CRPS

[Lindy]

I had cortizone shots (2 of them over 4 days time) into the cartlidge that didn't want to heal when I broke 3 ribs falling out of a tree while climbing down from a deer stand and landing on my rifle scope. I swear the shots hurt worse with every drop of them entering my body than my ribs and cartlidge did to begin with ... but is worked for me, after giving it about a week. There might still be an Independence Day (4th of July) for you, even though you are in Canada!

Lindy

[alexwright]

Hey Lindy, you sure know how to take a fall don't you? You should be in a book for listings on "How Not To's..."

[Lindy]

I quit deer hunting a long time ago since I found it hazardous to my health, as well as life. The fall (of about 15 years ago) wasn't' the last straw; that came from 1 of my crazy uncles. About a dozen of us (7 of them uncles) all split the cost of a deer lease (same 200 acre property for about 10 years). It had a lot of hills and valleys. We kept an old truck and jeep out there, along with a 30' camping trailer, for all of use to use. The 2 vehicles would be used to drop off and pick up from tree stands for morning and evening hunts; rule being that all those that picked up were to stay at the base of their tree stand until picked up. One night, about dusk, I was about to climb down, being the last to be picked up, when I heard shot after shot ringing out, coming toward me, while I was still in the tree that was on a hillside, with the stand being about level with the land above (therefore, shots were about level with me). Turned out that one of crazy uncles was running through the woods, shooting at a buck (as if he had a chance of hitting a running/bounding deer). I came down out of the stand at a VERY rapid pace, with rifle bullets whizzing around me, crouching down at the base of the tree (down on the hillside), escaping from the ringing shots. About that time the jeep pulled up, with more uncles in it, who knew the bullets were coming from the area my stand was in; thinking that I was one doing the shooting; however, they found uncle George (the one running like a madman through the woods, toward me, shooting at a buck) and I fighting when they arrived (for obviously just cause). This was the final straw... since they all thought that this was funny, a grown man running through the woods shooting at the white tail of a running/bounding deer, thinking that he had a chance in hell of hitting it ... no one seemed to care that I, or anyone of them, could have been in his line of fire! I was furious, causing a rift with my uncle George that I have never gotten over since he STILL thinks the incident was sort of funny, memorable event in his life, showing no real concern for the peril he put me in with his line of impulsive firing.

Lindy

[NS'Creter]

WOW! Uncle George seems to have caught a touch of "Buck Fever"...not good. I've never been a hunter but know many folks who are and have stories quite similar to yours. Most folks I know have stopped hunting for that very same reason. In the situation you were in I'd not only have been scared but angry and you did well not to shoot back.

Our big day, Canada's Birthday, is July 1st and the town that I grew up in has always held the largest celebration. It's only 10 minutes from where I now live and I've always enjoyed that tradition. The last couple of years I haven't even gone to the parade but I'm gonna make it this year...cane and all. So this week should be a festive one for all of us...think I'll start a specific thread. ;D

The Cortizone didn't make any noticeable improvements for me. That bein' said, I can't imagine goin' through that 3 more times for no results.

[alexwright]

Never really went hunting myself for that very reason. Stupid idiots around you that you just can't trust. When I was in the Marine Corps I was a Marksmanship Instructor and we had about 3 targets of about 4 shooters per line. We had to train them and have them qualify with their M-16's and I also taught Marines that had to qualify with a pistol. Some of those recruits were stresssed out and if we sensed any getting ready to go haywire we would take their weapon from them and send them off range with one of their drill instructors. By the way I am an Expert with an M-16, 9mm pistol, and a military shotgun. I also did some sniper duty at one of my duty stations. We would go to the range and after a while get board and we started to decorate our target with bullet holes for eyes belts and ties and so on. Your uncle is an idiot for sure.

[Lindy]

On a serious note...

Ya'll all know our friend Mike Malone in Grayson, KY, All Color Concrete. I am asking that you pray for his son Fred, as well as their family during this difficult time.

Fred was attacked while sleeping at home, stabbed 40 times and severely beaten with a bat to the point of having a fractured skull, in an attempted robbery. Somehow his strong sense of survival kicked in; although he is in serious condition in the hospital, doctors say he will recover, so long as other medical conditions he has don't occur (he is a diabetic and has had some sort of flesh eating illness in the past as well, which has hospitalized him 3 times in the past year).

Thank God his attacker was caught immediately ... both Mike and his son Fred knew this black-hearted cowardly scum of the earth that had to have been consumed by a deep rage (obviously some sort of sociopath). Apparently Kentucky has a strong justice system, since in cases such as this, Fred's attacker's bond is 100,000 cash only, so he can't be out lurking around until his trial and banishment in prison take place; which might help Fred re-establish his equilibrium to some degree, but he has a long road ahead of him (with the help of his family, and the power of prayer, I believe he and his family will see a brighter tomorrow).

The violence that has touched Mike's family was so senseless. Fred will need the prayers of everyone to not only overcome his physical wounds; but, more so the mental trauma that will undoubtedly be playing over and over in his head, along with the anger, rage, bitterness, and loss of his sense of safety in his own home. Victims of violent crimes like Fred, once the shock and rage wear off, are frequently subject to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (just as those that have served in the military during times of war do).

God bless and watch over Fred, as well as help his family cope with the violence that has touched their lives.

Lindy

[NS'Creter]

This news is truly shocking. Thank you for passing this along Lindy. I know that Mike and Fred have had their fair share of challenges as it was. Thank God that Fred survived such a brutal attack and that the dirtbag was quickly caught. We will certainly keep Mike and his family in our thoughts and prayers. I have to go absorb this...what a brutal, brutal thing.

[Lindy]

Just talked to Mike again. Would you believe that Fred was released from the hospital over the weekend. Is that great news or what? Fred is a true survivor in every sense of the word; thank God, his guardian angel, and I believe the power of prayer. Seems as if his largest hurtle to overcome will be his mental health in relation to regaining the ability to sleep at night, in peace, without the nightmares and fear of continual vulnerability Mike told me that since Fred's release he is working to put behind him.

Lindy

[aynet]

We will certainly continue to pray for this family.
God is faithful to heal all things and He is just!

[NS'Creter]

Well thank God that physically he's well on his way (it seems). He's certainly had his share of troubles.

[Lindy]

Although he has a way to go medically/physically speaking he does seem to be on a progressive pathway from what Mike has told me. It is the mental nightmares, that must be like a continuous siege of reruns, playing over and over in his mind, especially at night; that are going to be difficult to put behind him. Mike and I talk frequently; a couple of days ago he told me that Fred's brutal attack took place over a couple of hours timespan (not quick in/out of Fred's house as he/Mike first thought was the case)... I can't image having the type of strong survival instinct, that Fred undoubtedly was blessed with, that allowed him rise above the terror, allowing him to win the battle to live on. I am continuing to pray daily for Fred; I truely believe that God and faith can, and do, have healing power (be it physical or physiological).

[NS'Creter]

A couple of hours? That's torture! That dispicable individual just gets worse and worse in my eyes. Attacking anybody while they sleep in their home and using a couple of weapons over an extended period of time is so disgusting but the icing on the cake is the fact that the victim was a friend of his attacker. Society does not need that sort of human roaming freely amoungst us. My blood is officially boiling.
Now that my rant is out I can also say that Fred must be made from damn fine material. Considering all that he's been through and to survive that attack and be home already...strong. Poor Mike must be on his last nerve. I hope and pray that they hold it together and get a break after this as well.

[aynet]

Only God can meet out the kind of justice that is deserved in this case. I cannot even imagine the horror of that. We are certainly praying for Mike and Fred, for all their family. Please let Mike know that for us, Lindy. Thanks!

[Lindy]

I'll probably be talking to Mike again the 1st of the week. I'll pass along that ya'll are all praying for Fred, as well as Mike and his family. I believe in miracles, guardian angels, God, and the power of prayer ... as well as the fact that some peoples power to survive goes above and beyon the norm, as in Fred's case. Faith can move mountains, so long as one believes.

Lindy A.