Get Well Soon, Don!!!!

[Bric Martin]

One of the really good people in our dive community had an injury recently. Don Coleman from Pacific Adventure broke his leg working on the Downtime. Anyone that has met Don knows how great of a guy he is. I was truly sorry to hear this and just thought I would pass it on.

Don Get well soon!

[selkie]

Yes, Don get well soon and take care of yourself.

[Penopolypants]

Oh no! Get well soon, Don!

[Joshua Smith]

Man, that's terrible- Don's a great guy. Here's hoping he has a speedy recovery.

[lizard0924]

Sorry to hear this news. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Don!

[LCF]

Oh, Don, I'm so sorry to hear this! Hope it's a minor fracture and better in no time.

[spatman]

so sorry, don! hope it heals quickly!

[dwashbur]

Prayers for a quick heal, Don!

[John Rawlings]

SO sorry to hear this, Don! Rest, recover, heal....and we'll see you soon!

- John

[PeninsulaDiver]

On Monday evening I received a text from Don wanting to get together for a bite to eat as he was just finishing up working on Down Time for the day. Shortly after I responded to his text, I received a call from my wife who heard on the radio that there was a 55 year old man who fell off a ladder in the boat haven and may have suffered a broken ankle and I should check to make sure Don was ok. While talking to her my phone was ringing and it was Don. I hung up with her and answered Don with “You didn’t fall off your ladder did you”? He replied “Yes and it’s not good, aid is en-route”.

I arrived shortly after the medic unit to find him lying on his back and 2 medics assisting him. A quick glance at his left foot/ankle area confirmed that it was not good. There was a small puddle of blood under the ankle which indicated a compound fracture. He was loaded into the aid car and after making a call to update his wife, Diane, I met them at the hospital.

He had surgery that night which resulted in an internal plate installed on one side and an external fixation on the other. It looks like he will require another surgery on Thursday, June 10th.

As for Down Time, Don and Diane’s son & son-in-law, are finishing up with getting her ready to be put back in the water which is scheduled for Friday. The plan right now, is for a few of us to run her back down to Pleasant Harbor Friday afternoon.

Don in all is drugged up glory, still thinks he’s going to be on board when we depart. Gotta love pain meds!

Anyway, this injury is going to require a long healing period and lot’s of physical therapy. Don and Diane both know they have my total support to help out any way I can to keep the boat running during his recovery.

-Mark

[John Rawlings]

Wow....that's worse than I had assumed! Not good....

It's times like these when you find out who your friends are...it's good that Don has some folks ready to "step into the breach" for him and try to keep things running.

- John

[ktb]

OMG! Mark, please give Don my best wishes for full, healthy recovery. I won't say speedy, because I don't think an injury like like should be rushed.

[PeninsulaDiver]

You bet Kelly.
He has all his gadgets (laptop, iPhone etc) close at hand so I am sure he will be keeping everyone updated.
Also, the injury turned out to be a compound fracture of the Tibia & Fibula just above the ankle.

-Mark

[ktb]

You bet Kelly.
He has all his gadgets (laptop, iPhone etc) close at hand so I am sure he will be keeping everyone updated.
Also, the injury turned out to be a compound fracture of the Tibia & Fibula just above the ankle.

DonsLeg.png

-Mark

Oooooo, gory pics. I love it!! (But yeah, that doesn't look good AT ALL.)

[Geek]

Man, ouch.... Like I always say, I'll never fall to my *insert gory injury here* when I'm diving...

Get well soon Don, I want to see if we can make you speechless on another dive this summer..

Kyle

[Berritt]

Yikes!! That is exactly what type of fracture I had from being hit by a car, just a little further up my leg. I had the external fixator, too. Was not a fun healing process, but recovery will happen. Ouch, just thinking about that makes my leg hurt.

[Tom Nic]

Yikes!

SO sorry to hear the news, and best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery.

And I'm sure that the posse is already forming that will be needed to sit on Don to keep him down while he heals up proper.

Don - take the "Downtime" that you need and get better and come back strong!

[Sounder]

Wuss. A real man would have finished the job before going to the doctor. :queenliz:

Get better soon buddy.

[Penopolypants]

Oh no! Not the pins! Gah!!! I love gory pics, just not involving people I know and like...

I'm sending extra good vibes your way!

[ljjames]

owowowoowowoow!!!

sending you good healing wishes....

[don]

Thanks everyone! Back to surgery tomorrow, will try to update status when i'm out....but it's hard towrite more than a few words before I fall asleep. And the few words sometimes do t seem to make much sense when iread them later.

Yea Doug, could have tried to go back up that ladder, but my lawer leg just didn't seem to obey commands. I'll take a jelly sting anytime, and I'll now take back my smart a..s remark when you were whining about how much that hurt.

[ktb]

Thanks everyone! Back to surgery tomorrow, will try to update status when i'm out....but it's hard towrite more than a few words before I fall asleep. And the few words sometimes do t seem to make much sense when iread them later.

Yea Doug, could have tried to go back up that ladder, but my lawer leg just didn't seem to obey commands. I'll take a jelly sting anytime, and I'll now take back my smart a..s remark when you were whining about how much that hurt.

I love it when people post while under the influence. :luv:

[Sounder]

Thanks everyone! Back to surgery tomorrow, will try to update status when i'm out....but it's hard towrite more than a few words before I fall asleep. And the few words sometimes do t seem to make much sense when iread them later.

Yea Doug, could have tried to go back up that ladder, but my lawer leg just didn't seem to obey commands. I'll take a jelly sting anytime, and I'll now take back my smart a..s remark when you were whining about how much that hurt.

Whatever, wuss. With your history in gymnastics, dance, and varsity cheerleading, I'm surprised you didn't stick the landing.

[Mattleycrue76]

Don, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet, but I believe if anyone can feel your pain it's me. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

[don]

Yea Doug, maybe I'm geting old. I AM looking forward to seeing you on the boat again, are you still diving?