Not an experienced elk hunter. Been on two bowhunts to OTC units, killed one bull, though did get a shot a bull on that first hunt too. Been saving CO points for a bit, and decided this year we were cashing in (we = old family friend of my dad's who's been into elk hunting for a bit now too) on a hunt that cost us 4 NR points. Last year, I convinced my non-bowhunting dad to buy an elk point and my plan worked...he drew a muzzleloader cow tag. So three tags for two old Virginia geezers (they'll outhike most) and me. September in mountains south of Gunnison. Pumped.
Well, in early May, doc saw something on an MRI he didn't like. We'd been watching it, and the damn thing got bigger by a lot since my last MRI. Doc says, clear your schedule. Soon as we can get you in, I'm going in there with a neurosurgeon and getting that thing out. That thing was a sarcoma growing off my spine, that had gotten over to my rib, and just really nestled in there. The day after Colorado released their elk results, confirming that we had indeed drawn, they rolled me into the OR, cut a 7" incision down my back, and wrestled that damn thing outta there. Looks like they got it all, I should be fine. Lotta MRIs in my future for the next few years. Back surgery ain't no picnic, but far as cancer goes, feels like this could have been much worse.
Now, first question I asked my doc when he said he needed to operate was about September. He says September is a long way away, you should be fine. But what does hunting elks entail?
Well doc, I'm gonna go way up high, looking for an 800 pound deer. When I find one, I'm gonna make noises at it to try and make it so mad it comes running over to me to stomp me into the nearest mudhole. When he gets within 50 yards, but hopefully much closer, I'm gonna try and deflate his lungs with a sharp stick. If all of this somehow works out, I have to cut him up and carry him off the mountain on the back you wanna cut open.
Doc laughs, says everybody heals differently. Gonna be up to you. September is a long way away.
So here's my deal: September AIN'T a long way away. I'm nearly two weeks out from surgery and by all accounts, kicking ass. Hiked a bit over a mile yesterday with my dad scouting a ridge close to the house for a spot to shoot a whitetail doe or two. Every day is a little better. Pretty much got my pain under control with the meds, but am waiting on my lungs. It'll be a bit before they've recovered (general anesthesia really does a number on how much air your lungs will hold apparently) to a point for me to be running, working out, etc. again.
My bow is dialed already and I'll be able to start shooting that again in plenty of time that I'm not worried about that. I should be able to get into some workouts, running, etc before September. But will it be enough to effectively hunt? Who knows. This'll be the highest I've ever hunted, but not the highest I've ever camped, hiked, fished, etc. I ain't turning the tag in. Guess I'll just be slow. Guess the worst that could happen is that I spend ten days in the mountains walking around real slow, and I recognize that is a pretty nice worse case scenario. But...it'd be a bummer to pull a tag to try and escape some of the crowds and not really be able to hunt it properly.
Anybody else ever faced a situation like this? How'd it go? I'll try and update this from time to time. But I think I also just wanted to write it down and make it real. It's happening, better do what I can to get ready...
Well, in early May, doc saw something on an MRI he didn't like. We'd been watching it, and the damn thing got bigger by a lot since my last MRI. Doc says, clear your schedule. Soon as we can get you in, I'm going in there with a neurosurgeon and getting that thing out. That thing was a sarcoma growing off my spine, that had gotten over to my rib, and just really nestled in there. The day after Colorado released their elk results, confirming that we had indeed drawn, they rolled me into the OR, cut a 7" incision down my back, and wrestled that damn thing outta there. Looks like they got it all, I should be fine. Lotta MRIs in my future for the next few years. Back surgery ain't no picnic, but far as cancer goes, feels like this could have been much worse.
Now, first question I asked my doc when he said he needed to operate was about September. He says September is a long way away, you should be fine. But what does hunting elks entail?
Well doc, I'm gonna go way up high, looking for an 800 pound deer. When I find one, I'm gonna make noises at it to try and make it so mad it comes running over to me to stomp me into the nearest mudhole. When he gets within 50 yards, but hopefully much closer, I'm gonna try and deflate his lungs with a sharp stick. If all of this somehow works out, I have to cut him up and carry him off the mountain on the back you wanna cut open.
Doc laughs, says everybody heals differently. Gonna be up to you. September is a long way away.
So here's my deal: September AIN'T a long way away. I'm nearly two weeks out from surgery and by all accounts, kicking ass. Hiked a bit over a mile yesterday with my dad scouting a ridge close to the house for a spot to shoot a whitetail doe or two. Every day is a little better. Pretty much got my pain under control with the meds, but am waiting on my lungs. It'll be a bit before they've recovered (general anesthesia really does a number on how much air your lungs will hold apparently) to a point for me to be running, working out, etc. again.
My bow is dialed already and I'll be able to start shooting that again in plenty of time that I'm not worried about that. I should be able to get into some workouts, running, etc before September. But will it be enough to effectively hunt? Who knows. This'll be the highest I've ever hunted, but not the highest I've ever camped, hiked, fished, etc. I ain't turning the tag in. Guess I'll just be slow. Guess the worst that could happen is that I spend ten days in the mountains walking around real slow, and I recognize that is a pretty nice worse case scenario. But...it'd be a bummer to pull a tag to try and escape some of the crowds and not really be able to hunt it properly.
Anybody else ever faced a situation like this? How'd it go? I'll try and update this from time to time. But I think I also just wanted to write it down and make it real. It's happening, better do what I can to get ready...
