As most of you know I had a "mild" heart attack on May 17th. So far so good. My prognosis is good but I'm still in the initial stages of treatment which include FIFTEEN different daily medications; three inhalers; one daily injection, as well as seven additional vitamins. This is tearing me up as I have a bear hunt scheduled to leave this weekend. My "team" of doctors, friends and my family are saying I'm stupid, irresponsible, irrational, selfish and unrealistic... but I really want to go. Frankly, I honestly think I could pull this off physically as I feel pretty well right now. My only symptoms are a chronic, dry cough supposedly caused from one of the meds. They've changed that combo but said the cough might take "a week or two" to get out of my system. Point being, a chronic cough won't go over well on a bear stand. Deep down inside I know I should postpone my hunt until next year. For those not familiar with Tom Phillips Bear Quest camp there are years of positive feedback on this hunt in the TG archives. This would have been six years in a row there for me. I usually pass up between ten and thirty different bears (under ten yards )per week on this hunt. I realize this is extremely short notice but if anyone would like to take my slot on Hunt #1 which is June 9 thru 16th (this weekend) we'll forfeit my $350. deposit from the hunt. With Father's Day approaching on June 17th I thought maybe someone might want to get Dad a gift he'll remember for the rest of his life. Tom can answer any questions and can be contacted at ImDiablo62@aol.com. Not only is this a great hunt, in a great camp with a bunch of outstanding, experienced traditional bowhunters but it's at a discounted rate for an experience you'll cherish the rest of your life. Thanks again to all those who have contacted me in the last few weeks with thoughts and prayers. To all my friends and family who thought I was a stupid, irresponsible, selfish, irrational idiot... I hope you're now happy. Thank you. BW aka UB
Thanks Barry for the update. Continue to follow the Doctors order and take well care of your self. It won't be long before you will be in the November woods.
Tony
Wise choice, AND magnanimous jesture. :clapper:
I can feel your pain Barry. That sure has to hurt worse than the stupid heart attack. But no doubt you are doing the right thing. Medical services are pretty slim in the bush. You might even be out of Tippit's league if you did need treatment up there.
Lord willing, there are plenty of years ahead of you, and if I know you, you will do your absolute best to make up for the loss of this bear season.
Your doing the right thing ,.....as hard as it is. Someone will jump at the chance to take your spot on this great hunt!
You made the right choice, get better
Tough decision but for sure in this way you insure yourself many future hunts. :thumbsup:
Picture this.......Doc Jeff leaning over you with one of those famous blades in his right hand. "Hold still Barry....this won't hurt a bit....this blade is VERY sharp".
Probably a wise decision. Tom will make sure there's plenty of bears left for next year! Save your strength for November in Iowa.....and think good thoughts....like Gene dragging one of those Iowa pigs out of the woods for you.
If you come to Denton next month, I'll save one of those moose hotsticks for you.....they'll cure anything!
:campfire:
To everyone that thought you were a stupid, irresponsible, selfish, irrational idiot, what was their point?
As you've decided it's probably for the better, but good on you for bagging it up because the coughing would ruin the hunt and not for any other reason...
Could have just said you are a hunting addict and they would have had to say "Duh". Doing the right thing, it will come back to you. :thumbsup:
Better safe than sorry Barry.Take care of yourself and make the trip next year.You made the right decision in not going.
Probably a wise decision :thumbsup: but one you'll always wonder about :pray:
You'll be back next year. I wouldn't worry much about Jeff cutting on me but Bowdoc would probably be his nurse. Now that should scare you.
Besides, if something did happen to you in the woods, when we got you to a doctor, the doctor would tell us, "He could have made it, if you wouldn't have gut him out."
All kidding aside, we will miss you Barry. Work on getting well.
Keith Kemkes
Better to wait and give a bear a heart attack next season than to have another yourself. Get well and then get back after them!
Chronic cough? Sounds like lisinopril. Did that to my wife also, one of the side effects for about 60% of the people put on it. You are doing the right thing Barry, heal up first.
Giving up one year so you can be sure to enjoy many more is the right thing. Ya got me with the " Wensel bear " title. God speed in your recovery uncle Barry
:help: :thumbsup: :campfire: Take care Barry :clapper:
Apparently Gene is the tougher twin. Wish you a speedy recovery Barry.
If anyone is interested in spot let me know ASAP.
You can call me at 973-224-5674
Tom
QuoteOriginally posted by birddog75:
Apparently Gene is the tougher twin. Wish you a speedy recovery Barry.
LMAO
I BET HE WOULD SAY THE MORE HANDSOME ONE TOO!!
speedy recovery man. I would be stubborn and go. But I'm definitely. "not all there". Your doing the right thing
Probably a wise move. Whitetail season is just around the corner!!! Take care of yourself! :thumbsup:
Take it easy and get healthy and there will be many more seasons to enjoy.
:campfire: :archer:
Save your strength Barry.
I had a chronic cough associated with a sinus infection. Thought I could hold coughs in when deer hunting as I had already missed 2 weeks. YEAH RIGHT! Long story short... No deer that night!
Mighty fine gesture and deal you are offering. My guess is next year Bears look out, Barry is coming back!
Feel better Barry, hope to see you at Denton again.
Dang Barry, I was all set for surgery in the woods. Now the worst part...I have to tell my nurses that they Can't come to Bear Camp!
Get stronger so you can drag my bear out next year ;) tippit
Get better soon Barry!
You'll be ready by November!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
QuoteOriginally posted by meathead:
You'll be back next year. I wouldn't worry much about Jeff cutting on me but Bowdoc would probably be his nurse. Now that should scare you.
Bowdoc being a nurse??? That would be sure death and probably a painful one too! :knothead:
Get well Barry!!
Glad to hear you are trusting your instincts on this tough decision. That is also awesome that you are providing someone the opportunity for the hunt of a lifetime!!! Get well soon!!!
The hardest part is the mental stuff, just wanting to be out there. I went through a similar thing ten years ago, when I broke my back and missed a whole bow season. Hang in there Barry, you are truly blessed. The bears will still be there next year...and so will you. :)
Take care of yourself and get well soon. You made the right decision and proved all the naysayers wrong; sounds like they owe you one. :notworthy:
Happy to hear you are on the path to recovery, feeling better, and making good decisions. Remember that new grandbaby, stick around a while longer and create more memories.
Sometimes the right choice isn't the fun choice.... glad your going about it this way!!
What about all those guys who booked that hunt knowing you would be in camp?
You should send them each $100 out of your pocket back on their hunt.
Haha, Biggie has a point there! Just kidding, good move Barry, get back to 100%
Up-Top for Uncle Barry.
I wanted to meet Gene anyways! :biglaugh:
Wise move Barry! We all know what hunting means to us, however your health is all you have as we get older. Without your health you'll never enjoy: the many more years of bear hunting left in you and your family and your friends and all the important things in life. I know that you know you have made the right move here it just sucks, we know. Hang in there, do as your Dr.s advise - it's too early to become bear bait!
Dave great words of wisdom !!
This is tearing me up because I'm feeling stronger every day and honestly feel I could go on this great hunt. bw
Barry, take care of yourself. I know it's tough to sit this one out but one missed hunt and you'll be on the road to many more in the future. Don't get back in the saddle until the Doc says you're ready, too many big bucks to chase around in Iowa for many more falls to come :)
Barry,You're doing the right thing.Rather have you around for more in the future.
LD
Barry,
The back woods of Quebec is no place to need medical help! Doc is one fine man but unless you need neutered or your dew claw removed I'd avoid using his services for heart surgery. I'm sure there is a writing project you can keep busy with. Tom will save your spot and Quebec won't run out of bears anytime soon. Hope to see you at Denton.
I'm sure it will be hard not to go. But very easy to stay home and spend time with the family. Your doing the rite thing.
Barry , Glad to hear you're feeling better . Even though I am going to miss your snoring you are making the wise decision . Gamble with your money , you can always make more , but not with your health . and don't beat yourself up over this we all want you around a long time , Fred
QuoteThe back woods of Quebec is no place to need medical help!
Very well said Dave. When you go in the emergency room and pull out an insurance card from the US it gets real interesting. When my cousin got hurt bad on a bear hunt they sowed his face closed (very poorly)luckly he grew a full beard to cover it up and will always have to have it. And when he got home a week later the message on the anser machine was your arm is broken get to the hospital :scared:
Sorry to read this Barry the boys at camp will certainly miss you being in camp. Hope you get better soon buddy. :pray:
Finally someone is going to actually try and kill something from the Resurrection Stand and not sit it just to take pictures and shoot home movies. :biglaugh:
To those that sit the Resurrection stand, beware there is a big boar that comes to that stand with one hell of a big shield over his vitals. It's scar tissue from Barry shooting at him every year. :laughing:
Gatekeeper: As Sitting Bull would say, "I know not of what you speak" UB