Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 (edited) After a really terrible holiday season I'm home and recovering. Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes. I'll fill you all in on what happened (and hopefully help you all avoid it as you go on down the road). More later. 4T Edited January 5 by Forty Rod SASS 3935 22 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Welcome back, sir. Your calm wisdom and gentle humor has been missed. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Glad to have you back! You were one of the first to welcome me to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Yay! Things may not all be right in the world now, but they're a lot better! Now rest up a spell then get back in the saddle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mud Marine,SASS#54686 Life Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Carry on. Don"t let the b-----s get you down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Bascomb, SASS # 47,494 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Got tired of that hospital 'food', eh? Seriously, glad you're back and on the mend. Prayers continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Take care 4T. We would rather keep you around. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Welcome back to the Saloon. It was too quiet here without ya! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Welcome back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Welcome back Pa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Glad to read you're back home. Take care of yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Welcome home 4T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 I see you’ve found your way back around the confuser!! You have the floor, sir!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Kris Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Welcome back, 4T. Look forward to your musings when you are able. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 (edited) Okay, here's what I have to pass on: Hospital's have NO ergonomic any damn thing. Everything is made for the staff to better take care of you and your comfort is secondary. No one on a hospital staff is paid nearly enough. If you don't like the food ask to talk to the dietician. Effective the third morning I started getting a sausage patty, double order of bacon, hash browns or refried mashed potatoes, apple and orange juice, ZERO coffee and / or tea, fruit or oatmeal, and trimmings. Lunches and suppers were equally to my liking and snacks (pudding, Jello, and cookies were for the asking) and some soft drinks were available. Only got one shower in the whole time I was there. Guy across the hall played his music ate the point of pain and had some noisy visitors all day every day. At the end of the second day on that floor I suggested they move him somewhere closer to the ER receiving area because I was about to see to it that he needed their immediate attention. (If you say it in a joking manner and the staff like you, you can get away with a lot.) He was gone in about twenty minutes and I didn't hear him again. I must have done something right because the whole staff saw me off when I left and invited me to stop by on a none medical visit. I send flowers over yesterday. What happened to bring this all on: Morning of the 21st I got up felling a bit weak and shaky. Got myself ready to go to town for gas and groceries, and to take some things back the the library, Suddenly felt sick to the stomach and a major diarrhea episode hit and in no time at all my entire digestive tract voided itself from both ends. I cleaned myself up and headed for the fridge because I knew that I had become almost instantly dehydrated. I managed to get a can of V-8 juice open, had a seizure, and passed out. Over the next thirty two hours I was in and out of consciousness, having hallucinations, and unable to anything at all to help myself. I was convinced that the spilled V-8 juice was blood, was sometimes aware that I was hallucinating and unable to do ANYTHING to help my self. I'm not someone who frightens much, but I'll tell you I was in full bore panic mode. My little dog stayed right by me and kept licking my face. We had snow so she had water but had no food. Next day I blew an appointment with a friend and after a couple of hours of trying to reach me he came to the house.and found me. He thought I was dead and I was in no condition to prove him wrong. Living four blocks from a fire department is a good thing because inside of a half an hour I was was on the way to the VA hospital about eight mills down the road. Let me pause to explain how lucky I am: 1. dog stayed by me or I would have been nuts(er). 2. The friend who found me was a decorated and thrice wounded combat medic in 'Nam and spent most of his post 'Nam career working for the VA up near Seattle.....HE KNEW WHAT TO DO and took no time doing it. 3. The paramedics were there quickly. 4. My neighbors rallied around and took care of my dog, secured my house, arranged to get my mail, called my family, and everything else to make me secure. 5. Someone got on line and spread the word (Thanks Blackwater) and I started getting messages almost before I got out of the ambulance. 6. My housekeeper was called and arrangements were made for her to come by and clean up to mess. That's all for now. I get exhausted by simply blinking twice a minute. One caution: get a Life Alert System, learn how to use and KEEP IT HANDY!!! I bought one about three months ago at my daughter's insistence, but didn't have it in reach. That will never happen again. Jerry, the man who found me, used both Life Alert and 911. Edited January 6 by Forty Rod SASS 3935 7 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot, SASS #13748 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Welcome back Forty Rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot, SASS #13748 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 By the way, you shouldn’t use that life alert if you’ve fallen and can’t reach your beer… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 When I was in the hospital it was six days before I could shower. I was a fall risk so I had help and supervision. That was my threesome in the shower with two nurse interns. One shaved me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uno Mas SASS #80082 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 (edited) Pinched the nurses one time too many, huh? Glad you're on the mend 4T Odd. Stay strong! Edited January 5 by Uno Mas SASS #80082 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Daddy's home. ........... DANG!!! .... now we have to wear clothes and act like adults 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canton Chris Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Glad you’re back home! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finagler 6853 Life Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Glad to hear you are back. Your ordeal makes my current health issues pale in comparison but I know it isn't a contest. If it were a contest, you won hands down. I watched the lawn for you whilst you were away. It's just as it was how you left it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderRiverCowboy Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Good , whats for dinner dad ? Well thats what I always hear LOL welcome home old fart . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 All the very best to you mate! Glad you're home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Creek Law Dog Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Glad to see that you are back home, Forty, and on the mend. All the best and you take care of yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Dan Troop 70448 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Glad that your back and thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jailhouse Jim, SASS #13104 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 A word of advice for us old guys, have someone you call once or twice a day at a designated time. No call, no answer, the cavalry gets called. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 20 minutes ago, Jailhouse Jim, SASS #13104 said: A word of advice for us old guys, have someone you call once or twice a day at a designated time. No call, no answer, the cavalry gets called. I have two families that live across the street from me. Both have keys to my front door and they gave me NO options. I call one lady before 10:00 am and the other around 6:30. If I don't call, they call me. If they don't get an answer they have the police get come by for a health and welfare check. If they don't get a response they can force an entry and call 911. Small towns are great that way. Lots of folks looking out for you. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 8 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: Okay, here's what I have to pass on: Hospital's have NO ergonomic any damn thing. Everything is made for the staff to better take care of you and your comfort is secondary. No one on a hospital staff is paid nearly enough. If you don't like the food ask to talk to the dietician. Effective the third morning I started getting a sausage patty, double order of bacon, hash browns or refried mashed potatoes, apple and orange juice, ZERO coffee and / or tea, fruit or oatmeal, and trimmings. Lunches and suppers were equally to my liking and snacks (pudding, Jello, and cookies were for the asking) and some soft drinks were available. Only got one shower in the whole time I was there. Guy across the hall played his music ate the point of pain and had some noisy visitors all day every day. At the end of the second day on that floor I suggested they move him somewhere closer to the ER receiving area because I was about to see to it that he needed their immediate attention. (If you say it in a joking manner and the staff like you, you can get away with a lot.) He was gone in about twenty minutes and I didn't hear him again. I must have done something right because the whole staff saw me off when I left and invited me to stop by on a none medical visit. I send flowers over yesterday. What happened to bring this all on: Morning of the 21st I got up felling a bit weak and shaky. Got myself ready to go to town for gas and groceries, and to take some things back the the library, Suddenly felt sick to the stomach and a major diarrhea episode hit and in no time at all my entire digestive tract voided itself from both ends. I cleaned myself up and headed for the fridge because I knew that I had become almost instantly dehydrated. I managed to get a can of V-8 juice open, had a seizure, and passed out. Over the next thirty two hours I was in and out of consciousness, having hallucinations, and unable to anything at all to help myself. I was convinced that the spilled V-8 juice was blood, was sometimes aware that I was hallucinating and unable to do ANYTHING to help my self. I'm not someone who frightens much, but I'll tell you I was in full bore panic mode. My little dog stayed right by me and kept licking my face. We had snow so she had water but had no food. Next day I blew an appointment with a friend and after a couple of hours of trying to reach me he came to the house.and found me. He thought I was dead and I was in no condition to prove him wrong. Living four blocks from a fire department is a good thing because inside of a half an hour I was was on the way to the VA hospital about eight mills down the road. Let me pause to explain how lucky I am: 1. dog stayed by me or I would have nuts(er) 2. The friend who found me was a decorated and thrice wounded combat medic in 'Nam and spent most of his post 'Nam career working for the VA up near Seattle.....HE KNEW WHAT TO DO and took no time doing it. 3. The paramedics were there quickly. 4. My neighbors rallied around and took care of my dog, secured my house, arranged to get my mail, called my family, and everything else to make me secure. 5. Someone got on line and spread the word (Thanks Blackwater) and I started getting messages almost before I got out of the ambulance. 6. My housekeeper was called and arrangements were made for her to come by and clean up to mess. That's all for now. I get exhausted by simply blinking twice a minute. One caution: get a Life Alert System, learn how to use and KEEP IT HANDY!!! I bought one about three months ago at my daughter's insistence, but didn't have it in reach. That will never happen again. Jerry, the man who found me, used both Life Alert and 911. Thank you for the update. As I wrote above, galm advice and gentle humor. 5 hours ago, Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062 said: Daddy's home. ........... DANG!!! .... now we have to wear clothes and act like adults Um.... No, Never mind.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 He's back, 'cause the Devil wasn't ready to retire yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 Next report: injuries. Because of the seizure(s) I have a snuff can sized gouge in my left hip, both elbows were deeply cut and scabbed over, one knee is just. now returning to normalcy, and I am scabbed up and bruised all over. I have a very painful back and both knees are stiff and sore, my neck feels like it did back when I was skiing and tensed up before going over rough terrain in the very cold. I am as weak as a kitten and I have no endurance or fitness left, and my eyes want to close all the time. When you get very dehydrated your body core tends to cannibalize your muscle structure to keep you vital organs running, and it takes time to get all that back, a really long and exhausting experience. My eyes don't want to stay focused and my balance isn't all that great, but seems to be improving fairly quickly. Therapy starts tomorrow. More on that later. My lead nurse tells me I could conceivably live forever if I don't die first. Ain't that encouraging? 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffield, SASS #23454 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 Take that nurse's advice- live forever or die trying. Glad to have you back. Is bourbon still part of your diet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 I'm glad all is well and that you are on the mend. You will remain in my thoughts and meditations for a full recovery. Take care of yourself, amigo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 12 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: Okay, here's what I have to pass on: Hospital's have NO ergonomic any damn thing. Everything is made for the staff to better take care of you and your comfort is secondary. No one on a hospital staff is paid nearly enough. If you don't like the food ask to talk to the dietician. Effective the third morning I started getting a sausage patty, double order of bacon, hash browns or refried mashed potatoes, apple and orange juice, ZERO coffee and / or tea, fruit or oatmeal, and trimmings. Lunches and suppers were equally to my liking and snacks (pudding, Jello, and cookies were for the asking) and some soft drinks were available. Only got one shower in the whole time I was there. Guy across the hall played his music ate the point of pain and had some noisy visitors all day every day. At the end of the second day on that floor I suggested they move him somewhere closer to the ER receiving area because I was about to see to it that he needed their immediate attention. (If you say it in a joking manner and the staff like you, you can get away with a lot.) He was gone in about twenty minutes and I didn't hear him again. I must have done something right because the whole staff saw me off when I left and invited me to stop by on a none medical visit. I send flowers over yesterday. What happened to bring this all on: Morning of the 21st I got up felling a bit weak and shaky. Got myself ready to go to town for gas and groceries, and to take some things back the the library, Suddenly felt sick to the stomach and a major diarrhea episode hit and in no time at all my entire digestive tract voided itself from both ends. I cleaned myself up and headed for the fridge because I knew that I had become almost instantly dehydrated. I managed to get a can of V-8 juice open, had a seizure, and passed out. Over the next thirty two hours I was in and out of consciousness, having hallucinations, and unable to anything at all to help myself. I was convinced that the spilled V-8 juice was blood, was sometimes aware that I was hallucinating and unable to do ANYTHING to help my self. I'm not someone who frightens much, but I'll tell you I was in full bore panic mode. My little dog stayed right by me and kept licking my face. We had snow so she had water but had no food. Next day I blew an appointment with a friend and after a couple of hours of trying to reach me he came to the house.and found me. He thought I was dead and I was in no condition to prove him wrong. Living four blocks from a fire department is a good thing because inside of a half an hour I was was on the way to the VA hospital about eight mills down the road. Let me pause to explain how lucky I am: 1. dog stayed by me or I would have been nuts(er). 2. The friend who found me was a decorated and thrice wounded combat medic in 'Nam and spent most of his post 'Nam career working for the VA up near Seattle.....HE KNEW WHAT TO DO and took no time doing it. 3. The paramedics were there quickly. 4. My neighbors rallied around and took care of my dog, secured my house, arranged to get my mail, called my family, and everything else to make me secure. 5. Someone got on line and spread the word (Thanks Blackwater) and I started getting messages almost before I got out of the ambulance. 6. My housekeeper was called and arrangements were made for her to come by and clean up to mess. That's all for now. I get exhausted by simply blinking twice a minute. One caution: get a Life Alert System, learn how to use and KEEP IT HANDY!!! I bought one about three months ago at my daughter's insistence, but didn't have it in reach. That will never happen again. Jerry, the man who found me, used both Life Alert and 911. I was wondering about how your pup reacted. Glad to hear it. Get strong, Amigo. I will be down for a visit in the Spring. We’ll have a fine time! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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