Unpleasant news, but he is alive.

[Farside]

Afternoon guys, I haven't put this out yet but decided I would now.
My very good friend, neighbor and riding companion VTX Bill had an accident last Sunday, Father's Day.
We left Thursday 13th enjoying a ride to Rome, GA. We got up Friday and made our way to Blue Ridge MC Camp ground on 276 South of Waynesville for 3 nights. On Sunday Fathers Day Bill and I went for a nice breakfast on the Blue Ridge Parkway at The Pisgah Inn. Not very crowed yet and heading North towards Little Switzerland for a great ride. Well we got just past I-40 highway exit on the BR when Bill apparently took his eye's off the road for a second looking across a seneic over look that they have ever so often. I was maybe 5-6 car lenghts ahead of Bill and looked in my mirror and didn't see him. I continued for a sec and looked again and immediately turned around.  Apparently his front tire hit the curb and he couldn't save the bike. He didn't realize he was not navigating the slight curve because he must of been looking out over the scerenery and went down. His bike jumped the curb with the bike bars turning towards the right into the ground. He flew off hitting the guard rail and continuing over it down the side of the hill. Thank goodness he didn't go far and there was a lot of vegetation to help him come to a rest. We were not going fast maybe 35-40 mph but he suffered some fractured vertebra. He was a trauma patient and had 6-8 screws put in his back for strength. He has his feeling in his legs and the rest of his body. Hitting the guard rail with his chest he was lucky not to have broken all his ribs and sternum. The CT showed that he had impact fractures and the Doc's decided that surgery would not be necessary letting this heal on it's own. The Trauma Doc also did a Laparoscopic procedure to be sure of no internal bleeding. All went well. She and Neurologist that worked on Bill were surprised he wasn't in worse shape. (It would have been if we were going faster for sure.) Bill's wife was there after his surgery Sunday night. He has a been fitted with a back brace which he will have on for 2-3 months. His biggest hurdle will be coping with the hospital rules and having a positive attitude. He is moody and very sad which is not good for the mind, healing body and soul. His wife left Tuesday evening and will be back up there tomorrow Friday. He probably won't answer his phone at least not yet cause he won't even pick up my call but for those of you that have met Bill please send him a text of encouragement. His number is 850-281-6355. He is at Mission Hospital in Asheville.  Thank you, Keith

[Grumpy]

Real sorry to hear that, prayers for a speedy recovery. I sent him a text.

[Flrider]

WOW Keith.
Really was not expecting to read this but I'm glad it was not any worse.  
I can see how one can loose concentration by all those beautiful views.
It must have been a crazy moment for you when you did not see Bill, I'm glad you were there for him.
Thank you for letting us know, I sent him a text.
Keep us informed please.
Any idea as to when he will be transferred back home?

[_Sheffjs_]

Yipes Keith! But it sounds like he is very lucky in all of this and that is the good part.  We had a blast with Bill on the Natchez trace run and he is one of a kind dancing with all the young ladies.  Keep us updated on his progress please. 

[TJ]

 Prayers for a speedy recovery....

[Pappy!]

Wow...........Lesa and I are so sorry to hear of his mishap but happy to know he will be pretty much okay.
I also texted him and gave him our best regards toward a speedy recovery.
Please keep us in the loop on his progress.

[John Schmidt]

My thoughts echo the others, so thankful it wasn't worse....bad enough as it is.

An amusing afterthought....your title makes it sound as though him being alive is unpleasant news. Maybe insert the word "but" after "news"

[DDT (12)]

Keith,

Never good news when we read of something like this. So easy to have happen, though, and it's a wonder more folks, and this lover of the BRP especially, haven't had similar spills! Scenic distractions are a common threat up there and many other amazing places in our great land... Glad things will likely work out for him. Thanks for the info!

DDT

[Farside]

Thank you guys for sending him a text. This will lift his spirits for sure. Any type of encourging word is thoughtful. I'm going back up this afternoon stopping in Atlanta with family then getting in Sat. early to Asheville. If you're a praying person add Bill to your list he needs it.  Thank you

[OLDFRT]

Text sent.

[larue]

Sorry to hear this, things can go south pretty quick, glad  it's not worse. Prayers sent along with a text

[Bronxboy]

Sorry to hear this Keith , send Bill our well wishes, he is a Great guy always enjoy his company.

[Farside]

Update on Bill.... Mary his wife got back up to Ashville yesterday afternoon. She updated me that Bill doesn't seem to have as much pain but it is a strain to breath and talk. She said he was still pretty feeble, not sure what excactly that means. Maybe effects of some of the pain meds. She said they have removed the catheter and he has been able to get up and sit in a recliner. I'll talk to her later today, this Saturday.     Mary said Bill really was happy  to see all the text messages from you guys. She said it lifted his spirits. Thank you all for helping with Bill's rehab! At 78 yrs old he has a long way to go. 

[Bronxboy]

Good news Keith, keep the updates coming 

[Farside]

  I heard from Bill today. I've been talking to his wife getting updates but today he texted me, finally. He said he had recently had fluid drained off of his lungs and presently being weened off the pain medications. He is on the mend and said he hopes to be home next week. He thanked everyone for your concern & support. I hope to talk to him soon. 

[Flrider]

I heard from Bill today. I've been talking to his wife getting updates but today he texted me, finally. He said he had recently had fluid drained off of his lungs and presently being weened off the pain medications. He is on the mend and said he hopes to be home next week. He thanked everyone for your concern & support. I hope to talk to him soon. 

Thanks for the update Keith, great news 

I texted him earlier today, I am glad he is progressing

[Pappy!]

What's the latest update?
Fingers crossed and prayers still being sent for a speedy and complete recovery.

[flsix]

Any update Kieth? I've been out of touch for two weeks and just saw this. Surely a sad bit of news. I'll send him a text him right now.

[Farside]

Update:  I talked to Mary, Bill's wife yesterday. He started rehab but was feeling weak. His BP was lower than normal and they couldn't determine why. They said he hasn't eaten much so today he was getting a hamburger. I hope he ate it all and it has helped improved his strength and BP. I do know he now has a roomate and is not happy about that.    I think he is answering some text so if you guys send him a message he my respond to you. I know he was happy to see your messages. 

[Jims99]

Any updates. There's a lot going on and haven't heard. I texted with him but it's been a few days. Just checking. God bless.

[Farside]

Any updates. There's a lot going on and haven't heard. I texted with him but it's been a few days. Just checking. God bless.

  UPDATE..... UPDATE....... 

Bill is finally home.  I just left from my visit.   He got home last night. Bill was in Asheville Mission Hospital for almost a month. I thought he looked great. He was in rough shape after his accident.  I don't know too many 78 year old men that could turn it around as he did. He gets alittle winded but expected with trying to get his lungs exercised from Impact fractures to the sternum and ribs. He had rods and 4 screws put in his back where there was some fractured vertebra. There is NO paralysis Thank God!  He is determined to build his strenght back and I believe he will. Please keep Bill in your thoughts and prayers still. He will be going to rehab for another month or so and continue wearing a back brace for support for a least another month too. He told me how really nice it was to hear from all you guys. It lifted his SPIRITS greatly! Thank you all for your messages here as well. 

[_Sheffjs_]

Good update 

[Pappy!]

Woohoo! Glad he is home ! Firm believer that you can get sick in a hospital !! Better frame of mind at home to heal up with as well.

[Flrider]

That is just awesome news.

Thanks for the update Keith 

[Bronxboy]

Awesome News, now we just need to get Grumpy Home as well 

[Squirrel]

I'm glad to hear Bill is doing better and is back at home.  We don't heal like we used to when we were younger, that's for sure.  It will just take some time and patients.  Don't get discouraged, Bill.  This too, shall pass.  Prayers and blessings are still heading Bill's way.  Ride safe, everyone.
PS:  Once I have time to rebuild my front forks (no oil left it either of them), I just might be able to meet you all again for a RTE.   

[flsix]

Thanks for the update Kieth.

[pocket aces]

Great news! Keep on pushing Bill 

[Pappy!]

How's Bill doing?

[Farside]

How's Bill doing?

 Sorry it's been a while since I've posted any updates on VTX Bill but not much to say other than he was improving. But now after 1 1/2 months since my last post this is an update on Bill.
  I'm happy to say he is doing lots better. Jeff=Chrisj and myself visited him last week at his home. He was cleared 2 days prior to take off the neck brace that he has been wearing since June 14.    He looked so much happier and feeling more positive. Also he has been cleared to drive. He is still considering riding a MC again and looking at the VTX1800 4 cylinder  ??? However Jeff and I have tried to convinence him to consider a 3-wheel cycle of some sort. He realizes it will still be some time next year if even then before he rides again but we all know how much fun it is to look and dream of our next bike.  So it helps the days pass and gives him hope. Feel free to send him a text.  

[Pappy!]

Thanks for the update! Happy to hear Bill is doing a bunch better! Tell him keep up the good work!

[OLDFRT]

Thanks for the update. Hopefully he will be able to attend another Cottage Fest next year.

[TJ]