Thanks to the denver crew, Gore 8/23

[smurf]

I just wanted to extend a warm thank you to all of you that helped my friend Brad who dislocated his shoulder at Pyrite on Gore, Saturday 8/23. It was definitely an ordeal getting his shoulder back into place and myself, Brad, Johnny, and Andy really appreciated the assistance. Brad is doing OK; in pain, but in good spirits, and will be seeing an orthopedic this week. If anyone has advice on the healing process of a dislocated shoulder, please let him know. Thanks again and SYOTR.

Michael

[danimal]

How long did it take Brad to walk out?

[smurf]

Probably 2 hours of walking the tracks before finally getting picked up by a freight train. The conductors (or engineers) were really cool and were glad to help. They took him to Radium and dropped him off there with his boat. It was an easy access point to pick him up.

[sbratt]

Huge props to Mike French for getting that puppy back in place.
You never realize how bad the traction is (muscles tightening up after the dislocation) until you see it first hand.

That's great that the train was cool about bringing him out, that hike after Kirshbaum would've sucked.

Hope Brad heals up well.
Shawn

[jballen1]

Hey there. Sorry to hear about the shoulder! I dislocated my shoulder a couple years ago. I know how bad it sucks. I cant even imagine doing it in gore! My best advice is to keep that thing in a sling for a good week or two, then start movin it around a little to gain range of motion. Be very conservative with movement though. Avoid any sort of overhead reaching! Massaging the muscles also helps speed the healing process!

[KSC]

Glad he got out ok. Mostly glad Mike finally got the shoulder in place. I was dreading the thought of him having to walk (and swim) out all the way with a dislocated shoulder. Gore starts feeling remote quickly when something like that happens. Good luck on the recovery process and definitely insist on the MRI if they don't do it automatically.

[BKC]

Impressive that Brad got the shoulder back in place with Mike's help, Laurie's thoughts and towed through a couple sections of Gore (2 below Pyrite) to get to the tracks. Eerie spot to be stuck on the river and to drop in on. Props the railroad crew for being there when you needed them to get across and back home.

Also props to the other crew that dropped in after us and worked gettin' Brad to the tracks.

[mfrench]

Glad to see that Brad was able to hook a ride on the train. I was looking at that hike out (trail) after Kirsh and that would have sucked!

Brad you are on tough SOB! I was very glad to help out and give back because I have been in the same situation before and that shit hurts like hell!

My advice to you (from past experience) is to see a shoulder specialist (ASAP) and insist on an MRI. If something is wrong (torn labrum could be likely with the amount of time your shoulder was out) get it fixed. You will spend about a month in a sling and have about 6 months for a full recovery. Get into a good PT program and keep that sucker strong. I am 4 years post surgery and I still do my rubber band exercises every week. I have had very little problems though. Good luck man, and we'll see you back out on the river soon!

[WesternMD]

Smurf!! Sorry to hear about the situation on the creek!! GLAD to hear you still in Action!!
-Topher