Missed You Guys!!!

[shilala]

I haven't been in the shop since early Winter, and it's tough to visit here and not be tormented. :D
Been sick, but that's in order now.
My back, it's not in order. I have a bunch of screws and rods and bone grafts in there from when I broke it in an accident, and now all the screws are loose, and the bone grafts snapped off at the top and bottom.
So I get a bunch of new gear in about 4-6 more weeks. Extra screws, longer rods, and cages that'll get bone grafts. Plus replacing the broken stuff and adding more grafts.
They're going in from the front and back to make it right, it's pretty gross.

I'll be laid up for quite a few months, and THEN I can finally get back to work.

Nothing sucks worse than not being able to work. Imagine chaining Gene to a radiator. He'd chew his arm off just to get back at it.
I'm just as bad. Always have been.

I'm finally on the downhill side of this thing, and if you guys would send some prayers up for me, it'd be greatly appreciated.
I'll have plenty of time to study, design, and torment you guys while I get healed up. I'm looking forward to it!!!

[steve_g]

Scott…
Been there done that… And it really is nice when you can get back to the shop!
Prayers offered for you and those that have to put up with you while you’re feeling poorly!
SG

[myxpykalix]

Scott maybe you can take your "healing time" and use it to accumulate and create files, make and design projects that you will create once you get back to the shop. I know the feeling of "bot withdrawal" you'll be going thru while not being able to get in the shop having had a couple operations and a heart attack myself but you can always come here and see how much fun all the rest of us is having!!

[bobmoore]

That sounds harsh Scott. Godspeed on your recovery. Perhaps you could get a desk top machine to use during your rehabilitation once you can sit in a wheelchair. just a thought. Bob

[Chuck Keysor]

Gee, it sounds like you have had a really rough time. Did you get into a car wreck, or fall off a ladder?

I hope you get well soon, and can get back to enjoying the pleasures of good hard work in your shop. Chuck

[scottp55]

Been wondering where you disappeared to?
Had both posterior and anterior along with a 5 screw(2 screws broken now--think they buy them at Wally World) plate and 2 rods back in '89-90.
Yep...Anterior sucks big time, but you live through it.
Advice...DON'T get rid of your PCA too soon! IM morphine is a roller coaster.
But after a few weeks surprisingly it's WAY better!!!
Sounds Much better than what you've probably been through!
No prayers, But TON of good thoughts heading your way and will keep you in my thoughts until you can call and interrupt my button making:)
Come up with a good inlay button and I'll name it after you:)
Funny, but after few days you'll be more worried about what you're putting your Lady through, and work extra hard PT so you can help her more.
Take care of yourself and e-mail/phone anytime.
LIKE the idea of a Desktop, but HECK with the wheelchair! Set it up next to the bed at home!!!!
I'm sure your wife won't mind:)
scott

[pappybaynes]

Prayers for sure Scott, had back surgery, shots, in pain for over 40 years, but nothing like you're going through - we pray for expert skill of the surgeon, strong screws and rods and speeding recovery...like Jack said, work on the creative side of things when you can - designing cut files. Dick

[mikeacg]

Praying for your speedy recovery Scott!

Mike

[shilala]

Thank You, Gentlemen!!! :)

Chuck, you called it. I got knocked off a ladder at work, landed on a valve wheel. Smashed my back to smithereens.

Funny you guys all mentioned designing cut files, I've been at it for quite awhile. Mostly just getting art ready, cleaning it all up.

Scott P, They're gonna yank all the disc material out of the front, then put in metal cages and graft bone material all up front, along with 8 screws, rods, and grafts in the back.
That should make for quite a club when it's all healed up. :)
I'll be in the shop the minute they say I can, but the recovery is a solid year. I'm going to see to it that this one works out. The last doctor was a bit cavalier with the "go get it, kid" and I've had nothing but problems since that surgery in '08.
I'll admit that I never imagined I'd have to do this again, but I read that fusions are generally only good for 7-8 years.
That explains why our $500,000 worth of gear fell apart. :rolleyes:

[willnewton]

I have also been through long, life threatening recoveries and multiple surgeries, six months in a hospital bed, etc. All physical aspects aside, I wish someone had prepared me for the mental aspects of dealing with a long term health issue. PTSD is not just for military veterans. What you will be going through is beyond what a human is normally able to cope with mentally and it will likely continue to affect you for the rest of your life.

I am not telling you this to scare you, just to prepare you. I thought I was going crazy at times and other times I WAS being driven crazy from infections affecting my mental function. It was a scary time for me and my family. Even after I had physically recovered as best I could, I was still an emotional wreck from the trauma.

After I had mostly recovered, I was having a follow up with my doctor and finally opened up to him about the heavy emotional scars I bore in addition to the physical ones. He immediately explained that PTSD was VERY common among folks with similar situations and it could be dealt with. I started crying right then. I was so relieved! I had no idea what was going on in my head or why. This was the most important diagnosis I had ever had. I now had knowledge and was able to start healing my head.

I used exercise, studying to understand PTSD, meditation, and new hobbies to acheive my mental recovery. It is something I will always carry with me, but I can put things onto perspective now without being emotionally overrun.

I hope the best for you. Take care of your brain and your body will follow through.

[shilala]

Thank You Will, excellent advice.
I had tons of help and support last time I did this, and I'll have the same this time.
I don't think a person can get prepared, really. Or maybe not until they go through it.
I just take it a day at a time and follow orders. It goes easier that way. :)

[myxpykalix]

When you get done with all that, come back and rename yourself "Steve Austin" and this will be you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV17B8oq_cE

good luck

[dmidkiff]

Good luck Scott. Wish you a speedy recovery.

[gerryv]

Wouldn't it be great if Shopbot could get a grant or maybe do a Kickstarter to develop an adjustable height, pedestal style base for those in chairs or with severe back problems.

[scottp55]

Just a note for possible Desktop users.
Shopbot makes a MakerCrate and Bill Young and TJ made the base and one side on mine with a cutout allowing me to get my wheelchair in there VERY easily! I didn't even ask them to do it...they came up with it on their own:)
I left the stackable(4.5" pallet risers) off and with the Rockler 360 lock casters it was perfect for my sports chair, but with the risers left on and using the stock 6"(?) casters they use at shows, it should be good for those with bad backs that can't bend over easily and may even be quite usable with adjustable office chair or custom bar type stool.
Used the leftover dovetail corners to make a support shelf for keyboard/monitor I can wheel under and push out of the way for accessing all sides.
Thanks Bill and TJ!
Oh...I'm the ugly one:)

[genek]

Scott you will be in my prayers, any time you need someone to chat with let me know will call you. If you need anything done around the house while you are off let me know will run up.
think about doing drawing etc while you are flat on your back. Might help pass the time.
Gene King

[David Iannone]

Scott,
I wish you the best of luck. I fell off a ladder sept18, 2009 and it took 11 surgeries and about 5 years to get me where I am at. and I still can't run or have any movement in my left foot. (I fell straight down and landed on my feet from about 16') the doctors kept wanting to cut my leg off, but I kept saying NO! (The bones all snapped and came out of my leg and went into the earth which caused infection) I ended up getting a few other Dr. Opinions and luckily found the right one. I was lucky I realize the statistics.

Some days I don't feel lucky though. But I have still somehow managed to keep a few customers through it all. Family and friends are always the best in the tough situations.

Keep us posted of your progress.


Dave

[shilala]

Thank You, Gene. I appreciate the gesture and I know you'd be here in a minute. That means the world. :)

David, I think you did the right thing. You really have to do what YOU want to do, you're the only one who pays the price.
If for some reason, way on down the road, they have to take your leg, then so be it.
You can live with it because it was YOUR choice.
I think you made the right decision, no matter what.

Nowadays a person has to get very educated, know what their doctors are doing, and tell them what you want. Otherwise they just keep you sick. Or hurt. Or worse.
I do just like you, my friend. I take my health into my own hands. I pray a lot about it and have my wife to help.
In the end, I'm happy. Even if I'm worse off. :)
At least it's my fault and I don't have anyone to blame, right?

Thank You again to everyone, from the bottom of my heart. The thoughts and prayers keep me going.
I got a surgery date of September 14th, and have to do lots of stuff beforehand.
It's gonna be a long road aho, but it certainly isnt the first one.
I just want to work. :D

[Brady Watson]

Been there too...fell 2 stories...burst fractured 5 verts. Grafts and rods - rod hooks came loose after a couple years. They had to cut them out. So far so good. That was 20+ years ago. One of the scariest things is learning to move around again. I ran 8-12 miles every day before the accident. Then legs were like jello only a few weeks of being laid up.

Keep your chin up - stay happy - don't worry. It's no different than your car being in the body shop...unless you believe you are nothing more than your physical body.

-B

[myxpykalix]

The only thing you might look forward to is the GOOD DRUGS you will get to ease the pain. Just don't get dependent....good luck

[pappybaynes]

Glad you clarified Scott!!

[scottp55]

A couple days late for you to read, but a Ton of good thoughts your way!!
Let us know how you're doing when you can.
Best wishes,
scott

[shilala]

Thanks for the prayers and thoughts, guys.
I came through really well. The surgery seems to have fixed the major problems, I'm healing up great, doing tons of walking, and looking forward to being allowed to do something.
It's only two weeks post-surgery and I'm almost out of my mind with boredom already.
I've done just about very sit-down job I can think of, and some more I shouldn't have done.
I'm gonna give it two more weeks and head to the shop. Just make some little stuff and go easy.
I'm sure I'll catch hell, but their only other option is to put me in a coma till I heal up. :)

[genek]

GREAT TO HEAR THAT SURGERY WENT GOOD. I know it is going to be hard on you, However take it real slow, you do not want to be back in that shape again. Use this time to draw designs, get out and look around at shops and stores to see what is the in thing and come home and design them. Again Glade you are doing great.

[Brady Watson]

Glad you are healing up. It's a great time to hone your software skills...

-B

[myxpykalix]

Well we could go with a coma, full body cast or jail or some really good drugs....what's your choice? You don't want to do anything that will damage the work done to get you to this point. You need to start watching some soap operas and get into that! Take it easy, we want you to get better!

[shilala]

I've been reading my ass off, Brady. Just started back at it today.
I went to the shop and made my wife a little Steelers wine glass cover to keep the fruit flies out of her wine. This is fruit fly season till we get em all killed off.
I'm shocked at how stupid I've become in a few weeks. :)

I need to watch all the Vectric vids I haven't watched, but it's just more torture.
I suck at modeling, and the tools are tough.

It was nice to make some sawdust. It feels like it's been forever.

Jack, I had BADASS drugs. I've had to take them for a long time. Once I finished what they sent me with from the hospital, I absolutely refuse to take them anymore.
Soap operas would make me kill myself. Jail isn't a bad idea. It's been a long time since I've hung out with all my old buds. I'll probably go that way. :D

[mikeacg]

Thanks for the update Scott! Glad to hear you are getting closer to being back working! Still praying for your full recovery!

Mike

[scottp55]

GREAT that you're doing so well!
BUT not before the bone grafts cement back together!!
That's how I snapped 2 screws:(
I think a couple of your buddies need to strap you down to your Buddy until until your bones catch up to your brain! :):)
Be well, BUT be smart!!
scott