Thanks to everyone for the flood of well wishes and offers of help and support. You OBRA folks are the best. And a special thanks to the Murrays, as their usual parental calm and support were the rudder of the night.
Kristin is sedated and her breathing is being assisted with a tube. She has a some slight bleeding in her brain and a shattered collarbone, along with the attendant rash all over. We won’t know more until the morning when the neuro gets a better look at more CAT scans. What we do know is that she’s tough as nails. Please continue with your good thoughts folks, thank you very much.
Also – we’re leading the first laps of the 3/4 race tomorrow as a team. Out of respect for her.
UPDATE: Some encouraging signs through the night! She was allowed to wake up and she has communicated with Clint and the nurses. Very good signs. Keep the positive flow coming, people.
UPDATE #2 – I’ve just returned from the ICU and seeing Kristin. She’s off the breathing tube, and she’s mostly conscious. Apparently when she came to last night she asked to see Clint, who was summoned around midnight to go back to the hospital and see her. They removed her breathing tube and did not continue the heavy sedation. She was then asked by the nurse if she remembered what happened and our Kmac, true to form and now dubbed “Real Deal” for her gnarly Holyfield-esque ear injury, said “I crashed. And I was gonna win, too.” Kinda brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it?
So, the GREAT news is she looks to be on track for recovery. The brain injury and bleeding is still to be monitored in the ICU for another day or so, and then maybe another day or so of observation before she gets to go home. These things are tricky andwe’re not 100% out of the woods yet, but today is very encouraging. We will post her room number once she gets one for get well wishes. The bad news is that the whack to t he noggin, along with the shattered collarbone and other attendant injuries will result in a long, arduous recovery process already underway. There are possible surgeries looming to fix some things.
The WORSE news (typical bike dorks) is that her tasty Marin is shot. Gone. Kaput. Wheelset is kinda done for, too. So with the gracious help of Mark Duff of Veloforma we’re going to be chipping in for a specially priced “comeback kid” bike so she’ll have a sleek new weapon to ride when she’s medically cleared to do so. Check back for a paypal site to throw a buck or two in if you are so inclined.
Lastly, Kristin was very touched to hear of all of the support from all of you, the OBRA community. I second the emotion. Things like this add perspective to just how silly this thing we do is and how inherently dangerous it is and how crazy we must be for doing it, but it also illustrates the familial bond we all share, regardless of what kit we wear when the numbers are pinned on. We thank you.
We’ll keep you updated as events warrant, and we’ll see you all tonight.
Some lighthearted bit;
1. She was, with a somewhat comical degree of difficulty, able to remove her contact lenses.
2. She feebly asked when told of the plate-and-screw collarbone surgery “Will I be able to get through airport security?”
3. We were joking about things she didn’t remember from last night (removal of breathing tube, etc) and someone quipped, “you were smoking hella weed in here and got in trouble!” Eyes closed, a smile crossed her face and she said “wassup!”
UPDATE 3 – They’re moving Kristin into her own room today and out of the ICU! The doctors are pretty much floored at the rate of recovery, but warn it’s still a long road ahead. Keep up that good mojo folks.
Here’s a few pics from last night. I did get one of her in the ICU giving the double thumbs up, but my phone is a f*&^%ing cryptic thing and I can’t figure out how to post the damn thing.
The helmet and sunglasses are no longer with us, the person wearing them IS
Here’s Deann (L) and Kristin (R) a few laps before the poop hit the fan
My thoughts are with Kristin, her family, Clint and her team. I know we’ll see her in the familiar black kit soon enough, kickin ass like she does! Please keep us updated and if she needs anything (like that cute dog walked), let me know. Thanks.
We are all thinking of Kristin, and the team. Healing thoughts coming her way.
My thoughts are with her and her family! This is not what I was expecting to read this morning. At least she has a good team behind her let meus know if you guys need anything.
Heal fast Kristin!
Sending lots of prayers her way…let the HV gals know if your team or Kristin’s household needs anything.
A terrible sight to see last night. Wishing Kristin a speedy recovery.
If I could come back as a younger racer I would want to join Ironclad/Beer. We are all family.
Anything we can do, just ask.
I think a geriatric division (for me and Candi and whom ever else) of IC/Beer is in need.
Fiona and I are sending positive thoughts to Kristen!!
Sending positive energy and best wishes from Bend for a speedy recovery.
so sorry to hear about this. thinking very good thoughts and please let me know how I can help.
if there are fundraisers/events/etc… i can help spread the word and get involved.
stay strong Clint.
best regards.
Thinking of Kristin, the team, friends and loved ones. The waiting is the hardest part. She is surrounded by such a caring team, she will be right as rain in no time, I’m sure.
Fingers crossed for a fast, full recovery.
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!!!!!
Seeing someone laying on the ground last night puts things into perspective. Hope Kristin has a speedy recovery and comes back stronger than ever!
Heard about the crash after my novice women’s race last night. Prayers and thoughts out to Kristin.
Get well soon, Kristin.
My heart goes out to her and her family. I couldn’t sleep last night. In the final sprint of the race, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kristen’s head bounce on the pavement. I will never forget it. It makes me sick to think about it. I hope to god she is okay.
Lots well wishes from the Bridgetown Velo team.
Margi
Sending love, prayers, and all my good energy for a speedy recovery.
Sending warmth, encouragement and healing thoughts to Kristin, her family and loved ones. Such a strong, focused and spectacular person will be better and back out there before we know it! Thank you so much for these updates
Many wishes and thoughts for a quick recovery, Kristin!
Continued wishes for a speedy & full recovery!
Whew. SO glad to see the second update. Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Dave.
Kristin! You are one amazingly strong woman. Please know how much love and support are embracing you right now. Sending many prayers for strength and a rapid recovery.
Kristen work up late last night. They extabated (removed breathing tube) and started to decrease her sedation. Last night she showed a 1 cm bleed on her cerebellum. The repeat cat scan shows some decrease and they are calling it a ‘bruise’ to Clint today. She is sitting up and they hope to move her out of icu later today. She remembers the race but not much else which is to be expected.
When the doctor called he said that you do not see this in trauma patients- the rapidness of someone that had been so unresponsive.
The ortho doc said she could have the clavicle operated on or not – she had 2 breaks there.And a fracture of her nose And the plastic surgery people fixed the degloving injury on her ear lac late last night also.
Very good news.
Candi
I’m so glad to hear she is doing better. I hope she continues down the road to a speedy recovery. Its never easy seeing anyone crash. Like it was said above, no matter what kit you wear, it is always so great to see the love and compassion we all have for each other when one of your fellow family of riders is down. My thoughts are with you Kristin and I have no doubt you’ll be back and stronger in no time.
Get well Kristin! After riding by the wreck last night, we are thinking of you. Very glad to hear you are recovering.
Great to hear things are improving for Kristin…
We have some suprises in store for you when you are up and going again…We are all thinking good thoughts, and sending a speedy recovery your way…
Take care,
Jeff
Hang in there Kristin! All good thoughts for you and yours.
Sarah
This is JJ and Lynn from the old Cafe: Hope you get better.
Kristen you are in my thoughts, I wish you a quick recovery and can’t wait to see you back racing.
Damn, girl. will you please stop making the rest of us look like such a bunch of wussies? Hang tough, and if you want to do some really slow rides when you get out of there, we’re good at those.
Get well, and if there’s anything we can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.
–GR and Team GründelBrüisers/Stewie
The Rathe family wishes you a speedy recovery. I’m sending you all the good energy I can!!! Take care;)
OMG, we just heard about this. We’re sorta-friends of Kristin from when she was a barista @ Caffe Pallino and have kept tabs on her cycling “career,” or is that “careering,” and are so upset to hear this. Please put up the Paypal link soon, and keep getting better, Kristin.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Kristin!
thinking of you! let me know if i can do anything to help
i hope you continue recovering quickly and i cant wait to see you up and about again
Camille x
Please heal up just as fast as you ride. Seriously, get to it so we can see you back out there racing with us soon. The whole team is sending German love your way.
Stay strong girl! We wish you a speedy recovery!
Wishing you a fast recovery! My thoughts are with you and your loved ones.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and all the best.
Jose and I are sending some serious positive mojo your way! You know anything you need..just ask and it will be done.
I wanted to send an extra big thank you to Dave, Candi and Mike for the dedication, support and love you have for this crazy extended family we have.
BEEEEER!!!!!
We love you, girl! The Dow labs just aren’t the same without you
Kristin,
We are sending positive healing thoughts your way. Looking forward to seeing you on your bike again.
Take Care.
I just wanted to thank all of Kristin’s extended family for supporting her during this time. She’s very lucky to have such a wonderful support group.
I love my sister and wished we lived nearer to each other.
So glad to hear you are showing signs of improvement already. Hope to see you back in action soon. Take your time w/ the healing.
Peace, healing, and love to you and your family. Looking forward to having you back on the bike and off the front again.
Team Cthulhu is wishing you a speedy recovery. Let us know if we can do anything. brutal oxo!!!
Best speedy recovery wishes for Kristin.
Regards to Clint and her family.
Yakima Bike Vigilantes
oh man. sending good thoughts.
Kristin-
I thought about you a lot today. I’m so relieved to know you’re making such a quick recovery. Let’s hook up for a ride in the future. This time, we won’t cuddle though!
If you’re interested in knowing how it/we went down (literally), email me.
All my support to you, your family, and your team. Myself and all of Sorella Forte are thinking of you and wishing you the best.
Kristin:
I’m with the rest of OBRA and wish you a speedy recovery. You can email me with any questions you may have on getting the collarbone plate. Don’t worry about getting through airports if you get one, though–it usually moves you right to the front of the line. ;=)
Though I don’t know you, but knowing the character of Ironclad and OBRA it’s a truly amazing group. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Kristin, The TAI women’s team wishes you a speedy and solid recovery!
All our hopes for a speedy recovery Kristen !
We will be pulling for you –
The O’Connor Family
Dear Kristin,
We wish you all the best and hope your recovery is quick. We’re thinking of you and love you!
Siv, Gene, Berit, David and Allison
Dear Kristen,
You have always had a great spirit and determination.
That spirit and the additional energy from your family and friends will lead you through to a complete recovery. We can’t wait to see that happen and to hear about your new bike and next race. Go KMac!
Terry and Sandie Mccarthy
All the members of the Ten Guys Named Alex team wishing you a speedy recovery.