Brother Colin Update.

Brother Colin · 1st February 2007, 05:27 AM

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.

a_lopa · 1st February 2007, 05:31 AM

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

Ekka · 1st February 2007, 05:32 AM

Bugger.

Hey, put up the pics of your stack hat.

Are you surviving mate?

Brother Colin · 1st February 2007, 05:50 AM

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.

Ekka · 1st February 2007, 06:03 AM

Plenty beer here. lol

Saved your life that helmet mate.

Hey, is rangitata still working for Aussie?

Brother Colin · 1st February 2007, 06:05 AM

Have to come over and help you drink some of that beer.

YES .

and

YES.

a_lopa · 1st February 2007, 06:08 AM

Lucky you had it on Colin!no way would you be able to talk about it!

Brother Colin · 1st February 2007, 06:17 AM

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.

Ekka · 1st February 2007, 02:16 PM

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.

TreeCo · 1st February 2007, 02:54 PM

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!

Ekka · 1st February 2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeCo

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.

Brother Colin · 1st February 2007, 04:29 PM

Sorry Ekka, can not make it sat night.

Maybe another night for sure.

MrsEkka · 1st February 2007, 04:53 PM

That's ok Colin, we'll eat the pecan pie for you,lol

Brother Colin · 1st February 2007, 05:02 PM

TreeCo · 1st February 2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

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.

Ekka · 1st February 2007, 07:25 PM

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.

Brother Colin · 1st February 2007, 11:47 PM

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.

1st February 2007, 05:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Brother Colin Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 48	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.

1st February 2007, 05:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
a_lopa Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 992	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 __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory

1st February 2007, 05:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,734	Bugger. Hey, put up the pics of your stack hat. Are you surviving mate? __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

1st February 2007, 06:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,734	Plenty beer here. lol Saved your life that helmet mate. Hey, is rangitata still working for Aussie? __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

1st February 2007, 06:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
a_lopa Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 992	Lucky you had it on Colin!no way would you be able to talk about it! __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory

1st February 2007, 06:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
Brother Colin Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 48	Have to come over and help you drink some of that beer. YES . and YES.

1st February 2007, 06:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
Brother Colin Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 48	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.

1st February 2007, 02:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,734	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. __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

1st February 2007, 02:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
TreeCo Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 267	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!

1st February 2007, 04:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
Brother Colin Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 48	Sorry Ekka, can not make it sat night. Maybe another night for sure.

1st February 2007, 04:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
MrsEkka Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: With Ekka,Tegan & Lindsay Posts: 15	That's ok Colin, we'll eat the pecan pie for you,lol

1st February 2007, 05:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
Brother Colin Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 48

1st February 2007, 07:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,734	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. __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

1st February 2007, 11:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
Brother Colin Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 48	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.