With a future fiancée in his mind, John Metz’s will to live overcame an unthinkable situation of life or death. On June 7 the Connecticut native went to repair his basement furnace when his arm became trapped.
Twelve hours later, with a dire scenario in his hands, Metz made a decision that would change his life forever.
It took six hours to mentally prepare himself, but 18 hours in he began to cut off his own arm.
“The idea was to sever the arm, grab it out of the bottom of the fire box, run upstairs, rinse it off, throw it in the freezer, call 911 and presto bam-o, a few days later I would have my arm reattached,” said Metz.
He passed out halfway through the act, but with an infected arm, Dr. Scott Ellner said his work saved his life.
“It was unlikely that he would survive more than 24 hours if he didn’t do what he did,” said Dr. Ellner.
When he regained consciousness he survived for two days by drinking water leaking from the furnace.
“What emerged was the most disgusting orange water I had ever seen, and yet it was the best looking water I’d ever seen,” Metz said.
Worried friends found him still stuck in the furnace when they came looking. Clinging to life for those few hours alone, his life and future was saved. With his arm now amputated, he explained his actions and thoughts in a news conference earlier this week.
“I would say this to anybody out there who says oh I’m not sure I can do that, the human spirit is strong and trust me whether it’s cutting your arm off or finding some other way, I think all people would be surprised what they are capable of,” said Metz.
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