MUSHY'S MOOCHINGS: FALLING HARD AT BUZZARD'S BLUFF

Sunday, February 22, 2009

FALLING HARD AT BUZZARD'S BLUFF

I’m out of commission for a few weeks…either broke or cracked some ribs on my right side. I was with a locally known videographer who wanted some footage from atop “Buzzard’s Bluff” in Harriman, Tennessee. As I was taking a panorama series of shots, my right foot rolled to the right shifting my 250 pounds downhill! I followed, landing some 2 to 3 feet on the next ledge of rock. I do not remember exactly how I hit, but I do know the right side of my face hit hard, and then I felt a sharp tearing pain in my ribs beneath my armpit. My right arm was folded up and against my rib cage, and my legs were still up on top of the ledge from which I fell. This position indicates that I did not break my fall in any way. I hit, and Doug Mills (the photographer) said I bounced! I pulled my legs from off the rocks above me, and lay very still, assessing my situation. At first I could not take a breath and the pain was tearing at my chest. (See photo with yellow arrow!)

I heard Doug and a couple of guys, who had been there shooting clay pigeons, running in my direction. The man, whose name I’m sorry I didn’t get, told me not to move, a suggestion I easily complied with, and pulled up my shirt to see if “anything was sticking out! I think that was the first thought of fear that struck me, but he said “there’s no blood”.

His bluntness was actually welcomed, and I muttered, after taking my first real breath, “How embarrassing!

In a few minutes he pulled me up to a sitting position using my left arm. I again assessed my health, and stood up. It was excruciating for the first 5 minutes, but then I seemed to walk it off, and even drove us back off the mountain, using my left arm.

I should have gone straight to the hospital, but a little part of me was too scared to want to know how close I came. However, I sustained a serious injury that will be confirmed tomorrow at my doctor’s office. I’m sure I’m in for a scolding, but for a fellow who has never spent a night in a hospital, having been born at home, hospitals are terrifying!

So, I’ll eventually be back, but in the mean time I’m breathing slow calculated breaths, grimacing from the pain as I move! Believe it or not, the worse part is a hiccup! Killer!

14 comments:

Scott from Oregon said...

SO SORRY DUDE!

Ribs are bad because of breathing and sneezing...

Wrap 'em up tight and drink lots.

Loki said...

I'm glad you only got a cracked rib Paul, but ouch! Sounds like it could have been much worse.

That is a beautiful pan merge by the way.

FHB said...

As soon as I saw that long merge I figured I knew what happened. You suffer for your art, my brutha. Wish I coulda been there to catch ya. Heal up fast!

Jerry in Texas said...

Just wait until you have to sneeze. I'd suggest you keep a pillow nearby to hug.

I feel for you, Man. Get better soon!!!!

Jeni said...

Holy Rip, Mushy! You are damned lucky you didn't break several bones -or your neck or back! If you think a hiccup is bad, hope you don't sneeze or have some kind of coughing fit or laugh -all of those can bring on more pain too!
Go get this all checked out and then report back on how serious the injuries are. The bad thing with ribs -cracked or broken -no casting, nothing that really protects them all that much during the healing process.
Peace. And no more falls, please!

Stella Jones said...

Oh! so sorry to hear of your accident. Let me be the first to wish you a speedy recovery....the shots are good though!!!
Star

Suldog said...

Ouch! Any rib injury is about the worst, as it's almost impossible not to move your ribs - breathing and all that. Damn. Get some good pain pills, if nothing else.

BRUNO said...

Ya' damned ol' turd! Leave those off-balance angles to the youngsters!!!

"See if anything was stickin' out..."---sounds like somethin' I might've said! But it wasn't me---I have an alibi. I was HERE---probably takin' a beauty-nap!

Don't let a hospital intimidate you---after about the FIFTH stay or so, they tend to grow on you...!!!

Grandpa-Old Soldier said...

Damn young fella, I feel for you. Count yourself very lucky it could have been a lot worse. Keep us posted.

FHB said...

On the blog4reel thing, you was robbed man. Bumma, but there'll be another day.

PRH said...

WoW! Us old Sky Cops have been having a bad spot of luck...all of it bad from the bones, joints, and pain view.

Rest up and get better by spring.

Tom said...

Ribs are a painful injury ...
Get well soon Mushy, we'll miss your posts.

Rhea said...

OH, man, sorry to hear it. I hurt a rib once and it was so tough to sleep. If you rolled over onto it...
good luck.

Jose said...

Ouch! Sounds painful. I hope you have a fast recovery. You can't be out of commission for too long. Take care bud,