The Letterville BullBoard: Tales of the Convalescent

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Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

The procedure for the hip replacement involves cutting some major muscles that hold the joint together. Following surgery, there are several movements that could cause a dislocation and need not to be done. After around six weeks things get stronger again.

I'm getting around well on crutches and using a walker. I'm applying my body weight to the new joint, but only for around ten minutes an hour. Still have considerable swelling. When the nurses wanted to give me pain med's, I explained that the pain from the surgery is rather insignificant compared to what I lived with full time before. I don't need any dope, thank you.

So I have this tool and when I squeeze a handgrip I can use it to pick things up from the floor, otherwise, I have no way of getting down there. I have a tool for putting on shoes and socks. We had platforms made to elevate a few items like the recliner chair and our bed. (I still haven't figured out how many of those handicap assist type handrails to around that might only be needed for a couple weeks.)

I got up, donned my crutches, picked up the cordless phone and straddled it into the elastic waistband of my sweats and started toward the other room. Somewhere around three steps later, you guessed it, the phone slipped down my pant leg. There I was in the middle of the room with my left hand wrapped around the crutches and holding open the waistband, and my right hand working this squeeze tool arm extender down in the pants by my ankle. I could grab it but it kept rotating and getting stuck. I have been real emotional since the surgery and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Just then the phone started to ring. I soon discovered it easier to push the phone out the elastic bands at the ankles, retrieve the phone from the floor, and push the button to say "Hello."

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

Posted by Nevman (Member # 332) on :

Hang in there Rick. Sounds like you've got a great challenge ahead. Anytime you start feeling down, remember all of your friends that you have here and around. We'll be thinking of you from time to time.

Good luck and get well.

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Pat Neve, Jr.
Sign Man, Inc.
4580 N. US 1
Melbourne, FL 32935
321-259-1703
signman@signmaninc.com
Capt. Sign
Letterville Constituent
constituent: "One of the individual entities contributing to a whole"

Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :

Rick,
Glad to hear that you are doing so well after surgery. Keep laughing at the strange situations you get into and you'll make it just fine. So many times we have to laugh to keep from crying in life don't we?
I still haven't found the restaurant you ate boiled crabs at, so I suspect it was in the Slidell area. Still lookin' though.
Oh, BTW, don't get any bright ideas about pinching your wife with the "picker upper" you must remember that you can't run away from her when she takes it away to use on you!
Good luck to you during the rehabilitation process.

Kathy

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Kathy Joiner
River Road Graphics
41628 River Road
Ponchatoula, La.70454
PH. (504)386-3313
casey@i-55.com

Old enough to know better...Too young to resist.

Posted by Dana Aaron on :

Geez... if ya didn't wanna come to the wedding, ya sure didn't have to go thru all of this for an excuse!!!

Glad to hear everything went well. Will be a royal pain in the butt for a while, but eventually you'll have lots to look back at and laff about!!

HUGS!!

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Dana Aaron
docs-gal on chat

I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently, you have to show up.

Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :

Rick,

Thanks for staying in touch with us! You're a Letterhead...it can only get better.

Did ya get any pics of the phone trick you learned? hahaha!

Feel free to email if you get to an empty chat room.

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DrQuill - Mural Woman
PEACE SIGNS
logodesign2@icqmail.com

"With every breath, we have a choice." --Linda Silver Eagle
Georgia, USA

[This message has been edited by Linda Silver Eagle (edited June 12, 2001).]

Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :

Hang in there Rick.
My father in law had both of his done in a two year span in his mid 80's and he's golfing and bowling again. Amazing procedure.
You'll be mobile again before ya know it.
Watch what ya grab with that gripper!
Bill

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Bill Modzel
Mod-Zel screen Printing
Traverse city, MI
modz@traverse.com

Posted by Aaron Haynes (Member # 490) on :

hey rick!
hang in there! hope your feeling better soon!
Aaron

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Aaron's Signs & Windows
Napa Ca
[email]email: aaronssigns@interx.net[/email]
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Important Rule For Life:
"Look out for number one...
Don't step in number two"
-------------------------
If your never the lead dog on the sled...
the scenery never changes.

Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :

I feel your pain Rick. Well, actually I don't but I do want to be supportive.
Seems this operation was a welcome relief the way removing a bad tooth is. If my mother can recover fully at 70 from this, a kid like yourself should do just fine.
Get Well soon.

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Wright Signs
Wyandotte, Michigan
Since 1978
www.wrightsigns.bigstep.com
All change isn't progress, and all progress isn't forward.

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

Day 10....Still have not gone to the shop yet.I'll wait till Monday. It's also been that long with no java, no sex, no trips to town. Neighbors have been bringing dinner every night too. The three month healing process seems so long, then there's the other side to do. There are many moments of laughing about it all and joking about how great it will be, but there are also times for tears coming from places I didn't know existed.

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :

hang in there rick.
talking about the pinchers for picking things up with in 1961 my father had back surgery and had to wear a brace. he took a walking stick and mounted half of an ice tong in the bottom of the cane with a coat hanger running to the top of the cane so he could pick things up since he could not bend.
he did this while confined to bed.
i still have that cane. wishing you a speedy recovery your friend jimmy

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Jimmy Chatham
Chatham Signs
164 Poplar Rd.
Commerce, Ga 30529
706-335-2348
Fax 706-335-3378
icq#11718273

Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :

Just hang in there, Rick! I went thru it 10 years ago....you'll get almost as good as new , soon enough! You'll be back to normal in less time than you think!
Bet you will be puttering around in the shop in another week! JUST BE CAREFUL! Don't over do it!

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Si Allen #562
La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
ICQ # 330407
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"

Brushasaurus on Chat

Gladly supporting this BB !

Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :

Hey Rixax,
Believe me, I REALLY KNOW what you're going through, as you can well guess. I'm over 5 years from bout with major surgery, and I'm STILL dealing with that "worn-out" feeling
and occassional depression. But it still beats the hell out of any of the alternatives! Well, as Roseanne Rosannadanna
used to say...."IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHIN'!"

Get as much down time as you can stand, cause you'll be back dealing with those customers, and fighting with INSPIRE, before you know it!

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Bob Burns
Bob Burns Signs

1619 Oregon Ave.
Prescott, Az 86305
1-520-778-5879

Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :

I can't even come close to say I know how you feel, but I wish you the best to get back your ole self soon...Cisco

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FranCisco Vargas
aka: Cisco
aka:Traveling Millennium Sign Artist
http://www.franciscovargas.com
Fresno, CA 93703
559 252-0935

"to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98

Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :

be careful rick, don't do too much too soon.

mark

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Mark Fair

Mark Fair Signs
http://www.markfair.com

Home of "Sign of the Month
http://www.markfair.com/signomonth.html

2162 Mt. Meigs Road
Montgomery, Alabama 36107
334-262-4449

mark@markfair.com

Posted by Ian Wilson (Member # 177) on :

Rick one of our Mechanics just had this operation done abour 3 months ago and he is back at work and riding his push bike and motor bike and he was only 32 years old the only thing he has been told not to do is jog or jump from any height as it will shatter the joint but every thing else is ok walking ridding swimming etc so look forward to a good recovery and as Rodney says no pain for the first time in years

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Ian Wilson
Signmaker Toowoomba City Council
Cnr Anzac Ave & Stephen st
Toowoomba Queensland Australia
may all your toubles be little ones
The man that never make a mistake never makes anything

Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :

Actually I believe that whole thing was an elaborate plan to allow you not to have to wear shoes!

You're in,our prayers here at the St.Marie joint. Get well, on.

"Get well on?" That's Get well SOON!

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St.Marie Graphics
& Makin' Tracks Sound Studio
Kalispell, Montana
stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com
800 735-8026
We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)

[This message has been edited by pierre (edited June 14, 2001).]

Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :

Awwwww, Rick....that was too good!! I Needed a good laugh...
Am thinking about you now that I am here in New York....anything I can send you from your home state????
Love ya, get well soon so we can get that big fish mural started on the shop wall.
Adrienne

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Adrienne Morgan
Splash Signs
www.splashsigns.com
"Rainkatt'on chat

Benicia, CA
707-550-4553
adrienne@splashsigns.com

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

Pierre, et al......
There are a few movements that are stricktly forbidden because they can easily cause a disslocation of the new joint during the first six weeks of healing. Bending over more than 90 degrees is one of the prohibited moves.

Prior to leaving the hospital,one of the numerous devices given me, was one what is a flexible hette of this plastic with a long ribbon on it and I can put a sock on it and swing it down and put it on my foot without bending over. This is so simple it almost makes me wish it was winter, so I could wear shoes and socks.

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :

Rick, I can't IMAGINE you wearing socks at ANY time of the year!!!!

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Adrienne Morgan
Splash Signs
www.splashsigns.com
"Rainkatt'on chat

Benicia, CA
707-550-4553
adrienne@splashsigns.com

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

Hooray! old Sawbones came by last evening and pulled out all the staples! A new level of freedom in movement. I think they implanted some kind of transmitter to encourage better signs in other watching galaxies. Invasion of the letterheads. Perhaps I'll be able to someday, "Bid from the Hip"

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

[This message has been edited by Rick Sacks (edited June 16, 2001).]

Posted by Bruce Jackson (Member # 45) on :

You've got something in common with my 4 year old daughter. She's got a leg wrapped in plaster for the next four weeks.

She's learning quickly how to get around with it, even though she's too young for crutches.

How it happen?....we went down a big spiral slide together, got out of shape, she ended up with my weight on her leg.
Fortunately, it's not a bad break, it didn't displace.

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Bruce Jackson
Melbourne, Australia
www.goldreverre.com

Posted by Troy Haas (Member # 472) on :

Rick,
I can truly feel your pain, only a little lower. I had a Total Knee 2 1/2 years ago.
While I have had some complications that most do not experience. I still would have had the surgery. Prior to my TKR there was not a moment I wasn't in pain for many years. While I am having some problems and pain now, those days of being "Pain Free" since the operation I am very greatful for.

Hang in there things will get better and if you have any questions or need someone who understands the emotional end of it don't hesitate to contact me, I am sure Si feels the same way, I got to meet him last year, Hellva Guy!!!!

Best wish's, Brother of the Prostetic

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Troy Haas
"Metal_Leg" on mIRC

SAM Signs
& RPM Auto Graphix
931 W. Columbia street
Evansville,Indiana 47710
812-437-5367
Home of the:
"Brush Fire at the Hose House" Letterhead Meet
April 27-29th,2001

"Chaos, panic, disorder - my work here is done."

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

Troy, the surgeon that did my hip was talking yesterday of having his old partner do his knees next year. I could use that too, but how to afford all that time off????

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

DAY 14

I tried driving the family van. It has an automatic trans, so the need for quick clutching was absent.It felt so good to have more power in my control than the remote for the VCR!

Staples are gone, wore a regular pair of shorts, and movement is increasing.

Going out to mingle in public today

I like it!

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :

"BACK" to normal, Si? You sarcastic old joker, you!

I'm glad to hear he's getting "rehabilitated" - something Arlo guthrie missed out on.

and "better signs" is a good idea, even if it's Rick's outer space friends doing them.
____________________________________________

Hope to see you in September, rick!

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"If it isn't fun, why do it?"
Signmike@aol.com
Mike Languein
Doctor of Letters
BS, MS, PhD
___________________

You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here

Posted by Leonard Gorsky (Member # 934) on :

just found out about your journey. a good sense of humor does help. i've been through a few more minor things, and the mental scars dissapear as time goes by. best wishes, and hopefully i'll see you at Harvest Moon in Sac in October.

Len Gorsky

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Leonard Gorsky
Grass Valley, CA

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

Len, great to see you here!

OK, today it's been two weeks since I got cut and pounded. Been home for a week and have not touched the business al all. Today I'm gonna venture to my shop and unlock that door and find a few simple things to do. Can't stay long, but there's a world awaiting me that I wanna see.

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

So this past week has been spending time in the shop in the mornings. Lots of calls to answer. I built a table top for my walker, so I can move small things around.

Since I risk a dislocation by bending more than 90 degrees at the hip, I have this grabber tool to pick things up. (Remember the phone story?) I keep it velcroed to my right crutch.

I had just come down the steps from city hall after getting a permit yesterday, and opened the door to the van, leaned my crutches and slid into the seat.Getting into a car seat has become this big production of carefully executed manuvers. As I started to twist the crutches to enter them in the van, the grabber tool fell to the ground. No problem. I reversed the process and was trying to grab the grabber tool with the rubber tips on the crutches. I'd get it up and loose it. Wrestle to find its balance point. Again loose it. This was turning into an afternoon job. Finally, one of the councilmen came by and I asked Dan for help. It sure is nice to be thankful for what we have.

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

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