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Saturday, March 7, 2015

Snowmobiling in the Mountains Before the Accident

Last Stop Before The Accident

Last Stop



2nd to last stop

Icicles abound this winter in Southern New England  

A young child we saw at lunch prior shoveling for an hour

The first image was the last stop before what I thought was finishing up a couple of hours of my 2nd day of snowmobiling 3 weeks ago on my birthday. It was so pretty to be in the woods on a snowmobile and it was a lot of fun riding. 

The temperatures were below 0 and it was around 4:30 before dusk. There was a fresh foot of snow from the previous evening. A bit different since the last New Hampshire trip.

All I had to do was cross a little street and be done in 10 minutes. When I began the cross another sled was headed my way and I did not make the trail. 

My friend, an expert snowmobiler told me to push the throttle to make it over a small snowbank. The throttle was harder on this machine from the prior day so I pushed it really hard.

Within seconds I knew I had gone airborne and there wasn't anything I could do. I remember thinking "Oh shit" and then before I knew it I was up about 30 ft. before falling into a ravine near a rock. 

I do not remember the fall or trees I hit coming down. I just remember the numbing sounds of silence and wondering if I would be found and started to scream for help.    

My friend found me within 5 minutes after flagging people passing by for help. I knew my left arm was broken and that I could at least move my legs. It took over 30 minutes to be lifted out on board in basket as hyperthermia and shock began. 

I could not believe the results at the first hospital as they had to transfer me to a trauma center an hour away. Not only did I break the arm - but the shoulder blade, wrist and 10 ribs along with a few other injuries.

3 weeks have passed and I feel lucky to be alive. I saw the jacket and pants last night for the first time since and the tree marks are on them mostly on the left side where the injuries are. 

People ask if I would do it again. I quickly answer yes. I learned last year how quickly lives passes  us by and since have wanted to live life fully. 

One of the doctors at the trauma center commented how many people come in with injuries or death by doing mundane things and how much better it is if you are doing something you enjoy or are having fun. I think he's right.


Did you do anything fun this year in the snow? 
Would you go again if you were me? 


   



   
  

20 comments:

  1. Hey Lisa,

    Oh my gosh, I was wondering exactly what kind of accident you had. Now I know the full story. Thank God there were so many prayers and good thoughts sent to you all over the social media.

    When things like this happen we do see how life happens quickly. We need to savor every moment of it. Thanks for sharing this
    -Donna

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    1. Hi Donna, yes that is the full story. I am so grateful to be alive and to have the ability to heal from this. I kinda wish I knew what happened from being airborne to the fall.
      You are welcome Donna.

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  2. Beautiful pics Lisa. I'm so thankful that angels were with you that day and saved you. Here's to a fast road to recovery!

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    1. Thanks Brenda and me too! It could have been so much worse.

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  3. Lisa,
    I would definately get back on that snow mobile again. We take chances every second of every day just living and breathing. Without taking chances we only exist which is a waste of the time given to us on this earth. Rest up..Heal up.. till the next adventure. Sue

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    1. Thanks Sue for your vote on this one. Yes, just crossing a street can end it for us.

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  4. Oh my goodness how awful to hear of all your injuries. So glad to hear that you are okay. May you heal quickly.
    I would have gone again when I was young but now that I'm older I like to minimize my risk. I think I'll stick to my morning walks. : )

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    1. Thanks Happyone, me too. I was relieved when I realized I could move my legs awaiting help that day, you know I love those morning walks too.

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  5. Wow. Here's to a speedy recovery...and an early spring.

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    1. Thank you Olga but I did have fun in the snow - I had gone snow tubing a few weeks earlier. This is first week here without snow in the forecast.

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  6. You surely went through a lot Lisa, and I'm so glad it's over you now, thank goodness for that...anything could have happened. I guess we thank our guardian angels for looking over us. Bless you :)

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    1. Hi Harleena, me too. I was extremely lucky that day which was my birthday. I'm very thankful I can heal from this and must remember that on nights I can't sleep with discomfort. It shall pass.

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  7. Oh my goodness Lisa that was a serious accident. I'm so glad you're okay. I agree with Harleena, you definitely had some guardian angels looking out for you.

    I hope you feel better soon. Take care.

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    1. Hi Corina, yes it was - I dididn't realize until the first hospital moved me to a trauma center an hour away. I didn't that painful but may have been numb as hyperthermia started. I think I did too, thank you Corina.

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  8. Hi Lisa, I admire your strength in getting through this. From that first pic I saw of you on Facebook (from your hospital bed) to chatting with you on Twitter, you've been a trooper. I'm glad to see that you are able to "talk" about what you went through. Your accident was even more serious than I realized.

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    1. Sheryl, thank you. I didn't realize til I later saw the scuff marks on my coat and pants from the trees I hit going down about 25 ft. I'm very lucky my injuries are repairable.

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  9. Hey Lisa,

    Sorry to hear that BUT hey, glad to are improving now. I read it and was like "man, you go girl!"

    Stay safe and keep in touch, okay?

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    1. Thank you Reginald, it's been quite the month since managing with one arm and all but thankfully will heal in time. Have a great rest of the week there!

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  10. Oh no, Lisa! I'm so sorry you got injured, but I'm relieved you are healing well.

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    1. Thanks Gail, oh yes, still healing - trying to get that arm back straight.

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