PJHeck wife tragic accident, left leg gone......

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Just back from my weekly hospital vigil, we are 110 miles south of OSU burn center.

We have 100 acres & cattle. On Oct. 25th we were building a gate between us & the neighbor, easier to chase cows through a gate than take fence down. We needed to plant some posts & it was a nice day. She wanted to string wire across a water gully in a pasture we had some new, small calves in first. I went her way. Part way down a hill, she wanted to stop & cut a wild a rose bush out of the fence line, a common occurance. She got out of the big tool box which is mounted on the back of the tractor and walked over to the fence 10 ft away. The tool box had slid on it mounting & I went to back up to reposition it, killed the engine. While I was getting it restarted, she shouted that she didnt think she could move the box & I told her I knew she couldnt. By the time I had re-started the engine, she had come over behind my right shoulder &, unknown to me, sat on the ground to push the box, I didnt look back as I knew what needed to happen to the box. I backed up, the wheel spun & pulled her legs under it. When I did see her she was under the tire & it was tearing her clothes off. By the time I got it stopped, she had been thrown 6ft out to the side & her left foot was dangling backwards.

I had to drive that agnoizingly slow tractor almost a mile back to the house to call the 911 folks & get the truck. When I got back to her, a county water meter reader happened to go by & I managed to get his attention. He helped me put her into the truck. We met the EMS folks about 2 miles toward town. They had her Life-Flited to Riverside in Cols.. They amputated her left leg just below the knee after 7-8 days of trying to save it. All the surface flesh on the right leg is gone........only muscle & tendons remain along with an undamaged foot. The folks at OSU put some artificial skin over that & will graft her skin on Friday. If all goes well, takes about 2 weeks to tell, she will start many months of physical re-hab........... We will have to start our lives over again.........me at 73. I doubt I can care for her for many more years. Dont know what she will do after I am gone. PJHeck

My heart goes out to you two PJ...I'm so sorry!

That is so tragic I can hardly find words to convey my thoughts. May God be with you and your wife at this time of need and may he grant her a speedy recovery. Both of you will be in my prayers.

PJ, such a tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife. Be strong and I am sure you have family and friends that will be there to give you the help you need.

That is one of the most tragic accidents I've ever heard. I know you fell horrible, but accidents are just that - accidents. My heart is out to you and you are both in my prayers.

~ Harlan

Proverbs 3, 15-18

15 - She is more precious than rubies: and all the thing thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 – Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.

17 – Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18 – She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.


PJ,
From our home to you,
Keep your faith.
Faith brings strength with it.
Don't dwell over the past.
Cherish your time together.

My Regards,
Charlie Holland
Painter777

A truly terrible accident. My prayers are with you and your wife. God bless.

Having experienced tragedy myself please believe me when I say as previously stated accidents are just that, accidents. Please devote your energy to supporting your wife during her recovery and not endulging guilt. God can bring good from tragedy I have experienced it. My prayers are with you both.

May God give you both strength! You will be in my prayers.

I am so sorry for her accident and pain and for your heartache that both of you suffer. God's grace upon both you in healing her injury and the sorrow in your heart. You may be 73 and worrying about caring for her but you will do well because of your love for her.

Bit of an update......... There was considerable concern about an infection of the membrane covering the 'Integra", artificial skin (???), which took a week/10days to deal with successfully. Monday morning the main Dr. said he intended to graft her own doner skin over all the area involved in one proceedure. Not sure that was accomplished as I left there Weds. afternoon. Rory called from her room Friday to the effect that she was in big pain, this being the time she would have just come from surgery, and told me to warn away any potential visitors or phone chatters. Then Sat. she called me & said she was much better......... She has been in a rather 'odd' state of mind, seems to regard the loss of her left foot & shin as no more than a flat tire. I hope that attitude prevails when she finally gets home, & will have to deal with the realities & the shortcomings of being one legged. She also told Rory that she was looking forward to seeing him on the shooting line come May!!!!! I sure hope she retains that outlook!!! PJH

She'll stay strong, you do the same.
It's amazing how far they've come with the Leg Prosthetics in use today.
Please keep us posted on her progress.

Your experience reminds me of a local diner owner who had 2 twin boys near age 8. Both were White Toe headed typical farm boys. We'd sit drinking coffee and watch them out back chucking rocks and dirt clods at each other.
Noticed one day the diner was closed for a few days, before hearing about a tragic accident the family had had.
While brush hogging a field with both boys sitting on either rear fender. The father realized to late that both had fallen off. Both were lost in a matter of seconds. The father never did get over it.

As tragic as your event was it could have been so much worse. Thank God that old tractor kept running to get you back to your truck. Thank God that meter reader happened by to help. Thank God the weather was good and the Medi Vac was able to arrive when it did. Thank God she has got through these operations with out infections or any more complications.
It may not feel like it now, but help was there when it was so desperatly needed. The road back will be a long one, but cherish the time you'll have together.
We keep yours in our prayers.

Sincere Regards,
Charlie Holland
painter777

Thanks for taking the time to update here. I was thinking of you today.Women are the tough ones. Please keep us up to date.

Yes, Thanks for the Update. I was wondering how Mrs Hech was doing.
Glad to hear she is on the up side of things!!

PJ, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am that you both have to go through this. My prayers are with you both.

PJ, stay strong for her as well as yourself. She will need you to be there for her. This is a tragic accident. I'm so sorry.

I think the posts here are indicitive if the quality of the people on this forum and of gun enthusiests in general. Thumbs up to those who are posting encouragement to these folks. Makes me proud to be assoiated with you all.

Sorry to hear that! It´s a tragic accident and i wish both of you the power to get out this situation and back into a "normal" live!

I am very sorry to hear of your tragedy. I sincerely hope your wife fully recovers. You will be surprised at how well the modern prosthetics work. Good luck.

jt

Trusrt that Ms Hech is doing well? Prayers and best thoughts.