Getting old and taking a hard fall

[oddshooter]

I have a real love for the Arizona desert canyons in the winter.  The weather is beautiful, around upper 70's, and the burros are in mating season.  Coyotes are everywhere.  We've had a wet winter and the desert is blooming; even green grass in spots.  I haven't seen that in a long time.

Covid really screwed up the solitude in the backcountry.  It became the only place people weren't in quarantine and so the popularity soared and the RV's and trucks disappeared.  I sold my Roadtrek because it couldn't make it where I wanted to go in the desert, no matter how hard I tried.  After getting stuck a half dozen times, I started looked for a off-road 4x4 instead. 

After a couple of years continually searching, I found a Hummer of all things listed in Phoenix.  It was owned by a Hummer cult member and was in fantastic shape with every add-on a junkie could find.  The price was a steal and so I flew to Phoenix and bought it.  It is unusual in that it is a "luxury" off-road beast.  Beautiful leather seats and high-end fit and finish.  It is raised about 10 inches and I have to jump to get in.  It has huge nobby tires and this baby will go anywhere. It has a Gobi rack, Bilsen? shocks, and extra large springs and shocks in the back.  Two of the toughest looking bumpers every built are on it with a gorgeous wench are on the front.  General Motors said they lost $20,000 on every one they sold.  So after a couple of years, 2009, they stopped producing them.  It is now a cult vehicle.  The joke is my neighbors make fun of me because my daily driver is a Model Y Tesla electric; maybe the complete opposite of the Hummer.

I removed the back seats and built a 6'1" bed frame.  I made foil-covered, insulated window covers and it is now toasty and comfortable.  I bought a 30' tarp which gives me cover on both sides and shade for the beast.  
The Hummer is now my escape when crap gets too thick.  And that's about every 2 months for me.

The bad news was that on my first outing in the most gorgeous desert wash around, i slipped on a side hill and found myself airborne.  I got lucky and rolled away from a face plant, but landed on my shoulder and fractured my clavicle.  There is no communication where I go, not even text, so I had to quickly jump in the Hummer and get to cell range to let someone know I was headed into the ER in Parker, AZ., about 45 miles.  I was nervous about passing out and not seeing anyone for days, so I knew I needed at least a backup.  I finally got a buddy on the phone and told him if I didn't call from ER within an hour, to send help in my direction.  At least someone knew generally where I was.  It all worked out well and I have just returned from my second 12 day solo trip to the exact same camping spot.

The bad news was I took a few dozen different handloads I have built and 10 revolvers to shoot every day for testing.  Unfortunately after shooting my first couple of 327fm I knew I was pounding that right, fractured clavicle pretty hard.  That recoil is normally a joke for me, but not this time.  I felt the soreness fairly quickly and realized I needed to rethink my recuperation period.  I stayed with 22's shooting left handed and had a great time shooting steel bells I made from scuba tanks. 

I'm 75 and not going to stop camping, although I may have to adapt a little.

Getting old is not for sissies.
prrescut

[38 WCF]

I hear ya. I am only 68 and this past Deer season I was walking along a very nice flat trail when my Right foot caught a very tiny bit of shrubbery and down I went. Luckily, just hurt my pride and I kept on Hunting and managed a nice Buck for my efforts, but getting older sucks sometimes.

[bigbrowndog]

The main physical reason I retired from the FD was my knees. After a big fire or rescue, it would take my entire off time to recoup them so I could go back to work. I had also broken my ankle at a fire and it made it more susceptible to spraining and breaking. Since I wanted to be active in my retirement I decided to retire once I reached my goal for retirement income and not put it off for more. These days it’s easy for me to misstep and roll my ankle, then spend the next week or so walking on a sore ankle and trying to remember what I did that caused it.
I’ve been spending the last few weeks on ranches with my animal abatement company walking on loose rock or squatting down scooting through brush. By the end of the day, knees and ankle are sore and in need of rest. Luckily I’ve never had or needed surgery for any injuries, but realizing how effective rest and ice is makes a huge difference.
Stay safe out there…….

Trapr

[junebug]

The curse of the 71 year old well used and abused body, and the 20 yr old mind. We spend the coin of our youth like water from an ever flowing well. Then as we get older the bill comes due, and it is known as PAIN!!!

[mcquade]

Broke my left leg in 2 spots back in 2022. She’s healed up pretty good but it did seem to take longer, especially with working out the stiffness after the bones had healed.

[gnappi]

It's good that it all worked out, your experience got me to thinking why it's a blessing to be ambidextrous.

I also found that my age (72) has compelled me to be a bit more careful.

[bradshaw]

Prescut.... if you broke a bone, stay off alcohol to allow knitting. Otherwise, you may end up with scar tissue over a non-union.
David Bradshaw

[oddshooter]

hey David,

thanks for the comment. I had to look that one up. Sounds like you may be familiar with this ailment.

"Non-unions can be pain free for a long time but may become troublesome many years after the injury. This is because they form what is called a 'fibrous non union' where the gap in the bone is filled with scar tissue which 'glues' the fracture together." Not good. I'll mention it to the doc.

I have a beer about every 3 months, so that's not my problem.

My orthopedist told me that 85 to 90% of people with fractured clavicle wind up with frozen shoulder, which in my opinion is worse than the fracture. I had a frozen shoulder about 10 years ago and the physical therapy was about as painful as I could stand. They force those tendons, muscles, and connective tissue to stretch way past what's bearable. I asked the therapist the first day how long it would take to see normal. He responded with "how much pain can you take per day"?

I didn't want to do that again, so I started moving my shoulder after the first week. No muscle involved, no weight; just moving the joint.  That really helpoed.  My whole shoulder was black and blue from the trauma.  I see the doc next week for a final set of x-rays to confirm correct healing.


Anyway, my shooting is limited for awhile. I took my Ruger 357 Maximum, my USFA 41 mag, and my S&W 44 mag. I was really looking forward to testing my handloads, but that didn't happen. Too afraid that recoil was going to shake that shoulder joint a little too much.


prescut

[sharps4590]

My youngest son had that in both shoulders, in his early 40's. The stories he told me were incredible. I'd never heard of it.

[lar4570]

Glad you are on the mend.
The only thing is now we need some pictures of that truck!

[bradshaw]

Prescut.... not familiar with ailment. Friend broke femur years back, motorcycle. Loved his beer. Suffered non-union had him living in pain. Femur had to be re-broken to repair. Suggested he lay off the sauce. Leg heeled fine.

Meanwhile, back in the scapula jungle, break out the rimfires, shoot with the other hand. Centerfire can wait.
David Bradshaw

[rexster]

I empathize. Though in my early sixties, rather than early seventies, and though I have not taken any hard falls, I am in the process of accepting that my next sixgun acquisition should, probably, be something like a Ruger Single Six or Single Ten, .22 LR, if I want to keep shooting single-action sixguns right-handed. I am already shifting emphasis to shooting left-handed, which is not a curse, because, thankfully, I am left-eye dominant, and write left-handed. I chose to carry on my right hip, forty years ago, because I throw right-handed, and drawing the then-mandated S&W L-Frame from the then-mandated low-slung duty holster felt natural enough when done with my throwing arm. Plus, I knew that I would be patrolling the sometimes-mean streets of Houston, Texas mostly alone, in a patrol car, a situation in which the right hip is more accessible than the left hip. The USA was in a recession, at that time, while Houston was still an oil boom town, a wild and wooly place. So, I became a right-handed pistolero, in 1983/1984. Six years ago, a right hand and right shoulder, not aging gracefully, were a significant factor in my decision to retire. Another terrifying discovery, during refresher training, was that I could not pass the motor skills tests test portions of the standard field sobriety tests, while stone cold sober. These are the tests that are used by police officers to investigate whether a motorist is impaired. I had long known that I was a clumsy carp, but this was a clear sign that my balance was deteriorating. Being weak and clumsy could not only get me hurt, but could get a colleague hurt. It was time to get out.

The mental adjustment has been the more-difficult part. I try to remind that any day spent above the grass is better than a day spent underneath the grass.

[parallaxbill]

My bad tree stand fall was 10 years ago this coming October 14th. I still deal with the long-term effects from it now at 67 years of age. But back then, when I was in intensive care, followed by a month in rehab learning to walk again, I never thought I'd be in as good shape as I am today. I feel blessed.

[edk]

Mar 7, 2024 16:20:14 GMT -5 lar4570 said:

Glad you are on the mend.
The only thing is now we need some pictures of that truck!

Yeah, particularly a view including the gorgeous wench on the front 😉

[drycreek]

Mar 7, 2024 11:41:54 GMT -5 junebug said:

The curse of the 71 year old well used and abused body, and the 20 yr old mind. We spend the coin of our youth like water from an ever flowing well. Then as we get older the bill comes due, and it is known as PAIN!!!

You are speaking my language Sir, except that I’m six years your senior. A lifetime spent outdoors working and playing has taken a toll on my body. About a half day spent working outside now, even if on my tractor or side by side has me with a knee iced down and relaxing in my recliner with my Jack Russell pup in my lap. If I only had as much energy as she does !

Edit this post to add: I fell in my garage back in November. I was headed to my truck in the dark and hung my toe on something in the garage. Falling anywhere at my age is bad but the concrete floor was particularly unforgiving. My left arm was against my ribs when I hit the floor and naturally bruised the hell out of my lower ribs. Shoulder was stressed as well. I didn’t go to the doctor for any of this,I didn’t figure they could help me much. It took about three weeks for the sore ribs to heal and coughing, sneezing, or laughing was not good. Needless to say, I did not hunt that day ! I’m just thankful that I wasn’t carrying my rifle, I wouldn’t want to bang it up !