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BC Bolters wishing Alvin a speedy recovery !

Wow, I've been unaware that Alvin was/is having such a rough time. Last I'd heard was he wasn't able to travel to KC due to back surgery but was on the mend. Good to hear that his daughter and others are there for him.

Prayers from Theresa and I for a much needed speedy recovery.

John

I didn't realize Alvin was struggling either. Hopefully it will be continuous progress from here on. Best wishes Alvin!

I spoke with Alvin this morning (Monday). He's doing better, still some pain from the Gallbladder surgery but he is able to eat some. He is having trouble talking a lot and looses his voice quickly, not sure what would cause that. I don't know if he had trachea tube in place during surgery. He still hasn't regained his apatite but is forcing himself to eat even if it's just a little.

The Dr. told him it could be several weeks before he regains his strength and feels like doing things again. He is trying to take it easy and work his way back into his routine. I wanted me to tell all of you "Thanks" for the prayers and thoughts. He still has a road ahead of him so keep the prayers coming.

Thanks for the update again, Craig. Seems any surgery around the trunk hurts. And we need our trunk muscles for most movements. Even lifting your arms. Alvin will have to wait awhile to work on his six-pack. *

Keeping the prayer candle burning.


* Reminds me of another meme I heard: The only doctor I listen to is ...

YES, its really me.
First off I want to thank EACH of you for your thoughts and prayers. We do appreciate each one, and a thanks to TUTS59 for the updates. for some reason its hard for me to even talk right now. However, I just came in from a walk and told myself I needed to say hi to all my bolter buddies who are the best. I've made so many friends for over 20 years here.....almost 25, and have not met a bad bolter yet! .....for a good laugh....I was told to talk while I walk to help me. (Thanks Peggy)

The past 7 weeks have been a trial I never thought I'd have to face. At times I simply felt I could not go on any longer and at times have not even wanted to. Back surgery wasn't so bad but right on its heels came the gallbladder problem that I may have even had during my back problems.
Then the gallbladder thing was not cut and dry. Doctor wasn't sure what it was and for a week I was on beef and chicken broth and then grits/oatmeal and such for another week. Finally got a CT scan but he felt it was inconclusive so diet for 2 weeks, and some Xrays. Then, an ultrasound. Then finally, two more weeks later, an appointment with the doctor where I was my own advocate, along with my daughter, that something must be done NOW. He finally said he'd admit me that evening about 5 o'clock. (Tuesday) That night they did another ultrasound and doctor was finally convinced it needed to come out. He worked me into his surgery schedule for Wednesday and they got to me about 3pm. At least I got to stay over night until late Thursday and I came home about 6pm.
Since then I still have pain from surgery but believe it to be getting a little better with the help of tylenol and ibuprohen. ... I refulse to take Hydrocodone as that is what sent me to the hospital ER after back surgery.

I have no appetite to speak of but my ritual consist of cherrios for early breakfast, maybe a Bojangle egg biscuit about 10am if I can get it, then its turkey or ham sandwiches, chicken or beef pot pies and for desert some applesauce or maybe low fat yogurt. Nothing greasy or fired....at least not yet.
I try to walk each day from my house to my mailbox, 50 steps, then up the street to my neighbors telephone pole which is 100 steps.....so 150 steps each way. Have to do it to get stronger as my legs were getting weaker each day. I try do this at least 3 times a day when someone is here with me and of course a walking cane too!

Not sleeping very well and the doctors say I could feel tired and fatigued up to two weeks and I certainly believe it. Right now I'm feel sooooo tired but felt I needed do at least check in.
My son in law stays with me every night, but I'm here daily by myself. My daughter teaches about a mile from me so she drops by most afternoons.

OOK, I"m tired, got to try lay down for a while to ease the pain.
THANKS again for the thoughts, kind words and prayers. I'm fighting this with your help. May each of you be blessed for your caring.

Not sure when I can post again. Hopefully soon as I heal and the pains go away.
You guys and gals are the best.... didn't check to see if all this made since. Hope you can read it. I did it in a hurry.

Now, Alvin, that's an update!

So so SO very glad to hear from you!

Love ya,
Peg

Alvin, Chic-fil-a is going bankrupt without your daily trip. Get well soon buddy.

Nothing wrong with your fingers for typing. hope you improve every day. all the best from downunder. had. T-shirt on yesterday from your 5th southern bolters reunion you sent me over ten years ago in 2012. you were the first stovebolter I had contact with and now I have a lot more in my Stovebolt family of friends

I wish I could say "He's Back", but I'll take this for now. We have way to many more adventures to plan for this to keep Alvin down.

Alvin

So good to hear from you. Sounds like it's been a tough road, but you're on a roll now. Keep on trucking, buddy.

Great to hear Alvin!

Thanks for the personal report, Alvin.

You have a lot of people here thinking of you and praying for you.

Great to hear the report Alvin! And to see you posting!
Vicki and I are rooting for you and I’ll give her a big hug, when I show her this!

Don

Great to hear from Alvin. I still owe him a hotdog and a Pepsi.

John

Good news Alvin. Glad to hear you're up and moving.

Great to see you post! Hope your recovery goes quick!

I’ve been stalking this thread for updates. So glad to hear things are improving.
Keep walking. Lazy bones = increased moans!

Didn’t even know that you were having a problem until I read this today. Remember my friend 1 foot in front of the other. Regardless of how much you do, something is better than nothing. You take care of yourself and enjoy the Bojangles sandwich. Can you mail me some chicken, lol. Take care my friend, Joe

Great to see your post , Alvin ! You hang in there and get some rest if possible. Man, they put you through the ringer. Stay strong!

Late to the thread, off the 'bolt for a while and PM'd Alvin on another topic.
Praying for Alvin's continued recovery.

I was able to catch up with Alvin yesterday, he's doing much better. He had an appointment with his family Dr. on Monday. The Dr. changed some of his medications and told him he was doing well and to see him again in 2 weeks. He still doesn't have much energy and gets tried easily, he has been getting out and even driving some. He is slowly introducing food back into his diet, he has to avoid spicy and fried foods. His voice is improving which is a must for Alvin, we actually talked for quite a while. He wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and wishes. I told him he needs to get better as we have a Southern Bolter event to plan. .

That's great news!

Thanks for the update Craig.

Great news! Thank you for the update!

Thanks Craig.

Thanks for keeping everyone updated. Alvin's learning a lot about foods and nutrition. It's not as cut and dry as you'd think. It's a good thing we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."

Great news about Alvin.

Hopefully He will chime in soon, we miss you Alvin!

Great news and thanks Craig for the updates!

Late to the thread seems to be a common.....thread. I don't get to stop in the spoon for coffee
much these days so this is the first I heard bout this Alvin. Ya old son of a buck....you better get
your self healed up now ya hear, I'm countin' on you to help me blow out the blaze on that birthday
cake....only 19 1/2 more to go. I know you youngsters can make that without breakin' a sweat.
But seriously old buddy, hope your mending and that those saw bones got rid of those worn out parts
that you don't need anymore. Ya know they're just in there taking up space, we don't need all that
extra baggage.
Get well now and count on me as another one that's pulling for ya.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

"Late to the thread ..."

Any which way ... glad to see you, Denny. In doing some house-cleaning, have quite a few pix of you from Kansas City Reunion stuff.

Thanks Peg. Enjoyed meeting you down there a few years back. Haven't seen you much around
the Bolt till lately but then again, I only drive by this way every so often these days. Hope your
doin' all right and sure hope Alvin bounces back. He was always one of my favorite bolters and
couldn't find a nicer guy.
The old man is catchin' up to me, been knockin' on the door all to often lately so I think my
days of traveling the country are behind me. Still driving Old Blue, my '50, but the move to
a bigger place has kept me so busy I don't have the time for all the hobbies that I once did.
Back to Chip now.....just saw this thread yesterday thanks Craig for keeping us informed on
Alvin's progress. I'll be stopping by a little more often to see how the old dude is doing.
I was tellin' him for years to leave those biscuits and gravy alone.....they'll clog ya up,
somethin' like not changin' the oil in your Stovebolt.
Ya'll take care now,
Denny G
Sandwich, IL

Denny,

Good to hear a little more from you. That "old man" seems to be lingering about here and there.




You all ... you'll never guess. I think one of Alvin's first days to get out on his own, making a trip to the dentist, he stopped to get a small burger. He's being careful to watch what he eats. Next visit >>>> biscuit and egg at Bojangles. I hope they are good to his tummy.

First off thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes.
This has really been a long journey that started back in August.
I am getting much better but still a ways to go. Mostly pain in the lower left side but its better as the days go by. I am now taking the rough road, No meds as I didn't like them anyway. The side effects bothered even my vision as well as making me weak and agitated.
I've talked to TuT a couple times and he can vouch for me that my voice was almost gone. I suppose from all the tubes that were stuck down my throat through the two surgeries. Its getting better but after about 5 minutes it starts going away. Still, its improving.....and yes, agitation, it seems after about 5 minutes I just didn't want to talk anymore, or may listen. Even to my own kids!!

I did sneak to Bojangles the other morning for an egg biscuit. I found they will cook me one without using any oil since I am not to eat anything greasy or fried. I do try just a little and see what happens but for now most everything is grilled. To start with the doctor wasn't sure and had me on nothing but beef or chicken broth for over a week...then it was oatmeal and grits. FINALLY, my daughter went with me to a doctor appt and boy did she advocate for me. Ended up sending me to hospital that evening, taking my gallbladder out the next evening and back home the next. Appts every two weeks trying to see the doctor, get ultrasounds and x-rays was something else. The doctor doesn't get involved in the appointments, just says come back in two weeks and some lady gives you the date......after my daughter finished her speech about how HE needed to get involved instead of letting me suffer things started moving along.

I walked up my street each day from my mailbox to the telephone pole....exactly 155 steps each way. It was the very best I could do for a while. Today its raining and I'm in the house so I'll walk up and down the hall for a little while!
Still a way to go but little by little. Luckily I could set in the dentist chair long enough to get them cleaned. I've just been tired of all thats went on.

Denny, good to hear from you and again thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. I'm getting better and will try check in a little more often.
Lots more I could add to all this but need to get up and move......time for a boiled egg and some left over grilled chicken nuggets.
Thanks everyone.

Good to hear from you Alvin.

Way to go Alvin, you got this!

Way to go Alvin.

Looks like your fingers are doing well.

Your daughter did good.

Keep on trucking. Good to hear from you.

Good to hearAlvin! I showed Vicki this and she was really pleased and said to say Hi!

Don

Well done, Alvin! Keep charging! Give your daughter a hug for all of us -- You need a doberman in the family when dealing with the medicals these days.

Great to see your back on the ‘bolt. Well wishes for your continued recovery!

Alvin I’ve got a Doberman but she has a tail but she would help if needed