Redjeb's accident was on Monday. He was on his bike on his way to the Springs General Store for coffee on Springs Fireplace Road, in East Hampton. He liked to bike there every day and sit on the porch.
I had already been there with a friend. We were returning home and were not expecting to see him on the other side of the road going to the store. We waved at each other and he motioned for me to pull over (I assume to tell me something). As I was pulling over we heard a noise and looked back. He was lying on the road. He had apparently been hit by a car as he was crossing the road to come to us. It was very upsetting for myself and my friend, and still continues to be so.
He was conscious and talking. Told me that he had signaled that he was turning but I guess the driver did not see him or was not able to stop in time. People gathered and called for help. The local police and ambulance came very soon. A doctor who had stopped by checked him over as well. From what we could tell at that time, he seemed to have broken ribs.
The ambulance took him to the hospital and I drove there with my friend. I was not prepared to be away for long as I did not realize the extent of his injuries. The Southampton Hospital did tests and then had him go by ambulance to Stony Brook Hospital, which is supposed to have a good trauma center. It was during this period that it was becoming clear that his injuries were extensive.
He has many fractures that are quite serious, including the broken ribs which managed to also puncture his lung. I have great difficulty telling you all the details. They are keeping him sedated because of the pain and discomfort. It is like he is sleeping all the time. Yesterday I was able to whisper in his ear and he could squeeze my hand or slightly nod his head. But today he didn't do this. Also he has now developed an infection and has some irregular heart beat. His blood pressure has been spiking too. They have not done any surgery yet as they need to get him stable.
I want to be hopeful, but it is so sad and scary. Forgive me if I do not call you or answer your emails right now. I will try to keep you informed as best I can via this blog, but don't promise to make an entry every day. Many of you know that Redjeb hated to talk about health and was as private as he could be about his own health. Thus, I feel disloyal in a way telling you details of his injuries etc. But I know that you all are concerned.
It is so unbelievable.
As Stony Brook is almost 2hrs from East Hampton we, meaning my brother, sister in law, and myself are now in a hotel near the hospital. Not sure how long we will have to be here.
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