Ty McElvain is in the hospital

[grizzly adam]

I'm sad to report that Ty crashed at Afton during the 24Hr race and was diagnosed with fractured vertabrae -C2, C6 and C7. He's scheduled for surgery today, the 27th for C6/C7. At the moment, that's all I know.

Here's how it happened for me:
I was out on course cheering and giving riders cowbell when someone told me that someone had crashed back in the woods. I turned around and headed for the woods, asking if anyone had seen where the crash was. Shortly I heard a 4-wheeler and got them to stop. I told them what I heard and a voice said "Yeah, that'd be me..." and I realized it was Ty. He said that it felt like he pinched a nerve and he didn't have his helmet on. I followed them to the chalet where he was checked out by the staff. When I got into the chalet and could see Ty, he didn't look so good. He seemed very phased by the whole crash and looked like he was almost ready to vomit. Then I saw his head - there was a massive red area on his left side, due to the helmet. I went back to camp, got the rest of the crew to come over and we waited for Ty to be released.
We decided to take him home. On the way home he was talking and calling his wife. His fingers were a bit numb and he was getting sore. I dropped him off at home and they went to the ER. Saturday I found out that at his ER visit they found the fractures. They admitted him to United to watch/maintain him. The surgery got scheduled for the 27th to try to clean up the C6/C7 area.

Once I know more I'll let you know.

[ryno lite]

Sorry to hear that! I hope surgery and recovery goes well and heals fast for you Ty!

[Lezgo Cycling]

I do not know TY and it is too bad that something happened. I was at AFTON til sat morning and had a great time. I am sorry to hear this. hope he is ok. Keep us posted

[TML]

Sorry to hear. . .

Ty- Hope all goes well with the surgery and the recovery is smooth and speedy. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

[berrywise]

Pass on our get well wishes to him. I've always enjoyed his posts here on the forum. Hope he has a speedy recovery and no lingering issues from this.

[grizzly adam]

Thanks everyone - I'll for sure let him know....

[grizzly adam]

I just got a text from Ty:

Made it home from the hospital today. The surgery seems to have gone fine.

It sounds like he'll be in a neck brace for several months.

[gopherhockey]

Good news... sorry bout the brace tho.

[V2Neal]

Sounds painful.

Heal up soon!

[steef]

Get well and get back on the bike soon.

[soupboy]

Here's to a speedy recovery!

[igor]

Get better Ty!

[goatgirl]

Rodney and I give Ty all the best he is one of the good guys! Heal fast!

[Nita]

I don't know you Ty, but sure would like to add to the get well list. I hope you request every favor from ice cream to rare beer in the next couple of months because I think being in a neck brace deserves it! I wish you a very speed recovery!

[tmac]

Thanks for the well-wishes, folks. I did indeed crash out of the race on my 5th lap at about midnight Friday. I was feeling pretty good, just taking a last lap before a longer rest. Overcooked a downhill corner and went over the bars. Unluckily, my forehead hit a tree as I came off the bike. I could move all of my limbs, but had a tingling throughout my right arm. Another racer called down to get me a ride downhill and that was that.

I got a ride to the ER, where they found three fractured vertebrae and a ruptured disc. After monitering me Saturday and sunday, they decided to operate on Monday. The discechtomy went well, and I am now home recovering with a synthetic disc and a metal plate holding C6 and C7 togther.

A full recovery is expected, though I'll be in a neck brace for perhaps as long as 3 months. I'll probably check in here from time to time just to stay occupied - maybe post a photo of the cracked helmet and subsequent bruising.

Huge thanks to those who lent a hand and Adam, Scott, Tracy, and Sue for getting me and my gear home safe.

[goatgirl]

I hope that they gave you an ample supply of Vitamin "V" for vicodin! remember to take those little red pills too!:crazy2:

Rodney had disc surgery after the car hit him and yours sounds like a much larger ordeal, so I am sending you our regrets and encouragement for the months to come.

I guess Adam will just have to put you to work on planning and timing for BCR!

Take care
:p
Lisa

[Disaster on Wheels]

I don't know you either Ty but I hope you have a quick recovery!

[Jackrabbit Slim]

Best wishes and speedy recovery Ty.

[Trevize1138]

Get better, Ty! :cryin: So sorry to hear about the nasty crash.

Look on the bright side, though, is he gonna have any kick@ss scars to show for it? :)

[Danimal]

Get well Ty and quit trying to outdo me on the crashes:)
Wholly crap did you mess yourself up!

[tmac]

Thanks to Grizzly for the photos:

What's left of my helmet:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1340/1336149036_7a84991537.jpg


Wear 'em! They realy work when needed.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1362/1335265799_1decb5ed46.jpg

And the bruise that the photo left on my noggin:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1058/1336150768_02a51b5f6f.jpg


The bruises are all gone now, and I'll be back to work sometime next week. Times like these are when I'm happy I have an office job, otherwise, I'd be out at least 6 weeks.

[grizzly adam]

When do we get to sign your neck collar?!

[goatgirl]

Ty, you should be a poster boy for the "Put A Lid On It" campaign!

[tmac]

Bones healing, nerve damage improving . . .

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/1537636322_7db4bd9fe2_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/1537639932_7c358a84f5_m.jpg

Should be outta the collar by early next month.

Hopefully tire will hit pavement before the snow flies. Dirt might be a little too much to ask for.

[DmacBmac]

That new addition to your neck looks like something I helped work on awhile ago!! Hope that piece part is within tolerance...:D

[ryno lite]

Good to hear you are progressing. Hope you get to ride before the snow flies!

[jitterjepp]

That new addition to your neck looks like something I helped work on awhile ago!! Hope that piece part is within tolerance...:DDo you do anything with Eltronics? The part actually looks like something I saw laying in a plastic bin at my brother-in-laws shop.
I think they make those.

[tmac]

I had actually hoped that my first Ti bits would be attached to my bike.

[Heuy]

Good to see your neck is getting better Ty.

However, it looks like you've got some decay in your third molar:crazy:

[Trevize1138]

Ty, I just gave you reputation points for being one tough S.O.B. :cool:

[grizzly adam]

Don't let him fool you. If you look close, it's just a butterfly band-aid.

Take those rep points back!

[Slimpee]

Excellent work! Get better soon...

[Trevize1138]

Don't let him fool you. If you look close, it's just a butterfly band-aid.

Take those rep points back!

I dunno, man. The guy breaks his neck and all he does is slap a butterfly band-aid on it then walks it off! That's deserving of MORE rep points if you ask me! :crazy:

[grizzly adam]

I dunno, man. The guy breaks his neck and all he does is slap a butterfly band-aid on it then walks it off! That's deserving of MORE rep points if you ask me! :crazy:

Yeah...good point...