Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted December 15, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 About a week ago, I discovered a lump on my abdomen, curiously only about 36 hours after operating Steadicam (very light set-up, my Flyer with an HVX with Redrock). By Sunday it seemed to have shrunk a bit, and today seems about the same as Sunday. My medical savvy mother thinks the only problematic thing it could be is a hernia, but the fact that I don't feel any pain suggested it's not that. So I did a little bit of hernia research (afraid that if I do too much i'm gonna self-diagnose myself) and it turns out that it's not uncommon for them to not hurt, at least not always. So if it is a hernia, it may simply not be hurting yet. So until I find out what it is, I figured I'd take it easy, not do steadi. Well, I just got an email from a friend for a music video this weekend. Unpaid, but I've been a footage whore lately, and don't have many music videos under my belt to boot. And I won't find out what ails me before this weekend. So, assuming the worst, that it is a Hernia (and there's the risk that it's not), are there strong opinions against operating for about 6 hours with a total load of around 35 lbs? Not looking for anyone to tell me what to do, just trying to see what the opinions are. I don't know much about how hernias work, specifically how they relate to the stresses a Steadicam causes. Thanks, Brian |-)~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted December 16, 2009 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Oops, just re-read the email, it's a film shoot. Waiting to find out what camera (don't even know if it's 16 or 35). if I need a big rig I'll likely not take the risk no matter what anyone here says, but I'm still curious to hear opinions, and it could end up being an A-minima for all I know, shudder to think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Amando Crespo Posted December 16, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 About a week ago, I discovered a lump on my abdomen, curiously only about 36 hours after operating Steadicam (very light set-up, my Flyer with an HVX with Redrock). By Sunday it seemed to have shrunk a bit, and today seems about the same as Sunday. My medical savvy mother thinks the only problematic thing it could be is a hernia, but the fact that I don't feel any pain suggested it's not that. So I did a little bit of hernia research (afraid that if I do too much i'm gonna self-diagnose myself) and it turns out that it's not uncommon for them to not hurt, at least not always. So if it is a hernia, it may simply not be hurting yet. So until I find out what it is, I figured I'd take it easy, not do steadi. Well, I just got an email from a friend for a music video this weekend. Unpaid, but I've been a footage whore lately, and don't have many music videos under my belt to boot. And I won't find out what ails me before this weekend. So, assuming the worst, that it is a Hernia (and there's the risk that it's not), are there strong opinions against operating for about 6 hours with a total load of around 35 lbs? Not looking for anyone to tell me what to do, just trying to see what the opinions are. I don't know much about how hernias work, specifically how they relate to the stresses a Steadicam causes. Thanks, Brian |-)~ Hi Brian!. At first, I wish you have no one healthy problem, of course..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Aaron Medick SOC Posted December 16, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 I'm not a doctor, but I would agree with you that it is likely a hernia. If it is I believe that most of the time surgery is needed. I would definitely not do any lifting including a steadicam until I consulted a doctor. You can make a small hernia into a big one. The recovery time for surgeries are vastly different depending on the size/severity of the issue and the skill of the surgeon. I had laparoscopic gall balder removal, I was back to work in 4 weeks. if they opened me up it could have taken up to 6 months before I could have done steadicam again. I guess what I'm saying is live to fight another day. Hope it's small enough(sounds like it is) for laparoscopic surgery. Free music videos are not worth much:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted December 16, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Yea, I agree with Aaron, and I know you are leaning this way yourself. When we get hurt, we often have one opportunity to fix ourselves properly. If you miss that opportunity now, you may end up with something that nags you for the rest of your life. As for all injuries, fix it now, that's the only smart thing to do I really feel for you, Brian, but look after yourself, and hopefully this will be history very soon. Fly safe, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Richard W. Davis Posted December 16, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Unpaid, Enough Said. HEALTH FIRST. Think Long Term. If it was (insert famaous DP or Director ) calling, maybe but freebie... Forget it. Unfortunately, as much as we think we are indestructable.... we are very destructable. My .02 cents. Get Well Brian, live to fight another day. Best, Rich Davis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Christopher T. Paul- SOC Posted December 16, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 I had laproscopic surgery for a double hernia 2 years ago, and had a traditional, (i.e invasive) hernia operated on when I was 16- almost 30 years ago. If you are given a choice- go for the laproscopic. They go in through the belly button! I was out of the hospital in a few hours and puttering around the house that same day. They insert mesh screen over the tear, and it binds with your muscle tissue... I was working in about 4-5 weeks. Invasive surgery was much worse, and due to the nature of them pulling existing muscle over the tear meant that it was almost impossible to stand up straight- a much longer rehab time. In terms of a freebie? Not a chance. I *might* roll the dice on one of my regular gigs- but then again probably not. That little lump in your abdomen is probably a piece of your intestine poking through... Keep in mind that on a freebie that you are more than likely going to have to work much harder and hold the rig longer for inexperienced folks who may or may not know how to utilize the steadi, or fall into the habit of using the Steadi as a logistical shortcut- as opposed to designing a nice steadicam shot. Thus you end up as the dolly or tripod. Not worth it. CP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Kevin Andrews SOC Posted December 16, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Hernias can most definitely not hurt, even when you first get it. Get it looked at first by a Doctor, then worry about Steadicam gigs. Had my very invasive hernia surgery two years ago. NOT fun. Oh mama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted December 17, 2009 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thank you everyone, those were the responses I expected to get. Just helps to confirm 'em I guess. I have grudgingly turned down the shoot and at this point really hope it is a hernia (but that I get through it before the pain shows up!) partly cause I'd hate to pass up a shoot (seriously, I'm unemployed, and sooo bored) AND buy health insurance if they're gonna tell me it's nothing! We shall see, Thanks, Brian |-)~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted December 29, 2009 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 No Hernia! Woohoo! Merely a swollen lymph node, likely only got so big because of my vest rubbing it when I sat down with the rig on. It's shrunk tremendously and the doc says it'll prolly be undetectable within a week if I put hot pads on it once a day. Cleared to go back to operating so long as I keep the vest from rubbing it! Thanks everyone for the advice, I'm still glad I didn't operate, cause who knows, it could've been much worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted December 30, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 Great news! Happy new year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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