In part 1, I said that I would reveal the 2 huge mistakes I made, so here they are. First, I neglected to release the tension on the chain from the tree to the tractor-it was still pulled tight! Then if you look all the way down the length of the tree, you can still see how the top was wedged between 2 other trees so that when I cut that first log the force of that entire tree crashed into my legs and instantly held me to the ground…
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
(On with part 2) The paramedics arrived quickly and were able to drive right back to the woods where I was. They quickly assessed my situation and were on the way to the local hospital ASAP. I was rushed into one of the examination rooms of the ER and the nurses helped the paramedics transfer me onto a hospital gurney.
The nurses started the IVs and took blood. Then radiology came in to get the first x-rays…in the midst of all this activity I looked over at Ruth, because of the years past I was familiar with that sad, lonely look on her face. But I had never been the one in serious trouble before.
More x-rays and scans and nurses asking me if I want more pain meds. It really didn’t take long for a doctor to come in and explain that they were able to get some very good x-rays and scans (I guess that was the good news!). But the multiple breaks that I had were beyond anything they could take care of there. I was going to be transferred to a hospital ready to handle orthopedic trauma surgery to the lower legs. They did some checking and told us one of the best was in Ft Wayne, so we agreed and the call for the next transport was made, as well as for my arrival at the next hospital.
After arrangements were made, it only took about an hour for the ambulance to arrive to take me to Ft Wayne. The doctors had told us that it sounded like I would have surgery in the morning at the hospital in Ft Wayne. So, we decided Ruth should go home and come in the morning especially since she wanted to get things to be able to stay with me in Ft Wayne.
My transport arrived and everyone began switching things so that the last piece of equipment to move was ME! They did a very good job of keeping my broken legs from moving around, and I was onto the next gurney with very little extra pain. As they wheeled me down the hallway to the exit where I would get loaded, Ruth and I said our goodbyes and again I could relate so much better to what she was feeling than I was. In years past I had been in that helpless spot so many times as your loved one gets taken away by ambulance, but I couldn’t comfort her because I was in a place I’d never been.
After about an hour and a half, the ambulance pulled into the entrance of the trauma center in Ft Wayne…
To be continued…..
Till Next Time…..
Leave a Reply