Popular Post 762x39 Posted April 5, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Maybe I am a little emotional today with it being Easter. But I learned the hard way a few months ago that no ones time here on earth is promised. I want to share this with all of you so you don't make the same mistake. I started out the new year on top of the world, I got a new promotion at work that puts me one step closer to being the plant manager. My oldest son has been accepted to a few colleges and we were all planning our future, with it looking very good. My daughter is #3 in her freshman class, and youngest who has Down Syndrome had finally made it through a December without being in the hospital. Toward the end of January my back started hurting. I ended up going to urgent care and they told me I had sciatica they gave me some pain meds and muscle relaxers and sent me home. I ended up making a couple more trips to the ER and my doctor over the next 2 weeks and I just kept getting worse. Finally it got so bad I needed a walker to get around. One morning I could not get out of bed or move my left leg. My wife took me to the ER again and when I got there my blood pressure was 59/40. They did an MRI on me and finally figured out I have a MRSA infection and they ignored it for so long that it spread through my whole body. I had a 10 inch pocket in my back, in both hips, down both legs to my feet, my left lung and in my heart. They told my wife to call in all the family because I was going to die. After a few surgeries and 17 days in the hospital I was able to come home. I am still on IV meds and have a wound pump hooked up to my back and hip but I am alive. I go to the doctors at least twice a week and have home health care coming in twice a week. I am working light duty again and everything seams to be getting better. Then last week I go to the heart doctor to check the infection I had in it. He did an ECO on my heart and the MRSA has destroyed my aortic valve. So now sometime in the coming weeks I will have to have open heart surgery. The valve is falling apart, a piece broke off and ended up in my spleen and spread the infection to it. He said to watch for signs of a stroke because if more breaks off it could cause that. I post this not so anyone will feel sorry for me, or for attention. I post this so you all will not take the ones you love for granted. We are only here for a short time and we do not know when our number will be drawn and we will be called home. I am a better man after going through this, I tell people that I love them and do my best to show them. So today take the time to do it yourself. You never know when you are going to run out of time to say it. Happy Easter everyone and God bless you and your family. 25 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjornmma1 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Keep strong man! A great and beautifull message to the world and we should indeed show more to the people that we love, that we really love them. You know that I'll always be available to talk to if needed buddy . Our alliance isn't just an alliance, as we all do care about the real life things going on with us as well. I hope you'll be able to recover well and that the surgery goes great. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igorbyhenikov Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 you are very strong man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasman Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Wow man, all the best to you and your family. Stay positive, enjoy being with your loved ones and win this big battle. I admire your attitude. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 I pick my mother up from the airport in 3 hours, she lives in Turkey and I see her twice a year. I will be thinking of you when I spend time with her, I'm sure it will help me value the time. I wish you well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theWHITEWOLF Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Keep fighting and with the battle man I will never forget this message... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwt19744 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Joe great message man. If you need anything you have my number. Me and my family are traveling back home today so we will be close. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skap Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Touching story and some great advice to help keep us grounded. Wishing you the best during your surgery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpierrecanada Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Wow so sorry to hear, keep strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potter09 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Jesus man that is deep from the heart gave me goosebumps reading it. I hope you have a very successful heart Op and you and your family get to enjoy the good things this life throws at us. As atm you seem to judt be getting the bad things. Peace brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1rstSaint Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Joe River = good peeps keep strong, and god bless! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duphus Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Dam Joe, don't be afraid to go and get 3rd and 4th opinions from different doctors. Finding a decent one that will actually take the time to find all the problems is rare, they usually run a test or 2 and send ya home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutz Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 I keep writing smthg here and then deleting it. Perhaps there isnt any words for this. All I can say is that I wish you all the best and finally some luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Great post joe,you know weve got ur back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanis Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 It is a Rare spirit that chooses to give Strength and Enlightenment to others, WHILE they are being tested to THEIR own limits. To think of others is your greatest need. I wish, for you, 10 fold in return. To mend the body, because your Spirit is already, nearly, perfect. the only advice that i could give : In your heart and your soul, dont BELIEVE a word the doctors tell you. Much Respect to you, Sir I will never forget your lesson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Stay strong Joe. It's very nice to see something like this in the forums from time to time to remind us that there is more to this world than just a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelPenn Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Positive thoughts for you and yours Joe. Stay strong and remember, your alive. Carpi Diem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tp61503 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Your a good guy hope You get better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 God, it's always incredible to me how your life can change in one instant. I have seen my fair share of ups and downs, and have been lucky enough to come out the other side wholly intact. It takes an incredible amount of personal strength to keep getting up and facing so much difficulty but, brother, some of the best people I have known have been kicked around by life. Stay strong man, and please keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 I keep writing smthg here and then deleting it. Perhaps there isnt any words for this. All I can say is that I wish you all the best and finally some luck. I did the same thing. Took me a while to land on the right response and I still feel like it wasn't enough. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlord Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Stay strong Joe and keep a positive attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
762x39 Posted April 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Thank you guys for all the kind words, I appreciate them. I will keep everyone updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjornmma1 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 If I would ever go on holiday to the USA again in the future, I'll try to pass by and we'll go shooting SAW's on the range together that would be a great day for sure, that's guaranteed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catako Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Sorry to hear that, I hope you all the best; it's a harsh world and as you say charish life as it's a fragile flower. No1 knows when we're going to die, all we can do is make the best out of it and try to charish the people around us. I can only wish you health as that is the most important thing in life. Keep strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceTempleton Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 I dont know what I can say that hasn't already been said Joe. You and I have talked in the past so you know how I feel about you. You truly are an inspiration and the type of guy i strive to be. Stay strong, you can beat this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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