The Untold Story of My Broken Collar Bone and the Tale of the Silver Medal

June 4, 2003, a sunny afternoon, I was on my way home, riding my bike along Commonwealth Avenue, the busiest road in Metro Manila. It was one of rare occasions that there were no traffic so the vehicles were all at high speed. I was tailing an elf delivery trailer truck with the speed of around 50-60 kph. I was approaching the Batasan area when suddenly out of nowhere, 3 women ran across the street. It was very much unexpected since there was a pedestrian pass directly above them. The truck without any warning hit its breaks to avoid the jaywalkers, but it was too late for me. I hit the tail end of the truck. I flew a few meters away, but instinctively stood up and run to my bike before I get hit by incoming vehicles. The truck was not aware of what happened and was starting to move away. Thanks to the bystanders who saw what happened, they shouted and manage to get the attention of the driver to stop. The driver and its companion helped me and offered to bring me to the hospital. May be because I was still shocked that time, I refused to be brought to the hospital. I didn’t want to bother them knowing that the accident was not their fault but the 3 irresponsible pedestrian. I was very glad that I was wearing a helmet. My body was really numbed and I didn’t even know that I was bleeding. After checking my bike (and very pleased that it was not damaged), I realized that I can not move my right arm. The pain was too much to handle. I took my cellphone to call my wife, but it was dead (d bale na ang cellphone wag lang ako…hehehe). I then asked the driver their destination, and if I can ride with them up to the area nearest to my house. They obliged and even offered to bring me home. But maybe due to too much confusion, I refused again (yes, I know its stupidity). It was really weird refusing their offer since my concern that time was to be in the safety of my home..

I got off in Lagro and managed to bike 7km in tremendous pain. It seemed the longest and most painful 7km ride of my life. I almost collapsed as I knocked on the gate. My wife was shocked when he saw me pale and with blood stains on my jersey. She immediately called for help, which is 18km away (medyo malayo kasi ang bahay namin). While waiting for help that will bring me to PGH (40 km away), my wife called the best athletic trainer in the country (now the current dean of UP-CHK, CSCS Certified, and trains the top athletes and teams in the country – Sir! Walang sawang pasasalamat!) and asked for first aid instructions. It was very helpful for me mentally and emotionally to talk to someone credible assuring me that everything will be ok. I was really confused that time since I didn’t know yet what were the damages and the broken bones. (At gugupitin ang favorite jersey ko!). My sis-in-law, who is also an athletic trainer arrived first in the house and checked my injury. She feared that my collar bone was broken.

It was already dark when my wife and I arrived at the hospital. Everybody thought that I was stabbed because of the deep wound and blood stains on my shirt. Since I had a vehicular accident, a medico legal was made. After the tests, tetanus shots, an x-ray, treatments and stitches on my wounds, I was released. The ER resident said my collar bone was not fractured. I was relieved. We got home at 2am.

The following day, after an argument with my wife, I told a member of the coaching staff that I had the flu and will be absent for a few of days. I know that it was really bad that I lied but I was compelled to keep everything a secret because it was a SEAGames year. I did not want to give some people the happiness that will be brought to them by my injury. I wouldn’t give them the pleasure of seeing me in pain and in a bad form. I just couldn’t stand it. I could almost see them grinning maliciously. I couldn’t let them put me down easily. I am not in my competitive condition.

After more than a week, I had my stitches removed but still did not feel any improvement. I still couldn’t lift my arm. I gave myself another week before deciding to seek a second opinion. There was a big lump near my wound. I knew something was wrong so I seek the opinion of a consultant in UERM. Even though I was expecting it, I was still upset I was right, there was something wrong. He told me that my clavicle was broken. I was in still in denial but I had to be sure, so I went to another consultant in orthopedic surgery in PGH. It was already June 30, almost a month after the accident. When I and my doctor personally went to the x-ray records department to look at my first x-ray taken on the day of the accident, we were dismayed upon learning that naglahong parang bula sa records ng hospital ang first x-ray ko. He then personally supervised my second x-ray. Based on the new x-ray, he confirmed that my collar bone was broken. At nag-overlap na ng tuluyan ang 2 parts of my broken clavicle, which I told him different from the first x-ray shown to me. I also told him that the resident refused to contact him when I was first brought to the hospital because the ER was jam-packed and I was refused to be admitted since there were no available rooms. He then gave me my x-ray, and told to have my consultation to his other office. He ordered me to undergo rehab and forbid me to train for a couple more weeks.

After another week of completely no training, and just barely lifting my injured arm completely, I had my karma. I was informed that there will be a trial. I have to pass this to be able to participate in the SEAGames in December. I was shocked. I was forced to tell the truth by submitting my medico-legal and a medical certificate from my doctors, one of them was also a consultant in SMAP. Not surprisingly, nobody believed and was told by reliable sources that my documents were suspected fake. It was ok. It was my entire fault. I was to blame. For whatever reasons I had, I shouldn’t have done that. I was very sorry. This was a very big lesson for me. I am responsible for what I had done.

Since I was not excused to take the trial because of my injury, I showed up and had the time trial. It was August, only two months after the accident, and completely no training at all. The rehab did not do any good. I was still in pain even during short rides. I left everything to fate, knowing that everybody was well prepared, except me. My injured arm was really numb, while my clavicle felt hot. I was really having a hard time and worst I felt that my arm got shorter. But, everything paid off. I was second. But I didn’t know if it was good or bad. Lalong walang naniwala na may bali ako at walang ensayo. Humina na din daw ako sa time trial dahil second na lang. It was ok. My concern was I made the cut, and I’ll be competing in the itt in the SEAGames. I have to go back to my doctor.

            I went back to my doctor. I told him there were no improvements. My injury got worst in rehab by interns, may kasama pang comments na ooperahan ako, kaya lalo akong naguluhan at natakot. The doctor was mad, and asked me to stop attending rehab. He demonstrated to me exercises I should do at home. No need for operation since it was starting to heal, the broken bones were already bounded by tissues. I just need to strengthen it. It was finally ok after a few months since the tissue that binds the bones grew thicker. Umikli na ang right arm ko at laging nangangalay. Nakakainis talaga ang mga nangyari. It was very preventable. Pero ok lang, don’t cry over spilled milk. Ganun talaga.

            In October of the same year, while on my way home from training, I got hit by a passenger jeep who took a wrong turn in Antipolo. Buti na lang I was able to jump on the sidewalk kaya konti bugbog and scratches lang. Pero nawasak ang wheelset na gamit ko. I had learned my lesson and did not keep it a secret. I informed the authorities about it.

            In November, I was very late and almost didn’t make the flight to the SEAGames host country. I was very sick because of a viral infection, and I have to buy additional medicines on the way to the airport. I was sickly since my immune system was very low dahil sa ensayo. I got my infection in Tagaytay while having the elimination race for the tour 2004, where I ranked first. After a week abroad, my medicine ran out. My wife pulled some strings to be able to send the needed medicines. Thank you to all the people who helped her. Thanks to FEDEX for bringing my medicines and other supplies.

In December, I won the silver medal in the Individual Time Trial, 2003 SEAGames. May be some were not expecting it since I had a severe headache the night before. I still do not know if everybody was happy that I won it. Anyway, I did it for my country. I am very happy and proud of it. I was second to the cyclist from the host country, with a 30sec gap. A controversial win dahil namatay bigla ang orasan.
What a year! Buti na lang maganda at happy ang ending.

Moral lesson of the story:

• Do not lie
• Go to your trusted doctor
• Have at least 3 medical opinions
• Always insist to have a copy of all your medical records
• Never lose hope
• Never jaywalk, nakamamatay! Always use the pedestrian overpass or pedestrian lane. Tumawid sa tamang tawiran!