Don't go towards the light.

[Old Ironmaker]

Pretty well everyone I know is aware so I figured I might as well share my experience here with freinds that I haven't met, a few I have met, thankfully. A week ago Wednesday I almost died. I had some unknown infection that went septis and that's not a good thing. Apperently, as I have zero recollection, my wife came home from work around 6PM and found me on the kitchen floor and had a hard time to rouse me. Called 911 and they took me to the War Memorial Hospital in Hagersville On. I apparently was going on and on in some unknown language telling a freind to move his car so the ambulance can pull in, Joe was 60 miles away at the time. I remember nada. They transported me to the Brantford Hospital from there. The 1st thing I do remember is having CT scans then a woman talking to me. She was a surgeon that was called in to perform emerg. surgury as that thought I had obstructed or ruptured bowels. I remember clearly that she said " Sir you are a very ill man." I said I don't feel ill." she replyed "Your blood pressure is 80 over nothing, believe me if we can't get your BP up you are going to die on us." Not everyday someone tells you that. I had no reaction at all and she asked me if I understand what she said, I did but didn't freak like some might. OK Readers Digest version. They pumped me full of fluids and drugs and I am here to tell the story. 4 days in Intensive Care in the Brantford hospital, transfered back to a room in Hagersville for 4 more days. I am so impressed by the 4 Doc's that took care of me and especially the entire staff at both hospitals including the cleaning ladies, they work thier buns off, each and everyone. Not only do they have to do the work they are covered from head to toe in garb, masks, hats, face shields, yellow gowns from head to toe, the work they do is hard enough normally now they must be dressed like Aliens and Steelworkers to do it, a nurse told me that there are times they need to change thier scrubs twice in a 12 hr shift because they are soaked to the skin. It took me 3 days to have a normal bowl movement and get my legs and abdominal muscles strong enough to get in and out of bed.  99% of the pain was in my abbs and I looked 10 months pregnant with my gut so big and tight I thought I was going to explode. I did have to drink a gallon of what tastes like bay water from Hamilton next to Stelco, mmmm good. They actually weighed the result. It took up to just Sunday to be able to walk without a walker or cane. I hurt from head to toe. A small price to pay to stay alive. But I seriously thoght they were trying to kill me with what I was given to eat, what eat? I was on a liquid diet for 6 days., and I gained 5 pounds!!??? Everything tasted like hand sanitizer! A tricky part is to guess the time it takes to undo all 4 I.V. sites, remove blood pressure cuff, etc,etc. and get to the commode or toilet when the gut is rumbling as the enima is doing what it is meant to do and not make a mess for some poor soul to clean up. Oh my gosh. Many say I am full of it, in this case I agree. 

I used to call The Hagersville hospital a large Vet's clinic. I take it back,, I am truly sorry, together they helped save my life. I am penning a hand written thank you as soon as possible, I think they would appreciate that. Oh yea, I didn't see the white light but there were a few times in the past when we had Blast Furnace breakouts that I did see that light plus I saw an image of my Nani, (Grand Mother in Italian) standing in front of the light. Another story for another time.

JD/out.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Old Ironmaker

[GBW]

Glad to hear you are Okay Mr JD

[mamona]

18 minutes ago, Old Ironmaker said:

Sir you are a very ill man

I would probably pass out at this moment. I hope you will be ok. Take care.

[Old Ironmaker]

Thanks Geoff, better than OK, my wife says my additude is more positive than before. I actually noticed I am laughing more and taking my health and what I put in my body like I did before I was 40. . I am asking her if we can go for a walk, all year I made excuses not to go. I am up to 30 minutes walking every other day. Last week it was 5 minutes and I was gassed. Going to try 35 mins tonight. 

Spall chik no werk. 

[Old Ironmaker]

5 minutes ago, mamona said:

I would probably pass out at this moment. I hope you will be ok. Take care.

ooops

Edited April 20, 2021 by Old Ironmaker

[lew]

13 minutes ago, Old Ironmaker said:

Going to try 35 mins tonight. 

 

Some scary stuff there JD, glad to hear your on the mend.

Walking is great exercise, I usually do 3-4 miles every day.

[OhioFisherman]

Glad to hear you are OK! Some of these new adventures as we get older I would be glad to miss!

[Fisherman]

It wasn't your time to go.  Sharpen some hooks and polish some lures, the fish will be waiting in a few weeks...hopefully.

[woodenboater]

jayzus man ! so glad they were able to make sure you stick around a bit longer so we can enjoy your posts here  

our health care professionals have a tough job (sister is retired RN, and niece is working towards becoming a NP, or her masters) at the best of times, let alone during this pandemic. and I'm sure they would absolutely appreciate that letter from you.

[captpierre]

That’s quite a story. Initially probably thought you had Covid. Makes you appreciate the normal every day things. Probably bringing your marriage closer.  I bet she’ll let you get more tackle. 😉

[ketchenany]

Glad to have you back JD. You bought return ticket for sure.

[AKRISONER]

Johnny trust me we are glad to have you sticking around with us.

Cases like yours remind everyone that people need the ICU for many things aside from just Covid. Im glad there was a bed ready for you to use. May and June are quickly upon us, and some more catches of a lifetime are waiting to bite onto your line still.

Stay well and all the best as you recover.

[DanD]

On 4/20/2021 at 1:16 PM, Old Ironmaker said:

Many say I am full of it, in this case I agree. 

I laughed when I read that; good on you making it through this!!!

Dan.

 

 

[Dave Bailey]

Close one! Have they found out yet what the actual problem was? Sounds like something you want to avoid a second time. 

[misfish]

Yer just like the rest of them old Ities my friend. HARD TO KEEP THEM DOWN.

 

Now that you are rested and might have a sense of humor back, I had a hard time with this comment,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Quote

my wife came home from work around 6PM and found me on the kitchen floor and had a hard time to rouse me.

I have seen a pic of your wife and well,there is something wrong with you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LOL

 

Stick around ole friend.

B

[Dara]

Just seeing this now

 

Good to see you still posting

 

 

[Old Ironmaker]

On 4/25/2021 at 10:58 AM, misfish said:

Yer just like the rest of them old Ities my friend. HARD TO KEEP THEM DOWN.

 

Now that you are rested and might have a sense of humor back, I had a hard time with this comment,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

I have seen a pic of your wife and well,there is something wrong with you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LOL

 

Stick around ole friend.

B

Yea one could read this this a few different ways Brian. 

 

On 4/24/2021 at 7:55 PM, Dave Bailey said:

Close one! Have they found out yet what the actual problem was? Sounds like something you want to avoid a second time.  

Caused by a blood infection "Septis" can be as simle as a hang nail infection or something picked up in the gym or a common shower. 

Don't disregard any infection, especially for diabetics. 

Edited April 27, 2021 by Old Ironmaker

[ketchenany]

28 minutes ago, Old Ironmaker said:

Yea one could read this this a few different ways Brian. 

 

Hot supresata cures all! Keep well JD. 

[Old Ironmaker]

Believe t or not I have one that I bought well over a month ago, Venitian Meats brand which I grew up on. We both must be off the salumeti's, usually lasts no more than 2 weeks. I didn't eat the stuff from Venetian when I was a kid because where they made and cured all the salumeti was across the street from the steelmills. I mean 60 feet away.  They still do. 

edit: It was only about 5 years ago I drove my father to Venitian Meats back door regularly. They knew him by name and Tony never paid full retail for anything. Years ago he would try and make a deal at Metro or Canadian Tire. 

Edited April 28, 2021 by Old Ironmaker

[ketchenany]

JD ities never pay full price. I know about a chap here that makes them at home, and believe me I have eaten them. he makes them to order and clears a huge amount! There was a market north of Bolton I rook my dad, veggies and stuff. he also had hundreds of rabbits running around, not for sale! I stopped in years later and NO rabbits! But a huge selection of his Calabrese goodies. Spent close to $100. Asked about the rabbits. Government said not if you make this stuff.  All inspected. 

If you can eat it do. I make my own 38 this year. But when the kids show up two are always gone. 

[Old Ironmaker]

On 4/28/2021 at 7:13 PM, ketchenany said:

JD ities never pay full price. I know about a chap here that makes them at home, and believe me I have eaten them. he makes them to order and clears a huge amount! There was a market north of Bolton I rook my dad, veggies and stuff. he also had hundreds of rabbits running around, not for sale! I stopped in years later and NO rabbits! But a huge selection of his Calabrese goodies. Spent close to $100. Asked about the rabbits. Government said not if you make this stuff.  All inspected. 

If you can eat it do. I make my own 38 this year. But when the kids show up two are always gone. 

Better than a herd of cats gone missing. Nothing went to waste. When my father and his folk grew up going to bed hungry nothing was ever wasted then or now. I can not imagine, what I do know is my generation knows nothing about being hungry or not getting anything we needed, not wanted but needed.  As I got older and somewhat wiser I feel guilty not realizing the sacrifices and hardships the Great Generation experienced. Most are gone now so I cherish those that we are blessed to still have with us. 

[Old Ironmaker]

On 4/28/2021 at 7:13 PM, ketchenany said:

JD ities never pay full price. I know about a chap here that makes them at home, and believe me I have eaten them. he makes them to order and clears a huge amount! There was a market north of Bolton I rook my dad, veggies and stuff. he also had hundreds of rabbits running around, not for sale! I stopped in years later and NO rabbits! But a huge selection of his Calabrese goodies. Spent close to $100. Asked about the rabbits. Government said not if you make this stuff.  All inspected. 

If you can eat it do. I make my own 38 this year. But when the kids show up two are always gone. 

My other responce is in the expanded above. Technical issue called my brain. 

I have a guy that makes and sells his stuff at the club. Many rave about it but I have been spoiled by Dad's and my compare and his just don't compare. My brother makes great sausages and he dries them and they are great, just try and get him to make them for any price. There's just so many things I can trade, actually nothing more I can trade.