HawTHORN tree + my head = HOSPITAL

[Jagmandave]

Especially since the "horn" would be pointing the wrong way!

I've got a bunch of what we around here call Hedgeapple trees(AKA Osage Orange trees), they've got nasty, very sharp thorns on them too. First thing I did was go around all of them and cut off everything I could reach with my chainsaw. Then I went and bought one of those pole type chainsaws and went after them again!

 

[ronjhall]

Glad to hear you are going to be OK.
I have gotten in the habit of wearing protective gear when using the tractor or mower. I have not started to wear a hard hat yet. But may start after reading your post.
Told Betty about your injury. She remembers your mentioning the Hawthorn trees on your place. She recommends that you be very careful. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

Glad everything is fine -- now you have a great new story to tell. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As I was reading your description, I predicted it would bleed once the thorn was removed. It's just like a nail in the tire ... pull it out and hissssss....

I can imagine how sore your head must be -- the thorn, plus the WHACK you must have received as well.

 

[RedRocker]

Sounds like the revenge of the HawTHORN tree.

 

[EddieWalker]

Bob,

Great story. Glad to hear you're alright, but ****, that was funny. Sorry, but I could picture it all happening in my mind, and when you wife started screaming, I lost it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

What I don't understand is how can it go 3/4 of an inch into your head and not damage your skull?

Thanks for sharing, I'll also make a mental note to trim those branches I've been putting off.

Eddie

 

[frank_f15]

although you had some pain and discomfort, i am glad to hear that no major dammage was done. i have numerous thorn trees all over my place and am constantly cutting them back and yanking the out. i cringe just reading your description and Thank whatever GOD you pray to that it was not your eye.

 

[Knute]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
What I don't understand is how can it go 3/4 of an inch into your head and not damage your skull?

Eddie

)</font>

That would be easy to explain, I'm sure the thorn didn't go straight in 3/4" it was more likely a 3/4" thorn in under the skin along the skull, paralell to the bone.

While I'm sorry anyone got hurt, it's good to hear stories like this every once in a while to remind us to wear safety equipment, especially eye protection which I'm sure we're all guilty of not wearing at some time.

John

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ..........What I don't understand is how can it go 3/4 of an inch into your head and not damage your skull? )</font>

Eddie.....
You have to understand that the Neanderthal skull is much different and is much more durable in situations such as this.

Bob..... glad to hear that the only thing that was severely damaged was your hide and pride, however, next time, (hopefully there will never be a next time) call the ambulance and leave the driving to them. I mean this in all seriousness. After removing the thorn, you had no way of properly assessing the possible damage to your skull and if something went wrong on the way to the hospital, there wouldn't have been no one there to properly take care of you. Your head injury although minor after diagnosis, could have been very serious without you knowing it.... Junk...

 

[riptides]

Thank goodness you are OK. Do you wear eye protection while your on the tractor?

I am sure it is hurting you still today. I hope you have a speedy recovery.


</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Walking in the emergency room with a 1/2 roll of Charmin on my head, I have dried blood on my face and the receptionist asks "Do you need help?" )</font>

Another classic emergency room moment. I suppose they had you fill out numerous forms too?

Again, a speedy recovery.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue">
( Walking in the emergency room with a 1/2 roll of Charmin on my head, I have dried blood on my face and the receptionist asks "Do you need help?" )
</font> <font color="red">
Another classic emergency room moment. I suppose they had you fill out numerous forms too?
</font>

Actually I got lucky, they assumed, based on the blood, that the injury was serious, so the pretty much took me right in, asked a few questions while examining me, and filled out the paperwork afterwards!


RonJHall . . . tell Betty she can have these trees! I remember she mentioned something about wanting you to plant one or two for the flowers. If I didn't do a good enough job talking her out of it then, this should be good enough now!


As to the story, my main point with posting this is simply to illustrate that when we LEAST expect a problem, is when it is LIKELY to sneak up on us, and in my case, smack me in the head! I was out after dinner, figured I'd get an easy hour on the tractor just puttering around and dragging the underbrush clear. No big deal. I was not wearing any protective garb. It was just a way to shake off a stress filled day and spend a little time relaxing in the tractor seat. Obviously I had my mental guard down and my mind in other places.


As for my head, it still hurts pretty good today. Near as I can tell, the thorn hit solid bone and deflected without piercing the bone. It definitely bruised a nice amount of tissue around the point of penetration. The top of my head still hurts too, that is where the branch made its final assault. Thank goodness for a caveman like thick skull.


Don (shoppingtractors), I just got off the phone with my local Stihl dealer, my new noggin protector should be arriving before the weekend.