If I have offended you, I apologize... A "bit" about me

[birdguy 3,943]

You guys win!  I can't compete with all that.

Three years ago I was hospitalized for three days for observation when I had a pulmonary embolism.  They sent me home with a blood thinner and took me off of it after three months.

Then last year I was in the hospital for four days when they removed by gall bladder.

That's it guys.  I went 84 years without ever spending a night in a hospital.

But I do have arthritic feet and a balance problem so I have to walk with a cane and use a walker for my long walks in the park.  Compared to what some of you have been through I'm almost embarrassed to mention that.

Noel

[Christopher Low 5,354]

9 hours ago, psolk said:

 

@Christopher Low Did you have a resurfacing as well or just the hardware?  I've had friends who had the resurfacing with very good results but hip replacements now are amazing.  My Total Hip replacement took 45 minutes I was walking 3 hours later and limp free 7 days later.  The revision was much more complicated, my Dr was upset that I killed his timing average on operations with the revision LOL.  I still look in awe when I see the x-rays with all the hardware in my body....  Glad you are pain free!

As far as I am aware, they just had to realign the ball part with the rest of the bone, and then insert the screws. The scar on my leg is so small that I am gobsmacked how they managed to do the operation at all, but the X Ray copies that I have clearly show those metal screws!

I am astonished at the recovery time that you mention above. I was on crutches for months!!

[The Flight Level 2,114]

@psolk A very eloquent and well written story. Gave me a bit of a chill in spots! So great to hear turn around stories and positivity especially with the crazy stuff happening world wide! Count your blessing that we live where we do! My wife and I watched the Netflix special “Schumacher” a few days ago. Very insightful to aspects of the sport. BTW Is that you in your avatar?

Cheers and blue skies!

Laurie Doering

[psolk 3,040]

7 hours ago, Doering said:

@psolk A very eloquent and well written story. Gave me a bit of a chill in spots! So great to hear turn around stories and positivity especially with the crazy stuff happening world wide! Count your blessing that we live where we do! My wife and I watched the Netflix special “Schumacher” a few days ago. Very insightful to aspects of the sport. BTW Is that you in your avatar?

Cheers and blue skies!

Laurie Doering

Thank you so much for the kind words Laurie!  There are a few excellent documentaries out there!  Ford vs Ferrari was great, my buddy was the driver for the race scenes, Netflix Drive to Survive about F1 is very good and The Gentleman Driver is a fascinating look at the ties between racing and business.  Michael was one of the special ones, I was able to sit in one of his Ferrari F1 cars.  I smile every time I look at the picture.

Indeed, that is my ugly mug next to that beautiful car 🙂  

-Paul  

@Christopher Low isn't it crazy when you see the pictures!  I tend to be a freak of nature when I heal.  I think it was 6 months from my spinal fusion to my first race back...  I did wake up every 3 hours for months to stretch and exercise to be fair though.  It didn't just "happen" 🙂  

Nope, I actu8ally was crutch and walker free the day after the surgery...  Much to the Nurses dismay LOL 

[birdguy 3,943]

Paul, you said your grandfather is 103 years old.  That's my goal.  I want to live past May of 2037.

According to my Mom we walked across the Golden Gate Bridge on the day it opened.  May 27, 1937.  I was 3 years old.  I was a toddler then and probably was carried or in a stroller or being pulled in a little red wagon.  I don't remember.

But I would like to be there on the 100th anniversary of it's opening.  I know it's a long shot, but I'm in pretty good health for my age and my vitals are good so there might be a chance.

Noel   

[psolk 3,040]

Progress I tell ya...

So the last few months have been really rough personally from a medical perspective.  In the grand scheme I can't complain as others have it far worse than I do but to each of us our own problems can seem overwhelming and substantial.  Perspective is key.  

So just a quick update but after next week I'll probably be gone for quite a bit.  Spent most of last week in hospital as well so hopefully this is finally the corner being turned to recovery rather than treatment.

The "conclusion" of all the testing is two significant procedures back to back as soon as I recover from one and I am healthy enough for the other.  Kinda bummed but very determined to be back in a race car this year!  I know I'll be back on the simulator as soon as I am able but it's going to be a few months at least.  

On the 22nd I go in for a 4 level Cervical fusion from C3-C7.  I haven't felt my hands in months other than feeling like they are constantly burning.  That is pretty straight forward but has also led to some further complications due to neuropathy and the Vagal Nerve being constricted.  Procedure itself is done through the front of the throat so I'm told the most uncomfortable part afterwards is the throat itself.  In any case, lots of stress over this one despite an immense trust in my surgeon.  For some reason the neck area is just really concerning to have operated on for me but after months of multiple specialists 10/10 agreed this was the only plausible outcome.  

Then once I am "recovered" ie (able to tolerate another procedure) I will go to UPenn for a specialist procedure done on my esophagus.   UPenn and Johns Hopkins are apparently my only options on the East Coast... 

Both are pretty complicated procedures in their own rights.  Cervical Fusion is far more common though.  I'm actually the first to have this esophageal procedure done at these levels 🙂  Apparently the highest readings they had seen were in the 11's and I had 6 back to back in the 21's. So I win that one...

In either case, I'll be around this weekend and next week to continue to aggravate the mods and others then I'll be gone for a few months... 
It's progress, moving in the right direction, at least we have a treatment plan now! 

[Christopher Low 5,354]

You have my very best wishes for a speedy recovery. I look forward to welcoming you back to the flight simulation battlefield in the not too distant future

[birdguy 3,943]

Good luck Paul.  We are all hoping the best or you.  Pleasae come back soon.

Noel

[ryanbatc 12,857]

I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this Paul.  I can imagine how frustrating and stressful it would be.  I will pray for excellent doctor's hands and a quick recovery for both surgeries.

[harrry 322]

I think a lot of us have one or more problems.  I give thanks everyday that I have this wonderful hobby and the chance to share it with people or over the world through this and other forums.  I am tied to oxygen 34 hrs a day and thus find it nearly impossible to go out.  Fortunately I have a wonderful partner who can help me and all of you to be my eyes and ears outside.

[birdguy 3,943]

You guys are making me feel guilty, as if I'm not already feeling guilty.  Two good friends and my brother died last year.  Another one already this year. Compared to what some of you have my health problems are trivial and expected at this point in my life.

Perhaps it's genetic.  My little brother had congestive heart failure, blood cancer, and Parkinsons when he died last year.   It's like I hoarded all the good genes when I was in the womb and just left him all the bad ones.

The kicker is I still have all my natural teeth minus three.  And I haven't been to a dentist in over a decade because I'm terrified of them.  My teeth have to be hurting me more than the dentist is going to hurt me before I consider visiting one.

The line at the bottom of my posts says it all for me healthwise.  Sorry.  I'm not gloating, just showing another side of the coin.

Noel

[harrry 322]

Do not know if it is what it is on the side of the coin...it is what is inside that matters...

I am sure all of us are different and if we met in person would repeat the War of Indepence or something of that like but after we would all sit down with a beer and talk about our flying.  I hope the OP goes well Paul.  I think sometimes posts like this remind everyone that we are all people here.

[psolk 3,040]

Sadly almost 10 weeks to the day since surgery I am going to call it quits for a while. "Most" of the time I try to keep what I am feeling  (frustrated and in pain)  inside, but when I notice it's spilling over, even if inadvertently it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate.  

It's been 10  weeks today since the operation, an absolutely brutal recovery I must say.  Once I got through the first few weeks of not being able to eat solid foods and having to "sleep" sitting up in the brace sadly we discovered one of the nerves to my right shoulder is not recovering.  Of course I am one of those can't do anything with my left hand righties too.  I poke my eye out trying to brush my teeth lefty LOL.   The nerve is so badly damaged it's to the point we are doing DC, not AC electro stim therapy to try and revive it and the shoulder has now separated (grade 3 separation) as it can not support itself anymore.   It is funny watching it move on it's own under the electric current though.  

I REALLY try to stay positive and optimistic but it's proving a real struggle.   I'm not willing to give up but the road ahead doesn't have much light at the end of the tunnel from where I am standing now so I need to keep moving forward until I find it.

So that's where I feel I am at now.  Time for a step back and re-evaluation. 

So to the everyone who took the time to respond, thank you.  I wish I was sharing some more positive news but we don't get to pick the story or the ending sometimes. To add insult to injury my best friend (more like a sister) came from London to visit me and had a massive coronary and stroke while over here this past weekend.  She was not breathing for 7 minutes and resuscitated 4 times.  She is now in Cornell Medical Center in NYC stuck in a "stroke loop" where she repeats everything every 5 minutes asking the same questions you just got done answering for her.  Kind of puts my own  issues in perspective when the ER doc comes to visit her because "he can't believe she lived."  

It's hard to explain why I post this here.  I think it's because Avsim is personal enough for it to feel like I'm speaking to friends, many of whom I've interacted with for almost two decades now with the anonymity of not feeling guilty I am burdening others.  Sometimes it is just good to get it off your chest so to speak. It did help to just get this all out.  Just let me know where to send the check for this therapy session.... 

Wishing you all smooth skies and keep the blue side up!  

 

[Christopher Low 5,354]

Your story certainly puts my own minor troubles into perspective. I wish you and your friend full and speedy recoveries. Your flightsim friends are all here whenever you need an emotional boost!

[birdguy 3,943]

I'm not a praying person, Paul, but my wife is.  I showed her your last post and she will remember you in her prayers.

All of your friends here at AVSIM hope the journey will be easier for you from here on out.  I, for one, cannot even comprehend what you are going through.  But whatever emotional support you need you can find with your friends here.

Noel