Ugh, Embarrassing And Painful Incident

[Airedale 48]

I didn't sleep last night. That's okay, it happens occasionally. Just before sunrise I decided to put on my hunting gear and go relax in my tree stand. Hunting is not about killing.You are more apt to not get whatever critter you're hunting than you are too. For me the love is being in the woods, exhaling,becoming the woods and seeing animals slowly start to appear. The icing on the cake is when I am fortunate to be part of the food chain and be able to put food in my refrigerator. It was a good morning. It was raining really hard. Several female deer and their young walked by. They are like ghosts. If you're not paying attention they can pass within a few feet of you and you'll never notice. They went on their way and a handsome young buck ambled in. Young bucks are kind of funny. They are almost arrogant in their demeanor. Well unless a bigger buck comes along. Then they decide that discretion is the better part of valor and will generally disappear into the woods.
Anyway, I was not deer hunting. I was hoping to get a squirrel or two for dinner tonight. It was raining too hard though and I realized that the squirrels were more intelligent than I am.
I decided to climb down out of my tree stand and go home. I'd just thought to myself that I really need to inspect the stand and make sure it's safe.... guess what? It isn't. Not only that but that song, you know, "I believe I can Fly" Well, someone lied. I can't fly! The front part of the structure for some reason popped out of place. That sent my ladder sailing and me dropping about 15 feet to the ground.
I don't remember being in so much physical pain. I landed on my back and couldn't breath. I told myself not to panic and concentrate on catching my breath. In the mean time I slowly checked my limbs and fortunately found that even though I was in a lot of pain I could at the very least move my limbs.
It took a while for me to be able to role over onto my belly and just lay there groaning and praying that there was no internal damage.
I don't know how long I spent on the ground but eventually I stood up and just leaned on a tree. Just trying to gather my wits about me.
It took me quite a while to limp to my house where I hoped I could take a seat or lie down. Nope, I was locked up and in complete pain. I had to go to the Emergency Room. I couldn't drive myself so I called a friend. It turns out that I couldn't get into her car so I had to call and have an ambulance come bring me to the E.R.
It turns out that I have three broken ribs. Hurts like the devil and I'm on a pretty hard core pain killer. Thank goodness that I don't have a problem with drugs. Oh well, this too shall pass. It's good though to be able to share.
Funny, as I get older dyeing becomes much more real. It was really scary. The only good thing though was that I got to flirt with the nurses!
Anyway, time for more drugs and for me to pass out. Thanks for reading this.

 

[scout86]

Glad to hear there's apparently no permanent damage!

 

[Nighthawk]

Ouch glad I was not there. Falling is one huge fear for me. I am glad you will be ok in the long run. Take good care at try not to laugh as it really hurts with broken ribs.

 

[user27357]

flirting with nurses is a good sign. Remember it isn't about actually getting the game you seek but the experience of hunting and hoping to be part of the food chain.

I can relate to every part of the story you tell, been there and done all of it except falling from a tree stand. Probably only because in the jungles I have around here mobility is the whole game.

You are faced with a decision, continue to find humor or be hard on yourself and fall into depression, I advise continued humor and flirting as needed. Be well and enjoy the time off.

 

[WillyKat]

Glad you're relatively OK. I'm especially glad you didn't land on one or more of your arrows. The diagnoses would have been much different.

You of course know that there is a reason they call it hunting and not killing. Same thing applies to flirting and...well you get the point.

More to the point, it seems you use nature, the outdoors, as part of your healing. I can relate to that in a big way. And while many have issues with hunting, I don't. In fact, hunters and fisher folk have done more than flatlanders to protect the wilderness. There's something about hunting that makes a strong bond with your prey and the Earth.

 

[nursenurse]

You made me laugh, although I am sorry for your ribs.

 

[The Albatross]

Very sorry to read about your broken ribs (I've had some myself, not fun). My mister's hunting buddy had a stand go down in his back yard... when he fell he broke both of his legs and now he is disabled but he still hunts. Had to smile about the "I believe I can fly... eh no I can't" but glad you were able to get out of the woods under your own steam and seek treatment. No more of that 'k?

For the record, I got no problem with hunting when it's for food rather than sport. But we have a rule in my house... he brings it, he or we eat it. One time, he went squirrel hunting, brought some home. Didn't know what to do with them and put them on the smoker... big mistake. He brought them in, knowing the rule and tried to get me to eat one. Eh no thanks... they're all your's I said. He tried to break the rule... but caved in the end and did eat them.

Guess what? He never brought home any more squirrels. Dove yes. Wild turkey yes. Venison yes. But yay, no more squirrels.

My mister too connects to his peace when he is in the woods. He also connects to his provider role when he brings home food.

 

[Friday]

Beauty followed by crisis. Helplessness and pain. Embarrassment and stubbornness.

I hear that.

Be good to yourself. Go easy.

 

[KwanYingirl]

How fortunate you got out of there by yourself. Adrenaline does come in handy. Just wondering-can you take your cell phone with you hunting? Especially if you need to be found they could use your phone to find you.

 

[WillyKat]

Cell phones don't always work in the backwoods due to the hills, etc. Taking one isn't a bad idea, but you can't really rely on them.

As I do more healing from PTSD, and since I go deep into wilderness frequently, I bought an Emergency Locator Beacon. (I didn't start to really value my life until the last year or so.) It sends a signal to a satellite giving your exact GPS coordinates and and SOS. For dire emergencies only. The message is automatically routed to the nearest police station, fire post, ranger station, etc. Expensive at around $300, but I think worth it.

 

[user27357]

@KwanYingirl the cell phone is a great idea. We found a few when I was an EMT that way.

It is an absolute crime that the FCC (American governmental body that regulates the use of the radio spectrum) gave away the airwaves without requiring the phone companies to have blanket area coverage by a certain time. If you want to have a radio station in the US you have to provide time for government public service messages and emergency broadcasts. In the same direction, we could have stipulated that the cell phone companies covered the country or didn't get to keep their licenses. It would save lives here in my state, especially during hunting season.

 

[Britt.f7]

Beautiful story except for your cracking your ribs! I'm not a hunter and don't quite understand it, but communing with nature I get. Sounds like you are respectful.

Hope your ribs heal quickly.