KEY POINTS:
Johnny Lowe has a hole in his head from where a helicopter rotor blade lopped a chunk of his head off.
It has been a year since he was an inch or two from decapitation. Health system delays mean he is still waiting on the operation to screw in a titanium cap to cover it.
Not that Mr Lowe's complaining too much - he knows he's lucky to be here. He just wants the cap to get back to what he loves - working on his digger, racing his quad-bike and having a few beers.
He has forced himself to shun most physical activity because of the risk that a fall holds for him.
"Not working is very hard," he said this week. "Not having a beer over Christmas is actually unbelievably hard."
This time last year the 37-year-old was in Auckland Hospital, having amazed neurosurgeons by escaping any brain damage.
Mr Lowe had walked away after being struck by the blade as he loaded people into a helicopter outside the Puriri Hotel, 14km southwest of Thames last Boxing Day.
Clasping his hands over his head, Mr Lowe walked inside the pub to dial 111, saw the cleaning lady, went back out to kick his boots off, then came in again and said "I mucked up that time" before collapsing on the floor.
"I've since been told there was a heap of blood so I don't know why I was bothered with a bit of dirt."
His scalp was removed to relieve blood pressure and swelling on the brain then frozen and grafted back on weeks later.
Mr Lowe's head is soft to touch. He has been given rugby headgear as protection, but finds it uncomfortable.
Mr Lowe is on ACC until he can get the titanium cap.
He's had scans delayed by radiographers' strikes and been confused by moves between Auckland and Waikato. What really grated was when he was told the operation could have been done three months after the accident.
"I just don't get why they leave me here on ACC when there's a bloody good chance I'll be back to work."
He is highly regarded in the rural community around Puriri and Hikutaia where his skills with a digger are well known, is president of the local motorcycle club and a general good-guy who would do anything for anyone.
He is back living at the Puriri Hotel and fills his days around the yard of his former employer Graeme Wright Carriers. He also visits the former Miller Helicopters (now Skyworks) and says he has no problem getting back into a chopper.
But it is his digger he really wants to get back on.
"The cockies are waiting."
