 |
|
|
UER Store
|
|
order your copy of Access All Areas today!
|
|
|
|
Activity
|
|
129 online
Server Time:
2023-03-29 07:53:32
|
|
|
 maypost
    
Location: North, South, East, West, all around... then down to the underground
Gender: Male
Exploring if for n00bz0rz
 |  | Public Service announcement
< on 8/26/2012 6:44 PM >
|  | | | Those of you who know me and are still around will probably already know what this is going to be about, and everyone else could really benefit from hearing my story. It deals directly with exploring and the extremely grim consequences of not being smart and safe with something that was not only my hobby, but my number one passion in life.
I started exploring large asylums and power plants when I was about 15(I'm 32 now). Almost instantly, I was hooked. I spent the better part of 15 years exploring 3 or more days a week. It truly was a love that outlasted every relationship I had, even my marriage. Anyone who knows me, probably knows that I am a stubborn, hard-headed, and sometimes wreakless bastard. Countless times, fellow-explorers as well as friends who took an interest in my hobby would ask about asbestos/lead ect. They would tell me I should use a respirator. My stock reply was always "masks are for haloween". I thought taking precautions like that were lame, attention seeking and pointless. I was dead wrong, almost literally...
Fast forward to about this time last year. I had a stubborn cough that lingered for months. As time went on, it only got worse and more frequent, until last October, I finally went to the hospital to get it checked out, once I started coughing up blood on a regular basis. I was put through a gauntlet of invasive tests. I was given a PPD to test for TB, blood cultures were taken, even a lumbar puncture and finally a CT scan. It turned out that what the DR's thought was most likely a bas case of chronic bronchitis was much more serious. I don't want to say outright what was wrong, because it's a petty, ugly illness and we'll not dignify it by speaking its name unless absolutely necessary. But suffice to say, my life was in mediate danger. Over the past year I have been on medications and treatments that have all but destroyed me. I have spent more nights admitted in ICU than in my own bed. I used to be 6'3" weighing in at 195 lbs, I got down to 120 and I am still struggling to maintain a weight of at least 160. Last march I had to undergo a major surgery where more than half of my left lung had to removed as well as the majority of my lymph nodes on my left side. To this day I am still recovering from the damage my meds have done as well as the trauma of a major surgery. I am on the road to recovery and I am very lucky for that. Hell, I am beyond lucky to be alive to be typing this right now. But that knowledge does not help me with the crippling debt of medical bills that skyrocket well over the 100 grand mark.
After speaking to all of my DRs and specialists, it is universally agreed that this was all a direct cause of exploring and because of the damage that was done to my body, the odds are, I can never explore again... Ever.
Years of exposure to asbestos, plaster dust, lead and god knows what else took its toll on me in a very drastic way. I was told by both my pulmonologist and my oncologist that had I worn a proper respirator, none of this would have happened. I am not saying I deserve what happened , but it was a direct result of the poor decisions that I made. So in a kind of poetic way, I DO deserve it on some level.
So, for what it's worth, I would give serious thought to protecting yourselves when you're out there exploring. The attitude I adopted of thinking the odds of anything happening to me were astronomical, ended up biting me in the ass at a very early age. I would absolutely hate to see or hear of anyone in this community going through even a similar ordeal, even the people I am not fond of. NOBODY should experience that. So I hope at least a few people take this to heart and maybe we can prevent a little misery from cropping up in the future. My negligence ended up almost costing me my life and it robbed me of following a passion that really was my entire world. Please please PLEASE don't let that happen to you.
Exploring is like tattoos... They stopped being cool in 2005
|
|
dsankt
Location: live and in the fresh
| |  |  | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 1 on 8/26/2012 6:58 PM >
| | | | Hadn't heard or seen anything of you for a while and thought you'd just dropped out of the scene.
This is a real wakeup call for many of us, myself included, who tend to approach the health side of all this with a very cavalier attitude. It's terrible that it takes one of our own to succumb to so much, to bring the message.
Good to hear you're pulling through though and if it's any consolation you can still hit the bridges once you're back to full speed. Keep it up!
sleepycity.net: watch out for the third rail baby, that shit is high voltage. urbex and urban exploration photography |
|
maypost
Location: North, South, East, West, all around... then down to the underground
Gender: Male
Exploring if for n00bz0rz
| | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 2 on 8/26/2012 7:11 PM >
| | | | Thanks, D. I actually thought of you a lot during all of this. Since you tend to go to the places that will actually be possible for me in the future
Exploring is like tattoos... They stopped being cool in 2005
|
|
bornmilitia
  
Location: SoCal
Gender: Male
Never Be Found
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 3 on 8/26/2012 7:14 PM >
| | | | I very much appreciate that you took the time to give us all this warning or "wake up call" as dsankt said. I had 2 grandparents who died because of asbestos exposure, and having that in my head as forced me to be cautious when exploring places that could be hazardous to my health. Unfortunately I (and I'm sure many others) have times when wearing a respirator is either just too inconvenient or "doesn't seem necessary".. but it's experiences like yours that really show us explorers there's a reality to the hobby and it's not all just like visiting some surreal place for bliss and escape.
I hope things get better for you. Cheers.
"Happiness and sanity are an impossible combination." - Mark Twain
I have a thing for dusty old buildings. |
|
dsankt
Location: live and in the fresh
| | | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 4 on 8/26/2012 7:17 PM >
| | | | Posted by maypost
Thanks, D. I actually thought of you a lot during all of this. Since you tend to go to the places that will actually be possible for me in the future
|
The worst I've ever had was gastroenteritis: ass milk and waking with crippling chest pains, which sounds like a fucking holiday compared to what you listed above. That's once in 10 years (excluding the time I drank champagne and sewage from a rubber boot, but that's another story). You'll make an excellent sewer rat 
Naturally, if you're in the neighbourhood drop me a line.
[last edit 8/26/2012 7:26 PM by dsankt - edited 1 times]
sleepycity.net: watch out for the third rail baby, that shit is high voltage. urbex and urban exploration photography |
|
WarBird69
 
Location: Eastern TN
Gender: Male
Atomic Bird of War
| | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 5 on 8/26/2012 7:37 PM >
| | | | Posted by bornmilitia
I very much appreciate that you took the time to give us all this warning or "wake up call" as dsankt said. I had 2 grandparents who died because of asbestos exposure, and having that in my head as forced me to be cautious when exploring places that could be hazardous to my health. Unfortunately I (and I'm sure many others) have times when wearing a respirator is either just too inconvenient or "doesn't seem necessary".. but it's experiences like yours that really show us explorers there's a reality to the hobby and it's not all just like visiting some surreal place for bliss and escape.
I hope things get better for you. Cheers.
|
I'm speechless, but this pretty much sums up my thoughts.
Glad you're doing better man.
When twilight draws near, when you are pushed to the very limits of your soul, when it seems that all you have left are the dead remnants of the fabric of your life:
-- BELIEVE |
|
\/adder
 
Location: DunkarooLand
Gender: Male
I'm the worst of the best but I'm in this race.
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 6 on 8/26/2012 7:42 PM >
| | | | Climb communication towers and get your balls irradiated instead.
"No risk, no reward, no fun."
"Go all the way or walk away"
escensi omnis... |
|
Jonsered
Location: Back in New Mexico where I belong
Gender: Male
Dressed for a scarecrow ball.........
| |  | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 7 on 8/26/2012 8:08 PM >
| | | | Fuck me. Now I'm glad I was always the paranoid guy. Good on ya for sharing a cautionary tale, and good luck with your recovery
I have changed my personal exploring ethics code. From now on it will be: "Take only aimed shots, leave only hobo corpses." Copper scrappers, meth heads and homeless beware. The Jonsered cometh among you, bringing fear and dread.
|
|
maypost
Location: North, South, East, West, all around... then down to the underground
Gender: Male
Exploring if for n00bz0rz
| | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 8 on 8/26/2012 8:08 PM >
| | | | Outstanding!
Exploring is like tattoos... They stopped being cool in 2005
|
|
FilthCity
Location: Johnson City, TN
Gender: Male
| | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 9 on 8/26/2012 8:31 PM >
|  | | | Indeed a wakeup call. i have never heard solid info on weather casual exposure would really hurt someone or not. i thought you'd have to basically live in those condtioned to suffer any effects. i've had a cough for a couple weeks. now i'm paranoid =/.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/filth_city/
http://filthcityphotography.tumblr.com/ |
|
yokes
Location: Toronto
Gender: Male
I aim to misbehave
| | | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 10 on 8/26/2012 8:45 PM >
| | | | Great, now that I will actually feel bad for mocking people for wearing respirators I have no other reason to be on UER.
YOU HAVE RUINED MY LIFE.
I'm glad to read that you are on the mend and I wish you a fast and full recovery. I really, REALLY is a wakeup call and I'm sorry it had to happen to you. Thank you for posting your (terrifying) story.
"Great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men." - Richard Nickel |
|
Steed
Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Race Traitor
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 11 on 8/27/2012 1:04 AM >
| | | | Well I just bought my first respirator a few weeks ago, as I wanted to go into an old movie theatre that had asbestos warnings. I ended up deciding even with a respirator it wasn't protection enough.
I've had off-and-on respiratory issues for the last several years, but I've always written it off as the price of living in Seoul. Though sometimes when I go exploring, I get this slight wheeze to my breath. I think it's psychosomatic because it only happens when I feel like I'm at immediate risk, and never after, but I'll keep an eye out for any stronger symptoms.
I hope your recovery continues without problem, and remember there's much more to urban exploration than creeping through dusty old abandoned buildings.
|
|
dallas
Location: seattle
Gender: Female
So long and thanks for all the fish
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 12 on 8/27/2012 1:30 AM >
| | | | Me as someone fairly new to exploring i am going to take your advice and learn from this terrible lesson.
Keep on kicking ass
amazing wife to Narf. Don't look him up or ill cut you. |
|
OwlsFlight
Location: Ehn Jay
One foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 13 on 8/27/2012 1:33 AM >
| | | | Posted by bornmilitia
I very much appreciate that you took the time to give us all this warning or "wake up call" as dsankt said. I had 2 grandparents who died because of asbestos exposure, and having that in my head as forced me to be cautious when exploring places that could be hazardous to my health. Unfortunately I (and I'm sure many others) have times when wearing a respirator is either just too inconvenient or "doesn't seem necessary".. but it's experiences like yours that really show us explorers there's a reality to the hobby and it's not all just like visiting some surreal place for bliss and escape.
I hope things get better for you. Cheers.
|
Well said. I always bring one with me, but don't wear it every time I should. Sometimes a person just needs a wake-up kick in the nads like this. Thanks for sharing this info, and glad to hear things are looking good for you.
Exploring the distance between points A & B. |
|
Asher0719
Location: MSP
Gender: Female
The World Abandoned
| | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 14 on 8/27/2012 2:05 AM >
| | | | Thank you for sharing your story and experiences. I bought a respirator a few months ago as I became more adventurous with the sites I was visiting. A lot of people told me to put it away and stop being so paranoid, but now I'm glad I kept it on. I'm so sorry to hear about what you've been through, but thank you for reaching out to teach the rest of us.
~Asher |
|
Urban_Explosure
Location: Binghamton, NY
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 15 on 8/27/2012 4:40 AM >
| | | | Wow, I'm so sorry for what happened to you... I was really hoping to never hear of such stories coming from UE but I'm glad you posted it. I'm getting some friends into UE now and I'm definitely changing their xmas gifts. They're all getting respirators.
|
|
DJ Craig
 
Moderator
Location: Johnson City, TN
Gender: Male
Break the Silence
| | | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 16 on 8/27/2012 11:08 PM >
| | | | Posted by FilthCity
Indeed a wakeup call. i have never heard solid info on weather casual exposure would really hurt someone or not. i thought you'd have to basically live in those condtioned to suffer any effects.
|
Indeed, this is how I've always felt about it too. I wore a respirator probably the first 5 or 6 times that I entered a building with asbestos, and it drove me completely insane and was too uncomfortable so I stopped using them long ago.
This is scary. Thank you for posting, so we can all learn from this.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess |
|
barefootpoetry
Location: PA
Gender: Female
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 17 on 8/28/2012 3:01 AM >
| | | | Thank you. I spent the last year caring for a friend who was dying from asbestos exposure. He passed away a few months ago, less than 24 hours after the decision was made to put him in hospice care. So I know full well the horror you've experienced, and although I don't know you I can say that I am heartily grateful you are on the mend and willing to share your wisdom with us.
She who hesitates, sees bulldozers. |
|
\/adder
Location: DunkarooLand
Gender: Male
I'm the worst of the best but I'm in this race.
| | | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 18 on 8/28/2012 3:52 AM >
| | | | I'm not worried about a few dozen exposures over five years, never really been big into abandoned buildings anyways.
"No risk, no reward, no fun."
"Go all the way or walk away"
escensi omnis... |
|
vividdecay
Location: Baltimore
Gender: Male
| | Re: Public Service announcement
<Reply # 19 on 8/29/2012 8:02 PM >
| | | | Thanks for sharing the story, will have an effect on my thoughts on possible asbestos exposure any time I explore anywhere.
|
|
|
|
All content and images copyright © 2002-2023 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site:
UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service |
View Privacy Policy |
Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 125 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 700073656 pages have been generated.
|
|
