When Matt Clement went down, I was praying for him like many fellow Sox fans. Unlike the rest of Red Sox Nation however, I also went through a horrific injury in the last two days.

I was riding a racing bike (like Lance would ride) when the tire bent and I went over the handlebars, landing mouth-first on the pavement. I couldn't tell my full injuries at the time, but I was bleeding everywhere. A car passed by and I waved it down. The driver called 911, and I was taken to the hospital. I was transferred downstate to another hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan (from Cadillac) for emergency facial surgery. I had one cosmetic surgery to cut off dead skin (while I was watching the Sox beat Chicago 3-0) and a two-hour oral surgery on my mouth.

All told, I lost the majority of my teeth, scraped my face to the point that I look like a burn victim, slashed both lips open, and tore my lower gums away from the bone.

I'll be recovering until at least October.

After my church found out about my injury, my name was put on a "Family Prayer Album", a program insert with a list of various names and why that person needs prayer. With my injury, and Matt's injury, I'd like to start a similar thing here on the boards. I don't know what forum to put this in exactly, so mods, move this as you like. If you have any other Sox fans to add, put their name, concern, and if you want, a brief story, here in this topic. I'll start.

RED SOX NATION FAMILY PRAYER LIST

Family of Ruthie Pesky

Matt Clement - head injury (hit by pitch)

Gordie Fall - facial injury (bike crash)

We're praying for you Matt.

Get well soon too, Gordie.

Thats terrible, I hope you get well soon!

Wow, I hope you get better soon!

Get well soon!

I'm not religious so I don't pray. However, I'll certainly be thinking good thoughts for you. Hope you have a speedy and full recovery!

I'd also like to add the family of Jobn Glick to the list. He attended my high school and was tragically killed in a car accident by an irresponsible and despicable person.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/c...ll=chi-news-hed

Gordie,

I'm praying for a safe recovery for you, but am also thankful that the injury wasn't more severe. One of my oldest childhood friends was injured in a very similar accident. He was riding his racing bike through Philly, and his front tire got stuck in a steam grate. He was catapulted over the handlebars and needed stiches and new teeth. He's currently riding cross country to raise money for cancer.

Baruch HaShem (Blessed be the Creator) that you and Matt Clement weren't more seriously hurt.

Charles Street--I clicked your link: that car crash story is absolutely awful. My sincere condolences.

-RSND

Wow, i am so sorry to hear about your accident. I will be praying for you and your recovery.

Thanks RSN. I'm only peripherally connected to John, but my mother attended the funeral and as you might imagine the family is distraught.

Thank you for all the prayers and good thoughts.

By the way, got a package in the mail, with a Harry Potter book enclosed...with, as a bookmark, a 1967 Tony C card. Good times.

I had a roommate in college who broke 3 or 4 bones in her face from a pick up game of softball. she had to have a few surgeries and some new teeth but a few months later she was all recovered and you'd never know it today what had happened. Here's hoping your recovery is just as quick.

Even though I don't know you except as a fellow Red Sox fan, I'll be thinking about you and hoping you recover quickly!

I was in a bicycle accident some years ago (I used to do a lot of long-distance riding, not really racing). All I remember is that I was riding downhill at a pretty good clip, and then, according to witnesses, a car got too close to me, I lost control of my bike and fell. My helmet saved my life. I ended up with a head & neck injury. The neck injury was the worst and took the longest to recover from. I felt better from the concussion within a couple of weeks. There was some humor in the story, though. I'm told that when I first regained consciousness, the first question out of my mouth was, "How's my bike?"

Anyway, best wishes to you!

I'll say a prayer for your quick recovery tonight bro' - all the best for a speedy and healthy one!

My prayers -

Dad (appendix out yesterday)
Cali (Dog) (tumor in lung)
Mom (cancer mole removed on nose, nothing big)
Matt Clement - Get Well Soon ACE

Oh and I'll throw one in for myself for when I go to Vegas next week, merely so I can survive and come back up 2K.

My prayers go out to you all

and I would like to add my Uncle Bill in Gardner to the list who may or maynot have pancreatic cancer, it is still being determined.

I would also like to add my sis-in-law Chris who found out this week that cancer cells were discovered in a shoulder blade and her spine. She had breast cancer surgery this spring and was hoping it was gone.

Gordie,

I have prayed and will continue to pray for people on this list. Especially you my friend....
Fortunately I don't have anyone to add at this time....I hope that doesn't change.