Hubby fell 20ft.......

[almburr]

and just broke his wrist! DH was working in an Irrigation well and was 20ft up. the ladder moved and down he came. He knew right away that his arm was broke. He said that he laid there for a minute to asses the damage. He got himself to his pick-up radioed for his boss. One of the guys he works with came and got him and took him to the hospital. His boss's wife came up to the hospital to see how things were and to call her if He was to be taken elsewhere. Then his boss called asking how he was I told him that we were going to Hays.

Mother in law came and got the younger kids while DD16 and I drove over to the hospital. He was sitting in the ER waiting for X-ray. We were then sent to Hays. KS. To see the Orthopedic Dr.. So we ran home threw some clothes together DD16 stayed home to help with the younger ones and she had to work also. So DD12 went with us. I had to let my lifeguards know that I would be out of town and what protocol to follow. So off we went on a 3hr drive to Hays.

We saw the Dr. at 3pm and into surgery at 6:27. The Dr came in after a 2hr surgery. He said that this surgery usually only takes him about 30min or so. He had to really work on DH. DH has very muscular arms, the Dr. said that the muscle protected his arm or it would have been worse. The biggest plate and 3 screws were put into his wrist. DH was very sick when he came out of surgery and in a lot of pain. He got up to his room around 10pm or so he was loopy. in and out of it. We told him goodnight. DD12 was starving so we went and got something to eat and then to the hotel. We got to sleep about 1am.

I let DD12 sleep in until 8 and then we went back up. DH looked much better. We got out of the Hospital about 11 ate lunch then made the trip home. He is taking the week off, we go back to Hays next week to have sutures removed and a custom splint put on.

DH was very lucky! We had to laugh after we saw the Dr. He was a Chinese man. He walked in and it was not an American accent or Chinese accent but a British accent. He sounded just like David Williams from Little Brittian. He was an excellent Dr. and explained everything to us. DD12 giggled when he came into the OR waiting room to tell me how surgery went. She said "mom he sounds just like Little Brittian."

So now we are home and Im trying to get things organized around. I have a meeting with my guards to let them know that I will be out of town for a day next week again. and Im getting ready to teach a guarding class. We are also gearing up for wheat harvest. DH will be able to go back to work in a week and when harvest hits he drives the combine so he will be able to do his job.

Sorry to ramble on

 

[Micca]

Wow close call. Hope your DH isn't in too much pain. Good luck with everything.

 

[almburr]

Hes a little sore. Its funny he has no bruises at all. the pain is getting better.

 

[golfgal]

Did they do spinal x-rays to make sure everything was ok there too?? HOW SCARY!!!

 

[almburr]

Yes they X-rayed everything. he landed just right.

 

[luvmy3]

Wow, thank goodness that was all that was broken. I hope he isn't in too much pain

 

[npmommie]

I am glad he is going to be ok, how scary!

 

[minniecarousel]

yikes!

Glad to hear that is all he broke! Hope he feels a little better every day.

 

[njmom47]

Glad after all he's basically ok. I have a plate and screws in my ankle, and it has never been the same. Is it his dominant hand?

 

[rie'smom]

It's a lucky thing that he only broke his wrist after a fall like that. Hoping his recovery is a smooth one.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Wow how scary! Thank goodness he is alright except for a broken wrist!

 

[shortbun]

Tell him to take the pain meds on time and not wait until the pain gets bad. His muscles will be torqued and that's something they never talk to you about. He's likely got a sprained back or side as well. Did they discuss icing anything? Don't be suprised if other injuries appear in the next 48 hours. the body sorts things out and holds off sometimes.
Make sure you have ice packs. Get correct icing procedure from someone. He should try to keep moving a little to avoid stiffening. I smiled a little when you said he was taking 'the week' off. He's got workers comp and he should totally heal so he doesn't cause himself additional injury. I'm sorry this happened. My husband builds chimneys so is on roofs all the time-2 and 3 storys high. I feel ya.

 

[ols386]

I'm glad your dh is going to be ok. He's lucky. It could have been so much worse.

20 ft is quite a big fall.

Hope he recooperates quickly.

 

[almburr]

Glad after all he's basically ok. I have a plate and screws in my ankle, and it has never been the same. Is it his dominant hand?

He also has a plate and screws in his ankle that was way back in 77. No it was his left hand and he is a righty.

 

[cm8]

and just broke his wrist! DH was working in an Irrigation well and was 20ft up. the ladder moved and down he came. He knew right away that his arm was broke. He said that he laid there for a minute to asses the damage. He got himself to his pick-up radioed for his boss. One of the guys he works with came and got him and took him to the hospital. His boss's wife came up to the hospital to see how things were and to call her if He was to be taken elsewhere. Then his boss called asking how he was I told him that we were going to Hays.

Mother in law came and got the younger kids while DD16 and I drove over to the hospital. He was sitting in the ER waiting for X-ray. We were then sent to Hays. KS. To see the Orthopedic Dr.. So we ran home threw some clothes together DD16 stayed home to help with the younger ones and she had to work also. So DD12 went with us. I had to let my lifeguards know that I would be out of town and what protocol to follow. So off we went on a 3hr drive to Hays.

We saw the Dr. at 3pm and into surgery at 6:27. The Dr came in after a 2hr surgery. He said that this surgery usually only takes him about 30min or so. He had to really work on DH. DH has very muscular arms, the Dr. said that the muscle protected his arm or it would have been worse. The biggest plate and 3 screws were put into his wrist. DH was very sick when he came out of surgery and in a lot of pain. He got up to his room around 10pm or so he was loopy. in and out of it. We told him goodnight. DD12 was starving so we went and got something to eat and then to the hotel. We got to sleep about 1am.

I let DD12 sleep in until 8 and then we went back up. DH looked much better. We got out of the Hospital about 11 ate lunch then made the trip home. He is taking the week off, we go back to Hays next week to have sutures removed and a custom splint put on.

DH was very lucky! We had to laugh after we saw the Dr. He was a Chinese man. He walked in and it was not an American accent or Chinese accent but a British accent. He sounded just like David Williams from Little Brittian. He was an excellent Dr. and explained everything to us. DD12 giggled when he came into the OR waiting room to tell me how surgery went. She said "mom he sounds just like Little Brittian."

So now we are home and Im trying to get things organized around. I have a meeting with my guards to let them know that I will be out of town for a day next week again. and Im getting ready to teach a guarding class. We are also gearing up for wheat harvest. DH will be able to go back to work in a week and when harvest hits he drives the combine so he will be able to do his job.

Sorry to ramble on

OH no ! I'm glad to see that he is doing better. I think he will need more time off though. I agree with the poster who stated to take on schedule and not when he is in pain as the break through pain will be harder to manage. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers

 

[almburr]

Yes were are staying on top of the pain. He gets up and moves around so he doesnt get stiff.

 

[almburr]

DH is getting cabin fever! Last night he wanted to get out of the house so we just went to pizza hut. Hes been puttering around the yard. playing on the computer. takes lots of naps, keeping on top of the pain. But he does not like to be cooped up. He needs to be outside. Harvest will be here soon, so he is getting antsy about that.

 

[almburr]

DH went back to work today. His boss asked if he could come and set in the tractor to guide it to plant. So off he went.

 

[Thundergod]

Wow, that is a ways to fall. Glad he's gonna be okay.


OShA recommends(or maybe requires) fall protection when you are over 6ft off the ground. Ladder has to extend three feet past the point of anchor and must be tied off.. I take it your husband doesn't work in a field where there is oversaw by osha? At that height they shoulda used a manlift or scaffolding.

 

[linda0706]

I am SO thankful your DH is OK. Thank God he landed the way he did!

In 1982 my father fell about 5 feet off of a piece of equipment at work and landed on the back of his head. He was in a coma for several weeks and died from the fall.

I still get chills when I hear of anyone falling even short distances.