Is there a "just doored" section because it just happened to me 10 minutes ago

I was just doored heading east on Diversey ave a couple blocks west of Racine ave by a hispanic man who didn't speak much english at all and drove off immediately after I tried "talking" to him about it. I didn't get a plate number because I was in a daze and I still am. I have road rash on my arms, but I seem to be ok... I think. I have weird head, shoulder and neck pain. Luckily I was wearing my helmet today because it cracked on the ground on impact. Otherwise there would probably be skull bits all over the pavement.

I didn't even know what happened, I just felt impact and my head smacked the ground. I'm ashamed that I don't have health insurance, but I just can't afford it.

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Permalink Reply by Richard on August 14, 2012 at 6:51am

Best of luck in recovery. Please respond when you can to let us know you're okay.

Permalink Reply by Minh on August 14, 2012 at 7:35am

Well guys I'm finally back home after being in the emergency for like 18 hours. I waited about 6 hours before the triage nurse even called my name and waited another 3 hours on my bed in the curtained treatment area before I saw a doctor. They went through some simple neurological tests and I don't think I passed them. They ordered a head CT and they didn't see a cerebral hemorrhage or any other problems. They told me I had a "simple" concussion.

My memory is a kind of spotty and I think I may have loss consciousness at some point but I don't remember. I was pretty out of it while waiting and couldn't use my phone to update you guys because the battery was dying and looking at the screen made me feel sick. They kept me there for many hours until the early morning and to be quite honest I think they forgot about me. They wouldn't give me ibuprofen, aspirin, or even tylenol for the pain because I am currently on depakote and clonazepam  I was checked on every few hours by a nurse and once in a while by the doctor. During my discharge I was told to get a PCP to check on me if my symptoms persist and just rest for a few days

Today I feel like I was hit by a truck with all sorts of random body aches and an awful headache with nausea. Typing this is making me sick now.

Permalink Reply by Richard on August 14, 2012 at 7:42am

Get well soon!

Permalink Reply by Minh on August 14, 2012 at 7:47am

Oh yeah thanks so much for all the support! I seriously don't feel like I deserve any of it. I'll buy someone a beer here if we ever meet in real life at some random chainlink sponsored event.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 14, 2012 at 8:18am

Feeling worse the next day is pretty common.  If you don't see improvement tomorrow and the next day, then a follow-up with a PCP is a good idea. 

Did they recommend cold packs for pain and inflammation?  That can offer good non-pharmaceutical relief.  Bags of ice or refreezable gel pads can help a LOT.  If you don't have either on hand, a bag of frozen vegetables (such as peas or corn) can make an acceptable substitute.

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on August 14, 2012 at 8:21am

So sorry to hear about the encounter with that door.  Get well soon!

 

I am hoping that you somehow got the licence plate or contact information for the person who caused your injuries.  It seems to me that it is likely that the person who injured you should also be responsible for your hospital bills.

 

Permalink Reply by Melissa M on August 14, 2012 at 8:33am

Yea! I know you're in pain, but I'm glad to hear that your CT was clear and that you're home healing. Eat lots, drink lots of water, and rest up. Here's to a quick recovery!

Permalink Reply by Liz on August 14, 2012 at 8:34am

+1 

Epsom salt baths are also nice on bruised muscles.  Deep bruising may take a while to heal.  When you're feeling up to it give active trans crash support a call, they'll help you figure out the next steps. 

Avoid being to physical for a while your brain needs lots of time to rest.  Even a "simple" concussion can have long term lingering effects.  Its probably a good idea to give your PCP office a call, let them know what's going on, and make an appointment for a few days from now.  

I hope your recovery goes well.  
Anne Alt said:

Feeling worse the next day is pretty common.  If you don't see improvement tomorrow and the next day, then a follow-up with a PCP is a good idea. 

Did they recommend cold packs for pain and inflammation?  That can offer good non-pharmaceutical relief.  Bags of ice or refreezable gel pads can help a LOT.  If you don't have either on hand, a bag of frozen vegetables (such as peas or corn) can make an acceptable substitute.

Permalink Reply by Liz on August 14, 2012 at 9:28am

The wait in general is awful at all Chicago ERs. 

I tend to go to Northwestern Memorial when anything happens, since all my doctors are associated with them and all my records are in their system.  I've had some long waits (2 hours once for an asthma attack that had me wheezing in the waiting room waiting for a bed to open), but once I was in the Dr. was super nice, helpful and apologetic about the wait. Another time I went there for an ankle & head injury carrying my bike down stairs in cycling shoes.  They got me in pretty quick then and where good about checking things out.  

For sprains, breaks, sudden sickness, I tend to visit urgent care facilities.  The bills are much lower, there's usually very little wait, and some have x-rays and labs on site.  

Serge Lubomudrov said:

I'm assuming this happened at the Cook County hospital. I've never been there, but from what I heard, it is usually rather busy. Which might or might not explain the waiting time.

But if someone thinks it's much better elsewhere . . . The only experience I have is with Illinois Masonic. Also a head injury (fractured skull and concussion). Not mine, which made it even worse (I still have terrible flashbacks of the events). Tuesday night. ER is NOT BUSY. I mean, they (the personnel) were unhurriedly walking around, eating sandwiches, etc. And yes, checking the insurance thing. It took them several hours to finally turn their attention to us. Instead of the CT first, they sent my girlfriend to the x-ray. She wasn't even able to stand. Fortunately, the x-ray technician happened to be very understanding, helpful and inventive, but her work was inconclusive, anyway. Only by early morning and, finally, a CT scan, a doctor appeared and something started to happen. My girlfriend was transferred to ECU, which was all very efficient and professional, but I had an impression that their only goal was to get rid of the patient as soon as possible. A neurologist just walk into the room and announced that everything is fine and she'll be back to work in three days. Not even a pro forma looking at a fucking x-rays. On my remark that she is a flight attendant, he smirked, "It's pressurized cabin, right?"

Well, they sent her home next day all right. She got worse, had to be taken back to the hospital. It took her more than a month to recover.

. . . If something happens to me and I'm coherent enough to understand I'm being rushed to the Illinois Masonic, I'll stop the fucking emergency vehicle and tell them to take me somewhere else.

Minh said:

[...] I waited about 6 hours before the triage nurse even called my name and waited another 3 hours on my bed in the curtained treatment area before I saw a doctor. [...] I was checked on every few hours by a nurse and once in a while by the doctor. [...]

Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on August 14, 2012 at 10:19am

Want to wish you a speedy and full recovery. Did you file any kind of report with CPD? Is it possible there may have been a surveillance camera anywhere in the vicinity that may have recorded anything or any witnesses who may have seen the accident? It might even be worth posting something to Craigslist or the Reader's online classifieds asking for possible witnesses to contact you. Hope you're over the worst of it soon.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 14, 2012 at 10:21am

good call.  That's why calling an attorney now is a good idea.  

Moc Artsy said:

Want to wish you a speedy and full recovery. Did you file any kind of report with CPD? Is it possible there may have been a surveillance camera anywhere in the vicinity that may have recorded anything or any witnesses who may have seen the accident? It might even be worth posting something to Craigslist or the Reader's online classifieds asking for possible witnesses to contact you. Hope you're over the worst of it soon.

Permalink Reply by Matt A on August 14, 2012 at 12:58pm

Not sure if they informed you at the hospital, but those without insurance are typically eligible for charity care depending on your amount of income.  It's worth a shot to at least ask about their program and apply, they could possibly write off your entire bill.  If not you can always negotiate with them, they're always willing to put people on a payment plan.

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