2009 Season done for me **UPDATED 11-18-2009**

[eagle77]

Yep My gear is cleaned and stowed away. Last Thursday went in to the hospital and had neck surgery (c7 vertebrae). Surgeon removed a portion of a herniated disk; since July 8th had been pressing against the spinal cord causing back and arm problems. After surgery I was expecting the out of commission for 6-8 weeks. Nope I'm out for 3 months, no work, lifting, pushing, pulling, driving, etc. Not even a week has gone by and already going insane. So I dug out some books and that's the extent of my life until he clears me. Been on heavy muscle relaxers and pain killers, all they do is make the pain tolerable. Can't sit for more than an hour so I been doing short and long walks.

 

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[Sandman]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Walks are good to ease the pain, I know. Besides you might lose weight if you don't get bored doing nothing but eat potato chips, Salt and Vinegar is my down fall.

Get well soon,
Sandman

 

[sasnz]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Hi Eagle77

Sorry to hear about your recent health problems but what a great oppertunity to start researching some prospective sites. alot of people just grab there detector and head for a local spot they thought of the day before but it is my opinion that if ya want to find the sweet stuff ya have to go to virgin property or well thought out spots and think outside the square.

If I was sitting in your position(not knowing where you live) I would research as much as i could about old homesteads, Slave farms, CW battles , squirmishes or anything that you may be interested in finding. Most people dont take the time so if you have the time why not see if you can get some sites together ready for when you are fit. try the library, archives, military records or anywhere you can get the info you require for your style of hunting, it will keep you mobile and that sounds like a good way to get everything moving freely again.

Anyway best of luck on a fast recovery.

sasnz

 

[Michaelangelo]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

I feel your pain. Had back surgery not too long ago and remember it well. Worst part for me was having the wife do all the driving. It's a wonder we survived!!!
Get well soon!!

 

[wolcottdigger]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

I think I would go crazy, but listen to the doctors
and rest. 2010 will be your best year ever.
Joe

 

[mastereagle22]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Man sorry to hear about that.

I'm having back problems myself and may not get out again this year.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

 

[johnnycat]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Yeah...Get into the research mode. Get well and take it easy. I would rather miss a few months now than many later. Take care, it will still be there when you get better.

 

[dneyedli@res1.mts.net]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Sorry to hear. If you are able to go for short walks, maybe you can find a place where you can eyeball for things like projectiles points or old dump sites along rivers. Some people I know eyeball parking lots for change and jewelry. When you are resting, you might want to research new sites. Get well soon!
Dave.

 

[spartacus53]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Hi Eagle77

Sorry to hear about your recent health problems but what a great oppertunity to start researching some prospective sites. alot of people just grab there detector and head for a local spot they thought of the day before but it is my opinion that if ya want to find the sweet stuff ya have to go to virgin property or well thought out spots and think outside the square.

If I was sitting in your position(not knowing where you live) I would research as much as i could about old homesteads, Slave farms, CW battles , squirmishes or anything that you may be interested in finding. Most people dont take the time so if you have the time why not see if you can get some sites together ready for when you are fit. try the library, archives, military records or anywhere you can get the info you require for your style of hunting, it will keep you mobile and that sounds like a good way to get everything moving freely again.

Anyway best of luck on a fast recovery.

sasnz


Well said. I hope for your speedy recovery, but in the meantime use this time to research

 

[lambretta]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

I feel your pain... Well different anyway I had surgery on my broken ankle today. Plate and screws. The weird thing is it seems to feel fine. I'm in research mode, got some ideas for an injured fellow if you want to email me.

 

[RGINN]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

It won't all be found before you get back out there Eagle 77. You're a real trouper, so for now, you can still advise and teach, and you've already taught me not to take my health for granted. Get well soon.

 

[terryo]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Eagle, I feel ya! I had C3/4/5 Fused 6 years ago, helped the arm pain greatly, but my right fingertip sensation is gone still, a small trade-off in my opinion.
The neck is`still stiff, kinda hard to look up at birds and planes and such, but as M/D makes you look down, it balances out!I was off work for three months, but I dont remember it, cause of the demerol and morphine, but it does get a little better with time!Hang in there, and like others have said, research! (just try to make notes, it helps with pain killers!)

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

If you want me to babysit your detectors for a while, I would be glad to

Just kidding of course. Get well soon!

Neil

 

[eagle77]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Thanks folks. Yeah I plan on research when it gets colder out. Stretch and I was talking about doin a hunt this fall, but not goin to happen now. Have a check up today and hopefully the Doc lifts the no driving restriction. I've cut back on the pain killers, but not the muscle relaxers. Doc said if this fails to work, the next surgery, they go in through the front and fuse vertebrae together...but that's even longer rehab. So far I have noticed a big improvement over what it was like before. Course things take time to heal.

I've a couple books that I never read on the American Revolution, looks like I've time now. Both son's have been bending over backward to help. I have it planned out that as long as I stay busy doin something, it keeps me from sitting and wishing to be out MD'ing. My shift partner shattered his knee this summer, he was depressed for a month or so. I told myself that I won't get down, just keep movin forward...even if it is at a slower pace.

 

[eagle77]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Eagle, I feel ya! I had C3/4/5 Fused 6 years ago, helped the arm pain greatly, but my right fingertip sensation is gone still, a small trade-off in my opinion.
The neck is`still stiff, kinda hard to look up at birds and planes and such, but as M/D makes you look down, it balances out!I was off work for three months, but I dont remember it, cause of the demerol and morphine, but it does get a little better with time!Hang in there, and like others have said, research! (just try to make notes, it helps with pain killers!)

Looking up or to the right is my problem. This SMALL herniated disk was causing the spinal cord to continuously fire impulses to the area of my arm into my hand. Imagine a charley horse 1000 times worse and it won't go away. I was told by a specialist that the sensation most likely will get better, but the tip of the fingers may not. He seemed to think that any damage done to the spinal cord will be minimal and shouldn't be an issue later on.

 

[terryo]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

Most of my pain was in my right elbow, it felt like you hit your "funny bone" (why tha h*ll it's funny, I know not) really , really good, and it never stopped until my surgery.Once I woke up from the operation, that pain was gone.I will warn you , if they do a bone graft, make them do a cadaver donor! They took a hole saw to my hip bone, that hurt way worse than the neck surgery! Good luck with your recovery, I know it seems to take forever, but it passes pretty quickly.

 

[eagle77]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

They didn't do any grafting. But most of the sensations running down my arm were gone after surgery. The nerve specialist said that I would still have the "pins and needles sensations" for awhile but most should disappear after 1 year.

Dr. finally gave me the ok for limited driving. Down to pain killers every 12 hours. After 1 week of being off of work, 3 months is gonna be a LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG time

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

eagle77,

Sorry to hear about your problem, hope you heal up quick....

Where in Nebraska are you at. I use to live there when I was installing central offices. I lived in Lincoln, and Nebraska City...

 

[Monty]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

I feel your pain! (Bill Clinton voice). I fell and broke my back in '96 and had nerve damage and pain every darn day since. Been on the heavy drugs but working my way off. Went from heavy Oxycontin and hooked bad to very light dose of methdone Both those drugs will kill you if you don't take control. The addiction is much worse than the pain so I just tolerate a lot of pain now. I honestly think I would miss it if it went away! My pain Doc. said I wasn't an addict, I was just medically dependant and that was all right. I ran out one long holiday weekend and found out it wasn't all right. Withdrawal is hell! Get off that crap as soon as you possibly can. Monty

 

[mlayers]

Re: 2009 Season done for me

I also have been having back and neck problems. I have 2 bulging disks and the Dr wants to operate on me. But I have put it off. When I get in the water chest deep it helps my back and I have no pain. So I guess I will keep on detecing as long as I can. I hope you get well soon.....Matt