Went to work yesterday like any other wednesday.
Began working at six and I had a handful of things to do before climbing up on my tank to begin welding. It was just after 7 am when I started up the ladder. The tank is 11 feet in diameter and nearly 39 feet in circumference. I had 3 full circumference welds to do as well as a few verticle seams 8 feet long. It adds up to about 140 feet of weld bead.
I reached the top of the tank. Actually laying on its side and on rollers, so I'm at 11 feet or so. But as I step from the ladder to the tank and transfer my weight from off my left foot on the ladder to my right foot on the tank, I slip and begin falling backwards.
I knew there was a crane behind me and the chain hanging where I could reach it. I turned and grabbed it and was able to right myself upwards instead of falling backwards. I still fell 11 feet, but I went feet first rather than falling on my back.
My feet hit the ground and then I went to my butt. Two other guys, one of which had been on the tank ahead of me, were right there. I sat up and lit a smoke. About a minute later I knocked the dust off and got back up.
I was hurtin, but it was barable. I could move around, so I stayed. I took my boot off to look at my foot, which was hurtin he most. Well, my foot was swellin already so I put the boot back on before it wouldnt go on again.
I went back up the ladder and finished my welding. In fact I stayed all day till my 10 hour shift was up and drove my 5 speed manual transmission toyota home.
Got up and this morning and got ready for work as normal... till I couldnt get my boot on. My foot was too danged swollen. I stayed home and jenny took me to the doctor.
My right foot is broken. Well 2 of the metatarsals anyway, + a sprained ankle and some other damage.
Heres the thing. I coulda left work right after falling. No one woulda cared. I'm not brilliant. The doctor thinks I'm an idiot. But I'm a guy and I still try to impress my wife, even if I'm not a genious about it.
I dont do it to be a hardass. I do it cuz I love my wife. Shes my favorite person in the world and I still show off for her. Not that I fell on purpose, but since i did... I gaurantee she tells her girl friends at work I fell 11 feet, broke 2 bones in my foot, and stayed and worked my shift, drove my stick shift home and still tried to go to work the next day. I'm not the best lookin guy, but I do what ever it takes always for her!
After more than 15 years of marriage, I still want her to be impressed with me!!!