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Weekly Store Update: 6 November
Unlike our standard newsletters, there isn't any new game, giveaway, or regular shop news this time around. As Eric underwent hip replacement surgery, last week was completely focused on his healing. No worries though, we'll most likely be picking up the usual newsletter goodness next week. So, nothing to see here - unless you're interested in how the surgery went, then stop on by!
INTRO
Welcome to our weekly newsletter! For our new readers I'm Eric, and Wendy and I run Stone Valley Games. This newsletter is our way to share both local and world-wide gaming news of interest that popped up last week. It also provides our subscribers, both local and remote, some information on the going's on around here so everyone feels like part of the action. Normally at the bottom of this newsletter we show you the restocks, new items, and preorders added to the store last week - but it was a healing week, so we don't have that ready for you yet. Again, this issue is just to let you know how I'm doing, and everything is cut back so I don't have to spend too much time behind the keyboard.
HIP SURGERY? FOR REAL?
I wanted to start this off by saying I'm recovering and healing from the hip surgery that I underwent on Monday - Halloween. As I hoped, it was all treat...and no trick. There really isn't anything game related in this newsletter and I will not feel bad at all if you don't read it. However, I've received questions from several folks so decided to just jot down where we're I'm at with it.
I've been suffering from hip pain for a long time, even from back when I was still in the military (retired in 2014). Never really thought much about it, pain is kind of like that constant friend for me. I don't know what event or events led to the pain - I kind of threw myself into everything I ever did. And I did everything I ever wanted too...and I was an adrenaline junkie, so I'm quite surprised I made it thru. Let's just say I don't have anything left in the "crazy" category on my bucket list. It was a lot of fun at the time, but I've been paying for it lately.
In any case, it all came to a head a few years ago when the hip pain really started limiting me from doing what I liked, especially running and hiking. I attempted numerous home treatment methods, which I have become very good at over the years. They didn't work. So, I finally went in to have it looked at and it was immediately apparent things were not right upon viewing the MRI.
There were options, but everything other than hip replacement would be temporary. After about three weeks of contemplation, discussion, meditation and prayer I decided to get it done. And that is how a 51-year-old man has his hip replaced.
THE SURGERY
If you have the stomach for it, you can check out how the general hip replacement procedure looks on the internet. It's amazing. In any case, my show time was 0530 and everything went very smoothly. Wendy was with me every step of the way. It's kind of cheating with her though - as a retired Registered Nurse I couldn't have a better person in my corner. They processed me in an efficient manner and before I knew it, they were wheeling me back for the procedure.
I was given a block in my spine so I couldn't feel anything from my belly-button area down to my toes. Then I was put under and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room and a few minutes later Wendy appeared. The procedure took around an hour.
In the photo on the left I'm eating breakfast - it's around 0900. I felt pretty good. The pain in my surgery location was fairly intense, but nothing I couldn't handle. Best part, even with that surgery pain, I could immediately tell that my hip was better.
Then, after breakfast I used the walker to go to the restroom and a few minutes later physical therapy showed up to give me my walk about and showed me a few exercises and how to negotiate stairs. The photo on the right is about three hours after surgery. It's absolutely mind blowing how quick everything went. Then, minutes after lunch, right around 1300 (or 1 PM....) I was released.
SINCE THEN
The pain, once all the good stuff they give me in surgery wore off, was quite intense. It wasn't in the hip area though; it was from the knee up thru the thigh. Imagine a muscle tear, and then propagate that through the entire upper thigh and then add a whopper of a knee strain on top. It hasn't been as bad as my migraines though. So, as far as pain intensity, it's less than a ten - I can handle it. Wednesday was fun though... when my weekly migraine showed up along with the surgery pain. Exquisite. At least, the Cenobites would think so...
In the photo on the left I'm just chilling. I am not very good at that...but I am trying to be good and let myself heal. It's up every hour for a walk, and I'm still using that walker. I hate it, but there are occasional moments when the leg just won't support me, but I'm getting better every day.
The photo on the right is some gifts from folks. My circle is not very large - a victim of moving so much and then being buried in work now. However, I wanted to impart a special "thank you" to Steve Bollenbaugh for one of those flower arrangements. It means an awful lot. I'm an avid proponent for mental health, and things like a "wall of fame" where you keep your accolades and gestures like this from others have a tremendous effect in keeping the mind strong. I have these near me, and it really does make things better.
AND ONWARD
I just didn't have the mental or physical capability to get the preorders laid in the system or set up the items that arrived last week. I should be able to get to that this week. Plus, there are a ton of exciting games arriving soon and I want to get them to you.
We have been keeping up with the deliveries. My skeleton crew is in a few hours a day and have been doing an amazing job keeping things running. We've also been keeping up with the curbside pickup. If you're local and need a pickup, we have someone available weekdays from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. If that window doesn't work for you, send us a message and we'll coordinate another time. We're also still undecided on the November giveaway - I'm not quite there yet. However, things change every day - even if just a little, so I'll keep you updated in this newsletter on how I'm progressing.
The standard recovery for this surgery is 4 to 6 weeks. Based on how I feel right now, I'm leaning toward the 6. I can still be a little productive though. I should be able to produce a normal newsletter next week - and there's a chance we can still get this game giveaway kicked off later in the month.
Thank you again for the well wishes, prayers and thoughts. I know this pain is only temporary, but it's still a bit of a slog to get to where I can be functional again. Thanks for taking the time to catch up, and I'll see you next week!
Glad the surgery went well with no complications. Hope your recovery time follows suit. Get some rest!
Thanks Eric! Yeah, it comes and goes. Wendy tells me it’s all my fault because the photos look so good. I told her – you have to smile for the camera!
Really happy to hear everything went well with the surgery, and I appreciate you sharing with us. For all us gamers out here who’ve come to think of SVG as our gaming home, part of the reason is that it’s more than just a store – so I’m sure there are tons of folks reading this who are really, genuinely happy to hear you’re recovering, games totally aside.
I appreciate it Dave! It’s a bit weird trying to develop a community of like-minded folks, but it looks like a few people enjoy it 😉 Thanks for everything, and know I’m doing my best to heal properly and not get too far ahead of myself. –Eric
Eric,
Whatever you do, don’t open the puzzle box! Seriously, I hope you heal up quick and are back to peddling board games in no time.
Darren, State College, PA
Nice catch on the reference Darren! Yeah…occasionally still it definitely feels like I have pinhead a bit too close! 😀 Thanks for the note, it’s much appreciated! –Eric
So happy your recovery is going well, hope it continues to@
Thanks so much! It’s turning out to be a lot more work than I had anticipated, but we’re making it! –Eric
Here. I’ll make an executive decision for you. No giveaway in November! Let’s all focus on what we have now and the many temporal and spiritual gifts to come. Sending Eric, Wendy, their family & friends and the whole SVG Team all the best!
Well, to be completely honest Scott, I feel the same way about the giveaway right now. However – who knows what another week will bring. These things can turn for the better quickly. I do appreciate the note and will take it into account. Within our community everyone gets a vote (but…Wendy always has veto rights – dumb bylaws… 😀 ) Thanks for the thoughts – it means a lot to us. –Eric
I hope you feel better soon! 🙂
Thanks Tasha… so do I 😀 The one thing that’s been true so far is that things get better every day, and so for that I am grateful. –Eric
Hi Eric, glad to hear your surgery went well. My Dad is 76 and had the same surgery this summer. It’s amazing to me that people are up walking soon after the surgery. Sorry to hear about your migraines, too. I’d agree with other posters here, skip the November giveaway and just take care of yourself! I hope your recovery is swift and smooth.
Thanks John! Yeah – I think we’re going to skip the November giveaway but make it up in December. I’m working on the newsletter now with more on that. It’s funny, the recovery for this is taking much longer than I anticipated – but it’s getting better every day. Hopefully your father is doing well, I can tell you that things will definitely be better for me once I’m thru the early stages. Take care! –Eric
Thanks for sharing, I’ll be praying for a quick recovery. I get occasional migraines too and I can only imagine having the surgery pain on top of that! Looking forward to the newsletter where you talk about how good it feels to run and hike again.
Thanks for that Darren! I’m looking forward to the end of this recovery as well. Take care! –Eric