Jim Saul Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Today, I got the news that I have a torn ACL and torn cartilage in my knee. I need surgery, probably not till late August / early September and it is a 3-6 month healing time. If I can walk I will try to throw something together, but the big display is pretty much not happening as of now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Sorry to hear that....I tore the minisca in my knee a few months ago....I was walking on it the day of the surgery and back to playing soccer 3 weeks later...guess I was lucky.wishing you a speedy recovery....and never give up on Christmas!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfing4Dough Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 jimswinder wrote: Sorry to hear that....I tore the minisca in my knee a few months ago....I was walking on it the day of the surgery and back to playing soccer 3 weeks later...guess I was lucky.wishing you a speedy recovery....and never give up on Christmas!!Huge difference between ACL and meniscus surgery. Your spelling even reflects how miniscule meniscus surgery is. Sorry to hear about the timing Jim. However, I don't see how sitting at a computer sequencing and telling family/friends how to do the display setup should be affected by your recovery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Simmons Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Bummer. I wish you lived closer so I could send Sharon to help you out. Sorry to learn of your fate.With S3's visualizer though, you could still put on a show without actually putting up any lights. Send the output to a projector and play it against the side of the building, or against your garage door. (I believe Jeff is perfecting this, or a very similar, type of visualizer technique.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cenote Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Jim, Ditto...I took off last year, and really really really regret it. Lost a beloved one during the holiday, and wish to God I had the lights on for her. Don't let a little thing like not being able to walk discourage you from not putting on any kind of show. Look at the bright side, and how much time you will have to sequence! Wish I had three months off to sequence....tell the family to get out there and put up the lights, while you do the technical stuff.Good luck with a speedy recoveryChuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeH Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Wishing you a speedy recovery. Make a reindeer, put a red light on his nose and make it blink to the music. MikeH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnoldc Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Wishing you the best! Wish you lived closer, I would come over like many others have said and help ya put her all together.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Benedict Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Jim - If you're not able to climb around like a monkey this year, why not polish your show's programming and see if there's some Boy Scouts or a local high school senior that needs to get in some community service hours.I ran across a probation officer for teens that said to check with your local teen court (or adult court) and see if anyone was required to put in some community service hours and you may have more help than you expected.Especially if you donate canned goods or other things to a local charity, they would be more interested in supplying free labor. Even if you had to feed them, wouldn't it be worth it?Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulanator Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Jim,sorry to hear that, I was hoping it was not that serious, and I am sure you were!I agree, find someone to help, you do all the designing, and have someone help with the install.Hey I do it all from my wheelchair (of course I have a nice friend and brother and wife to help)I just hope your recovery is short and not too painful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rescue_653 Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I understand your issue Jim, I have surgery scheduled on the 18th for torn tendons in my elbow and with everything said they are saying probably mid november before I can fully function and he even warned me then to take it easy as it takes so long for tendons to heal. I still have alot I wanted to build this year but luckily I have a wonderful friend from the rescue squad who has already told me that this want be a problem that he will help all I have to do is tell him what I want. So good luck hopefully you can get some help and the show will go on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbzeus Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Jim, sorry to hear about your misfortune. But... you could spend that time sequencing and blow us all away next year!!!Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Saul Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 Thanks everyone. I still don't have a date for surgery yet, BUT I'm doing physical therapy now to strengthen the muscles and heal sooner.I've decided not to give up. I may not be able to have the 100+ blow molds up but I can get up a few arches and other things to make something happen. I'm getting help this week to get the arches and some lights out of the attic so I can at least do a small show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Jim Saul wrote: I'm getting help this week to get the arches and some lights out of the attic so I can at least do a small show.that's GREAT news!!!!a little Christmas is better than none at all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulanator Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Alrighty then, that is what we need to hear! You gotta have something out there.You can lay your weary body in bed and sequence!!!And you will have us to harass and taunt you...Glad to hear it Jim,Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Saul Posted August 24, 2011 Author Share Posted August 24, 2011 Mostly good news to report.THE SHOW WILL GO ON :cool:I had half the surgery done on Friday, they repaired the cartridge and the meniscus. There were floating pieces in there and what he described as hang nail type tears that were catching and causing most of the pain.Today, I am walking with a cane and should be able to be on my own power within the next few weeks.I’m not sure if I will use a ladder this year, but the bulk of my display is on the lawn so worst case it we run at 80%As for the ACL repair surgery, after I researched it, and talked with different doctors / therapists I came to the conclusion that with some therapy I can probably live the rest of my life without it.Apparently if you are middle + aged, and do not ski or play soccer, you don’t really need an ACL.Plus the recovery was too long for me. It would have had me on crutches for most of the winter, and there is no way I could live through a Minnesota winter, running my own business, and having to shovel snow, on crutches. If for some reason I cannot live without the ACL, I can still have the surgery in the spring and recover over the summer.Thanks to everyone for your prayers and concerns, and now on with the prep work! My setup starts 10/8 and there is a lot to do before that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Good to hear Jim!!!!I am sure all of the neighborhood are glad to hear the show will go on!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKSedg Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Good news, Jim. We certainly wish you the best in your recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulanator Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Jim,that is great and I am so glad to see your recovery going well.NOW GET YOUR BUTT TO WORK!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts