2008 Muzzleloader Deer Season Chronicles

DAY ONE, Friday, November 28, 2008

Oops! Overslept this morning. I forgot to set the alarm. It's 0900. Oh well, I'll hunt tomorrow.


DAY TWO, Saturday, November 29, 2008

Not feeling so hot today. Spent the day preparing for my hunt on Sunday. Mainly took the day off.


DAY THREE, Sunday, November 30, 2008

Arrived on stand at 0600 to a cool 32 degrees. Light snow and sleet was falling but nothing sticking to the ground yet. By the time 0830 rolls around, I hadn't seen anything but a couple of squirrels running around. The ground was beginning to take on a nice dusting of snow.

I decided to return to the rig to warm up some at 0830 since I was getting a bit wet. I was enjoying the weather activity from inside the SUV now that I was comfortable again. I remained for one hour then returned to my parents home. This would be our Thanksgiving Day as all our family members would be together.

When I got there, I didn't feel well and decided to lay down for awhile until everyone arrived. I developed a severed muscle pain in my right thigh. It was then I started having severe chills and showing signs of hypothermia. After about four hours burrowed under warm blankets, the chills went away. I slept until about 1630 and missed seeing the family. All had gone by the time I felt well enough to stir around a bit. The shivering threw my lower back out of whack. I got home just a bit after dark and hit the sack.


DAY FOUR, Monday, December 1, 2008

My thigh was really hurting this morning when I got up at 0600. The back wasn't any better either. As I went in to the bathroom that I discovered my lower leg was badly swollen and very red. It extended from the foot to just above the knee. I kept an eye on it for a little while. Should I call the doctor or should I go to the emergency room? Had I gone to the doc, he would've probably sent me to the ER anyway. So I opted to save time and go on to the emergency room. Gee, I hate emergency rooms.

A mistake on my part, I failed to eat breakfast or drink anything this morning. I arrived at the ER at 1100 and sure enough, they decided to keep me overnight. I lay there in a lot of pain and they wouldn't allow me any water or snack. Went through several different kinds of blood tests and a couple of ultra sound scans. They finally got me to my room about 1730. Thank God!

I asked for a room with an ocean view but instead I got a beautiful view of the parking lot from three floors up. The room was located in the newer section of the hospital. Best thing about it, it was a single room! Huge bathroom and a flat screen TV with cable!

The nurses told me I made it in time for dinner and my tray would be delivered in 30 minutes. OH BOY! I was starved! And I just quinched my thirst with ice cold water. Supper didn't arrive in 30 minutes. At 2030 I asked what happened to my supper? Then I found out they gave it to another. So at 2130, I got my first meal of the day...a plain turkey sandwich with baked chips. A bit disappointing but by now, I was counting it a blessing to have just THAT! Must keep leg elevated at all times.


DAY FIVE, Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Still in hospital. I'm drugged up and the mind is fuzzy on events. I recall having some weird nightmares. Also remember having IV's reinstalled on me 5 different times. Veins kept closing down or something like that. One nurse didn't tell me she was about to inject her needle and I let out an "OUCH" that was heard down the hallway. Startled her. Startled ME most! From that point on, she warned me with a "1, 2, 3, HERE IT COMES!". I forgot to tell that particular nurse that I'm allergic to needles, scapels, and bonesaws. I think she took me serious.


DAY SIX, Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Still dopey but enjoying the hospital food. Love them turkey sandwiches for snacks. Leg elevated and back still bothersome.


DAY SEVEN, Thursday, December 4, 2008

Still dopey. What day is this? Geee I don't know but those drugs work really good. Getting used to the needle sticks at night. I don't bother to acknowledge them now and try to sleep through.

The food has been really decent. The cafeteria's evening shift room service isn't very good. They rarely got an order correct plus they were pretty slow. One thing for sure, what ever they brought, it was GOOD!

The folks brought my laptop tonight. I can't believe all the junk email that came in while away. I was able to finally connect to the outside world via the computer. I have a Jeff Dunham DVD to watch now.


DAY EIGHT, Friday, December 5, 2008

Getting very tired and restless having to keep the leg elevated. Drugs solved that problem. More ultra sounds today.


DAY NINE, Saturday, December 6, 2008

What turned out to be an overnight stay was slightly extended. The doctors said the cellulitis was very serious and could have resulted in blood clots and blood poisoning which could end up in a more serious situation. Now the swelling has gone down considerably and the redness getting lighter, I am released from the hospital at 1430.

I'm off work indefinitely until my primary doctor releases me. Must follow up with him within two weeks. Well, I will call him first thing Monday and speed the release if I can.


DAY TEN, Sunday, December 7, 2008

What a way to spend the muzzleloader season...in the hospital. Today is the last day and I remain deerless.


Thanks for reading my journal. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it.