One last roadblock before Africa

Voodooracer

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This post isn’t meant to look for or garner any sympathy, actually as I write this I am full of optimism and excitement. I also want to use this post to express my deep gratitude for this forum and all the wonderful folks on here. On September 9th i’ll be having surgery that I hope will knock down the last roadblock of me booking my first safari. This issue started almost 16 years ago when I was 14, I began to notice great pain in my right foot when I walked a lot. Tried arch supports and every manner of non surgical remedy until I was about 21. It was discovered that the tendon that holds up the arch of my foot was to blame. So I underwent fairly significant surgery to address the issue. It appeared, at first, to have worked. About 5 years after the surgery, the pain came back 10 fold. Over the last 3 years I’ve been relegated to a walking boot 3 or so times, for anywhere between 1-4 months at a time. My dream of going on safari, I was concerned, was in jeopardy. Planning my life around how much I was on my feet on any given week is not conducive to my African hunting dream. I found out that the previous doctor that operated did not do anything with the tendon in question other than do the reconstructive work and re-attach the junk part. My new surgeon is confident he will be able to transfer another tendon to get me as close to 100% as possible. I’m not looking forward to the 6-8week housebound recovery time, but the prize at the end is worth it. I can not give enough thanks to this forum and the amazing individuals that are members. The advice regarding guns, ammo, and hunting in general is priceless to me. Even though I have yet to share a hunting story from Africa, everyone has made me feel included and part of this group. Reading the hunting reports and the amazing hunting stories on here has kept this fire and passion for conservation and hunting burning. My plan is to have my first safari booked within 1 year give or take, after I’m up and running again. In the fast paced day to day life it can be easy to sometimes forget to pause and say thank you or share kindness with others, so to that, thank you all! I hope to share an African campfire with you very soon! Sorry about over-sharing the medical stuff hahah!

Voodoo
 
Hope it all goes well for you and you can realize your dream!
 
Your getting it handled and no doubt you will be on the long flight to your dream hunt before you know it. Wish ya the best and with your layup time that's just more AH time!
 
Thank you! Things will go well come hell or high water. The mantra that’s always been instilled in me is: “ When you have to fight, fight like your the third animal in line for Noah’s Ark, and brother, it’s starting to rain.” That is a definite upside, this forum will definitely help pass the time!!!
 
Thank you! Things will go well come hell or high water. The mantra that’s always been instilled in me is: “ When you have to fight, fight like your the third animal in line for Noah’s Ark, and brother, it’s starting to rain.” That is a definite upside, this forum will definitely help pass the time!!!
That's the spirit right there bud!
 
I wish you the best in getting yourself fixed up.
You'll be hunting Africa sooner than later.
 
Good luck, I'll be watching for your first hunt report.
 
Good luck on the surgery. Have faith that the surgeon can do what is needed.
 
Best of luck, sounds like it will come out right this time. Stay positive, you'll make Africa yet!(y):cool:
 
Good luck and enjoy the planning for first trip it will be the start of a great addition only which I had started 40 years ago
 
Thank you all, I do have faith that things will get straightened out this time around. The toughest thing will be not being able to get to the range while on the mend. I’ve been out to the range practicing with my shooting sticks 1-2 times a week for the last month or so anticipating the upcoming dry spell hahah.
 
Keep up your positive attitude and unfortunately you have to be your own advocate in just about any issue requiring medical help in our country these days. Don't be afraid of firing any medical professional and finding a different one if you're frustrated. I've fired my fair share, especially the ones that have an attitude that they're God's younger sibling rather than another of God's children.
 
Thanks for the update. You are a good example of a person who is thankful. I will pray that all goes well. I find Psalm 27 to be a great encouragement when I go through difficulties.
 
May Gob Bless you and your doctor and may the healing begin.
Philip
 
Nice try, but you'll get no sympathy from me re. recovery time.;);) BTW what is stopping you from getting shorter sticks and shooting from a wheel chair? Where there is a will there is a way!! Besides that, your "stick" practice should be with a 22 or 17HMR anyway, not your hunting rifle. Try it before you have surgery just to prove to yourself that it can be done. I'm not a hard A** but I'm no stranger to physical challenges either.
 
Best of luck, I look forward to seeing your report and pictures. Press on sir!
 
Nice try, but you'll get no sympathy from me re. recovery time.;);) BTW what is stopping you from getting shorter sticks and shooting from a wheel chair? Where there is a will there is a way!! Besides that, your "stick" practice should be with a 22 or 17HMR anyway, not your hunting rifle. Try it before you have surgery just to prove to yourself that it can be done. I'm not a hard A** but I'm no stranger to physical challenges either.

Really the only hang up will be being able to physically get to the shooting range, I'm sure I will make it out there at some point. One of my friends will hopefully find it in their hearts to haul my busted a** to the range hahahaha. My sticks are segmented to I can definitely shorten them to accommodate. I have a .22 in the rotation, usually I will practice with my deer rifle, move up to the bigger stuff for 5-10 rounds then go back to the 22. I'm no stranger either, I don't want to push my luck too much this time around, the stakes are fairly high if I'm not careful and over do it.
 
Keep the positive attitude as others have said and keep pushing through. You can get there. Do all of the exercising you can for your upper body and core while sitting on a stool. You keep that up and stay ahead of the game, then when the foot is ready, the rest of the body is too. When I need help from my buddies the offer of BBQ and Beer afterwards usually works!
 
Wish you the very best, and yes, you have the right attitude to have things done .
 

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