So Monday afternoon around one we were skiing down from the top of the mountain. I saw a little Kicker i wanted to launch. I slowed down to a speed I was comfortable with and hit the kicker...which was more shaped like a quarter pipe...which I had not anticipated. It somehow threw me pretty high despite it's small size and launched me in a trajectory to land face first and likely break my neck. I made a split second mid air decision to try and front flip to try and roll out of the fall. I didn't quite make the rotation and landed square on my upper back which. The impact compressed my whole body ontop of itself. This caused two of my vertebrae to collide into one another. As a result I fractured my T12 and L1 vertebrae. Luckily there was no nerve damage or bone debris in the spinal channel. If I'd have landed differently I likely would have been paralyzed. The fractures ended up being a lot less severe than the x-rays initially looked. As a result I will not need surgery...but I will be in a back brace for 6-8 weeks with limited mobility (I no bending, lifting things,or twisting my back) till it fully heals. This was my from the ER for about 5 hour while I waited for the CAT Scan results and waited for the spine DR. ETC ETC. As of now I've been cleared by the Occupation therapist who showed me how I need to get dressed in the mornings, sit down, get out of bed, etc etc. I've also been cleared to leave by the Physical therapist who made sure I could walk and use stairs etc etc. The trauma people cannot let me release till I Ploaf (make poop). Basically a lot of times when you break your back it makes you pretty constipated and they need to make sure your bowels are functioning so that you don't end up "full of shit" and need surgery on your intestines. I've been farting regularly which is good and my bowels sound like they are functioning....but I can't get released till I actually Ploaf.
I don't have many words at this point. Sadness. That's a word. Relief is another.
Sorry buddy. I hope that the nurses are cute and that Grand County medical staff have been nice to you. Did you stay up in Winter Park, or are you in Denver?
i nearly cried when i started reading. so glad you are alright. i pray you recover quickly and that your pain level is as low as possible. also, show number 2 who's boss!
Dude, so sorry to hear about your accident, but very happy to hear it didn't end up worse. Happy pooping. Hope you're home, resting, and recovering soon.
I just realized that with 6-8 weeks of limited mobility, you are probably going to go crazy trying to find some project that you can do to pass the time. The art world could end up benefitting greatly from this unfortunate event. Here's to healing quickly.
Holy crap matty, this sucks so bad. At the same time it doesn't suck at all, in that you had the experience to adjust and save your neck/back/life. Great to hear about the farts too, and good luck with the poop. From my recent experiences with such things, be very wary of the pain meds, that can be much worse than the injury. If you don't miss a photo day through this whole ordeal you should be voted king of the UNIVERSE
I am immensely concerned for your health but can tell from the writeup that your brain is still intact (@Ploafmaster will be proud). As with everyone else here, I hope for your speedy recovery and that everything shakes out alright.. this is awful and I hope you aren't in an overwhelming amount of pain!
this is painful to hear, for sure. Really thankful that you're not paralyzed or dead. I'm going boarding this weekend, so I'll be sure to think about you and take extra safety precautions. (thinking about what kind of tribute shot I can do for you on the slopes... ploaf on the slopes?)
oh man..I really hope you can recover and be back to your awesome self again. I'm sure you will continue to post throughout which is a testament to your awesomeness in itself.
My dad broke 2 of his vertebrae in a car wreck years back and waiting to find out what's up is terrifying. I'm glad your body handled it so well, and I'm hopeful the recovery is easier than expected.
i feel for you man. empathize? something similar happened to me under different circumstances, but i had to wear a brace, etc etc, but was mostly fine. my back still hurts from time to time, but it's not like i can't do stuff. if i see you at the throwdown i'll buy you a pint and stare at you while you drink it. (i can't drink)
christ.... i was pretty scared when i saw the photo. glad you're doing decently okay, and keep us up-to-date. you've obviously got people here that are interested, judging by the comments.
at least i know i'm now free to post cat pictures without worrying about being poisoned immediately, hah. may you ploaf with godspeed.
DAMN IT MATT! STOP HURTING YOURSELF DURING WHISKERINO. Weren't you the one who had to have stitches during the last whiskerino, or was it mustache may?! Either way, STOP! Anyway, much love. Heal. And land the trick next time ;)
But seriously, I really am thankful that nothing more than this happened. I'd go on a ploaf strike, but I ploafed before I saw this. Then after I read your description of what happened.
Holy crap! I don't know how I overlooked this earlier today! So sorry to hear this happened, but I'm glad the injury is not as bad as it could have been. Also, good luck with the back brace -- I know all too well how that is, trust me. I had major back surgery about 2.5 years ago, and after that I was in a brace for 3 months. So from that experience, I can tell you this: Don't worry -- once you get used to it and get in a routine, the time will fly by. I'm not gonna lie, it's gonna suck... but the time will fly. I hope your recovery goes smoothly, dude. Rest up.
Holy hell. Best wishes for a speedy and comfortable recovery! Obviously you're near indestructible, but even the most badazz dudes get scrapes and bruises. Seriously though, wow. Unsane.
oh man, so sorry to hear this. glad you're going to be okay but seriously, that sucks. really glad you escaped with your supermoves to prevent it from being worse. and you are the CHAMP for still posting, even with a BROKEN BACK! YOU RULE! KING EVERY DAY!
Matty!! That was an emotional read. I'm glad you are clever and didn't land on your neck. The only bone I ever broke was on a board jump, but not nearly as gnarly as this. Heal well bro, God bless.
you'll be in our prayers for sure. so glad it wasn't any worse than it already is.
take care of yourself and don't over-do-it in these next few days/weeks.
wow. i have been MIA lately and just catching up with this. can't believe it. i am super glad you are alright since it could have been worse. hope you heal like the champion you are.
@mattyc - they tried that "can't leave till you ploaf" rule on me when I had major surgery several years ago. I went in the bathroom for a while, came out and said "O.k. I can go now", and they let me leave. SUCKAS!!!! Probably not smart on my part, but I couldn't stand another night in the hospital.
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