Had a really crappy last couple of days. Could use cyberhugs. (long)

My husband was out hunting in his climber (tree stand) Thursday afternoon. He two-wayed his buddy that he wasn't feeling well, was weak, could barely support himself. His buddy tried calling back, but my husband didn't answer. Buddy comes running to the house to get me and call 911. We run out to the tree stand (about 150 yards into a plowed bean field) only to see my husband standing in his tree stand, unconscious, 15 feet up the tree.

We tried calling to him, but got no response. His right leg was dangling out of the climber, so I got a branch and hit his leg a couple of times to try to get a response. No response, the leg would just swing. At this point, we couldn't tell whether or not he was breathing. Then, the top part of the climber decides to break loose from the tree, falls about a foot, and now my husband is semi-sitting on the bottom part of the climber, one leg dangling, left arm trapped between the top part of the climber and the tree (which prevented him from falling, I think).

Rescue squad gets there in about 5-10 minutes, but with no rescue gear. They had to bring in a pickup truck with a ladder, then brought the small firetruck in with more ladders. They still couldn't figure out how to get him down, because he was about 10 yards inside the tree line. Luckily, one of the rescue squad has a family member at the farm down the road. He brings his front loader (which he uses to move the hay rolls), and they manage to get my husband onto a backboard, on the forks, and down to the ground.

All this time, my husband is pretty much unresponsive, but had good vitals. They transport him to the ER about 20 miles away. I arrange for someone to watch the kids, then drive out there with my friend. By the time I get there, he is at least somewhat responding to commands, but is very weak, and can only whisper semi-sensible responses. He can open his eyes, but it was a pretty fixed stare... you know, lights are on, nobody home.

After about 2-1/2 hours of this state, he finally opens his eyes and is scanning the room. He is now able to talk and make sense, but is confused and doesn't remember anything other than two-waying his buddy. And, of course, he wants to go home.

They keep him over night, run tox screen, head CT, chest x-ray, serial cardiac enzymes, echocardiogram and carotid Doppler tests, all of which were normal. So, now we have no real idea what happened. He has another test next week (tilt table) to see if they can figure out what's up. If they can't find a cause, he will lose his driver's license for 6 months (state law). Wonderful, since he is a truck driver. He was discharged yesterday afternoon, about 24 hours after the incident.

Anyway, sorry for the long story, but I needed to vent a little. He scared the shit out of me. The rescue workers didn't think he would even make it. Luckily, he doesn't seem to have any deficits from this episode. Just wish we knew what the hell happened.

I just dealt with a family member in the hospital, and it's very scary. :hug:

I hope they can find out what happened, it does sound very curious.

You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:

Here's one hug for ya :hug:

We had a similar incident with my uncle years back. It happened one time and never again. That's been over 15 years ago. With him, it was in grocery store. He simply collapsed, no one could ever figure out why, he had no recollection of it, he suffered no ill effects.

Nothing is scarier than the unknown. I do hope and pray that they find a reason for this episode. A thought struck me--could it have been an allergic reaction to something? I've heard of people going unconscious from bee stings, etc, and he was out in the woods.

Keep us posted on what happens.

How scary for you and your family! Let's hope this gets figured out quickly. Since your husband remembers making the two-way radio call, ask him if, before doing that, he recolllects a sudden sting or itch. Also, check into biting bugs in your region and the reactions that can occur from their bites.

I can't imagine how scared you must have been! I'm so sorry! :hug:

I hope they get it figured out soon, so he can continue on with his job.

And don't apologize for the story - we'll be waiting for updates. :pals:

Hope all goes well for you:hug:

well. I know you were very frightened. () ().

The blood supply to the brain is interrupted for whatever reason for a time, and then resumes normally. Did they say anything like that?

Best wishes to you both and let's hope it was a one-time thing :hug:

The differential they were working with was MI/stroke/bleed/seizure. So far, they have ruled out MI and bleed/stroke. He doesn't have any residual deficits, which is good. Now, we just have to hope they can figure out what it was. I'm hoping it was a vasovagal event, which at least satisfies the DOT for a diagnosis, and can be treated medically. They will be doing a tilt table test next week.

Thank you.

how very scary! Good thoughts for you and hubby! :hug:

I hope you get some answers soon. Does he have disability insurance to help with partial income recovery if he loses his license?

Maybe the doctor can chalk it up to a vagal response caused by some sort of positioning in the tree? Was he over-hydrated? That can cause dizziness sometimes.

disability insurance.

If anything, he would likely have been dehydrated rather than overhydrated, but his electrolytes were good.

Hope your husband does well.

Mr. Bear

and the deal with his driver's license can be sorted out.

Meantime, here is a big hug.

:hug: ((((((((((zbird)))))))))) :hug:

I hope you find out what happened. I imagine the not knowing is probably one of the scariest parts.

Good luck, my thoughts are with you.