<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190131.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7882" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190131-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>In case you've missed the past few blog posts, here's a recap:

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On Day 356, I crash-boom-splatted, hit my head, cracked my helmet, and was absolutely fine except for a Massive Headache.  The tour leaders asked me to sit the rest of the day out.  Phooey.

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On Day 357, Massive Headache/Massive Head Squeeze continued, and I wisely chose to stay cooped up in a van with a hot-blooded Italian male who spoiled me rotten with cappuccinos, gelato, and excessive compliments.

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On Day 358, the last cycling day of our tour, I felt a bit better and decided to get my hiney back on that bike.

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Many of you who remember the details from Day 356 are now freaking out.  Everybody breathe!

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Yes, as it turns out, I had a concussion.  Yes, when you have a concussion, you are not allowed to do ANYTHING where you might hit your head again including...getting back on a bike.

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Why?

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Because if you slam you head into the pavement a second time, it could cause a brain bleed, which would cause the Late Bloomer to wilt.  Permanently.  Instead of blooming, she'd be pushing up daisies.

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Oops.

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Please recall that I didn't know I had a concussion until 12 days later when I checked my foggy, headachy self into the ER.

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So on the morning of Day 358, I sucked it up and rode.

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The number one question that I've been asked since is, "Were you scared to ride after your crash?"

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No.  I wasn't scared.

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I was TERRIFIED!

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But as they said in that old deodorant commercial, "Never let them see you sweat."

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I opted for the role of weakest link and hid at the back of the pack where Fabio 1 coached me through my comeback.

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[caption id="attachment_7883" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Weakest Link Advantages: Private Tour Guide Who Breaks for Kitties"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190128.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7883" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190128-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_7885" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="And fills your water bottle for you."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190130.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7885" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9190130-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

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