It has been two weeks next Monday when I was struck by lightning. I spent two nights in the cardiac intensive care unit being poked and prodded the entire time.
The thing, I think, that brings this into perspective for me is that 80 percent of the people that are struck by lightning do not survive, so with that, I feel very,very blessed and lucky. I am blessed to have my immediate family as well as the support of my adopted family of SevereStudios.com, who stood by my side through the entire ordeal, and I want to thank them all for doing so.
We, as storm spotters and chasers, take that risk (gladly) every time we go out to keep the public better informed about the storms in their area. We love what we do and are happy to lay our lives and property on the line to protect those we have never met.
-DM
Look at the "bright" side
Through all the nasty prison hospital food, bills, and headaches..we are glad you survived....because we couldn't afford pizza at our meetings without you!!! =D
Plus you got a sweet new nickname from us....
All jest aside, close call, lets cut that out next time!
DSax
Speedy Recovery
Get well... I'm sure most of us have had close calls with lightning. I will remember you in prayer.
Derek
Thank you so much for doing what you do Derek, to keep the public informed of the storms heading your way. I think sometimes people forget just how dangerous of a job you guys have. I am glad you are more or less ok, and I am praying that you have no long lasting or surprise problems later on. You seem like a really great guy, and I am sorry you had to go through all you did at the hospital, and the pain involved with all this. Thank you again for your service to people like me!
Take care
Even though they may let you out of the hospital, sometimes things can crop up sometimes months later. Im not trying to scare you, but just saying, pay extra attention to yourself, and if something seems 'changed' or not right, have them check it out. I don't believe I can call myself a lightning stroke survivor, my house took a direct hit a few years ago, so technically it wasn't me taking the brunt. I was at my computer, and burnt two of my fingertips with a big spark. Rest of the electrical system was fried though not to mention the thousands of dollars of damage elsewhere. My point here being is, even when one thinks they are somewhat protected, it can still get to you. You now, put yourself in harms way, I was kind of hiding from it, and it still got me, so you need to be extra careful. Above all, thank your god that your time wasn't quite yet.
Take care
Aaron
In Case You Need This
Derek - Hopefully you fully recover with no residual effects. Here in Chicago, our ace local weather guy Tom Skilling hosts an annual severe weather seminar. One of his usual presenters is Dr Mary Ann Cooper, a leading researcher into lightning strikes and survivors of the same. She is also keenly interested in what we as spotters/chasers do. You might be able to provide invaluable info from your experience. Here is her website:
http://www.uic.edu/labs/lightninginjury/
And the lightning strike survivors group:
http://www.lightning-strike.org/DesktopDefault.aspx
Take care! And start chasing with folks taller than you...
Wow!
Glad you are still with us, very scary, not many people can say they survived a lightning strike, thank God you did, take care!
glad your ok
It's amazing when you think about it, how this doesn't happen to more of us. Wrong place right time they would say? Glad your getting along Derek, it was a pleasure meeting you earlier this season and I hope to run into you again sometime along the way...
Andy Gabrielson
www.findthetornado.com
www.severestudios.com
www.tornadochat.com
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