Three weeks ago I was getting ready to go to work. I went to go downstairs to get some snacks and at the top landing I rolled an ankle and took the express route down. Face first, and ran into the wall at the bottom with the top of my head. My wife was in Hawaii so I was home alone. My cell phone was upstairs so I couldn't call 911. I was hurting like I'd never been hurt before FYI. I looked at the clock and it was 4:00 AM when I started the trek ( 10 stairs FYI ) back up. I had to crawl to the top of the stairs to get my phone. When I got to the top it was 5:30 AM. Yeah, a really fun climb. I couldn't find my cell phone when I "reached the summit". FUCK. I drug my ass out to my car and drove myself to the ER. All went well after I got to the ER. I know, I should have crawled to a neighbor but that thought didn't enter my mind (shock?). I was able to contact my son upon arrival at the ER, who hauled ass to be with me, and my wife. She wanted to fly home that night but I insisted that she stay there last 3 days with the grand kids. FYI, 0 numbness then or since.

Injuries ended up being a dislocated c1 and a badly fractured c2. Googling it, that is a bad spinal injury and I was LUCKY as hell. Usually paralysis or death.

This neck collar is driving me crazy and at the same time feels really good relieving pressure on the neck. The docs are thinking the collar will be gone next week.

Dang glad to feel the pain right now but I want it over with.

That is all.

Man, that bytes!

Holy crap, I guess so.

Glad you're healing.

Thank God you are alive! I'm really happy to hear it wasn't any worse than that.

Holy smokes! I am glad you weren't hurt worse than you were, but that still sounds terrible. Wishing you the best in your recovery.

Hope you have a complete recovery!

Glad you're OK. I had this image from your description:

Prayers for healing B. Hope for a full and complete recovery. Glad it was not worse, albeit, bad enough! Keep us posted on your recovery.

YOU SIR ARE BLESSED!

(Hope you don't mind the humor)

But seriously, that could've been life altering. Thank god it wasn't worse. I think your guardian angel had your back there. God bless.

Sounds like you had the dreaded internal decapitation, from the description. WOW! God decided not to call you home, yet.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Sounds like you had the dreaded internal decapitation, from the description. WOW! God decided not to call you home, yet.

12131,

Everything I've read and my Drs told me was this should have ended up bad, really bad. Not sure why I'm typing here. I swear, it could have been shock, but I saw my parents (both deceased) calling me up the stairs and to my car. Nobody believes me but it happened and that is what I saw. Pretty spiritual for me.

Congrats for making it out alive and wishing you a speedy recovery.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
(Hope you don't mind the humor)

Alan, of all the things I mind, humor aint one of them. A laugh is good medicine.

Holy shit, that must have been the longest 1 1/2 hrs in your life while climbing those stairs. It wasn't the smartest decision to drive yourself to the ER though. If you'd gotten rear ended you'd have been a goner. Guardian Angel indeed.

I hope you heal quickly and fully.

Jim

That's some story, you truly were very lucky.

I broke my neck in a car accident 7 years ago. The Dr told me I was within millimeters of paralysis or worse. I was in a brace for 4 months!

Thanks for all the well wishes from the forum. I've sat on this for a couple of weeks and I just needed to share today. There are members way worse off than myself so please send your prayers and good thoughts their way. I am in a pretty dang good position now.

I hope you heel up well Bytes and are young enough that it doesnt bother you again 'till you get old. That said, being ill late one evening, I thought to use a down stairs bathroom so as not to wake people. I made it out to the top landing where I sat down due to the sick feeling and cold sweat. I blacked out and tumbled from a sitting position down to the 1st floor. Never felt a thing till I came to. Broken toe in wrought iron railing, fractured ribs and serious bumps on my noggin. Next few days I was a hurting unit. Consider myself lucky. I cannot stress enough how careful we need to be in the day to day movements we make. Pain is not good. Hope you heed this and safely, get feeling better.

Best wishes for a full recovery!
And now I am looking at my own staircase with dread!

Wow, Bytes!

I'm glad you're mending! And especially glad that you were given the opportunity to mend!!