons I gave up my motorcycle for a 4×4. It’s safer on a shelf road with a 500′ drop.

    Here’s hoping for a complete and speedy recovery, Leto.

  15. 15.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Ken Shabby: This is equally a danger for bicyclists like me. Somehow we are invisible to the auto driver, even when they are looking directly at us.

    Here’s wishing Leto a speedy and full recovery.

  17. 17.

    WaterGirl

    We all care about Leto.

    I hope this will be a thread that can be a comfort to Leto and Avelune rather than a discussion of how dangerous motorcycles are and a recounting of all the accidents we have either seen or been part of.

    edit: Typing “Avelune” is a constant fight with autocorrect. No, autocorrect, it’s not Avenue, quit harassing me!

  18. 18.

    Ohio Mom

    “We were going to buy him a car in three days.” Ouch. One more example of the true costs of our crazy, sadistic, unequal economy for all of us. If things weren’t so unequal, Leto would probably have been able to afford a car long ago and…fill in the rest.

    Like everyone else, glad to see that smile and hoping for a speedy and complete recovery.

  19. 19.

    Ken Shabby

    @Raven:

    What part? That entire state is drop dead gorgeous. Rode there often as I could and, this time of year is Fantastic.

    A and AA back roads, amirite? A great run is up and down Hwy 61 or other side up and down State 35.

    Good times –

    edit: WI side, up along Chippewa R. Is some great farm roads to tearass all day on.

  21. 21.

    Yutsano

    Okay Leto and Avalune.
    (Not to nym judge but if you had gone with Irulan that would have been funny)

    I wish both of you all the love and healing light as you both progress into the next journey in your lives. And whatever you hear from the doctors if you think it’s not right or acceptable then y’all keep chugging on. Remember: docs don’t know everything.

  25. 25.

    ninja3000

    As a survivor of a particularly nasty motorcycle crash (though self-inflicted), I send my heartfelt condolences and best wishes for your recovery.

  27. 27.

    Barbara

    I witnessed an accident just like this when I was in college. It was horrifying. I am so glad Leto did not sustain even worse injuries, and that the prognosis is good. Hang in there! Echoing Betty, that I hope this lady had lots of insurance.

  28. 28.

    Ken Shabby

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    My bike is a stock Triumph, ‘81 and not that loud. Most farmers wave. Some glare but I think that’s about speed. Most of the time, I slow down for houses near road and driveways. Because, you’re right: it’s rude as hell.

    I’ve had three; 73, 76 and this, bought new. First month I had it, pulled over for fuel, am filling the tank and a kid walks out and says, nice restoration – how old is it?

    One month.

    Turned and walked back inside –

  32. 32.

    Amir Khalid

    Sorry for the off-topic, but is anyone else currently having problems trying to sign into Gmail and YouTube?

  33. 33.

    Elizabelle

    Lookin’ good there, Leto. All the best to you and Avalune.

    Heck of a way to be featured in a blogpost, but we are so glad you’ve come this far and — I fear — will be clamoring for more photos as you continue your recovery. Cheers.

    PS: I see no reason we can’t organize to send you some cards and letters too. If we are able to keep in touch with that curmudgeon, ef “fuck ’em” goldman, we have time for you too!

  36. 36.

    satby

    @WaterGirl:

    But I get paid on the 1st of the month, and that’s when I will be able to contribute.

    Me too girlfriend! So happy to see Leto with a smile.
    It’s bad, but it could have been so much worse.

  38. 38.

    Amir Khalid

    @satby:
    I found myself signed out of YouTube, even though I hadn’t signed out, and unable to get into Gmail. As of a few minutes ago I was still unable to sign into YouTube or access Gmail. Whatever the issue is, it seems to be at Google’s end and having a worldwide effect.

  41. 41.

    PaulB

    @Betty Cracker: I was one of those people years ago, not because I was clueless but because I genuinely did not see the motorcyclist. I turned left right in front of him and it was only because I saw him at the last minute and slammed on the brakes and because of some extraordinary riding on his part that a tragedy like this was avoided. I had the shakes for several minutes after I pulled into the parking lot I was heading for. I suspect the impact on him was worse.

  43. 43.

    Paul W.

    Well written and horrifying description of the accident, but really glad Leto is recovering so well! I dropped in a few bucks, stay strong!

  45. 45.

    Mnemosyne

    Glad to hear he’s on the mend! It will be a long road and no fun for anyone, but it sounds like the doctors are taking good care of him and it’s good to hear that he’ll be back on his feet eventually.

  46. 46.

    hitchhiker

    Avalune is a poet, there’s no other word. The hospital scene, as I remember it from my SO’s catastrophic injury, is like a version of the moon. Airless, dangerous, outside of regular time and yet somehow in it. The nurses and orderlies and aides and doctors and specialists and therapists cruise around in color-coded clothing, doing jobs. They take breaks and chat and go home to their families. They live in regular time. The patients and their families live in moon time, waiting for things to change, being terrified that they won’t, imagining their way into an unimaginable future but mostly longing for the abruptly vanished past.

    I remember not being able to bear looking at my calendar, all the commonplace events before, all the lost plans for next week, next month.

    Stay with us, Avalune! Write when you can.

  47. 47.

    Ruckus

    @OzarkHillbilly:
    Yep. 45 yrs of not shaving has saved me lots of money. Skin. Aggravation. Time.
    As everyone has said that smile says a lot and is good to see.
    Hang in there Mike, it’s a long road but you can do it.

  48. 48.

    J R in WV

    My wife spent 2 months in the hospital recovering from pneumonia induced septic shock, which put her in MICU for just over 3 weeks, so I totally relate to hospital otherworldly life. It sounds like his doctors and nurses are really together medically and will take good care of him.

    I kicked in a little bit, and will do so again. From the smile it looks like they are taking his pain seriously, which is a good thing. Especially at first!

    When he is ready to start physical therapy, get references for someone highly regarded by the orthopedic guys, you don’t want J random PT girl for this kind of recovery, you want someone seriously into what they’re doing who seeks out knowledge about how the body works and heals from multiple sources.

    I was so fortunate to get a spinal specialist to help with nerve pressure issues, who then guided both me and the wife through recovery from our ortho procedures. He knows the names, locations, purpose and methods of every part of the human body, bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, you complain of it, he knows why.

    That’s who you need…

    Keep in touch!!

  49. 49.

    Ruckus

    @Gin & Tonic:
    It’s called target fixation.
    It can be an alert situation or an unalert one. IOW you can be looking and recognize the target or looking and not see it. The common issue is that you see it but fixate on it. At that point it basically becomes invisible. Watch dashcam videos from Russia if you are in doubt.

  51. 51.

    Lapassionara

    Thanks so much for the update. Best wishes for speedy and thorough healing.

    I hope Avalune considers contacting a reputable attorney, and sooner rather than later. Memories fade and evidence can disappear.

  53. 53.

    Avalune

    I’m gonna try to respond to some of your comments.

    @OzarkHillbilly: and @JohnCole: He actually loves a beard and if not for the military would look like Nick Offerman at his shaggiest. They shaved some of it for medical reasons so this particular beard may be shaved to even it out and get a good growth – or maybe not because of the upper lip laceration. Either way he’s far more interested in a glass of cold water than anything else presently.

    @Betty Cracker: The word numpty makes me so happy it hardly sounds like an insult. I should have an update on her insurance this week but our insurance has pretty good coverage if she turns out to be underinsured.

    @Gin & Tonic: we loved cycling when we lived in Europe. Extremely cautious or outright reluctant here – for all reasons already listed.

    @Yutsano: Actually Avalune is a sort of rather removed variation of Ayla. Ayla became a very popular name, so it started to transition to Ava and eventually Avalune because it’s more likely to be available.

    @Elizabelle: Lol! Avenue was pretty funny but abalone is hilarious.

  54. 54.

    Dan B

    Avalune;

    Mike looks like a great hugger. Thanks for the picture. Just looking at this big grinning lug I can imagine the warmth and the giggles of neices and nephews now and to come. Are you getting enough hugs until he’s back in full swing? Here’s a virtual one – best I can do at the moment.

    I’ll be bold, and risk bite marks, that the Jackals here feel he’s smiling at you and all of us too.

  55. 55.

    Avalune

    @Elizabelle: He would love that. People interested in sending cards and whatnots can email me for an address if you like.

    @Paul W.: Thank you for the complement on the writing. I have a MFA in writing but haven’t really written since I received the thing, lol! All I can see is typos and autocorrects ?

    @hitchhiker: Moon time is definitely an interesting way to think of it. It is definitely surreal thinking about how it’s just another day at the office for these guys and something else all together for us.

    @Lapassionara: I’ve been working on getting some good recommendations. Gonna try to get a consult this week. Spent the better part of this morning trying to get my FMLA going, his absentee ballot app, following up with my insurance company and other adulting. ?

    Thank you all for being here for us. And thank you to those of you donating. I was reluctant to allow them to set it up but figured I couldn’t let my pride get in the way. Also I learned from a dear friend that sometimes it’s not about me – people want to help for themselves, so let them.

    As I said above, Leto would love some cards and whatnot. And I’d love to get some backstory on this Jackel business at some point.

  58. 58.

    WaterGirl

    @Avalune: Even if the smile is at least partially because he is getting the good drugs :-) it gives us all a window into who Leto is. Someone who smiles all the way to his eyes like that has done some serious smiling in the past.

    I’m so glad you let Cole put up the GoFundMe. I won’t forget you guys on the 1st!

  59. 59.

    Schlemazel

    That smile is worth a million dollars to me. It took me longer to smile after I fractured my pelvis.
    May His noodley appendage heal you quickly, Leto

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