Old fishermen never die (They just smell that way)

I'm alone 80 miles off shore with a broken wrist, almost certain my hip is broken, and probably a concussion.
Back story: we finished up all our seafood orders by Thursday afternoon. My son and grandson caught the last flight home as we all Usually do. This weekend I decided to take a trip out on my boat alone to catch shrimp and crabs for a friend's fundraiser Sunday. I've made probably 50 trips alone over the years and expected this trip to be same as before.
Nope, I'm old! So, about 10 pm tonight I finish up and start scrubbing the deck and equipment all the while looking forward to a relaxing 8 hr steam back to my dock. I slip on soap and crash head first into my picking table knocking myself out. When I come to I have blood running out of my ear, a bone trying to poke thru my wrist and my hip no longer works. I now crawl 40 feet to get in the cabin not to mention the stairs up to the pilot house. I call the Coastguard give them my location and direction of travel, they want to send a rescue chopper, I refuse. They are calling me every 30 minutes now. I have autopilot and the boat knows the way home.
I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm trying to stay mentally awake because I still have 4 hr to go.
On a lighter note, I had to pee awhile ago and it's really hard to get everything where it needs to View attachment 185287

 

Holy cow! I am not sure what to say other than I hope you to get to shore soon and safely. Please don’t be so proud that you don’t accept the coast guard’s help. I know from previous posts that you speak fondly of your wife, children, and grandchildren. They need you with them. Wishing you all the best!
Dan and Brenda

 

My wife is in panic mode, but I'm gonna make it I think. She called a friend of ours and he's gonna meet at the dock, tie up my boat and get me off this damn thing. I do have to admit to feeling like a foolish old man.

 

Hang in there @westexrancher ! Amazed you are still able to post. I hope you aren’t in too much pain.

 

Ok our thoughts are most definitely with you and your family! As far as feeling foolish, now isn’t the time nor place. Get home safely and then that part takes care of itself (speaking as a wife who has been married almost 26 years). We will all be here as needed to keep you going through this

 

Also if you have an inner ear injury it can completely throw your balance off. Please try not to use any ladder wells if it can be avoided. I’m sure you know all this but sometimes we all need a reminder

 

I'd hug a porcupine for a couple tylenol, there down stairs in the galley and I ain't doing that again.

 

I had to crawl up 8 stairs to get in my wheelhouse I'm not moving till I get back to shore.

 

If I don't focus on something my thoughts start to wonder.

 

Hey if it helps to keep posting then pls do so. Dh and I both have 32 yrs combined military experience and you’re absolutely right-focusing on something else is always helpful. Mind over matter does work. Even if it’s as something as trivial as posting here

 

Exactly, I'm struggling to keep alert, this helps . My mind wants me to give in.

 

So on a lighter note, I’ve never been able to enjoy the head/eyes of shrimp. My friends tell me I’m missing the best part. Eh I’ll stick to the tails

 

Nah I can go on and on about things, trust me on that (Dan can vouch for that as well). Your VMB friends are here for more than just gambling stuff

 

So if you don’t mind me asking what drew you to the sea? I originally grew up in Wisconsin and I’m not sure why when I first saw the ocean I felt drawn to it. And yes, I’m over sharing cuz in this instance I think it calls for it. Just trying to keep you distracted

 

I boil the m head on then peal them and up shel and heads back in water for a couple hy= abd save that for Boling nudes.

 

Holy crap, that last message wasn't brain damage. I tried typing with a ✏.

 

I grew up in a little fart of a town call Paris TX. My dad bought a vacation home in Galveston right on the beach. I've been in love with the sea ever since.

 

Ok was trying to decipher it, took it to mean you make a stock out of it. Yeah seafood stock is delicious and worth the effort. First time I did a volunteer project in the Navy was in Meridian MS and it was crawfish boil. Never knew what mud bugs were prior to that. Gotta love learning about new things

 

So true my friend, so very true.