tfdchief injured in accident

So it's still early in your neck of the woods (late in mine), but I'm posting the Stupid Joke of the Day early, in case you log in before the big day. Here's a cutie, with words of wisdom for us all to live by:

As a firefighter for Livonia (MI) Fire & Rescue, one of my job responsibilities is going out into the community to talk to groups about fire safety. One afternoon, I went to talk to a preschool group of about 25 children. Preschool groups are one of our most popular groups, so these presentations are almost “automatic†for me after 20 years in the fire service.
While I usually refrain from calling on preschoolers during the presentation, I do welcome some input when I ask some fairly simple questions, such as the emergency telephone number to call or for fire safety behaviors they usually know.

When I asked the group what they would do if their clothes were on fire, I saw almost every hand go up. Expecting the answer “Stop, Drop and Roll,†I would then demonstrate and give them the opportunity to practice. However, I was laughing uncontrollably when I called on one of the boys. His response to my question about what to do if his clothes were on fire? “I wouldn’t put them on!â€

Best wishes for your day, and we'll be thinking of you.

firefighterjake said:

tfdchief said:

Sorry Jake, my brain has a lot to deal with right now and maybe not as sharp as I should be. I love all you guys and I am sure you know there is a very special place in my heart for firefighters. I think that is partly why I like this forum so much, because it reminds me of the brotherhood that exists among all firefighters. Thanks for the prayers and God Bless, Steve

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Just trying to give you a hard time Steve . . . I shouldn't do so when you're down (but not out) . . . and yes . . . this place is a lot like the firehouse . . . we kid each other mercilessly and give each other a hard time (i.e. Dennis refusing to split wood the right way), but the truth is folks here are wicked friendly and loyal to each other . . . it really is a bit like being part of a big, extended family.

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Steve, pay no attention to Jake because he is just a rookie learning how to split wood. I try to teach but some seem to learn very slowly.


Will be waiting for a good report from you on Wednesday or Thursday. I hope you make the trip in good shape as that can not be fun at all in that brace. Good luck.

Jags said:

Steve - you have nothing but the very best wishes coming from the top of Illinois.

If I may - I probably have a unique take on your situation. I was the caretaker of my other half after a horrible accident that broke her neck in two places, her back in three places, all ribs, sternum and scapula (shoulder blade). She required 5 fused vertebrae and was in a halo for 6 weeks. So from this - I at least partially understand your situation.

Do EVERY DAMN THING that the doctor tells you to do. If you don't agree, ask him/her why.
Be patient as possible with those around helping. We understand that you are in pain/agony/ and seriously ticked off at this time, but the whole world is on their shoulders at this point. And they are scared as hell, too.
Rest, rest, rest, but also move on the doctors orders. Muscle mass and strength leave a lot faster than you can gain them back.
If physical therapy is offered, TAKE IT.
Some folks are against or at least resilient to taking pain meds. There is NO point in sitting around in agony. Use them, but don't abuse them.

I went as far as renting a hospital bed for home. The ability to raise and lower the bed was a godsend for entry/exit. I only needed it for a couple of months and they are quite reasonably priced.

PLEASE feel free to ask questions here or in PM if I can help in any way. I have seen much of what you are facing, first hand.

Again -- best wishes for a full, speedy and comfortable recovery.

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Inspirational post Jags! I feel you've offered the best and most informative that could be asked for..

Ray

Jags said:

raybonz said:

Jags said:

Steve - you have nothing but the very best wishes coming from the top of Illinois.

If I may - I probably have a unique take on your situation. I was the caretaker of my other half after a horrible accident that broke her neck in two places, her back in three places, all ribs, sternum and scapula (shoulder blade). She required 5 fused vertebrae and was in a halo for 6 weeks. So from this - I at least partially understand your situation.

Do EVERY DAMN THING that the doctor tells you to do. If you don't agree, ask him/her why.
Be patient as possible with those around helping. We understand that you are in pain/agony/ and seriously ticked off at this time, but the whole world is on their shoulders at this point. And they are scared as hell, too.
Rest, rest, rest, but also move on the doctors orders. Muscle mass and strength leave a lot faster than you can gain them back.
If physical therapy is offered, TAKE IT.
Some folks are against or at least resilient to taking pain meds. There is NO point in sitting around in agony. Use them, but don't abuse them.

I went as far as renting a hospital bed for home. The ability to raise and lower the bed was a godsend for entry/exit. I only needed it for a couple of months and they are quite reasonably priced.

PLEASE feel free to ask questions here or in PM if I can help in any way. I have seen much of what you are facing, first hand.

Again -- best wishes for a full, speedy and comfortable recovery.

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Inspirational post Jags! I feel you've offered the best and most informative that could be asked for..

Ray

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Thanks Ray. Steve is up for a fight, but a fight that can be won. I would let you ask my GF, but she is at work. ;-)

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You're welcome Jags and I am sure you'll be asked some questions and be a big help.. It's a pleasure being associated with people like you!

Take Care,
Ray

Hope things are going well at the doctor's today! Prayers sent!!

I was in a motorcycle accident in '04 and can say a huge ditto to the hospital bed. It was a god send as I couldn't lay flat for 6 months. Take the pain meds as you will heal faster when you are in less pain. If they put you on Oxycontin, make sure they work with you as you stop taking it. The withdrawals can be rough.

Excellent!!

Steve -

Sorry to hear about your accident. You will also be in out prayers,

I'm glad that the last report from the Dr. is good news.

Keep strong, and follow the Dr.s' orders (been there, done that [not to your extent] and doing/feeling great)

WISH YOU a speedy recovery

super news, keep us informed. Warren

tfdchief said:

Just a quick note, will let you know more tomorrow, but just got home from the Dr. appointment and got all good news. Your prayers are working! God Bless everyone of you. Steve

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Well now, that really makes my day Thanks for the update Steve. We'll keep on praying for you too.


Just want to double check though. How is your wood supply for the coming winter. Seems I remember you have more than enough but just want to make sure.

Sorry to hear about your accident Steve. You have my best wishes for a full and fast recovery.

Billy

Good news Steve . . . but I'll still be thinking of you and your family as you recover.

Steve,
Great to hear the good news from you. Good luck and take care of yourself.

Steve, super news.

And if this isn't a "real hearth topic", I don't know what is.

Okay, got a special one for you today:


The Hunting Trip

Three firefighter went out on a hunting trip. There was a rookie, a captain, and a chief. The weather was miserable and they hadn't seen any deer all day. Finally they came across an old shack where they went inside to play a game of poker.
After losing a couple of hands, the rookie threw down his cards and said "That does it! I am going out to get me a deer."
Fifteen minutes later, the rookie came back with a nice four point buck. The captain and the chief asked, "How did you get that?"
The rookie replied, "I walked out fifty feet, followed some tracks and shot this buck."
The captain then said, "I've had enough of this I am going to get my deer." He came back a half hour later with a 6 point buck.
The chief asked, "How did you get that?" The captain then replied, I walked out a hundred feet, followed some tracks and shot this buck.
The chief not wanting to be out done said, "I'm out of here, I'm going to bag the biggest buck of the day."
He came back an hour later, all mangled up and bloody.
The rookie and the captain asked, "What happened to you?"
The chief replied, "I walked out there five hundred feet, followed some tracks, and got hit by a TRAIN!

;-)

tfdchief said:

snowleopard, That's why they make us Chiefs stay in our command cars. We are not to be trusted out walking around!

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So if you get tired of explaining what happened, you can say, "I went on a hunting trip with a rookie and a captain, and it started to rain . . . "

Steve, you are blessed with a good son who can help and I do remember you getting more wood than you expected. For sure you won't be doing much wood cutting this winter but the following year may even be questionable. I know you are a long distance from us and from many others but should the time come that you need the help, that distance becomes much closer and we'll be there. I think I speak for many on this too as you have many friends here online.

I continue to tread that fine line with the Stupid Joke of the Day by finding things that make you smile without actually laughing out loud. Here's one I hope will give you a grin . . .


A New York fellow, while traveling through small town in Georgia, saw a nativity scene at a local Baptist Church that was quite unique. The three wise men were wearing fireman's helmets.
He stopped at a coffee shop at the edge of town, and asked the lady behind the counter about the helmets. She looked at him coldly and said, "You dang Yankees never do read the Bible!" He assured her that he did, but simply couldn't recall anything about firemen in the Bible. She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage. Sticking it in his face she said "See, it says right here, 'Three wise men came from afar!"

Hope your day is as wonderful as it possibly can be.

tfdchief said:

BeGreen said:

That's reat news Steve. I know it's going to be agony, but pay attention to the doc and let those bones heal. How are you on the flip side? Did the broken ribs hit any organs?

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Thank God they did not. All broken up but no internal organ damage, no punctured lungs. Thanks and God Bless, Steve

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Great news, Steve! Who'd read my creosote posts if something happened to you?

You know, I almost lost my oldest boy to one of those things about five years ago. He backed up to a ravine on a strange quad and found out too late it had bad brakes. Down he went, about 15', with the thing landing right on top of him. His head hit a boulder as big as a Volkswagen. Thank God he had a new modern helmet or I would have lost him for sure. As it was, he had to use every ounce of adrenaline to claw his way up the ravine to the dirt road, where he collapsed and was found some time later. I went to the accident scene with him after he recovered and I just got the chills down to my toes. It was not a place anyone would want to fall with one of those things. He could hardly breathe, never mind cry out for help. If he didn't muster up the strength to drag himself up that ravine, he probably would have died down there.

He broke three ribs and his left scapula. No punctures, but he collapsed both lungs from the impact. That kept him in the hospital until they were sure they would stay open. Several days, I think, maybe a week. No broken vertebrae at all, kids are rubberier than we are. Two weeks later he was out racing autocross, busted bones and all. Dangdest thing, though, he ended up getting $300 worth of traffic tickets because the bloody POS wasn't registered and the "road" was maintained by the town in the winter, and so it was considered a public thoroughfare. :roll:

Again, thanks for the update, Steve. You had us real worried, but we were all pullin' for you behind the scene. ;-)