Period Fall

[Zebra]

Hello all.
Unfortunately I had a bit of a fall while climbing just over a week ago, and fractured my spine. Now have to wear a neck brace for up to three months, which is not very comfortable when you have such a long neck. All will mend though, just won't be around for a while. House is also having to have a rest from any further work while I try to mend.
Miss you all
Z

 

[Moo]

Climbing?
What on earth were you thinking about? You're a zebra, goddamit, not a mountain goat!

And surely you're not going to abandon us all while you recover? I'd have thought that enforced idleness would allow you aeons of PPUK time.

However, none of the above means that I'm not really sorry to hear of your injury. You must be a brave little beast, and concentrate on getting better as soon as possible.

 

[LadyArowana]

That must have been really nasty, I'm glad you sound OK, but very scary. Did you get a ride inside a search and rescue helicopter, or did they have to dangle you underneath in one of those sling things? I send virtual ((( hugs ))).

 

[Lime]

I wish you a speedy recovery Zebra.

 

[atticman]

Get well soon, Zebra

 

[angrybird]

Oh!! poor poor you, wishing you a speedy recovery
lots of love and hugs

Jacqueline x

 

[Flyfisher]

Unfortunately I had a bit of a fall while climbing just over a week ago, and fractured my spine.

:shock: :shock: :shock:
So glad to hear all will be well - scary stuff though!

I was scared off mountaineering after watching this particularly harrowing video in my youth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U0tDU37q2M

Get well soon.

 

[88v8]

Caramba. Nasty. Glad it's fixable.
Know how it feels - I once tripped over whilst getting onto a carriage on a Swiss mountain railway and stubbed my toe.

Ivor

 

[Lime]

Unfortunately I had a bit of a fall while climbing just over a week ago, and fractured my spine.

I was scared off mountaineering after watching this particularly harrowing video in my youth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U0tDU37q2M

Climbing the other side of the Uxbridge Road is even more difficult.
I did it upside down many years ago.
I wouldn't do it again.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Commiserations Zebra, get well soon!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, poor Zebra - that sounds extremely nasty but if it really is just a neck brace and waiting for healing then you can console yourself with how much worse it could have been - I remember the spinal injuries from my time being chopped up in the RNOH - not pretty - very sobering stuff.

You take good care and please think about taking up just grazing and sun lounging! Xx

 

[Gareth Hughes]

That sounds very nasty, poor, Zebra, but if you will go climbing, what do you expect?
I hope you have a full and speedy recovery, and that the neck brace is in a nice matching stripe?

 

[El Greyo]

Hello Zebra
Sorry to hear about your fall and injury and hope it heals quickly. I climb too so can empathise.

It will be very frustrating not being able to climb, renovate, or do many of the active things you are used to. But, you'll have to take it easy for now, the priority is to allow your neck to heal soundly so that it doesn't give you long term problems and you can then get back to doing everything you are used to doing. Make sure you emphasize to doctor and physios that you live an active life (perhaps emphasizing the electrician and house renovation - unless you get a climber as doc/physio). I can imagine that, once the fracture heals, you'll need good physio to get it all back in full working order. Hope you can find some way to occupy yourself in the mean time.

I didn't realise they made rock shoes for Zebras, do you get them specially made?

All the best

 

[atticman]

Were you on the way to visit some distant cousins...........?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_zebra

 

[ladytmwright]

So very sorry to hear that, Zebra, and if it's any consolation, I cannot even get up my stairs at the moment, let alone a mountain! Hope you make a speedy recovery and keep us up to date with your progress. Also, I assume your grey matter is still up to scratch, so you can at least be jotting down your renovation ideas and pontificating whilst you are in this position? :wink:

 

[Zebra]

And surely you're not going to abandon us all while you recover? I'd have thought that enforced idleness would allow you aeons of PPUK time.

Sadly I'm having to stay with another member of the herd, as I'm not yet able to manage at my house in this state, and can't spend all day on their computer.

No, I didn't get a ride in a helicopter thankfully. Specialist paramedic vets came and scooped me up into a stretcher and handled me down the hill, from where the fire service had to put me across the back seat of one of their vehicles, head sticking out of one door, hooves sticking out of the other, and reverse about half a mile down a footpath to the waiting ambulance. All four legs were working however, and straight away I knew it could have been much much worse. All of the care I received was excellent.

Two weeks of idleness and rest have been wonderful, but after two more I suspect I will start to wonder whether I could manage just a little bit of stairbuilding perhaps. Your wise words are heeded however, El Greyo. Whereabouts do you tend to climb? We were at Shorn Cliff in the Wye Valley.

 

[tobydog]

Hi Zebra. Sorry to hear the news but it looks as though you are being well looked after. There's a fantastic equine clinic at Newmarket but it's rather pricey.

I'm currently bidding on one of these for you. Clearly yours fell off on the way up!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Lost-Arrow-Rock-Climbing-Chalk-Bag-Zebra-Print-/171088804762

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

[El Greyo]

Hello Zebra

Yes, I've climbed at Shorn Cliff. Nice crag but protection is sometimes tricky and it has it's fair share of dubious rock. Very glad that the rescue went as well as can be expected and that you are now on the road to recovery. Hope you can start to build those stairs soon - and when you do, perhaps make sure whatever surface they have provides a good grip.

 

[El Greyo]

Whereabouts do you tend to climb?

Well, I've been climbing now for a very long time (although much less now we're the proud owner of a period property!) so I've climbed all over the UK and quite a few places far and wide. Just had a very good weekend in the peak. Will you be tentatively getting back on the rock when you have recovered?

 

[Zebra]

I'm currently bidding on one of these for you. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Lost-Arrow-Rock-Climbing-Chalk-Bag-Zebra-Print-/171088804762

I already have one of those!!

Will you be tentatively getting back on the rock when you have recovered?

Oh yes. I hope my head will not be too badly affected. I think the whole psychology of climbing is based around being able to hold your nerve and concentrate only on what you're doing, which for many people is difficult after a bad lead fall. But I know exactly what went wrong. It was too late in the day and I was too tired to attempt something that hard. I'd just done a route at the very top of my grade range, which I'd found hard! And straight away I thought I'd do another, and the little voice in my head that usually says "Erm, are you sure you want to do this?" just didn't! As soon as I got on it I realised how tired I was, and many many times under those circumstances I have backed off but still didn't. And then got into trouble higher up and didn't have the wherewithal to sort myself out. Gear pulled out, but probably slowed me down. Anyway, vets say I am healing OK.