Madman
Well-known member
Just venting my frustration, so please forgive me. After a 3 year wait, I finally got my Colorado Bull tag in my favorite area. It's near my hunting cabin, which I love staying in and it makes it such a great memory to hunt out of there. A good friend of mine was excited to be able to join me for the hunt, and we planned on doing some serious packing into an area most won't go to, as it's difficult to access and there are easier places to get to with elk, although the likeliness of getting a larger bull is lower. I'm amped up and ready to hit the mountain, and just counting down the days.
At the beginning of August, I starting feeling a pain in my back, which rapidly grew from a sore, stiff back to severe pain shooting down my right leg, making it extremely painful to stand, and impossible to walk. A trip to the ER for some pain management and shortly there after an urgent MRI reveals a severely bulging disc in L2-L3 pushing into my sciatic nerve.......I was referred for an "Urgent" neurosurgeon consult to fix...the doctors I spoke to said I should be seen in 2-3 days as it was urgent...and my hopes that I could be seen, fixed, and recover in time to make my hunt were high. I even got the VA to respond quickly (which is not common), so I start my wait.....and wait...and wait. I checked to verify the neurosurgeon facility had my MRI and was aware it was "urgent"......but after two weeks, I discussed the problem with my doctor, who reached out to the neurosurgeon and explained the situation again. 3 days later I get a call to schedule an appointment....for September 4........and while I am ecstatic and grateful to finally be seen (I am still unable to walk or stand more than 5 minutes ever since this started) and will probably have to have surgery to correct this, I am guessing the scheduling will take a few weeks and recovery will take some time, I recognize I am most likely not going to be recovered physically by October and therefore not likely to be able to hunt this year. For me, that's almost as painful as the medical condition.
Fortunately, speaking with DOW, I should be able to surrender my tag, and with a signed medical statement, get my points back. I am thankful for the medical appointments and fine medical staff in my area, and the support of everyone, but I can't say it doesn't sting to miss out on what I love so deeply to do, be in the Rocky Mountains, chasing deer and elk, in the wonderful cool, crisp air and enjoying the serenity of the moment.
So I hope to enjoy, vicariously through here, all the successes and photos and stories of you members until I get my next chance next year!
Thanks for listening to me whine! Good luck Lads and Lasses!
Kevin
At the beginning of August, I starting feeling a pain in my back, which rapidly grew from a sore, stiff back to severe pain shooting down my right leg, making it extremely painful to stand, and impossible to walk. A trip to the ER for some pain management and shortly there after an urgent MRI reveals a severely bulging disc in L2-L3 pushing into my sciatic nerve.......I was referred for an "Urgent" neurosurgeon consult to fix...the doctors I spoke to said I should be seen in 2-3 days as it was urgent...and my hopes that I could be seen, fixed, and recover in time to make my hunt were high. I even got the VA to respond quickly (which is not common), so I start my wait.....and wait...and wait. I checked to verify the neurosurgeon facility had my MRI and was aware it was "urgent"......but after two weeks, I discussed the problem with my doctor, who reached out to the neurosurgeon and explained the situation again. 3 days later I get a call to schedule an appointment....for September 4........and while I am ecstatic and grateful to finally be seen (I am still unable to walk or stand more than 5 minutes ever since this started) and will probably have to have surgery to correct this, I am guessing the scheduling will take a few weeks and recovery will take some time, I recognize I am most likely not going to be recovered physically by October and therefore not likely to be able to hunt this year. For me, that's almost as painful as the medical condition.
Fortunately, speaking with DOW, I should be able to surrender my tag, and with a signed medical statement, get my points back. I am thankful for the medical appointments and fine medical staff in my area, and the support of everyone, but I can't say it doesn't sting to miss out on what I love so deeply to do, be in the Rocky Mountains, chasing deer and elk, in the wonderful cool, crisp air and enjoying the serenity of the moment.
So I hope to enjoy, vicariously through here, all the successes and photos and stories of you members until I get my next chance next year!
Thanks for listening to me whine! Good luck Lads and Lasses!
Kevin
