Tuesday a week ago Rich and I were in Dinosaur CO. We'd driven across country to visit friends and get in some flying. The first (and only) flight was Rich's from the Dinosaur launch on the Utah/CO border. I'd shown him the corral and snake pit LZs and told him if he could reach it, the corral was the nicer LZ. Well, he didn't reach the corral and the snake (pit) bit him pretty good. As he was on final and next to the ground, a thermal had popped off on the higher ground near the gravel access road (Rt. 16) and sucked the air giving him a downwind landing. Together with the relatively high LZ altitude, he pounded in hard and got a bad break of his right arm - spiral fracture midway between the shoulder and elbow which injured the radial nerve. I drove him to the hospital in Vernal UT and they had him flown to the hospital (Univ of Utah) in Salt Lake City. After they set it (and let him stay the rest of the night), we took off for Mike Chevalier's place in Salida CO for a couple of days of R&R (rest and more rest).
Rich saw his regular orthopedic doctor this morning and that guy took a look at the before and after x-rays (from the work done at the University Health Center in SLC) and said he'd be better off seeing an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in arms and hands. So tomorrow I trot him up to Lutherville MD for another dr visit. The oxycodone is keeping the pain in check.
Christy
Rich's short flight at Dinosaur
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Urf, I'm really sorry to hear about Rich's accident Christy, sure
hope that he will heal well and quickly. If he's not up to surfing,
please let him know that we're thinking of him in the forums.
May he be laughing at his humerus soon!
MarkC
PS: I know a good ortho guy if you need a second opinion
on anything...
hope that he will heal well and quickly. If he's not up to surfing,
please let him know that we're thinking of him in the forums.
May he be laughing at his humerus soon!
MarkC
PS: I know a good ortho guy if you need a second opinion
on anything...
get well
Hey Rich,
Rhonda and I wish you a speedy recovery. It's
been a while since we have flown together, and
hope this set-back does not discourage you...
Hope to see ya'll soon,
Mike and Rhonda...........
Rhonda and I wish you a speedy recovery. It's
been a while since we have flown together, and
hope this set-back does not discourage you...
Hope to see ya'll soon,
Mike and Rhonda...........
Mike Lee
How 'Bout That
How 'Bout That
Rich
Sorry to hear that. High altitude landings are a bear. I got a bunch of stitches under my chin in Utah. Coming in to land at about 6,000 MSL my parachute container came loose so I grabbed it and kind of dove in and hit my chin on my wires. I did this within 100 yards of the hospital. I unhooked, went in, got stitched. When I came out my partners had broken down the glider and loaded it on the van so we just went about our business.
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Paul Tjaden
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:28 pm
Being another member of the broken humerus club I surely can sympathize. Of course the worrysome part is the damaged nerve, hope that isn't too bad, the bone isn't much fun but it will heal. I well remember how I could not feel my arm or hand for the first few minutes after my accident. It was pretty scary....then the feeling returned and even though it hurt like hell, I was glad to feel it!
Hope all turns out well and give Rich my best.
Paul
P.S. Unavoidable downwind landings, to me, are the most dangerous part of this sport. I wish there were some way you could guarantee the wind would always be blowing in your face or at least not up your tail. Wheels can help but only if the surface is pretty smooth and firm.
Hope all turns out well and give Rich my best.
Paul
P.S. Unavoidable downwind landings, to me, are the most dangerous part of this sport. I wish there were some way you could guarantee the wind would always be blowing in your face or at least not up your tail. Wheels can help but only if the surface is pretty smooth and firm.
Crap. That just sucks.
So sorry to hear Rich.
Ya know, that's a pretty extreme way to get yourself some good drugs. Ya coulda just asked... I mean I know a guy... er, crap, public forum... did I say that out loud? Um...
Hey get better man.
Hope that nerve thing isn't bad.
Do keep us all posted. We're all pulling for ya buddy.
Jim
So sorry to hear Rich.
Ya know, that's a pretty extreme way to get yourself some good drugs. Ya coulda just asked... I mean I know a guy... er, crap, public forum... did I say that out loud? Um...
Hey get better man.
Hope that nerve thing isn't bad.
Do keep us all posted. We're all pulling for ya buddy.
Jim
After his orthopedist said Rich needed to see a specialist..., Rich had an appt with a surgeon who is with the Curtis National Hand Center and tomorrow he goes in to get a plate put in his arm. The doc will also be able to see what condition the radial nerve is in. Surgery is at 11:30 Friday morning (tomorrow) and he'll be spending the night in the hospital. The doc said it was a 'no brainer' that a plate was needed, contrary to what the Utah doc had said.
Christy
Christy
My thoughts are with him.
Christie, Please give Rich a Get Well Soon from me. He's been more than generous in assisting me over the past two years and I wish him a speedy and full recovery.
That LZ is difficult in the best of conditions. I certainly hope that he doesn't second guess himself to the point that it's not constructive. Come back soon Rich!
Dan T.
That LZ is difficult in the best of conditions. I certainly hope that he doesn't second guess himself to the point that it's not constructive. Come back soon Rich!
Dan T.
Well, one of the doctors assisting in the operation told Rich afterwards that the plate that put on the break was a 'whopper.' Guess it had to match the size of the break. He does't know if they'll be letting him leave the hospital today as originally planned. He's grateful for the progress they've made in pain meds.
Christy
Christy