They said it would happen – and it did!!

[videovillageidiot]

You might remember that in 2015 I had a dramatic fall resulting in 2 fractures in my arm. That was just one incident on my list of dubious ‘achievements’ – which also includes spending a week in a quarantine cabin when I got covid in the Alaskan bush in 2022! Forward to 2023…

How many times over the years were you told, “Don’t do that – you’ll break your neck!!!”? Probably way too many times to count, right?. Well, five weeks ago I did do “that” and, sure enough, I ended up in the ER with a fractured cervical vertebra. OUCH! More precisely, it was one vertebra that fractured in two places. Make that OUCH OUCH!!

After a couple nights in the hospital I was sent home in a hard collar that must be worn for at least 7 weeks, followed by another CT scan to determine the progress of the healing.

To be clear, I was very fortunate. Like my previous fall, I was able to get medical attention quickly. Surgery was not needed. I have support from my family. I’m hoping to have enough sick and vacation time to see me through the duration.

So what exactly was ‘that’ risky activity which resulted in my vertebral fractures? Nothing dramatic like skydiving, rock climbing, or practicing my triple axel. No, like last time, I was walking – this time I was simply walking thru my house and next thing I knew I was crashing toward the floor. It was a traumatic moment that, just like after my previous fall, I keep reliving in my mind...shortly after my release I watched "Home Alone” and had to cover my eyes during the scene of Kevin careening down the stairs and flying out the door on his sled…nooooooooo!!

THANK YOU to STEVE for posting his 2024 Elements Basic Training videos. I’m able to comfortably watch them while propped up against pillows, with my kitty by my side.

Yep, I’m the lady who spends weeks at a time in Alaska, safely walking near large wild brown bears, but I’m not safe walking in my own house. Good grief. BUT things are better than they were 5 weeks ago and I am grateful!!

[Peru]

It's so sad to hear of your misfortunes. I hope you have a fast and successful recovery.
I'm sure your positive attitude will help.

[Steve Grisetti]

Jeez, Sherrin! What a mess!

I'm so sorry you're laid up for 7 weeks -- but glad to hear there is no serious permanent spinal damage.

For what it's worth, I"m working on a new batch of tutorials. But I hope you find something a bit more binge-worthy.

Take care of yourself. I'm sure healing after something like that isn't easy. But I'm sure you'll be walking back among the brown bears soon.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Sherrin, you have my genuine sympathy and I hope that you are soon up and about but could I suggest (with tongue very firmly planted in cheek) that you take more water with it.

[Chuck Engels]

Thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery and that no surgery will be needed, what a crazy life you lead Sherrin

[Dave McElderry]

So sorry to hear of your fall. It can happen so quickly, and so glad yours didn't result in anything more devastating. Please take care of yourself, heal completely, and don't get hooked on those YouTube videos. They're like trying to find the end of the Internet . Hope you're soon back to Alaskan adventures.

[momoffduty]

Wow Sherrin! What a fall! Wishing you a speedy recovery. You've had the bear in Alaska adventure and sadly now this. Didn't you travel to Iceland a few years back? Hope you are feeling better soon!

[Bob]

Oh wow, Sherrin! Ouch is right! I'm feeling bad just reading about it. I'm so glad it wasn't more serious than it was. Here's wishing you a complete and speedy recovery.

Bob

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[ed]

Praying for you. Get well.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[videovillageidiot]

Thanks for all your concern, prayers and good wishes – it really does help. You all are so wonderful!


I came up with a list of tips in case this should ever happen to any of you (and I certainly hope you’ll never need them!!!!!)

Do not do this in summer – wearing the collar can get very warm. It has kept my neck comfy on the few cold occasions I’ve had to leave the house. I just have to block the opening in the front if it’s really cold or the wind is blowing.

My kitty wears a bell and that’s been a good thing. It alerts me she’s headed my way before she gets underfoot, since the collar prevents me from looking down.

Straws are your friend since you can’t tip your head back to drink – and I’m only drinking milk, juice, hot chocolate, or pop (soda to you, Steve), at least until I’m steadier on my feet! LOL

Food should be cut into small pieces since the collar and pain won’t allow you to open your mouth very wide. Fortunately, M & M’s (which my daughter-in-law always remembers I love) are the perfect size.

Remember the Frugal Filmmaker stabilizer from a thread back in 2013? I had made one using PVC pipes and I‘ve used some of the pieces to make a hook to grab clothes out of the washing machine. Muvipix forum to the rescue!!!!!!!


I need to be more like this bear I saw last summer and stand on my own 2 feet!
https://youtu.be/XnXyapxpCR0

It's so sad to hear of your misfortunes. I hope you have a fast and successful recovery.
I'm sure your positive attitude will help.

Thanks! At the very least I am positive I need to be more careful. These things go wrong in an instant!

Jeez, Sherrin! What a mess!

I'm so sorry you're laid up for 7 weeks -- but glad to hear there is no serious permanent spinal damage.

For what it's worth, I"m working on a new batch of tutorials. But I hope you find something a bit more binge-worthy.

Take care of yourself. I'm sure healing after something like that isn't easy. But I'm sure you'll be walking back among the brown bears soon.

Thanks Steve. I’m so grateful when I think how much worse it could have been.
I’ve truly enjoyed your training videos – I’ve wanted to work on some Alaska things and some of the new features may just inspire me!! And I don’t need binge-worthy – I just need something that isn’t cringe-worthy. Anything with people getting hurt is pretty awful. Your videos are completely safe!

Sherrin, you have my genuine sympathy and I hope that you are soon up and about but could I suggest (with tongue very firmly planted in cheek) that you take more water with it.

Thank you. Funny you mentioned “tongue in cheek” – because the collar keeps my jaws fairly tight, I keep biting the inside of my mouth. Another reason to never do this again!

Thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery and that no surgery will be needed, what a crazy life you lead Sherrin

Haha!! Yeah, some of my weirdest adventures certainly weren’t meant to be risky!!
Thank you Chuck!!

So sorry to hear of your fall. It can happen so quickly, and so glad yours didn't result in anything more devastating. Please take care of yourself, heal completely, and don't get hooked on those YouTube videos. They're like trying to find the end of the Internet . Hope you're soon back to Alaskan adventures.

Thank you Dave. Not sure when Alaska will be possible again…For now, I’d be happy just walking safely in my house. LOL

Wow Sherrin! What a fall! Wishing you a speedy recovery. You've had the bear in Alaska adventure and sadly now this. Didn't you travel to Iceland a few years back? Hope you are feeling better soon!

Thanks Mom!
Yeah, I went to Iceland in 2013. I don’t think I had any accidents there, but I sure remember some close calls. The winds were so strong and there I was at the top of waterfalls, walking through a geyser area, and standing at the top of a cliff, peering down to the ocean below. Fortunately, it was the waves that were crashing against the rocks, instead of me! I’m amazed nothing went wrong on that trip!! LOL
Ahhhh, memories…

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/77266091

Oh wow, Sherrin! Ouch is right! I'm feeling bad just reading about it. I'm so glad it wasn't more serious than it was. Here's wishing you a complete and speedy recovery.

Bob

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Thanks Bob! I’m hoping the new CT scan will show the fractures are mending. I’ll be doing some physical therapy (for balance and fall prevention) when I can go without the collar. I’m thinking a good exercise would be to go to a McDonald’s play area and be pushed repeatedly into the ball pit so I can learn how to be relaxed when I fall, instead of tightening up and falling over like a Redwood!!

Praying for you. Get well.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Thank you so much, Ed.

Being at my computer is still a little difficult so it took a while to put this response together. Thank you all!!!!

[momoffduty]

Ahh I now remember your Iceland video. Wonderful filming of the scenery with the high winds! Beautiful! Reading your reply above, you will heal fast with your good outlook.