To paint the picture for you: There were about 20 of us waiting for the 6A bus to school at 8 am. One bus came and it was too full so it wouldn't let us on. Another empty bus passed by and didn't even stop. We were all pretty worried because it was creeping up on 8:15 and class was to start in 15 minutes and still no bus in sight. In Copenhagen, there are 3 lanes. The sidewalk for pedestrians, the bike lane for bikers and then the actual road for cars (in that order). To get on a bus, you have to cross the bike lane and stand at the end of it so the bus will stop. Some people were already standing on the edge to get in line for the next arriving bus. I was standing on the edge of the sidewalk with my back toward the bike lane and turned slightly to begin to cross the bike lane, and the next seconds are somewhat of a blur, but a guy on a bike coming very fast hit me from behind and next thing I knew I was on the ground with a nose gushing with blood and my entire face was stinging.
People ran over to help me, but all I could hear was Danish and I had no idea what they were saying. I kept trying to listen for one of my friends and I finally heard my friend Mike speaking English. I know I sat there for a few seconds honestly in shock over what had just happened. They got me up and sat me on the bench by the bus stop and got me tissues for my nose and face. There was a man there and he called the ambulance. I found out later that this was the guy who hit me, so it was very nice of him to stick around and make sure I got help.
It was then that I really started to feel the pain and kept going in and out. I couldn't hear anything and then I started feeling like I was going to throw up. I told my friend Mike I was going to pass out and just hoped that the ambulance would come soon. Unfortunately, it did not. 25 minutes later (which seemed like an eternity) the ambulance came. My friend Mike came with me to the hospital (Mike- you are amazing!) where they really didn't really do much to help me, unfortunately.
I am somewhat frustrated with the Danish healthcare system after this experience. Honestly though, I think that is just how the Danes are. They are a very minimalist society and it transgresses into their medical practices. They said I could have possibly broken my nose and gotten a minor concussion, but I would have to wait a couple days to get an x-ray after the swelling went down. So they told me to go home, meaning Mike and I walked home from the hospital. Their healthcare practices are just totally different than in America and it is hard for me to get used to.
This is a picture...
Needless to say, everyone has been extremely supportive. To everyone who has helped me, cooked for me, called me, messaged me--I am more than grateful. To Mike who was my first rescuer and took me to the hospital, I literally don't know what I would have done if you weren't there. You are a lifesaver. To my Australian friend Tom who was the only one at Keops since all my other friends were at school, thanks for the tea, cookies, and coffee and for sitting with me for 3 hours- you are a lifesaver. To Maren who brought me chocolate, such a sweetheart. To Julie and Margot who came home on their lunch break and sat on my floor and ate their lunch (love you both). To Emily who brought me medicine, made me dinner, brought me breakfast and took me to the doctor today- I don't know what I would do without you. To Suz who came over as soon as she got home and raged about their healthcare with me (you are my other half). To my Little who can make me feel better even if she is halfway across the world- I am so lucky to be your big. To Vic who will run home to Skype to talk to me at the drop of a dime--thanks for always being there. To my parents for sitting on Skype with me and making sure I am getting taken care of--love and miss you. And to everyone else who has sent me messages, texts, and phone calls. I really feel like I have a family here and it means so much.
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