7000th post (warning serious injury photo in post)

[ltmgeller]

I want to thank all of you for making this such a great place and such an important part of my life. In 2012 I was injured at work ending my firefighting career. While recovering I had nothing but time on my hands (no pun intended) and this forum really helped while recovering from surgery and collecting watches became a passion. Since then my collection has really grown and It is 1 watch away from being complete (SS BLRO).
On June 25, 2017 I was almost killed in a serious motorcycle accident.
I suffered several head fractures, broken back with partial spinal cord injury, and my left little finger was partially cut off down to the wrist. I was wearing my TT Sub at the time and it seems the cut stopped at my watch.


Today the remains of the scar have faded but go all the way to my watch which fared much better than I did in the accident. The only noticeable damage to the watch has been the tiniest chip on the edge of the crystal at 12 o’clock. It’s still watertight and keeps perfect time.
I am still recovering trying to learn to walk properly again and this forum has provided me great relief and entertainment as I continue to improve. Once again I’d like to thank you all and look forward to many more years of being part of this community.

[dwjez14]

God bless you sir. I am so happy that’s you survived and enjoy the forum. Thank you for your career as a fireman before the accident. Your a hero my
Man. Nice collection

[jets]

Glad to see you're recovering. Nice collection and keep at it!


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[Dr. Robert]

Good vibes being sent for a complete & speedy recovery

[dwjez14]

I hope some of my new post have given you a laugh or made you see what a knucklehead I am. My post get lots of hits. I’m still
Learning. I hope you get your last watch soon. But don’t forget baselwrold is right around the corner !!

[brandrea]

What a great post Mike.

You are a lucky man and I’m so glad to hear your recovery is going well.

Awesome collection you have there and in particular the Submariner you wore on that fateful day. We talk about making memories with our watches ... I’m sure every time you look at that watch you remember that day and thank your lucky stars

[Beckster]

That is a life changing event for sure. Glad you came out of it well. With a new passion that looks like it is surely alive and well. Oh, and by the way, a great collection you there my friend. Brilliant!

[David cote]

Holy shit ! Mike, glad it worked out, Wear these in great health! Nice looking watch box you got there.

[HogwldFLTR]

Hate to see dropped bikes!!! Glad you survived a nasty let-off!!! As they say there are only to types of riders, those who have wrecked and those who are going to wreck!!! Congratulations on 7K posts!!! FWIW, when I dropped I remember my helmet bouncing off the ground; I was glad I was wearing a full face one. Also I was luck to be in full leathers and wearing gloves. Only a little bit of road rash between the glove and jacket. Plenty of bruising however.

[LuminousMaximus]

Thank you for your service Mike, and thank that TT from stopping any further damage to your almost guillotine half-hand removal.


Amazing there was so little damage to the TT. It might be the fact that we usually try to protect our watches even though we are not cognizant of it, your muscle memory protected it....


I also feel that the forum is a really cool place to hang out and discuss one of our favorite hobbies...

[GCbeast]

Sorry for you suffering, I hope you have a great recovery, I know what it's like to knock on deaths door, and you seem like you are well on your way to recovery, take it slow and one day at a time!
All the best to you and your family.
PS great collection! WOW

[037]

Wow. Glad you're recovering. Godspeed for sure.

I was almost hit by a deer while on two wheels going 125 on a country road. First and last time for that. I miss it but road conditions, other drivers and animals make every ride a gamble.

[Gerry62]

Stunning collection !!! ...... my prefer TT Sub Deep blue Gmt blnr ....... very great watchs !!

Wear these in great health Mike

[RichM]

Good to hear your on the mend. Nice collection.

[Pw92676]

Seems you have made fantastic strides in your recovery and I wish you all the best for even more progress!

[jrs146]

Congrats on a very lucky recovery. Your watch collection is fantastic. Stay healthy my friend!


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[Cru Jones]

Thanks for sharing these experiences.... I wish you continued good health in your recovery. Oh, and the SS BLRO, too! You most desinitely deserve it!

[hodie9]

Damn Mike. Keep getting better. Enjoy those fantastic pieces.

[Nikrnic]

So sorry to hear you went down, life is so precious.. I was hit head on years ago on a sportster, a bell super magnum saved my life. Wishing you a full recovery and hope to see an incoming soon with your new SS Blro..

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[adawil2002]

Nice collection! Sorry about the injury.

[214270Explorer]

We are all so happy you made it through OK.

So sorry to hear your career ended.

There are not enough of you selfless heroes to fulfill the needs.

[Jcy90]

G-d bless you sir! Thank G-d you’re alive and kicking! Beautiful collection!

[ltmgeller]

Thank you all for the kind words. I was cutoff by a lady who missed her exit on the parkway and a I t-boned her at 55 mph breaking her rear passenger door with my face. I was flown to the medical center and was touch and go for a while. They told my wife I probably would never walk again. I spent 5 months in a wheel chair and now get around with a cane. I work out every day to get better and will not stop until I'm better than before.

[mistercoach32]

What a story. Thank God you lived to have that incredible story to tell even though it ended your career. I have a lot of respect for firefighters. Firefighters have run in my direct line of family members non-stop for 130 years (great-great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, dad, and brother). Thanks for your service!

[Steph-paul]

Nice collection, wishing you a full recovery...

[River]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

Thank you all for the kind words. I was cutoff by a lady who missed her exit on the parkway and a I t-boned her at 55 mph breaking her rear passenger door with my face. I was flown to the medical center and was touch and go for a while. They told my wife I probably would never walk again. I spent 5 months in a wheel chair and now get around with a cane. I work out every day to get better and will not stop until I'm better than before.

Speedy recovery. Show us your collection again when you receive the BLRO


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[MARGARITATIME]

I had a motorcycle for a couple years. Always wanted one and knew the risks. Had a couple close calls, but was fortunate to never lay it down. Almost did getting gas - brain fart moment. I saw the remains of an accident a couple houses from me. Rider was not fortunate and it hit home for me. Ended up selling the bike a couple months later. Glad I got to check it off the list without incident. Wish you well and look forward to your future post about running a marathon. Great collection by the way!

[AK797]

Keep up the recovery, my friend, and glad that this forum can provide you with some distraction and motivation for getting better. I just watched the Miracle Worker, incredible story of Helen Keller, and I still have tears in my eyes so I'm all about the triumph of the human spirit to overcome any adversity.

[GarbanzoNegro]

Strong man, keep it up!

[rajcuatrista]

Bro, thank God your alive!
Thank you for public service, God-speed on your recovery!
Timeless collection, enjoy those wonderful timepieces.