Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
hamie
Social climber
Thekoots
|
|
BM
Lookin' good.
H.
|
|
The Call Of K2 Lou
climber
Squamish
|
|
Great googlymucci, that's a lotta hardware. Adamantium claws up next?
|
|
Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
|
|
I've got you beat in the metal-inside-the-body department. I've got so much that I think I could do
an advance deal to sell my body to a scrap metal dealer when I die.
I never know whether I should be thankful for modern medicine for saving my life, or pissed that
I needed it in the first place.
Have they given you any kind of rehab program yet?
|
|
'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
|
|
Holy frig. Why do I feel pukey everytime I see Xrays of screws in guys' bones? I thought my ankle X-ray looked bad, but man - look at the size of those screws right in the middle of your back!
So what's the story with your back exactly? It looks like the screws are inserted into the two "good" bones above and below the "busted" bone, is that right? The one in the middle is the busted one? How busted is the busted bone? What has to happen back there before you're well again, and how do you assist in the healing process? Is there any nerve or spinal cord damage?
Look on Facebook at Ammon's photos of his busted up knee - it looks like a barbed wire nightmare from WWI trenches.
My bone doc told me that the plates and screws could stay in my leg for life if they didn't bother me. Getting my ankle inside my ski boot the next season was out of the question, but my ankle didn't feel strong enough to ski anyway. So the next spring, about a year after the break, I asked that the metal be removed. I didn't like the feeling of metal nuts right under my skin. So out they came, although I still didn't feel motivated to downhill ski that follwoing winter, either.
However I did go caving in Kentucky for a 24-hour trip only about three months after the break, with my leg still in the cast as backup and one crutch crutching down the muddy cave passage for several miles.
And only four months after the break, with all the hardware still in, I climbed El Cap via Son of Heart. Slowly, but we still sent. I wore the cast on the approach. And a crutch makes a pretty good cheat stick on the wall, you know.
Will you have the option of removing those plates and screws at some point, or are they there for life?
Man, did you see all those staples in the X-rays? There's a giant S-bend right down the middle of your back! Couldn't your surgeon even cut and staple a straight line?! {wink}
|
|
Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
|
|
In honor of your progression me n' Luke r gonna go do an apron lap right now for u- i'll try to report live a la' Big Mike if possible.
Youz guys are crazy!! I love it!! ;)
I'm kinda late to the party and don't want to crash it! but get better - looks like you've got lots of friends for good cheers!
Thanks Mchale's. No Crashin' here (well, maybe me....) ;) Everyone is more than welcome. They say you find out who your real friends are when you end up flat on your back, well if that's true that I am certainly one lucky guy!! The support has been otherworldly!!!
just looking for the new address...
Ok Neebs and everyone else here is the official address
Rm 228
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
4255 Laurel Street
Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 2G9
It' right beside Triage Arete above the Bluffs parking lot. Maybe the name should compliment the medical context of it's neighbor? How about Rehabilitation Route?
Wow. Too cool Chris! Sounds like an honour!!
I like to think the plants are saying "Oh Fuk! It's KW!"
LOL thanks for the laugh ;)
Haha this isn't working at all
Worked good enough to get me laughing and stoked! Thanks. Still can't believe you guys would rather walk off in the dark then take the south gully raps. ;)
Can't remember what it is but maybe Scrubber could work at night and RyanD and Luke climb in the day?
Hahahaha Lol they are training for an undertaking witch these night skills will come in very handy!!
As for Scrubber i'm sure he knows you can't take decent pics at night ;)
So yes, we survived Mike. We did a st vitus simul in your honor tonight & spray painted your name on memorial ledge. I hope this will help with your rehab.
What's really funny is my friends who are following my progress here keep asking me if these outrageous statements are true ;)
We had aspirations of a summit bid & rollering your handle across the ravens nest slabs, but fear of samsquantch in the forest above memorial crack had us scared & running for the death line which we rapped for the too manieth time before belaying each other while crying down the slabs to Luke's for a nice beer. Hope u have a good day today!
LOL Luke said that the fixed line was the crux. Please don't go killing yourself on mank like that.. It's the last thing I need right now. :) oh and no more crappy belays pls. Do it for me.
Here are some flowers. . . from high atop the drumlin in the deep northwoods. . . I hope they cheer you up!
Cool colors Ekat! Thanks.
Big Mike, dude. just checked into ST and saw this thread. Holy smokes. As many others have said, but can't be said enough, you're spirit is super inspiring. And, wonderful to see all the support you are getting from afar and near. Will be checking back in to see updates. you rock.
Thanks Cowpoke. What else can I do right?? It's certainly helped my outlook on the future and I firmly believe it's why I am doing so well with my recovery. I've said it before and ill say it again,
THE TACO ROCKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!!!!!
My girlfriend, friends and family have helped immensely also!
More importantly, glad to hear you're improving mike and I will make it down for a visit as soon as my full body anti hospital germ suit is back from the cleaners.
LOL No need Hamish. Everyone here is fighting to get back to normal with their injuries like me. If you get sick, they ship you back to VGH. Plus if its nice out we can go for a stroll. It will be awesome to see you!!
I only needed it BEFORE Mike's first hospital shower ! ! !
Ya it was getting pretty nasty. Stoked on being more independent now, showering every day without hassle will be a luxury! ;)
A terrible thing to hear that yer cheese was pilfered. I can't imagine anybody stealin' yer slippers tho' - who has feet that big???? :-)
Might see Sandra tonight if she needs a place to crash !!!
Ya that's what we thought about the slippers too but they are gone?? Can't see them getting tossed? They were really nice..
Sandra is coming down tomorrow and will be needing a place tomorrow night me thinks. Thanks so much for the offer!
Will send some little token via snail mail to help the healing vibe. Rest up, kid.
Phyl
Aww thanks Phyl! This place is really setup for re-hab. They are pushing me to be more independent too so I'm stoked about that.
"Hey, Mike - it's great to see you oot and aboot, EH?! EH??!!"
LOL.. Thx Pete.. Wanna go climb a raaawt?? ;)
wow, sadly, that's pretty terrible... you are trusting this place with your health, as well, :O
Ya. Glad to be out of there. Hospitals are never the best place to hang.
remember PUT an alarm on them, ;)
Anyone wanna buy me a car alarm for my slippers?? ;) LOL!!
http://www.verasburgershack.com/locations.html
"You can't beat Vera's meat."
Excellent.
ANd I received neebee's card today. Will get it to ya Mike here in the future soon.
Love the pix of Anders and the pussy :-D hahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!1
Vera's sounds good!! ;) I am stoked to receive Neebs art!! I liked that shot too Tami. Tabby was wandering around so naturally anders went to say hi. He picked him up once and brought him over but jumped off before I could take the shot. I told him that I would love a pic so he went and got him again but had to hold him a bit tighter this time to get that result. If you look at the expression on kittie's face he is saying "let me outta here you purple troll!!"
LOL
I'll come up there and smack the person that pilfers what I send! Lol, got yarn today. It's PINK!!!!!!!! JK.
I would love to see that Michelle ;) Pink eh? And yellow too right?? :)
When I'm off Friday i'll pick you up a naan butter chicken wrap!
You should give us some visiting hours and address info dude!
Mmm butter chicken! Is that splitz??
Just did address, visiting hours are supposed to be 4-8pm ish but I get 45 for lunch at noon. My schedule isn't exactly set yet either so call me (6o4)9o2-49oo to see what I'm up to in the afternoons.
Wait, ya mean he isn't climbing yet?
Yes! I am! In and out of bed, which is a major feat for a guy who could barely move his feet a week ago. Yes I need a chair but I was practicing standing up from the bed a little today and getting my quads going. I was making good progress, standing up until my hands were at full extension on the bed.
So things are improving rapidly. I can't wait to get on those bars again!!!
Could someone discreetly let Anders know that teal-n-purple outdoor wear went out in, oh, about 1995.
He knows! But does he care? Nah! A man after my own heart.. ;)
Hang tough BigMike. And make that kid bring you a Frosty if he's gonna force that Wendy's crap on ya.
Maybe the nurses stole the cheese when they heard you in the terlet trying to squeeze one out the other day. Probably thought that was the last thing you needed, more plug in the piping.
Maybe one did. I'm over it. Had my best BM so far today too, and they finally got my off the OxyContin onto some long acting stuff. Yay!!
Heal fast BigMike!
Thanks Munge!!
I went to 21 on the front foot and 15 on the back foot. Notice a little difference I suppose. We've had 10" in the last 24 hours so it was a good day to get out.
Nice Naitch!! The trick is to play with them until you find a sweet spot. Tough to do on a pow day, I know. 10" eh? Sweet!!
Since when is splitz only $4 relic?? Calling BS here methinks. I'm sure Mike could care less how much a burger costs right now anyway! Nomnomnomnom.
Probably a Vancouver lunch special with no cheese or bacon I'm guessing?? Relic? Mmm splitz burger with the works and onion rings!!!
Wassup Baconator Haters.
If it had lettuce and tomato I'd be down. Something about all that just meat and cheese don't sit right. I usually grab a big bacon classic.. And a couple jr's
Thanks for the offer anyways Luke and it was cool to see you today!!
Good to talk to you on the phone today Mike, and share my weekend adventures with you. Talked to my big wall trainer/partner today about that big wall, looks like we will be heading out to the Valley in April or May for Skull Queen, depending on the weather and when we can get the time. Stoked!
Ya for sure dude! Wish I didn't have some didn't have some trainee doc asking me questions when you called. We could have spoke longer. Oh well probably best for your phone bill anyways. Skull Queen eh?? Sick!! Can't wait to see that report!!
Sick shot eastside! Thanks!
Are you kidding me, Tami the best burgers in Vancouver were from Harryhotdogs. Although that became my nickname I sold mostly homemade burgers and bavarian smokies.
Damn! Wish I was around then...
must say that it came as a bit of a shock. but it sounds like you are in good hands and will pull through this, shinning a little brighter and brighter with each passing day. and my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
For me too Splitter!
It is shining brighter each day and I'm stoked! I will survive!
Wishing you the best. A sheared vertebrae is not the end of the world. I sheared my T12 about 8 years ago in a head-first fall to the ground. Am turning 70 in a month and will be celebrating climbing for 50 years this summer. May you have an equally long and rewarding climbing life ahead of you.
Good to hear mad dog, thanks. One day at a time right? I will get there sooner than later if I keep up this pace!
Thanks Grover! Just posted address
Did you Shrink a few inches after the surgery?
LOL maybe.. Unsure? Will have to check that out when I can stand again..
All this snow just in time for me to head to Costa Rica...
Sounds like fun to me!! ;) enjoy!
Thanks Hamie!
Great googlymucci, that's a lotta hardware. Adamantium claws up next?
Heck ya! That would be sick!! ;)
Today was a good day. My nurse was kind enough to wheel me into the shower after a half descent breakfast, then my occupational therapist showed me how to dress myself, use the raised toliet seat by myself and we practiced for the bathtub transfer.
Then I went to physio and they tried a couple different new wheel chairs since the one I'm currently using from vgh has to go back to them.
Harry brought me a dope falafel for lunch and the kid joined us. I had some bladder management class I was supposed to attend but I have that under control already so I skipped it to visit instead.
After they left I wheeled around a bit to check out the facility. Still haven't explored everywhere but it looks pretty sweet so far.
My buddy Terry arranged a visit for the afternoon, and showed up just after Nate did!
Then Tash showed up around 5:30, and I was done. I was in bed already, and tried to have a conversation with her, succeeded for awhile but nearly passed out on her several times. She let me go, because she could see that I clearly needed sleep. I passed out for about three hours, which was good because when my snoring roomate returned, he won the battle, and I'm not even sure how much sleep I got last night. I know I'm tired now.
My nurse came and told me I have nothing on my schedule for the day, which sucks because I just want to get back on the bars so I can practice walking this time. I know I'm strong enough, just get me out there!!
Oh well maybe a few more zzz's will hit the spot.
|
|
Scrubber
climber
Straight outta Squampton
|
|
Wooooop! Woooooop!
Tell them you want your own personal set of paralell bars in your room. You could do dips all day after your walking practice. You'd be mantleing like a mo-fo in no time! PRESS IT OUT!!!!
Request some monkey bars above your bed too. A friend of mine who broke his femur and pelvis in a nasty grounder came out of the hospital with his upper body stronger than he'd ever been, just from a self imposed workout routine on the bars and rings above his bed.
K
|
|
Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
|
|
I've got you beat in the metal-inside-the-body department. I've got so much that I think I could do an advance deal to sell my body to a scrap metal dealer when I die.
Hahaha glad to know I'm not the only magnet bait around here! ;)
I never know whether I should be thankful for modern medicine for saving my life, or pissed that I needed it in the first place.
Happy. Sh#t is unavoidable
Have they given you any kind of rehab program yet?
Not yet. Pt this afternoon at 2 now. Stoked.
Yeah. . . all tools and spare parts you have to carry around in vintage VWs.
OVER IT!
Although. . . I REALLY miss that paint job - it just wouldn't look the same on this thing!
LOL you should do it!! You'd stick out like a sore thumb tho! ;)
So what's the story with your back exactly? It looks like the screws are inserted into the two "good" bones above and below the "busted" bone, is that right? The one in the middle is the busted one? How busted is the busted bone? What has to happen back there before you're well again, and how do you assist in the healing process? Is there any nerve or spinal cord damage?
Ok so l2 is the busted one it fractured so they took a piece out. Then screws in l3 and l4 below, and t11 and t12 above. Everything was fairly minimal but there was a small rip in the spinal cord sheath with some nerve ends popping out (they end around t2 where the damage was) so they had to sew the sheath back up.
Basically it's almost healed, now I just have to rehab all the muscles and wait for the swelling to go down. They are unsure how much sensation will return but I'm hoping most of it will.
|
|
supafly
Trad climber
vancouver, bc
|
|
Hey Big Mike - we have meet briefly, you were trying to coax Sandra down the rappels on Rambles, she was worried she'd go off the end of the rope :)
Anyway, been reading this thread every day for updates, even found myself thinking about your accident when I was out in Whis on Sunday.
Super unhappy that this happened to you, but your attitude in the rehabilitation is inspiring and of course you will come out of this stronger and more badass than ever!
Music for your Wednesday!
[Click to View YouTube Video]
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
hey there say, big mike... great to hear all the social fun here for you!
friends, and sharing DO keep the spirit up...
so glad the card got there... canada, as to you, well, YOUR side, is kind of
far from here, in michigan, :))
little gift is also on the way, by way of boston, had to send it to a friend, to send to you, due to being too hard to get the post office wayyy across town, and my regular mailing spots will not send to canada or over seas, any more, :( man oh man, i miss that, :(
might take it a week and half to get there, :O
say:
ksolem most likely know more to this, than me, but:
after any kind of hard muscle workouts, i think? right, kris? the ol'
BODY needs a rest the next day... it's like a skip a day type thing, as to the hard stuff, and the body, as well, WILL soak in brain-wise, what is down and how much etc, and be READY to tackle it again, the next time...
sounds complex, but it does work that way... if you over do, by just
doing it, too long, your body rebells by forcing you to rest whether you
want to or now, :(
so on the 'boring days' unless you do have some low system type stretches or whatever, just enjoy the trail markers, whatever they be:
hopefull fun share, with friends, again:
as they keep the spirits up, :)
god bless!
|
|
'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
|
|
Wow, that's great news! You are one lucky ass m@ther f@kker.
I still feel a bit of numbness on the tops of a couple of my toes, because the surgeon told me he cut so many nerves. But the feeling seems to be returning, albeit slowly. It's been 8 years for me. But I'm more or less good as new.
Might they ever take the metal out, or is it there for life? Cuz you're gonna be setting off the metal detectors in the airport like my ankle did!
Thanks by the way for all the detail in your posts, eh? Nice to know you're reading everything everyone says, and responding to it all!
|
|
SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
|
|
Hey, like what's up with the guy with 3 ears? Is he like, like your Rehab room mate? Does he hear everything, even if you whisper?
Susan
|
|
wayne w
Trad climber
the nw
|
|
Wow, so good to hear that you are making such amazing progress, Mike! That you have progressed so far in the last week should be really encouraging. I also second what Scrubber said about doing pull ups by lifting yourself up while in bed. Those parallel bars are a salvation for one learning to walk again. I wish I couldn't make this statement with such authority, ha ha.
It will take time for your back and legs to heal, so get your upper body extra strong to compensate, and build up your back muscles around the injury. That you are staying positive and smiling throughout this ordeal speaks volumes about your character. Remember that the Doc's will usually give you worse case scenarios, and not everyone they treat has the drive, tenacity and Spirit that you do!
|
|
this just in
climber
north fork
|
|
Gnarly looking hardware you picked up. Glad you made the move. Next stop home. Keep at it mike.
|
|
GLee
Social climber
Missoula MT
|
|
I just lurked in to this Mike, so here's another Taco-ite wish for a speedy Rehab from 718 km away....
(Hi Anders, Nice Picture of your friend & self!!)
If your peeps are worried about hospital germs, maybe they should look into a Samsung ecoBubble Technology Wash Cool washer!?!? It seems to work great,
and on cold water!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/eryxAcsTcOA
Greg L
|
|
Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
|
|
Will you have the option of removing those plates and screws at some point, or are they there for life?
The doc says when I heal up and everything's good if it becomes an issue we can talk about it. It will set me back again a bit, but if it means a reduction in pain and more mobility i will probably push for it.
Man, did you see all those staples in the X-rays? There's a giant S-bend right down the middle of your back! Couldn't your surgeon even cut and staple a straight line?! {wink}
Ya, you can hardly miss em... I'm assuming that it will heal better that way because it won't split as easy. Who knows.. I'll ask Brian next time i see him.
And only four months after the break, with all the hardware still in, I climbed El Cap via Son of Heart. Slowly, but we still sent. I wore the cast on the approach. And a crutch makes a pretty good cheat stick on the wall, you know.
crazy. I'm not going to re-injure myself again by pushing too much. i don't wanna Fvck this one up!!
Tell them you want your own personal set of paralell bars in your room. You could do dips all day after your walking practice. You'd be mantleing like a mo-fo in no time! PRESS IT OUT!!!!
somehow i don't think the nurses would like this very much :) i have been doing range of motion every chance i get, and stretching a bit.
Request some monkey bars above your bed too. A friend of mine who broke his femur and pelvis in a nasty grounder came out of the hospital with his upper body stronger than he'd ever been, just from a self imposed workout routine on the bars and rings above his bed.
I wish. My spine would not like that right now. Soon enough I will be able to push myself again. just getting in and out of this chair to shower, use the can, eat and back in bed is a mission in and of itself these days. My shoulders are killing me! my upper half is going to be ripped by the time I'm done for sure!!
we have meet briefly, you were trying to coax Sandra down the rappels on Rambles, she was worried she'd go off the end of the rope :)
Ya, I had knots in the ends too, and a prussic for her... She gets scared sometimes...
a big hello to you from the east coast of asia -i did not make it in as planned on sunday
No worries GF. Sunday ended up pretty full anyways so it was all good. I understand people have lives to live too..
so glad the card got there... canada, as to you, well, YOUR side, is kind of
far from here, in michigan, :))
Thanks Neebs!! I can't wait to see it!!
little gift is also on the way, by way of boston, had to send it to a friend, to send to you, due to being too hard to get the post office wayyy across town, and my regular mailing spots will not send to canada or over seas, any more, :( man oh man, i miss that, :
That's awesome Neebs! I understand that this is a big effort for you both financially and physically so i really appreciate it. I think i know how to return the favor when i get better.
so on the 'boring days' unless you do have some low system type stretches or whatever, just enjoy the trail markers, whatever they be:
hopefull fun share, with friends, again:
as they keep the spirits up, :)
I know, I can't push all the time. I need rest days too. I get impatient tho, but also am realizing that just everyday life is a major effort right now so there are really no rest days.
Wow, that's great news! You are one lucky ass m@ther f@kker.
I agree!!
Thanks by the way for all the detail in your posts, eh? Nice to know you're reading everything everyone says, and responding to it all!
Thanks. That is the essence of a Big Mike tm Live Trip Report! Interactivity! It's a lot of effort but it always pays off, in beta or meetings with people i would otherwise never get a chance, etc.
Hey, like what's up with the guy with 3 ears? Is he like, like your Rehab room mate? Does he hear everything, even if you whisper?
Who Bones?? No way, he's deaf as!! he decided to turn his head during the pano and i just used the shot anyways.. kinda funny eh? :)
It will take time for your back and legs to heal, so get your upper body extra strong to compensate, and build up your back muscles around the injury. That you are staying positive and smiling throughout this ordeal speaks volumes about your character. Remember that the Doc's will usually give you worse case scenarios, and not everyone they treat has the drive, tenacity and Spirit that you do!
Thanks Wayne. I am doing what i can under the conditions. Soon enough i will be able to push harder.
I recently fuked my back up training but after reading your story and seeing the X-rays I got nuthin to bitch about.
I will definitely think back to this experience before i go bitchin again also ;)
Gnarly looking hardware you picked up. Glad you made the move. Next stop home. Keep at it mike.
Sweet eh? Next stop home for sure. can't wait for my bed!!
hey mike have you got a DVD / VCR at your finger tips?
You ever seen Woodstock?
I gotta call Relic and ask him to drop that one off again for me as i can use that one he previously lent me here.
I just lurked in to this Mike, so here's another Taco-ite wish for a speedy Rehab from 718 km away....
Thanks Greg! Not in the hospital anymore so not nearly as worried.
More in a bit. gotta go get some eats and some frickin pain killers!!
|
|
supafly
Trad climber
vancouver, bc
|
|
btw BM.. if you're posting this all on an iphone, including all copy and paste quotes, you deserve a medal of valor! :D
|
|
Hoser
climber
vancouver
|
|
So I've been chasing the dragon again all night
Hell If that was the case you probably wouldnt need any Oxy's...and it would probably be a hell of a lot busier!!! :)
You know your supposed to scrape the protective coating off the Oxys first eh....
Glad to see your on the mend! Keep up the hard work!
Good Day eh
|
|
'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
|
|
Like take off, eh? Hoser. Have a beauty night, Mike. Hope someone is smuggling in some beers for ya.
|
|
browniephoto
climber
bc
|
|
don't be afraid of the things that go BUMP in the night.
|
|
Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
|
|
Hell If that was the case you probably wouldnt need any Oxy's...and it would probably be a hell of a lot busier!!! :)
Ya you're right hoser, I'm not doing heroin.
Glad to see your on the mend! Keep up the hard work! Thanks for the kind words hoser.
Hope someone is smuggling in some beers for ya.
Nope. Sandra did bring Sushi though!!
don't be afraid of the things that go BUMP in the night.
:) nice!! I'm more afraid of my snoring roommate winning the sleep off battle again!! ;)
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!