Sorry for your loss Jim, and yes, I think that is how most of us would like to go, just go to sleep and never wake up.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Just got a call from my friend Darrell Lowrance's wife Kathleen. Darrell died from a massive stroke. Kathleen said he had watched a series of aviation videos and then went to bed, that was that. You'll recognize the name, "LOWRANCE", he invented the "fish finder". Darrell flew his Pitts S2B, Stemme Motor Glider, 182RG, Swearingen Rocket, and Pilatus PC12 right up to his passing. He owned the hangar across and down one to the left from HQ.
Edit to add TOPP. Something I did for the photography class I took several years ago, had to do a Semi-self portrait and have layers. Came up with this.
Well I had a low stress day today so I decided to do a little work at the hangar............HQ Phase II got framed today! Chandler voted for a balcony, so a balcony it is.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Well I had a low stress day today so I decided to do a little work at the hangar............HQ Phase II got framed today! Chandler voted for a balcony, so a balcony it is.
Hi Jim, sorry to read of your recent tribulations. On the other hand it’s nice to see that Phase II got planning approval and is “in build”. Do you think the Sim will fit OK? Presumably having just gone solo, one steps out onto the balcony and takes a round of applause from the assembled masses below?
I’ve been a bit scarce just lately. Long story short, the wheels have come off my buggy a bit. My blood Hb went from 134 (just normal) to 63 (emergency level) in 28 days. I had an iron infusion 8 days ago and I’m feeling a bit better now – but as weak as the proverbial kitten. I’m going to see my new family doctor tomorrow. We’ve previously only talked on the phone when she was dealing with the emergency. As an aid to our conversation I’ve charted my Hb levels over the last 12 months – it’s not a good look.
I cannot imagine the amount of maintenance it takes to keep these planes airworthy at sea. This EA-6B was flown to Akron in January and the photo is from last week. Just look at the amount of rust that already formed in that short time span in the wing fold mechanism!
ELinder wrote:
I cannot imagine the amount of maintenance it takes to keep these planes airworthy at sea. This EA-6B was flown to Akron in January and the photo is from last week. Just look at the amount of rust that already formed in that short time span in the wing fold mechanism!
Erich
It's not all rust by the looks of it also a lot of grease.
Just look at your brake disks if you have driven your car they are nice and shiny but if it's humid and you come back at the end of the day they are already rusted up that's how quick it goes but the EA6 were always in a salty environment so that will accelerate corrosion quickly indeed... nice detail shot..
nickjohnson wrote:
I’ve been a bit scarce just lately. Long story short, the wheels have come off my buggy a bit. My blood Hb went from 134 (just normal) to 63 (emergency level) in 28 days. I had an iron infusion 8 days ago and I’m feeling a bit better now – but as weak as the proverbial kitten. I’m going to see my new family doctor tomorrow. We’ve previously only talked on the phone when she was dealing with the emergency. As an aid to our conversation I’ve charted my Hb levels over the last 12 months – it’s not a good look. ...Show more →
Well Ol' Buddy Nick, I cannot hit the "like" button on that one. Sorry you're dealing with that again and hope it gets sorted out quickly. Jennifer's Dr. has her on iron infusions now and is watching all of those readings very closely. Hysterectomy in the near future I believe.
Just got back from Darrell's wake, unfortunately I cannot be at his service tomorrow so I spent some time with his wife Kathleen this evening. It was one of those "viewing" (can't even stand the moniker) things. Everyone should get to do what they want of course, but I find it all a bit barbaric and unnecessarily emotional for kids/grandchildren etc. Been to several lately and I made it clear to Sheila on each occasion, if I go toes up, everyone needs to remember me as I was just a few moments prior to doing whatever it was that I did to get me there All this, "oh he/she looks so natural garbage is just that, close the lid and go live. If the person hasn't made their mark, touched a bunch of hearts, mentored those they could, fought the good fight, and at some point turned their heart over to Jesus, the rest is just sad. And btw, Darrell did all of those things throughout his life. An engineer at heart, a man of unshakeable faith, he had little time for small talk (unless it involved flight) and he never missed an opportunity to get someone thinking about eternity and where they would spend it. There were several occasions where Darrel came over to HQ and told me that he was going up to do some accelerated stall practice in the PC12, he wanted me to ride along. I would always tell him "Thanks, I know where I am going to spend eternity but I'm in no rush"! The engineer in him loved to wring every ounce out of his aircraft and make notes as he was doing it.
nickjohnson wrote:
I’ve been a bit scarce just lately. Long story short, the wheels have come off my buggy a bit. My blood Hb went from 134 (just normal) to 63 (emergency level) in 28 days. I had an iron infusion 8 days ago and I’m feeling a bit better now – but as weak as the proverbial kitten. I’m going to see my new family doctor tomorrow. We’ve previously only talked on the phone when she was dealing with the emergency. As an aid to our conversation I’ve charted my Hb levels over the last 12 months – it’s not a good look. ...Show more →
Nick, how are you now? That Hb is #$%^&* tell me about it. My wife is a suckle cell patient, I know exactly what you are feeling! Take care of yourself brother.
---------------------------------------------
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Well Ol' Buddy Nick, I cannot hit the "like" button on that one. Sorry you're dealing with that again and hope it gets sorted out quickly. Jennifer's Dr. has her on iron infusions now and is watching all of those readings very closely. Hysterectomy in the near future I believe.
Jim, how is Jennifer now? I tried several times to call, I think that hospital has a bad cell reception.
Nick, so sorry to hear of your Hb troubles continuing. Hope the new doc has some diagnosis and plan of action for you.
nickjohnson wrote:
I’ve been a bit scarce just lately. Long story short, the wheels have come off my buggy a bit. My blood Hb went from 134 (just normal) to 63 (emergency level) in 28 days. I had an iron infusion 8 days ago and I’m feeling a bit better now – but as weak as the proverbial kitten. I’m going to see my new family doctor tomorrow. We’ve previously only talked on the phone when she was dealing with the emergency. As an aid to our conversation I’ve charted my Hb levels over the last 12 months – it’s not a good look. ...Show more →
ELinder wrote:
I cannot imagine the amount of maintenance it takes to keep these planes airworthy at sea. This EA-6B was flown to Akron in January and the photo is from last week. Just look at the amount of rust that already formed in that short time span in the wing fold mechanism!
Erich
Hi Erich, Thanks for the kind thoughts. It’s nice to see that your getting fine results with your new oily mouse. My understanding is that the Pro lenses are epic. As for keeping that EA-6B airworthy at sea.... just looking at all those linkages, shoot bolts, hydraulic rotary junctions, and stuff … it’s not hard to see where the money goes!
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Well Ol' Buddy Nick, I cannot hit the "like" button on that one. Sorry you're dealing with that again and hope it gets sorted out quickly. Jennifer's Dr. has her on iron infusions now and is watching all of those readings very closely. Hysterectomy in the near future I believe.
Thanks Jim. Please give my best wishes to Jennifer. I cannot imagine being a mom of five and dealing with anaemia. I know with fairly recent experience – with Thea – that the Hysterectomy recovery period is a bit of an endurance test. Not driving did not go down at all well – no sir.
NightOwl Cat wrote:
Nick, so sorry to hear of your Hb troubles continuing. Hope the new doc has some diagnosis and plan of action for you.
Thanks Laura. Had a very good meeting with my new doc. She is a super young lady – less than 30, I think – and very organised. My little graph of my Hb ups and downs was very helpful as a discussion aid. We now have a proper plan in place. Oh, and the Gastro department at the hospital has arranged a mid section CT scan...... for April the 1st …...
