General Discussions 2009 - Chapter 26

Russ, Im so sorry to hear about your accident. I hope your not in too much pain, and that you recover quickly.
Just take it easy! All the best to you and Barb.

Lena

Well here goes-- Connie & I brought him home yesterday morning with an antibiotic & pain pills. Other than wandering around the house & a quick look at the damage to the garage door he is behaving himself. Fri night the surgeon repaired the area above his right eye. The surgeon who will do the repair under that eye talked to Connie & I, the time is to be scheduled for Mon Mar 23. I have to call her Fri to arrange the time of day. It will be a same day surgery, Connie will be our driver still. Even with her own medical problems she has been my rock. She has been there every time I reach out. Asking the questions I don't think to ask.
Most of the angry redness has gone & he can open the right eye a crack.
We are planning to be able to attend the Iowa RU in May,even have our Motel room spoken for .
Our "son" who owns 2 of the goats comes up between the breakfast & lunch crowds at his restaurant to feed & check on them. He his wife & 3 year old were there Fri night until after the surgery to care for Connie & I . He said he would be there for the planting & etc.
Sandi may have the hardest job by not being able to help take care of us. She & Connie talk on the cell phones some 2 or 3 times a day. Yesterday we sent her a picture of Russ, her husband said "that is some shiner"!
I am hanging in there, I think a little slower but our friends give me time & Russ & Connie know what I was going to say.....scary .
Thank you all for your prayers & good wishes. Barb

Hi you guys, Wow Russ, sounds like you really did a number on yourself. Open your right eye a crack??? Don't you try anything funny now. Just sit down and behave yourself so Barb, Connie, Sandi and Gary don't have to worry about what you are going to do next.

So good that Connie is there to lean on Barb. And how are you doing? Any more problems with you?

Like I said, you guys need a watchdog. I guess that is assigned to Connie.

Take care, and thanks for the update. I know it is not easy. Jeanette

Russ: just catching up. Sorry to hear about your mishap! Dang!

The "low pressure" light came on in my wife's Highlander the other day so she went by a convenience store to add some air.

However, she didn't have a pressure gauge to see which tire it was so she proceeded to add air to EVERY tire.

She told me about it, so I checked the pressure.

The left front had over 100 lbs!

It literally blew my pressure gauge apart.

Dangerous situation.

We had a "prayer meeting" about adding air and how to do it. :-)

Hi Folks,

We are having a mycorrhyziae co-op. Jnette posed a question about using it w/ haybales and since I don't know the answer, I thought I'd see if some of you folks have any experience or thoughts on this. If any of you have a few spare moments to review our threads, I'd appreciate your input. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/962576/ http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/962566/#top

Regards,
Maggie

Kent: Shall we just say, the Lord had a reason for me to survive.
I was chit chatting with one of the night nurse's aids. Who just thought I had been a wreck and asked about it. I said Noooo, that I had a tire blow up in my face. There was a pause and then asked is that true, they can blow up. I said yes it is true. She also said that her dad has told her to always use a tire gauge, when airing them up. And that she tries to do that at times. But that her sisters didn't. So I told her that her dad had the right idea. And that might be one reason that I survived. She looked a little shocked and finally said, you mean that you could tell me?? Yes and tell your sisters too!!!
Now as for the 100 psi, This tire exploded before that. It was an old tire, that I was going to use on a trailer.
If it had been mounted on the trailer, I would probably have only hurt my hand and or arm. Instead it was laying on the garage floor and I was just going to put enough air in it to set the bead. when it blew I think it may have only been the rubber that caught me across the right eye.breaking the frontal bone and sinus cavity, and eye socket, both bottom and top parts. The upper part has been repaired. A neural surgeon and literally put the jigsaw back together, with steel plates and screws. I have no idea how many stitches and clamps I have in just my head. I still have to let the swelling go down some before having the surgery on the lower part of the eye socket, to realign my eye. That is scheduled for Monday.
I was praying, as soon as I picked myself up off the floor and saw the blood spurting out. I cupped my hand over my forehead, making my way toward the kitchen. And calmly asked Barb for a wet towel then had her call 911. as soon as she was done with that call I had her call Connie, our youngest daughter. She got to the hospital before they got me there.
I knew Barb needed someone to lean on, as well as having a way home from the hospital. Our Darling daughter has been right there for the both of us.She is 44, and is the daughter that has blocked arteries in her brain. I knew I had to stay calm for her too.
So guys; My advice, don't take chances. but more important. Go to your wife's/ husbands side hug them and be sure to tell you love them.
You never know when the last time will be.
Russ

Oh Russ, I am so amazed! I had no idea that a tire could litterally explode. I assumed that a tire pump would stop when a tire had the required amount of air! I have never had any experience with filling a tire, and doubt that most women have. My Ex always took care of that or my Son! Now that I am Single again , I want to be more self sufficient amd educated with these types of things. This Thread truly brought home how much I need to know for safety's sake if not anything else!
I am so Thankful that your Injuries are on the mend and pray that you recover soon. Heaven Bless you and your Family!

Eufaula;
One nice thing on about 90% of the cars on the road, is that on the door or door post. it gives the manufacturers recommended tire pressures. but the responsibility is yours as to how to keep them right at that pressure. There is a wide variety of gauges you can purchase. I have the best luck of keeping track of my digital gauge mostly because it has it's own hard case to protect it and I keep it in the glove box of the vehicle we drive the most. It is a little more money than the kind that has a calibrated stick that shows the pressure. Even so I like my digital.
It seems that there is no such thing as a service station any more. I ran a station for a while. and was much appreciated for the kind " good morning" Fill it up today?
And I always checked the fluid levels and the belts and tire pressure. Especially the older ladies that depended on a service of a service station.
I hated giving up the station, but the economics of running a small station in a dieing town, and the city council always complaining about the above ground tanks. So I finally told them to go fly a kite. I'm only leasing the station you want the tanks out, You just go talk nasty to the owner, I'm done, it is closed, BYE!!!
Then they started crying because the only station left raised their price. and they couldn't do anything about it.
Check out the tag on for tire pressures it is usually on the drivers door but can even be inside the glove box or on one of the back doors. Better yet check at a tire shop, They have all the pressures listed. you can put that information on a card to carry in the glove box.
Russ

Thanks again Russ! Tire gauge on my shopping list, and the hunt on for someone to show me how it works! LOL! ( ..but really isnt a laughing matter)

I've taken on all the walking for 1 day, or I would go out and take down some of the information as to the company name for my digital. If you go with one of the stick ones, any auto parts store should do the trick. They are easy to read, and some have a clip like a pen. You could clip it to your purse. LOL
I will check on the digital tomorrow.

Who is doing the typing on your posts Russ?

Jeanette

My six hay bales have been treated with ammonium sulphate for the recomended time and I can't feel heat, Two are spoiled hay from last year and four are new bales and I made sure they had'nt been sprayed with anything. I read somewhere in the forum that they could be planted right away in hay...I've kept them damp and the weather is in the high seventys and low eightys and I am wondering if I should plant or wait until I can feel heat--it has been 14 days now,,thanks a lot also I hope everyone is doing ok now, it is down right scary about the tire thing Russ !

OK Jeanette; Barb answered at least 2 or 3 of your responses just in the last few days. I came back on for a couple of postings. It is easier for her to do it for me, as I have a little problem yet, with spelling the word I want and I might think I've already typed it. and my coordination is still off somewhat. I will try to have her sign her name to her posts. That should help. OK????
That really gives " spell check" a work out.
I want her to keep in touch with ya all. It will help her tremendiously. I am trying my best to keep her calm through all of this.
This crisis isn't over yet. at least until they can do the surgery under my eye, so the bone will heal in the right position. They are dragging their feet, now! I have an irregular heart beat. And they canceled Mondays appointment, to check that out.

I won't let them hold that over my head, just so they can practice some kind of heart surgery. My younger brother let them talk him into a heart valve replacement. Then put him on coumadin. " Warfarin " you know RAT POISON.
He then started bleeding on the brain. And he was gone. Through a lack of trying to regulate the proper dose, They killed him. Of course that is not listed as the official cause of death. Instead of a thorough examinationation. they went for what the insurance would pay for the heart valve replacement. And at whose expense????
Russ

Russ, that is terrible. Such an awful thing to have happen.

It doesn't matter to me who answers/posts. I just think you should let Barb do it as much as she can (and wants to) and you should just let her read our posts to you and you tell her if you want her to stick something in.

Neither one of you need to feel that you have to write. We just want to make sure you are ok.

Jeanette

I enjoy all your comments and you all are friends. I encourage Barb to participate as much as she can. It is good to meet new friends. Lady gardeners or the more masculine gardener, we can all benefit from each others experience.
( Love you guys ) Russ

Gotta laugh 'cause Barb was the one that wrote to me first about the melons.

Then all of a sudden there's this guy writing. I thought, "What happened to Barb?" Lol

Jeanette

And somebody I know really cares about this guy.
When you are married, You are one. If you don't believe that just try getting out of a bill your husband or a wife has made.
But the opposite is put into effect in the case of an insurance policy.
This is Russ.

It's been 8 days since I put my bales out.

The high outside temp was 65 today.

I spot checked the bales and the average internal temp in my double rows was 100 - 120, "cooking" along nicely.

The single rows all had internal temps around 75-80.

Because the double rows tend to keep each other warmer, this would create a more favorable environment for decomposition.

The single rows, with less mass in one spot, are just "simmering" along at a slower pace.

(If I had the bales enclosed like Doug did, I bet the single row would have higher internal temps.)

I've already got a few wheat sprouts here and there.

I'm going to see if the bales "cook" out and then I'll add a nitrogen source in a couple of weeks to see if they'll heat back up.

The bales should be a much better host at transplanting this year than the previous 4 years since I'm giving them more time to decompose than the quick-start method that I've been doing.

Kent did you notice in the brochure about me wrapping them in stretch film this year? I'll update the "Test" thread when I actually do it. Great bale gardening years to everyone!!!

Doug

Russ/Barb, How are you guys doing? Did you have your surgery Russ? Dang!! I marked my calendar for it and then forgot to ask you. It says "Russ surgery" I had my own dr. appt. that day and my sister's oncologist appt. that day. Just too many things going on. All on that little square they give you.

Anyway, better late than never. How did it go? Did the eye go back into place where it belonged, and can you see out of it??? I'll bet you are sore as all get out Russ. Poor guy. At least, gardening is the last thing you are thinking about right now.

How are you and Connie holding up Barb? Everything ok? Did you get the snow this last couple of days? Seems we all did. Hang in there and let us know how you guys are doing.

Jeanette

Doug: I did read about you wrapping them. I almost started to do the same thing, but didn't do it.

Keep us posted.

Jeanette;
There is a little hold up on the rest of the surgery," lower eye socket"
They wanted my Dr. to OK the anesthesia, before they put me under again. And he is sending me to the cardiologist. for that clearance.
Today I will see the surgeon that did the emergency work on rebuilding the upper eye socket and sinus cavity. will probably get all his stitches out today. I remember he had said something about, he would have gone ahead and done the other surgery at that time but they wanted some of the swelling to go down. *** I wish he had***
Then I wouldn't be in limbo, in this game between all these surgeons that all want a piece of the action. Tomorrow I finally get to see the cardiologist. So he too can have his little say.
With all this waiting, unless the lower sinus cavity has been messed up, I may not need the surgery as I seem to be able to focus quite well. I still had a pair of glasses with a previous prescription and they are very close. so I have glasses that I can use untiI the swelling and such get back to a normal. I didn't need new lenses at my last eye exam, so at least I didn't ruin a new pair of glasses when I had that mishap.
More later when I have my conversation with today's Dr.
Russ

That is rough Russ. Just too many people involved. I hate that. Let us know how you are.

Jeanette

I shouldn't tell how many times I've filled a tire without air gauge..DUH
Heard stories about big truck tires exploding . They fill them in a cage.
I'll be more aware for sure.

Good luck Russ.Hope you get healed up quick.

Tubby

I did get the stitches and staples out today. The neurosurgeon was very happy with the progress I have made, to date. We talked about wishing he had gone ahead with the rest of the surgery. I really think that if the entire team hadn't been there, It would have been done. We asked a lot of questions today, as to how much I could do. Walking, how much I could lift, driving and garden work and such. He said listen to my body. If it says rest- - - REST. He would let me drive already, but I am not ready.
Besides I am still taking pain pills and they are a narcotic. I have pretty much weaned myself off them except at night to avoid getting a nasty headache.
He described some of the gory detail, I told him I was glad that the Lord was holding his hand.
Tomorrow morning I go see the Cardiologist to get his opinion as to weather we can go to the next step for the lower part of the eye socket. I don't see a problem there, Just wish it had been done already.
Russ

Russ Im sorry to hear about the delays, you really deserve a speedy recovery. I hope the doctors sort their stuff out and fix you up real roon so you can start to heal. Must be awful waiting around in pain, especially with an injured face. Cant think of many worse places to be hurt. Wishing you all the best for your upcoming surgery, we are thinking of you.

Lena

Russ, keep us posted when the surgery is scheduled. I'll bet without those pain pills you would be in a world of hurt. Head aches!!! yuck!

Just do as the docs say and rest. Take it easy now.

Jeanette

Russ: hang in there, big guy!

Russ, If prayers really do work..and I believe they do.... you have a lot of people doing just that on your behalf so your recovery is most likely on the priority list!
E.

Eufaula; Yes Prayers really do work. That was # 1 step as I picked myself up off the garage floor. It gave me real peace, and I was able to stay calm. I was able to keep Barb calm as well. Then I just told her what I wanted first the wet towel, then to call 911 and after she got off the phone with them, I told her to call Connie; the daughter that was available at the time. By that time the EMTs were there and I told them what had happened. Every thing worked just right from there on. With the exception of this other little delay.
The Cardiologist checked me over today and said no problem, go ahead with the other surgery. He couldn't figure out why they thought I had a problem. So we are now waiting for a schedule date and will proceed from here.
After yesterdays visit and him telling how bad I looked, I think I look darn good for having all that be wrong. Of course it does look like Dr. Frankenstein got hold of me. The stitches will heal up a little better than right now. I have much to be thankful for. Even having two of our daughters right here to keep me in line and give comfort at the same time.
The one is in the middle of turmoil of moving and still being here with us too. So in your prayers please include Sandi & Ken in their relocation and finding a house and getting settled in.
Russ

Russ, did any of the daughters or Barb take a picture of Frankenstein? It might remind you and all of us to be more careful.

Jeanette

Jeanette; I'm afraid they did! They may hold it over my head if I want to work on the truck again.
With this second surgery, my eye is really black and swollen.
This Dr. was a young lady- - - I don't think I said anything to deserve a black eye. lol
I'll have to remind them to give me a picture.

This is the perfect excuse for me to never fill my own tires!

Russ, I think that black eye is the least of your worries. How are you today? Pretty sore I'll bet.

Barb, did you get to church today?

Jeanette

Hi Russ, how are you after your surgery? Bet your glad its over.

Lena

Jeanette; If it's fine with you, I'll go ahead and answer for Barb tonight. They may have been a little premature but they called off church today. It was really windy and a wet snow falling and there was still the threat of a late blizzard. It was probably just as well though as most of the members are retirees or have a ways to drive. It was on the side of safety first.

So I made a special breakfast for our youngest daughter and Barb. It was just pancakes, eggs and bacon. I did it in appreciation for all the love and attention caring for me. Besides I love to make meals.
I could only use one eye though, as I am still seeing double, due to all the swelling.
Connie returned the favor this noon, by making her special chile.
I am glad that this was the last of the surgery. I feel that the healing is finally in the last stages.
Barb is planning on going to the ladies bible study tomorrow, by herself. I am sure she can handle that short of a drive by now and she has done remarkably well in her recovery. If I feel up to it I may visit with the guys downtown, for coffee. Just don't know if I'll be ready to spend that long away from my easy chair though. Right now I'm thinking I would rather take a nap instead. LOL
Barb and the girls were thinking I might appreciate getting out. I am not on as much pain medication now, nearly stopped taking any, I hated the side effects. Mostly the nausea but it was a small price to pay for easing the pain.
2ndChance; I like that name, I feel that, that is exactly what I have now. a second chance.
My advice for airing up your tires would only be to use the hoses that have the attached gauge for filling the tires. But unless your tires are very old don't drive any distance on a low tire, as that will surely ruin a good tire. There are still a few places that will help with airing up your tires, though few and far in between.

Well Russ, that was a pretty long post for you. That is a really good sign that you are getting well. And fixed breakfast too!!

Getting off the pain killers? That is really good. Must have been a good lady doctor you had? Was she the surgeon? Good for her.

Glad Barb is on the mend too. You guys are really going to appreciate the spring weather aren't you? Just relax and enjoy it.

Jeanette

Gosh, it's good to catch up with all you guys .





























































































































































Good to catch up with all you guys .
We had snow flurries today , the first snow I've seen in several years . Had a really mild winter in Tex and not enough fish to bring home . Dry , dry , dry .The bays were so low all winter that the oysters were too salty for me to enjoy.
Well, Russ, it seems you are finally on the mend . I'm so sorry you had to go through this pain and I'm like Jnette, post us a picture so we can be reminded to take life more careful and be thankful of our good health . Don't forget your trip this year Russ , we're looking forward to meeting you and Barb. digger

Ohhhh Sally, I can't imagine not enjoying the oysters. How sad. And not many fish!!

You are ready to garden, I can tell. Good to have you back. Get in there girl and get your hands dirty.

Jeanette

They had rain in central Tex. before we left and the rivers emptied into the bays just above us.It brought the salinity down and a new chinese buffett opened up in Rockport .Now let me tell you ,it is the best C.B. I have tried, and I mean from here to California.Crab legs, raw oysters,frog legs ,boiled, baked , fried shrimp and oysters,octopus,nd more seafood dishes than I can remember. The oysters got better and believe me, they went in the hole on me. lol digger