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Posted 3/28/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hellow All Y'all!

Actually I'm here! My Spousal Unit left this morning around 10:00 w/ all the pets in the truck and I followed about an hour later in my C.Z.C. Chinese Zoom Car! I packed it full of all manor of fishing rod building supplies and tools but just incase that was not enough for this new found leisure time I have, I added a bunch of Fly Tying tools and materials. I'm a nerd like that!

On the work front, my boss called me this am and said he was upset I didn't tell him my surgery was so serious! I couldn't believe my ears! His girlfriend told him that, I didn't! Then he said that I didn't contact hime enough afterwards! I got out of the hospital on Monday afternoon and home that evning and called him the next morning and told him it would be at least a couple of weeks! I started getting calls from work saying that no one was handling any of the recieving and there were so many packages in front of my office, they couldn't walk past! Also, no one was using PO#s, they were just buying matterials for jobs on their own. What the H is going on there? I started making calls and had someone take control of the sittuation and get everything cleaned up! I' was on the phone 30 - 40 times a day from Weds. to Friday then I found out and my boss has the nerve to give me crap about how long I'm staying out to some people there??? If it had not happened to me, I wouldn't believe it! I'm saving his business and he's pissed off! I let him have it w/ both barrols and told him 2 more weeks minnimum! I told him what I'd been doing for him from home and wasn't even getting paid for it and I'll take off as long as I like! He can start looking for a replacement right now if he doesn't like it. By the time I was finished w/ him he was appologizing and begging me to stay! We'll talk about it and a raise when I get back! I'm so sick of this guy and all people like him! Our whole country is in trouble because of gready pigs like him! Sorry to go on a ty-raid but I was so mad! Now I'm up at our beutiful country place and I'm not going to think about that jerk again! It's 90 degrees and the wind is blowing 30 - 40 MPH! Very weird weather! A big front is going to pass by in an hour or two, I hope it cools down! Sorry to y'all who are having snow & cold! I saw a post about snow, thats awful! I'll be watching and posting more over the next few days hopefully. Everyone be brave, better days are coming! Hugz!

Pete   

Posted 3/28/2009 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Pete,
I'm so glad you're going to get to relax and play a bit with your fishing "toys"! And spend some time in the country - probably will help your healing.

And that boss of yours....GRRRRR! I'm glad you stood up to him. One thing I thought of, though, was to make sure anything you have to have on paper from your doctor get to your human resources person, so that your job doesn't get jeopardized. And have your doctor's office send you a copy so you have it for your records. Things can get 'lost". Other than that, as DeNiro would said - forgettaboutit!!

And take more time off if you need it!

Healing hugs to you!

PaLady
Posted 3/28/2009 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
"Goin' up the country where the water tastes like wine.
Goin' up the country, stay happy all the time."

Canned Heat at Woodstock. I changed the lyric just a tad.

Pete: Are you painfree? You sound good and MAD. and MAD is good.

My husband had a boss like yours. Maybe worse. Oh, I dunno. We won't have a
contest. I don't think he'll ever really change. He's just bein' all sweet and low
so you will come back and then he'll POW POW POW! Don't go back?

My back and neck are currently the devil. I'm gonna have to do something. Anything!
It will have to be soon.

The day is made for picnics. Blue sky and all that springy stuff. I just wanna stay
in my chair with an ice pack on my neck and shoulder. If not ice, I'll take heat.

Oh crumble cake. I'm not happy today. Except for you, Pete. I'm happy for you.
I'm not even jealousssssss.

Pamela smilewinkgrin
Posted 3/28/2009 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Catch a fish or two for me Pete! But just be careful of your neck! In case your Doc didn't tell you it is really fragile right now! Can't help it Pete it is the Nurse in me!
Take it easy!
White Beard
Posted 3/28/2009 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Enjoy! Pete!

But you ain't fishin' are you?

MAKING rods after surgery like that I can understand. MAKING flies after surgery like that I can understand.

But USING either one/both this soon after surgery like that I can NOT understand. Please say it ain't so, Pete, please say it ain't so.

Regardless, take care and enjoy. They don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Posted 3/29/2009 12:36 AM (GMT 0)

Pete,

Please be very careful how you use your arms, bend, lift etc.  What you do now physically will show up later down the road....please take it from me, only do what the Physical Therapist and Dr. says you can do.  I did permanent damage by lifting and bending too soon after surgery!!

I agree with PAlady...your Boss grrrrrr, he is a real prize.  Kudo's to you for FINALLy telling him to stuff it.

Enjoy your RELAX time and do please take it easy!!

XXOO
Patti

Posted 3/29/2009 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Yay, Pete! I'm so glad that you're up at your beautiful country home with your family relaxing & have told your boss to shove it (excuse my language)! You deserve a break - wish it wasn't such a tough one, but you deserve the break nonetheless!

Skeye
Posted 3/29/2009 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Pete I think you missed a post from me saying if you did not behave and take care of that neck I would get my little doll out and stick pins. Whatever you do, do not fish, do you have any idea the pressure it would place on your neck trying to cast a rod. You screw this surgery up and you don't know what pain is buddy, sure can't bame the doc if you are not going to follow the rules.

The job, back to work in 2 weeks, are you crazy? You would be willing to risk a great surgery by going back to work too early?? Man, where is your brain? Come on Pete, I am coming down on you hard cause you may be blowing everyone off. You can't imagaine the strain of your work on that freshly operated neck. Hey, are you sure your doc didn't do some brain work while he was in there? Does you dr know you took off driving? Just don't know....Susie
PS Call drs office get the nurse to fax an off work slip to your job.
Posted 3/29/2009 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Pete,
I'm standing right behiind Susie waving my finger at you!!!! I never thought about how much fishing would possibly hurt that neck. Good thing you guys are attentive to all this (and Susie, too!).

I'm concerned, Pete, that you're going to let the guilt and sense of responsibility for work get the best of you and you'll go back too soon. Please, please, take a good long time.

I can't believe you were driving either, now that I think of it! All that neck movement that could be involved. Ok, you stay put!

I'll shut up now!!

Hugs!

PaLady (w/Susie makes a really tough pair!)
Posted 3/29/2009 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
OK, I had to make a promiss to my Mom when I told her I was coming up here> No Mom, I will not go out in my boat and I promiss NO FISHING! That is untill Pete Jr. gets home from the Navy Next Weekend!!!!!!!! Now, I promiss I'll be very carefull, probably will not even fish, but there is no way I'm not taking Jr. fishing before he goes on deployment to the middle east!!!! So I do promiss, no fishing this week but we may have to take the old boat out next week!
Now I have to admit to all of my friends who I've let down, I'm glad I did it!!! I lit up on the drive up here today. I found a pack opened under my seat in the car and took 3 puffs. I tasked so nasty like some old pipe bite tasting tabaco! It was nothing like the Newport smoke that satisfies me so well! Then I didn't want another after that so I'm glad I did it! Now I know if I light up, I'm not going to get the taste I'm so used to, it will be the nasty ashtray tasting smoke I tasted today!!! I know it's hard to believe but after only one week w/o smoking them the taste changes completely!
PA, don't worry about paperwork and human resorses w/ this guy and my job! I have so many e-mails from him sent to me & my fellow workers that are so threatening and profanity laden if he ever tried to pull something on me, I could sink his whole ship! I've been sending these e-mails to my home comp. for years!
Pam, I'm so sorry that your neck is hurting, I know how it sucks! Mine hurts too but I know the pain is fading and should keep fading! I love Canned Heat, I was in Motor Cycle Mechanic school in Daytona Bch back in the 70's and saw Buffalo Bob's last show before he had a heart attack at I dunow, 30yo??? He was the big hairy fat guy. They were one of the first great white Blues Bands in America and I am a white boy lost in the Blues, have been for a long long time!!!!!>>> Way back before The Blues Brothers!
W.B.>> No Fish Dude but I'll send you some flys!!!
Tony, yep> I'm gona try to get my creative juices going this week! I haven't tyed in at least 6 months! Geeze, I already have more flys than I'll ever use anyway but I do give lots away! The are soooo expensive now! Whenever I see a kid flyshishing, I make sure he or she have what they need to catch some fish on! I also have too many rods waiting to be built!! The last three were Christmas presents for my two boys and Godson>Nephew who had just got back from Iran as a Naval Coreman w/ the Marines, His wife of 16months who he married one month before leaving left him for an Dr./officer down in Guantanamo Prison where she was stationed as a nurse! The poor kid was devastated So they got break down 4 peice spinning rods w/ new reels they could take with them on the ships! They came out real nice too! Lots of Navy & Electric Blue windings on them! Split tail grips on them w/ a note written from Big Dad & Unckle on the rod blank between the handles. They will not be embarasted to show those rods to anyone!!!
Patti, Oh no!!! Thats not the first time I've stood up to my boss before, I've put him in his place many times! I tried to quit this past summer after he tried to yell at me for something I had nothing to do with. He appologized and begged me to stay, said it would never happen again! It hasn't yelled at me again! This time he was explaining that he was upset w/ me, not yelling! He's 10 years younger than me, I know that doesn't matter but he also knows how much money I make him!
Well Kids, time for bed! See you Monyana!
Pooped out Pete!
Posted 3/29/2009 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Pooped out Pete,l I was thinking of you today as I was wandering through some antique stores. Not that you are an antique but one had a bunch of old bamboo flyrods. I was looking at them to see what condition they were in. I found one in a house we were cleaning out a couple years ago in the original tube and everything. I take it out ocassionaly and check the action. Continue to mend and take it easy. Keep your priorities straight. Fishing before work. I wish. Blessings! 


PS, I think that is a goood nickname for you POP for Pooped out Pete

Post Edited (fatherjohn) : 3/28/2009 10:51:08 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/29/2009 7:27 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you have awesome time! From what I have been reading you certainly deserve it!
Posted 3/29/2009 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey F.J. I've been thinking about you too up there in God's country. I'm so glad that you were able to take some (not enough) time off for yourselfs. Thats great news about your teaching schedule next semester too! WARNING>OFFSUBJECT!! I love the look and feel of bamboo flyrods although I don't own any. Back when you could still find them pretty cheap, I was in the graphite/borron starwars mindset of lighter= faster= longer = I'm the man, I can cast a whole flyline! I wished I wasn't so macho back then and had picked up a few bamboo's, oh well> life goes on and I still build lighter and faster rods I'll leave the bamboo for the rich guys!!
Sorry> Back on topic>>>
Hey Still, thanks for the kind words! Sounds like you had a real dusie of a MC crash! I've had my share when I was young and stupid. I had a car wreck where my left hip was discocated and shattered my pelvis which is something like but no where's near what you had! My hip needs replacing and it's on my wish list of things on my body to get fixed! I had a doc about 6 years ago who wanted to fuse my pelvis to my spine w/ bridges and braces probably something like you had. That was back in my low testosterone Dr. hating days when I would constantly cry and curss out Drs' so I did nothing, I did have a procedure last fall where they drilled a hole through my hip bone to let blood get to the dead hip socket hoping to get another year or two out of it before replacement. It along w/ mega doses of steroids helped the pain although it's coming back now. Stay in touch Still, sounds like we have lots to talk about!
I've heard mention several times that now that my neck is going to be fixed (hopefully!) that I will be pain free and disapear from HWCP> Not a chance! The better my neck feels, the more I'm starting to feel all the other smashed, beaten and broken parts in my body! I still have major problems in my lower lombar, knees, hips, feet, hands and shoulders as well as my ongoing hormone problems. (yes, I'm having a fasting blood test next week!)The battle has just begun! 2 surgeries in 2 months is a good start but heaven knows I can't keep up that pace! So I'm afraid Y'all are stuck w/ ole pooped out Pete for a while!
Hugy-Wuggies, painless days and sweet dreams!
Your loyal buddy,
Pete
Posted 3/29/2009 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Pete,

I have been in terrible pain. I wake up this morning and I'm so much better
Nothing has changed in my life It's the same, so the problem isn't emotional.
What could it be? Why does it change so much? We're invited to Easter dinner
and I just don't know what to tell our hostess. I'll probably use the usual, "I'll
come if I can." (That one is getting old)

Are you off your medications? I believe you took Methadone. If you have gone off,
can you say just how much you were taking on a daily basis. I take 12, 10 mg.
tablets a day. I'm worried about going off them.

How was your anesthesia? How did you feel when you woke up? Has the swelling
in your neck gone down? (What did your doctor say about that?)

Your wife is gone now? You are there taking care of yourself? Is that right?
I don't read the forum totally.

I think maybe I'm being intrusive will all these questions. You don't have to
answer them. Not at all. It's just my way to show you some of what is in my
head as i consider having the same kind of surgery. I may HAVE to have it.
There's even more.

Take care.

Pamela

I will have general anesthesia when I go back in the MRI. Apparently I move
around a lot. I'm uncomfortable and I try so hard not to move but I guess I
just do the Boogaloo in that closed tunnel. It's difficult for the techs to do
shoulders, I've heard.
Posted 3/29/2009 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Pete,

Do you wear a horse collar? I would think that or something similar would help to immobilize your neck.

Glad I was at least partially right about tying flies/making rods and not so much using either one. As I read your description of going up and fishing, my neck twisted and crackled several times (not literally) and I feared for your neck. My pleasure is salmon on the ocean on a party boat or catfish from the bank, but as relaxing as it is there are still stresses and strains that I wouldn't think would be good on a neck just operated on.

Well, hopefully you get some relaxation time from it. Certainly you deserve some relaxation after all the time you've spent locked in pain with that neck. Best of life to you, whatever that means to YOU.
Posted 3/29/2009 10:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Pete,

I was mean to you but won't say I am sorry. Its just you woke up and felt alot of that old roaring pain gone and I don't want it coming back for you. Getting my doll out right now!!! As for the boat, stay in the bay where its not rough. One good jolt in a boat can wreck your neck.

Now, a little history, I am an old fishing girl. Don't know a thing about fly fishing, but I sure know how to stand at the front of our ski boat and throw a mean cast. I have spent many years at the lake in the summer fishing. I did go down to the coast 3 yrs ago and went in our boat and fished. I caught a ribbon fish one day and that was it. I do love to catch sand bass and crappie. I am one that can sit for hours in one spot and sink a line, not my husband no bites, time to move. We use to chase the birds all over the lake. I have used the same rod & reel for 20 yrs. Husband always wanting to get me a new one-no, like this one just fine, keep fixing it please.

If I hurt your feelings sorry. Again, your your surgeon know about all your goings on you are doing???????Susie

Posted 3/30/2009 1:27 AM (GMT 0)

Well Hellow there my caring Friends!

Oh boy, what a beutiful day it was here today! Raging thunder storms last night, the first in this part of the state since before Christmas! We need it bad here! Then blue skys, breezy, low humidity in the high 70's OMG what a day!

Susie, I wore my horse collar on the whole drive up here, it wasn't to bad honest! I was being really careful, thats why I didn't follow my wife like we ussually do, releiving each other with driving the pets when we are in two cars! I didn't want any distractions while driving! Please put that little witch doll & pins away! I'm being super careful, honest! I haven't really done anything but watch my wife work on the yard & house since I've been here. The only thing I've done is cooked and she loves my cooking! I've done all the cooking for the last 20+ years and she's really missed my cooking since we've been living apart. I haven't made anything difficult just a few of my standard Italian & Cuban dishes. I didn't get over 300lbs on my wife's cookin, I'll tell you that and she's the first to admit it! I've lost 25lbs since my surgery already and thats a good thing especially while quitting cigs. Everytime I've quit before I've gained 30lbs and kept it on! I just can't do that this time! I've been trying real hard to eat healthy, it's not too hard to do while I'm not working. Someone is always bringing in fattening comfort food to the office and me being a purchasing guy who signs the PO's my vendors are always smoozing me and bringing in stuff for me. Bad news! There I go> off on a tangent again! So Susie the fishergal huh? Thats a good thing because I don't trust people who don't fish, I don't know why, I just don't! HMMMMMM??????

Tony, I'm glad to hear you fish too Brother! Cats & Salmond, both good eatin in my book! No salmon down here in Fla. but there's plenty of catfish both in salt & fresh water. Catfish Calbion? I know I didn't spell that right but My brother who is a musician and lives in N.Orleans is a gormet cook who can cook up some catfish like nobody's biz! I make him cook fish everytime he passes through these parts. He is actually playing at the Universal Studio's Madi Gras this weekend in Orlando but has too many gigs and no time to stop by and see us this trip. He'll be back, he always does! Sorry>There I go off in Peteworld again! 

Oh Pam, I'm so sorry about that dang neck pain you have again! I don't mind questions at all! Heck if it would help I'd tell you what underpance size I wear! Just kidding there! No I am still taking my meds, I take 2 x 10mg of methadone a day, thats down from 4x 10mgs per day since about 6 months ago when I tried to taper down, no rush there! I also have been taking from 3 to 5 - 10/325mg percocets as needed throughout the day depending on the pain. It was 4 x 15mgs of oxicodone befor the shortage. The only other pain related med is Flexaril I think is the name, a muscle relaxer which I take one or two at bedtime. Other nonrelated meds are 240mgs of Verapamil and 5mgs of Lisinipril for high blood pressure. Then 150mgs of Effecsor 2 x 75mgs a day to keep me from killing anyone! I was a mean & nasty person before antidepression drugs! I also take Synthroid 1.30mcg per day since I don't have a thyroid anymore and one 400mgs shot of testosterone in the butt once a month now since my boys don't make their own anymore! They got too tramitized from my prostate cancer surgery just like some other parts we won't mention!! I'm probably missing something but I can't think of any other drugs right now. As for my anistesia, before my surgery in pre-op there were 3 Ani-ologists talking over how they were going to put me out safely being so large and w/ the smoking thing. Then I saw my Doc go over and join in and rip the curtains closed when he saw me watching them. The had to put some big tube down my throat, an oversized one! I think thats why I'm still having swallowing problems now. They must have mashed everything in my neck against that tube because it's still swollen and a problem. I haven't called my surgeon yet but I'm going to call him tomorrow morning for sure. I didn't want to bother him over the weekend! Pam, if you have the surgery like mine, you may have way less problems than I unless you weigh around 300lbs. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be funny or anything, I'm serious, they had problems w/ me because I'm a fat***!! As for the little Mrs. she's here w/ me or should I say I'm up here w/ her in our country double wide! Jerry Sprinnger here I come, YeHa! Sorry if I didn't reply to All of Y'all! I'm out of gas! I need to go take a rest again! I an one resting SOB!

Big HUGZ & Blessings and fish to the fisherpeople! Luv Yuze Gize!

Pooped out Pete!

PS>> Pam, I'm sorry I almost forgot! I was the same way w/ my pain as you are describing. Remember we are talking about nerves being crushed, I think some movements chrush them more than others and it could be while we sleep or shower or anytime. Who know's. Thats why sometimes it's really bad and other times it's undescribable pain! I know what you're feeling and it's no picknick! Please think about it if they mention surgery after all you're test? OK??

Your Brokeneck friend> pete!!   

   

Posted 3/30/2009 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Glad that's not Brokeback Pete! (7:42pm Mountain Time)
Posted 3/30/2009 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, have put the doll & pins away. Just behave, a little cooking would do you some good, no lifting of heavy pots. Hey, you never answered about the boat business, taking your son out in the boat is no good unless the water is like glass, water skiing time.lol You never answered about the dr knowing what you are up to either? I do like Cuban food, yummy. Ate plenty of that in Tampa at my sis'. Pete I think you nailed it about the Methadone after surgery, messing with the IV meds. Methadone does hang around in your body. Did you get an off work slip faxed to your employer? I have done some trout fishing in Missouri, cooked it on the grill that night, OMG. My son who was much younger at the time, caught over his limit, so we stashed it in various refrigerators in our friends motorhomes lol. A group of 5 of us use to go to Bransom and stay in an RV park right on the Taneycomo River. We always stayed at the same rv park, great place to relax. Now, Bransom is too commercialized, got too popular. Susie
Posted 3/30/2009 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Pete,

Just wanted to sent you hugs from wet and cold Washington state...lol. It's wonderful to hear you are enjoying the beauty where you are. You more than deserve it!

Hugs,
Chutzie
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