A Note To My Fellow TDR and M-D TDC Members...

[Hammer]

I am not sure how to make this start so I will just go with whats up and where I stand now after being poked and prodded all morning long today.



I have suffered a complete tear of my right distal biceps tendon and damaged my rotator cuff when I had lost my balance at home and fell. After going to the family doctor today I was sent immediately to a orthopedic surgeon because the bicep is bleeding internally. He sent me to have a MRI done today and I am slated for surgery Friday which will keep me in the hospital at least the first nite depending on how he feels I am doing. They are going inside to repair both of them and I will know Thursday morning in the am what all will be involved and how long I will be down for sure. At this point I was informed by the surgeon I would be laid up in the hospital at least one,maybe two days and then off work with no driving priveledges or lifting allowed for at least 4-6 months. After he deems I am fit for rehab I will have about 2 months of that also then. He has informed me it may be shorter but most people with this type of injury are out of commission for at least 6 months and maybe up to 9 months. If I heal faster time may be shorter,but,due to my age he feels I may be off the maximum time.



With not being able to drive and being limited on what I can do obviously my show season has ended for me. I will instruct Scott on how to keep his show moving forward but in all likely hood I will not be allowed to attend. I am going to need alot of help and need someone to step forward to get the rest of the shows lined up and rolling. I will do what I can from here but not being mobile I will be hampered greatly. If anyone Mason-Dixon TDC member is interested in helping or taking over till I am up and feeling better give me a week or two and drop me a email as I will not see much computer time until I see what I can do.



As for my truck,for now I will just have those who can wheel a stick drive it a bit for me. If it needs to go to make sure I keep my roof over my head I will move it as much as I hate to think about it.



I will not lie to you,I fear surgery more than I fear anything else in the world,always have always will. Hospitals and Doctors are enough to raise my blood pressure high enough to resemble F8TLDOSE's dyno sheet. I will keep all informed on what he tells me Thursday in my presurgery consult and then once its done I will not be on for a while and will update when I can... ... ... ... ... Andy

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Chin up Andy - at least you can still move your chin . Having been down this road many times recently (as you know) I know that it looks gloomy from that side but I can say with reasonable assurance that it will all work out. Just take it a day at a time and do what's right in front of you. I'm still recovering from my latest shoulder surgery in December. If there's anything I can do to help let me know.



P. S. Your doing a lot better than me Dan with only 3 times under the knife at 27!

 

[Batman]

Andy, best of luck with the surgeryand the rehab.



On a personal note, when you start rehab, do everything they PT's and OT's say. Rehab of serious injuries are very intense and painful. I'm only mentioning this because my dad is having a very hard time with his rehab from brain surgery.



Be safe and think positive.



George

 

[B KIRK]

Can't believe you finally went to see a doctor. How long has it been since you fell. Guess you know why it hurt so bad now. I have faith that everything will work out for you. I hate hospitals to. End up waiting to long to get things fixed. Wish I lived closer to help you out.



Best of luck, and keep us informed.



Brad

 

[swexlin]

Good Lord Andy, I don't know what to say except to take it easy, and DO WHAT your doctors tell you. I had abdominal surgery six years ago (ruptured appendix), so I've been there, done that. The surgery will be the easy part, rehab will take patience.



I don't know where to begin to help, but, PM me, and we can talk about my role in helping with the shows.



Scott

 

[master1578]

I have to agree with Batman. The rehab is the hard part. A few years ago I managed to crush my hand at work. I was out for over a year. Bone graft and pins didn't work. I ended up with a silicone joint implant( doc gave me a picture but not for weak stomachs ) Anyhow, surgery was the easy part the therapy was painful. Good Luck. I hope everything works out for you.



P. S. Get ahold of a Playstation or similar. Great way to pass the time and keep your sanity :-laf

 

[fkovalski]

Good luck to ya'. I know what your (gonna') go through. I had both my shoulders done last year (L= July and R= Dec) and am going through PT now. It takes a while, but is worth the effort!

-frank.

 

[I-6DZL]

Dont really know what to say....

Other than Good Luck man. As mentioned already keep you chin up and try to stay on the positive side of things.



Best wishes

Curtis

 

[Bloomy]

Gimp eh?

On a non serious note..... How long did it take you to type that?? That wasn't nice was it. Seriously though. Thanks for helping me out with the other ordeal. Still waiting to see if anything comes about. You are the second person this week that I know that has done the same thing. Get well soon. It would still be cool to see you at Scott's show.



thomas

 

[Larry Willard]

Andy

Sorry to hear about your injury. We wish you the best of luck with the surgery and a speedy recovery. Hope to see you soon. Larry

 

[Proram]

Andy was a big help to me Physicly and support wise during my Neck surgery last year. We will be helping him in anyway possible. If he is mobile i will drag him to the show. He can finnaly sit back and just enjoy the event for once . Anybody who wants to help can contact me and i will relay it to him, seeing he Prob. isn't gonna type to good. i'll keep everybody posted on his progress if he wants.



Scott

 

[Got Smoke?]

Good luck Hammer! Don't really know what else to say, so good luck, and we know you'll be back in no time.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Whoah Dude Andy if ya need to blow off some steam you have my #. Man that is major. The knife is not the big part (Been under a few as well) The important and big one is to follow that roadmap to recovery. Trust me I did not and it netted me 6 months right back in the hospital 4 months into recovery. The mind is a major tool as well don't let yourself get down as that is a big nono.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!



Matt

 

[Fireman Dave]

We'll be thinking about you, Andy. I'm sure it'll all work out fine. Try not to worry about it too much. Put your trust in the people who'll be taking care of you.

Good luck!



Dave

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Words of wisdom - from yourself:

Steve...

While this is a major decision I am glad to hear that you have found the source of discomfort. Hope this will alleviate your current problems and put you on the road to recovery. One thing I'll add here and then offer some help is this,try not to over do it during the recovery and rehab. Push yourself to what your body tells you is right and don't over do it. I wish I had done that instead of overdoing it while trying to get myself back to work and life. time is the factor here during the recuperation and making good use of the recovery/rehab. After a couple of different back surgeries and my haste to return to a normal life I now wish I would have taken my time and followed the docs orders and not pushed myself.



Now for your transmission debacle. .

I will offer to help and see how many of my members we can roust up for some added help. keep us posted on how your doing and when would be a good time for a transmission-bomb party. BTW,I agree with Rob too,leave the chat freaks alone,its a good way to relieve stress ..... Andy

I'll be lookin for ya in the chat room!

 

[Hammer]

I'll be lookin for ya in the chat room

Hmm. .

That sounds like words of experience Steve,LOL. I am not sure how that will work out though as I have a tough enough time typing with 2 fingers let alone doing that with one. Time will tell.



Thanks for all the notes of well wishes. I fear the going under more than the surgery. I am going to try and keep my spirits up and have had Ol Sleddy offer to keep my truck while I am off and can't drive. He mentioned something about paybacks while he was snickering when offering me that.



George. .

I was following the deal with your Dad and hope he is getting better. You'll have to let me know where he is and then I'll go there for my rehab deal. Give the nurses 2 bullheads to deal with,LOL. Seriously,hope everything works out for him and if you need anything let us know.



BTW,

I always wonder where all those women come from who like inflicting pain on us men,They work at sports rehab and MRI centers. Between having my arm bent like gumby and stuffed into a machine that is as small as a casket can you say pain. I also know why people hate MRI machines now. The smaller version where she did my pics of the bicep was ok except for the bending my arm a way it wasn't supposed to. When she took me to the big one so they could get a better shot of it and my rotator cuff I then realized a dude my size didn't belong in it. The great part of it is the lady who handles the rhab for this injury is a good friend of mines wife and she called last nite to assure me she will allow me to understand pain,LOL. That was the second call yesterday with paybacks mentioned wonder if its something in the air.



I will update all Thursday after my surgery consult and again,THANKS for the kind words... ... ..... Andy

 

[Jengle]

Dang, Andy. Wish you good luck tomorrow, and a speedy recovery. Keep us posted.

 

[Cigar John]

Good luck Hammer,had a partial tear of my right last year but didn't need surgery

 

[Sled Puller]

Good luck, and may all your nurses... ... . ROCK!