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[at-l] Burst Appendix
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Date:
Sat, 11 Apr 1998 09:18:46 -0700
From:
George Cathcart <georgec@speedchoice.com>
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georgec@speedchoice.com
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Subject:
Re: [at-l] Cellular Telephones
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<199804111222.IAA19264@jetski.cyberTours.com>
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As I read this I couldn't help but think about Charles Floyd, the only
member of the Lewis and Clark expedition to die along the way. From the
descriptions in the journals, modern physicians have concluded he died
of a burst appendix. Ironically, medical science at the time was such
that had this affliction struck him while in the finest hospital in
Philadelphia, he would have died. They didn't know what an appendix was
then.
I'm glad Karl is okay.
gc
Ern Grover "Time-Maker" -- Father & Son Clockworks wrote:
>
> Karl Erpenbeck and I set out from Hiawassee (Deep Creek Gap) on April 4th
> for our section hike to Springer. Last minute preparations at our motel
> room lightened out packs to about 38 pounds each. I contemplated leaving
> my cellular telephone behind.
>
> We only planned to hike perhaps 7 miles or so the first day. Having
passed
> Deep Creek Gap around lunch time, we proceeded southerly toward Kelly
Knob.
> Addis Gap seemed to be a nice spot to bed down for the night. Karl was
> not the type of guy to complain about aches and pains, although I knew he
> wasn't doing well from the start of our hike. He thought he had a flu bug
> or something.
>
> Sunday morning was a different story. His fever had risen, and the pain
in
> his stomach had intensified. Karl, not wishing to back out of the hike,
> wanted to proceed to Tray Mountain. Watching him take a few painful
steps,
> I interceded "Karl, let's be safe. I'll make a decision now. We're going
> to get this checked out."
>
> My intention was that we shed out packs and head back to Hiawassee Medical
> Center. We would only be delayed a day. I dialed up 911 on my cellular
> phone with the intention to get some medical advice ONLY. I was not
> motivated to ask for a rescue team to come in. Although his pain was
> increasing, Karl's spirits were good otherwise. I reached Anderson County
> Dispatch (S. Carolina). Karl was stuggling up Kelly Knob just ahead of
> me. It was evident that his condition had been underestimated. Anderson
> Dispatch had contacted White County, GA and Rabun County, GA dispatch
units
> in the interim. Several incoming calls later, we were advised to proceed
> northerly to Deep Gap Shelter if at all possible.
>
> A funny thing happens when you dial 911. If you were not commited to
> follow through with the call at that point, you would after dialing it up.
> White & Rabun County Dispatch coordinated to meet us at Deep Gap Shelter.
> Karl hobbled to the shelter. We arrived there around 1 p.m. I tried to
> make him comfortable, unrolling his mattress and making him some tea. He
> was unable to eat, sweat was pouring from him, and he was beginning to
> shiver. Eventually trucks could be heard from a forest service road down
> over the hill from the shelter. Rabun County EMT's in an ambulance, a
> member of the U.S. Forest Service (to unlock various gates), and a
> truckload of volunteer rescue personnel met us at the shelter. Karl was
> stabilized and shuttled to the awaiting ambulance. The 16 mile road
access
> very precarious after several downpours and blowdowns. The trip to Rabun
> County Medical Center was about an hour and a half.
>
> Pain in Karl's stomach was high, although the possibility of peritonitis
> from a ruptured appendix was not ruled out. He was admitted, his fever in
> excess of 102 at that point. A surgeon from Steven's County examined him
> and performed surgery immediately. Karl's appendix had indeed ruptured.
> The belly belt from his pack had pushed the rupture upwards as he was
> hiking. Although the hike was not the cause of his appendicitus, it
> certainly didn't minimize its effects.
>
> As it turned out, the surgeon advised that a two hour delay in the rescue
> from the AT would have meant certain death. Karl is still at Stevens
> County Medical Center; the tubes were removed only yesterday.
>
> The moral of this story?
>
> 1. Don't hike alone: if Karl or I were by ourselves, our normal tendency
> would be to continue.
> 2. Pack a cell phone: even if you're not registered with a cellular
> telephone company, your phone still has the ability to dial 911 (Federal
> law)
> 3. Don't assume your problem is minor
>
> The real heroes? (not necessarily in this order)
>
> 1. Star Cellular who sold me a decent quality phone and dependable "follow
> me roam" incoming service.
> 2. Deputy S.V. Henriksen from Anderson County Dispatch who got the ball
> rolling
> 3. Rabun & White County Dispatch
> 4. Wildcat Volunteer Fire Department (Did you know these folks are not
> financially compensated for their donated services. Did you know these
> folks have to raise their own funds to build an EMT / Fire Station from
> donated funds before the county will allocate vehicles to them?)
> 5. US Forest Service
>
> Ern Grover "Time-Maker"
> Father & Son Clockworks
> Web: http://www.tick-tock.com
> Mail: ern@tick-tock.com
> ICQ 922536 / AOL Messanger: MaineMan47
> 26 Webster Street, Springvale, ME 04083
> 207-324-8994 / Fax 207-324-1544
>
> "Appalachian Trail Hikers, this is your hot shower, meal, and shuttle in
> Maine"
>
> * From the Appalachian Trail Mailing List | For info
http://www.hack.net/lists *
--
George Cathcart
Writer
Phoenix, Arizona
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9643
I doubt, therefore I think I am
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