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Old 03-14-2014, 02:47 PM   #1
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A little setback to picking up the 28DSBH

Back in the middle of January I had my first post here on JOF and proudly posted that we had purchased our first travel trailer with the plans to tow it to the east coast at the end of July. Well, last Friday I had went to the dealer and paid the remaining balance on the trailer and it was officially ours. They agreed to keep it there till May 1 when I will get the full tour and hitch install completed. We were very excited and with the kids march break upon us we had planned a 3 day ski trip to Mn. Well the first day was some of the best skiing all year and by 3pm we were looking at finishing up for the day and heading back to the main chalet then to the hotel. My wife and daughter took the gondola back while my 12 yr old son and I took the ski out with the intentions of meeting up with them later. My son went down the steeper section of the ski out first and when I knew he was well ahead I followed behind. Now I have been skiing for over 40 years with a great part of those early years competitive so my skill level is above average. Anyhow in a split second my ski tip caught an edge and I did a full front flip landing on my back then immediately slammed into a birch tree. After hitting the tree I had slid head first slightly down an incline into deep snow just off the ski run. I had the wind knocked out of me and when I had finally caught my breath, I had come to realize that I had sustained a very serious fracture of my right femur. I was in a great deal of pain with the leg injury but my back and ribs were very sore as well. I tried yelling as loud as I could for my son but he was too far ahead to hear. Numerous other skiers over the next 20 minutes would ski by fast, look over at me screaming but not stop. This is a run that is not utilized by many as it is a double diamond so as each skier passed without stopping I had thought I would never get help. Finally a Nurse and her ski partner came to my aide and while she help stabilize my leg he went to locate my son and the ski patrol. The next few hours I was extricated from the hill and taken to the local ER by the Paramedics. I was then transferred to the Canadian border and loaded onto an Air Ambulance helicopter and taken directly to surgery.
After 4 days in the Hospital and 1 of those days in ICU I am now back home and have a 3-4 mth recovery to look forward to and with no ability to weight bear on my leg for 8 weeks I am either in a wheel chair or using cruthches. As much as I am discouraged by this I am also very thankful that the outcome was not any worse. I keep thinking that if it was my head rather than my pelvis that hit that tree or my spinal injury was more than just deep tissue/bone bruise my life and mostly my family's life would suffer a heck of a lot more than this now.
I hope to be fully recovered and back to work before 4 months and our east coast trip is still a go as we had planned to leave the end of July for 25 days. I post this story not for sympathy but just to remind everyone just how fast our lives can be changed and not to take anything for granted.
Happy, safe travels to everyone this season.
Don
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Old 03-14-2014, 02:52 PM   #2
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Sorry to hear about your accident and all the best for a speedy recovery. You'll be back on your feet and headed for the east coast before you know it
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Old 03-14-2014, 02:52 PM   #3
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Don, Sorry to hear about your skiing accident and injuries. As you say it could have been worse. Good luck in your recovery.
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Old 03-14-2014, 03:53 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJL1967 View Post
I post this story not for sympathy but just to remind everyone just how fast our lives can be changed and not to take anything for granted.
Happy, safe travels to everyone this season.
Don
Amen and OH So true!!! Hoping you have a speedy recovery!!
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Old 03-14-2014, 04:02 PM   #5
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Wow! I am glad you are able to tell your story. As a skier myself I can't believe that no one stopped to assist. I always stop to ask if someone is okay and offer to call for help. (guess that's the camper in me)

Remember when no one skied with helmets! Now your looked at as why not. I am never without my cell phone and hope I never have to use it! My worst fear is my kids safety not really thinking I could be the one.

Good luck on your recovery.
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Old 03-14-2014, 04:06 PM   #6
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If you don't have the power package, call them and have them add an electric tongue jack. It'll help hitching up if those injuries aren't quite gone for your first trip.
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Old 03-14-2014, 04:26 PM   #7
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Good luck with your recovery, enjoy your camping trip when you are able to...I suggest getting your trailer towed to a nice camp site and heal there!
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Old 03-14-2014, 04:49 PM   #8
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SOunds like a rough vacation. Hope you heal fast. You are very true on how life can change in an instant.
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Old 03-14-2014, 04:51 PM   #9
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Life is fragile indeed...was reminded that myself on Wednesday when a reckless driver forced me onto the Interstate shoulder in heavy rain. Thank God my reflexes are still acute.

Take care of yourself - get camping.
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Old 03-14-2014, 05:15 PM   #10
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That sucks man. As a ski patroller I have pulled people out of trees with a broken femur and i know from watching them that it is painful

Here's hoping you have a speedy recovery and you get to use your trailer soon
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Old 03-14-2014, 06:04 PM   #11
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Thank you all for the well wishes. Just to add I normally ski with my cell phone as a good way to keep in touch with my family. Unfortunately I forgot it in the truck that morning and did not go back to get it. I parent by example and if my kids have to wear helmets well you can bet I have one on as well. That goes with seat belts too. Even with a helmet on if I had hit my head on that tree then I honestly think I would not be here today.
carey: Thank you so much for your role as a ski patroller. The quality of care I had received on the hill was exceptional. I was so relieved to see them arrive.
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Old 03-14-2014, 08:16 PM   #12
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Thank you Don for sharing your story. I too love to ski and have done so for 30+ years. I'm glad to hear it wasn't worse than it was. We've lost very seasoned instructors to head injuries on the runs here in one of our local hills. Heal well and enjoy that Whitehawk this Summer. Travel safely.
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Old 03-15-2014, 10:49 AM   #13
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glad your going to be OK. F1 racing legend Michale Schumaker did something very similar this past winter and is still in an induced coma.. Last I heard every time they try to wake him up something happens and they have to put him under again...
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Old 03-20-2014, 07:33 PM   #14
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Wooo weee! That was (is) an ordeal! Your attitude and outlooks are really positive.

In 2005 I had two spine surgeries within 3 months. Not the same injury as you but I can definitely sympathize as to the tough road of recovery on a major structural part of the body.
What I learned from the 1 year plus recovery is that the mental component to healing is just as tough as healing physically. Be gentle with yourself and try not to rush into doing too many activities once you do start making progress with walking, etc. in the months to come. I was on a walker for 12 weeks. It sounds like you have a wonderful support system in your family, and that will carry you over the long haul of challenging days ahead.
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Old 03-21-2014, 12:49 AM   #15
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Speedy recovery and ditto on the appreciation as life moves fast. Thanks for the reminder and take care.
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Old 03-21-2014, 08:04 AM   #16
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Again thanks for all the well wishes. Since I first posted I have had some pretty tough days. My back pain was so bad that I ended up in the ER. Repeat x-rays showed I have a compression fracture to my L1 and fractures to the transverse processes on my L2-3. This would explain the severe pain I had been having since the accident and that the fractures were missed on the first round of x-rays. Again I am so lucky that there was no cord damage or surgery required and that I should expect to have a full recovery. I delayed the pick up of my new Whitehawk till after the long weekend in May as I hope to be walking and mobile without crutches by then. My family and I are getting excited for that day and are continuing our trip planning. Thanks again for the support and well wishes it is very much appreciated.
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Old 03-21-2014, 09:03 AM   #17
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Sorry to hear the news. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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