Bad News from the Doctor...

[mattmars]

Rangers lead the way.

Can enough be said to thank you for your service at great sacrifice to you? There are many brothers of service here to help you in any way we can be it kind words or a swift kick in the ass when you need it. I will honor you tonight and always. Look towards the birth of your child and cherish every moment.

 

[barkar]

In my prayers Irish.

 

[captainbob]

irishsmoker, Thank you for your extreme personal dedication for our Freedom. I am glad that you are still with us and your family. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[jchaplick]

Im sorry to here that, good for you being strong for your fiance, I know it seems backwards that you need to be strong for her, but that just means youre a better man. Good luck and thankyou for your service to our country

 

[terry]

Irish, like the others have said..can't imagine what you're going through right now. However, you deserve the very best treatment availble and I hope you get it!

 

[lifeon2]

Well Irish I hate to hear that kind of news, on the bright side here is a story from my childhood. This was when I was about 11 and unbeknownst to me my Uncle Butch had served 2 tours in Vietnam without a scratch but lost his leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident a few years later.
Uncle Butch: Wow Rick you sure are getting big I bet your pretty strong huh?
11 Year old Rick: Oh yeah Uncle Butch I'm strong, look at that muscle!!!
Uncle Butch: I bet you have strong legs too.
11 year old Rick: yeah real strong!!!
Uncle Butch: Come here and show me how strong you are, kick me right here in the leg.
11 year old Rick: Oh no Uncle Butch I dont want to hurt you cause I'm strong.
Uncle Butch: Its ok I'm tough I was in the Marines.
11 year old Rick: Ok you asked for it (hauls off and kicks Uncle Butch in the leg as hard as he can and sees the leg slide out of the jeans and across the room)
11 year old Rick: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Uncle Butch: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I didnt know he had lost the leg prior to my birth or that he had unstrapped it, Uncle Butch had an interesting sense of humor.
Please feel free to use that on unsuspecting younger relatives in the future and stay strong.

 

[zanthal]

You've still got a lot of life and possibilities aside from this adversity. You remember that and you can pull through anything.
And you've got us, brother

 

[pstlpkr]

Irish I thank you for your service to our country, my family, and me...

I am truly sorry for your injury.

Stay strong...

 

[papipeguy]

Please check your PM. I sent some info that may be of some help.

 

[papipeguy]

Another PM. Hope it comes through this time.

 

[tslex]

Rangers lead the way, Irish.
You will overcome this.
You will be amazed at what modern technology and therapy can accomplish -- there is NOTHING you enjoy doing now that you will not be able to do after you heal and get the right device and training.
Let me say that again -- losing one lower leg, there is nothing you are doing now that you will not be able to do -- triathalon, climb Everest, martial arts, ANYTHING.
So there's that.
And your fiance and the baby on the way -- brother they could not care less about the bottom left 18 inches of you. It's you they love and you they get to keep.
Thanks for your service. Sorry for your trouble. KEEP FIGHTING.
Rangers lead the way!

 

[pipeguy93]

Thank you very much for your service irish. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

 

[brian64]

Very sorry to hear it irish. Hang in there, and I just hope it all goes as well as it possibly can for you.

 

[hobie1dog]

Keep us posted and post up like a madman while you are recovering. We want pics of the baby too.

 

[puffy]

I'm truly sorry..Words may encourage you.In the end though you need the faith to look deep inside your self and realize that you have the strength to cope with this.

 

[ejames]

Really sorry to hear that Irish. Not much I can add to what has already been said. Hope all goes well for you!

 

[captainbob]

Ditto! You must recognize that your supreme injury is in the intent of the war! I recognize your sacrifice and I recognize your courage. Most of all, I am thankful for men like you! Please, keep filling your pipe and communicating with us through this most difficult time. God Bless you. I am age 62 and still "puffing my pipe" because of men like you!

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[uberam3rica]

Thats really horrible. I wish you a speedy recovery. Just remember, there is always someone worse off then you. You may have been dealt some bad cards lately, but from what I can tell your a good guy, and the cards will eventually be in your favor.

 

[hanymamdouh]

I'm so sad to hear such news Irish. We hardly accept fact of losing any of our body parts, BUT you are a warrior, and I'm sure you will struggle through hard times and never get broken. You are going to be a dad, showing more stubborn to life is what you have to do, and what you should learn your kids to show. Be hard my friend and keep smiling to the life hard times, and you will be the ever winner.
nfisher...i loved your comment

 

[arinbjorn]

Irish, first of all, thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Fatherhood comes from the heart, and the mind - not the legs. Teach your little one your own values, and the values you learned in the military. Do make sure you get one of those nifty prosthetics though - I am an Iraq vet myself and I have seen some really cool prosthetics out there.
When I get off work today I will shoot you a PM. I think it would be great if the pipe community can organize something to try to help you out a bit.