Desert Disaster
Desert Disaster
A friend and I took my Power Wagon on a trip to the Mojave Desert to check on some cabins and do some shooting. It was a great time until I rolled my left ankle on a rock. I fell down seeing stars and knew right away that I had broken my ankle. This was proven out when we removed my boot and my foot kinda flopped out sideways, but fortunately there were no bones sticking out.The first order of business was to get a splint on the leg because I was getting a little queasy watching my foot flop about. We used what was handy, that being a couple of 2X4's and duct tape, to splint the leg and stabilize the foot. The next problem was getting me to the truck. We were at least 100 yards off into the desert where we had set up our targets and the terrain was rocky with several small hills between me and a road. At first my friend tried to support me as I hopped, but given the rough terrain and the fact I weigh in at about 210 and he would be lucky to hit 140, this was not going to work. I ultimately ended up scootching on my ass on the down hill parts and crawling on my hands and knees on the uphill. Fortunately i had leather gloves and the pants I was wearing have knee pads so i did not get too torn up.
Obviously the trip was over, but we had planned to return home the following day so nothing was packed or ready to go. I had to sit and try to direct my friend and another couple of guys helping us on how to load the truck. It took about an hour to pack up and during the wait I realized that I was going to have to drive since my friend has never driven off-road let alone in a fulls size truck. Getting down from the cabins is about 4 1/2 miles of moderately technical road, but very rough and steep in spots so every bounce and jolt was sending a few sparks from my ankle. We made it out of the mountains, aired up and headed for home. I had decided at this point to head directly home, around 250 miles, rather than head for the nearest ER because I work at a large hospital in Orange County as an RN in the ICU and wanted to be treated by people I know. I had also decided that I would drive the entire way because I know the truck and the route so could probably get home a little sooner.
I took the fall at 12:30 PM and reached my home at 6:30 PM and finally made it to the ER at 7:00PM. Exam and X-Ray's showed a pretty bad fracture of my left ankle called a "tri-malleolar fracture" basically three fractures on my distal tibia and fibula I was told I needed surgery fairly soon so I was admitted and finally made it to a room on the orthopedic floor at around 12:30 AM, it had been a very long day. I was in surgery about 36 hours later and ended up with 13 screws and a metal plate in my ankle
I'll be off work for at least 3 months and at this time completely non-weight bearing on the left leg for at least another 3 weeks. That's why i have the time to post long winded narrations of my little disaster.
Anyway, a few pictures from the ordeal:
Obviously the trip was over, but we had planned to return home the following day so nothing was packed or ready to go. I had to sit and try to direct my friend and another couple of guys helping us on how to load the truck. It took about an hour to pack up and during the wait I realized that I was going to have to drive since my friend has never driven off-road let alone in a fulls size truck. Getting down from the cabins is about 4 1/2 miles of moderately technical road, but very rough and steep in spots so every bounce and jolt was sending a few sparks from my ankle. We made it out of the mountains, aired up and headed for home. I had decided at this point to head directly home, around 250 miles, rather than head for the nearest ER because I work at a large hospital in Orange County as an RN in the ICU and wanted to be treated by people I know. I had also decided that I would drive the entire way because I know the truck and the route so could probably get home a little sooner.
I took the fall at 12:30 PM and reached my home at 6:30 PM and finally made it to the ER at 7:00PM. Exam and X-Ray's showed a pretty bad fracture of my left ankle called a "tri-malleolar fracture" basically three fractures on my distal tibia and fibula I was told I needed surgery fairly soon so I was admitted and finally made it to a room on the orthopedic floor at around 12:30 AM, it had been a very long day. I was in surgery about 36 hours later and ended up with 13 screws and a metal plate in my ankle
I'll be off work for at least 3 months and at this time completely non-weight bearing on the left leg for at least another 3 weeks. That's why i have the time to post long winded narrations of my little disaster.
Anyway, a few pictures from the ordeal:
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2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims
2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims
Re: Desert Disaster
Holy shit! That's a crazy weekend in the desert for sure. I'm glad you made it out and back home without suffering worse. You're clearly a tough sob lol
Central Texas and Houston area
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol
Re: Desert Disaster
OUCH !
Ben CW3 2/10th AIR CAV FT ORD CA. (retired)
2006 Power Wagon-6spd, rear air bags, Diff Guards:Carli F. RockCrusher R., matching rim for spare tire, removed back seat for storage----I own the following: 2005 Hallmark pop-top Camper---1970 Scout 800 4x4 w/232ci 6cyl 4spd---2006 Yamaha XT225 Dual Sport---Pictures @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/powerwagon/collections
2006 Power Wagon-6spd, rear air bags, Diff Guards:Carli F. RockCrusher R., matching rim for spare tire, removed back seat for storage----I own the following: 2005 Hallmark pop-top Camper---1970 Scout 800 4x4 w/232ci 6cyl 4spd---2006 Yamaha XT225 Dual Sport---Pictures @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/powerwagon/collections
- FirerescuePW
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- Location: North Wales, PA
Re: Desert Disaster
Best use of hardware I've seen in a while! Good luck with your recovery, sir. We're pulling for you.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
'05 Mineral Gray Power Wagon QC #1005
WINCH MOB PROUD!
SuperChips FlashPaq; DT ProFab Steering Brace; 08.5 Steering linkage (twice); Toyo Open Country M/T 35/12.50x17; Carli front diff guard; Rockcrusher rear diff cover; White Knuckle Offroad Rock Rails; Carli 3"coils, track bar, and High Clearance Control Arms; Carli King 2.5" Remote Resi Shocks; Reflex spray-in liner; Extang Trifecta tonneau cover; Pop Lock electric tailgate lock (OOS); Tekonsha Prodigy brake control; LEDS & Strobes & Siren; Winch TPS Bypass; Warn Wireless Remote; Dog hair, and a BIG Wish List!
WINCH MOB PROUD!
SuperChips FlashPaq; DT ProFab Steering Brace; 08.5 Steering linkage (twice); Toyo Open Country M/T 35/12.50x17; Carli front diff guard; Rockcrusher rear diff cover; White Knuckle Offroad Rock Rails; Carli 3"coils, track bar, and High Clearance Control Arms; Carli King 2.5" Remote Resi Shocks; Reflex spray-in liner; Extang Trifecta tonneau cover; Pop Lock electric tailgate lock (OOS); Tekonsha Prodigy brake control; LEDS & Strobes & Siren; Winch TPS Bypass; Warn Wireless Remote; Dog hair, and a BIG Wish List!
- 2011TXPowerWagon
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- Location: Edinburg, Texas
Re: Desert Disaster
Wow. That was some ordeal. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."
-George Bernard Shaw
-George Bernard Shaw
Re: Desert Disaster
Wow! That had to be tough. Good to see another RN on here. I am a cath lab nurse and before that did cvicu. Glad you didn't end up with a compartment syndrome as well. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
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- 2000_Posts
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- Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 4:23 pm
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- Location: Brownsville Pa.
Re: Desert Disaster
OUCH is right. Glad someone was with you. Heal up quick bud!
PWOC #53
2008 POWER WAGON RC
My build thread. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2826
Moab '09, '10, '12, '14.
Rausch Creek - Summer '10, Spring-Fall '11, Spring '12, Summer '13, Summer '14, Summer '15, Summer '16, Summer '17, Summer '18, Summer '20, Summer '22,
AOAA Summer '19.
Russ
NRA - Benefactor, Golden Eagle.
2008 POWER WAGON RC
My build thread. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2826
Moab '09, '10, '12, '14.
Rausch Creek - Summer '10, Spring-Fall '11, Spring '12, Summer '13, Summer '14, Summer '15, Summer '16, Summer '17, Summer '18, Summer '20, Summer '22,
AOAA Summer '19.
Russ
NRA - Benefactor, Golden Eagle.
- nts007
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- Location: Sask, Canada, Earth
Re: Desert Disaster
Wow wishing you a speedy recovery.
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more
- Bill2014
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Re: Desert Disaster
Now you will be the Bionic Man! Most of the young whipper-snappers on here won't even know what I'm talking about.
Have a speedy and complete recovery!
Have a speedy and complete recovery!
2014 Power Wagon Laramie
Titan V5 2.5" Receiver Pintle Hook
Warn wireless winch controller
.188" DOM White Knuckle Rock Sliders
Locker Bypass & Nanny Kill Switch
Moab 2006
Titan V5 2.5" Receiver Pintle Hook
Warn wireless winch controller
.188" DOM White Knuckle Rock Sliders
Locker Bypass & Nanny Kill Switch
Moab 2006
Re: Desert Disaster
Thanks for the thoughts guys. The body will heal, but I hope I stay sane during the process. I had to sit on my ass and watch my wife mow the lawns yesterday and cant really articulate how bad it felt (plus, she did a crappy job).
Preview
2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims
2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims
- chrisjameswagner
- 250_Posts
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- Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:31 pm
- Model Year: 2012
- Location: Southern Cal Cess Pool
Re: Desert Disaster
Moral of story - Strap on the 2x4's with duct tape BEFORE heading out!
Wishing a speedy recovery.
Wishing a speedy recovery.
2012 - Aluminess sliders, Century High C Shell, Wilderness Rack, Rigid D2's on front bar, sleeping and storage platform, Carli High Clearance Arms, springs, control arm, track bar, Bilstein 7100's, Day star rear shackles, 35" Cooper ST MAXX., Front bumper and under carriage camera set up
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- Model Year: 2009
Re: Desert Disaster
Sorry to see that....
I have had the same Injury.... a bit over 5 Years ago.
Got Pain every Day.
No Joint in there anymore.
Everything worn out in there.
No Surgery for permanent repair available yet.
The available technic will hold about 10Years and the its time to block all the Joints in the Foot.
I am only 31Years old...
Will wait until perhaps the Surgery Technic allows for permanent Repair....and live with the the Pain so long...
Hope you got more Luck
You can go fast.
I can go anywhere.
Dodge Powerwagon
I have had the same Injury.... a bit over 5 Years ago.
Got Pain every Day.
No Joint in there anymore.
Everything worn out in there.
No Surgery for permanent repair available yet.
The available technic will hold about 10Years and the its time to block all the Joints in the Foot.
I am only 31Years old...
Will wait until perhaps the Surgery Technic allows for permanent Repair....and live with the the Pain so long...
Hope you got more Luck
You can go fast.
I can go anywhere.
Dodge Powerwagon
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- 2000_Posts
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- Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 4:23 pm
- Model Year: 2008
- Location: Brownsville Pa.
Re: Desert Disaster
Any up-dates?
PWOC #53
2008 POWER WAGON RC
My build thread. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2826
Moab '09, '10, '12, '14.
Rausch Creek - Summer '10, Spring-Fall '11, Spring '12, Summer '13, Summer '14, Summer '15, Summer '16, Summer '17, Summer '18, Summer '20, Summer '22,
AOAA Summer '19.
Russ
NRA - Benefactor, Golden Eagle.
2008 POWER WAGON RC
My build thread. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2826
Moab '09, '10, '12, '14.
Rausch Creek - Summer '10, Spring-Fall '11, Spring '12, Summer '13, Summer '14, Summer '15, Summer '16, Summer '17, Summer '18, Summer '20, Summer '22,
AOAA Summer '19.
Russ
NRA - Benefactor, Golden Eagle.
Re: Desert Disaster
Healing slowly, finally got the OK to walk on it after 6 weeks. What a relief to be able to walk to the toilet instead hopping or using the knee scooter. I still need to wear the CAM boot, but I cheat on that a bit sometimes. I have been able to mow my lawn again which is a relief for both the wife and I, I should be back to work in 5 weeks or so. I am going back to the scene of the crime, so to speak, next week for some desert relaxation (and hopefully no injuries).
Wombat, sorry about your ankle, I am hoping mine will return to somewhat normal, but at age 57 "normal" is not what it used to be.
Wombat, sorry about your ankle, I am hoping mine will return to somewhat normal, but at age 57 "normal" is not what it used to be.
Preview
2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims
2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims
- adeluca73
- 2000_Posts
- Posts: 2126
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 11:56 pm
- Model Year: 2014
- Location: The Pentagon, VA
Re: Desert Disaster
Long recovery, unfortunate accident, here's to finding solace in recovering...trk4sale wrote:Healing slowly, finally got the OK to walk on it after 6 weeks. What a relief to be able to walk to the toilet instead hopping or using the knee scooter. I still need to wear the CAM boot, but I cheat on that a bit sometimes. I have been able to mow my lawn again which is a relief for both the wife and I, I should be back to work in 5 weeks or so. I am going back to the scene of the crime, so to speak, next week for some desert relaxation (and hopefully no injuries).
Wombat, sorry about your ankle, I am hoping mine will return to somewhat normal, but at age 57 "normal" is not what it used to be.
- OffroadTreks
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Re: Desert Disaster
Ugh, seriously no fun. Here's to a speedy full recovery.
2015 Power Wagon Laramie - "ROCKLANDER"
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Re: Desert Disaster
Thanks guys, I appreciate the good thoughts.
Preview
2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims
2005 white Q.C. Power Wagon #1716
AEM Brute Force intake
Gibson CAT back exhaust
Super Chips Flashpac Tuner
Wet Okole seat covers
35" Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
Line-X bed coating
Trac Rac Sliding Lumber Rack
Dual Batteries w/ Hellroaring Technologies Isolator/Combiner
Extreme Outback Magnum on board air compressor
H2 rims