6/24/2024

For those that know Francis, he was about ready to retire. Retirement to Doc meant fishing LOTS, Columbia, Willapa, Chehalis, Westport, Neah Bay, Alaska and LOTS of clam digging.

Well all that is going to be "put on hold" for many months. He called me, 8/23/2024, said he had some fresh caught ling cod he wanted to share with me. He told me to come over anytime I wanted, that he'd be working around his garage area....this phone call was around 4 p m, I decided to go over just after 5 p m....this time bit is important because of what happen to "Doc".

When I got there Doc wasn't to be seen, got out of my car and heard "Bill, Bill, you need to help me........most don't know this but I can't walk without the use of a walker, or use 2 wading poles because of a balance problem. I went around the edge of his garage, Doc was lying on the ground by his brothers boat and trailer. He said he broke his leg in 2 places, and that it just happen in the last 5 minutes.

He had gotten up in his brothers boat, had to move a canvas, took a step, got stung by a hornet, and could hear others. He jump out of the boat, landed on a raised edging of the concrete parking area AND THEN ROLLED ABOUT 20 FEET DOWN A HILL, he knew he had broken his leg but he didn't know how bad he was, pulled himself up the hill, over the curbing and then just laid there.....phone was a long ways away......I drive in, see and hear Doc lying on ground, he needs his phone.....got it, he called a neighbor who is always home, not yesterday, called another person, guy came right over, cut a piece of cardboard, put around his leg and then ductaped it in place. The guy pulled him close to the car door, then started closing garage doors, etc. Doc pulled himself into the car.....

Bottom line, he had called Community Hospital, told them to get ready for him, he texted me this morning...he's at Harborview in Seattle.....his comment "BAD break" and he was just going into surgery.

Just glad I arrived when I did!!!!!! That's all I know

I'm sure he might do a followup.....but it might be awhile..

Sure glad you went over when you did.....hope Doc recovers well so he he can get back to keepin on.

Thanks for more detail. Doc posted an x-ray of it. It seemed rather poor planning to retire and then break your damn leg. Here's to a speedy recovery.

Doc, get better soon!

Glad a guy who has been a generous friend to so many has friends like you, Drifter.

Godspeed, Doc. We're pulling for you.

Get well and will be waiting for a picture you in a cast at the tiller!

Knowledgeable, articulate, committed and informed guy. We need more like him. Heal up fast.

Sorry to hear! Heal up soon!

I talked to him today. Sounded good but was getting another surgery
soon. He told me to go to his house and get the Halibut he caught a day earlier.
and bring some here and there. Yes, I had a very good Halibut dinner today.

He was on a walker today but not to sure how long.

Thanks for all you do doc. See you on the Krik soon.

fp

Thanks, Billiam!

DrifterWA and freeglobbin… CLEARLY my heroes that day!

6/26/2024

Just glad I got there when I did, didn't do much but was able to get your phone for you.....

You want me to have someone get rid of that "nest of hornets"???? Might as well do it sooner, rather than later.....

Had Ling Cod for dinner, last night... Used a internet recipe, it was a great dinner!!!!!

Oh man! So sorry to hear. Transitioning to retirement is one thing. My older buddy mentioned how is Apple watch saved his ass when he fell outside, was alone, phone in the house and couldn't move. I'm considering getting one. Best wishes for a speedy and successful recovery to enjoy retirement.

But Bill, did you get stung by any hornets?

Stopped by the trauma ward and saw the good Doc today, he will not be doing any downhill skiing for a bit, but spirits were good and life goes on!

Fish on...

Todd

Any news on how the recent surgery went on the good Doc?

His surgery went well, it looks like they had to do a lot to fix it with plates and screws. Now starts the long journey of PT and healing.

07/15/24 UPDATE:

Better by the day, but a LONG ways from the finish line.

Able to mobilize to $h!t/wipe for myself.
Can stand for up to 15 minutes at a time to prep/cook.
Able to transfer in/out of a wheelchair alone, and let myself out of the cage. Getting back in, I still need help.

Spent a few hours each of the past two days restocking rolls of salmon trolling leaders and droppers, and doing assorted other tackle craft. My Fb friends can see it there.

Range of motion goes from locked straight to just over 70 degrees of flexion at the knee. Hope to be at 90+ degrees by the end of the work week.

Essentially pain free and taking only minimal (2-3) doses of Vicodin (hydrocodone) a day and tapering down. Suspect I won't need any by the end of the week.

7/15/2024

Now that's a good report.....good for you,

Knee at 90 degree is a good goal!!!!

Pain free, how well I remember "that Sunday afternoon", not much comment from you, at that time...and I know it must have been "hurting BIG TIME"

Glad for the progress, especially weaning off the drugs. Keep up the progress.

Keep on healing Doc!

Heal fast Doc!

Good to know you're on the mend.

POD #14 and 8th day back home from the hospital. Enough flexion to get in/out of the driver's seat. Drove my car into town today to take care of some office admin duties.

Flying solo at Chez Doc since coming home from my Kenai trip.

Monday PT session: 105 degrees passive flexion... 99 degrees active flexion.

Buoy 10 awaits!

8/14/2024

6/23/2024 - 8/14/2024, you have amazing recuperative skills. Good for you, retirement is looking better, for you, each and everyday.

Indeed Buoy 10 does await !!!!!!!!

Good news on the recovery. Keep up the good work and especially the PT. I do believe, though, that standing in a small boat will accelerate the return of fine muscle control in the legs for balance. I a sure the therapist would agree ; especially of you take them along.

Yup I can see your logic CM and I am willing to bet Doc is busy getting his game plan together!

6-week PO appt last Thurs.

Excellent alignment and signs of early bone re-growth on x-ray. Wound fully healed and the last remaining 7 stitches were removed.

112 degrees passive flexion (eventual goal ~130)
103 degrees active flexion

Started low-resistance exercise bike at last PT session.

6 more weeks NON weight bearing... so halfway there!

....

Now time to get back to prepping the boat for Buoy 10.

Great news all around. Keep consuming that Calcium. I remember my Doc telling me to do that, but also reminded me that Single Malts are not a source of it. Has other medicinal values, though.

120 degrees passive flex at PT this morning. Close to 10 minutes on the exercise bike.

Able to get in/out of the boat parked in the garage... SOLO!

Get ready, B-10.... here I come!

Glad you're back out. The stories and pictures are normally worth the wait. With a one-legged guide it out to be even better.
Tight lines!

Blyme matey, one-legged , eh?

That’s makes him a Pirate , and pirates can tame any sea with a single good leg !

Or a bit of B-10 chop for that matter. Anyone have an extra Parrot to lend here?

BTW, congrats on the mending, hope it continues at a positive & rapid pace.

Avast matey ! (I think that’s pirate talk?)

Been watching this on Facebook. Glad you are back Doc!! Looking forward to all the fishing you are going to do haha!

Been gone for a while and miss all the action.
Good to hear your recovery is working well, don’t push it too hard the second time is a lot worse.

Damn doc hope you're doing better man! I need to check on my old cronies more often.

Win that fight! We need you back on the water.

Got the surgeon's blessing to begin loading that injured leg with some body weight. Graduating to one crutch!

Really good news. With my ankle, it was so good to finally be able to stand on it some. Those leg muscles will need some work.