I just got this on my e-mail. (I hope it's OK to post it here)
A Letter from Suzy
Hey Good Friends,
Today (Thursday, Sept 6) I have finally made it back home from the hospital.
(I know there are a lot of concerns and questions about my accident and condition, so I have asked to put this letter up so
maybe it can shed some light on both).
The Story:
Day 1 (fortunately or unfortunately) I was about 100 miles into the race when they turned us down a really step Berkshire
type downhill. Rocky and dusty. There where several ledges to traverse before the last decent. I made it to the last decent
and had to make a sharp left around a tree to avoid a set of concrete steps and metal handrails. Well, either due to the dust
or a root or my inattention, I clipped one of the metal handrails. That jerked my front end from pointing left to right, sliding
down under the next set of hand rails. The front forks hit the next set, I am still holding onto the handle bars, slid up on the
tank, step incline and me and bike finally stop with the rear end down hill and the front wheel still caught in the handrail. So
basically, my gut got squished between the bike, the bars and the G force of going down hill and what little speed I hit.
I popped up, got my bike down, cranked it back up, went about 20 feet down the trail and almost blacked out. So I think, OK,
just a shock thing. I get off the bike, put my head below my heart and wait for it to subside. Well, no subside, belly started
swelling and I started sweating and trying to pass out. First American rider by, I look them in the eye and tell them, "Get me
help now!" I really nice French family came by and the 16-year-old daughter could speak English. She and her family
stayed with me, wiping my face and giving me water and shade while waiting for help.
Help did arrive about 45 min. later by a KTM riding French doctor. Luckily he had a pain shot and an IV, which he quickly
administered after reading my BP as 70/40. He knew I was in trouble. Immediately called in Med Flight and all the troupes.
Within about 2 hours of my wreck, I was at the Brive Hospital, which happened to be very good. I had a CAT scan, which
quickly told them I was bleeding internally and an emergency operation was put into motion.
By this time the AMA American doctor showed up. Her name is Nona Colburn. Actually an old Motocross buddy of mine,
who decided to become a doctor. She majored in Internal Medicine and Specializes in Orthopedic Surgery, UAB. She
quickly made her presence and expertise known and was able to observe the operation. The surgeon was very good with
Lapriscopy and all agreed it would be a good approach. They checked all my vital organs and thankfully they were not
injured. My main problem was a lot of bleeding (like a hematoma) from the abdominal cavity from the belly button down and
the loss of 6 liters of blood
We left the Brive Hospital Saturday, checked into Huntsville Hospital Monday and I got to come home today.
The only thing I need right now are two more pints of blood. My Hemoglobin is at 7.3 and should be at 15. So next week, I
will go back for some more blood.
It was an experience and far from the one I had envisioned for my ISDE effort. I have a lot of philosophical, emotional and
spiritual thoughts about the experience, none I can really put into writing at this time. But the good ole black and white one
liner would be "Well, that's racin" and we all know what that's about.
I want to let everyone know how much I appreciate all the calls, emails, thoughts and prayers. I do have an extended family
in the motorcycle community.
Right now, I plan a lot of R&R some work?. Next a little trial riding and then we think about the rest later.
Again, thanks for your concern and your support for me at the ISDE I hope to see you at the races soon.
Sincerely, Suzy Moody