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Post by Mars on Jul 31, 2006 4:20:49 GMT 12.75
I wouldn't trade them and the truth is I hope that there's plenty more of days like that ahead.Anybody can do things when it's easy. I turned the lantern off and we sat by the fire, in the rain, and I allowed the fire to slowly burn itself out. Slowly it got darker and darker until the fire went out completely and left us in the pitch black and like I posted thats when the wildlife sounded off. Nothing compares to being there with hundreds of critters letting you know that your outnumbered and helpless.( to a point) Add to it that we where in the Unicoi Bear Preserve which is teaming with bears and it adds a little extra "thrill" to the dark. My oldest took the opportunity to go running around in the dark and playing in the creek. How she could see a thing I don't know. I couldn't see 5 feet but could hear her stomping around and playing in the water.
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Post by Mars on Aug 12, 2006 9:03:14 GMT 12.75
Daughter takes her hunter ed. test tonight! 75 is passing but I told her she needed atleast 85. She asked why and I told her that's what it will take to go hunting with me. LOL, she's been trying her best to get me to drop the number. You know the, " what if I get 84, can't you say just 84 since it's so close to 85", routine. Then I get the "sorry, pouty face" and the "why" question. To which she gets the because "I said so" reply. This is going to be fun tonight! ;D
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Post by Brikatw on Aug 12, 2006 12:23:31 GMT 12.75
I've always loved those times when I could get away with giveing the kids a hard time.
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Post by Mars on Aug 13, 2006 2:27:50 GMT 12.75
She got an 82. Told her she can't go hunting with me now and that she'll have to go by herself and learn the way that I did. Now I'm getting, "that's not fair" routine. ;D
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Post by Mars on Sept 13, 2006 9:47:22 GMT 12.75
I got a the doctors MRI report today about my left knee. YIKES!! Along with the before mentioned bone spur there is a torn cartilage and a slew of torn ligaments. Doctor said it's the kind of damage that he only sees in football players that get hit sideways on the knee from a tackle. He recommends immediate surgery. Stupid me called the VA hospital to see about having them take care of it. I cannot get an appointment until maybe October for Primary Care then who knows how long before I could see a surgeon then to actually get an appointment for surgery. They recommended I just go to the ER. I did that the last time and was refused because the injury is chronic and not acute. Or as they put it, the doctor will see you Sir but he won't do anything but refer you to Primary Care. They said today that they wrote down my "complaints" and will forward them on to the MD for opinion. Oh well. Our family MD is going to go ahead and make an appointment with a local surgeon. Screw the VA.
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Post by Brikatw on Sept 13, 2006 10:14:47 GMT 12.75
Mars I can't blame you. I'm eligible for the VA but have a real problem getting in. I can go to the ER there or Acute Care but they usually just mess things up. In fact, they were treating me for Bronchitus for 2 months before my Cardiologist found the cancer in my throat. I haven't been back since. I pay the $350 each year to have my wife and I both covered by Tri-Care Prime and we go see the Dr on base now. He usually just writes the referal to downtown and sends me on my way unless it's a normal chreck up or something like a cold. Of course I realize I'm just lucky too. I got a good Doc on base. He's not afraid to say he doesn't know or the specialist can do it better. Be careful of the VA. They mean well, bless their hearts but they are TOTALLY overwhelmed with the volume of patients.
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Post by Mars on Sept 18, 2006 5:13:43 GMT 12.75
Rattenfric#@%$#**&$#@%$##*^% VA!!!! Got a letter from the VA. The doctor asked "what bone spur?". States, I have reviewed your X-rays and your medical file and find no bone spur or that you are being treated by us for one. I have an Oct 18th appointment. It ain't going to be nice.
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Post by Paws on Sept 18, 2006 6:07:32 GMT 12.75
Maybe they retouched the X ray! ;D Cheaper than surgery you know! Probably looking at the wrong file Mars.
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Post by Mars on Sept 18, 2006 6:56:18 GMT 12.75
That's why I have an appointment with a private surgeon this month. No way I'd let them do surgery on me if they can't even read a file correctly! I'd wake up castrated and the doctor saying "OK we got you all FIXED up now".
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Post by Toby Benoit on Sept 18, 2006 9:14:52 GMT 12.75
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Post by Paws on Sept 18, 2006 9:37:57 GMT 12.75
We have two Orthopedic surgeons here in Athens. One found a spur on Dad's knee and wanted to do surgery. The other saw something there but didn't want to cut yet. His Gerentologist brought a half dozen other folk to look at his X-rays cause there was nothing there! The first guy cuts on better than 95 percent of the folk that see him,
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Post by Mars on Sept 18, 2006 10:32:11 GMT 12.75
I thought about that as well Paws.Definetly don't want a knife happy surgeon that's why I'm keeping the VA appointment as well. Two different opinions, so far though I've had four. All different. I'm half tempted to go put the leg on the train tracks and let CSX take care of it.
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Post by Mars on Sept 30, 2006 4:22:55 GMT 12.75
Well, the knees toast and surgery is scheduled Oct. 24th. Non-VA.
Miniscus is shredded and will be "smoothed" out.
AC ligament is completely torn. I opted to just have the jagged ends cut back straight and the pieces that have broken off and are "floating" around removed. To repair it would be major surgery and a minimum of one year rehab and disability. I'll go with the clean up surgery first.
Scheduled the surgery with just a local so I won't be "out" but wide awake and the camera turned so I can watch that he doesn't mess up.
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Post by Paws on Sept 30, 2006 5:27:26 GMT 12.75
Can we have pictures? Mars, just for the hell of it, would you do me a favor and give a call over to UT and asks their athletic/sports/football program director if that rehab time frame sounds proper? Then ask him/her who they might recommend or use for one of the players with a similar injury. Regardless of what you end up doing best of luck and prayers will be with you.
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Post by Mars on Sept 30, 2006 23:44:01 GMT 12.75
LOL, Paws! We think alike. Scary ain't it! I called over to ETSU. A friend is an English Professor there. Anyway, he hooked me up with a rehab specialist at the ETSU MED Center. According to him; ACL repair rehab takes on average 8-12 months IF rehab is done several hours a day every day during that time. If not it can take longer. He said a pro named Elway had his torn in high school and opted for the same treatment that I'm having done. Says you can get along fine with out it being repaired but only if you have strong legs and an even stronger hamstring as the hamstring will take the ACL's place. Seems they both do the same thing of not allowing the knee joint to bend backwards. Pictures? Maybe. Don't see any reason why they could not as it's on a camera anyway. Be even cooler if it could be put on live here!
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Post by Mars on Oct 1, 2006 7:20:25 GMT 12.75
From a couple of Ortho web sites;
In addition, a continuous passive motion device is applied to the injured leg post-operatively. Most patients use this device while sleeping for the first two weeks. This device very slowly moves the knee, thereby decreasing the risk of stiffness and loss of motion. Following an initial 6-10 week period of supervised physical therapy, most patients will progress to a self-directed program that is done in a health club. Typically, it takes the reconstructed ligament approximately 9 months to heal. Until released by your physician, contact sports, racquet sports, skiing, tennis, martial arts, and sports that require rapid direction changes must be avoided.
Successful ACL reconstruction surgery tightens your knee and restores its stability. It also helps you avoid further injury and get back to playing sports. After ACL reconstruction, you'll need to do rehabilitation exercises to gradually return your knee to full flexibility and stability. Building strength in your thigh and calf muscles helps support the reconstructed structure. You may need to use a knee brace for awhile and will probably have to stay out of sports for about one year after the surgery
Hence why I chose the "clean-up" surgery instead of reconstruction. If my knee becomes unstable later in life the reconstruction can be done at that time but for now I just want pain and swelling relief. That and the fact I've gained 60+ pounds from lack of exercise and ability to walk any great distance.
Yep, getting to watch my daughter take her first squirrel(s) cost me in regards to my knee but it was worth it. My daughters my replacement as my hunting days are winding down but she has a lifetime of "firsts" waiting for her.
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Post by Paws on Oct 9, 2006 9:34:30 GMT 12.75
Good to do your homework partner. It'll be much easier knowing your knee won't go "flip flop" and bend over backwards like those critters on planet Zeptalone!
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Post by Mars on Oct 14, 2006 1:15:10 GMT 12.75
BBBRRRR!!! Got out of work to find the first frost of the fall. Frost tonight as well!
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Post by Paws on Oct 14, 2006 1:52:10 GMT 12.75
We have had two so far. This morning we are at 30 degrees though and the furnace kicked on. I ordered gas Monday with about 50 pounds left!
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Post by Mars on Oct 17, 2006 12:36:35 GMT 12.75
Well, the daughter will get a class on survival shelters Friday and Saturday if work doesn't mess it up. Figure Friday evening to hit the woods and show her how to make shelters without tools and actualy spend the night in them. Nothing like getting cold and or wet to teach you how to NOT get cold and or wet.
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