OT - Well, the other shoe has been dropped!

"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

On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:33:47 -0600, "Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
wrote:

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 can do nothing but wish you the best of luck with your health and
your future endeavors.


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? :-)

I think another word for the phrase above is...Friend, and a damn good
guy!!! I think everyone out here would agree with that. If I can do
anything to help, let me know.


Dan

Remove the x for e-mail reply
1996 HD Sportster 1200S. N9JBF. Bass fishing Aficionado!
www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.SecretWeaponLures.com
A proud charter member of "PETAF", People for Eating Tasty Animals and Fish!!!

Hope you'll feel better soon & be able to fish & hunt as much as you
would like

On Jan 13, 2:33 pm, "Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
wrote:
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 @ OutdoorFrontiershttp://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rodshttp://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, that falling shoe is probably the good Lord telling you that it is
time for a change of course, & as you know I speak from experience.

The doctors used to refer to my condition as
"Terminal", but today they refer to it as "Unknown". I had lived a few years
on a trickle of blood leaking through a single stent, but an angioplasty
done at the end of October showed that all of my arteries were dried totally
shut, with that lonesome stent buried deep within. They said the big heart
attack I had in early October was responsible for the dirty deed. My
cardiologist, by now a good friend, had tears in his eyes on Halloween
morning as he confessed that he was sending me home to die. My home was
quickly outfitted with a space-age Vital Signs Monitoring System, & RN's
were visiting me at least every other day to assure my comfort.

I truly appreciated all these efforts, but I personally just resumed living
my life as I had been doing before the heart attack. Recently, The Monitor &
nurses have been removed (my Pulmonary doctor says my current treatment is
being handled well above his pay grade) & I am again receiving only 9 hours
per week living assistance from Joan, my longstanding Caregiver & Guardian
Angel. My head is working better than ever & Joe Haubenreich keeps me really
active with the new Secret Weapon stuff he has going on... the joint is
really jumping. The main problem with my life today is that I move very
slowly, so the days are proving far too short. I'll keep living this way
until God decides that it is time for another change of direction, when I
will ?????????????

BTW... I've never been happier!

Bob Rickard
.................................................. .................................................. ...........................................

"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

Steve, that falling shoe is probably the good Lord telling you that it
is time for a change of course, & as you know I speak from experience.
The doctors used to refer to my condition as "Terminal", but today they
refer to it as "Unknown". I had lived a few years on a trickle of blood
leaking through a single stent, but an angioplasty done at the end of
October showed that all of my arteries were dried totally shut, with
that lonesome stent buried deep within. They said the big heart attack I
had in early October was responsible for the dirty deed. My
cardiologist, by now a good friend, had tears in his eyes on Halloween
morning as he confessed that he was sending me home to die. My home was
quickly outfitted with a space-age Vital Signs Monitoring System, & RN's
were visiting me at least every other day to assure my comfort.
I truly appreciated all these efforts, but I personally just resumed
living my life as I had been doing before the heart attack. Recently,
The Monitor & nurses have been removed (my Pulmonary doctor says my
current treatment is being handled well above his pay grade) & I am
again receiving only 9 hours per week living assistance from Joan, my
longstanding Caregiver & Guardian Angel. My head is working better than
ever & Joe Haubenreich keeps me really active with the new Secret Weapon
stuff he has going on... the joint is really jumping. The main problem
with my life today is that I move very slowly, so the days are proving
far too short. I'll keep living this way until God decides that it is
time for another change of direction, when I will ?????????????
BTW... I've never been happier!
Bob Rickard
..............................................
Bob, thanks for sharing this....it kinda grabbed me and shook me back to
reality! I have been dwelling on some very un-important things lately!

Thank you!

John K

"Bob Rickard" wrote in message
et...
Steve, that falling shoe is probably the good Lord telling you that it is
time for a change of course, & as you know I speak from experience.

The doctors used to refer to my condition as
"Terminal", but today they refer to it as "Unknown". I had lived a few
years on a trickle of blood leaking through a single stent, but an
angioplasty done at the end of October showed that all of my arteries were
dried totally shut, with that lonesome stent buried deep within. They said
the big heart attack I had in early October was responsible for the dirty
deed. My cardiologist, by now a good friend, had tears in his eyes on
Halloween morning as he confessed that he was sending me home to die. My
home was quickly outfitted with a space-age Vital Signs Monitoring System,
& RN's were visiting me at least every other day to assure my comfort.

I truly appreciated all these efforts, but I personally just resumed
living my life as I had been doing before the heart attack. Recently, The
Monitor & nurses have been removed (my Pulmonary doctor says my current
treatment is being handled well above his pay grade) & I am again
receiving only 9 hours per week living assistance from Joan, my
longstanding Caregiver & Guardian Angel. My head is working better than
ever & Joe Haubenreich keeps me really active with the new Secret Weapon
stuff he has going on... the joint is really jumping. The main problem
with my life today is that I move very slowly, so the days are proving far
too short. I'll keep living this way until God decides that it is time for
another change of direction, when I will ?????????????

BTW... I've never been happier!

Bob, I look to your life as an inspiration to me and my situation. By all
rights, you shouldn't be here, yet you still manage to wake up every morning
and have a life that offers you challenge and enjoyment.

Thank you my friend, and I look forward to the day when we can spend time
swapping lies together. Hopefully in a boat with a rod in hand.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com