Good day, over the past 2 weeks, its been pretty tough for me.  Two weeks ago, we had a little freezing rain and sleet.  Just days before that day, we had warm 60 degree weather.  But it rained this time and it started after 5PM.  Around 8:15PM I went to take the dog out.  I had just finished working on a few cuttings.  I opened the door and saw it was raining and away we went.  My dog was on a retractable lease and he went down the steps like it was nothing.
   
Here is a picture of our stairs.
 


I noticed it was raining.  As soon as I grabbed onto the right handrail, I felt the ice however, the steps just looked wet.  They looked like there was no ice at all.  As soon as I made my second step down, both feet went out from under me and my feet went up in the air-- like something on a loony tune cartoon!  I landed down on my lower back.  As I was in mid air and on my way down, and before I hit the ground, I yelled for my wife.  I hit every one of these step right on my lower back on the right side.  As I hit the ground, I tried to catch myself with my left hand.  The steps were so slippery and I fell so fast, that I didn't have time to catch myself.  I landed down on my lower back and used my elbow to keep from hitting my head.

My wife came out --SHE almost fell helping me into the house.  The pain was so intense and burning.  My lower back hurt with the slightest touch!  I was in tears and shock!   She drove me to the ER.  I was given hydrocodone and Ibuprofen.  X-ray were taken.  No broken bones....but there is a cracked vertebrae.  I started a new job just 4 weeks ago and just completed the medical benefits just days ago!  My boss let me work from home until I am able to get back on my feet and safe enough to drive.  There is a large contusion as a result of this fall now.  Here is a picture of it.  It was twice this size days ago!   Here is a pic of it.

 

Here is pic of the cracked vertebrae. 

 
To me, a big guy, 6'2" tall and 200+ pounds, you'd think a simple fall down some steps would be nothing.  Well, guess again!  This is my worse fall ever and I hope it's my last!

As we get older, health is SOOOOO important!!  Looking forward to getting well so I can more my trees from storage!!!

Sorry to hear about this. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Dennis I am sorry to hear about this. It looks very painful. Must have been unusual circumstances for ice to form and not be obvious on those brick steps which have natural porosity and traction. My steps are are wood and I NEVER trust them in near freezing weather. Maybe that's a blessing in disguise. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Ouch nothing worse then back injuries. Take care and rest up for fig season.....

Hello Dennis,
   I am so sorry to hear about the accident my friend. Hope you are getting better day by day. My only advise, please rest until you are completely alright. Don't move any fig trees in or out, even a gallon container. They can wait. Feel better. Let me know if you need any help.

Dang Dennis! That even hurts to look at it! You got to really take care of yourself,Fig Season is coming up! .....Good Luck, Bud....: )

Take care of yourself and feel better soon.

Sorry to hear Dennis, we are all wishing you a very speedy recovery. If there is anything we can do while you're recovering, let us know!

A blessing you weren't paralyzed! I will pray that the Lord would oversee your recovery and bring comfort during your time of pain.

Hi Dennis,
I hope you soon get back to the way you felt before the fall.
I know how it feels to be slowed down.
Best of luck and a speedy recovery.
Lou

Dennis, sorry to hear about your injury.  Hope you have a good recovery without a lot of pain.  Take care of yourself.

Hey Dennis, that looks pretty rough. I'm sure your doctor told you what you have is a transverse process (TP) fracture (yep, a broken bone after all). The good news is that the TP functions as a muscle attachment point rather than as a weight-bearing bone. You can't really damage it more by moving unless you do something really crazy (like falling again) but because it hurts like heck you won't be able to do the crazy movements necessary to make anything worse. Unless you injured some soft tissues like a disc or other spinal ligament, you should be good to go in no time (relatively speaking). Here's wishing you fast healing.

OUCH!!!!  I am so sorry to hear this!!!  Sounds like the was black ice on your steps, very dangerous stuff.  Rest, and don't be afraid to take your pain meds WHILE you have pain - that's what they are for.

That sucks.I hope you get back on your feet soon, but don't rush it!

I hope you make a full recovery Dennis. Looks like it hurt!!!!

Dennis  i'm very sorry about your fall, I know how much damage can be done.  I also slipped on wet ice last year, also 6' and 200 lb, no real damage but hurt a lot.  With spring almost here there will be a lot to do.  Keep up your forum notes they are well thought out and informative. 

Bill E  Md.

There is something about the pain that comes from slipping on the ice that is like no other I feel for you Dennis Get well soon Your fig farm needs you 

 May you be surrounded with benevolent healing energies and recover quickly.

Dennis
Get well soon pal. Stay positive and strong

Hope you feel better soon, buddy.  :(

Wishing you the best . Get well soon.

Man Dennis I am so sorry that you have hurt your back. If I was in the neighborhood I'd be right over to put some essential oils on you and do some Cranial Sacral. I have worked with this type of injury before, good thing as the posture doc said the bone fracture is easier to heal than a disc injury. Praying that your body is swiftly able to do its best to heal perfectly. Blessings dear garden friend! Jodi

Thanks everyone for your kind words.  That first week, I was walking with a cane very slowly.  The cane is gone now and i am able to walk but too much walking aggravates my back again.  I can't sit back in a chair or sleep on my back.  Trying to sleep is a joke because I toss and turn at night.  I keep waking up.

But, I'm up trying to exercise some by moving around.  My wife is pissed because I won't sit still.  I told her my trees need me!  But you know what?  It hurts so much just to do little things like sneeze, laugh or even blow my nose!  She knew this and told me to hurry up and get well so I can get the %&@!$## figs off her side of the garage!  I laughed....then cried from the pain!!!!  She told me, that's what I get for not listening!  LOL!  Gota have a sense of humor about all this!

Owch. Pray for you tonight. Where is that big knot located ? Your side. You will get better

Hope U Have A Speedy Recovery