Reboot.....

I’m sitting in the truck. I’m not driving. I’m in the passenger seat. 

I have insulated muck boots on. I’m wearing my down coat. It must be winter. 

My vest is... on the floor? It looks kind of dirty. I must have fallen off of a horse. 

The display in the truck is showing a name that I recognize. Dad?

I can hear his voice over the speaker. Oh, good. The people that matter are being notified. I’m going to be OK. 

(Why did he buck you off?)

“Because he’s an asshole.”

(Really??)

“Yes. I surround myself with assholes.”

(Hey, wait!! Are you calling me an asshole??)

“Well, yes. Yes, you are.”

I take a deep breath and lean back into the seat...

.....REBOOT.....

I’m sitting on a bed of some sort. The tiny “room” didn’t even have a door, but the curtain is pushed all the way open.  

I’m wearing insulated muck boots. I’m wearing breeches. I must have been riding. 

I’m not wearing my vest... I’m not wearing my coat... I’m cold...

There’s a collar around my neck........

Crap. 

I must have fallen off of a horse...

I want to lay down. Can I lay down?

(Yes, but don’t go to sleep.)

I cover up with my coat. That’s better. I’m not so cold now...

Something is poking me in the back of the head!

(It’s probably the collar)

Can you take my bun out?

(I guess so. How’s that?)

Oh, MUCH better! Thank you!!!

.....REBOOT.....

Why do I have to sit up?

(These nice ladies are going to take you for a scan.)

Oh. Ok. 

Did they put me in a wheel chair?

Oh, lay down on this table? Ok. 

Don’t move. I’ll try.....

I keep rebooting, you know.....

I don’t mean to be uncooperative...

Oh, look! That’s the scanner machine! I guess it’s not an MRI because I’m still wearing my watch.... I wonder what that thing is moving in the slot there.....

Oh, we’re done? Great!

How many times did you have to restart the scan because I forgot to keep still?

Oh. I must have done really well. I wish I could remember....

.....REBOOT.....

I’m in the cubby again. This feels familiar. The curtain is open. 

“How many times have I rebooted?”

(Quite a few)

“I’m tracking time, now.”

(Oh, really.... What time is it?)

“... I don’t know...”

(What day is it?)

“... I don’t know...”

I have to pee. 

“I have to pee...”

(Let me get the nurse)

“Yes, I think I can pee in the cup. Can you help me? I just need an extra hand...”

“Can you just hand me the cup after I’m situated? Ugh! I forgot about this collar!”

(You have pee all over the cup - and your hands!!)

... I want to cry...

“I’m sorry.... I forgot about the collar!! I can’t actually see what I’m doing!!”

(It’s ok. I’m here. Let me help you with the toilet paper...)

I’m sitting on a bed. I want to lay down. 

Yes, I can lay down. 

Oh, look. There’s mud on the bed! I must have laid down here before. *sigh*

Where is my vest? I’m cold!

I’m covering up with my coat.... That’s better...

.....REBOOT.....

They are taking the collar off. There’s no bleeding on my brain. 

Oh, good!

Can we put the collar back on??? It feels better when it’s on... my neck doesn’t hurt as bad, then.......

There’s no blood in my urine. They can send me home now. 

Thank goodness!!!!

Does that mean it’s ok to sleep now?

(Yes)

Oh, thank goodness!! I’m exhausted!!

I can walk. 

We walk out of the ER, and I manage to climb into the truck with plenty of assistance. 

(You need to take a shower)

Ok. Am I capable of that?

(Why don’t you give it a shot and find out?”

Ok!

My neck hurts. 

My left shoulder hurts. 

My left arm hurts. 

I peel my shirt off and it’s COVERED in dirt down the RIGHT side... so why does the LEFT side hurt????

Somehow, I managed to get clean...

We picked up dinner on the way home. 

I *DEVOURED* dinner....

... I guess I was hungry...

So, tell me what happened again?

(You were riding Cupid. He bucked your ass into the dirt. You swore you were ok and got back on the horse. We finally talked you into getting off. You put the horse away. And I took you to the ER.)

I’ll never remember that part.....

It’s been 21 years since my last concussion. At least I was wearing a helmet!

....I’ll be replacing that ASAP....