Blue Moon Blog

Accident and Damage

Three weeks ago, trying to have some fun in another Minnesota Winter, while snowmobiling I slid sideways into a tree. The machine emerged relatively unscathed. I wasn’t so lucky, taking the brunt of the impact. Ouch!

Since then, I’ve been through the emergency room, two three-day hospital stays, untold amounts of x-rays, CAT Scans, got to know well numerous nurses, doctors and radiological technicians, and have been kept on a steady diet of an assortment of drugs. I broke my clavicle, nine ribs and messed up my left lung, and had inserted in my side a chest tube to drain unwelcome fluids from around my lung so it could restore itself more fully to its previous puffy state.

The only way to advance through something like this is to take it a moment at a time; deal with each new pain, every situation as it comes. My body has responded pretty well throughout to such a brutal onslaught, and emotionally I’ve been OK through most of it, but I’ve not held up well at times, feeling very anxious and even once having a full blown panic attack. My first, and not fun. Not recommended.

Work and Recovery

So, given my condition I’ve been forced to relax, reading stacks of books and watching shows and old movies I haven’t seen in a while or have never seen. Despite having to take it easy and recuperate, I also felt it best to continue to work when and if I could, so Mary and I proceeded on a storyboard job, for which I drew both from home and at the hospital. Our long-time client in this case left it up to us whether we felt we could still take it on, and trusted us to finish it well and on time. Though there were days I could only muster drawing for only an hour or two, I’ve put in about a half day a few times. Next week I’ll begin work on a larger comic book project for a prominent company, for which I think I’ll be in better shape.

Consequences and Aftermath

Minutes after I hit the tree, a flurry of thoughts shot through my mind: plans for the night were ruined; guilt for putting out friends and family for the night and beyond; work schedules would be affected; visit and travel plans would have to be canceled; money strains and worries loomed large in an instant. Disability insurance for freelancers like us is very expensive, so we don’t have that to lean on. But I count my blessings that: I didn’t hurt myself even worse; was able to work a bit; I can tag team with my artist wife to share the workload in a pinch; we got through this without turning down work or letting down clients; and was able to secure further work during a chaotic time.

What I regret most is making a bad choice and big mistake that has had such an impact on Mary and my daughters. All this has been hard on them, and a tremendous burden on Mary, who’s been my rock and lifeline. Sorry, girls…and thanks. It’s such a relief to me I’m feeling a bit better and we’re getting back into the swing and something of a normal routine. I love you gals.

And for the rest of you, let’s be careful out there.