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Norwegian
Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
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Mar 12, 2013 - 09:25pm PT
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congratulations
on your stellar
(and i'm sure hard-won)
progress.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 13, 2013 - 12:56am PT
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Thanks weege!
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Mar 13, 2013 - 01:46am PT
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Hi Mike. Sorry to have been absent from this thread for a while, but I was down in Las Vegas watching the rain fall when I had time to climb and watching the sun shine when I had to work.
Back home now, and here's a picture to keep the rehab energy level up where it belongs
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browniephoto
climber
bc
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Mar 13, 2013 - 03:43pm PT
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REEEAAAADDDYYYY TOOO HHHAAAUUULLL!!!!!!
DDDDDDRRRRRROOOPPPPIIINNGGG IINNN!!!!!!
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Norwegian
Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
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Mar 13, 2013 - 05:00pm PT
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whats up mike,
im sorry that you have to be
stuck in the constant confines of a hospital room.
keep up the effort,
you'll bust out soon enough.
a great summer is just ahead,
and i think she'll welcome
you with open horizons into her
warm realm.
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cowpoke
climber
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Mar 13, 2013 - 05:46pm PT
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Stoked. Pretty soon ill be running circles around this joint! ;)
And, I'm stoked for you!!! Great to see your progress, Mike.
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Scrubber
climber
Straight outta Squampton
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Mar 13, 2013 - 06:06pm PT
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After all that burger talk last week... You've probably seen this Mike, but just in case:
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 13, 2013 - 06:32pm PT
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Hi Mike. Sorry to have been absent from this thread for a while, but I was down in Las Vegas watching the rain fall when I had time to climb and watching the sun shine when I had to work.
No apology necessary. Too bad the weather gods didn't work out for you and Mari. It's pretty obvious to me now why things worked out so well for us. My stroke of good luck was balanced by this bad luck. I needed to learn to never ever take anything for granted or be disappointed that I didn't get to do exactly what I wished. I certainly will never do that again.
Every day on my feet is a good one and each time I walk out the front door even better. This injury has really taught me to enjoy every moment for what it is rather than what it could be.
I've always tried to make the best of things, but now I realize that as long as I have my health it is the best. I would even rather be at work then being here, and I always hated work, because I always felt it was time that I could be doing something better.
Now I would rather be able to provide for myself then be a burden. Thanks to Canada for our medical system. And GF Strong. I would be lost without it. Thanks to Cmac we have this awesome website and all the people who use it!!! The Taco has been a simply amazing support vessel both mentally and financially. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all of it.
People talk sh!t about this place all the time, but when the time comes, we are there for our fallen brothers. You guys and gals have taught me so much about the meaning of community, and for that, I can never thank you enough. I can only hope that I will be able to help the next person in need, when the time comes..
Thanks for the pic Dave. I am definitely stoked today, if not a little emotional, I have never really truely understood tears of joy before this incident. I feel as if I am a better person for it.
Stoke up.
Hell ya!! Sick vid man! Nice part! Tell your buddy I said thanks for putting it together. ;)
Kieran you guys are frikin' hilarious buddy. Thanks for all the laughs!!!!
I can always use a laugh!!
im sorry that you have to be
stuck in the constant confines of a hospital room.
Don't be Weege! I'm stoked to be here. I'm stoked to be receiving the therapy I need to get me back on my feet. I'm stoked that there is people to take care of me so my family and friends can continue with their lives without having to feel guilty or modify them severely to be able to take care of me. But most of all I'm stoked because the people here are awesome and they help me achieve a little bit more success every day.
Obviously I would love to be out playing in the snow, or cuddling on the couch with my beautiful girlfriend on our couch at home, but I realize than those things just aren't a possibility anymore. It's funny, I used to go nuts if I knew there was snow I couldn't play in, or dry rock I couldn't climb.... I don't get that way now for some reason. I seem to have learned to accept reality as it is and realize it just isn't to be at this time. I know I will get some again, hell, I'll get plenty. It can't always be my turn. I've had more than my fair share over the years....
As a great man once said...
a great summer is just ahead,
and i think she'll welcome
you with open horizons into her
warm realm.
You rock dude!!
And, I'm stoked for you!!! Great to see your progress, Mike.
Thanks cowpoke, every bit helps!!!
Oh sh!t scrubber!! That is classic!! Thanks!!
How would he feel about a splitz burger?? ;)
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 14, 2013 - 02:20am PT
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Yesterday was another good day. It started early when the nurses came in to wake up my roomate for an appointment at the hospital. It turned out that, it was actually cancelled becuase the team of doctors he was supposed to meet, had their plane delayed the night before. It was good though becuase it gave me time to have a shower before my appointment with one of the equipment manufacturers.
My meeting went well and I assumed that my next appointment would be pt, but I was mistaken. So I went to occupational therapy instead. I found my ot and he asked if it would be ok if his student observed our session. I said "No" and they took me seriously for a second until I smirked and laughed and said "of course not!" ;)
We had a good session and I did lots of standing and balancing with one hand on one table, and some sensory stuff with my left foot to help train me to feel my toes again. I was pretty worked after about 45 minutes, but was ready to continue, when my ot ended the session.
I went back to my room to chill a bit since I had a busy afternoon ahead of me. After I relaxed for a bit I remembered that I was supposed to go over my tax stuff for my business that I got behind on with my friend kim who volunteered to help me with it.
I set up the laptop to try and get on my hotspot on my phone but it was being a little biatch. No go so I rolled downstairs to try again in the computer lab, but still no luck. I managed to borrow a thumb drive from the lab tech to transfer the file from my email on one of the lab computers to my laptop.
After I got back to my room I was pretty gassed so I just chilled waiting for Kim to call when my friend Erin from the snowmobile club showed up. We had a great chat and suddenly I realized that I had an appointment and I had to run. I saw Erin to the door, and Kim sent me a message as I rushed to physio. She said she ended up stuck at work, and we would have to do it later.
When I got to physio I realized that I was in the wrong place!! Oops! The social worker had me booked for two!! I rushed back upstairs and was pretty darn pooped by the time I got there. I ended up waiting a bit anyways which was fine with me.
After some initial discussion about finances and other necessities, she asked me about my life story and I started down that road. Before I knew it I was bearing my heart to her, and it was already 3:00pm. I rushed down to my pt and got beat down by my exercises, proceeded by some standing exercises! (A first), and then some more walking.
When I returned to my room, I found Bruce Kay indexing videos and books. We had a nice chat, and he told me he was off to chamonix for some climbing!! Very nice Bruce!
After he departed I finally got a chance to go the the washroom and my nurse finally found me. She asked if I had ditched my painkillers on purpose today? I said no and realized I had been so busy I missed my painkillers and lunch!! I decided that since I had gone over on my pain killers by 3 hours, I could cut down the dosage.
After she fed me drugs I rushed off to the lunch room to get some grub. I had just started heating up Nina's fabulous butter chicken, when mom showed up. She says "you're eating dinner already?" "I wanted to take you out!".
I said "This is lunch mom!" It was about 4:30 by this time so she was pretty shocked I hadn't eaten yet. I told her I'd been busy, really busy. She watched me intently as I ate. It was about then that I started to hit the wall. I finished my dinner, and told her I needed to go lay down.
By this time I was in quite a bit of pain. I laid down and she said "oh I can tell this is your room" implying that it was messy. I told her it was all I could do just to go to my appointments and get back to my bed to rest most days. My sister was washing my clothes which was awesome, but meant I only had the same t-shirt that I had worn for the past two days, to wear again tomorrow.
Mom suggested that she wash it for me upstairs, to which I happily agreed, but I was worried it might not dry in time because I can't afford to dry my shirts in the machine if I want them to still fit me. She didn't seem to understand that and after a bit of discussion agreed to only dry it a little in the dryer before she hung it.
By the time mom returned i was passing out in my bed. I tried to stay awake but I was just so tired i couldn't keep my eyes open. She went to get my shirt and hung it on my chair before leaving me to snooze. Sorry Mom!! I had a big day. Catch you next time!!
I woke up at about 9:00 to write yesterday's post and read a bit of taco.
What a day! Each day gets better but man, do I get worn out!!
Edit oops you didn't see that wheelie up there ... ;)
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 14, 2013 - 03:05am PT
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Just got more feeling in my left foot!!!!!!!!!!
Pain is my friend!!!! I love pain!!
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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Mar 14, 2013 - 03:21am PT
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Pain is my friend!!!! I love pain!!
Too much pain can be debilitating, but once you get beyond that point, I know of few other tools better for healing than pain. It's nature's built-in feedback system.
I'm so glad your making such awesome progress, Mike and I am still planning on coming up. Somebody needs to slap the Kid around and smoke everybody's dope. Three boxes of Mooser's climbing porn ta boot.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 14, 2013 - 03:43am PT
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I do have 300+ gigs of climbing porn for your mental recuperation ... if you want ill lend it to you to copy over ... i do warn you only about 1/2 of it is "real" climbing ... the rest is pebble pulling and bolt weenism ;)
Thanks Eric! I have all the porn I could ever need at the moment, but thanks! The thing I need most at this time is what you are providing. Support!! Thank you, and feel free to visit me at GF strong if you have some extra time!!
Too much pain can be debilitating, but once you get beyond that point, I know of few other tools better for healing than pain. It's nature's built-in feedback system.
Agreed. When my back was killing me earlier because of lack of drugs, that sucked. Feeling more of my foot however and the slight pain that brings is amazing!! As long as my back is under control I am happy to feel more pain in my numb left limb. This is what I meant when I said that!
I'm so glad your making such awesome progress, Mike and I am still planning on coming up. Somebody needs to slap the Kid around and smoke everybody's dope. Three boxes of Mooser's climbing porn ta boot.
Dude!! So stoked to see you man! Let me know when, I'll tell everyone and we can take over the games room again!!
Party at get fvcking strong!!!!
Ok bedtime now..
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Mar 14, 2013 - 03:59am PT
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hey there say, big mike...
here's a link to take a look at...
from a thank you note, from jessica garcia, that FELL in yosemite, recently
a bit ago...
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2092674/jessicas-THANK-YOU-for-those-that-helped-QUILT
ALSO:
your gift, with something for sandra reach it's mailing destination, the other day, and is NOW being mailed, TOMORROW to you...
wow, WHAT a day you had, :O :)
hope it won't take too long to get there...
was not able to mail it nearby, so my friend volunteered, trouble is,
:)) she lives OUT of state of me, :))
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 14, 2013 - 04:47am PT
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Ok wow. So I mentioned that I had the nurse drop the dosage on my pain killers now. They just have me what they call a breakthrough which is the drug I had a weird reaction to last time. So now I'm having crazy nightmares. Gotta get the doc to switch me back tomorrow. At least now that I realize the nightmare I can fight it in my dreams. I dreamt
this guy was trying to poison me, with my pain meds. So nuts. I don't even want to write the details. Must be my subconscious reaction telling me that this sh!t is too much. I've been avoiding these since my last negative reaction (the one that crossed with the cookies).
At least now that I realize what is up, maybe I can control my dreams better instead of just letting them run rampant... Spooky sh!t man.. Just wanted to see where I was at with the pain since I did so well on Tuesday but I realize now the dose of long acting is still exactly what i need.
Just had to write this to clear my brain..
Edit thanks Neebs. Looking forward to it. I can really use it right about now. Dreams are something that had been suppressed in the past so it seems now they are vivid, I need to re-learn to control them.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Mar 14, 2013 - 12:03pm PT
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Hey Big Mike, pain is a double edged sword my friend. It will tell you where you are at but it will hold you back. Don't be an idiot and try to out tough the pain! Don't try and be your own doctor and determine your own dosage. You WON'T end up a pill poppin' junkie if you take care of the pain NOW with the right protocol.
I should know. I have learned to walk 13 times now and have no lasting addiction. The nightmares are real in that they are extremely lucid and you go through them with deep conviction. Be careful! In 1980 after way too many days of doping I almost got permanently lost in a recurring Morphine nightmare about being buried alive. In a desperate struggle for air I would completely thrash everything in reach- including snapping in half three of those metal triangles they hang on your bed for you to pull your self up with-trying to dig and claw myself out. The nurses would find me splayed out naked, IVs yanked out and with my hospital bed an utter shambles. They would rebuild the bed, tiddy me up and re-stick the tubes all while I was in another galaxy far far away. I would wake up unaware and none the wiser and everything in order.
One day when I was finally getting on my feet for those first steps and was crutching pathetically but proudly down the corridor a real cute 'Candy Stripper went walking past me. Which was nice since I have always liked the way girls walked. I was hoping she would turn around so I could see what was on the other side of the perky pony tail. But curiously this one gave me not just a quick glance nor an intrigued double take but a knowing triple take. Intrigued I said something suave like "whut?" Probably while still drooling from the drugs. She looked me square in the blurry eyes and said with an impish smirk "I didn't recognize you with your clothes on" and walked away. Believe me i was absolutely befuddled and possibly twitterpated. It was several days later when my mind had cleared but my head had not that I was told the whole back story much to my deflated ego's chagrin.
Hope that brought a smile to your face.
They are so much better at treating pain these days. Talk with them, listen to them, work with them. And let me say that 15 steps is a major achievement. The equivalent of climbing a Grade V in a day at this stage of the game. PT is some of the hardest physical work I have ever had to do. But so ultimately worth it.
There are a few million stories in the nakedtacocity.
So now in case you missed it and for your reading distraction is the TR of my story,
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/C3-C7-a-psycho-physical-Trip-Report-from-an-A-type-personality/t11117n.html
May it give you the perspective to match your stoke.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 15, 2013 - 01:35am PT
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May it give you the perspective to match your stoke.
That is has done sir. Thank you. I read every word. Canada is such an amazing place to be seriously injured. Your perseverance is simply inspiring!!
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RyanD
climber
Squamish
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Mar 15, 2013 - 04:25am PT
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I had a bad reaction to morphine once years back too when my boss at the place I used to bartend slipped some liquid morph into a few vodka tonics he made us at the start of the night, then a rod Stewart impersonator showed up to play for some lady's 50th birthday(no shit). It was pretty funny & all, but the custys definitely had to wait for their drinks that night since I had an anvil strapped to the side of my head & Maggie may sounded like Barry white was singing it over nine inch nails. Can't say I'm in a rush to get more of that stuff, definitely not a party drug. Pretty glad I don't work there anymore too! Good ur aware of the potential though Mike, way stronger than any meds you are, use em for their intended purpose & lose em as soon as u can!
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Relic
Social climber
Vancouver, BC
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 15, 2013 - 11:30pm PT
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Nathan and I went over for a visit tonight to bring Mike a smoothie and shoot the sh#t. We threw on some crappy climbing dvd and gabbed about things when out of nowhere Mike's like, "hey wanna see my new party trick?"
I was pretty surprised to say the least!
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