Injuries - How have you overcome them !

[Big Lew]

I was doing well at age 68, had a good but very physical job and worked with a great bunch of lads.
That came to an abrupt end when I slipped on the job carrying nearly a hundred pounds and out went my lower lumbar.
Within an hour I could barely walk, long story short I had lumbar surgery a couple months later by a well known surgeon and after about three months it was determined that the surgery was a complete failure.
WorkSafe BC agreed that I needed another surgery and so October 2016 I had 8 hours of lower lumbar surgery involving putting a wire mesh cage arrangement with pins and screws in the lower lumbar region.

This was pretty heavy duty stuff which required learning how to walk again and living with occasional mega pain.
I still use a cane when walking and am in the process of building my strength up not only in my legs but the whole body.
Also, having lost over 40 lbs. I'm trying to put some weight back on.
Injuries like mine can leave a person somewhat depressed because for example I haven't had any range time for well over 6 months and simple things like sitting at the loading bench can turn into an ordeal.

But, in spite of everything there are better days ahead, the big thing is not to let injuries / disabilities get you down...

"But, in spite of everything there are better days ahead, the big thing is not to let injuries / disabilities get you down.."

Words to live by! Even without injuries we get slower and weaker as we age. The main thing is to keep going, keep
trying, and not to let old age, injuries, or disabilities be an excuse for giving up. Just look all around us. There's many
wonderful examples of just what some others have been able to accomplish despite old age, injuries, and disabilities.

[kevan]

"But, in spite of everything there are better days ahead, the big thing is not to let injuries / disabilities get you down.."

Words to live by! Even without injuries we get slower and weaker as we age. The main thing is to keep going, keep
trying, and not to let old age, injuries, or disabilities be an excuse for giving up. Just look all around us. There's many
wonderful examples of just what some others have been able to accomplish despite old age, injuries, and disabilities.

Good post Big Lew, Thanks !

[srupp]

Hmmm I'm leaving in Am for Kamloops to see orthopedic surgeon. .imo the knee replacement was a failure. .8 months 3x week physio..now can max out the equipment at gym. .200 single leg press all bands..however range of motion is severely limited in knee..
It's very difficult not to be depressed..7 year fight with WCB..Court case finally over 1 month ago..waiting for verdict..
Thank God for wonderful wife..others would have left.great friends Tim, Terence...chilcotin hillbilly..and wife Julie, Garry...

Spend as much time as I can helping others..and my rehab...however the accident at work, resigning changed my entire life forever and constant pain will affect you regardless of what anyone tells you.
Guys here have been PHENOMENAL. .from coffees, phone calls, even salmon fishing outing on the island, I appreciate all of you.
Srupp

[Walksalot]

As we get older aches and pains seem to crop up and we deal with them and back goes our shoulder to the wheel. In the last ten years I have dealt with stomach problems resulting from taking Ibuprofen for a worn out knee, heart problems which turned out to be nothing, the specialist told me to get out of his office he was not getting rich off of me, and a mass in my stomach which was found while trying to determine why I was down 4 units of blood. I quit taking Ibuprofen, quit alcohol, not that I was a drunk, had a partial knee replacement and the mass turned out to be a benign tumor. It is like a breath of fresh air.

My buddy(68 and myself(65) were on a hunting trip early last season. One evening while sitting around the campfire he looks at me and asks" how much longer do you think we can keep doing this?" I told him that we were going to be doing this for a long time. We both like to be in shape and take care of our bodies and we both love to see what is beyond the next ridge. I made a stove for my wall tent last winter and equipped it with a set of wheels. When my buddy asked me why the wheels I told him there may come a time when we can't lift the stove on the truck but we can sure as hell push it on. I just had my yearly physical and I asked the doctor if he thought I was nuts thinking I can still hunt the back country and still think I able to pack an animal out. His reply was keep in shape and keep on doing what I was doing. The body is a wonderful product of evolution. Treat it right and even as we get older it has the ability to repair its self. An old cliche but true just the same "Mother Nature is a great healer".

[Big Lew]

As we get older aches and pains seem to crop up and we deal with them and back goes our shoulder to the wheel. In the last ten years I have dealt with stomach problems resulting from taking Ibuprofen for a worn out knee, heart problems which turned out to be nothing, the specialist told me to get out of his office he was not getting rich off of me, and a mass in my stomach which was found while trying to determine why I was down 4 units of blood. I quit taking Ibuprofen, quit alcohol, not that I was a drunk, had a partial knee replacement and the mass turned out to be a benign tumor. It is like a breath of fresh air.

My buddy(68 and myself(65) were on a hunting trip early last season. One evening while sitting around the campfire he looks at me and asks" how much longer do you think we can keep doing this?" I told him that we were going to be doing this for a long time. We both like to be in shape and take care of our bodies and we both love to see what is beyond the next ridge. I made a stove for my wall tent last winter and equipped it with a set of wheels. When my buddy asked me why the wheels I told him there may come a time when we can't lift the stove on the truck but we can sure as hell push it on. I just had my yearly physical and I asked the doctor if he thought I was nuts thinking I can still hunt the back country and still think I able to pack an animal out. His reply was keep in shape and keep on doing what I was doing. The body is a wonderful product of evolution. Treat it right and even as we get older it has the ability to repair its self. An old cliche but true just the same "Mother Nature is a great healer".

There you go, words to live by! It's my philosophy as well, good post.

[Arctic Lake]

Just read through some of the above posts and have found great perseverance ,positive attitude, support from friends and family can help greatly for a successful recovery . Way to go fellas
Arctic Lake

[guest]

Just read through some of the above posts and have found great perseverance ,positive attitude, support from friends and family can help greatly for a successful recovery . Way to go fellas
Arctic Lake

This above is so true.
When the grim reaper is knocking on your door through serious illness, family, friends and support from some that you never saw coming is the best remedy. Find your new norm, work with what you got, do what you can, but always desire more. Push yourself. Keep the spirit and the passion for what makes you happy in your back pocket, keep it with you. When times get hard, physically or mentally, get back on that pain train and go get what makes you happiest.
Thanks to a few of you that have helped make me better, you know who you are, it's what puts that big grin on my face and jump in my step! Giddy Up!

CT