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Author
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Topic: El Bee's Big Adventure
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 12, 2011 09:36 AM
Where to start? How about at the current situation?
The current situation is that I am searching somewhere in this house for relief.
I found out that even with the rented trapeze, I couldn't sleep in my kingsize bed, if I ever expected to get up again.
I spent the night in my recliner, but after struggling to get out of it several times this morning, it's much too painful.
So, I am typing from the sofa on a laptop, which keeps me more upright and therefore it is only half as painful to get up.
If I wasn't so tired from five days in the hospital, standing up would be as pain free as anything else so far.
But, I am tired. I don't know how I was able to drive myself to emergency, selecting the closest, only to find that their scheduled "fall opening" was not yet reality and I invested a lot of endurance crab walking from the parking lot.
Then I had to drive to my other option which was another 15 miles, in rush hour traffic. I could have dropped in at the closest hospital, but I thought I needed to go to the one associated with my plan. An incorrect thinking, by the way.
So, never thinking twice about the challenges of rush hour driving in the LA freeway system, I found out real fast that applying the breaks when some asshole cuts in front of me was just this side of blackout painful.
But, I made it and spent hours in emergency reception before being admitted at 2:00 A.M. My own room, too.
Well, you know that I'm already on morphine so they gave me something else initially. Donnatol, hydrocodone, amoxicillin and why the Vardenafil?
But they decided to put me on 30mg of morphine sulphate, by mouth, every four hours and it wasn't too long before it made me sick. Okay, that was plan B so they changed to dosage to the timed release 15mg tablet and only every six hours. At least I wasn't feeling seasick but every two hours, to answer the question, what's your pain level, I started to be a little creative, sometimes saying 2 and sometimes 9, without qualifying my response by saying at this very moment, since I have not moved a millimeter. Any movement was an instant TEN.
Looks like six to eight weeks recovery? Total recovery, I don't know? But, my confusion about cracked ribs versus actually fracturing five of them is forever changed. So, the fall resulted in five fractures, L3, L4, L5, L6 and L7, and I promise, you do not want to cough, blow your nose, hiccup, or even try to sneak in one deep breath.
Forget raising my left arm, but I need to start doing exactly that, and any twisting of the trunk resulted in severe penalty = instant 10!
It all began innocently enough, trimming fronds on a palm tree in the front yard. It all climaxed when I was able to maneuver the tree saw and the crowbar out of the way so that I didn't land on them. But then, I was left with no way to break my fall, and fell at about a 60˚ angle from vertical; degree of difficulty, 1.9.
My immediate concern was that I couldn't breathe, ten seconds later, I found out that I couldn't move, either? Then, I started to realize that where I was, I couldn't be seen from the sidewalk on my side of the street, much less from the other side, due to a depression in my lawn where I guess it was graded for drainage.
All of this might have taken a minute or ten minutes, for all I know? Why in the hell I didn't call 911, as soon as I could get to a phone, I don't know? So, I didn't help myself, but I'm an independent type and can't change.
The guy treating me is a thoracic surgeon. He wants me to "use" my left arm, for some reason? That would be the 10plus left arm, he is talking about.
All in all, I'm sure it could have been worse? Right now, I have found a position that offers relief while sitting in an upright position so although it is tiring, at least I'm not feeling those taser shocks from any movement whatsoever, from the trunk of my body.
I guess they will be sending a nurse once in a while, but I am going to have to manage all by my self. Right now, six days without a shower is important, but if I made some movement that caused one of those taser shocks, I could collapse and begin a whole new round of PinBall machine Bonus 10's.
The other thing is, I hear the trash out front and realize that I didn't set the trash out last night, even if I could? Stuff like that. The important things I can do will have to be evaluated, one by one.
Right now,my cat is very concerned, because getting him breakfast was overlooked, this morning. That, and just being gone, since Friday; is always going to upset him.
I found out a gap or two in my insurance coverage, the daily copay is $200, which seems a little steep, but I was torn between getting the hell out of there and staying put, where there was somebody available to help me put on my slippers and other stuff.
Oh well, things could be worse. I am breathing a little deeper, which they tell me is essential to prevent blood clots in the legs from traveling to my lungs and heart. All very complicated.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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UTcaller
NEVADA NIGHT FIGHTER
Member # 8
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posted October 12, 2011 10:08 AM
Man Leonard that's a real shitty deal.Hope you start feeling better soon.
Hang in there bud.
Chad
[ October 12, 2011, 10:09 AM: Message edited by: UTcaller ]
Posts: 1708 | From: Utah | Registered: Jan 2003
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Kelly Jackson
SECOND PLACE/GARTH BROOKS LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 977
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posted October 12, 2011 11:22 AM
two words
stool softners....take them NOW.
Hope you get to feeling better soon.
PS glad Rocky did not take a bite out of you while on the ground.
Take care
Kelly
Posts: 997 | From: Comanche OK | Registered: Oct 2006
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted October 12, 2011 12:40 PM
I can relate to those `tazer shocks`. The worse it gets...........the worse it gets. And until you can get the muscles to relax........you're basically screwed. Muscle relaxants & anti-inflams washed down with a stiff Mint Julep followed by a hot shower and a nap are about the best things I can offer. If I still had Shy-Ann's number up in Tacoma, I'd recommend her too. Best back massage I've ever had.
But you know.............If you'd have hired a couple of those nice young men that stand out in front of Home Depot to do your yard work, you could have avoided all of this except maybe the Mint Julep while watching them work. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Get more better soon!!!!
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
Posts: 8235 | From: Under a wandering star | Registered: Apr 2005
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
Member # 3588
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posted October 12, 2011 03:08 PM
Holy shit Leonard, I feel like a real azzhole!
Here I am, calling you out of the blue to bullchit, and I hadn't seen this thread yet.
I'm sorry to have disturbed you & hope that your discomfort lessens quickly!
take care...
Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010
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3 Toes
El Guapo
Member # 1327
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posted October 12, 2011 03:24 PM
Get well soon, LB!
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Violence may not be the best option....
But it is still an option.
Posts: 1034 | From: out yonder | Registered: Apr 2007
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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
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posted October 12, 2011 03:27 PM
Pain sucks.
Wishing for less of it, for you Leonard.
- DAA
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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted October 12, 2011 03:54 PM
Feel better, Leonard.
-49
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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Rich
2,000th post PAKMAN
Member # 112
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posted October 12, 2011 04:58 PM
Hang in there Leonard, you are a tough old buzzard.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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If you call the coyotes in close, you won't NEED a high dollar range finder.
Posts: 2854 | From: Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 12, 2011 05:19 PM
I hope this nurse tomorrow can give me a shower?
Hey Fred, not your fault, you didn't know, but I'm not much for chit chat right now.
Thanks for the well wishes, guys. I appreciate it.
By the time this is over, you will be sick and tired of hearing about this adventure.
Good Hunting. LB
[ October 12, 2011, 05:20 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TRnCO
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER
Member # 690
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posted October 12, 2011 05:42 PM
Holy crap Leonard, that ain't good. My dad got a few broken ribs just a couple years ago at the age of 74, and said it was the worse pain he'd ever had. He couldn't lie down to sleep for a few weeks. Thankfully, he found that he could sleep in his easy chair fairly well, but he was real happy when he was finally able to sleep in a bed again.
Hang in there. Hope ya heal up real quick..
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Is it hunting season yet? I hate summer!
Posts: 996 | From: Elizabeth, CO | Registered: Aug 2005
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Brad Norman
Okie Dokie
Member # 234
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posted October 12, 2011 07:11 PM
Sorry to hear it Leonard. Get well soon!
Posts: 298 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Aug 2003
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jwelk
Knows what it's all about
Member # 2051
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posted October 12, 2011 07:29 PM
Get well soon LB.
Posts: 51 | From: oklahoma | Registered: Nov 2007
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted October 12, 2011 07:50 PM
Take your dope and use your arm, if you don't it will freeze up and then they put you to sleep and "unfreeze" it. More money and more pain.
Get some rest and get well.
ps. And stay off the dang ladders, what were you, 25' up in the air? ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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Bryan J
Cap and Trade Weenie
Member # 106
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posted October 12, 2011 07:51 PM
I hope you mend quickly.
Posts: 599 | From: Utah | Registered: Feb 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 12, 2011 08:34 PM
Yeah, I'm going to start saying it was at least 25 feet. It wasn't, but it would sound a lot more believable.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Lone Howl
Free Trial Platinum Member & part-time language police
Member # 29
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posted October 12, 2011 09:37 PM
Seriously? Doing yard work during hunting season?
What the hell were you thinking?
Mark
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When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 12, 2011 10:07 PM
Now that really hurts. I should have started my season today. Thanks for reminding me.
good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Lone Howl
Free Trial Platinum Member & part-time language police
Member # 29
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posted October 12, 2011 10:27 PM
Get well soon LB
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When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted October 13, 2011 03:34 AM
Leonard, sorry for your accident and all the pain that follows. I'll have to agree with Kelly's advice about the stool softeners, and add a couple, "Fiber Therapy", from WalMart. After a few days of the stoof softeners and the fiber therapy, you'll think somebody slipped a couple tablespoons of vaseline into your Mint Julep. If you don't eat quite right, the fiber therapy will keep you slick and smooth.
All good thoughts and prayers from the Possumden heading your way.
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted October 13, 2011 07:24 AM
Here's wishing that things get better for ya, LB.
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 13, 2011 08:08 AM
Day two, sleeping in a recliner. OMG! Getting out of a recliner heading to the bathroom: twenty minutes, more or less. One week, no shower. OMG!
gh....lb
edit: Shelley wrote email saying she will be here tonight. Good daughter. Son? Haven't seen him since the dove opener. But, I did get a text. He is 55 miles away, daughter is 425 miles away. Neighbor across the street picked me up at the hospital; I am very grateful. But. He needs practice on using the accelerator, on my truck....jeezus!
edit: They have been giving me stool softeners for a week. Not a whole lot of action.
[ October 13, 2011, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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jimanaz
2nd Place RICHARD FARNSWORTH LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3689
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posted October 13, 2011 08:58 AM
Rib injuries suck. Any injury sucks when you figure in the age exponent. Hope you mend well.
Posts: 940 | From: AZ | Registered: Oct 2010
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
Member # 3588
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posted October 13, 2011 09:13 AM
mebbe we could help out & send this one over to provide Leonard with some hospice care? 
Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 13, 2011 09:26 AM
cruel, Fred. All I could do is look and even that might hurt?
gh....lb
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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