I lost balance and fell off the ladder—ONLY from about three feet up—and destroyed my ankle and the tibia and fibia.
Had compound fracture because upon impact my foot bent and twisted about 90 degree from normal and my tibia and fibia broke at the bottom where they basically link up with the foot. Saw the bones poke out.
Oh by the way, in case you were wondering, it hurt. A lot.
Was a gymnast at university over 40-yrs ago, so I knew how to fall. Apparently I forgot how to land.
I had temporal distortion during the fall and break so I was able to watch in slow-motion my foot twisting and bones poking out of my skin. Other than the pain, I watched the destruction of my body and was fascinated.
Lucky me.
Laying there on the master bedroom floor with my leg up and my foot swinging and dangling was something to behold.
Ambulance came after I called them with mobile phone - I couldn’t move and the Lord placed my mobile phone in my pocket. Usually when I am home I plug in my phone to charge but the Lord made sure this time when I came home the mobile phone stayed in my pocket with me.
Ambulance guys came in my home and I knew them and they knew me because I am in the town’s Citizen Fire Academy and the last class was presented by the ambulance guys, the same guys that responded to my mishap call.
The Citizen Fire Academy is a class of 20 old guys like me where we meet at the main fire station once a week for 2-hrs and learn about fire and ambulance services.
Anyway, while in my home and while en-route hospital the ambulance guys could not find a pulse for my foot and it was turning blue and cold.
When I asked the ambulance guys to take me to my preferred hospItal, the ambulance guys reminded me of what was covered in class: while they try to accommodate the injured guys preferences, there were times when they have to take the injured to a hospital that can provide best care and in my case, my injury was a REAL trauma case so they took me to a real full-up trauma center.
Anyway,, while en-route the ambulance crew warned me that the lack of blood to my foot may result in losing my foot..had blood leaking from my wound and but none of it getting to my foot—vein destroyed upon impact.
Funny: my neighbors, good guys all, were on my lawn watching when I was wheeled out of my home. I had a sheet covering my legs.
Neighbors saw my right foot poking up the sheet but the left foot, laying flat, was not poking up the sheet so they thought I lost my foot (rumors begin).
When another firefighter came out of my home behind me and he was carrying a big bundle of bloody sheets wrapped in roll-up fashion, they then thought I lost my entire leg!
Rumors really started to fly.
Hilarious.
When I was wheeled into the ER there were at least a dozen people waiting to receive me. When I saw all those guys waiting for me I said; “hey, I’m here now so let the party begin!”
After assessment three trauma docs said they were taking me to the operating room for immediate surgery because they needed to try and save my foot.
I said, “if you need to, take the foot, that’s why I have two” and this brought a few chuckles from the trauma team in the emergency room.
I got an audience now, and as we all know, pilots love being the center of attention (especially fighter pilots).
So. . . .I added, “Heck, take the entire leg if you need to, just make sure I get my femur back so I can polish it and make it into a walking stick.” This cracked them up.
The ambulance guys said I earned my official tough guy certificate because I never screamed or cried or groaned painfully and always made a joke and gritted my teeth. I gritted my teeth several times but I did not let the pain win.
Not that I’m that tough but what the heck, I am a traditional man and men are strong for others, sounds cheesy but I laughed at the situation and made jokes, I was being strong for others and yes, for me too.
Traditionally we are strong for others, not just ourselves.
By the way, I was home alone when this happened because my wife was at the dentist, drugged (phobias).
When she came around she started to read the text messages from the neighbors and she’s started to text me, asking what the heck is going on. I did not reply.
I’m not answering her because we are busy getting ready to head to surgery.
As I was being wheeled through pre-op on the way to the operating room, my wife sent me a final text that told me I was going to be in BIG trouble if I didn’t answer her right now!
Hah, I was being wheeled into surgery and didn’t know if I’d have a foot when I woke up and she was fussing at me!
The Docs saved my foot. Great guys! I ended up with an external hardware cage attached to the leg and foot with pins driven through various bones to stabilize the situation.
And fun times were had by all.
Oh, a nerve that runs down the inside of the arch of my foot was cut so I will have no feeling in parts of my foot.
Had second surgery 19 Feb to clean the wound and attach an internal plate.
They cleaned the wound of dead tissue but they were unable to insert a plate due to swelling.
They did attach a drainage tube.
That tube HURT, in case you were wondering.
Had my third surgery in a week last Friday morning, 23 Feb. They opened the wound, cleaned it, inserted a plate and removed the drainage vac from inside the wound.
I had significant pain (agony) after that operation so was held over and released Sunday, 25 Feb.
In about a week I’ll have the next operation where they will open me up again to reconstruct what they can. . .add more internal plates and pins and such and remove the external cage.
I will be TSAs new best friend.
We don’t know how many more operations I will need. Too many unknowns.
Back to the story: Best case, months and months being laid-up, will not get full recovery, will have a limp but will need at least a cane or likely an “old person” walker for balance for the rest of my life. I can beat that progNosis.
My faith is strong so I am under no real stress.
To me, in life you often pray for yourself and that is okay, it it is important to know that if the Lord decides to step in (or appear not to) there is a greater reason because of this one undeniable fact: it is not all about you.
To me it is clear, prayers are not only about you, they are about greater things too, like your friends, family and community.
As I laid on the floor unable to move and in intense pain, I prayed for myself, for the Lords help. I firmly believe that my prayer was answered not just for me, but for my wife and son and also my friends.
In university where I was almost decapitated in an elevator, I was saved from that fate by mere micro seconds because of the hand of the Lord. I knew the Lord stepped in at that time and over time I pondered why He did so.
I figured out: it is not about me.
If I passed in that elevator I never would have met my wife or had a wonderful son, made good friends along the way and been a good friend, and I would not have went into the Air Force.
I’m not that important in the grand scheme of things, but over a lifetime everyone makes tracks.
Pardon the errors in this post - I am still taking some powerful medications for pain so I am heading to take a nap —now.
The Lord is in the driver seat and with prayers sent my way by friends and their prayer groups, I’ll be okay.
This thread affirms the power of the Lord and to remain faithful.
Sorry to hear. I almost did the same while recently remodeling my Kitchen. Hope things improve for you.
I tripped over my Dog years ago. I bruised two Ribs and broke a Finger that is now permanently bent at a 90 degree angle.
The Doctor did Surgery to correct it, but he warned me that it might revert to its bent position, which it has. He offered to cut it off at the first Knuckle if it becomes an impediment. I told him no thanks, I’m not a Golfer.
The getting old stuff is really getting old.
Very interesting read. You write well about your experience but have put nothing about yourself on your page. Ok you were in the AF. how about more details.
Good luck, Warthog driver.
Prayers going up for the Lord’s continued blessing, sustainer and healer of your foot, health and family.
May you continue to be a strong faithful servant of Jesus Christ and prayers you continue to be a blessing to all those you encounter.
In His Holy Name,
Zerosix
This was a really moving post, Hulka...it almolst brought a tear to my eye.
You are what being an American is all about.
I hope and pray you’ll heal even better than they’re anticipating!
Take care and keep us posted!
Ed
Here’s to a speedy recovery!
You’ll be using a can for awhile, but I bet you’ll eventually be able to walk without it.
Ouch, get better soon!
Prayers for you for complete healing. I believe you will do it.
A reminder how quickly our lives can be drastically changed. Praying for you.
Memo to self. Change the batteries before I turn 65. I’ve got a couple weeks...
and
...you get well
quicker than hell!
will pray for you... keep up the struggle to get better.
Wow, that's impressive. I'm curious, what college did you graduate from and where did you get your fighter jet training and what jets did you fly in combat??
When and how long did you serve and in which branch of the armed forces?
Hope you recover soon...........
I’m impressed... you handled this mess with style... says lots of good things about you. You’re in my prayers...
The Lord, Our God, is holy and is with us at all times.
You are alive and can still glorify Him with all your days. It is all beautiful!
Today was my 114th visit to physical therapy. I am now walking about 100 feet with a cane.
Congress should ban ladder sales to people over 40.
We must do something!
I have some very high smoke alarm that I extended the battery wires down to the ground on. Yeah, it’s unsightly but safer.
I’m only 54 but can’t do ladders because inner ear problems. Man, do I hate relying on others for such things now!
Prayers up for getting older.
ttiuwp
You had your cell phone and didn’t take a pic of the bone sticking out, tsk.
Seriously though, I hope your recovery goes well and quickly.
Prayers up for you and keep us posted on your recovery
Heal soon! here’s a link that may be helpful for you:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp
“You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. You may also visit your local regional benefit office to file your request. You can locate your local regional benefit office using the VA Facility Locator.”
I had one of those Fibula/Tibia compound fracture thingys too! Mine was over 40 years ago, more in the center of the leg.
You’ve rekindled some unpleasant memories, sir. Praying for you on what will be a hard recovery.