Could have been alot worse.

[6wheeler 603]

Boy, this could have been alot worse. This last Wed. afternoon I had just finished unloading concrete at a job sight and went to wash my truck up at the washout area. I got out and saw that I needed to back up a couple more inches to get into the tub. I go up to the cab and step up  on the bottom step and then the top step. I  go to step up into the cab with my left foot and it slips on the floor. I tried to grab the steering wheel  but, got nothing but air  . Out I went backwards. The truck is a 2014 Peterbilt . I fell about  4 1/2' and landed on my right side. Luckily. I had my hard hat on and it hit the ground and kept my melon from bouncing too hard on the frozen ground. Nothing broken. But, major compression strain on my right shoulder and arm. I cannot hardly lift it. Bruised ribs on right side and bruised hip as well. Taking a couple days off . Hopefully by Mon. I will regain use of my arm. Have to go back to see the Doc. and if I don't show some better range of motion its off to the specialist. Lesson Learned? Slow down, Hang on.  . Typing with one hand?  Difficult   Pat

[AMC RULES 37,132]

Gravity is a mother trucker. 

God speed on the recovery.  

[19richie66 17,508]

The small amount of time saved by hurrying isnt worth the months it takes to heal from getting hurt if you mess up. Our boss just told us the other day "slow down, you guys get paid by the hour. If you hurry, you risk getting hurt. So take your time." I was like "Really? OK!"

[rmaynard 15,531]

I bet the first thing you did was look around to see if anyone saw you. That's what I did when I flipped the Commando. Nevermind that I was hurt, I didn't want anyone seeing me being stupid. Anyway, I'm glad it wasn't more serious. Get well quickly.

[312Hydro 474]

Glad you're okay.

[19richie66 17,508]

Oh yeah, hope you get to feeling better and glad it wasnt worse.

[Ed Kennell 38,319]

Care to guess how many times you have climbed up into a truck without a problem?

It happens to us all. Hurry hurry hurry = help help help

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a quick return to the wheel.

[6wheeler 603]

Thanks all for your well wishes. Here is what's up, MRI yesterday. Meeting with the Orthopedic Doctor on Mon. Ruptured Tendon in my right shoulder..

[953 nut 55,388]

Ouch! Tendons can take a long time and a lot of rehab. Hope you feel better soon.

[6wheeler 603]

Well, I guess I have an update for all. Turns out to be far worse than I had hoped. I severed the Supraspinatus muscle from the top of my shoulder and ruptured the Biceps Tendon. Surgery Tuesday. No work for 3 months, then very light use for 3 more. Plus, a years worth of therapy as the grand prize... Slow down guys, pay attention. Trying to be in too big a hurry to get the contractors guys done and out of the cold is going to cost me a year and lots of pain. Not worth it.

[Ed Kennell 38,319]

Sorry for the bad news.  The good news....You get one free year of one armed  Wheel Horse time.

[Vinylguy 4,674]

Wow does that bring back memories. 44 years ago my dad was a mechanic in the check lane for DOHRN Transfer. 

It was always GO GO GO around the terminal. After servicing the tractor they would have to hook up the doubles and 

move to the ready lanes for the driver. I remember watching them do this and it was one foot in the air at all times. 

Much like a nascar pit crew. time is money, trucks cant sit. Same thing happened to Dad. slipped on the cab floor getting in

but he did manage to catch the Steering wheel for a moment and tore his rotator cuff then fell. after surgery they had his arm

in a cast and a support rod to hold his arm out  like he was leaning on a car hood. He had to turn sideways to go thru the doors.

It was months before he could return to work. Whats worse is it was his right arm. Things changed around the terminal after that.

Praying for a swift recovery for you Pat. 

[6wheeler 603]

Sorry I haven't been on for awhile folks. Here is an update for ya'll. Surgery went well(6 weeks ago). Started physical therapy yesterday. Just stretching for now. It's funny how the muscles in my arm seem to have disappeared. 1 month of just stretching and then maybe, starting to rebuild the strength in the muscles in my arm. I may be available for light duty work of some kind in a couple of weeks. But, unfortunately still no use of my right arm for at least 6 weeks yet(not even writing). Getting very old. I must say though, I have been pretty humbled by the amount of help people have given me. From the owner of the company that I work for driving all the way out to bring me a few books he thought I may enjoy reading during my recovery to a friend of mine coming out with his new JD tractor and tilling my gardens for me. All without me asking nor charging anything. And, all of the well wishes from everyone have been very nice as well. Thanks everyone. And, I had the ultimate therapy yesterday afternoon. I mowed with my 520. Surprisingly easy to operate with one arm. Could probably have used Matt's foot control conversion. But,it worked very well. One handed seat time, YAY!!! Take care all. Pat

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

Sorry to hear this Pat..doesn't sound like much fun   ....Get well soon neighbor!!!     

[Coadster32 793]

Just seeing this thread for the first time. Hoping you get well soon. No fun al all for something you normally wouldn't think twice about, or even consider a danger on the job.

[muz123 1,192]

Get well soon!

[6wheeler 603]

Hi everyone. I have a great update for ya. After almost a year since my Physics experiment ( to see how fast a 230# pound man can fall from 10 feet and what the results would be)? I went to see the surgeon last week. The doctor said that I am 95% percent healed (tendons re-attached to the bone). Therefore, I can start some more aggressive weight work. I have to go back to see him at the end of March. If he feels confident that if I were to slip and grab something like the grab handle on a truck and hold my weight with my right arm? He will allow me to go back to driving ready mix again. At that time it will be over a year. I guess he wasn't kidding when he said it would probably take that long. I have been doing some light duty work when the company can find something for me to do. I am excited to get back. I am starting out with 7lbs. on the weight machine. Funny, that is less than a gallon of milk. After 10 reps. of each of the 8 different exercises I have to do? It feels like 700lbs. It will come.    Pat

[Ed Kennell 38,319]

Thanks for the update Pat.    Sounds like you have your mind right for the rehab.  Hard work and time will git-r-dun.

Best wishes....

[WNYPCRepair 1,921]

First time I saw this too. Good luck. Hard work in rehab will pay off later.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,351]

Thanks for the update and its great to hear that your on the homestretch!

Mike.........

[RedRanger 1,468]

First times seeing this as well.  Good to hear you're almost back to normal and that you've got so many friends looking out for you!

 

 

[6wheeler 603]

The last and final update on this year long saga. Good News. I  have been cleared for take off. Starting tomorrow. I have learned alot this year about how our company works. Both from the Labor and Management sides as the company had me do light duty as a parts runner, Quality control and other customer relations duties. They also had me work at the Salvation Army store for a couple of days. All was interesting work. It has been a long year. Shoulder is about 90% use and that is about all it will be. That is OK. The older I get? Seems like alot of things are working with lower percentages than I remember. Thanks for all the support from all you out there. I really appreciate it. Be careful out there. Believe me. Between the pain of injury? Dealing with work comp? It really s---ks. Thanks again all.     Pat