Deeply Heartfelt Thank You

[Bill Babler]

I simply cannot tell you all the emotion and deep appreciation both Becky and I felt when opening the get well cards that I have received.

I thank all my forum family for the thoughts, wishes and prayers that you all have sent thru your cards and emails.

I had two old man break downs that both happened within a week of each other.  First I tore my Rotator Cuff in 3 places and had to have 3 anchors placed in my shoulder.  As lots of you all know, I also  have bad knees.  I was scheduled to have my left keep replaced after the fishing season in December so I could be back in the boat by March.

One week after my shoulder surgery, which has gone fantastic as the Dr. was taking out my stitches I asked him to give me a steroid shot in my knees and that would power me thru fishing and deer season up to my replacement in Dec.  That is where it all went bad.  My left knee got a steroid flare and a staff infection it blew up the size of a volley ball.  I had to have emergency surgery on the knee, and had to have a PICC line with antibiotic that I can give myself an IV for 6 weeks. I am on my 4th. week and can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm off the walker and using a cane and getting around really pretty good.  I hope to get off the came by next week, but will not be entering any 5K's.

I would say one of the good parts is that I have lost 25 pounds, but by some trick of nature the weight lost was the limited amount of muscle I had and it left all my yummy fat still intact.  I am exercising twice a day and going to rehab therapy 2 days a week. I have loved the Therapy and the stretching as it really helps.   I am very week however the remainder of the day after they get done pulling and stretching.  Hope to soon  get stuff tightened down and back in order.

Again, with all my heart thank you for your prayers.  And yes Dave I dodged the bullet again and they failed to catch me.

Sincerely Bill

[Champ188]

You mean a lot to us, old buddy. A whole lot.

[dtrs5kprs]

My shoulder sympathizes. Not a fun injury.

[Hughesy]

The forum is just not the same without your reports and comments. I know James and I are praying for ya buddy. Hang in there.

[big c]

I hope you have a speedy recovery sir.

[rps]

I had a less drastic rotator shoulder repair five years ago. Do your therapy every day and regain the range of motion. I did, and I am grateful. I just wish I had regained all the strength.

My brother in law had the knee replacement done earlier this year. He sings the praises and wonders why he did not do it years earlier.

I hope your recovery goes as well as those examples.

[bobby b.]

Happy to hear you are doing better.

[Old plug]

You have my sympathy Bill. I had my third knee replacement this year. 9 days after going through radiation. Tell you something do not baby it. Get it going as fast as you can. If you baby it it starts to stiffen up and that is not good.  I had trouble this time using the cane and just started walking on it around hte house at two weeks. 

As for as the shoulder I think I told you one time I thought you were going to have this problem. I think a lot of these people on here are headed in that direction. I no longer have a rotoary cuff per see. Doctor said there is almost hothing there. So sometime in the next month or so I will have a total shoulder repacement. I have done the past two bone surgeries at MIssou. Both doctors or professors teach selective things one does hips down the other shoulers etc. 

It is going to be to late for us but they have found a way of regrowing your cartilage. I think it is still in the  developement and testing stage.

[DavidB]

Best wishes, Bill, from a follower in Louisiana.  We spend a week on Table Rock each year in April, and have followed the forum, and your posts particularly, for several years.  You've made our trips much more enjoyable, by sharing your success.

 

I know you'll be watching when your Tigers invade Death Valley on October 1st.  Wish you could be there to tailgate with us, and enjoy a little Jambalaya, Etouffe, and other Lousiana delights.  We'll be sure to bring you another Cajun basket, when we come next April.

 

Get well soon!  

 

 

 

[m&m]

Bill, our thoughts and prayers are with you and Becky. Good luck with the recovery. 

Mike