Get well soon DSE!

[DSE 5]

The doctor hasn't made any recommendations or commentary about my ACL/MCL/miniscus, probably because it's so far away out there for me.
I'm doing the pain meds as scripted, and cheating a little at night with the Demerol, although it doesn't help much. PT is now getting boring, because my PT guy (comes in three times a week) isn't really pushing me. Been getting some excellent online advice for personal PT, and have been following that routinely. When you're chained to the bed...not much else to do. The support from this thread has helped tremendously in keeping spirits up; it's inspiring and motivating to know that people care. Trying to keep a positive attitude, but it's damne`d hard at times.
I'm fairly convinced I'll want a cadaver graft vs my own. I'm told they heal faster and usually are much stronger. Since I have no MCL...seems like that will be important, no?

[ladydyver 0]

Quote

Quote

Then you will also get this really cool brace that you will get to wear for at least a year when you are back at things.....changes your flying dynamic just a bit -

Interesting. When I tore my ACL, my therapist recommended I NOT wear a brace when returning to sports. He stated my grafted ACL is now stronger than a natural one. I did the cavader router, the hamstring one might be different. He said I could use a brace if I wanted the security but that by not using one I would only strengthen my ACL even more.

Mine was specified from the orthopedic surgeon.....guess it depends on the ortho guy. I think the concern was not only the acl which was replaced by a cadaver graft but the mcl and the meniscus as well. Interesting the different theories about it though.......of course I think the ortho guy new I would be back before the 6 month mark as well so figured he would protect his handy work.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[The111 1]

Here's some humor for ya Spot... I was using Photoshop tonight and figure out how you can get better faster!

http://www.matthoover.com/misc/spot_healing.jpg

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[mnealtx 0]

That's outstanding...

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[SuperGirl 0]

awesome job Matt

[Bill_K 0]

Doh, that's the best! My wife and I both got a good chuckle out of that one.

[DSE 5]

nice catch. I'll have to brush up on my Photoshop skills while I'm laid up on my back.

[drdive 0]

Hey Spot, I did my "initial" jump on my new Tony suit last weekend and had fun. Thanks for your excellent "FlockU" instruction in Sebastian. I definitely thought of you before, during, and after the jump.
Continue healing fast. Beware of dangerous things like toilets, and tripping on dogs. How is Mrs. Spot holding up??

Doc

"We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub"

"

[dougmoffitt 0]

Spot,

You carry this thing about emulating my skydiving career way too far!

Seriously, you sound like you're on your way back. I am surprised that they can't help you to manage the pain better. There is a tradeoff between alertness and pain, however.

Do what the mean ole PT people tell you and you'll be back in the air in reasonable time.

Just watch out for the doctor who tells you that nobody in his right mind should skydive. He's correct of course, but that isn't the point.

Heal!

Doug

[bigway 4]

Quote

Hi guys,
thaks for ll the kind words of support, phone calls, PM's, etc; You cannot possibly know how much they have meant.
First off, WTF happened!!?? I'm still very doped up but here is my best (I've dreamed/relived at least three times a day, l clearly recall coming for a 90 on my front risers, slowly releasing my right riser to transition. I typically hold entire hand through toggle and use two fingers on risers, I believe this to be the case in this jump.
I don't know how/why I lost the toggle, I just did. No good explanation. I immediately went for my right rear riser and at the same time, fixated my vision on our swoop noodles. I was afraid of impaling myself on one of them (Highly unlikely, but wo says fear is rational?)
Anyway....ground rush took over. I impacted on my left knee and scrotum, then tried to PLF but there was just too much energy. Pelvis split in half, L1, 2,3 all broke into bits, and the sacrum broke off as well.
They needed to stabilize me after all the blood loss, so Thursday was surgury day (accident on monday).
Just now starting PT and remembering swearwords I thought I'd left in my distant past. Missy and Heather (PT ladies) must have strong ears.
No night is without agony; pain runs somewhere between excruciating and torturus, but at least I'm breathing without help now, and can hold my own cup of water. I got out of ICU this morning, which is why I'm allowed a 'puter. Up to now, Parachutist and Mannie have been reading posts and emails to me.
I'm sure I'll get ripped a lot, I really don't know how the toggle was no longer in my hand. I'm just surprised to be alive. The docs say that this sort of pelvic injury is rarely survived, so I guess I've been lucky.
Thank you all again, and I hope to be back in the sky sooner than later.

~d

WOW, JUst found this thread. Only just on the third page. I really hope you have a full recovery and manage to keep your spirits up.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[TheCapt 7]

Wow! I don't get out much and just found out what happened. I feel for you. Last night on the way home from work I played Dieschu and Human Rights on my ipod. It's nice to see you're going to turn out OK, and it's nice to see how many people love you.

[DSE 5]

Wow. Dieshu! My second favorite recording of mine. It means "The beginning of the end/the end of the beginning." Kinda fitting. Nothing will ever top "Arrival" from that same album. That one is for my funeral.
Hope I'm going to be OK. I had a doctor who is a sports specialist examine me and he found a few other "gotchas" and had a differing opinion from my regular ortho. Suffering a few setbacks, but overall... it appears they've found everything.
Three more surguries to go and I'll be back to good.
Yeah, the thread has been incredibly inspiring and helped get me through some challenging nights. Cards from members of the community have been very helpful too, and one person even sent me a pecan pie from Texas! What a great community!

[humanflite 0]

Get well soon mate

[millertime24 8]

You'll have to let me hear your music sometime. Everytime I see you I somehow completely forget to mention it. Out of curiosity, what all instruments do you play?

Muff #5048

[grannyinthesky 0]

I've got one of Spot's CD's on my iPod. Remind me and you can listen to some.

"safety first... and What the hell.....
safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy

POPS #10490

[DSE 5]

iTunes offerings of my music has about 3/4 of my recordings.
Native flute is my primary instrument, but I play most of the instruments on my albums with the exception of guest artists like Craig Chaquico, Michael Hedges, Michael Manring, Jim Brickman, Darryl Stuermer, Peter Buffett, etc.

I usually don't have any of my own music around.
Here is a video a fan did using my music, the song is "Arrival," which is one of my favorite compositions. When I die, I'd like it sung/played at my funeral.
"We're Still Here" was a rock piece I wrote for a film credit sheet.
Most of my work isn't vocal.
Nii' dii'n'schlii'" was written shortly after my son's death. Loosely translated, it means "My heart wishes for you" or "I miss you." The song features Meade Steadman of Tranquil Touch on sax. I'm playing everything but sax and bass on this one. The vid is quite old.
"Dance" is a collection of concert footage. centered around a performance we did in an old quarry in Sweden. The guy in the dark green sparkle shirt is John Frazier, the direct great-grandson of Gall, who strategized most of the attack on Custer at Greasy Grass. In the middle, you can see Al Di Meola.
This video is also quite old. No grey in my hair back then, and I think I weigh a bit more now.
But...at least you can hear some of my music.
Curiously enough, my most played song ever is my version of "America, the Beautiful" which was done for the funeral of a prominent chief that died in the fall/attack on the World Trade Center. It was later picked up by various podcasters, and has been played for many cultural events such as Obama's inauguration and Independence Day celebrations. Simple, but a nice piece (and free of any royalty or copyright, I put it out there as a Creative Commons piece) that anyone can use.

[warpedskydiver 0]

I really enjoyed that.

Thanks

The photography was impressive as well.

[ladydyver 0]

woohoo! very cool ---- will have to check out the itunes stuff after i get home from work....or tomorrow after i get up. glad to hear that you are seeking out some other opinions....especially from a sports specialist. keep hanging tough.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[Heatmiser 0]

Picked up the Closer to Far Away album last night off i-tunes. Very nice. My wife is Choctaw, she will love your flute

What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo

Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama

[JohnDeere 0]

Quote

Picked up the Closer to Far Away album last night off i-tunes. Very nice. My wife is Choctaw, she will love your flute

Your wife want his "flute"?

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[Heatmiser 0]

Fokker!. Besides, from what he said of his injuries he lost a ball, he didn't say anything about polin holes in the side of his willy to change pitch

What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo

Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama

[JohnDeere 0]

Quote

from what he said of his injuries he lost a ball

No I think he said it just looked like one big ball.... You think your wife will like that to?

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[DSE 5]

I didn't lose a ball, my two simply grew to the size of a few dozen for a while.
I'm happy to report things are mostly back to normal now that the Foley catheter has been removed.

[JohnDeere 0]

Glad you are back on track! Hope you get back in the air soon.

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[DSE 5]

I'm not back, just able to walk distances in water. So far, I've walked about 3.5 miles in the current pools (I count going against the current as being two laps cuz it's so hard).
The toughest part is where you reach the place where the water is 18" deep; it's damn hard to keep walking with no current, just stagnant water. Easy place to fall down and damage new hardware. But the Aquatherapy is helping a lot, and many thanks to LTDiver for suggesting it, and many thanks to the friends that help me get around in the pool. Maybe I can start the water aerobics,too.

ACL/MCL are next to tackle, and hoping they'll heal as quickly as my pelvis seems to have healed. Looking forward to finding a warm DZ to call home for the winter. Any invites for me and my trailer? Hoping to stay west of Mississippi.

I feel like an old fart jogging in the water, and am the youngest person in the pool by half. iPod helps keep driving me. If you pray, please pray for my ACL/MCL to heal fast and that a turbine DZ in the South West needs a good AFFI/Vidiot/Wingsuit instructor (with lots of demo suits) and is entirely self-contained.
I've got so much metal between five major accidents through my life....The bolts and rod in my pelvis really do set off airport security. I get to carry a card.