Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 24, 2013 - 05:44pm PT
Big Mike had a snowboarding accident on Blackcomb Mountain 9am today. He was cruising high-speed down a groomer run, Solar Coaster, when he did a normal as can be ollie over a roller. Sandra, his partner found him laying face first and not moving. He couldn't move his legs he said. Ski Patrol heli-vacced him off the mountain and he was sent via ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital.
Diagnosis is burst fracture and dislocation of his L2 vertebrae. Swelling around his nerves is putting pressure on them so they are going to have to do surgery immediately to stop that. The bursting of his L2 will make it easier for them to get in there at his affected nerves.
He is going for an MRI right now and surgery will begin after that. He's doing ok right now but his butt is sore from being on a spine board all day.
So once they fix the immediate nerve problem, he will be on the road to recovery. It will take a while but he will be back on the cracks no problemo.
Give Mike some good vibes. He will really appreciate it. I sent him some calm good energy already in the emergency ward with his sister and Sandra, the more the better.
holly shit! I think I saw the S76 fly him to town. Odds are good of full recovery if there was no fracture and he got all the right interventions quick. I've been where he's going (L2 compression) and he's in good hands. Best wishes to Sandra and mike.
Sorry My mistake - I see the fracture dislocation . Either way if they get the anti - inflams in there and then go to surgery pronto the odds are good. Those guys at VGH spinal are sh#t hot at that stuff.
Ah, geeze, wishing him the best of luck. I suffered my own back break recently, lucky to be climbing, running, f*#king, and all that good stuff without pain now. Give me a PM, Big Mike, if you wanna talk. Enjoy the meds!
Hoping for quick healing and sending positive vibes the way of one of ST's best and most psyched members, and an all around nice guy. Get well soon, bud.
One of my favorite ST people. I love his attitude and always upbeat. Very difficult to hear this. I LOVED the Vegas TR and all his other postings just filled with great stuff.
Get well soon, be patient, perserve...
Ferretlegger passes on his well wishes too!
Susan
Don't know if I know you, Dude. Doesn't matter. I will be 'sending. Not the rock this time, but Huge positive thoughts and prayers that you will heal well.
Time outs like this can be positive when you use them to reflect on life.
Having just spent 5 weeks in the hospital with a compound leg fracture my heart goes out to Big Mike. That's a tough injury but those docs are first rate and we trust you'll pull out fine.
Man, I am really sorry to hear this. Please DO understand we are all hoping for the best. I will look into how soon you can have visitors and see you at the hospital.
Big Mike, Luke told me this today- what a bummer. Sad news that a nice guy like u got the tax , here's to a Big recovery Mike & hopefully you will be back on your feet sliding & edging & all that good stuff real soon. Take care & heal well there buddy, we're all sending our best.
Holy crap, this is ungood. Really sorry to hear this, Mike. I've only met you a few times, but it doesn't matter. Get better soon. You still owe me a day on the rock, sometime next fall. I'm sure you'll be better long before that.
Just got the word from Jim.
Serious bummer, trusting you're in good care and wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
Sending all possible positive energy your's and Sandra's way.
Will try to get in for a visit asap.
Holy sh#t, that's terrible news! Heal up fast big fella, sending all possible good vibes your way. Flying out Tuesday morning so won't be able to get in for a visit :-( Hope to see you up and about again whenever I get back to squamish
There will be some dark days ahead Mike, but ride them out in the knowledge that you'll be back on your horse eventually.
Most of us who know you here have been through our own variation on what you're going through now, and I think I can speak for pretty much everybody in saying we are all going to be cheering for you, and will pitch in to do whatever we can to help.
Big Mike
Jimmy got the bush telegraph fired up and advised we should just drop in to see what condition your condition is in. Bruce Kay is spot on-odds are good for a full recovery. You're in good hands at VGH-I'll stop by to send vibes your way.
Best to you!
greg
Big Mike, super bumbed to hear this. You are always super stoked about what you are doing and that will serve you well for your recovery. Hang in there and hope to see you up in squamish sometime soon.
Dang, that's terrible news. Wishing Mike a speedy recovery. We'll all have to do double-duty to keep the Squamish thread up on the front page in his absence.
Something about the fact that you are a flick of a knife away from death while climbing keeps the danger front and center, those big comfy resorts make you forget your very thin skull and very brittle bones (around a big frame no less) are hurling down ice faster than cars on the 101 on Sunday.
Scares the F*#K out of me, always has. I am such a weenie...
So the surgery went real smooth last night according to Sandra. Thanks for all the good energy and positive vibes you all gave. Mike will be recovering in the spinal ward soon in VGH.
Thanks for the update. I'm really very saddened about this turn of vents...I just so enjoy Big Mike's post.
Heal up there Big Mike...you've got so many folks pulling for you, and Sandra lots of thoughts of comfort going your way too, as you navigate these tough waters with Big Mike.
Hour by hour, day by day as healing and well being returns to carry you both forward in strong health again.
Best wishes for your recovery Mike from this hideous injury
and we all hope to see you back here again with your awesome posts about your adventures soon.
Here's a note to all caring locals that want to visit Mike in hospital. Sandra has indicated that eveyone should wait about a week before visiting. As you can imagine this is a very hard time for him and his family.
I've been thinking of you a lot, Big Mike. I know how hard it is to bounce back after you've bounced off the ground. I hope the very best and that you can learn the lessons you must without a price tag that is too steep. I had somebody tell me something I like the spirit of although I'm not religious: God gives the hardest fights to His strongest soldiers. You'll get through it, man, you will make the very best of the situation and enjoy life once again.
Never met Big Mike in real life but I've always enjoyed his posts, TRs and photos. Seems like a good guy to me and someone I wouldn't hesitate to rope up with.
Thank you Relic for setting up this thread. Thank you everyone and I wish I could reply to every single one of you personally. Sandra is posting on my behalf because its the easier way right now . I can do it but my right hand is currently pins and needles so typing is difficult. I am over joyed from the love coming my way. It's pretty obvious why I'm so addicted to being on the taco. Sandra will figure out visiting hours and it should be sooner than initially thought. I will walk out of here. Love Big Mike
Sandra here: thank you for all your kind words. Brought many tears of happiness to mike and I while I read to him. Thank you!!!!!!
Thank God you're gonna be walking outta there man...once you recover come back to RR, I'll drag ya up some classics...and Roberto's visits will be mandatory! Glad to hear you are being surrounded by those who matter and are well enough to be coherent.
Been checking this thread often hoping you would be able to chime in soon, Mike. Glad to hear you're in good spirits, and know that Christina and I are thinking of you. Heal up soon man, you're young, strong and in good health, so you have a lot going for you. Plus you even have your own personal assistant for Taco posting ;)
Walk out ? Dance outta there tall guy !!!! Thanks , Sandra, for the post. Keep us posted please........esp about when we can come in and bring "treats" :-)
Great news about the walking out. I was sick to my stomach reading this last night. Heal up quickly, hopefully you'll be out by the time I get up there and I'll buy you and Sandra a beer or five. Cheers.
I just did a drive-by visit at VGH. Big Mike was napping but the nurses were plotting to get him a MUCH longer bed. I chatted with his friend Sandra who said the surgery went well but since there was nerve damage the recovery process will be slow and Mike will need the moral support of the community during his recuperation. Mike is currently in the Spinal Unit, 9th floor of centennial pavilion, bed 4.
greg
Mike and Sandra,
Sorry to hear about this serious injury.
Hopefully you will get some motor function back, but it may take awhile.
I had a T10 fracture (in 1978) and was paralyzed from the waist down for a few weeks, but eventually I was able to wiggle my right big toe and things improved further from there.
Wendy (who posts here as "TheLittleUnit") had a burst L2 fracture (worse on the left side), and a longer recovery with more damage, but she is back in action at work, school, play, etc. http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1292707&msg=2006748#msg2006748
P.S. Josh Wharton's spine injury mentioned upthread sounds more like a compression fracture without nerve damage, as in the video he describes having dragged himself out to the road.
Keep us posted on what you can do as things start healing up a bit and you get some energy back. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, and I think Wendy would, too.
A longer Bed huh? Mike - I was just chatting with the Patrol / ALS guy who attended on the hill. He says he's seen plenty of you sort of guys walk out no problem .... but none quite so ah, long. The only real problem they had was fitting you in the helicopter. He said something about having to knock out a ten thousand dollar window so your legs would stick out. but not to worry Big guy - its all covered by your BC Med! Odds are you might not be so long after this though. What are we going to call you now? Not quite-so-big Mike? Mini- Mike?
He says make sure sandra uses her work connections to leverage the system to full advantage. For info that is, not necessarily preferential treatment or anything. Or should we really be calling you Mr Big Mike? I've been starting to hear interesting stories about the Mike Mafia in whistler.......
Just now had a short visit with Big Mike at the Blusson Spine Clinic VGH. Surgery went well but the injury is still a very, very serious one. It's going to be a long road to haul for him.
They had to operate to repair the sheath of the spinal cord, alleviate impingement and other other nasty details. L1 & L2 areas. No prognosis available yet.
Dude...hope you heal up quick as can be...I hurt myself bouldering saturday...just after I got back from skiing in Colorado...but at least I got an the FA of a new trad line before bouldering that day...cheers and maybe our wrecked bodies can rope up sometime.
Hey, Big Mike, I'm sending all of my "special reserve stubborn will" vibes your way...good healing and lots of patience to you, too. 'Nothing worse that having to stay still. And glad you are in good, loving hands.
Sending BIG healing thoughts to Big Mike. I do not know you but there is a big community of wellwishers here and I am adding my good vibes. Being an injured athlete is so frustrating but thank goodness for modern medicine.
I have wiped out on groomers, and even in the lift line, more than I have wiped out in sketchy steep back country runs.
You will be back riding like a fiend next season, and have probably guaranteed awesome deep pow for the rest of us this season ;)
hey there say, mike... not sure if someone
will be reading these to you...
i sent a get well card, to tami, for to send to you...
will some other 'hang in there good cheer' later...
god bless...
man oh man... yes, things are not fun, going through them, at times, but,
later, when it's over, you will be stronger than you ever realized, in new
ways...
think on that, if you ever get tempted to get depressed...
and--keep busy a day at a time--don't look to far, to where you can't reach yet, or you may feel despondant...
look at each days success and what you CAN do, to make the next morning, work, as, THAT will lead to another good morning.. .and onward, goes the better spirits then...
Went to a yoga class tonight. The teacher is on the ski patrol at B/comb/Whizzler. She said the entire patrol was worried about Mike. She said she was real glad to hear he was going to be okay . Apparently the day it happened there was also a fatal accident on the hill. Bummer !
Also in the class were 2 other friends of mine , one, an ER doc ( at St Pauls ) and, the other, a nurse who used to work on the ward where Mike presently rests his large frame.
Both said he's in the best hands our medical system has. Both sent words of encouragement& said it'll be a bit of a recovery but MIke will be out kickin' butt.
I'm with Mike right now at the hospital visiting. Mike's sister and her partner are here too. We are just chilling and yakking. Mike's totally with it right now and awake so it's cool. He wanted me to let you all know that he sat up today and held himself upright. That's pretty huge. He also is moving both his feet around much better today too. Awesome!
He is accepting visitors now no problem, and the company is much appreciated. So if ya have a chance to stop by come on down. Just hold off on bringing food and drinks for now as he's having trouble holding it down right now. His large intestines are kinda messed up a bit.
He is sounding stoked and looks forward to hearing from you all.
I read him all your posts since he posted, so keep on sending him the vibes.
Glad to hear you're on the mend Mike. What's your estimated stay at the Vancouver General Hotel? I'll try to pop in and visit if I'm in the city this week.
Just hold off on bringing food and drinks for now as he's having trouble holding it down right now.
Slip a little extra morphine into his drip, and he'll do better on the holding down food & drink thing. Might allow him to enjoy a very tiny sip of single malt.
Actually, a little extra morphine in the drip is one of those things that is sufficient unto itself when you're where Mike is right now, so save the Scotch for later.
The seriousness of the whole situation is just sinkin as I gather all the facts,I'm so glad you can feel your feet again. Fricken gnarly! I gots the week off so we'll be down to visit Wednesday or Thursday. Hopefully that beds on rollers and we roll outside and smoke a doobie!
Edit: is it true the doctor took out an extra vertebrae so you can fit through standard size doors more conveniently?.
Hey Big Mike, your even photogenic in a gown. So glad to here your moving your size 18 feet. Of course now that people expect top notch trip reports from you, you'll have to do one on your hospital stay. Please include all the cute nurses.
Yeah. The OR nurse who heads the neurosurgical team (or did recently) is a climber. Not that they would have recognized Mike as one of the tribe under the drapes.
Hello all Sandra here. I just wanted to say reading all these posts has somehow made it a tad easier to digest mikes situation. I can't believe the out-pouring he (and I) have received. Thank you so much for the reassuring stories, for expressing your love and your honesty and most of all for making us laugh. Thanks Relic and Sister T (tash) for being with him tonite in my absence. I had to step away temporarily to take care of a few things in Whistler but will return tues evening with climbing mags and some other things mike would like from home. I'll be with Mike from late tues to Friday and as Relic mentioned he'd love some visitors so see some of u in the coming days. Thanks again everyone. I gotta say that the last 5 years we've been together has been the best years of my life. He was there for me in my time of need while healing from injury and now its time to give back to him all that i've got. I'm going to have to be stronger and braver than I've ever been to help my Mikey pull through. I love u baby and I'll see u tmrw.
Thanks relic for taking that photo of hospital sign. I've been so focussed with Mikes comfort so these little extra things are very thoughtful. All the happy climbing photos have been wonderful to see on here .
Holy crap. The dude's full on Paul Bunyan! He's so big, he has to take two coats and sew them together! I just thought they were talking about the size of his unit, like Little Steven Van Zandt (but don't spread that around, it's an industry secret).
Dude, so sorry to hear about your back man!! I wish I could pop by VGH and bring you some og man. Wishing you a speedy recovery from down under man. Im feelin for ya bro.. Miss ya man. Next time i see ya you'll be dancin in your ports or shants bro! It's crazy man, stupid Murphy!!
Thank you Sandra and Relic for the posts and updates. Keep em comin.
Chris
my brow is furrowed,
my breaths, short and frantic.
i've no peace, nothing to smile about.
freezing is the heart
that aches for understanding and well being.
fleeting shall always life be.
take care big mike.
take better care for a while.
then thrash about one day
further on down the rutted road,
and i'll meet you there.
wielding adoration and acclaim.
Thanks Derek, got your PM, this extra info very helpful...this sounds like a large hospital...but I'm sure they'll need to add extra mail room staff now that this has hit the Taco Stand...
Just checked into the Taco today and saw this awful news.
Big Mike, I don't have a clue how long you're going to have more time than usual to lie around in bed, but I'd like to send you some super inspirational climbing book to keep your legendary stoke high. Will you be in the hospital long enough to receive mail from the States (I think about a week)? Or do you have a smart phone or ipad/kindle that you can download a book too?
Just tried to ring him through the hospital - he doesn't have a phone in his room as an FYI. Sandra currently has his cell, so that's the way to go I guess. She will be back in later according to the nurse.
Now, if I had his cell # I could call him! ;) That's what I get for living Stateside, we used Bmac's phone while they were here.
Hello everyone Sandra here again...i think i need to get my own account. soon soon, haha.
Just so you all know i have Mike's phone so if you're texting or calling and he's not answering that's why. He needs to really focus on rest so I've got his phone for now. I had to come back to Whistler last night to take care of a few things here and I'm heading back to Vancouver tonight and staying there for the next few nights. Mike is pretty tired but feeling okay for some visitors...just not in droves....
We've been giving him his Supertopo doses and other messages...its just been so much so fast to take in that I'm having a hard time keeping up with it all. So bear with me while I get all your messages to him.
Thanks everyone for all your well wishes and posts and your offerings to help... keep him in your thoughts and stay positive!!! Love you all for being there for him :)
hey there say, sandra... thanks for sharing ... keep up the good support and love and care, job... :)
and as to this quote:
just so you all know i have Mike's phone so if you're texting or calling and he's not answering that's why. He needs to really focus on rest so I've got his phone for now.
good for YOU... not only pets can be trained for responce-sounds, but us humans surely DO:
jump at too many 'bells' these days...
takes away the 'peace of mind' if one tries to juggle them all, while
needing rest, for sure... saps body strength, when the mind goes... :O
god bless, and prayers :)
EDIT:
SAY, relic, thanks kindly for sharing an address for mike...
I made it to the hospital today and witnessed a good thing.
Here's Mike being helped into a wheelchair with the assistance of his Physiotherapist and nurse for the first time !
Credit: Jim Brennan
Credit: Jim Brennan
El Gigante is grateful and happy for all the concern of all his friends. It's really great that he is able to move his feet. It's a powerful thing to witness.
I'll be in to visit as soon as I'm back in the city! Great to hear that everything seems to be looking up. We'll have you back up on the rock in no time.
Just got back, rain and all but it is home,yah. Great to see those pics of you up and about wiith the guys. When you get better maybe you could instruct Jim on how to focus a camera!
Haha, QINTL. That is the side they had him turned to at around 4 pm today. He was doing well with his sister Natasha by his side. The family resemblance in calm friendly presence is uncanny.
Just saw this thread, so sorry you are going though this ordeal. It looks like all is proceeding well though, and you'll be back on the rock soon-probably preferably red rocks, seeing as what an awesome trip you recently had there. Sending good thoughts your way-hope each day feels better than the previous!
Great shots, Jim. I can tell you, having been through 5 operations in 35 days, that the love of friends is all I had to go on for some of the time. Knowing there were others waiting as you are wheeled into that ice box of an operating room, again, is a giant help. So to the extent that Mike can handle visitors, keep showing up. Even for brief moments. I can't imagine dealing with a spinal cord injury. It must be scary. I send what courage I have left.
Glad the SB accident was not more serious and that you are on the mend Big Mike. Hope you get back out there soon. Sending good vibes your way in T minus 3,2,1...
hey there say, relic, jim, and all... i am sooo happy to see him at this stage... was so worried...i know he has a long way to go...
thanks for being there with him...
and to big mike:
a day at time... with what is best, in mind... and you will do fine...
and to sandra... and family, etc...
may you enjoy wonderful victories, as mike tackles each new day...
:)
prayers and god bless...
*cosmic:
the staff will run you up a tree, if rumors of THAT
kind of treatment, get out... ;)
LOL!!!!! Thanks guys!!!! Those manips are awesome and so is this thread!!!! The got me out of bed again today to sit on the commode!! It has been something I haven't had much luck with yet, so I was very glad to make what little progress I did. They are going to move me to another room today, which has made Sandra very stressed because she has gotten settled here, but we'll deal.
I'd hate to be the guy trying to sleep next to my snoring ass through that thin curtain!! ;)
Thanks again for all the wishes and the visitors have been positively amazing!!!
Thanks for the pic Naitch!! Too cool! Ryan is right tho, need to put some angle to the dangle! ;)
Had some more rad visitors today! Kyle, Nina, Aislinn, Luke and Kieran, and then Perry and Nadine showed up too! If was rad!!! Super fun afternoon of visitors! I got settled in new room and it seems like things should go smoothly here.
Hi Mike. I work with the folks on Blackcomb Patrol.. during the morning meetings they'll bring up recent big incidents that happen on the hill and inform on details of the crash, the nature of the injury,the extrication,etc. and especially the ongoing condition of the patient.
Your incident was brought up, and when I heard the name I knew right away who it was (I post up here and there but usually lurk around, but I still remembered)...
Anyway, our on-hill doc..we call him Dr. Shred..commented on how solid of a dude you were, being a climber,skier,local,etc. and you had a serious crash but because of who you are you will respond well to whats needed to get you rocking again.
I then had to mention that people call him Big Mike, and he has an online following that spans the continent, if not the world(!)so there should be a pile of good energy coming his way!
This was confirmed when I pulled up this thread tonight!!
So the folks on your local hill are hoping for a strong recovery for you...and so am I.
Glad all the hooligans made it down today! Too bad I was at work and missed the party. Looks like the thread has been hyjacked and is now a live TR! Sweet!
And Kid Comer, get your hands off Mike's drugs birthday boy!
Someone get mike some stool softener for crying out loud.
Mike sorry to read this and glad to see you're surrounded by friends who care so much.
Be glad as well your Canadian right now more than ever. This type of injury would set you back a decade of hard labor to pay for such an injury in the US. You will get all your needs met and not leave that hospital bankrupt.
Novel concept and I wish you the best in your days to come.
It was not good to see you in your current plight but I'm real glad we had opportunity to visit you yesterday.
Real pleased to see your crew there.
You put great energy into our lives and we're there for you in any way we can through this challenging time.
Like the card says;
IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP GOING!
(Winston Churchill)
I hate that the first time I communicate with you is to wish you well and a speedy full recovery. All the best!
No worries dude!! Thanks for the thoughts! The mean a lot from everyone! I have never felt this level of support before, but I know everyone has my back now, and that feels incredible!
I just tried calling you Big Mike but yer Voice mail is FULL.
DOH!!!! My phone died last night, and I just called Bell to find out why my voicemail only stores three messages??? Not acceptable, and fixed, something tells me ill need a few more!!. I will be returning your call shortly Dwaine, it will be a pleasure to hear your voice for the first time.
Saucy - Don. Wow! Just Wow! I can't even express how much that means to me. It made me start crying tears of joy. Thank so much. You are welcome here any time.
I'd loan you my CUSTOM Wheelchair, Big Mike,
LOL! Thanks dude! I need all the laughs I can get!!
Great to see you too Luke! Thanks bud! Dude why did no one tell me it was your birthday!! Really sorry u didn't know.. Been a little preoccupied lately ;)
Ouch. Nothing worse than squeezing out a hard turd after a diet of codine with a busted spine.
I know that well!! Never thought I would be so happy to sh!t the bed!!!!!!
I'm off to sample the snow for you tomorrow mike. I'll take a bunch of pictures!
Enjoy it bud. Please do take pics, you know I love em!!!
Feb 28, 2013 - 12:17am PT
One day, Big Mike was standing in line, waiting to get checked in.
When he finally reached the front, St. Peter asked him, "What are you doing?"
"Hold on a sec," said Big Mike. "I'm working on my TR."
So they sent him back down.
LOL HAHAHAHAHAHA GAG HAHAHAHA!!! So funny!! I'm not done yet dammit!!!!!
Thanks Roadman!!
Be glad as well your Canadian right now more than ever. This type of injury would set you back a decade of hard labor to pay for such an injury in the US. You will get all your needs met and not leave that hospital bankrupt.
You know it Weston! The only person that has asked me for a dollar so far is the tv lady! My parents paid for that. I should be able to at least run my business this summer if not contribute as much as I normally do, so hopefully it won't kill us completely like they do to you guys down there. I really feel for you guys!!
IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP GOING!
Best card ever!!! Thanks Perry!!!!!
Hell ya Kennyt!!
The nurse took my cathider out this morning, and I just peed in a bottle which they didn't think I would be able to do!!!!!
It's all coming together!! Soon ill get this drain out of my back and then ill be able to sleep properly!!!!
The nurse took my cathider out this morning, and I just peed in a bottle which they didn't think I would be able to do!!!!!
Consider yourself lucky. When I was in your position (i.e. all smashed up and horizontal in a hospital bed) and they took out the catheter, I tried to pee in the bottle and it hurt so bad I begged them to put the catheter back in.
You know it Weston! The only person that has asked me for a dollar so far is the tv lady! My parents paid for that. I should be able to at least run my business this summer if not contribute as much as I normally do, so hopefully it won't kill us completely like they do to you guys down there. I really feel for you guys!!
huh? is WTF's first name Weston as well? That would be weird...
Heal up fast, Big Mike! Last time I woke up in a hospital it was a similar snowboard situation (Heavenly terrain park.. lost all consciousness so have no idea what happened). I was rereading your Full Conditions trip report and couldn't help see the old cliche that its the mundane things that can get us while the Full Conditions adventures usually keep us on point. Anyway, sounds like you have the right attitude to heal at triple speed and get back after it. Which is good because we need the good words and reports from guys like you to keep this place positive and inspiring!
Nature, jump up in the air as high as u can with 2 feet & stomp the landing as if you were on your board. Now look at your feet, that will be a good starting point. My angles are 28 degrees on the front & 12 degrees on the back(pointing outward), most people like the back a little closer to either side of zero. Maybe to start turn your front binding out about 15-18 degrees & then play with it a bit until it feels good, cheers.
Hope ur havin a good day Mikey, I'll check on your stash tomorrow for u & make sure it doesn't get too fresh while ur out!
huh? is WTF's first name Weston as well? That would be weird...
Oops!! My apologies... I got a little confused there!!
Consider yourself lucky. When I was in your position (i.e. all smashed up and horizontal in a hospital bed) and they took out the catheter, I tried to pee in the bottle and it hurt so bad I begged them to put the catheter back in.
Oh I am Dave. They kept threatening me with the catheter again and I did not need to get that infection!! Thank god because not being able to pee and not having one is torture just like you and largo have said!!
Even in the legendary company around the taco you're one of the best posters around. Your love of life and genuine stoke is obvious, and infectious.
Wow Nigel!!! Thanks! It seems like I infect the staff around here too! Everyone is super stoked for me and it looks like they're going to ship me off to GF Strong next week!! I got to stand up on the parallel bars today and actually weight my right foot!! My left is still a spaz, so what I learned is I'm going to have to re-train my whole lower half to do what I want it to do.
Good thing is everything seems to work as long as I can figure out how to tell it too!!!!
Edit just googled it,
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre is the largest rehabilitation hospital in British Columbia.[1] It is located in the South Cambie neighborhood of Vancouver.
It provides provides inpatient (overnight stays), outpatient, outreach and clinical support services to clients/patients across British Columbia and the Yukon in four unique programs: Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Arthritis and Neuromusculoskeletal. It also has specialized programs for adolescents and young adults. Health care professionals such as physiotherapists and physiatrists deliver individually tailored treatment for people with the most serious and complex injuries and illnesses requiring rehabilitation.[2]
Congrats Mike on being admitted to GF strong ! - thats Huge. Also a Healthier place than the hospital you are in. Fingers crossed on all your precautions to not get sick from something else at VGH before your discharge.
so what I learned is I'm going to have to re-train my whole lower half to do what I want it to do.
Yeah. . . that part was interesting for me. . . and it will be for you, too.
Being an athlete really helps!
Your mind is going to be blown by the tiny, almost imperceptible nuances. . . say. . . from the bottoms of your feet and the ends of your toes. . . and how the back injury has interupted what usually came natural for you. The whole thing made me far more fascinated by the human brain and how incredibly fast it processes something as complex as a telemark turn or V2 skating. When that's slowed down, you find yourself almost talking yourself into making the right moves.
Everything from L1 down (that's the one I pulverized) needed retraining.
TRIPPY!
Interesting!
Kinda fun, really. . . in a PolyAnna sorta way!
OXOXOXO
P.S. And. . . if I could do it at 60. . . you can crush it at 35!
I was rereading your Full Conditions trip report and couldn't help see the old cliche that its the mundane things that can get us while the Full Conditions adventures usually keep us on point. Anyway, sounds like you have the right attitude to heal at triple speed and get back after it. Which is good because we need the good words and reports from guys like you to keep this place positive and inspiring!
Thanks Chris! You're so right. This was so routine for me, and then WHAM!! I'm on a Heli. Naturally you're way more focused in a situation like Angel's Crest. I think that major lesson I just learned is I need to be more vigilant all the time because you never know when it's going to happen. As far as the taco goes, it amazes me more everyday, and has proved it's tribe is really that. A community who cares. With love like that, how can I ever leave!!
Nature- what Ryan said. I'm super weird with my angles, like +45 on the front +17 on the back too! (Facing forward). Full on Alpine Stance!!
Looking forward to seeing you Harry!!
Wow Jefe! Tripping hard!!
Also a Healthier place than the hospital you are in. Fingers crossed on all your precautions to not get sick from something else at VGH before your discharge.
Bruce, haven't you learned I'm stronger than that?? ;) seriously tho, thanks for the advice, and it's a good thing I've only had to pick at their food and family and friends have been hooking me up HUGE!!
Your mind is going to be blown by the tiny, almost imperceptible nuances. . . say. . . from the bottoms of your feet and the ends of your toes. . . and how the back injury has interupted what usually came natural for you.
All ready has Ekat! Blew my mind the minute I figured it out. Really trippy thing is I spent my whole childhood training for just this type of eye hand coordination by playing video games!!! Guess they weren't all useless!!
Edit oh ya!! I made a giant softball sized projectile fly out my butt today!! It's amazing how much the little things matter when they are taken from you.
All ready has Ekat! Blew my mind the minute I figured it out. Really trippy thing is I spent my whole childhood training for just this type of eye hand coordination by playing video games!!! Guess they weren't all useless!!
Right on!
I feel that everything I did, for pretty much my whole life, prepared me for the 8 hour self rescue I pulled off after the wreck. Seems like a weird thing to be getting ready for. . . but. . . I'm glad I had it all in my bag of tricks!
Hey Mike, I've been pretty sick of ST recently but I've been compulsively checking this thread for the last couple of days. I'm f*#king stoked to hear how well you are doing! Sounds like you are doing great and I'm sending lots of good vibes north.
Edit oh ya!! I made a giant softball sized projectile fly out my butt today!! It's amazing how much the little things matter when they are taken from you.
FAK!
COMPLETELY CRACK ME UP!
My wreck caused serious intestinal damage. . . couple that with pain meds. . . and. . . well. . . the old term SH#TTIN' BRICKS comes to mind!
Your mind is going to be blown by the tiny, almost imperceptible nuances. . . say. . . from the bottoms of your feet and the ends of your toes. . . and how the back injury has interrupted what usually came natural for you.
Ain't just back injuries that do that. You should have seen me after they bolted my left leg back on. They had to cut a lot of muscle in the process, and even after everything was pretty much healed up, the brain-nerve-muscle-nerve-brain loop was operating in some separate reality.
Imagine a normal looking guy walking along in a normal-looking way, and then suddenly having one of his legs stop working.
Now put that guy on a rope and send him up some rockface. Watch him step up on his left foot... and then suddenly fall off.
Took over five years for all the nerve pathways to rebuild. Weird sh#t.
Everything from L1 down (that's the one I pulverized) needed retraining.
Woah!! I missed this!! What happened Ekat??
Thanks MisterE No worries mate! As the Aussies say..
Hey Mike, I've been pretty sick of ST recently but I've been compulsively checking this thread for the last couple of days. I'm f*#king stoked to hear how well you are doing! Sounds like you are doing great and I'm sending lots of good vibes north.
Thanks John Box!! I swear all the support has made me heal faster!!
Thanks Jim!!
Kris, stoked just to see you dude!! Thanks!!
Took over five years for all the nerve pathways to rebuild. Weird sh#t.
Crazy Dave!! I'm going to have to do some hardcore reprogramming!!
Edit oh ya!! I made a giant softball sized projectile fly out my butt today!! It's amazing how much the little things matter when they are taken from you.
It's things like this that make me love the Taco all over again.
A call from John, posts from Donini and even from Chris Mac...the outpouring of love from everyone - so important to the healing process.
Was awesome to talk to you the other day, Bro. If I was closer I'd be there in person. I will give you a call again soon - really digging the reports that things are working body wise, even if you have to retrain them a bit. I know if anyone can do it, you can Mike! I'm really glad we tied in together, I enjoyed the hell out of it. Can't wait to do it again!
I woke up at 12:00 literally running out of my dream. I thought I was climbing for a sec, then awoke and thought, "this is wrong.." I had set myself up on my back and with the wound drain the pain was just too much. I've weaned myself off the meds really quick, too quick probably. I've been trying to get them to up the OxyContin for sleeping, but they're reluctant because I've been doing so well.
I got them to roll me over to my right side, which is the most comfortable since my surgery scar is in the left, and is killing me when I sleep on it. I woke up again sweating and in pain at 2;00am and haven't been able to sleep since. They gave me a full 5,0 oxy this time and promised me another one at 5 am. They rolled me onto my left, even thought i knew it would be bad. i lasted there about 45mins. The pain is subsiding now and I think I will try and sleep again, but I needed to do something to cope, and this thread is my coping process.
I'm definetly not superhuman. It's funny. Just over a week ago I was in the lap of luxury, staying in a dope spot and climbing classics with friends. A lot of people weren't very impressed with my ticklist, and to tell the truth, I would have liked to have done more, but I was happy to be there and enjoying myself and knew that was all that really mattered.
Now I'm on the flip side of the coin dealing with hell, and I'm so glad I enjoyed the time I had in heaven. I told Travis in Vegas, "You never really appreciate the best in life until you've experienced the worst." I believe that even more now.
I'm sorry I can't reply to the latest messages right now, I'm just not able to right at this moment mentally. I surely did appreciate them though and will reply in kind , in the morning.
I'm going to try and get some more sleep now. See you guys in the morning.
Up early for a biz trip and find it wryly amusing to see this thread contiguous on the ST forum with the 60 y.o. thread.
Been following yr arc with interest, Big Mike. Good luck in getting to the other side of this challenge, fellow. It was about yr age when I hit the ground from 70' and was unsure of my future. See aforementioned thread, eh.
Mike not sure who weston is but I'm no Weston in fact we've met but only briefly.
Your tick list from red rocks was great. A fine bunch of climbs for a first visit. DID YOU HAVE FUN? That's all that matters.
Heal up and take it easy it's hard to lay around for a man so active as you are. Just take it one day at a time. I'm helping a friend right now who was skiing and decided to ski into the trees on his back only to wrap a femur around a tree.
Snap!
Compound and almost got the artery. He like you so not so good at just sitting around.
You put together a tick list of all the routes you want to do when you get better from easy to hard and then go do them as part of your rehab over the next year. One day at a time little steps and before you know it you'll be back to what mike does full speed.
Big Mike, you've always struck me as one of the most positive, encouraging voices on ST. Even from your hospital bed, you're sending out the same great vibe. Thank you.
Good vibes back to you, and prayers for a full recovery.
Mike not sure who weston is but I'm no Weston in fact we've met but only briefly.
Really??? Who are you??? Pm me if you wish. I will not reveal your identity. I do understand I have a tendency to use people's first names, and realize that you may not want to choose to.
Your tick list from red rocks was great. A fine bunch of climbs for a first visit. DID YOU HAVE FUN? That's all that matters.
Ya man! I had a blast!! I know what you say is true also and know that haters love to hate, and not to listen to them, but I am human, and sometimes the doubt creeps in.
Big Mike, you've always struck me as one of the most positive, encouraging voices on ST. Even from your hospital bed, you're sending out the same great vibe. Thank you.
Thanks Mooser, I try. I've always enjoyed your posts too.
Love chess MH2. Just need Someone to play with. Any takers?? ;)
Oh Little Mike.
It's time for your LITTLE shot of,
HAPPY JUICE!
LOL!! Damn Dwain. Coulda used that last night. Pain is increasing, meds decreasing. Gotta sort out that situation.
Keep it going Big Mike, save a climb for me but i'm sure you'll have a full dance card.
Wow Jim!! Any time I can man. Any time.
It's things like this that make me love the Taco all over again.
I know, RIGHT!!
Was awesome to talk to you the other day, Bro. If I was closer I'd be there in person. I will give you a call again soon - really digging the reports that things are working body wise, even if you have to retrain them a bit. I know if anyone can do it, you can Mike! I'm really glad we tied in together, I enjoyed the hell out of it. Can't wait to do it again!
It was a pleasure Travis. Me too. Go climb the Captain for me this summer!!
Obviously I'm not sleeping. 'twas a rough night. They say I should get this drain out of my back and sort out the dosage situation today. I can't wait to have it figured out.
Awww sh*t, I'm so sorry to hear about the increased pain. It does seem to go that way ... For awhile...but then evens out again. I've been thru a couple injury surgeries (nothing as bad as yours) and found the same pattern...shortly after surgery, "I'll be able to manage this" to several days out "Nurse, please more .... Or a gun please". I've often wondered if its the body shaking off the initial shock as well as all the initial surgical meds leaving.
Do take care...thinking of you often...hugs to Sandra...care givers have their own unique set of stressors. Can't wait to have you and your buds get back to "regularly scheduled programming" with your outrageous trip reports.
Just about took the chop up in Shasta (right after moving into my ski house in 2009). . . freak accident taking off a pair of fuzzy tights. . . got all crossed up and fell back into the wall of my closet.
Knocked me out.
Came to.
Couldn't stand up.
In and out of conciousness for 8 hours as I squirmed on the floor trying to get out of the closet, down the long hall and into my office to get the phone. Dark. No heat. Nobody knew I was there.
Freaky.
Pulverized L1.
Had to have emergency surgery.
And. . . did I mention FREAKY - PTSD and all!
:-/
Whoa.
What a ride!
I learned a lot!
Regarding Nietzsche's line, “What does not kill me makes me stronger,” . . . well. . . let's just say, that particular exercise had me loudly proclaiming, "I'm stong enough, ALREADY!" (with the emphasis on ALREADY - like a guy from Brooklyn!)
It's great to see you responding to our posts, and keeping us apprised of how you're doing. We're all rooting for you, buddy, that's for sure!
When I busted my leg, it was temporarily fixed in Yos and then I hobbled home for the surgery. The free Canadian surgery, eh? Once home, they only made me pay for my crutches.
Anyway, I had just been carried down from the base of El Cap, and had done the trains planes and automobiles stuff for days, no shower, very scruffy looking after all of this when I finally landed in hospital. I woke up in bed after surgery hooked me up to the morphine drip, and I was fine for a day or two. I'm guessing I didn't smell too good.
After a couple days, some junior nurse decided that I no longer needed the morphine, and switched me over to Tylenol 3. It didn't hurt much breaking my leg, it was all those plates and screws they put in afterwards that killed me. I kept asking for my drugs back, but nobody would give them to me! I must have looked like a real dirtbag. In other words, like myself.
Anyway, my "good nurse" comes in around midnight, and says, "You're right, she shouldn't have taken you off the morphine drip. I'll hook you back up."
And I'm like, "Great. By the way, my leg has swelled so much in my cast the pain is excruciating, and something really needs to be done about it."
I don't think she understood how dire the situation was with my leg, because she told me to wait til morning. So once the drugs kicked in, I phoned my 80-something dad at home and said, "Look, I can only talk to you lucidly for the next ten minutes or so, the point between where the drugs have started to kick in, but not too much. This cast needs to come off now, dude, and no one here believes me. Can you please come NOW and rescue me?!"
So my dad comes down to the hospital at like one in the morning, and the first thing he says is, "When was the last time a doctor saw my son?"
And I said, "I've been here two days, and I haven't talked to one doctor."
And my dad is like [God bless him, it was funny] "Wow, if that's not grounds for a lawsuit, I don't know what is."
Now, as you know, us Hosers aren't all that litigious, but my dad just so happens to be a Merrican.
Anyway, you should have seen the nurse move! She ran down to emerge and grabbed some doctor from Kuwait who'd been operating for the last twelve or twenty hours or something, and dragged him up to my bed to cut off that damn cast! My toes were turning blue by this point. Imagine the relief when he chopped that bastard off my gigantic swollen leg!
Anyway, as for injuries, I cheated death once again, just like you. So like I wrote you before, "It's your turn this time, mate." Most of us risk takers / spazzes go through this a time or two in our lifetimes, some of us never do, and some guys never even get the chance to get better because they end up dead first.
I can tell by your writing that you are also one of those guys who sees the glass as half full, and focuses on the positive. You *will* get better, mate. It just takes time. Initially my ankle hurt SO MUCH it was inconceivable to me that I would ever walk again let alone climb, but here I am still givin' er. And so you will you.
As for retraining those legs, just fukkin' retrain 'em! You show them who's boss!
But that's for later. Just chill for now, enjoy the down time as best you can, do what the docs say, and never stop believing. If there's anything we learn from stuff like this it's that we learn stuff. And anything that doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Accordingly, you will come out smarter and stronger than before. [How can you fault logic like that, eh?]
By the way, I was quite touched in Curry Village this year when recognized me, and came up and introduced yourself to me! I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated that. It's always fun to meet someone off McTopo face to face, or in our case, face to chest. I wish more people would come and say hi.
Anyway, take care, keep on keepin' on, and we'll see you down on the bridge for beers one of these days soon.
Bad pain isn't something you should have while healing, it slows the healing process, leads to chronic pain issues. I was fortunate to be well medicated during my back break. Morphine and percocets, they'll do you right. Get on the button, complain to your spine doc, whatever, you aren't doing yourself a favor by sitting there all tensed up and sweating it out.
I was lucky to be able to stop the pain meds w/in the first month of my injury. I did a few tylenol, but phased that out quickly. I started sleeping on a heating pad to relax the muscles around my injury that would knot up. Couldn't sleep on my side like I wanted, had to sleep flat and get the ol' log roll like a helpless cockroach to do anything like I'm sure you are very familiar with by now.
Nausea was pretty bad when I was bloated with gas, hadn't yet had a bowel movement, and they slapped a turtle shell back brace on me that compressed that poisonous mixture till I felt like puking but couldn't because the pain that would cause in my back.
Good luck, Mike, I hope your rehabilitation goes as well as mine has. Four months out today, actually, and I am climbing, trail running, and screwing my mama cita like a big boy does. All the important food groups ;)!
Your cast situation is famous in Canadian health-care. Well, not yours personally, but a case just like that is what caused the nurses' charting to become a legal document.
Big Mike,
It is good to cut down on pain meds but that must be balanced against other good things like sleep. If you can't get to sleep that is a good case for more medication and can be charted as the reason for giving you more. Some people are reluctant to give more just because you ask but if you can't sleep or if the pain is keeping you from moving well those are good reasons to do something about the pain.
Got a couple prints for your decor. Will bring them by. Wish I had done one of Cosmic's wheelchair, or his other chair.
Too busy with hospital stuff to reply to the last few right now but I read most of it and will be back!!!
Repost from shred thread Blackcomb Ski patrol at thier finest.
It belongs here too.
These might be hard, but every snoriders best friend is ski patrol!!!
Take pictures honey!!!! Really?????? YES!!!!
Worried Sandra accidental self portrait.
Thumbs up for the Heli!!!
I can't say enough about the work that Blackcomb Ski Patrol does. They are true heroes. Quick and amazingly efficient! Top notch really!
I will always be in their debt. Were they not around I might not be tapping these words. Although, by the sound of Ekat's story, maybe I might, but I would be a lot worse off.
SCARY EKAT!!!!!!
I would describe my experience as smooth. Thanks to my heroes in Red!!
Big Mike;
I feel your Pain, as I live with that wicked
bastard every day.
Not just in my back, but my knee, shoulders, wrists,
and other places.
I don't like taking pain meds but I do, so I can keep working,
and, keep playing, and at least have a life with tolerable pain.
I know, at the end of the day of working, or playing,
I can hardly move, and I want at least a little relief
from the pain so I can relax.
I use herb during the day, but in the evenings,
I resort to a pill or 2 of the stronger stuff.
I never go past that amount.
I sincerely hope that after you heal up that you are pain free.
I wouldn't wish my position on anyone.
Haha Mike ur so funny asking your girl to take photos right after u get mangled! The guys in the last photo is asking his buddy to pass the hacksaw so he can cut the bottom of the litter off so you can fit.
Hey Mike sounds like a good time to invite yourself on NIAD with Donini.
So sorry to hear of your accident. Hoping with everyone else for a quick and full recovery. There are amazing advances in spinal medicine these days, so keep your spirits up.
I have enjoyed all of your threads, which demonstrate a palpable love of the mountains and exceptional stoke.
Be patient and I'll bet your back on the board soon.
Here's a collage for Mike's "real" wall in the hospital. I used his pics and various pics from his ST friends so if anyone would like their pic removed please let me know.
Credit: harryhotdog
If you want to identify all the scurvy naives, download the file and view it on Picasa or Window live gallery and zoom into to enlarge it.
Ya man! I had a blast!! I know what you say is true also and know that haters love to hate, and not to listen to them, but I am human, and sometimes the doubt creeps in.
Those aren't haters Mike those are people who wish they were having as much fun as you are having.
Rest up and ill pm you soon.
Find a far infrared sauna when you can good detox.
I tried to call in to The Big Mike Show, but I was politely shuffled about for a while. I hope you get the message, Mike.
If not, Meh. Goddam Officialdom, anyway.
There's still vibes.
Hamie is also in the collage. Black and white, about a quarter of the way from the left, 1/3 of way from bottom. He's standing, rope coiled over his shoulder, cigarette in hand.
Well I guess if yer gonna read one thread a year on ST this would be the one. Sorry to hear this particular adventure features so much hospital, Big Mike, and best wishes for getting on out.
Ian
PS Given my tangential presence, I don't feel entitled, but one of you regulars oughta mine the relationship between Big Mike's acronyminitials and his intestinal struggles.
Aactually just popped that on because Mike never got to stop in at the one yere in town. He went to the East Side instead, which happens to be the Dark Side, but only part of the day, just like yere. No, I had a righteous helping of liver and onions and yohoghrt after that Glorious Bloody Mary Lunch.
B.M. acronymous O.I. Geddit
Lots and lots of opportunity to sleep now. Do so. ATB, Big.
In and out of conciousness for 8 hours as I squirmed on the floor trying to get out of the closet, down the long hall and into my office to get the phone. Dark. No heat. Nobody knew I was there.
Wow Ekat!! This gets the tear ducts going Everytime I read it!!
I don't think she understood how dire the situation was with my leg, because she told me to wait til morning. So once the drugs kicked in, I phoned my 80-something dad at home and said, "Look, I can only talk to you lucidly for the next ten minutes or so, the point between where the drugs have started to kick in, but not too much. This cast needs to come off now, dude, and no one here believes me. Can you please come NOW and rescue me?!"
Wow. Thank you both. If you guys can survive and prosper, I'm absolutely sure I can!! My experience has been far mellower.
Bad pain isn't something you should have while healing, it slows the healing process, leads to chronic pain issues. I was fortunate to be well medicated during my back break. Morphine and percocets, they'll do you right. Get on the button, complain to your spine doc, whatever, you aren't doing yourself a favor by sitting there all tensed up and sweating it out.
You're absolutely right Jeebs. I'm stepping up the oxy and it's working. It took me awhile to convince them, but I'm feeling more positive about the outcome now.
Ditto Mh2
I sincerely hope that after you heal up that you are pain free.
I wouldn't wish my position on anyone.
Me too cosmic! Sorry to hear about yours. I wish you the best buddy
Haha Mike ur so funny asking your girl to take photos right after u get mangled!
I figured I never want this to happen again, so might as well get pictures now!! + it's sick thread bait! ;)
There are amazing advances in spinal medicine these days, so keep your spirits up.
Thank God for that!! Thanks Rick. I will persevere!!
Damn snowboards, mine used to beat me up so much although never as bad as my downhill mountainbike did. heal well and heal strong
All my worst injuries have been riding. I gave up biking because I used to break parts.
Would the Column suffice? I'm happy to do a wall for you, but I need to start small hehe.
For sure! Thought you were ready for the big guy already.. Any climb would be inspirational!
Your spirit is truly inspiring. I wish you all
the best in your comeback.
Thanks footloose!!
Harry's poster is awesome!!! He brought it by tonight!! So cool!! Thanks Harry. It was a major effort that the software almost didn't allow, but after 40 tries to export it, it finally worked!!
I tried to call in to The Big Mike Show, but I was politely shuffled about for a while. I hope you get the message, Mike.
If not, Meh. Goddam Officialdom, anyway.
There's still vibes.
Yes sir! Got the message! Instructed them to refer future callers to my cell. I have posted it here 6o4 9o2 49oo.
Thanks and much appreciated, wish I could have chatted with you!
Chess and doobies soon bro!
Sounds sick!! Sweet tunes cap!! Thanks!!
Mmm looks great Mouse! I can almost taste it!!
Great to see you Tami! And Phil.
Thanks for the gifts!!
Thanks Ian! Hamie calls me BM all the time and I always think that ;)
Mouse you missed Vegas baby Vegas? I gorged on in-n-out there serveral times.
Nice Naitch!! Enjoy!
It's way past bedtime. Got my meds, passing out after a few pics.
My buddies Devon and Mark stopped by last night
It was sick because it's been forever since I've seen both of them!!
And fishboy aka Niiick ;)
Then Scrubber this morning!!
He loaned me some excellent old school mags before I was whisked off to my shower! Sorry I ended up cutting it short dude, but the visit and drink were much appreciated!!
The shower was simply the best of my life. I hogged it for forty five minutes!!
My occupational therapist John got me a sick new bed I actually fit in. And I slept like a baby for two and a half hours!!
Then I went The gym with my amazing physiotherapist Erica!!
Photo: Sandra vgh spine ward physio
Learning to stand again
Beautiful girlfriend photo
My first time outside in a week!!
Erica physio photo..
Wow Mike! Looking like you had another really productive day. Hopefully you didn't get too soaked when you went out today. Or maybe the pineapple express was just what the doctor ordered?
Hey I put up a quick Bishop TR for you to look through Mike. I know you love the Eastside life!
please impart unto us a new
address so's we can
send our friend on the mend,
some inspiring goodies.
i just took a new position
for some company called, Heaven.
my title is the
patron saint of mountain zeal,
all 138 pounds.
i had to pass a drug test
to get in the gates
(it was strange to me that
they didn't have doors
but instead these glowing gate
thingy's with song everywhere;
i bouldered a wee bit on the
left pillar of Heaven but
some long-haired dude frowned at
me. he musta been concerned about
liability and my lack of a ground
tampon to absorb my bloody fall
from heaven but i never fall
but they don't know that.
yet.)
supper trippy, but heh,
i faked my way thru the drug test,
so the paychechs are ripping
thru my mailbox faster
than i can spend them.
mike's name
pryed its way onto
my assignment card,
he's like i.d.
# 400 or something
and beside his name is an asterix
that instructs me to pray for him.
i give boss the old patronizing
nod, but f*#k him i don't pray for nowone.
by the way how can employers force upon me
religious intentions?
any lawyers around here want
part of this?
(there seems to be tons of money in this company)
no offense mike.
i believe prayers they are offensive.
It's good to hear you got your In n' Out. There's still the taco truck convoy anytime you're in the mood.
You look and sound as if you are in good hands.
Don't get constipated, B.M. and to keep from that, stay active as you can and try to wear yurself out & then sleep like a bear. And SO GLAD someone cared enough to get you a bed that fits your frame!
+1 for that guy and his family, too!
"You are the bug under the Mike-o-scope. All eyes are now on YOU! How's that make you feel?" asked the papparazzo.
I must add. . . the best part . . . in every single one of the photos of you, here at TheTacoStand, you're going for proverbial greatness. . . whether you're washin' frikken windows, schralpin' the gnar, or struggling to get out of bed. . . you've got a gift, BigMike. . . for gettin' 'er done!
Bump and a thank you Mike, for having a such a productive, and at the same time, a laid back trip climbing with Big Mike. I've met few climbers who were as easy to get along with as him.
Had a long phone call with Mike the other night and his enthusiasm for recovery was infectious. I wish I had the support network he has now, seven years ago when I ended up in a wheel chair for 6 months. Your doing great Mike !
Also VERY glad to hear he is still going to be able to run his business from GF Strong rehab.
OK, I just spoke with Sandra (Mike's partner), and here is your Saturday noon update.
Mike didn't sleep well last night, and needs to rest today (Saturday, March 2nd). Sleep and rest are the best way for him to heal. Please don't visit Mike today unless you're certain you should be. If you're not sure whether you should visit today, call the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre at http://www.vch.ca/403/7676/?program_id=11570 or (604) 875-4992, before going, to check whether it's a good idea. (Mike Cowper aka Big Mike aka Mig Bike.)
Sandra will be in Vancouver all day Sunday, and today is in Whistler, both for work and looking after Mike's business, and everything else. In other words, she's BUSY. You can call her on Sunday if you'd like to visit then: (604) 967-1277.
(Sandra is having problems logging on to ST, not that she needs more vexation at the moment. She asked that I post this - hope I got it right.)
As an aside, I met Stewart Blusson,. the man who is sponsoring the unit Mike is in right now in January at my Stepfathers memorial service. He is a very smart guy and an adventurer too, not just a philathropist
Stewart Lynn "Stu" Blusson, OC (born 1939) is a multimillionaire and philanthropist. He co-discovered billion-dollar Ekati Diamond Mine, 300 kilometres from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. He is President of Archon Minerals Ltd. In 2002, Blusson donated key start-up funds necessary for Quest University Canada in Squamish, British Columbia. In 2006, Blusson donated $10 million for the Archon X PRIZE to develop a quick and inexpensive way to sequence the human genome. Blusson had a net worth of $660 million CDN in 2006
After school, he joined the federal Geological Survey of Canada, leading regional geological mapping and research programs in the central Yukon and parts of British Columbia. During that time he survived a serious helicopter crash and a Grizzly bear attack. In 1969, Chuck Fipke, a geologist, needed to be rescued from the side of a mountain where he had been stranded for close to a week. Blusson was the helicopter pilot that saved him. From this first encounter, Fipke and Blusson became friends and prospecting partners.
He left the Geological Survey in 1979 to explore the modes of formation of mineral deposits from Mexico to the Arctic. He discovered a number of important occurrences of gold, copper and other metals.
Blusson married his wife, Marilyn, in 1980.
In 1981, he and Fipke began searching for diamonds in the Northwest Territories, concentrating their search on indicator minerals commonly associated with kimberlite, a host rock for diamond. They found kimberlitic indicator minerals near Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories in 1985, and their first kimberlite at Point Lake in 1991.
In 1998, Ekati opened, a joint venture between BHP Diamonds Inc. (51%), Dia Met Minerals (29%), Fipke (10%), and Blusson (10%). Blusson's net worth in 2002 was estimated to be $295 million (US).
In 2004, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada and was presented with the Logan Medal, Geological Association of Canada's highest honour. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.[2]
Mike - All I got for pictures the other day was this:
Famous magazine editor and his faithful side kick fashion the latest in "Gay Pro" technology.
Credit: Bruce Kay
About half way down the "Wahooo!" powder suddenly changed to "Whoa - fuk!" breakable sun crust.
Credit: Bruce Kay
So you're not missing much. Right now GF's northshore powder stash is dying a quick death and it isn't a whole lot better up in your home territory. Sorry about the uninspiring back country mission but at the risk of giving you an uncontrollable hard on in front of your physio I thougfht you'd enjoy this:
oh yeah baby - the machine of your dreams, Tundra 200, all one cylinder of raw throbbing shrelpin' power. Oh sure you gotta be a bit retro to really appreciate it but.... what the hell else are you doing on ST if you're not retro????
I'll give everyone the address for GF Strong once his transfer date,etc has been finalized. (still can't post cuz ST won't allow me to Sign Out of Mike's account on our laptop at home!)
Thanks everyone, Sandra
unless of course Mike beats me to it as he'll really know exactly when he's going since i'll be back and forth between Whistler and Vancouver working/living/helping Mike.
Cheers,
Sandra :)
Big hugs to ALLLLLL of YOU on here. You guys have been incredible and I can't thank you enough. Absolutely amazing.
The free Canadian surgery, eh? Once home, they only made me pay for my crutches.
Ahh, the ol' Pharmasave rental crutches, right? That takes me back. ("How many armpits do you suppose these have been in? I'll, uh, 'let' my brother's face investigate.")
Mike, I don't know you personally, but I too am a vertically-gifted, Vancouver-area Topoan. Hope you're doing well and getting well-er. We alien long-bodies can't afford to lose one of our kin.
Edit: Muchos Kudos to you as well, Sandra. It sounds like a much-deserved rest should be in your future.
Just off the mountain at Bridger Bowl....conditions weren't ideal but supposed to be good snow tonight. At my age I don't shred so much as I rip and tear.
For Mike, top of Pierre's Knob, Bridger Bowl, Bozeman
Credit: SCseagoat
Remi is an avalanche dog that is back to work after beating cancer...all good returns to the mountains
Remi back to work
Credit: SCseagoat
Ferretlegger shreds free heeling style at Bridger
Ferret dropping
Credit: SCseagoat
Favorite gully
Nice but want new snow
Credit: SCseagoat
Your stoke is infectious....now hopefully some rest for ya!
Great post Mike, sleep well tonight. Great to see how far you have came already, looking forward to your further progression. One day at a time, some days will be hard but they always end & you will have a new day to face with more strength & knowledge than the previous.
Borrowing from what Sandra posted on Facebook, Mike is probably moving to G.F. Strong on Monday, to start rehabilitation - so Monday, or whatever day he does move, may also not be a good day for visits. From experience with another friend, I'd guess he'll be at GFS for several weeks to several months, and will need lots of company and help during that time. In other words, we all need to pace ourselves.
Hmmm... Had no idea that my account hadn't been deactivated. Strange.
Yeah, we had adjoining offices when the GSC was in the Sun Tower in Vancouver years and years ago. We went in different directions: he left the GSC and went off to find diamonds; I stayed with the GSC to keep working in the Coast Mountains, my home turf.
Stu is a really, really nice and gentle person. Good amateur baseball player: apparently back in his university days he was good enough to get a try-out with the Detroit Tigers.
No energy for a proper post tonight, but I think I have the meds under control now. Everyone here rocks so hard! Susan you opened up the waterworks with that one!!!!!! Rest day today. Maybe tomorrow to. Been working too hard with not enough meds!!
Hey Sandra, if you need to get something to Mike, I travel from Squamish to Van each day, I'll happily deliver anything you require to make your life easier. Dunno if that helps at all...
Mike
since you were sawing logs on my visit last monday i will drop by after a dim sum work session tomorrow pm -so many thanks to MH for the post up on schedules -he checked out but couldn't quite leave.....
It's a totally gorgeous day down here across the border, and I'll be spending it chained to this keyboard, so someone else will have to have fun for you today.
Good luck with the move tomorrow -- it'll probably wipe you out, but at least you'll be in the right place to take the next steps on your journey back the crags and hills.
Here's something to remind you of what's waiting for you next winter.
YEah, it's gorjuss sunshine here too David. Sorry you have a writers job.
I'm NOT gonna write today. Well...........TRY not to ( and I hope Miss Ives isn't reading this ) There's a big garden out back with some trees that need prunin' and some general tidying up to do in anticipation of the next new moon when we can get plantin' again. Whooooo hoo hoo !!! The kitties are also massively syked for the sunshiney back yard !
Hope to see Sandra Tues or Weds here at the farm.
Have fun in the pool. There was a sort-of climbing wall ( a really ugly pool side thingie ) that was made by the company I used to work for. If it's still there then yey for you.
I suffered through the night on Friday with absolutely no sleep. My shoulder and back muscles were all seizing up, just as Jeebs predicted. My night nurse Tyler decided we should up the oxy to try and get things under control, but nothing helped. I begged him to put me in the shower to help loosen my muscles but he couldn't do it because it would be far to noisy for the other residents in the ward.
At about 3:30am I asked Tyler to put me in my wheelchair because the pain of just lying in bed was simply too much to handle. I wheeled around for a bit for a change of scenery and when I got bored I went back to my room to zone out on some tube.
I got him to help me back into bed around 5 when I just couldn't hack the chair anymore. I asked him what the earliest time was I could get into the shower get some hot water therapy going. He told me he would get me in just before shift change at seven. I was relieved to hear that I would be able to heat my aching muscles and get back into bed before things got too crazy in the ward to sleep.
He got everything ready and at 6:45 realized he would have to re-dress my wound before he got me in there and simply didn't have enough time to do it before he left for the day. He advised the next shift of the plan, and told me they would come get me at 7.
It didn't happen. I called a nurse at 7:15 and they told me they would do their best to get me into the glorious hot water ASAP. After watching another patient walk to the shower and waiting till 8:30 I called them again crying from the pain and told them I really needed to get in there.
They finally got me in the shower at 9 and I stayed in the amazingly healing waters until 10:30. When I got out I had flooded half the floor and the hallway to boot. Needless to say, I wasn't very popular with my new nurse. ;) I went back to bed and slept a much needed four hours before they woke me up for my X-ray.
hey there, say, big mike...
wow, outside!! so wonderful to see you outside!!...
keep climbing this ol' trail, day at a time...
enjoy each meadow, :)
did you get my card, from tami?
Neebs, you rock! Tami didn't mention a card so I'm assuming she hasn't received it yet?
The trail is getting ascended don't you worry. One foot in front of the other, eventually.
Wow Mike! Looking like you had another really productive day. Hopefully you didn't get too soaked when you went out today. Or maybe the pineapple express was just what the doctor ordered?
Hey I put up a quick Bishop TR for you to look through Mike. I know you love the Eastside life!
Ya I stayed under cover.... ;) didn't stay out too long. It's nice out today so we should go cruising!!!! A tr just for me?? You?? I'm flattered ;) didn't get a chance yet, yesterday I was a write off, but you know I will!!!
i understand that mike has
been relocated.
please impart unto us a new
address so's we can
send our friend on the mend,
some inspiring goodies.
Sent ya a pm weege. I move tomorrow so the new addy will be formalized then. I will post er' up!!
i just took a new position
for some company called, Heaven.
my title is the
patron saint of mountain zeal,
all 138 pounds.
i had to pass a drug test
to get in the gates
(it was strange to me that
they didn't have doors
but instead these glowing gate
thingy's with song everywhere;
i bouldered a wee bit on the
left pillar of Heaven but
some long-haired dude frowned at
me. he musta been concerned about
liability and my lack of a ground
tampon to absorb my bloody fall
from heaven but i never fall
but they don't know that.
yet.)
supper trippy, but heh,
i faked my way thru the drug test,
so the paychechs are ripping
thru my mailbox faster
than i can spend them.
mike's name
pryed its way onto
my assignment card,
he's like i.d.
# 400 or something
and beside his name is an asterix
that instructs me to pray for him.
i give boss the old patronizing
nod, but f*#k him i don't pray for nowone.
by the way how can employers force upon me
religious intentions?
any lawyers around here want
part of this?
(there seems to be tons of money in this company)
no offense mike.
i believe prayers they are offensive.
I quoted all this because I love your writing dude. Thanks, much appreciated. As far as the last stanza goes, you are a man after my own heart sir!!
Don't get constipated, B.M. and to keep from that, stay active as you can and try to wear yurself out & then sleep like a bear. And SO GLAD someone cared enough to get you a bed that fits your frame!
+1 for that guy and his family, too!
I'm trying not to Mouse, these oxy aren't making it easy tho. Tom is a life saver for sure, he called ahead to make sure they have that sorted at GF Strong also!!
"You are the bug under the Mike-o-scope. All eyes are now on YOU! How's that make you feel?" asked the papparazzo.
LOL!! Pretty mellow really, super stoked you guys all got my back. My life is an open book, because my policy is to do no harm.
How big is it?
It's ten kind of bitchen that Her Majesty and I are in it!
I dunno? 16x20?? Harry said he trolled the Internet looking for all your pics!! So much work went into it!!! I don't even know what you look like Ekat! I tried to snoop on Facebook but no access to your photos. I'm assuming you are on the bottom left????
I must add. . . the best part . . . in every single one of the photos of you, here at TheTacoStand, you're going for proverbial greatness. . . whether you're washin' frikken windows, schralpin' the gnar, or struggling to get out of bed. . . you've got a gift, BigMike. . . for gettin' 'er done!
True, but I don't take pics of me doing lame stuff... ;)
Thanks Michelle!!
keep stoked
You're helping eastside!!
Keep on keepin' on.
Thanks PTPP I am, every day.
Now that you're temporarily moving about on two wheels, shouldn't you be called Mig Bike?
Should I change my supertopo name?? ;)
I don't think It will stop from doing what you love either.
Hell No!!
Nice work Tri-Pod!!!!
Thanks Justin!! I'm trying!
Bump and a thank you Mike, for having a such a productive, and at the same time, a laid back trip climbing with Big Mike. I've met few climbers who were as easy to get along with as him.
Thank you Bruce. Wouldn't have happened without you dude. I had a good idea what the trip would entail when we went down, and wasn't disappointed, just listened to haters too much!
Sorry about the uninspiring back country mission but at the risk of giving you an uncontrollable hard on in front of your physio I thougfht you'd enjoy this:
LOL!!! Too funny Bruce!! That thing is a workhorse for sure!!! Nice work!!!! Any day out is a million times better than one in here!! ;)
Mike, I don't know you personally, but I too am a vertically-gifted, Vancouver-area Topoan. Hope you're doing well and getting well-er. We alien long-bodies can't afford to lose one of our kin.
Thanks Lou!!! Apparently you're a tall guy too eh? Everything improves daily, so I'm continually stoked with my progression.
Susan- that picture rocks!! I cried tears of joy when I saw it this morning. Thanks!! Sandra thanks you for your kind pm also!!
One day at a time, some days will be hard but they always end & you will have a new day to face with more strength & knowledge than the previous.
True that bro! Thanks for the blessing, finally had a good sleep last night!!!! Lots of oxy helps too!
Hmmm... Had no idea that my account hadn't been deactivated. Strange.
Lol Anders!! Chris couldn't delete you altogether!!! He knew you would return eventually ;)
Right about this time yesterday I had just got out of x-rays, after a sweet four hour nap.
It was then I realized that my room has an amazing view!!
Beauty is everywhere
My parents came and brought me a late lunch, and some goodies. Some nice cheese and crackers, and all sorts of good stuff. We had a great chat, and it was quite nice to see them.
i've appreciated your stoke and contribution to this joint, Big Mike.
Thanks nah000! It's always nice when someone tells you they appreciate your efforts.
That is great that warm water helps the pain. Not so good that you can't get it when you need it. Did they offer to heat up a pad in the microwave to use like a hot water bottle?
Any suggestions for food you would like brought in?
The day ended smoothly because we decided to up my pain meds to the maximum the doctor had allowed. I'm having these weird lucid dreams now. Especially when I'm alone, I'll hear a voice and turn my head, but nothing is there. Then i'll zone out just for a sec, think I'm climbing something only to snap out of if and realize I'm still in my bed.
Tyler gave me some more oxy at about 9 and 9:30 I was out like a light. He woke me every three hours for my meds, but I still managed almost 8 hours of cumulative sleep!! Finally. I told him about this thread and asked him if he would mind me taking a pic. He was stoked.
My nurse Tyler
Then I cruised around for some dawn pics.
The moon
This ones from my room. Probably one of the nicest in the whole joint.
Same shot, more light
Pink
Pano
Really pink
Loving the light playing off the buildings.
Bird
Amazing sunrise..
Power chair charging room
Golden hospital wing
Too many bird poop windows here.... Need a contractor? ;)
Rolled out for some fresh air..
Just about to ship me outta here! STOKED!!!! More later..,
Good luck with the move tomorrow -- it'll probably wipe you out, but at least you'll be in the right place to take the next steps on your journey back the crags and hills.
Been pretty mellow so far. They're late, so all packed up and just sitting here.
Nice shot Dave. Thanks!
Ya eastside! Any sled is better than none! Mine's almost ready, it's just not setup quite right yet.
This is I think where Bmacd got his Sasquatch DNA sample.
I've been wondering when you would pull that shot outta the bag.. ;) I was having fun with J..
Have fun in the pool. There was a sort-of climbing wall ( a really ugly pool side thingie ) that was made by the company I used to work for. If it's still there then yey for you.
I'm stoked for the pool Tami! Swimming is my rehab solution!! I love swimming and it's a great way to stretch out! Hope the wall is still there too.
Sick shot Dave! Thanks!
Keep at it Mike. Hope to see you at the tower or in the needles some time soon.
Me too bud! They both look awesome!!!
. . . I'm the one in purple. . . standing next to Her Majesty, the bus that makes people smile. (she's in purple, too!)
:-)
Had a feeling that was you! My patents had a 78' volks kinda like that one. It was a pop top and we would camp everywhere in it. She was orange tho. I begged them not to sell her!! They traded her for nothing to a ford dealer and bought a Aerostar. Booooooo!!!'
I think Harry is on to something here. Did they check you to see if you had been darted? Could be why you crashed. :-)
Damn that's why!!!! ;) Darn Sasquatch hunters!!
That is great that warm water helps the pain. Not so good that you can't get it when you need it. Did they offer to heat up a pad in the microwave to use like a hot water bottle?
warm Blanket was the only option, doesn't cut the mustard tho. It was muscle pain from the muscles in my upper back and shoulders from compensating, working my butt off, and not enough meds.
Any suggestions for food you would like brought in?
Mmm food ;) Thai? Indian? Chinese? Pizza? Anything with meat would be awesome. Sandra keeps getting veggie stuff because that's what she likes. Sandwich meat is the closest thing I've had to the real deal..
Don't let the action about change of venue get in the way of keeping it cool
It was all good till the transport didn't show up and then they kicked me out of my room. Now sitting in my chair in the "patience" lounge.
Good morning, Big Mike!
Thanks QINTL
The little things like light and shadows outside kept me psyched.
You know it Mucci!!
You will Crush AGAIN!!
Thanks man, I know I will. The admissions doc from gfs stopped by this morning and said she would be my doctor when she got back from her leave in April. My goal is not to be there by then. We'll see..
Hope you feel better and get more sleep and less pain soon.
I have had 8 hours of interrupted sleep each of the last two nights. It's been amazing! More drugs and a nightly shower has been the key. Can't wait for a full 8! It will be heaven!!!
Hey Big Mike...hope your trip was smooth. Somehow I envision speed bumps and potholes and the patients being jumbled....the kind of stuff that in the moment you want to shoot somebody (well maybe not in Canada) but becomes the epic stories of "survival" down the road. And may your road to wellness grow shorter each day!
Lots of healing vibes headed yours and Sandra's way!!!
Had 9 new inches of powder today at Bridger...nice and cold 9 degrees this morning.
They are there, yes they are, they will show up once I point them downhill!
Just point 'em down and they will reappear.
Credit: SCseagoat
Your pics of Vancouver are lovely. I'd forgotten how pretty a city it is.
Give those physical therapists a run for their money!
Yeah Big Mike, love that positive outlook. In honor of your progression me n' Luke r gonna go do an apron lap right now for u- i'll try to report live a la' Big Mike if possible.
I don't know you but I'm a snowboarder and have snowboarded up there and we're fellow posters (or imposters). I'm kinda late to the party and don't want to crash it! but get better - looks like you've got lots of friends for good cheers!
Too bad they moved you. I was going to suggest you head down to the maternity ward and have a good daily hot soak in their water-birthing tubs. Hopefully they'll have something similar at GFS.
Here's a couple of pics from today to feed your fire. Wallowing in the mud until my hands were cramping and feet were freezing. It's right beside Triage Arete above the Bluffs parking lot. Maybe the name should compliment the medical context of it's neighbor? How about Rehabilitation Route?
Weapons of Moss Destruction
Credit: Scrubber
You can tell I'm just starting, because I don't look loke I've been run over by a truck yet.
Credit: Scrubber
Crack cleaner's best friend
Credit: Scrubber
This is the last thing the shrubs and roots see. Kind of fitting it's an old Stubai FKW. I like to think the plants are saying "Oh Fuk! It's KW!"
We haven't heard from the Live TR inside of a Live TR team at all in 40 minutes. They are probably close to death. There are rumors one or more of the climbers may have dropped their hand jammies. Aislinn, start up the Apron trail and start the rescue now.
Hamish F should post his St Vitus / Vector solo story. I'll mess it up for him here & give Big Mike somethin' to laff at.
Peter 'n' Hamish headed up to solo Vector. This was, ohhh, a long time ago when Hamish was about 16 years old or so. On the treed ledge, Peter disturbed a ground-wasp nest............he escaped being stung but Hamish wasn't so lucky. One of the stings was right on the lid of an eye.
Up they went, not wanting to go back down through that nightmare.
By the time they were at the top cracks, Hamish's eye was swollen shut. It looked like a big white peach had been jammed in his eye socket. EPIC !!!!! But of course they finished the climb ( we know they did c'os they both post to this forum.........) . Yey !!!
I think Hamish did post that story, Tami, along with several other stories that make a person wonder how he survived to eventually start a whole new string of mountain bike injuries.
Yesterday I woke up at 5:30 to my screaming, biting, delusional neighbour trying to tell her nurses that they were hurting her while cleaning up the results of the night. I feel really sorry for her because she looks horrible like she had a fight with about ten sets of stairs, and I wouldn't want to be woke every two hours for tests and pills etc..
The wake up call is a little earlier than I would like. I have a feeling here it will be a bit mellower.
Then I went to the fridge to get the two cheese blocks my parents had given me when they visited the other night. Unfortunately they had disappeared. I wasn't very happy about this revelation.. First my slippers then my cheese.
I had several staff members who were kind enough to root through the contents, but they had simply disappeared. Needless to say I was somewhat disappointed, but karma will get those thieves
Just before lunch, Sandra and Relic stopped by and I was stoked to see them! After eating my lovely turkey wrap that my beautiful girlfriend picked up for me, Tash and Anders also made an appearance, and we headed out to the park.
Sandra and I.
Relic photo
The gang at the park.
Relic, Anders, Tash and Sandra
We found a nice passerby to take a group shot for us, her son joined the group photo
Anders was up to his old tricks chasing pussy again....
So yes, we survived Mike. We did a st vitus simul in your honor tonight & spray painted your name on memorial ledge. I hope this will help with your rehab. We had aspirations of a summit bid & rollering your handle across the ravens nest slabs, but fear of samsquantch in the forest above memorial crack had us scared & running for the death line which we rapped for the too manieth time before belaying each other while crying down the slabs to Luke's for a nice beer. Hope u have a good day today!
Big Mike, dude. just checked into ST and saw this thread. Holy smokes. As many others have said, but can't be said enough, you're spirit is super inspiring. And, wonderful to see all the support you are getting from afar and near. Will be checking back in to see updates. you rock.
String of mountain bike injuries? Last year I squeezed in well over 400 hours of that great sport and only cracked a couple of ribs.
Hardly a string... In my mind anyway.
More importantly, glad to hear you're improving mike and I will make it down for a visit as soon as my full body anti hospital germ suit is back from the cleaners.
GOOD MORNING Mike !!!! A terrible thing to hear that yer cheese was pilfered. I can't imagine anybody stealin' yer slippers tho' - who has feet that big???? :-)
Might see Sandra tonight if she needs a place to crash !!!
Then I went to the fridge to get the two cheese blocks my parents had given me when they visited the other night. Unfortunately they had disappeared. I wasn't very happy about this revelation.. First my slippers then my cheese
wow, sadly, that's pretty terrible... you are trusting this place with your health, as well, :O
say, you need to have sandra get you a lock-up to lock to your bed, :)
for you stuff... you should not be left unable to fend for yourself, in some way, :(
oh my... a gift of some bits of cheese from your beloved folks, :(
how sad...
well, i need an address, had the bit of good cheer to send you and don't know where... hope an address shows up soon, as, there is bad weather coming, and i may miss the 'drive to mail it' gap, :))
happy good day, may nice slippers come your way, :)
perhaps sadra can find you some, hee hee:
remember PUT an alarm on them, ;)
Could someone discreetly let Anders know that teal-n-purple outdoor wear went out in, oh, about 1995.
Hang tough BigMike. And make that kid bring you a Frosty if he's gonna force that Wendy's crap on ya.
Maybe the nurses stole the cheese when they heard you in the terlet trying to squeeze one out the other day. Probably thought that was the last thing you needed, more plug in the piping.
I went to 21 on the front foot and 15 on the back foot. Notice a little difference I suppose. We've had 10" in the last 24 hours so it was a good day to get out.
Nice Nature that's much better, I see you have went with the Euro racer stance as Big Mike does (both bindings angled the same direction) this is gonna be great for aggressive carving but for jumping & riding fakie it may feel strange at first. I ride more of a duck stance( bindings angled away from each other) because its easier on my knees, riding fakie is more fun & I feel more square & solid on my board. Personal feeling rules all here & there's no better or worse way to do it, don't be scared to keep tweaking it until one day it just feels awesome. Cool you guys are getting some pow still.
Since when is splitz only $4 relic?? Calling BS here methinks. I'm sure Mike could care less how much a burger costs right now anyway! Nomnomnomnom.
I don't think a Splitz burger has ever been $4. Closer to $10 once you add bacon, cheese, and guocamole. But worth every penny! Oops, I mean nickle.
I might be down again on Sunday. Let me know if that would be a good day to pop by. I can also bring anything that needs shuttling down from up this-a-way. I'll be in Whistler on Saturday, so could bring stuff from there too.
Good to talk to you on the phone today Mike, and share my weekend adventures with you. Talked to my big wall trainer/partner today about that big wall, looks like we will be heading out to the Valley in April or May for Skull Queen, depending on the weather and when we can get the time. Stoked!
I'm with Ryan D , I ride slighlty "duck" a few deg. on my back foot way better imo, maybe a little wider stance as well. Happy gey tray!!! But hey I also ski so what the f*#k do I know!!!! keep on keeping on big mike,cheers
Are you kidding me, Tami the best burgers in Vancouver were from Harryhotdogs. Although that became my nickname I sold mostly homemade burgers and bavarian smokies. Vera's is also run like a dysfunctional teenager as opposed to a well oiled machine. Expect waits of 45 minutes or more at busy times.
dang, just noticed this thread for the first time. have only read the first page so far, but felt compelled to say something. must say that it came as a bit of a shock. but it sounds like you are in good hands and will pull through this, shinning a little brighter and brighter with each passing day. and my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Wishing you the best. A sheared vertebrae is not the end of the world. I sheared my T12 about 8 years ago in a head-first fall to the ground. Am turning 70 in a month and will be celebrating climbing for 50 years this summer. May you have an equally long and rewarding climbing life ahead of you.
I'm more about big carving and downhill speed than jumping (too old) or riding fakie (never seem coordinated enough).
I am noticing my front side to back side turn is quick and snappy. but backside to front side... not so good. I'll keep tweaking the angles and maybe that'll fix itself.
All this snow just in time for me to head to Costa Rica.... ah well.... someone has to do it.
Woke up to the rooster next door again monday morning. Luckily I passed out at 9:30pm the previous night. Another 8 hour interrupted (for my oxy every 3 hours) of course, but I felt lots better after a second night of decent sleep.
Got a couple decent shots while I ate my leftover pizza Sandra had provided last night. She did a lot for me yesterday and I can't thank her enough. Thanks Babe!!
Hello dawn...
Golden buildings
Tony my medical transport was super busy today. He said he normally does ten trips a day, and he had already accomplished that before noon!!
My transport
Ask Tony!
Gf Stong
I made it here ok, but as I was late, things were very busy and I wasn't able to get my oxy until 4:30 which was hour and a half later than my schedule. So I've been chasing the dragon again all night, but I did manage some sleep.
HerMajesty - the bus that makes people smile!
Credit: eKat
LOL you got this thing loaded in the back eh?? ;)
Your pics of Vancouver are lovely. I'd forgotten how pretty a city it is.
Give those physical therapists a run for their money!
Heck ya Susan! Who knew such beauty could exist within view from a hospital!
I intend to work my butt off here, when they'll let me!! I might start going to the gym when people visit as anders suggested so I can get more in!
Hope your move goes smoothly, and that they have big tubs full of piping hot water for ya, mate!
Thanks Pete! I'm well on my way to showing them I can be independent in a chair, so when they see that I can, the shower and tub will be at my disposal whenever I want.
It makes me glad that you can see the Mountains from your window.
Me too Skully. Not here at gfs though. That's ok. More motivation for me to work my butt off and get out of here!
GF Strong room 228 Nate!!
Some friends came down from whistler yesterday to wish me well at my new digs.
Bones, Christina, Sloane, Rick and Heather
Tash and Ryan also made it out and she helped me get everything put away.
Had a quick visit with my Surgeon before I left VGH and he gave me these:
My lower spine, rear.
My lower spine, left
Anders sent me some pics last night also.
GF Strong sign
Anders photo
Pre interior decoration
Anders photo
Post Anders magic..
Anders photo
Editing pics on my phone again.
Anders Photo
Thanks Anders!!
I know I'm behind, I'm gonna try and catch up here before i fall asleep.
I've got you beat in the metal-inside-the-body department. I've got so much that I think I could do
an advance deal to sell my body to a scrap metal dealer when I die.
I never know whether I should be thankful for modern medicine for saving my life, or pissed that
I needed it in the first place.
Have they given you any kind of rehab program yet?
Holy frig. Why do I feel pukey everytime I see Xrays of screws in guys' bones? I thought my ankle X-ray looked bad, but man - look at the size of those screws right in the middle of your back!
So what's the story with your back exactly? It looks like the screws are inserted into the two "good" bones above and below the "busted" bone, is that right? The one in the middle is the busted one? How busted is the busted bone? What has to happen back there before you're well again, and how do you assist in the healing process? Is there any nerve or spinal cord damage?
Look on Facebook at Ammon's photos of his busted up knee - it looks like a barbed wire nightmare from WWI trenches.
My bone doc told me that the plates and screws could stay in my leg for life if they didn't bother me. Getting my ankle inside my ski boot the next season was out of the question, but my ankle didn't feel strong enough to ski anyway. So the next spring, about a year after the break, I asked that the metal be removed. I didn't like the feeling of metal nuts right under my skin. So out they came, although I still didn't feel motivated to downhill ski that follwoing winter, either.
However I did go caving in Kentucky for a 24-hour trip only about three months after the break, with my leg still in the cast as backup and one crutch crutching down the muddy cave passage for several miles.
And only four months after the break, with all the hardware still in, I climbed El Cap via Son of Heart. Slowly, but we still sent. I wore the cast on the approach. And a crutch makes a pretty good cheat stick on the wall, you know.
Will you have the option of removing those plates and screws at some point, or are they there for life?
Man, did you see all those staples in the X-rays? There's a giant S-bend right down the middle of your back! Couldn't your surgeon even cut and staple a straight line?! {wink}
In honor of your progression me n' Luke r gonna go do an apron lap right now for u- i'll try to report live a la' Big Mike if possible.
Youz guys are crazy!! I love it!! ;)
I'm kinda late to the party and don't want to crash it! but get better - looks like you've got lots of friends for good cheers!
Thanks Mchale's. No Crashin' here (well, maybe me....) ;) Everyone is more than welcome. They say you find out who your real friends are when you end up flat on your back, well if that's true that I am certainly one lucky guy!! The support has been otherworldly!!!
just looking for the new address...
Ok Neebs and everyone else here is the official address
Rm 228
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
4255 Laurel Street
Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 2G9
It' right beside Triage Arete above the Bluffs parking lot. Maybe the name should compliment the medical context of it's neighbor? How about Rehabilitation Route?
Wow. Too cool Chris! Sounds like an honour!!
I like to think the plants are saying "Oh Fuk! It's KW!"
LOL thanks for the laugh ;)
Haha this isn't working at all
Worked good enough to get me laughing and stoked! Thanks. Still can't believe you guys would rather walk off in the dark then take the south gully raps. ;)
Can't remember what it is but maybe Scrubber could work at night and RyanD and Luke climb in the day?
Hahahaha Lol they are training for an undertaking witch these night skills will come in very handy!!
As for Scrubber i'm sure he knows you can't take decent pics at night ;)
So yes, we survived Mike. We did a st vitus simul in your honor tonight & spray painted your name on memorial ledge. I hope this will help with your rehab.
What's really funny is my friends who are following my progress here keep asking me if these outrageous statements are true ;)
We had aspirations of a summit bid & rollering your handle across the ravens nest slabs, but fear of samsquantch in the forest above memorial crack had us scared & running for the death line which we rapped for the too manieth time before belaying each other while crying down the slabs to Luke's for a nice beer. Hope u have a good day today!
LOL Luke said that the fixed line was the crux. Please don't go killing yourself on mank like that.. It's the last thing I need right now. :) oh and no more crappy belays pls. Do it for me.
Here are some flowers. . . from high atop the drumlin in the deep northwoods. . . I hope they cheer you up!
Cool colors Ekat! Thanks.
Big Mike, dude. just checked into ST and saw this thread. Holy smokes. As many others have said, but can't be said enough, you're spirit is super inspiring. And, wonderful to see all the support you are getting from afar and near. Will be checking back in to see updates. you rock.
Thanks Cowpoke. What else can I do right?? It's certainly helped my outlook on the future and I firmly believe it's why I am doing so well with my recovery. I've said it before and ill say it again,
THE TACO ROCKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!!!!!
My girlfriend, friends and family have helped immensely also!
More importantly, glad to hear you're improving mike and I will make it down for a visit as soon as my full body anti hospital germ suit is back from the cleaners.
LOL No need Hamish. Everyone here is fighting to get back to normal with their injuries like me. If you get sick, they ship you back to VGH. Plus if its nice out we can go for a stroll. It will be awesome to see you!!
I only needed it BEFORE Mike's first hospital shower ! ! !
Ya it was getting pretty nasty. Stoked on being more independent now, showering every day without hassle will be a luxury! ;)
A terrible thing to hear that yer cheese was pilfered. I can't imagine anybody stealin' yer slippers tho' - who has feet that big???? :-)
Might see Sandra tonight if she needs a place to crash !!!
Ya that's what we thought about the slippers too but they are gone?? Can't see them getting tossed? They were really nice..
Sandra is coming down tomorrow and will be needing a place tomorrow night me thinks. Thanks so much for the offer!
Will send some little token via snail mail to help the healing vibe. Rest up, kid.
Phyl
Aww thanks Phyl! This place is really setup for re-hab. They are pushing me to be more independent too so I'm stoked about that.
"Hey, Mike - it's great to see you oot and aboot, EH?! EH??!!"
LOL.. Thx Pete.. Wanna go climb a raaawt?? ;)
wow, sadly, that's pretty terrible... you are trusting this place with your health, as well, :O
Ya. Glad to be out of there. Hospitals are never the best place to hang.
remember PUT an alarm on them, ;)
Anyone wanna buy me a car alarm for my slippers?? ;) LOL!!
ANd I received neebee's card today. Will get it to ya Mike here in the future soon.
Love the pix of Anders and the pussy :-D hahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!1
Vera's sounds good!! ;) I am stoked to receive Neebs art!! I liked that shot too Tami. Tabby was wandering around so naturally anders went to say hi. He picked him up once and brought him over but jumped off before I could take the shot. I told him that I would love a pic so he went and got him again but had to hold him a bit tighter this time to get that result. If you look at the expression on kittie's face he is saying "let me outta here you purple troll!!"
LOL
I'll come up there and smack the person that pilfers what I send! Lol, got yarn today. It's PINK!!!!!!!! JK.
I would love to see that Michelle ;) Pink eh? And yellow too right?? :)
When I'm off Friday i'll pick you up a naan butter chicken wrap!
You should give us some visiting hours and address info dude!
Mmm butter chicken! Is that splitz??
Just did address, visiting hours are supposed to be 4-8pm ish but I get 45 for lunch at noon. My schedule isn't exactly set yet either so call me (6o4)9o2-49oo to see what I'm up to in the afternoons.
Wait, ya mean he isn't climbing yet?
Yes! I am! In and out of bed, which is a major feat for a guy who could barely move his feet a week ago. Yes I need a chair but I was practicing standing up from the bed a little today and getting my quads going. I was making good progress, standing up until my hands were at full extension on the bed.
So things are improving rapidly. I can't wait to get on those bars again!!!
Could someone discreetly let Anders know that teal-n-purple outdoor wear went out in, oh, about 1995.
He knows! But does he care? Nah! A man after my own heart.. ;)
Hang tough BigMike. And make that kid bring you a Frosty if he's gonna force that Wendy's crap on ya.
Maybe the nurses stole the cheese when they heard you in the terlet trying to squeeze one out the other day. Probably thought that was the last thing you needed, more plug in the piping.
Maybe one did. I'm over it. Had my best BM so far today too, and they finally got my off the OxyContin onto some long acting stuff. Yay!!
Heal fast BigMike!
Thanks Munge!!
I went to 21 on the front foot and 15 on the back foot. Notice a little difference I suppose. We've had 10" in the last 24 hours so it was a good day to get out.
Nice Naitch!! The trick is to play with them until you find a sweet spot. Tough to do on a pow day, I know. 10" eh? Sweet!!
Since when is splitz only $4 relic?? Calling BS here methinks. I'm sure Mike could care less how much a burger costs right now anyway! Nomnomnomnom.
Probably a Vancouver lunch special with no cheese or bacon I'm guessing?? Relic? Mmm splitz burger with the works and onion rings!!!
Wassup Baconator Haters.
If it had lettuce and tomato I'd be down. Something about all that just meat and cheese don't sit right. I usually grab a big bacon classic.. And a couple jr's
Thanks for the offer anyways Luke and it was cool to see you today!!
Good to talk to you on the phone today Mike, and share my weekend adventures with you. Talked to my big wall trainer/partner today about that big wall, looks like we will be heading out to the Valley in April or May for Skull Queen, depending on the weather and when we can get the time. Stoked!
Ya for sure dude! Wish I didn't have some didn't have some trainee doc asking me questions when you called. We could have spoke longer. Oh well probably best for your phone bill anyways. Skull Queen eh?? Sick!! Can't wait to see that report!!
Sick shot eastside! Thanks!
Are you kidding me, Tami the best burgers in Vancouver were from Harryhotdogs. Although that became my nickname I sold mostly homemade burgers and bavarian smokies.
Damn! Wish I was around then...
must say that it came as a bit of a shock. but it sounds like you are in good hands and will pull through this, shinning a little brighter and brighter with each passing day. and my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
For me too Splitter!
It is shining brighter each day and I'm stoked! I will survive!
Wishing you the best. A sheared vertebrae is not the end of the world. I sheared my T12 about 8 years ago in a head-first fall to the ground. Am turning 70 in a month and will be celebrating climbing for 50 years this summer. May you have an equally long and rewarding climbing life ahead of you.
Good to hear mad dog, thanks. One day at a time right? I will get there sooner than later if I keep up this pace!
Thanks Grover! Just posted address
Did you Shrink a few inches after the surgery?
LOL maybe.. Unsure? Will have to check that out when I can stand again..
All this snow just in time for me to head to Costa Rica...
Sounds like fun to me!! ;) enjoy!
Thanks Hamie!
Great googlymucci, that's a lotta hardware. Adamantium claws up next?
Heck ya! That would be sick!! ;)
Today was a good day. My nurse was kind enough to wheel me into the shower after a half descent breakfast, then my occupational therapist showed me how to dress myself, use the raised toliet seat by myself and we practiced for the bathtub transfer.
Then I went to physio and they tried a couple different new wheel chairs since the one I'm currently using from vgh has to go back to them.
Harry brought me a dope falafel for lunch and the kid joined us. I had some bladder management class I was supposed to attend but I have that under control already so I skipped it to visit instead.
After they left I wheeled around a bit to check out the facility. Still haven't explored everywhere but it looks pretty sweet so far.
My buddy Terry arranged a visit for the afternoon, and showed up just after Nate did!
Then Tash showed up around 5:30, and I was done. I was in bed already, and tried to have a conversation with her, succeeded for awhile but nearly passed out on her several times. She let me go, because she could see that I clearly needed sleep. I passed out for about three hours, which was good because when my snoring roomate returned, he won the battle, and I'm not even sure how much sleep I got last night. I know I'm tired now.
My nurse came and told me I have nothing on my schedule for the day, which sucks because I just want to get back on the bars so I can practice walking this time. I know I'm strong enough, just get me out there!!
Tell them you want your own personal set of paralell bars in your room. You could do dips all day after your walking practice. You'd be mantleing like a mo-fo in no time! PRESS IT OUT!!!!
Request some monkey bars above your bed too. A friend of mine who broke his femur and pelvis in a nasty grounder came out of the hospital with his upper body stronger than he'd ever been, just from a self imposed workout routine on the bars and rings above his bed.
I've got you beat in the metal-inside-the-body department. I've got so much that I think I could do an advance deal to sell my body to a scrap metal dealer when I die.
Hahaha glad to know I'm not the only magnet bait around here! ;)
I never know whether I should be thankful for modern medicine for saving my life, or pissed that I needed it in the first place.
Happy. Sh#t is unavoidable
Have they given you any kind of rehab program yet?
Not yet. Pt this afternoon at 2 now. Stoked.
Yeah. . . all tools and spare parts you have to carry around in vintage VWs.
OVER IT!
Although. . . I REALLY miss that paint job - it just wouldn't look the same on this thing!
LOL you should do it!! You'd stick out like a sore thumb tho! ;)
So what's the story with your back exactly? It looks like the screws are inserted into the two "good" bones above and below the "busted" bone, is that right? The one in the middle is the busted one? How busted is the busted bone? What has to happen back there before you're well again, and how do you assist in the healing process? Is there any nerve or spinal cord damage?
Ok so l2 is the busted one it fractured so they took a piece out. Then screws in l3 and l4 below, and t11 and t12 above. Everything was fairly minimal but there was a small rip in the spinal cord sheath with some nerve ends popping out (they end around t2 where the damage was) so they had to sew the sheath back up.
Basically it's almost healed, now I just have to rehab all the muscles and wait for the swelling to go down. They are unsure how much sensation will return but I'm hoping most of it will.
Hey Big Mike - we have meet briefly, you were trying to coax Sandra down the rappels on Rambles, she was worried she'd go off the end of the rope :)
Anyway, been reading this thread every day for updates, even found myself thinking about your accident when I was out in Whis on Sunday.
Super unhappy that this happened to you, but your attitude in the rehabilitation is inspiring and of course you will come out of this stronger and more badass than ever!
hey big mike -a big hello to you from the east coast of asia -i did not make it in as planned on sunday -the work lunch i had to attend dragged on till 4 then it was off to a swim meet. Meanwhile i have been following your posts and progress (see photo attached which was taken by a friend who snapped it on the skin track on holyburn where we were waiting for a redezvous with another party. And yes, I'm reading your thread on ST. See you on my return. GF
hey there say, big mike... great to hear all the social fun here for you!
friends, and sharing DO keep the spirit up...
so glad the card got there... canada, as to you, well, YOUR side, is kind of
far from here, in michigan, :))
little gift is also on the way, by way of boston, had to send it to a friend, to send to you, due to being too hard to get the post office wayyy across town, and my regular mailing spots will not send to canada or over seas, any more, :( man oh man, i miss that, :(
might take it a week and half to get there, :O
say:
ksolem most likely know more to this, than me, but:
after any kind of hard muscle workouts, i think? right, kris? the ol'
BODY needs a rest the next day... it's like a skip a day type thing, as to the hard stuff, and the body, as well, WILL soak in brain-wise, what is down and how much etc, and be READY to tackle it again, the next time...
sounds complex, but it does work that way... if you over do, by just
doing it, too long, your body rebells by forcing you to rest whether you
want to or now, :(
so on the 'boring days' unless you do have some low system type stretches or whatever, just enjoy the trail markers, whatever they be:
hopefull fun share, with friends, again:
as they keep the spirits up, :)
Wow, that's great news! You are one lucky ass m@ther f@kker.
I still feel a bit of numbness on the tops of a couple of my toes, because the surgeon told me he cut so many nerves. But the feeling seems to be returning, albeit slowly. It's been 8 years for me. But I'm more or less good as new.
Might they ever take the metal out, or is it there for life? Cuz you're gonna be setting off the metal detectors in the airport like my ankle did!
Thanks by the way for all the detail in your posts, eh? Nice to know you're reading everything everyone says, and responding to it all!
Wow, so good to hear that you are making such amazing progress, Mike! That you have progressed so far in the last week should be really encouraging. I also second what Scrubber said about doing pull ups by lifting yourself up while in bed. Those parallel bars are a salvation for one learning to walk again. I wish I couldn't make this statement with such authority, ha ha.
It will take time for your back and legs to heal, so get your upper body extra strong to compensate, and build up your back muscles around the injury. That you are staying positive and smiling throughout this ordeal speaks volumes about your character. Remember that the Doc's will usually give you worse case scenarios, and not everyone they treat has the drive, tenacity and Spirit that you do!
Hang tuff and heal well Big Mike!
I recently fuked my back up training but after reading your story and seeing the X-rays I got nuthin to bitch about.
Tad
I just lurked in to this Mike, so here's another Taco-ite wish for a speedy Rehab from 718 km away....
(Hi Anders, Nice Picture of your friend & self!!)
If your peeps are worried about hospital germs, maybe they should look into a Samsung ecoBubble Technology Wash Cool washer!?!? It seems to work great,
and on cold water!
Will you have the option of removing those plates and screws at some point, or are they there for life?
The doc says when I heal up and everything's good if it becomes an issue we can talk about it. It will set me back again a bit, but if it means a reduction in pain and more mobility i will probably push for it.
Man, did you see all those staples in the X-rays? There's a giant S-bend right down the middle of your back! Couldn't your surgeon even cut and staple a straight line?! {wink}
Ya, you can hardly miss em... I'm assuming that it will heal better that way because it won't split as easy. Who knows.. I'll ask Brian next time i see him.
And only four months after the break, with all the hardware still in, I climbed El Cap via Son of Heart. Slowly, but we still sent. I wore the cast on the approach. And a crutch makes a pretty good cheat stick on the wall, you know.
crazy. I'm not going to re-injure myself again by pushing too much. i don't wanna Fvck this one up!!
Tell them you want your own personal set of paralell bars in your room. You could do dips all day after your walking practice. You'd be mantleing like a mo-fo in no time! PRESS IT OUT!!!!
somehow i don't think the nurses would like this very much :) i have been doing range of motion every chance i get, and stretching a bit.
Request some monkey bars above your bed too. A friend of mine who broke his femur and pelvis in a nasty grounder came out of the hospital with his upper body stronger than he'd ever been, just from a self imposed workout routine on the bars and rings above his bed.
I wish. My spine would not like that right now. Soon enough I will be able to push myself again. just getting in and out of this chair to shower, use the can, eat and back in bed is a mission in and of itself these days. My shoulders are killing me! my upper half is going to be ripped by the time I'm done for sure!!
we have meet briefly, you were trying to coax Sandra down the rappels on Rambles, she was worried she'd go off the end of the rope :)
Ya, I had knots in the ends too, and a prussic for her... She gets scared sometimes...
a big hello to you from the east coast of asia -i did not make it in as planned on sunday
No worries GF. Sunday ended up pretty full anyways so it was all good. I understand people have lives to live too..
so glad the card got there... canada, as to you, well, YOUR side, is kind of
far from here, in michigan, :))
Thanks Neebs!! I can't wait to see it!!
little gift is also on the way, by way of boston, had to send it to a friend, to send to you, due to being too hard to get the post office wayyy across town, and my regular mailing spots will not send to canada or over seas, any more, :( man oh man, i miss that, :
That's awesome Neebs! I understand that this is a big effort for you both financially and physically so i really appreciate it. I think i know how to return the favor when i get better.
so on the 'boring days' unless you do have some low system type stretches or whatever, just enjoy the trail markers, whatever they be:
hopefull fun share, with friends, again:
as they keep the spirits up, :)
I know, I can't push all the time. I need rest days too. I get impatient tho, but also am realizing that just everyday life is a major effort right now so there are really no rest days.
Wow, that's great news! You are one lucky ass m@ther f@kker.
I agree!!
Thanks by the way for all the detail in your posts, eh? Nice to know you're reading everything everyone says, and responding to it all!
Thanks. That is the essence of a Big Mike tm Live Trip Report! Interactivity! It's a lot of effort but it always pays off, in beta or meetings with people i would otherwise never get a chance, etc.
Hey, like what's up with the guy with 3 ears? Is he like, like your Rehab room mate? Does he hear everything, even if you whisper?
Who Bones?? No way, he's deaf as!! he decided to turn his head during the pano and i just used the shot anyways.. kinda funny eh? :)
It will take time for your back and legs to heal, so get your upper body extra strong to compensate, and build up your back muscles around the injury. That you are staying positive and smiling throughout this ordeal speaks volumes about your character. Remember that the Doc's will usually give you worse case scenarios, and not everyone they treat has the drive, tenacity and Spirit that you do!
Thanks Wayne. I am doing what i can under the conditions. Soon enough i will be able to push harder.
I recently fuked my back up training but after reading your story and seeing the X-rays I got nuthin to bitch about.
I will definitely think back to this experience before i go bitchin again also ;)
Gnarly looking hardware you picked up. Glad you made the move. Next stop home. Keep at it mike.
Sweet eh? Next stop home for sure. can't wait for my bed!!
hey mike have you got a DVD / VCR at your finger tips?
You ever seen Woodstock?
I gotta call Relic and ask him to drop that one off again for me as i can use that one he previously lent me here.
I just lurked in to this Mike, so here's another Taco-ite wish for a speedy Rehab from 718 km away....
Thanks Greg! Not in the hospital anymore so not nearly as worried.
More in a bit. gotta go get some eats and some frickin pain killers!!
Canuck: Hello sir, may I buy that touque??
American: Touque??? What the hell is a Touque?? Oh you mean that Beanie.
Canuck: What the hell is a Beanie??????
Today started off rough. My roommate won the snoring battle and the earplugs just were not cutting it. What can I say? I snore too, can't blame the kid. Luckily I snuck in three hours before he went to bed, so it wasn't that bad. I checked my schedule and my physio booked me for 2pm.
I got the nurse to hook me up with some towels so i could use the bath shower in my room. I pretty much finished up all by myself and asked her to get housekeeping to make my bed so I could crash after my shower for a bit. I asked my nurse if that was ok, and she said "lunch is at noon!"
I replied; I need to sleep more and she approved. When she woke me there was a very nice package for me from MH2! A sweet Montreal smoked meat bagel and some loose bagels with cream cheese, as well as some sick prints! What a nice way to start your day! THANKS ANDY!!! I was sorry I missed you but hope you can understand given my lack of sleep the night previous. Thanks for not waking me also! ;)
View from the lunch room
During lunch I had a nice conversation with Eugene. Eugene is a fellow "incomplete"
(from wiki: Spinal cord injuries are described at various levels of "incomplete", which can vary from having no effect on the patient to a "complete" injury which means a total loss of function.)
who slipped on a throw rug in his bathroom and broke his neck. He messed up C2 and C3 and depressed the spinal cord. Six weeks ago the docs told him he wouldn't ever walk again. Tomorrow he walks out of here!! I was pretty damn stoked to hear that story. Then he told me he had to miss the last four episodes on his show; Arrow. I said oh ya, I recognize you! You're the Russian mob boss guy! I had to run to physio, so I took my leave but thanked him profusely for sharing his very inspirational story and the enlightening conversation.
I rushed down to physio to find my therapist wasn't there yet. Phew! I got talking to Peter, another one of the pt's (physical therapist) and asked him if my new chair was ready yet. He went and grabbed it for me and I started cruising around in it a bit.
My pt showed up and said It was still lacking a cushion and that would be our mission for the day. After a lot of trial an error we found a sweet thermarest style one that actually made my butt feel better. It ended up being a winner.
After the session I wandered around and took some pics.
Spinal pt room
Gym
Games room
I bumped into Eugene again and asked if I could take a pic and post it on this thread. He agreed but he buddy had a better idea, lets ask a nurse to get both of you!!
So, me and Eugene.
He said he would be back every Tuesday and would be glad to bs with me about stuff, and lend a supportive hand. I was shocked and thanked him for his kindness.
Love your last post, Mike! So happy that you met and made a new friend in Eugene. His story should indeed provide encouragement to a young, fit, motivated bad ass like you!
"... slipped on a throw rug in his bathroom and broke his neck. He messed up C2 and C3 and depressed the spinal cord. Six weeks ago the docs told him he wouldn't ever walk again. "
Holy sh#t man.
"Tomorrow he walks out of here!!"
I'd say it again but it would be redundant. Both parts are jaw droppers. Makes my roll down the hill 2 Sundays back seem like baby steps. Put a hole in my new 2 month old Patagonia jacket, and from your story I have nothing to complain about cause I walked away. Sh#t, what a story.
Something tells me this post number should be significant, but I can't seem to remember why.
Thanks again for mentoring me into the trad climbing activity we all enjoy. I'm still learning from ya, be it how to tap and dye a new bolt, or how to keep a positive attitude.
Love ya big guy, keep up that steady progress, and holler if you need me to sneak in some baconators!
I clicked on yet another thread bitching about the negativity on ST and read your post. Your comment there reminded me to leave that BS alone. Big Mike, you are truely a shining example of what positive attitude means. You have a long road of recovery ahead but there is no doubt in my mind that you will come out stronger and wiser.
Seems Sammy had a really bitchen kindergarten teacher who made all the kids have their POLAROID photos taken as they acted out facial expression associated with emotions:
Happy
Sad
Mad
Excited
Grumpy
Scared
You get the picture.
Each kid took their little stacks of photos and cut them out, mounted them on sticks and made little stands that lived on their desks. . . and if they were in a mood that needed to be communicated to the class, they displayed which ever photo applied.
I would LOVE to meet that teacher!
What a cool lesson.
Those kids had a leg up on the world, for sure. . . I mean. . . I know many, many people who have no clue how to read their emotions, let alone portray them. . . and. . . I think the best lesson, of all. . . was that every one of those kids learned that they were PRETTIER when they were happy!
