OT: mental survival at stake...

mtnfolk mike

mtnfolk mike

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Mar 21, 2006
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this is a bit OT, but it hought i would post it here anyhow... since i enjoy hanging out on this forum...

in 2002 i worked for a local tree service, as a tree climber... the job was a lot of fun.... it was physical and i was in a different spot each day... not to mention the fact that i love climbing trees, so getting paid to climb was even better.... :D

anyhow, i was working on top of a roof one day.... the whole roof was covered with bebris and brush.... i took a step back and ended falling through the patio covering, that was fairly camoflauged.... my left knee prevented me from falling all the way through.... i tore my meniscus pretty bad and my ACL.... :(

i had surgery in early 2003, all went okay.... the knee healed fine.. i was minus a few dgrees in motion, but i could live with that.....:o

a few months back i squated down a little too far and i screwed my knee up again.... something popped and it's been hurting/swollen ever since.. the first doctor i saw(family practice), told me that i probably re-tore my meniscus, that they origanlly stitched up, and i need to see a ortho. surgeon....

i had an appointment for this morning and i just got back about 20 in. ago... i had x-rays done and i have to go and get another MRI, probably in the next week or so,but she thinks that i either re-rore my meniscus or that i have some gnarly arthritis behind my patella......

SO EITHER WAY I'M SCREWED....
a second surgery or arthritis... quite possibly both.... :mad:

wish me luck guys... this thing f$#@*&g hurts.... it's hurt on and off for weeks now and it's still swollen to top it all off.... i'll keep you all posted....

mike
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Damn, sorry about that one mike, hope it gets healed up pretty quickly so you can get back to the bush and go kick down some trees for the pain in your leg. (might make it worse but deep down you'll feel better) Get that thing fixed and celebrate by going camping OR this would be the ideal chance to make a REALLY GOOD "get well" list of useful items such as: a new knife, a new backpack, a new camp stove, a new fishing pole, etc....
Get well soon, J.
 
I feel for you. I wrecked my knee 20 years ago skiing; had a bad fall at high speed and the ski didn't detach. I know how it hurts and how it can mess things up. Still can't run far without limping and it stopped my fire service career (and my karate).

Very best wishes to you and let us know how you get on. I like batosai117's idea of making a 'get well' list. It certainly helps me when I can;t get out for some reason. Internet shop!

Rick.
 
Sorry to hear that Mike. Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers for a good healing.

Either way bro, you will make it through it and be out there walking the bush again. Just not as fast, or taking as many chances. But hey, sometimes it's good to go slow. :D
 
longbow50 said:
Sorry to hear that Mike. Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers for a good healing.

Either way bro, you will make it through it and be out there walking the bush again. Just not as fast, or taking as many chances. But hey, sometimes it's good to go slow. :D
Click to expand...

Plus he'll have some nice new equipment for his "get well" gifts so he should be walking a little slower but with a bigger smile on his face :D
 
Mike, I'm sorry things didn't go well with the doctor. Here's hoping and praying you are up and about really soon.
 
thanks for all the kind words folks....:D:thumbup: i'll keep you all posted....

i guess if i do have to have surgery, :(i'll be able to hang out on the forums all day.....:D and hopefully i'll be better by next spring... there's a few really big (3 day) traditional archery shoots coming up...:)

mike
 
Take care there Mike and it never hurts as much to take a second opinion just in case. Go slow now so you can go faster later.. Wish you well.....

Sasha
 
After 50 years of complete health I've run into a knee problem too bro...and the outlook ain't to cheery. Get that second opinion Sasha mentioned...ya never know if doc needs to put a kid through Princenton, eh?
 
Keep positive Mike
With any luck both our legs will be healed by spring and I'll meet you at one of those Traditional shoots. There's lots of dust on my longbow right now.
 
it's gonna be okay Mike. I had knee surgery in 1992 for the same thing. It was done arthoscopicly and after they cut out the torn cartlidge it did'nt hurt anymore! I got out of the hospitial at 1PM on a Friday afternoon, after going in at 9AM, and by Sunday morning I was practicing walking without a crutch in my kitchen. I was back at work in two weeks and its been great ever since. Used a cane for a few weeks.

You're gonna be okay!

(Psst, don't say I told ya, but its a good exuse to sit on the sofa with the remote and have the old lady wait on ya. Remember, I did'nt say that!:D)
 
Here's to you healing real fast - this might help now or probably after the surgery if you do get it. Take a towel and roll it up real tight (a small squishy rubber ball will work too). Sit on the floor with your back against a wall - then place the rolled towel or ball under your leg beneath your kneecap. Press down GENTLY for a few seconds and release - and repeat for several minutes. Try to do it twice daily. It'll help build up the muscles that support your knee which'll give you increased function.
The body is an amazing thing and can heal itself after all kinds of trouble. Eat healthy and stay positive and you're well on your way.
 
Sorry to hear about your knee bro. I wish you well in recovery and health. Sometimes those things stay with you and get aggravated off and on throught the years, hopefully this is not too serious and you get the necessary treatment you need. Get some rest and maybe a nice shot of good whiskey or other beverage that may take the bite off for a while anyway.
 
good luck bro meniscus and acl been there done that wouldnt wish that on anyone
 
thanks guys... :)i truly appreciate it.....:thumbup:

i'llkeep you all posted.....:o

cheers... mike
 
Dang Mike that sucks. When I tore my menicus in 1999 it ended my firefighting career. Thank God it was work related. Do you have life time medical from the original injury? Pacific Edge is going to miss you. If you need anything like meals for your family, firewood, etc just send me an e-mail. I feel your pain. Prayers out.
 
Wow another tree climber knife nut in Cali with a busted up knee even. I rarely post but am always reading here. In 2004 I shattered my tibial plateau and fibula in too many places to count. I fell about eight feet off a Eucalyptus stump. The doctor told me he was pretty sure he could save my leg but no more climbing trees and i would probably need three seperate surgeries. I spent a week in the hospital and a few months in a machine that kept my knee joint moving. It was close to a year before I was walking with out a noticable limp. By the fall of 2006 I was feeling strong and back doing some climbing when the doc says its time for your next surgery. After all I went thru the last thing I wanted to do was go under the knife. In january I had all the hardware removed from my leg. Close to a pound of screws and plates. The recovery was quick this time. The doc still wants to replace my ACL. Oh ya! all this to so that I can probably have my knee replaced in 20 years. On the positive side- I can walk! Hell I can even run since I had all the hardware removed. I hate the idea of surgery and being laid up. It was very difficult for me not to be completely capable while I recovered over the last 3 years. I also hate the idea of putting off the inevitable. If you have faith in your doctor you are better off having the surgery. For me it was surgery now or surgery later and I aint getting any younger. Atleast you can make some preps to make your recovery less dificult.

Anyways I dont know if this is of any help to you but I read your's and others post all the time here and thought I might try to give something back to another injured on the job tree climbing knife nut in Nor Cal.

Do you still climb. If not do you miss it. I removed a Monterey Pine on friday that was close to 100'. While I was up there I was so grateful that I have that my life is so full. Man I love climbing trees.

Matt

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Ow. Just...ow.

I'm lucky, all I ever break is pinkies and toes. (my left front and roundhouse kicks are kinda interesting these days)

Best wishes, and I could drop off some homemade liquid refreshment on my holiday trip out to SC.....
 
That sucks- but it is all perspective. When I was in the hospital in August I got to share a hospital room with: A guy with a tennis ball sized Staph infection next to his spine, a guy with a tumor ON his spine, and a guy who crushed 3 vertebrae and shattered BOTH of his arms falling out of a tree; and me with 2 measly broken legs. Whenever I start to feel sorry for my situation I remember these three and - POOF- my problems seem better.

No matter what happens- relax and heal yourself well. Learn to enjoy the challenge of what lies ahead, enjoy your down time and use it to clear your mind. Plan out all of the things you will do and set yourself some goals. And above all if you need to talk we are here for you (cheaper than a shrink).

P.S. My first goal is to stand up to pee.
 
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