Accident at work, out for a while.

[kolelt]

So I've been on the forums for a very long time now. Love it. Have learned so much from all you guys. Not to mention bought custom parts. And my truck has come a long way. I didnt know if I should share this on general or here. But I figured because I'm 3rd gen owner I'll post it here. Anyways, my name is Erik. I'm a union iron worker. Local 11 NJ. I never ever thought in my life I will get hurt. I was always cautious but hungry to get better and be a connector. Unfortunately my worst nightmare happened. Was building a BJs store at 25ft. I don't want to go into details really sorry. But the crane was swinging a bundle of deck. And I don't know why, but it wasn't above my head. I had not given any sign to the operator that i was ready either. I tried to duck down but the bundle hit me in the head, and knocked me of the steel. Landed on my side stomach. Broke my neck, #6 #7. Had surgery. 3 bruised ribs and severe bruised lungs. I got lucky. Lungs got better very fast. And I only broke my neck. I can walk and all. But my balance is rusty and I have to go to rehabilitation. I'm actually very very lucky to only have broken my neck. This will put me out of work for little while. I am planning on getting strong and going back to iron work. It wanted to do so much more to truck and now I can't.





Here my truck. All lifted, custom uca and LCA, BR front UCA, 5 speed swap

 

[99Runnr]

Damn man, get better. I know the feeling working with stuff like that.

I ran CNC plasma for 9 years operating/loading the table with bridge cranes. The last 2 years were with HEAVY plate steel. Got to see an 80 foot 1" thick sheet of steel fall off the spreader bar and just DESTROY anything beneath it. Scary shit working with that kinda mass.

Glad you didn't get it worse.

 

[68dave]

Damn! Sorry to hear that, but glad you are still with us to tell us about it. Let us know if there is anything we can do.

 

[68dave]

Good looking truck. I like what you did with those TRD decals.

 

[Nervo19]

That's terrible. It's good you will recover. I broke my back in a work related vehicle accident in the days before internet. I had to get cable TV installed because I got so bored. You'll eventually feel good enough to get very stir crazy. Be sure to follow doctor's orders and don't do anything to reinjure yourself. Be careful with the pain meds too. It's depressing and you feel like you'll never get better but you will. At least it's winter and you're not missing beach time.

Your truck looks great. Betcha can't drive right now though. Good luck with recovery.

 

[Scramble]

Get well soon man.
My buddy Mike (RIP) was an Iron Worker here in NYC. Working on the city bridges.

 

[St Runner]

Good luck with your recovery, the human body is amazingly tough and I have no doubt you will recover 100%. follow your doctors restrictions and when they give you the okay to rehabilitate, go hard. Now is a good time to study up on nutrition too as it will be your best ally for the next few months. I broke my back when I was 25 and four months ago fractured my femur. Recovered completely from both. Stay positive and you will be back in your runner in no time!

 

[v_man]

Hang in there , you're a young guy ... the truck looks great ....

 

[01thunder]

i was with local 393 and 397. one of the ironworkers with 393 had a bad one and lost his arm from the shoulder. he does paralympics now, joe berenyi. thank God you are alive. i know about those types of mishaps.

 

[MONTYMTB]

Hate to hear, but glad it wasn't worse. Speedy recovery to you brother, hope to see you back in the Runner soon.

 

[papabeach]

hang in there, you got this!

 

[MyHigh]

Dam man, be strong attitude is everything, know that you will be better and soon enough it will be true!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hang in there man. It will get better. If there is anything we can do to help just say it.

 

[giovannie23]

Be careful with the pain meds too.

Very true and for a lengthy recovery that's a lot of pills overtime very addicting if not careful about it
I would opt for a more organic way with medical cannabis
Even if it's just cbd
I wish a speedy recovery stay positive brother!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Very true and for a lengthy recovery that's a lot of pills overtime very addicting if not careful about it
I would opt for a more organic way with medical cannabis
Even if it's just cbd
I wish a speedy recovery stay positive brother!

A lot of doctors are way way too free with the pain meds in the US. It is near criminal.

 

[giovannie23]

A lot of doctors are way way too free with the pain meds in the US. It is near criminal.

I agree it is way to common to see people still taking prescription pills months if not years after there already fully recovered, it alters people's mind state just as bad as any harsh drug would

 

[St Runner]

I agree that pain pills are addictive and abused, but in the case of traumatic injury they are extremely useful to lessen the pain and restrict movement. When the pain lessens enough to deal with it, drop them like a horrible girlfriend and don't look back. I am quite sure that Eric is happy to have something to deaden the pain!

 

[planomateo]

Wow, I'm happy for you and your family that things turned out like they did.

Hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

[kolelt]

Thank you all for support. Yesterday they moved me from hospital to a therapy facility. And today, i don't know why. I passed out on my OT after standing up. First time ever. But little by little gets you far.

 

[indawire]

Down time

Very sorry to hear about the accident and we wish you a speedy recovery. While you're in recovery and bored out of your mind, try books on tape or an online class to make use of the time. Just look at it as a forced learning opportunity that you have to make the best of.