Well a little bad and good news

[Ralph D]

Hey everyone,

 

Well I went and did it; I have 3 hernias, 1 upper and each side lower, pretty bad so I have to have surgery. Surgery is set for Dec 19th, so putting up the display will be ok but getting it down wont and because of the pain I’m in, and to be straightforward I had always thought this pain was back related so i was not really worried about it. But now it’s pretty bad. So the Wife and I have decided to do a re-vamped show this year and not totally cancel it all together, or should I say she (my wife Joann) let me, so the show this year will just be all ground stuff, nothing i need a ladder to go on like my roof which is bad enough when I’m feeling good. So this news stinks but at least I will be able to have something and I’m thankful for this. so i thought I'd let you all no. I'm pretty bummed right now but, it is what it is and safety and my health has to come first. Doc says it will be about 4 to 6 weeks before I’m even feeling good and another 6 months before he wants me even lifting anything more than a loaf of bread. the good news is i will have plenty of time on my hands to program for next year! If that’s a good thing. lol  

 

Ralph

[DougP]

Sorry to hear this but look on the bright side. No more pain afterwards. A ground show is better than nothing.

[Orville]

Best of Luck on your surgeries Ralph and hopefully a speedier recovery than your doc gives you.   But at least you're still able to have a show and that's still a good thing, even if it is all on the ground.

 

My doc says I'm not supposed to climb or use ladders either, doesn't even want me on a step-ladder!  Mainly due to the medication I take for health issues, high blood pressure, migraines, heart, arthritis and pain.  But I cheat a little and I actually drive my SUV as close to the edge of my house, open the sun/moon roof and get on top of my SUV to mount my stuff on the sides of the house.   My doc thought that was crazy, but I took a photo and showed him, even if I fell down, I couldn't and wouldn't fall to the ground, just on top of the SUV, about a 1-2 foot fall, which could still hurt.  Of course the luggage racks my hurt quite a bit more if I landed on it.  LOL

 

But you do what you can and what you got to do to have a show right?  

Edited October 1, 2013 by Orville

[PaulXmas]

Follow his advice about lifting...

I know this dumb ass that didn't, went back to work (computer tech so no real lifting) and in a few weeks I was errr I mean he was down and off for months!

[scubado]

^{I don't have hernias to brag about, but I did tear a muscle in my good arm last Saturday.  It's making me wonder if I'll be able to manage my big ladder for the icicles in the trees.  It starting to suck getting old this year (48).  Best of luck to you with your display and recovery.}

[TonyD]

Sorry to hear about that Ralph. I hope you're able to get a smaller show up and running, or enlist an older neighbor kid or a tree trimmer (used to heights) to help you out on the high stuff?

[Ralph D]

Hey guys, Thanks you everyone. Yes this year is going to be a hard one, but im sure I will get what i need done....I hope, lol

I never thought of a tree trimmer thats a great idea. the thing is i never even thought that was the problem and always thought my low back was the problem wow i was off with that. well the more and more i think about it, I don't want to give up, So plain c is being thought out right now.  

[Ron Boyd]

Come on friend. We talked about this on the phone. Small display is better than no display. As I told you though, be safe in what your plan C is and don't do anything to further injure yourself. :-)

[thevikester]

Ralph....I had a similar circumstance last year, had both knees operated on in October, no way was I am to get around the yard, much less a ladder...and my wife says...the kids in the neighborhood love the lights, we have to do the lights...I told her that I just can't do it, and she responded, if I get some people to help, you can supervise.  I had a bad dream that night, a little kid knocked on my door and said, hey mister...where's the lights, where is Santa in the window...As I drove to work the next day, I sent my wife a text  (I know I shouldn't drive and text)   and told her to round up the troops.   She had 10 people come over on Saturday, and 12 on Sunday...I did very little but supervise, we catered in some food, had plenty of drink and spirit, and it worked out great, so great, that we are going to do it that way again this year, but I'll be more hands on...just something to think about!

[PaulXmas]

Ralph....I had a similar circumstance last year, had both knees operated on in October, no way was I am to get around the yard, much less a ladder...and my wife says...the kids in the neighborhood love the lights, we have to do the lights...I told her that I just can't do it, and she responded, if I get some people to help, you can supervise.  I had a bad dream that night, a little kid knocked on my door and said, hey mister...where's the lights, where is Santa in the window...As I drove to work the next day, I sent my wife a text  (I know I shouldn't drive and text)   and told her to round up the troops.   She had 10 people come over on Saturday, and 12 on Sunday...I did very little but supervise, we catered in some food, had plenty of drink and spirit, and it worked out great, so great, that we are going to do it that way again this year, but I'll be more hands on...just something to think about!

Biting my tongue