Prayer request (for me)

mod71alaska · Post by **mod71alaska** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:26 pm

Last week I fell backwards off a platform I was working on. I couldn't turn to break my fall so I landed full weight on my back across the corner edge of a stack of 2x10s. The impact was excruciating. I went to the ER and X-rays were negative. However, this week I went back to the ER still in very extreme pain. A CT scan revealed 2 fractured vertebrae in my lower back that didn't show in the x rays. The doctors said, "No wonder you hurt!" I'm on a "comfort cocktail" of prescription meds which I count the minutes to get to! With limited activity and careful movement I feel pretty good until the meds start to wear off, or I move just right...or wrong would be more accurate...and the pain is right "off the chart." I very much would appreciate your prayers for God's healing hand. I am exceedingly fortunate...and grateful...I didn't break my back with CNS damage. Thank you my friends and fellow Levergunners for your prayer support. Victor

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:05 pm

Ya got it from me, get well quick.

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:07 pm

Done.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:10 pm

Sounds like you were extremely lucky. Praying you heal quickly without any long term effects.

RustyJr · Post by **RustyJr** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:11 pm

Will do.

RustyJr

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:17 pm

Going out for sure.....

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:19 pm

Ask your doctors about whether or not calcitonin (a Rx product for osteoporosis), high-dose vitamin-D, or any other 'off label' thing might speed healing. There is currently no official consensus on these things, but I can tell you many physicians use them on themselves and their family members when such injuries happen. Don't just borrow unused Rx from a friend, though; your situation might be such that they should NOT be used.

Anyway, sometimes there are extra things you can do that aren't in the "protocol", that doctors don't volunteer unless you ask them.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:26 pm

Prayers up...Do the PT they want you to do...Motion is lotion

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:28 pm

Victor, I am so very sorry to hear this. You certainly have my prayers. Having crushed 3 vertebrae (L1-L2-L3), I can certainly relate to the pain. I pray that your healing is quick. If there is anything I can do for you, let me know. Prayers and blessings my friend.

earlmck · Post by **earlmck** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:29 pm

Ouch Victor! I know what you're talking about there: I thought I had high pain tolerance until a ruptured disk pushed on the sciatic nerve and I found out what a wimp that constant pain can make you. What saved me (along with the pain meds) was one of those adjustable beds where you raise your head/back and also can adjust the feet/knees. At about one little position I could hang in there and even get some sleep on occasion. Your injury is different than mine but might be a similar type of bed would help. I see them advertised on TV under the Posturepedic brand. Mine is a combination of Ikea motorized frame thing and a Bed-in-a-Box mattress.

Also you gotta watch those wonderful meds because they can shut down some other vital processes. For a while there I thought I was going to die of the constipation after I'd survived the back surgery. My doc kinda' forgot to warn me about that part; you might want to ask 'em about taking action ahead of time.

Hang in there and it will get better. Maybe take advantage of enforced down time to plan out a neat gun thing... new wildcat project or something that requires real cogitation. And do you need some of your fellow levergunners to keep the rust out of the barrels of some of your 71s and 64s

?

gak · Post by **gak** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:09 pm

Prayers sent for a speedy recovery!

rogn · Post by **rogn** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:13 pm

Similar issues, You have all my empathy, and prayers.

2X22 · Post by **2X22** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:15 pm

As one who has battled back pain for 38 years, I have sent my prayer for you.

pwl44m · Post by **pwl44m** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:58 pm

Thk U for the privilege to have been able to Pray for a Fellow Lever Gunner. Hope the healing process goes well. I know the Pain of which U speak, I fell from a ladder from about 4 feet high. I fell across the corner of the steps leading into the House from Garage on My left side. My Coworkers said I was screaming so loud that They didn't hear the Ambulance coming. It was a slow healing process for a simple fractured Rib.
I am not a Fan nor Advocate of PT too soon or until They know exactly what is wrong. All too often U r rushed to PT after a simple Xray which is definitly not conclusive causing more damage. JMO
Heal quickly Friend and know that U r Thought of.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:28 am

Prayers sent for a complete recovery and freedom from pain.

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:55 am

Prayers up!! My back and neck are all messed up from a life of abuse and I've busted ribs before (joy...) so I have some inkling what you're dealing with. It sucks!!! I will agree with those who've thought "thank God" you didn't break your back. Egads. Also, I'll voice a concern about the prescription meds - I know that you need them, but please be careful not to get hooked on the dang things. Some really stand up folks have had a heckuva time getting back off 'em.

Best,
Oly

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:26 am

Done. Heal quickly and well.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:47 am

Prayers sent...get well soon....

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:17 am

Prayers sent.

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:18 am

On the list . . .

Noah

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:42 am

+1 on the fiber and fluid. With a bum back, you can't even dig em out with yer own finger. Oh honey....grab a spoon....

On a healing note:

Comfrey (aka Knitbone ) is the herbal poultice for this. I've used it and astounded the Drs. twice on two of my kids.

It has no drug interactions.

According to AMA, it contains a substance that can be harmful to the liver in overdose, although I've read where that info came from tests done on the isolated substance and not the whole plant.

What the mainstream medical folks say about it:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/comfrey-000234.htm

The quote below is pretty close to how I've used it, but Gaia Herbs has a Comfrey Compounded Salve that would probably work well and some folks use the Tincture on pads taped to the area.

In my opinion, these centuries old healing ways are still around because they work.

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/fractures.html wrote:COMFREY POULTICE
Sent to us by Cloe Jazwinski of Los Angeles, CA. Cloe knows a thing a two about healing a bone fracture. Besides being one of the most talented web designers we know, Cloe is a 2nd Dan black belt in karate (Shotokan) who's used comfrey salves to heal two bone fractures. She writes, "Comfrey is one of the most well-known healing plants, especially for its ability to heal tissue and bone (due to its allantoin content, which promotes the growth of connective tissue, bone, and cartilage, and is easily absorbed through the skin). Besides broken bones, these externally poulticed leaves and roots are also used for cuts, bruises and sprains."

Recipe: Comfrey is best used fresh and simmered. Use the sticky paste to make a compress and attach it with an elastic bandage. Use every night. This will speed the healing of the fracture dramatically.

To heal her fractures, every night Cloe would grind several tablespoons of comfrey with a mortar and would bring it to a boil with a few spoons of water. She then would make a paste out of it, spread the paste on a cotton cloth, wrap it around her arm, and put elastic bands or safety pins in to secure it. Even though she had 2 fractures, Cloe decided not to wear a cast but a sling, which is why she could take off the sling at night.

Writes Cloe, "The feeling of that compress was heavenly. Even though everyone said I'd always know where my arm was broken (rain and humidity brings back the pain for the rest of your life), I never felt it and I attribute that to the comfrey compress routine. It's known to heal wounds extremely fast as well (I use a pre-made ointment of comfrey and aloe on scratches and minor wounds and they disappear overnight). I see comfrey as the crazy glue of broken bones and skin..."

Comfrey Caveats:
Not recommended for internal use as there is some controversy about carcinogenic effects. The controversy around the use of this plant concerns its pyrrolizidine alkaloid components, which are considered carcinogenic to the liver; however, these studies have been performed on rats that were fed up to 33% of their diet in comfrey leaf. Studies done with the whole plant (rather than with isolated constituents) do not show carcinogenic effects but rather the opposite. In fact, the Japanese use comfrey vinegar extracts for treating cirrhosis of the liver.

86er · Post by **86er** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:36 am

Get well quick!

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:07 am

Absolutely, prayers sent for a speedy recovery Victor.
That deal with the bed like earlmck mentioned, and the advice Doc AJ suggested sounds like some good stuff.
Just be cautious while while not avoiding PT just make certain with clarity that the therapist/Doc's don't start treating your back to
aggressively too early on. Your body is its own best injury indicator,and use it's warnings.
Reason I say this, is a good friend last year had sort of a similar type thing happen(fell off the top of a railroad boxcar on some skids)then given high doses of pain meds which masked/mask the pain and then went to therapy too early on and is now really screwed up having already 2 back surgeries so far. Be very anal on them giving you the exact reasoning of all their decisions concerning your rehab/meds.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:29 am

as another back pain sufferer, all i can say is,

YEEOWWWCH.

no quick way out, do the pt right and heal right.
think long term.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:37 am

Prayers said!

Hagler · Post by **Hagler** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:16 am

Done.

Shawn

WCF3030 · Post by **WCF3030** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:17 am

Done!
Heal soon.

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:48 am

Victor,
Prayers up and away for continued healing and am very thankful that it wasn't worse,
Heal quickly,my friend !!!!!!!
Ron

dennie · Post by **dennie** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:50 am

Prayers are up, my friend.
dennie

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 3:16 pm

Best wishes for a fast recovery. Prayers up!

BC in TN · Post by **BC in TN** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:26 pm

Prayers sent, Victor.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:49 pm

Prayers Sent Victor,back pain I know first hand is terrible.

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:50 pm

Get well soon Victor, prayers sent.

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:00 pm

Prayers sent for a full recovery !

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:04 pm

Prayers for your recovery. Don't get discouraged

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:32 pm

DANG, Victor - I wish you'd stop doing that !

Get better, friend - it might be time to slow down & smell the roses.

I took heed from Clint, myself - several years ago - ( "A man's gotta come to terms with his limitations ! " )

.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:24 pm

Prayers up Victor! Please take it slow and easy, and follow what your doctor says to the letter.

Canuck Bob · Post by **Canuck Bob** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:32 pm

You got it buddy. God bless.

I did something similar many years ago. Once healed you will be able to predict the weather but it will most likely not result in long term restrictions. The pain made this grown man whimper like a politician caught in the wrong toilet stall!

mod71alaska · Post by **mod71alaska** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:18 pm

At 5:30 this morning I was lying in bed watching the morning light break and listening to the early birds singing. I hurt quite a bit and didn't want to move, but was looking forward to the new day. As I lay there I thought about your prayers. I was deeply moved and an abiding Peace came over me. Thank you, my friends.

Victor

Dave B · Post by **Dave B** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:23 pm

Prayer sent. I am glad it isn't worse and hope that you heal quickly.
Take care,

Dave B

Bogie35 · Post by **Bogie35** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 11:07 am

I'm praying for you sir.

bogie

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:53 pm

Victor,

If feel your pain. Injured my back 39 years ago. Prayers up... like others said, take it easy NOW and be careful so that you're good to go down the road.

Lobo · Post by **Lobo** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:39 pm

Prayers sent !!

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:33 am

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:26 pm

Victor,
Take two .348's (250 gr. ST) then go hang out in the great Northeast. Can I come?

---------Me

mklwhite · Post by **mklwhite** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:34 pm

Done.
Don't worry, you'll be on the mend right away.