Health issues

[maple flats]

You may see me less on here this year.
For several years I've had issues with repeated episodes of diverticulitis, so much so that surgery was scheduled to remove a bad section of my large intestine. That surgery was initially scheduled for Jan 19, but when I checked in at the hospital it was determined I again had diverticulitis, that surgery was postponed. Now I again have an appointment with the surgeon on 2/28, if she decides I'm ready, surgery has been set for the following week. Wish me luck. If I get the surgery I'll be in the hosptal a few days, then home to recover. I'll have no lifting orders for 6-8 weeks, but I hope after a week or 2 at home I'll be up to getting on this forum again.
I have a buddy making syrup for me so I should be good there.
I did have a meds issue and I fell last Thursday about 5 AM. My wife took me to the ER and I was there all day, as they tried to figure why I had fallen. No broken bones, but a pain in my rt side. About 6PM they did a CT scan and said my carotid arteries were clogged, and I was sent to Upstate in Syracuse. At Upstate I was tested and then they said the copy of the CT scan was not clear enough, they had to do a new one. About 3AM I was taken to get a new CT scan, about an hour or so after I got back from the new scan, the RN came and wanted me to get up and "walk around the block" with her (that was a block all in the hospital). I did, and went back to bed. About 5:00 AM, the Dr came in and said my carotid arteries were clear, that the first CT scan was too poor to read accurately. I was told I was being discharged, to call for a ride. I called my wife who was still sleeping, gave here the news, and the wheels started to turn. My youngest son rents his apartment next door from us My wife called him and inspite of freezing rain over night they came to pick me up. I got home shortly after 8:00AM.
That day I was quite unsteady when I stood, but have gotten slowly better. Back when that happened I hadn't eaten for a whole day, nor had ant of my meds. I was given permission to eat and I had some mac and Cheese in the ambulance on the way to Upstate. The next time I ate was on my trip home, my wife brought a bottle of water, my meds and a cookie.
Yesterday I had a follow-up Dr appt with my regular Dr. He found everything good, but had me stop one med he thought may have contributed to the issue causing me to fall. He will revisit that in 3-6 months.
Any ways, prayers are appreciated, that I'm ready for surgery and that I do well in recovering from it and get back to all of my plans I'd had for this year.
Thanks for listening.

[DrTimPerkins]

Best of luck to you Dave. Doesn't sound like any fun at all. Let us know when you're back home and recovering.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Good luck Dave, stay positive and heal up.

[SeanD]

That's a tough run, Dave. I'm glad they gave the all-clear to the arteries. I'll be thinking of you.

Sean

[fisheatingbagel]

Good luck Dave, that sounds rough. Hope you start feeling better soon.

[dave&kyle]

Good luck Dave hopefully you'll be feeling better soon and can be back on here giving us all some more of your wisdom

[Z/MAN]

Good luck Dave. Can't wait to again read all your great feedback to everyone's problems.

[BAP]

Sorry to hear about your health issues. Thinking of you and your family. Hopefully everything gets cleared up soon and you can resume your normal activities.

[berkshires]

Sorry to hear about your health issues. Best of luck; hope the surgery can happen, and that you can make a full and swift recovery.

Cheers,

GO

[Bucket Head]

Hi Dave,

Sorry to hear of the troubles. Dr.'s visits and hospital stays are right up there on the list of things no one wants to do. Best of luck with it all and I hope the recuperating goes exceptionally well!

Steve

[MISugarDaddy]

Wish you the best of luck with your surgery and your other medical adventures that you are undergoing. We will be looking forward to your return to the forum.
Gary

[Paul01036]

best of luck to you and your family Dave. Please keep your online community updated on your progress.

[maple flats]

My surgeon has now scheduled my surgery for March 25, but if I test positive for Covid it will be rescheduled again. I'll be getting another covid test shortly before 3/25.
Thanks to all for your kind words and prayers, they mean a lot to me. Back when my first surgery date was postponed, my surgeon said a new date would be set for next week, but that didn't happen.
I had ordered 250 more blueberry bushes to plant this May, because I'll be out of commission until mid-late May, that order was now changed to 2023. I already have 4500 bushes, planted back in the 80's, just 3 varieties, this was a newer slightly later season variety that we had tried a few bushes about 4 years ago and really liked the variety.

[Super Sapper]

Sorry to hear about your health issues. Hopefully you have a quick recovery

[Sugarmaker]

Dave,
Wishing you a speedy recovery! So blueberry pancakes with maple syrup on them sounds pretty darn good!
Regards,
Chris

[maple flats]

The countdown, 4 more days will be prep time, the 5th day I'll be under the knife.

[Someclown]

All the best to you, see you back here in no time, maybe the sap will be flowing here when you get back

[Pdiamond]

Best of luck Dave. Your always in my Prayers.

[Z/MAN]

Good luck Dave!!

[maple flats]

Covid test this morning, no word yet. They are doing the rapid test, so I'll assume I don't have covid. Things to get done before the prep starts on Thursday. Then to top it all off my wife announced a time consuming "take down the pool" honey do project. I did manage to get it about 50-60% done. One problem it that there's still about 6" of ice in there after draining it. 50 degrees tody and 17-29 mph winds all day, that may help melt the ice.
This was just a medium sized 42" tall pool, 18', I removed the leaf net, the top cover, and cut up and removed all of the sides. It seems the sun had almost finished it off before I did. Tomorrow, I'll break up the remaining ice and get it out of the way, finish removing the tubing frame and lift the bottom, cut into strips and roll it, tie into bundles for the trash man. Then I need to bring 3 water tanks (like those used for cows and horses) home, to be used as raised beds. Just drill drainage holes near the bottom, screen them and start filling, logs and rotting wood bottom half, soil/compost mix top half. The 3 tanks I have are 10', 6' and 4', all 2' wide. I think that will fill in all of my time between now and surgery.

[johnallin]

Dave you are a busy…and…a good man.
Don’t bust a nut on that pool, it’s not going anywhere.

[maple flats]

As promissed, I said I'd let you know when I got home. That was actually yesterday, I I was in no condition to log in. My surgeon said it went well, but before surgery she said I'd lose about 5-6" of my large intestine, she removed 12". I was in the hospital from pre op at 6:30 Friday and the Dr told me I'd be released yesterday at 7:15 AM. I actually got out a 4:30PM. Had a rough time yesterday, but I'm doing much better today. Yesterday I needed help getting up from my recliner, by today at mid morning and every time since then I've been able to get up myself. It's still a struggle, but each time gets somewhat easier. Now my allegies give me issues, making me cough which is quite painful. From here on I think it will keep getting better each day. I'll try each day or 2 to post again, until I recover enough to be a pain on here and not from trying to get up out of my recliner. I likely have 5-7 more weeks before I can resume lifting. I do have syrup to bottle, and will do it asap, I may get my youngest grandson to do much of it while I run the canner, testing density grading and he's the muscles. In a week or 2 I should be able to run the light duty parts.

[maple flats]

Dave you are a busy…and…a good man.
Don’t bust a nut on that pool, it’s not going anywhere.
That's the problem, it needs to leave and 4 cattle water tanks with holes near the bottom are going they're for raised bed planting, not for me but my wife of 55 years (come October) wants them. 2 tanks 100 gal and 2@ 200 gal. Last Wednesday I loaded my F350 with 5 buckets of compost (using my tractor loader 5' bucket) then 3 buckets of rich topsoil from my sugar bush and 2 buckets of duff from under the TS. I ten hooked up my brothers dump trailer and filled the 5x10 to about 2/3 capacity with lots of junk firewood, to put under the duff, topsoil and compost before planting. It may not be enough but it will get likely half, maybe 3/4 done, then I'll get the rest in 3-4 weeks, I should be able the run the tractor and drive the truck by then, as long as I don't need to lift more than 5# by then.

[Pdiamond]

Glad to hear that surgery went well. That is about the same amount they removed from me. Once healed you will definitely feel. better. I would also bet that foods you previously avoided you will be able to eat again. you also may find that some of your tastes have changed. Glad that things went so well for you.

[Bruce L]

Glad to hear you’re on the mend Dave,if you were closer and didn’t have to deal with border issues I’d like to give you a hand. Any close neighbors that could help you out?

[maple flats]

Wow, what a ride. After my Surgery I thought things were going well. Surgery was on 3/25/22. On 4/18/22 I was getting ready to shower and go get my stitches and staples out, but things did not go well. I had to cough and my stitches burst open, some intestine popped out. My wife took some clear wrap to keep it moist while I held it back in. A quick ambulance ride to the ER and I was prepped for surgery again. In the surgery it was found I had a large infection in my intestinal cavity. I had no fever. It was cleaned out and and new staples/stitches. Some of the stitches help hold the staples from separating. Those were called traction stitches. They are about 4-5" long and they look like maple tubing on the surface. Apparently the tubing is to keep the stitches from pulling thru the skin/muscle and not holding.
I have since been back to the surgeon 3 times. Yesterday was the 3rd, still no stitches out. I go back next Wednesday. We'll see.
I actually feel much better but the longer the stitches are still in, the harder they will come out.
I guess I still need your prayers. As things change I'll try to re-post.

[Ultimatetreehugger]

Your a tougher man that I! Prayers headed your way.

[Pdiamond]

glad they caught the infection when they did. Dave you are always in my prayers daily. Get to feeling better soon, to where you can go outside and enjoy some time in the woods and shop.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

That’s a rough stretch, thoughts and prayers to better time ahead.

[Aaron Stack]

All the best wished for your recover Dave.

[Bruce L]

Prayers for a full recovery Dave

[dogpatch]

Prayers for a quick recovery. You wisdom and advice is something I always look forward to.

[maple flats]

Finally I seem to be doing better. In my second operation the surgeon put in some "traction" stitches as described above. He has had me coming in to his office weekly to check the healing. Finally 2 weeks ago it had healed enough to remove 1 of the "traction" stitches and 2 staples. This past Wed. he removed 1 more traction stitch and 1 more staple. (I still have 5 more traction stitches and God knows how many more staples. I think it's finally getting better. Except for Dr appointments today was my firs time out, just to see my brother and what he was doing and to get exercise and fresh air.
Another Dr appointment next Wed, hopefully lots more stitches out, my RN wife thinks it's looking much better.
I'll let you know.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Great to hear Dave, take care of yourself and keep us posted.

[maple flats]

Back at my surgeon again today. He removed 2 more of the long stitches and I think 5 staples. I have an appointment with a wound care center on Friday. The surgeon says if they remove the rest of the stitches and staples I won't need to go back to see the surgeon again. We'll see. I'll be glad when this is over and I can return to work, even though I won't be cleared to lift for several more weeks.

[MISugarDaddy]

Dave,
Sounds like you are improving, hope it continues for you. Definitely follow the Doctor's orders on lifting because that can put a lot of stress on your surgical incision. You don't want your healing to be set back again.
Gary

[berkshires]

Good to hear about progress. Good luck!

Gabe

[Z/MAN]

Sorry to hear you are mending slowly, but glad you are making progress.

[maple flats]

Still gaining, slow but steady. I see my surgeon again tomorrow. Hopefully he will remove all remaining traction stitches (2) and all staples (?). I'm getting anxious. Then on Friday I go back to the wound care specialist. Hoping both are my last 2 visits.
I did go to my shop today and organize one bench that was a mess.
This morning I changed the plates on our Prius. The front was easy, but the back was a major task. AS I turned those 2 screws, the nuts on the inside of the rear hatch came loose. Then I had to grind the blot heads off, remove the rear panel on the inside of the hatch and reach a nearly impossible spot and hold a nut, then turn a new bolt in attaching the plate from the front (x2). A task that should have been 5 minutes or less took 90 minutes. I almost thought we were going to sell the car and buy a newer one.

[Pdiamond]

sounds like some progress to me. We just don't heal as fast when we get older, that is what my doctor keeps telling me.

[Z/MAN]

Even though a simple task turned into a project as usual, I'm sure you were glad to be tinkering with something. Hopefully you are going to get back in the groove soon. Good seeing you starting to post again.

[maple flats]

Returned to surgeon today, all stitches and staples were removed. What a relief!
Much more comfortable finally. He did suggest I continue to wear the elastic compression band for a few weeks longer to minimize the chance of a hernia. That I will do.
Awaiting new ignition switch for my excavator. It should be in any day now. Once in I'll swap it for the bad one on my excavator, then I'll go pick up my order of fertilizer for my blueberries. I'm about a week late now, hopefully I can get the fertilizing done soon. I need the excavator to lift the bulk sack to fill the hopper, then set the rest in the sugarhouse. My tractor won't lift it and dr's orders I can't lift over 5# for 2 more weeks, then 10# the next 2.

[BAP]

Good news Dave. Glad to hear that you are making progress one step at a time.

[Super Sapper]

Good to hear you are doing better.

[maple flats]

My surgeon was wrong. I went to the wound care center today. My surgeon said he had removed all staples and stitches, but the wound care center removed 5 stitches that had been missed. Hard to believe. I still need to go back to the wound care center next Friday. That Dr has me on a prescription that cleans dead skin from the scar, he says more stitches might still emerge. I need to apply the "cleaner" daily. It's some type of enzyme that removes dead skin which has covered much of the scar from the incision. It seems this will go on forever.
With that being said, I feel good, but still no lifting.
On another note, I had a new ignition switch for my excavator on order. What came was 3 keys, no switch. I've now got to return the keys, I ordered a switch with 2 keys from another source (Amazon), should be in Sunday. If it does arrive Sunday, I'll install it and then pick-up my fertilizer Tuesday for my blueberries and apply it. I need the excavator to lift the 1000# bulk sack of fertilizer so I can suspend it over the fertilizer spreader to fill the hopper, I can only get 500-550# in the hopper at a time, then I spread that and go get more.

[DrTimPerkins]

Good to hear things are progressing Dave, but never as fast as we would like. Don’t push it too hard. Take the time to recover.

[Andy VT]

On another note, I had a new ignition switch for my excavator on order. What came was 3 keys, no switch. I've now got to return the keys, I ordered a switch with 2 keys from another source (Amazon),

Bet you could hot wire it no problem while waiting!
You'll have to figure out the wires anyway for the replacement.
I had an '81 VW Vanagon in 2000 or so and a friend broke the ignition switch.
From then on I plugged in two wires and touched two others together to run the starter. Worked so well I never needed to replace the switch, and it was great theft-proofing! (That and the manual transmission. And the fact that it was undesirable anyway).
Good luck!
Andy

[maple flats]

My wife found the keys, all is good.
I return again to wound care this morning, at least 1 more stitch was found. They will likely remove it. I've been slowly returning to getting some work done. I mounted the rototiller on the tractor and tilled another garden bed for my wife, and I then removed the tiller and put the fertilizer spreader on the tractor. Then I picked up the "super sack" of fertilizer I'd paid for back before my original surgery in March, hauled it back to the farm property, tifted it off the truck and set it in a building. That was Tuesday, then 2"+ of rain on Wednesday. Hopefully it will be dry enough tomorrow and Sunday to apply the fertilizer. I use a spreader with a banding kit that shoots the fertilizer out around the bushes and not in the aisles. That way it takes about 3 minutes to apply the fertilizer to 300' of row. With 4500 bushes that helps.
Before I had my surgery, I had ordered 250 more bushes of a different variety of blueberry and last year I had prepped a 1/4 acre for planting them, but when I had my problems with the surgery, I postponed that order until next year. I'll just rototill the area a few times this year and get a new PH reading to make sure I added enough sulfur to get it right. That area had a 5.7 reading, it should be 4.2-5.2. I tried to get it to the middle of that range.

[maple flats]

Wound care again found and removed 3 more stitched. Another appointment next Friday. Dr said more stitches may still come to the surface. I was never aware they could hide so well, in scar tissue.
On other issues, we had 2" of rain early last week, my blueberry ground has hardpan about 24-30" below the surface which stops the soil draining. I tried to mow using my 36hp 4x4 tractor and 5' brush hog type mower. I almost got stuck in 3 of the 14 aisles I mowed, with 4x4 and the differential locked, I had to stand on the differential lock and go back and forth to eventually get out, so I quit.
My tires are agg tires and have near new tread. I think I'll need to add chains all around. I looked up sets of double ring chains and will order them, but only after I get an answer to the question, can I mount them tight enough to not hit the fenders. My fenders are rather close to the tires. The tractor is a Mahindra 3616 (cab model). I need to ask the Mahindra dealer tomorrow, and the chain vendor too.

[BAP]

Dave you might consider using a single tooth subsoiler down the center of the rows to improve drainage. Follow that up with something to smooth out the ridge it will make. Breaking up the hard pan will help a lot. Tractor supply sells them. In the long run will do you more good than having to buy heavy tire chains.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-subsoiler?cm_vc=-10005

[maple flats]

That is in my plans, I have a single tooth subsoiler that I used 35-40 yrs ago. Then my only tractor was a Ford 1500 4x4, 20hp engine, it could only pull the subsoiler in dry times, not enough power or traction. I now will try it on my Mahindra 3616, 36hp engine, 4x4.
I tried finding chains I could mount on my Mahindra, but most won't work because the tractor only has 1.25" clearance under the closer areas on the fenders. I have a tire chain supplier working on it with specialty low profile chains. they are working on it. Said they would get back to me later today when they find out if those will fit and IF they are available.
Thanks for your suggestion.

[maple flats]

It appears my tractor has no options for rear chains, far less agressive front chains are available but I don't really think they would help much, not enough weight on the front and the tires are only 7x16, I think that's too small.
On my health, I feel lots better, but I have issues. It seems I must have a hernia some place. My Dr so far could not find it, but when I recline my lower belly area gets soft like it used to, but when I stand or sit up, it gets really hard, like it's filling with fluid. I'll need to get this fixed, which will mean another surgery.
By the way, I never lifted more than what my Dr said from surgery thru now, but my fairly well controlled seasonal allergies did get me coughing at times, which may have caused it. At this point I don't even know which Dr to see to figure it out. I'll check on it to get something set up for late August or September.