To all stump grinder operators

[NJA]

But hats off to you, 2 ops is one thing, 7 - 10 is something else!😩

[dangb93]

The 11th November (to anyone decent) will be a day to always regard, being armistice day. A day of remembrance, as well as the official remembrance Sunday too.

But for me, it was a double day of remembrance. Whilst reflecting on the sacrifice of those who have gone before and fought for our liberties, it was also a day of remembrance of things much more personal, closer to home and recent. 

The 11th November for me marked exactly one year since I almost lost my leg and almost died in my horrific accident. I set out for work, with a nice big poppy on my truck grille, and I was very keen to remember to turn off the grinder at 11am for the 2 minute silence. However, when it got to 11am, I was in Addenbrookes hospital on life support equipment, where they battled to save my leg.

I have come a huge way since then, and my leg is a wonder to all who see it, especially when they see the pictures from the day of the accident. The injury is horrendous, but the skill and wisdom that has been given to the surgeons and nurses has resulted in the 2nd worse ever leg salvage case at Addenbrookes being successful.

Progress is now much slower, since the lengthening of the leg was completed, but some amazing signs of life are manifesting, not least that I am getting some foot movement back, and some toe wriggling is now possible. 

I continue seeing my osteopath once per fortnight, and I go to the gym 2 or three times a week. I am told it will be another year before I am fully recovered (or recovered to whatever stage I can reach) but hopefully this next year will be a lot easier than the last year. I hope to begin walking next year.

Above all, please do not leave your controls of your stump grinders with the cutting wheel engaged.

If my bandit zt could speak, it would tell you very honestly "I only tickled him that day".

Please go back to the beginning of this thread and read through, if you have not come across this before.

[Will C]

Glad to hear you are still making progress, steady away does it 👍

[parkertrees]

Mate i've just read/seen your story for the first time. 

 

A real eye opener to anyone operating any dangerous machinery, sometimes we need to pause and think about the huge forces at work that we take so for granted.

 

glad to see your recovering 

 

best wishes to you and your family

 

Steve

 

[dangb93]

14 hours ago, parkertrees said:

A real eye opener to anyone operating any dangerous machinery, sometimes we need to pause and think about the huge forces at work that we take so for granted.

Indeed. It was a force like I have never felt before, being grabbed by that cutter wheel, spun round in the air and launched several feet across a garden. A miracle that it didn't pull me underneath it.

[dangb93]

It's been over 14 months since I almost lost my leg to my stump grinder.

 

I thought I'd put something on here, to keep the thread going, and as a fresh reminder for anyone who hasn't yet seen this thread, be that new members or whatever.

 

Progress is slow, but it's still progress. I never really knew what winter blues felt like, until the last two winters! But I manage to keep smiling most of the time. Not much to report on, but the new section of tibia bone I grew last year is still calcifying. The foot plate and leg frame remain in situ for a while yet.

 

Here's two pictures, one shows the start of 2023, and the second one shows the start of 2024.

 

Remember! Turn your cutter wheel OFF before leaving the controls!!

 

 

Edited January 19 by dangb93

[peds]

Looking good dude. Glad to hear of progress, however small you think it is.

 

Mental that we can just grow new bits of bone like that. 

[Peasgood]

Glad to hear you are progressing. Can't be easy at all.

[spudulike]

Keep it going, at least the pics now don't turn your stomach. A damn good reminder as to what can happen after leaving your home for an average days work.

Looking a lot better and am sure you still have a long way to go but keep positive and well done for posting about your accident.

[topchippyles]

13 hours ago, dangb93 said:

It's been over 14 months since I almost lost my leg to my stump grinder.

 

I thought I'd put something on here, to keep the thread going, and as a fresh reminder for anyone who hasn't yet seen this thread, be that new members or whatever.

 

Progress is slow, but it's still progress. I never really knew what winter blues felt like, until the last two winters! But I manage to keep smiling most of the time. Not much to report on, but the new section of tibia bone I grew last year is still calcifying. The foot plate and leg frame remain in situ for a while yet.

 

Here's two pictures, one shows the start of 2023, and the second one shows the start of 2024.

 

Remember! Turn your cutter wheel OFF before leaving the controls!!

 

 

Wow, some nice wrought iron work there everything seems in place.       I have followed the thread , you seem to have a great mind frame set and wish you the best recovery possible cheers Les 

Edited January 20 by topchippyles