I just got to this thread, havent read past the first two pages, just dont have the time.
But to Rowdy: Wish you well. And do as others have said, be thankful you made it out, and DEFINITELY dont leave the aviation business. From what it sounds, this is for you.
I too, look forward to days of bush flying in the coming years.
My taughts, friends and family, both online and offline.
Good advise Rowdy, seen a lot of drivers going without the shoulder harnesses...also have seen pix of face plants into the dash after a sudden decceleration.
Glad to hear the update. We're going to start referring to you as "Iceman" if you keep this up, no more TOPGUN ya hear!
Gee Rowdy, sorry to hear you are down on your luck! Not to worry though, as you aren't the first and certainly won't be the last so suck it up! You will still get your chance to sip a cold Corona on the white beaches of the Maldivian Islands some day and I assure you it won't be through a straw.
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zero wrote:Good advise Rowdy, seen a lot of drivers going without the shoulder harnesses...also have seen pix of face plants into the dash after a sudden decceleration.
Glad to hear the update. We're going to start referring to you as "Iceman" if you keep this up, no more TOPGUN ya hear!
Hahha yeah.. I've seen a ton of float drivers especially beaver folk not wearing the shoulder straps. TRust me it hurts.. wear em
Iceman? Come on... I'm more of an Air America fan! Just call me billy!
Rowdy,
Sorry to hear about your mishap. I wish you the speediest of recoveries. It's great that you have such a positive attitude. I am certain you will get through this and you will be back flying in no time!!
Rowdy, you are right on about the shoulder harnesses. Lost a good friend years ago in a Beaver. Survived the accident but drowned because he was knocked unconscious after his head hit the corner post between the door and windshield.
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CLguy wrote:Rowdy, you are right on about the shoulder harnesses. Lost a good friend years ago in a Beaver. Survived the accident but drowned because he was knocked unconscious after his head hit the corner post between the door and windshield.
Oy.. and yet people continue to think it'll never happen to them.
I'll post some pictures in the next day or so (whenever I find my camera) or the insicion on my back and the jaw wired shut with all the damned stitches. Wish I had one of the giant bruise on my ass too. haha
Got the jaw unwired today.. man what a crazy feeling.. kinda stiff.. not much pain but awkward. Teeth don't align like they used to (kinda hard I guess when the mandible was shattered into about 20 lil pieces on the side and split in the front!)
Get the staples out of my back today too.. All 28 of em! Should be entertaining. Still awaiting the pictures my bud took of it. Not sure where my camera disappeared to in the crash.
For those who like the nasty details.. here are a couple pictures..
Theres the 13inch incision along my spine. I now have 8 cap screws and two titanium rods and a small brace that parrallel my spine for 4 vertebrae. See if you can count all 28 staples
This is how ya eat with a jaw wired shut.. Not sure if you can see any of the 14 stitches in my chin and jawline. Also have another 12 on the inside of my mouth.
I'd tell the story, but it's still very very fuzzy in the old brain and I don't want to mis state anything at this point in time.
Oh Gawd, not a Haz-attack - this site is gruesome enough without that.
Maybe the Mods should put an R-rating on this site - violence and coarse language (I'm thinking about staples and bandages off a multi-week growth).
With all that hardware in there, you will be making life interesting for the security-morons at airports - "Excuse me sir, please place your jaw in the tray with your wallet and your Leatherman..."
I'm glad to see you're all in one piece, recovering nicely, and you have the doublers and extra rivets installed to keep you that way.
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haha sorry about the butt crack shot. Didn't quite know how to edit that one out. Am now sporting 15 days of beard.. not haf bad.
As for the hardware.. I've been handed a little laminated card from the gov. of canada saying that there is legal reason to have all the metal in me should I need to travel.
Even as I layed in the back of the airplane waiting to hear the sounds of search and rescue or any craft for that matter.. I knew I was going to survive and fly again. At that point though.. I thought I'd broken my leg and shoulder. I had no idea of the damage and extent that my spine had taken. Even then, the doctors told me there was a chance of not walking again. I chuckled and said "at least I might still be able to fly". I got a good laugh out of that one.
Coming up on Four weeks now and I'm walking quite well but slow, hell I can get up and down the big flight of stairs here without a hand. Jaws still only marginal at best, I have trouble opening it more than whats required to sneak a spoon in, but I'm sure I could manage a beer someway somehow!
Quite a few have suggested we head for the Beaver sometime this week. If anyones interested?
Sadly I might miss out on this season as they're saying end of june before I'm capable again, but I will be back in that seat sometime mid summer. Anyone care to join? We'll steer way clear of anything that even remotely resembles a hill! I promise!
