Disaster

[Caw]

I've gone ahead and done it this time. It's just starting to get very cold, I've got 3 cords of oak rounds in my driveway, holidays are finally over.... and I broke my shoulder:

I was skiing with my 6 year old in an easy trail at a local mountain and my skis got stuck on a deep patch of fresh snow. It stopped me completely and all my momentum toppled me over into my shoulder/face. The injury is called a proximal humerus fracture. Thankfully they think I can avoid surgery and should recover fully if there is no soft tissue damage (mri in 3 weeks). It's going to be 3-6 months of painful recovery and PT but I'm going to be diligent and work hard to earn that full recovery.

I think this is a good example of why being ahead on wood is so important. It stinks I'm down but all the wife and kids have to do is bring in wood every week or so. It's all ready to go for the year and the stuff in the driveway can wait, it's for 2025. If I were behind we'd be absolutely screwed. I'm using this as a learning opportunity for the whole family to learn the nuances of our stove too.

So, it really stinks but everyone is stepping up and we're getting it done. I'm lucky to have a wonderful family. I expect I'll be on the forums a lot this winter while I'm bored in the recliner!

I've been skiing my whole life in all sorts of situations and the local bunny slope gets me! Life is so funny sometimes.

 

[stoveliker]

That sucks. I'm sorry this happened. Glad your typing is not affected

Hope it works out as well as it can. Exercise, therapy, an no overexertion (once ready for all of that) is what my OT wife would say.

Ow, and if you need to get rid of the rounds on your driveway, you're only a boat ride away from me. You know how to contact me

 

[FramerJ]

I've gone ahead and done it this time. It's just starting to get very cold, I've got 3 cords of oak rounds in my driveway, holidays are finally over.... and I broke my shoulder:

View attachment 289530

I was skiing with my 6 year old in an easy trail at a local mountain and my skis got stuck on a deep patch of fresh snow. It stopped me completely and all my momentum toppled me over into my shoulder/face. The injury is called a proximal humerus fracture. Thankfully they think I can avoid surgery and should recover fully if there is no soft tissue damage (mri in 3 weeks). It's going to be 3-6 months of painful recovery and PT but I'm going to be diligent and work hard to earn that full recovery.

I think this is a good example of why being ahead on wood is so important. It stinks I'm down but all the wife and kids have to do is bring in wood every week or so. It's all ready to go for the year and the stuff in the driveway can wait, it's for 2025. If I were behind we'd be absolutely screwed. I'm using this as a learning opportunity for the whole family to learn the nuances of our stove too.

So, it really stinks but everyone is stepping up and we're getting it done. I'm lucky to have a wonderful family. I expect I'll be on the forums a lot this winter while I'm bored in the recliner!

I've been skiing my whole life in all sorts of situations and the local bunny slope gets me! Life is so funny sometimes.

That is why I dont ski. Of course, one could say that about a lot of things in life.
On a serious note, you have a great attitude about it. Best wishes for a full recovery

 

[stoveliker]

Not only the red arrow, according to my wife, but also to the upper right of that part of the humerus. "THe whole head is broken off"...?

 

[Caw]

Not only the red arrow, according to my wife, but also to the upper right of that part of the humerus. "THe whole head is broken off"...?

Yeah the crack goes all the way thru the back and up. It's basically in 3 pieces right now.

As far as my typing I'm just using my phone one handed! Though I when the swelling subsides I might be able to sit at my desk for short times. My elbow and hand are fine. It's just too painful right now, if I make any wrong move I want to die. I'm sticking to the recliner and couch.

 

[stoveliker]

I understand. Be careful you don't overdo the one-handed typing (getting an overexertion injury there...)

And be careful with the pain meds they undoubtedly prescribed. I once was given stuff (kidney stone), but it messes with your head (I work with my brain). So after I left the ER, I never touched the bottle and returned it to the pharmacy after a while.
If you need it, use it. That's what it's for. But be cognizant of the dangers. Too many have sunken with the stuff.

Not to judge or be negative. Just a friendly warning for my virtual wood friend.

 

[enordy]

Ugh! I hope it heals soon and completely. Put your feet up in that recliner and hopefully it wasn't your drinkin' arm! Be well.

 

[stoveliker]

lol - good family, so it'll just be one more request "dear, can you please get my beer - and lift it to my lips too?" 🍺

 

[Caw]

I understand. Be careful you don't overdo the one-handed typing (getting an overexertion injury there...)

And be careful with the pain meds they undoubtedly prescribed. I once was given stuff (kidney stone), but it messes with your head (I work with my brain). So after I left the ER, I never touched the bottle and returned it to the pharmacy after a while.
If you need it, use it. That's what it's for. But be cognizant of the dangers. Too many have sunken with the stuff.

Not to judge or be negative. Just a friendly warning for my virtual wood friend.

Its good advice. I'm a pharmacist by trade so I can professionally agree with you lol. I don't like taking but this injury is incredibly painful so I'm using low doses sparingly, just enough to take the "oh my God kill me" edge off adjusting my position and make it more "wow that sucks but I'll live" pain. I'm hoping once the swelling subsides I can get by with just OTC meds.

 

[stoveliker]

Its good advice. I'm a pharmacist by trade so I can professionally agree with you lol. I don't like taking but this injury is incredibly painful so I'm using low doses sparingly, just enough to take the "oh my God kill me" edge off adjusting my position and make it more "wow that sucks but I'll live" pain. I'm hoping once the swelling subsides I can get by with just OTC meds.

Yes. I'll defer to your professional knowledge and the caring oversight of your wife.
Good luck.

 

[Caw]

The wife is getting a good hands on lesson on good wood tetris-ing when loading. She was getting shorter burns and reloading often so I supervised a few loads and she was like "oh wow you can get a lot of wood in there".

 

[Caw]

Yes. I'll defer to your professional knowledge and the caring oversight of your wife.
Good luck.

Do you want to come haul some wood for her? She'd likely pay well lol. I think that's the worst part for her. It's a lot to do yourself when you gotta do everything else now.

 

[bigealta]

Wow Big Bummer, Gordon's gonna be upset he can't jump up on your lap now. I'm a big skiier too and cracked some ribs flying into the I beam that held the safety net on the trail edge. Long time ago but man brings it right back. Also got cocky a few years ago trying to ride the rail in the park, feet slipped right out and landed flat on back on the rail. Took some days off and then wrapped body with bubble wrap before trying again. Good luck with your recovery!

 

[PA. Woodsman]

That really sucks, but remember it is 2022 which seems to be just as bad as the last two years have been sadly!!

Take it easy, be patient (hard I know), stick to the rehab best you can, and here's hoping to a full or close to full recovery young man!!

 

[Solarguy3500]

Sorry to hear about your injury. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I gotta admit, reading this makes me a little nervous because I just started skiing again at the age of 47. When I was a kid I did it for a couple years, and then tried snowboarding when I was in college, but it's been so long I'm learning all over again, and not at all confident in my ability. I can't afford to get hurt right now, but I know it's a possibility every time I go skiing.

I've got an idea. Any other MA or nearby members want to make a day of it on a weekend and have a splitting/stacking party at @Caw house? I bet we could knock out those 3 cords in a day.

@Caw is there an outlet within 75' or so of the wood in the driveway? I have an electric splitter with a 25' cord and I have a 50' 10 gauge extension cord I can use to run it so 75' of total length. Of course, I also have my Gransfors Bruks splitting axe, so we have options.

 

[stoveliker]

That, sir, is the best thing that has been written on this site for a long, long time.

 

[Caw]

Sorry to hear about your injury. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I gotta admit, reading this makes me a little nervous because I just started skiing again at the age of 47. When I was a kid I did it for a couple years, and then tried snowboarding when I was in college, but it's been so long I'm learning all over again, and not at all confident in my ability. I can't afford to get hurt right now, but I know it's a possibility every time I go skiing.

I've got an idea. Any other MA or nearby members want to make a day of it on a weekend and have a splitting/stacking party at @Caw house? I bet we could knock out those 3 cords in a day.

@Caw is there an outlet within 75' or so of the wood in the driveway? I have an electric splitter with a 25' cord and I have a 50' 10 gauge extension cord I can use to run it so 75' of total length. Of course, I also have my Gransfors Bruks splitting axe, so we have options.

You are too kind, solarguy. I'm genuinely moved. I'm not sure what to say!

It would be fun to meet you and other fellow local wood addicts. And yes I do have power nearby. Perhaps once the snow/ice breaks and I'm not COMPLETELY useless this could be a fun day.

Thank you for your kindness.

Edit - RE skiing you just have to accept it's a dangerous sport and things can happen. I've skied the Swiss alps, the rockies, gone down crazy stuff and the thing that got me was the easy trail at the local mountain with my 6 year old. You just never know. I will say though it's a lot of fun and I intend to get back out there with my kids once healed. Just be smart, wear a helmet, and know your ability!

 

[clancey]

Sorry that happened and I have had one of those breaks and it will be rough for a week on just getting the right position to sit or sleep in but it does improve but it takes time...Your in good hands and have a good family you should do just fine..My worry at first was the function that I would have left when it was healed and kept asking the bone doctor to show me what I could do with my arm when it was all better--he took this lightly and raised his arm up and down--and we laughed right there in the office...You will do just fine--not perfect---but wonderful so don't worry...Sorry it happened and get well soon...clancey

 

[moresnow]

Yer gonna need a minty fresh new laptop, power cord to keep it juiced because the onboard batt. hasn't a chance while you repeatedly attempt to find the end of the internet....., and extra fresh backup batteries for the TV remote. Actually may as well get a extra remote for the TV on the way now. Yours will be worn out and illegible soon

Like my father told me years ago. Once you get to doin nothin, it's damn hard to stop Enjoy your down time. Good luck.

 

[EbS-P]

Owww! My dad had a similar fall skiing. Similar but not nearly as bad break. I feel for you.

 

[peakbagger]

Bummer, I can emphasize having broken my ankle 6 weeks ago with no helpers in the house. I could have grudgingly written a big check to the oil company and run oil but since I had a couple of years of wood ready, I have managed to keep running wood with the help of few friends one weekend early on to get my bulkhead refilled.

I also managed to avoid percocets and stuck to ibuprofen and tapered way down on them ASAP.

Good luck on your recovery.

 

[RandyBoBandy]

Yer gonna need a minty fresh new laptop, power cord to keep it juiced because the onboard batt. hasn't a chance while you repeatedly attempt to find the end of the internet....., and extra fresh backup batteries for the TV remote. Actually may as well get a extra remote for the TV on the way now. Yours will be worn out and illegible soon

Like my father told me years ago. Once you get to doin nothin, it's damn hard to stop Enjoy your down time. Good luck.

And a good bottle of scotch for the night time fire viewing. Maybe two bottles.

 

[MissMac]

Shoulder anything is very unpleasant as I'm sure you can now attest to. Sorry you've got to suffer through this. My best 2 cents after going through an albeit different shoulder injury is to do the physio as prescribed diligently. Even when you don't feel like it, push through and do it, and even when it feels terrifying, push through and do it. The physio will make or break your recovery and long-term outcome. Good luck!

 

[JamesGuido]

Very Serious OUCH! I cringe to see that xray.... and feel (some) of your pain.

I had hip replacement surgery 10 days ago and recovering fairing good...

I hope you are not in pain for long and heal quickly!

Perhaps surgery may be better.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[kennyp2339]

Oh no Caw, wishing a speedy recovery, last winter I was up at Gore with friends and there kids, we hit the mtn hard all morning then took the little guys out for some relaxing fun, a couple trails had snow guns going, I was just fooling around and hit a spot of mashed potato snow from the guns, stopped me dead in my tracks, the inertia threw me out of my bindings and I landed very similar to you, 10ft away and on my face, luckily nothing but laughs happened, but I know what your saying, take it easy if you can and dont go stir crazy, excellent opportunity for your kids to learn and grow with some new responsibilities.