Good morning Bob, it's Jeff Paine, from Harrisburg. I've just become aware of your fall and read you entries. I'm certainly glad you have the great support of your sisters and brothers in law.
I have a bit of an idea of where you are. The end of January 2020, I too took a fall, apparently, with no real answer as to why...though I had drunken some Jameson, prior. I regained consciousness, lying 8 ft from curb, at the base of 11 stairs and had been out long enough that the pool of blood from hitting the macadam face first, had coagulated. I picked myself up and made my way to my sister in laws about a block away. To shorten the story, I had normal imaging and had fractured my C-1 vertebrae, broke my nose and my face was pretty much a mess.
The initial imaging showed a possible aneurysm...more imaging determined there were two. So March led me to be the last elective surgery at Hershey Medical center, prior to Covid shutdown. It was successful, 6 months later an angiogram to determine progress, then again this March the second one was repaired...a much trickier surgery, but again successful.
So I guess I should be happy I fell and broke my neck, so we could find and repair the aneurysms, though I still have no idea what caused my fall or if and when it could happen again.
Odd, isn't it how we can feel just fine, then come to and the whole world changes.
We humans are resilient and I wish for you a full recovery.
You will be in my mind frequently.
Jeff
When I heard you split your head in two, my first thought was Lord, what if each half heals into a fully formed unit? There would be TWO Shoebobs! The world balance may shift irrevocably. I’m relieved that’s not the case and you are healing to be your original self.
A few things have happened while you were out. Don’t be freaked out when you come to grips with the news of a mysterious disease (completely unrelated to sex) that gripped the world, inflation is a thing again, and the cold hard fact there is a Democrat in the White House.
Regrettably (for you), I have to report the Rush Limbaugh (since passed) tapes you insisted we play for our infant son in the cradle in 1993 in VA Bach have had no discernible effect, and he is in fact a well-adjusted contributing member of American society, moreover as a fearless E-2 pilot in the RAG.
As life would have it, accidents such as yours are often the catalyst that brings us old tired farts out of the woodwork and back into the networks of our younger years (usually funerals but thankfully not the case here). If your recent stunt and eventual release from rehab proves to be reason for a Buckeye reunion (all comers welcome of course), I’ll be second in line behind Dingle to lead the charge.
Please follow the advice of those smarter than you (yes, few) in rehab. Brigette and I look forward to you being on the streets of free American again soon!
ShoeBob, glad to hear everything’s moving in the right direction! Hoping you still remember those warm & breezy romantic evenings we shared up on Vultures Row, underneath a blanket of stars, watching the jets takeoff and land, and enjoying the aromatic perfume of JP5. You may not remember, but I’ll never forget. 😘😏 😜 -Spicy
Bob - Glad to see you are on the mend! I sent you a Facebook message a while back not knowing how soon you'd see it, and just found out about this site from your colleague Kris I met at Arlington NC. Keep fighting! We need you back in DC, Shipmate! - Tom Porter
ShoeBob, Glad to here the recovery is coming along well!! Keep doing what the docs and therapists tell you. It will make a difference in getting better in the short term and staying better in the long term. Can you have visitors during your current incarceration?? PK
Very happy to hear that you’re recovering well old friend. And you are especially blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people who love and care for you. Keep up the great work and wishing you a full recovery soonest.
-Twig
Good to hear from you Bob, via this website. Glad you are making progress and that the V.A. is taking good care of you. You earned that care through your Navy career and glad to see it was there to help you when you needed it. Get well quick and looking forward to breaking bread once you get back home. With Family Love, Uncle Jim
What a tribute to your care team and all who are helping you through this ordeal. It was super to hear from YOU. Keep up the strong work of recovering.
Cousinly love, N
I have a bit of an idea of where you are. The end of January 2020, I too took a fall, apparently, with no real answer as to why...though I had drunken some Jameson, prior. I regained consciousness, lying 8 ft from curb, at the base of 11 stairs and had been out long enough that the pool of blood from hitting the macadam face first, had coagulated. I picked myself up and made my way to my sister in laws about a block away. To shorten the story, I had normal imaging and had fractured my C-1 vertebrae, broke my nose and my face was pretty much a mess.
The initial imaging showed a possible aneurysm...more imaging determined there were two. So March led me to be the last elective surgery at Hershey Medical center, prior to Covid shutdown. It was successful, 6 months later an angiogram to determine progress, then again this March the second one was repaired...a much trickier surgery, but again successful.
So I guess I should be happy I fell and broke my neck, so we could find and repair the aneurysms, though I still have no idea what caused my fall or if and when it could happen again.
Odd, isn't it how we can feel just fine, then come to and the whole world changes.
We humans are resilient and I wish for you a full recovery.
You will be in my mind frequently.
Jeff