Letter from 1joeranger

[Freebird]

I sent a message to 1joerangern to ask if he would be making it to MD this year and learned that he had been a work related accident. He makes most of my Maintenance Days so will be missed this year but I found his story to be inspiring and since he told me that I was free to pass it along, I decided to do so. It sounds like he is in the best of hands but please keep him in your prayers anyway. OH...and I also want to congratulate Ray on his marriage.

 

Not gonna get much riding in this summer but hope you enjoy my story! Feel free to pass it along!!

 

On a Thursday, April 18th, about 2 in the afternoon the scaffold I and 2 others was standing on collapsed. One hung on, One slide off, and I fell off. The fall was only about 4 feet but as I have since learned that can be one of the worst falls to occur. Since the distance is so short one does not have a chance to react and get their feet under them. That was my experience. I had no clue that I had fallen until I was actually rolling onto my back.

 

I remember thinking wow I have fallen but it is ok and I was in the process of getting up when I saw my left foot dangling off of my leg only attached by a little bit of meat and some skin. I went from trying to get up to grabbing my leg to stop any bleeding. My first thought: “God be with me!”, my second thought was: “God is gonna give me a new body!”. (Upon hearing this one of my prison ministers, Don Nichols, commented: “Yhea, Ray, God will give you a new body! In 40 or so years!!”.) What can I say I was in the moment. Anyhow, a deep sense of peace surrounded me.

 

My favorite bible scripture is Phillipians 4: 4~7. It ends with: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” That is what was happening. I instantly knew that I needed to remain calm for the others. I also knew I didn't need to be looking at the horrific injury that was once my foot. I could see the end of my leg bone protruding 3 inches or so out from my leg. It looked like the end of a chicken bone leg after you have sucked all the meat off of it. My left foot, still in the sneaker I was wearing, was just dangling to the side with some skin and some meat keeping it attached to my leg. Not something I wanted to continue to look at.

 

Dwight, my boss, was the first one to me. I could tell he was very upset. “Ray, this is bad, very bad!” I assured him that it was ok which was actually true. There was no blood, there was no pain. A few professionals have since informed me I should have bleed out. I can only give God the glory in this cause there was no blood. But with the thought of possibly bleeding out I said “Dwight, we probably need a tourniquet.” He agreed and grabbed the closet thing at hand which happened to be a 50 foot extension cord. I looked at Dwight and commented: “We might want to use something else for a tourniquet.” As you can see Dwight was very upset. The fact that when framing I am the one usually doing something that is a little dumb and Dwight is the one that will mention a more efficient way of doing it made this rather funny. A co-worker, Wayne, gave him his shirt and that is what we used.

 

With the tourniquet in place, Dwight holding my leg up there was not much more to do until EMT arrived. Dewayne, Dwight's brother and my other boss, had called them and we knew that they were gonna be awhile since we were working out in the country. I placed my hat over my head to keep the sun out and contemplated my future. I figured that scenario 1: They would cut off the foot and I would have a pro-testis for the rest of my life. I thought well I have not had that experience before and this should be a new adventure. Scenario 2: they would try to graft my foot back on involving a few years and multiple surgeries. Although not something to look forward to, again I was ok. God had me in his peace and I was totally calm. Dwight who could not see my face, due to the hat, kept asking if I was ok. He was checking to see if I was still there. I assured him I was.

 

Wayne, my co-worker who gave his shirt for the tourniquet, asked if we could pray. So we did. He grabbed my hand, he was quite upset as well. He prayed aloud for God to guide the doctors hand and for my safety. I finished with my own prayer thanking God for the christian men I worked with and how much they all meant to me and how proud I was to be among them. Very emotional and very heart felt.

 

Dewayne asked if I would like to call Sonia, my wife, and I responded no. He was busy calling EMT back to find out where that might be. We where deep in the country. After about 20 minutes they arrived and the first EMT, Jude, I believe, took one look and said: “Call in medavac!” (might be called Airlift!?) He then informed me I would be going to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. Fine by me.

 

With that info it was time to call Sonia. This was something I had not been looking forward to. But call her I did. I explained the situation, asked for her to keep it together, for me, and to sit tight at work till I could arrange for some help. As hard as this was for her she kept her cool till I was off the line. I found out later that she lost it after hanging up with me. He co-workers surrounded her with their support. It puts me in tears thinking of how distraught she must have been.

 

Some help was Jack, my mentor, the one who had brought me to Christ. I called Jack explained the situation and asked if he would pick up Sonia and bring her to Chattanooga. He would, I gave the phone to Dewayne and asked if he would give Jack directions to where Sonia worked. Unbeknown to me Jack was having a hard time believing what I was saying. I was so calm and matter of fact about the situation he just was having a hard time with it. Dewayne had to confirm what was going on. Jack was also playing golf at the time. Yep he quit golf to go get Sonia. To me that is true Love!! He was also playing golf in Cleveland not very far from Sonia. To me, that was God at work!

 

EMT bandaged up my leg and it didn't look so horrific anymore. I asked for a picture and Dewayne took one with his phone. No one was taking a picture before then. I had again pecked once at my leg and confirmed that I did not need to be looking at it. Poor Dwight had been looking at it the whole time while keeping my leg propped up. He was very upset and lost a few nights of sleep over this. More on this later.

 

Medavac showed up and my journey to the hospital was under way. I told them the last time I flew choppers I was repelling out of them. Upon hearing this later my other boss Ken, who runs the company, said I should have used the 50 foot extension cord as a tourniquet so I could have again repelled! The pilot was a jarhead (Marine) and we had a little fun with that but I was impressed with his flying cause the winds were high. He got us landed with minimal effort. He knew his stuff and I am sure it wasn't his fault he was a jarhead!!

 

At the hospital they wheeled me right into surgery. Dr. Cowart, in residency, said he was gonna cut off my clothes and expose me. I laughed and told him about my day on an all nudist beach in Florida and that I was not to hung up about modesty. The nurse was smiling and evidently she was not to hung up about it either. I was getting tired of explaining that I had only fallen a few feet and that we needed to change the story maybe something about Amazon ninja crazy women. And sure enough the next person to ask what happened was informed by the nurse about these crazy women. She elaborated very well and I looked on in amazement while she told the story. She was good!!

 

The doctor asked if I could wiggle my toes. It was very surreal to see them moving when the only thing holding the entire foot to the leg was some skin and meat. Then he wanted to know if I could feel his touch on the foot. I could! When he said: “Very Good!” I knew that I was keeping my foot! I was already ok with an amputation and was already praising God, but “Praise God!”

 

He informed me that they were gonna give me something which would probably put me to sleep but he didn't want to knock me out till later. I was saying ok to all this when he then informed me that he was gonna “reduce” my ankle. That got my attention but I calmed down after he explained that “reduced” meant to put back together. Yhea that's the ticket! Off to sleep I went.

 

Woke up a little later to find myself in another surgery center with gowned doctors getting ready to wheel me in. I was told I would be in surgery an hour or so and it was lights out again.

 

I woke up to find myself in a hospital room with Sonia looking at me. I asked if anyone had feed her and she said that I had asked that now for the tenth time. I apologized! She said it was very endearing that my first thoughts were of her well being. Yep I think I scored some brownie points there!!

 

It was 10pm. I could see my toes and a cast and knew my foot was back together. I was in good spirits and Sonia filled me in on what had been happening while I was in surgery. Jack had driven her to the hospital and had called our church for reinforcements. My boss, Ken, had also showed up. So while waiting for me they began to tell Ray stories which for my boss, Ken was an eye opener. He knows little of my church life since it is 35 miles away in another city. My church family for the same reason knew nothing of him. Ken kept asking: “We talking about the same Ray?” They had a lot of fun at my expense but they also got to see how much a christian my boss Ken was and he got to see another side of me. Alan, who runs our Prison ministry almost had him joined up. Only his deep involvement in his own church kept that from happening. So again God's Glory was at work.

 

 

 

[Freebird]

Part 2:

 

Sonia spent the night with me and it was a sleepless night due to the constant checks they were doing on me. At 4am I found myself in a conversation with my male nurse, Tim. We had both been in the military around the same time and we had both been invited to join Delta Force, an anti-terrorist unit in the Army. I was in the thick of Ranger School at the time and had no desire for anymore volunteering. Tim did volunteer only to get hurt and not get the chance either. Poor Sonia had to listen to our war stories and bs while trying to sleep on a small couch.

 

Around 5 in the morning I informed Tim I had to pee. He thanked me for sharing. I laughed and informed him that I was the comodian in this relationship. He laughed and informed me that I didn't understand our relationship because he is the one who controlled my pain meds. Yep, I got out gunned!! So I got my first catheter. I filled that bag up to the point it looked like an oversized water balloon. I was proud and Tim was impressed. We decided to mount it to the wall reasoning that if some thought a talking mounted fish was in fashion so would a pee filled water balloon. Again, poor Sonia, was trying to sleep through this.

 

Morning arrives and Sonia was worried that she looked like “Gravel Gertie” and that she would not look her best in front of our visiting church friends and that I might be embarrassed. I informed her that she was the best of me and how could I ever be embarrassed about her!! That lead to some tears between us. Our first visitor was Larry who attends our church and who I had shared some volunteer work with fixing a ladies house. We had a good visit and then he prayed for us. His prayer was almost the same prayer I had the morning before this all occurred. I had prayed to have a deeper relationship with our God and to be more in tune with his will and to be a better listener to our God. Larry's prayer was almost the same. Anyone see God at work here? Good, so do I!!

 

I asked Larry and other visitors throughout the day to pray for Dwight I knew he was having a tough time with this which was confirmed when I got his call later. He had not slept well and the image of my foot had haunted him all night. I let him know how much I loved him, and how I admired him as a boss, and how much it meant to me that he had staid by me holding my damaged leg even though it was causing him great distress. That lead to tears between us and I then knew he was gonna be ok. What an awesome God we have!

 

The rest of the day was one visit after another from church members as well as my boss Ken. He told about asking them to put my foot back on the opposite way thinking that I might like people wondering whether I was coming or going. I told him that they already thought that. It was a day full of witnessing and of testimony. It was not with church members only. Every hospital staff personnel who walked into the room was fair game. Sonia said I either had them laughing or rolling their eyes. One wanted to know if I was having any symptoms and I said with the exception of heightened sarcasm I seemed to be fine. Sonia clarified that my sarcasm was quite normal, hence no reason for concern unless, of course, it was for her.

 

One visitor, actually, the lady who cleaned my room, stands out. When I mentioned prayer to her. She informed us that we pray for God's will! I agreed with her and Valerie started to tell us her story. Her husband liked to bring his girlfriends home and have them watch as he beat the stew outta her. She would pray for God's will. One day he came home and told her he was divorcing her for a younger woman. She told him that was not actually his plan but God's will. In anger he picked up a shotgun and fired at her. She was able to drop to the ground when it went off and found a piece of pipe laying there. Evidently she knew how to use it cause she told us she did so well with it on him she decided to work his car over to while he was trying to make a hasty retreat. I looked at this elderly little black wiry woman and decided I was not gonna mess with her. I told Valerie that Sonia had her own monsters in her past. Then I sat there and watched as God surrounded these 2 beautiful women with his love as they compared notes. Upon leaving Valerie let us know that we had made her day. She had made our week!

 

Dr Cowart also stands out. He visited me on my last day to place a new cast and to give me my marching orders. During our conversation I found out that he was in residency up from Atlanta and new to the area. He had done several missionary trips to Asia and was looking for a church that might be involved in that sort of stuff for himself and his family. Ours is so. I told him a little about it and about Prison Ministry. My good friend Steve a retired doctor from that hospital, a fellow prison mentor, and a yearly missionary to South America will be following up with him in the near future. Again, I get to be part of God's glory!!

 

I was discharged from the hospital the day after and have since told my story to any that would take the time to listen. Sonia and I have been flooded with kindness from our church and from our bosses. Dewayne and Dwight came by and finished off a wall on our house so that Sonia wouldn't have to worry about varmints getting in. I had been in the process of remodeling the house when the injury occurred. Sonia's boss, Delores, gave us a shower seat which works very well in our bath making my bath safer and easier. Church members have been cutting our grass, one has bought a box spring to make getting in and out of bed easier. Others have brought us dinners and still others have provided transportation so I could continue with prison ministry. Steve, the retired doctor, has showed up several times to continue the work on our house remodel project. I supervise and he works. And yes for a doctor he does quite well cutting straight lines with a skill saw. To add significance to all of this we live an inconvenient 35 miles away from our church and our members.

 

I now have 2 large screws and a plate with a whole bunch of smaller screws in my leg. Due to the amount of crushed bone I will not be putting any weight on it for a few months. I have a doctor who doesn't believe in issuing out handicap permits and who gave Sonia hell since I was building with Steve and not laying back keeping my foot elevated. I had not been working and I had been keeping that foot elevated. He was not interested in an explanation. He is Indian, cranky, short, and very, very good. I am looking forward to working on him! Sonia has named me “Frankenfoot” after seeing the scars that I now have. It is a good appropriate nickname!

 

I do get a few telling me how sorry they are and I have to inform them that this has been nothing but a blessing and an opportunity to glorify God! Tim my pastor told me that I have a story of a lifetime and I said no, I have a lifetime of stories, this just happens to be one of the better ones.

 

Everyone on the job site was quite impressed with my stoic behavior. Some said that it was my military training and that I was “Ranger Tough!” Although my ego jumps at this I cannot claim any credit it was God's peace not me. I cannot explain why no blood and why no pain and why no hysterics without our God. Not once was there the thought of “Why me?” There was just a deep sense of total calm and the prospect of another adventure. So please feel free to share this with others. I think it is important that others see what living for God's glory can do for one! To experience God's Peace is available to all who seek our Lord!!

 

In His GRIP

Ray

[playboy]

Best read of the day

[Squidley]

That is an awesome story, but I expect nothing less from Ray. I remember him well and I am most certain that he will make another appearance at a MD in the future. Ray, all the best to you my friend, I'd tell you good luck with the healing, but somehow I feel that those are unnecessary words. Something tells me your gonna be fine...God HAS blessed you, so no need for me to repeat that either. Looking forward to seeing you again at some point

[DragonRider]

Awesome testimony to the power of faith and friendship. Heal fast, we are all pulling for you.

 

[Marcarl]

Wow, that was a long story, and it's not finished yet. Glad I was able to read it, and although it took two posts to get it in, I was ready for part 3.

So Ray, let us know as part 3 develops, God does not quit working after 2 parts.

[Phoneman1981]

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing. Heal well my friend.

[pmelah]

a good read and very inspirational i must say had me choking up a couple of times and remembering what and how i felt directly after my accident the same as Ray God does work in mysterious ways heal fast Ray hope to see you out there one day soon

[1joeranger]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I know the rules here. Cannot tell a story without a picture. The picture adds credit to the story and shows God's miracle.

[CaptainJoe]

That's one heck of a story!

 

Those medivacs are expensive.

 

Hope you have good insurance.

 

Let us know if you need any help.

 

Penny and I will be praying for you and your family.

 

Sounds like you were were "Ranger tough"... IMHO

[dueyk1111]

GOD is truely with us all, whether we know or feel it or believe it!!! The man upstairs was with me last dec when i went deer hunting with the bike, he was truely with you through this whole ordeal! may he continue to bless you with his presence in your life and in your healing process! PRAYERS sent for you and your wife!

[cecdoo]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I know the rules here. Cannot tell a story without a picture. The picture adds credit to the story and shows God's miracle.

 

 

Good thing they fixed that, you would have had a helluva time buying boots:rasberry: Hope your recovery goes well and you regain full use of your foot. Take care and listen to the Drs. gonna miss you at MD this year, but see you next year hopefully.

 

All the best, Craig

[Guest]

Very humbling story. Thanks for sharing that with us. I pray that you achieve a full recovery.