Your neck of the woods part 4 9/22/2013

ssgardener- go to the wet spot and look UP. Is there anyplace it could be dripping from? We've had water come from around the tubs or something, appear as a spot on basement floor. FIgure out what plumbing is above the wet spot.

Yes, it is possible for wetness/water to come up through floor also. Put a pan in wet area, if water collects in pan look for leak and call a plumber, I f pan stays dry but wet underneathe then call "basement waterproofers' They usually give free estimates. Don't be taken in by sales pitches! Check Angies List for recs.

Double and triple check that water drains away from house. The 'spring' in Silver Spring probably doesn;t refer to the season.

Gita, Ric is having back surgery, getting 3 vertebra fused and a Laminectomy. He will be in Hospital for at least 3 days and in a brace for 6 weeks. Absolutely no bending, turning, lifting. I expect to be keeping the home fires burning all winter. I am leaving Sat for my dive trip and getting home on the 9th, his surgery is on the 11th. So pretty much everything needs done before I leave. Don't want him left here with too much to do on his own. Boy am I beat, having our primary source of heat being a wood/coal stove is a pain in my back. Besides all the wood I moved yesterday I emptied the last of the coal from the coal bin 7 5gal buckets. This morning I am heading out to pick up another small load of wood from Josh. All cut and split all I have to do is load, unload and stack. Then finish up putting the pond plants to bed for the winter.
We need to get the pool cover on, Glads dug, both I hope to help with before I leave on Sat but the really big job of moving the coal box and getting a full load of coal will probably not be done till after I leave. Our truck is still in the shop and we need that to get the coal. Poor Ric is really hurting right now and I am trying to do as much of the work as I can.

wow Holly and Ric- deserve a group hug

Coleup, that advice is so smart!

Holly- keep thinking dive trip! Bonaire again?

Wow Ric, I hope your have a speedy recovery.

Holly, how exhausting! I didn't realize you had a wood burning stove. That sounds like a ton of work. If we lived closer, we'd have a firewood gathering party! Maybe we could all help with the coal/wood gathering next fall if you end up hosting the fall swap.

Sally, there's no leak from above and no pipes above, so I think it's seeping from below.

Coleup, I recently visited a local garden where they literally have a spring running underneath their house, so they have a pump running 24/7. I don't think that's the case in this part of Silver Spring, but I should make sure!

This message was edited Oct 30, 2013 7:49 AM

Holly and Ric: Please be sure to read this article and make sure Ric really needs all of what he is getting: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/spinal-fusions-serve-as-case-study-for-debate-over-when-certain-surgeries-are-necessary/2013/10/27/5f015efa-25ff-11e3-b3e9-d97fb087acd6_story.html

This message was edited Oct 30, 2013 10:05 AM

Holly--
Sorry about the glitch in thinking he was getting a knee replacement....
Seems he once was complaining about his knee(s)...
Well--at least, if someone else here is heading for aTKR--they will
have an idea what is involved...

And PLEASE--you take care of yourself and don't overdo--so you can
take care of Ric after the surgery.
What is a "laminectomy"??? ..."ectomy"...means removal of something...What?

I wish you a nice diving trip and all the best for Ric..
You both are very special people to all of us here. Gita

PS--Have you ever considered a pellet stove?

Happy--

Trying to open your link--it says "Page not found".....

your link did not work so I am reposting it below. I f link to Wash Post doesn't work, the second link should.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/spinal-fusions-serve-as-case-study-for-debate-over-when-certain-surgeries-are-necessary/2013/10/27/5f015efa-25ff-11e3-b3e9-d97fb087acd6_story.html


http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/2013/10/spinal-fusions-serve-as-case-study-for.html

Ric and Holly, I know you all have loving supportive family, neighbors and friends around you . Just remember your MAF family is here for you, too! Please feel free to let us know anything we can do to help, inspire, cajole or hand hold in the weeks and challenges ahead just as you have and would do for us!

Got some ideas to stay connected that don't involve turning or bending or lifting! And I'm putting it out there that I expect a daily 'check in' while Holly is under water! Will you be cooking up a stormand filling the larder for the next few weeks of baching it? Our "What's Cooking MAF" could use a new version.

And, what if anything have you done to further winterize your GH? How's that into the barn chicken shelter working?

Holly, how much of your own equipment do you take on a dive trip? I'm particularly interested in any dolphin encounters or stories there of.

Hope that good ole truck is up and runnin soon.

The reason the link didn't work was my fault - actually, it is something admin could fix, come to think of it. If you put any punctuation after a link (I had put a period), the link picks up that punctuation as part of the link -- and then the link bombs out. DG is the only program I know of that does this. So I fixed the broken link by deleting the period. I do this 90% of the time I post links!

Trying my new fire. Seems to work well.
Happy, I've been dealing with this for years. 1st,epidural, tens, aqua pt, lumbar support, and a pain specialist. This was not an easy decision, nor was it the Dr 's. The original complaint was knee and hip pain, as it affected my mobility more and more, and the MRIs showed an unstable condition, I decided to have the procedure. The arthritis and degenerative disc are not going to get better. So I don't consider this to be a scam or unnecessary procedure.
Git a, That's why you thought about the knee.:>)

Ric -- I was sure that was the case -- I just wanted to be sure you were aware of the controversy. My spouse had a laminectomy more than a few years ago, so I know what the drill is on that score.

Once more here.....WHAT is a "laminectomy"???

Do they come and remove your laminate from your old he counter tops?

:o).....

Hey RIc, try to be glad that The Boss OKed the work to keep you chugging along; didn't trade you in for a newer model
ha!

OK! I Googled "laminectomy".

Cited:
A laminectomy is a procedure to remove bone (the lamina) and ligaments to relieve pressure on the nerves. The goal of surgery is to reduce leg pain caused by pressure on the nerves, and increase the time and distance that you are able to walk without symptoms.

AH sooooo! G.

Sorry we didn't get back to you Gita. Yesterday was a very full day and when we got home at 8:00 I fell into bed. Got the last of the wood stacked, finished putting the pond plants to bed for the winter. Planted a few things. Then went to a program Taste of Diabetes where they gave out samples of different yummy foods, had a very interesting speaker and gave away a bunch of recipes and goodies. Then we stopped at the dive shop to pick up a tank of air and headed to the gym pool to test my gear and back to the dive shop to return the tank. Had a nice dinner out and a glass of wine, then Ric did a bit of grocery shopping before we headed home.
Happy did the laminectomy help him?
Sally going to Little Cayman very excited.
Coleup, I got Ric a Kindle Fire as a surgery present. LOL I figure he can read, play games, watch movies and scan the internet while he is in the Hosp. The lap top crashed while we were on vacation and I am hoping he will have time to do something about that while I am gone. Then he can sit in the recliner and talk to you all.
Everything will be pretty much done by the time he goes into surgery so all I will have to do is keep the home fire going and feed and care for Ric. Shouldn't be too hard and I have lots of support. Ric usually does all the cooking but I did do that for many many years so I can if I have to. Plus I am great at having pizza delivered. LOL

When we have pizza, Holly claims she provided dinner, even when I run for it.LOL
With the operation comes a joke: How do you pick up a laminectomy patient?





With a magnet!

The laminectomy scar was (is) Frankensteinian, so be forwarned.

The surgery helped. The doctor was worried about further degradation, which it seems to have stopped. If I recall, DH was concerned about numbness in his arms, not problems walking. He was slow to come out of the anesthesia though, which gave me a scare....

Thanks.

Holly, thinking of you today as you tie up those loose ends and prep for your trip to the islands!
Wishing you safe journeys and amazing adventures. And, Ric, I do expect to hear from you regularly while Holly is away!

I got cleared for surgery by the dermatologist yesterday and everything else is done except the final blood work. I'm hoping all goes well. I'm looking forward to this about as much as a mouthful of rootcanals. I spoke to a friend this AM, that said her surgery relieved almost all her pain. I can only hope and pray for a like result.I'm hoping for your prayers that the surgeon has a stead hand and divine guidance. Even with that it's a bit scarey.

Ric, I have family members who had almost complete elimination of leg and back pain after spinal surgery. Here's hoping for the best for you, too!

My good wishes will be riding with you all the way, Ric.
And you too, Holly, as you care for your hubby. Don't spoil him too much....:o)

Think positive! That's what i do....A few weeks out of your life to heal
is not such a major thing--if you put it all in perspective. Make the best of it..

I am NOT being flip, Ric, as I have been through enough surgeries to fill a page.
I have gotten through them all with my life's MOTTO--"If I don't mind--it does not matter".
This refers a lot to pain as well.
There has not been anyone here to do for me--maybe my daughter a few times.
I am proud of the way I have handled all the ups and downs and recoveries.
I "just do it!!!"...the best I can...and go on.

You and Holly are both very special people to me--and your love and caring
for each other is for the record books.

All WILL BE well!!! I decree that! ...:o) Love--Gita

Add our well wishes! Sally and Mark

Mine too!

Ric, I had a cousin who had back surgery and he came out of it good as new. My best to you as well!

Looking forward to hearing about the dive trip.

Ric, add our thoughts and prayers for the surgical team and your recovery.

Ric, you and Holly, and the doctors (and nurses) are MOST CERTAINLY in my prayers for a successful and complication-free surgery!! Make sure to be completely compliant to every little thing the doctors tell you -- to DO, and to NOT DO. With that, I'm betting you're gonna come out better than you were before..... better,.... stronger,.... faster. ;)

watch out, a Bio-RIc Man!!!!

speedie, if I come out that good, I'll have to change my name to Steve Austin. LOL

Oops, For those that don't remember Steve Austin was the 6 million dollar man not stone cold. Must be showing my age.
LOL Sally we cross posted!

This message was edited Nov 3, 2013 9:41 AM

haha…al I could remember was that the actor was Lee…Majors I think? oh yeah I used to watch that!

I immediately thought Stone Cold Steve Austin!

To a speedy recovery!

Ric, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray speedy healing and strength to get through this ordeal. Holly, I'll be thinking of you and the family as well!

Karen

Ric: So when is the surgery scheduled?

Monday 11/11, is the date.

Ok, a week from today. I'll be thinking about you! Take it easy with all the railroad tie dragging you are doing, or they'll have to do more surgery than was planned!

It turns out we had a cracked drainage pipe behind a wall. The water trickled out from underneath the floorboard without wetting the wall, so it took awhile to figure out where the water was coming from. I'm glad it wasn't a foundation issue. Plumbers are expensive, but I imagine foundation work is even more so.

ssg: That sounds very unpleasant, even if it wasn't as bad as it could have been!