OT - Well, the other shoe has been dropped!

As many of you know, last August I had what could be termed, "a little heart
trouble." Well, since then, I have been experiencing chest pain and
shortness of breath almost daily. I've had test upon test done, by
different doctors, cardiologists and specialists of all sorts. None can
figure out exactly why, but the thing they think it might be, the only way
to know for certain is for me to be heart catheterized (again) and have an
episode occur while cathed. That's not bloody likely to happen and even
then, it would only confirm what they suspect and still the affliction
cannot really be treated.

With that in mind, after my last hospitalization last week, when I met with
my doctor this past week, I asked him point blank, "What are my chances of
returning to work as a firefighter/EMT?" His reply? "Steve, in all good
conscience, I cannot clear you to return to work! You'll only endanger
yourself, your fire crew and possibly the people of Rhinelander. I want you
to check into disability and I'll sign anything you need signed to get it."

So, I guess I can consider myself a "Former Firefighter" and now that
chapter of my life is closed. I am looking forward to the future with some
trepidation, for the last twenty years I have been involved in emergency
medicine and rapid responses. Now I have to open a new chapter in my life
and figure out what to do.

I'm not whining and knashing my teeth screaming "WHY ME????" I know that
many have inquired as to my current state and this is the easiest way to let
a lot of my friends know what's going on.

Anyone need a former firefighter/emt with a fair understanding of fishing
and hunting? :-)
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers wrote:
medical update snipped
Anyone need a former firefighter/emt with a fair understanding of fishing
and hunting? :-)

Well, not to be too sanguine or hippy-dippy-touchy-feely, but
they say when one door closes another opens. Best of luck to
you with the medical stuff.

I don't need a firefighter but I've always wanted to catch a big
muskie on a fly rod and I *do* tip my guides well. (Hint ;-).

--
Ken Fortenberry

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
. ..
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers wrote:
medical update snipped Anyone need a former firefighter/emt with a fair
understanding of fishing and hunting? :-)

Well, not to be too sanguine or hippy-dippy-touchy-feely, but
they say when one door closes another opens. Best of luck to
you with the medical stuff.

I don't need a firefighter but I've always wanted to catch a big
muskie on a fly rod and I *do* tip my guides well. (Hint ;-).

Ooooh, I have a couple lakes in mind. Email me privately and we can talk
about this a little more in detail.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message
...

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
. ..
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers wrote:
medical update snipped Anyone need a former firefighter/emt with a
fair understanding of fishing and hunting? :-)

Well, not to be too sanguine or hippy-dippy-touchy-feely, but
they say when one door closes another opens. Best of luck to
you with the medical stuff.

I don't need a firefighter but I've always wanted to catch a big
muskie on a fly rod and I *do* tip my guides well. (Hint ;-).

Ooooh, I have a couple lakes in mind. Email me privately and we can talk
about this a little more in detail.

Well, that is if you can stand being in a gas powered boat. I do have to
admit that it's well setup for flycasting. I even have a 9' 10 wt. rod I
built expressly for the purpose of muskie fishing and possibly tarpon. If
you'd like to be the first to try it out, I'd be honored sir.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers wrote:
"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote:
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote:
I don't need a firefighter but I've always wanted to catch a big
muskie on a fly rod and I *do* tip my guides well. (Hint ;-).
Ooooh, I have a couple lakes in mind. Email me privately and we can talk
about this a little more in detail.

Well, that is if you can stand being in a gas powered boat. I do have to
admit that it's well setup for flycasting. I even have a 9' 10 wt. rod I
built expressly for the purpose of muskie fishing and possibly tarpon. If
you'd like to be the first to try it out, I'd be honored sir.

Wow. Now there's an offer I can't refuse.

I'll send a note when I can make a firm commitment on the date.
Muskie season starts last Saturday in May where you are ?

--
Ken Fortenberry

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
t...
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers wrote:
"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote:
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote:
I don't need a firefighter but I've always wanted to catch a big
muskie on a fly rod and I *do* tip my guides well. (Hint ;-).
Ooooh, I have a couple lakes in mind. Email me privately and we can
talk about this a little more in detail.

Well, that is if you can stand being in a gas powered boat. I do have to
admit that it's well setup for flycasting. I even have a 9' 10 wt. rod I
built expressly for the purpose of muskie fishing and possibly tarpon.
If you'd like to be the first to try it out, I'd be honored sir.

Wow. Now there's an offer I can't refuse.

I'll send a note when I can make a firm commitment on the date.
Muskie season starts last Saturday in May where you are ?

Yep, and they're usually up shallow at that time of year too! To me, it
sounds like perfect conditions for fly-rodding for muskies. I have a couple
flies that I think will work, but it wouldn't hurt if you brought some as
well. What I know about flyfishing for muskies is only slightly more than
what Al knows about bass fishing. But I do know where they live, and that's
probably more than half the battle.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Steve, I wish you the very best. I probably haven't kept up to date on the
details of your situation as much as some others have, so please forgive me
if this is an inappropriate question: since you've been on leave from the
FD, have you been able to guide and/or fish recreationally?

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message
...
As many of you know, last August I had what could be termed, "a little
heart trouble." Well, since then, I have been experiencing chest pain and
shortness of breath almost daily. I've had test upon test done, by
different doctors, cardiologists and specialists of all sorts. None can
figure out exactly why, but the thing they think it might be, the only way
to know for certain is for me to be heart catheterized (again) and have an
episode occur while cathed. That's not bloody likely to happen and even
then, it would only confirm what they suspect and still the affliction
cannot really be treated.

With that in mind, after my last hospitalization last week, when I met
with my doctor this past week, I asked him point blank, "What are my
chances of returning to work as a firefighter/EMT?" His reply? "Steve,
in all good conscience, I cannot clear you to return to work! You'll only
endanger yourself, your fire crew and possibly the people of Rhinelander.
I want you to check into disability and I'll sign anything you need signed
to get it."

So, I guess I can consider myself a "Former Firefighter" and now that
chapter of my life is closed. I am looking forward to the future with
some trepidation, for the last twenty years I have been involved in
emergency medicine and rapid responses. Now I have to open a new chapter
in my life and figure out what to do.

I'm not whining and knashing my teeth screaming "WHY ME????" I know that
many have inquired as to my current state and this is the easiest way to
let a lot of my friends know what's going on.

Anyone need a former firefighter/emt with a fair understanding of fishing
and hunting? :-)
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Marty" wrote in message
...
Steve, I wish you the very best. I probably haven't kept up to date on the
details of your situation as much as some others have, so please forgive
me if this is an inappropriate question: since you've been on leave from
the FD, have you been able to guide and/or fish recreationally?

I have fished some but haven't guided since I've been on sick leave. I
didn't think that was right and worried about being able to give my best to
the clients. But, now that I'm a "free agent", I'll be back in business as
soon as the ice leaves this spring.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message
...

"Marty" wrote in message
...
Steve, I wish you the very best. I probably haven't kept up to date on
the details of your situation as much as some others have, so please
forgive me if this is an inappropriate question: since you've been on
leave from the FD, have you been able to guide and/or fish
recreationally?

I have fished some but haven't guided since I've been on sick leave. I
didn't think that was right and worried about being able to give my best
to the clients. But, now that I'm a "free agent", I'll be back in
business as soon as the ice leaves this spring.

With a different boat?

--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
.. .

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message
...

"Marty" wrote in message
...
Steve, I wish you the very best. I probably haven't kept up to date on
the details of your situation as much as some others have, so please
forgive me if this is an inappropriate question: since you've been on
leave from the FD, have you been able to guide and/or fish
recreationally?

I have fished some but haven't guided since I've been on sick leave. I
didn't think that was right and worried about being able to give my best
to the clients. But, now that I'm a "free agent", I'll be back in
business as soon as the ice leaves this spring.

With a different boat?

Nope, unless I get a VERY sweet deal, it'll be in a FastCat.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com