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I don't generally bring personal stuff to this board, but this will have a big impact on my business.
On Jan. 4, Deb and I were out with our dog and another friend, hiking on some old fire roads in Pachaug State Forest in eastern CT, a regular winter activity for us. I tooka spill on some ice, and suffered from what was initially diagnosed as a badly sprained knee.
A week later, a followup visit to a orthopedic doctor revealed that I had, in fact, torn my quadriceps tendon. This morning (Thurs. Jan. 15) I had surgery to repair it. My knee has to be immobilised for a minimum of two to three weeks, and I'll be out of work for at least two months.
Fortunately, I have health insurance, and a supplemental disability policy, but still and all, this is no way to start off the new year. I'm not asking for sympathy, all the same, wish me luck. This is going to be a tough one.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Of course......I offer you the intent to heal.
It will only be a "tough one" if you believe it to be so. I don't use the word luck in my vocabulary because we create our reality 100%....no luck involved.
Just my 2 cents worth...whatever that is worth.
Heal well Cam...
Jackson
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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Ouch! I wish you the best on your recovery, Cam. Follow through on the doctors' and therapists' orders and don't overdo the rehab. Sixteen years ago, when I blew out my ACL and had reconstructive knee surgery, I worked too hard on the physical therapy, causing tendonitis and a major setback. Some things just can't be hurried.
As far as work is concerned, do what you can in bits and pieces and sub out what you feel comfortable with. You can be more of the designer than craftsman for a while.
Many people find themselves in better shape after PT because of all the workout involved.
By the way, my cousin Tonya hasn't been over there lately, has she? We haven't seen her for a while and I'm missing a tire iron.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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always make something good out bad .. it's not a problem but a situation a injury will ground you so you can move forward latter... yes it could have been worse
be thankful for the fasting of your time and this is only a test of what you'll do
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Hang in there, Cam. Take care of yourself and listen to the Drs. when they tell you to take time to heal. Get some good books to read and some sketch pads to jot down ideas. I wish we were closer. I'd make you some soup. Soup and hot tea cures all!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Sorry to read about your current state. I’m not sure about wishing you luck, but do wish you well. Much like it wasn’t luck that has you on the mend with health insurance and supplemental disability; it was you taking accountability and responsibility both personally and as a business owner. Good on you! Shame that in today’s current society (US based perspective anyway) and our industry in particular, such action standouts or draws attention for being “unique” when it should be the exact opposite. Way to easy to only think about today, not plan for tomorrow, and if something goes wrong, cry foul and search for a scapegoat instead of looking in the mirror.
And to help keep this commentary on target for the brothers and sisters of the brush (or plotter, router, what have you), that’s part of the difference between charging $25USD sqft, $75.00USD sqft, or $150.00USD sqft.
Get well Cam!
-------------------- Bob Gilliland InKnowVative Communications Harrisburg PA, USA
"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." Benjamin Franklin Posts: 642 | From: Harrisburg, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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i can relate, dec 27, 2007 i had a bladder cancer surgery, and it went as expected no complications. BUT, in post op, when they was getting me ready to go home, i had to stand up........thats when i felt it. junior high school i played football, and i got "clipped", this is when a player on the other team, hits you below the knee, and another player hits you high on your body, hence the knee trys to bend the wrong way, ended the football. iam aware of this "bad knee" and do a lot of compensation NOT TO irritate it. well i didnt tell any of the surgical team about it and while moving me from surgery table to gurney,me being sedated, someone twisted it the wrong way, and i almost couldnt walk for a month or so. i finally went to a swimming pool here and its ok now A YEAR LATER. hope ya heal good.
[ January 15, 2009, 03:09 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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Sorry to hear about the injury, Cam. I'll be praying for your speedy recovery. I imagine the healing process will involve some physical therapy. Do IT!! No matter how much it hurts, or how much aggraviation it is. It will almost always help the injury to heal better and faster.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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I can sympathize with you on this. As a verteran of muliple surgeries (they tell me that I have had more repairs and replacement parts than a '53 Buick)...listen and do exactly what your Doctor and Physical Therapist tell you to do...no more nor any lees!!!
Just think...now you have time to cruise the BB's and harras people...design new projects...catch up on your reading...order up DVDs of movies that you have wanted to see...and many other things that a fruitful mind can dig up!
Happy healing!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bummer, I'll bet your just like most of us. Three or four days into it and you'll be hobbling around you shop and working around this temporary problem. Good luck. . . .keep us posted! Been there - done that.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Nasty injuries and slow recoveries can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. Are their programmes on your computers that you've thought to yourself gee I know there's so much more they can do but I've never had the time to learn? Now's the time
I spent 8 months being rehabilitated after a very nasty fall from a horse 15 years ago. I'm still benefiting from what I learnt during that time.
As others have said, don't try to rush your recovery, you'll regret it in the long run. I hope you're back to fighting fit soon.
-------------------- Anne McDonald 17 Karnak Crescent Russley Christchurch 8042 New Zealand
"I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure" Posts: 877 | From: Christchurch | Registered: Sep 2006
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I'd like to think that I could be up and hobbling round the shop in a few days - not gonna happen. For one thing, the shop's twenty minutes from home, and so to get there means a ride from Nurse Deborah - about as likely as my waking up speaking Chinese.
Bob Rochon has very kindly offered to help keep up some of my work flow. January has been very slow so far as it is. Still it will be nice not to have to turn down such work that does come in.
As for my 'down time' sitting at home... I'll be spending most of that writing, normally a luxury I do in my very scant spare time. That's my biggest silver lining.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks. I'm not venturing much of anywhere for a while. I can get up around the house - using a hand-me-down walker - but that's about it.
The disability insurance, I'm finding out, is not much more than a hedge against starvation. I'm going to have to be very careful with what I have, and very proactive in finding ways to make ends meet.
Fortunately, I'm not alone. I have a good woman in my life, who keeps me clean and warm and fed. I have good friends to help me keep things together and keep my spirits up. All and all I consider myself very fortunate.
One thing I can say, is this has reconfirmed my long-standing aversion to activities that voluntarily reduce the co-efficient of friction between my size twelves and the ground. Icy surfaces, strapping on slippery boards to go downhill in a hurry, or putting little wheels on my feet, all that sh*t is just wrong. Trust me.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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LOL.. wheels and boards and blades are just wrong for those of us that have more brittle bones. Kids are made out of rubber!
I'm with ya on that. I love to slap on a pair of iceskates at the local rink from time to time, but I know all too well what a fall would cost. For that reason, I stick with guy's skates without the little teeth on the ends. Girls figure skates have me tripping big time!
Can't stop living out of fear, but just learn to compensate along the way.
Sorry to hear about the tendons. After tearing up mine in time for FKAB, I can relate. Lay low, let mother nature do her thing and be well for the duration, big guy. I know you will. Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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Sorry to hear of the injury but glad you are covered, at least some. I picked up disability after my incident in '92 and your post makes me want to check what the payout would be if I was down. Relish the quiet and do what is best for you.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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For those of you who don't have some kind of disability insurance, I'd advise getting some. I have a policy with Combined Insurance; it doesn't pay a lot, but once I'm back working, I'm going to increase it. Not having it, under the circumstances, is unthinkable - health insurance won't pay your bills if you can't work.
I've been buying basic health insurance for the last fifteen years, but his is the first time I'll be making any serious claim on it.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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So this is the reason I haven't heard anything about my bracket. If you didn't want to make one for me, all you had to do was say so. I'm a big boy. I can take it. You didn't have to do all this just to avoid me.
Seriously, I hope you get well soon. E-mail me and let me know the time line on the bracket. I bet you need payment in advance now don't you.
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Way to easy to only think about today, not plan for tomorrow, and if something goes wrong, cry foul and search for a scapegoat instead of looking in the mirror.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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