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Old 1st February 2007, 11:27 PM   #1
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Default Brother Colin Update.

G'day ...

Ok ekka, you got me with the pecan pie......mmmmm ......

A quick brief.

In Sept I fell off a cliff and broke 3 ribs, cracked three vertebra and just about severed my right foot. I had my helmet on so am alive.

12 weeks in hospital and 12 trips to theatre. Got out in Dec.

I can get around quite well with two crutches. I can put pressure on the heel but not at the toes. I can not walk freely but can ride my bicycle.

I am visiting physio twice a week and going to the pool and gym other days. The ankle has very little movement but is improving all the time. (slowly) It is also getting stronger (again slowly).

Sent an email off to the aussie importer of the helmet I used saying 'it works' and thanks. They wanted some pictures and sent me a new one for free. Can wait to get back climbing (rock and trees).

I hope everyone is well.
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Old 1st February 2007, 11:31 PM   #2
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Recovery can be a slow process Colin,take your time and dont try rushing it too much although that can be hard!

All the best,i think pool work will be a big helper.

jason
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Old 1st February 2007, 11:32 PM   #3
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Bugger.

Hey, put up the pics of your stack hat.

Are you surviving mate?
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Old 1st February 2007, 11:50 PM   #4
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Here is some photos of my OLD helmet.

photo 1: one of the straps pulled through the mounting point.

photo 2: check out the 'not so' oval shape of the rim. The broken mount is the front top. The back top then took all the forces and warped the rim. There is white stress marks in the red plastic from the 3 crease points.

photo 3: the outside of the helmet. It looks (and feels) as though someone used a rasp type file on it. There was curly bits of plastic originally (before all the hands got to it).

Yeah, the pool is doing wonders. I am taking it slowly and really trying to be patient.

As for surviving.......mmmm...yeah. Lots of friends still help me out when they can. Does make life easier. Bills are hard on centerlink payments.

Otherwise, I am still smiling and still enjoying a beer or two.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 12:03 AM   #5
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Plenty beer here. lol

Saved your life that helmet mate.

Hey, is rangitata still working for Aussie?
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Old 2nd February 2007, 12:05 AM   #6
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Have to come over and help you drink some of that beer.

YES .

and

YES.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 12:08 AM   #7
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Lucky you had it on Colin!no way would you be able to talk about it!
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Old 2nd February 2007, 12:17 AM   #8
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That is a fact for sure. I am very happy to still be here.

Got a few good scars to show for it as well.

I have been out an done a little abseiling just to see how I would go hanging from a rope again. ( I fell when the rope severed ) I was over the edge before I realised I was supposed to feel apprehensive about doing it again. No mental hangups there I guess.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 08:16 AM   #9
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Hey Colin

You want to come over Saturday and stay the night. I'll pick you up.

Mrs will put on a spread and pecan pie, we got 3 pc's online if you want to surf and put pics up etc, or we can check out some DVD's.

Got beer, plenty of it .... that'll get you out and some new scenery.

PS: The kids would like to see you too.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 08:54 AM   #10
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Best of luck on your recoverly Collin. I've been lucky and never had a serious injury......unless you count the 35 stitches from that Stihl 064 twenty years ago!
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Old 2nd February 2007, 10:25 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TreeCo View Post
Best of luck on your recoverly Collin. I've been lucky and never had a serious injury......unless you count the 35 stitches from that Stihl 064 twenty years ago!
Wow, what happened on that one?

I near chainsawed my thumb off back in 1999 cleaning crappy palms ... one handing that Shindaiwa heavy bugger that gave me tennis elbow. I got a lighter saw and hang on harder now.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 10:29 AM   #12
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Sorry Ekka, can not make it sat night.

Maybe another night for sure.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 10:53 AM   #13
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That's ok Colin, we'll eat the pecan pie for you,lol
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Old 2nd February 2007, 11:02 AM   #14
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Old 2nd February 2007, 12:52 PM   #15
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Quote:
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Wow, what happened on that one?
I was low cutting a 5ft. diameter hollow stump and the saw kicked back and hit my right leg above my knee. No permanet damage luckily. I was cutting down on my knees.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 01:25 PM   #16
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Yeah, that's always the one you gotta watch, that last close to the ground cut.

One dude I know was standing bent over cutting a gum stump close to the ground. The saw hit something and kicked back, spun in his hand and got him in the ankle!

Sometimes the larger saws just shoot out of the cut straight at you too.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 05:47 PM   #17
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I watched a guy do exactly that. The last cut of a stump with a 66. He was down on his knees and about 10cm in when the saw jumped out and got him across the thigh.

Those chainsaw pants paid for themselves that day. He was a little shocked and ended up with a nice bruise across his thigh.
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Old 2nd February 2007, 05:50 PM   #18
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Chainsaw pants are very important, I keep mine safely in the cupboard.
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Old 9th March 2007, 05:03 PM   #19
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It is now 6 months , to the day, that I had my rock climbing accident. Time for an update.

I still have my crutches , but can get around without them, for very short distances. (the doc has given the ok).

I can ride my bicycle and drive the car. ( the handicapped sticker is in the mail)

My ankle is slowly getting stronger and the flexibility is slowly improving.

Sadly, I still have a small infection that comes back everytime I go off the antibiotics. I am booked for surgery sometime in april.

Other than that, everying is slowly improving.
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Old 10th March 2007, 04:13 PM   #20
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Good to hear your getting about.
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Old 10th March 2007, 05:53 PM   #21
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Quote:
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I am booked for surgery sometime in april.
What's that one going to be for?

Well, you'll be dragging brush before you know it. lol

Maybe you'll be able to get about and do some camera man stuff, you might not need the tripod with those crutches.

I'll have to get a job lined up where you can video a bit.
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Old 10th March 2007, 06:52 PM   #22
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The surgery is to clean out the infection site and take out some of my metal work. The infection seems to be coming from there. ie. from the bone.
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Old 13th March 2007, 02:39 PM   #23
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Hi Ya Brother Colin,
Hope you dont mind me saying a few things,mate,as 20 years back I had to slowly get strenght back into my body after had a car accident,It took me 3 years working with weights to a system I devised myself as at the time past your physio there wasn't much help,but slowly the strenght returned..and to this day I still manage it,pain killers,rest..and a heap of determination,listen to your body,don't give up even when the path forward is backwards..and just because you can't do it today dosen't mean you can't do it tomorrow.
All The Best
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Old 13th March 2007, 04:30 PM   #24
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Thanks JayD.

I am looking forward.

On the week-end I abseiled over the climb that I fell off. Checking out where my rope got cut, landing site etc. Trying to work out if the memories I have of the day and the climb are correct. As it turned out most things I remembered were close to correct or spot on, but there was a lot I do not remember. My girlfriend cleared up a few of those questions when I got home. My friends were always asking if I need a hand getting around the base of the cliff over/around the rocks. My respose was "I'll call when I can not do it, won't know till I try it first."
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Old 18th March 2007, 12:53 PM   #25
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Just wondering how did your rope cut.
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Old 18th March 2007, 08:49 PM   #26
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Yeah, and why haven't the cops given it back to you yet so you can post pictures of it ... have they paid for it?

I have always thought that rock and rope dont mix... especially when a rock climber take falls unlike tree guys who should have no slack in the system. One sharp protrusion and BAM!
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Old 19th March 2007, 05:16 PM   #27
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I got my rope back a week or so after the accident. The cops gave it back when it was obvious I was not going to die.

As for photo's. I shall put some up of the rope and my helmet.
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