My Newest Best Friend
January 12, 2009 – For some reason, I’ve been having problems getting my latest posts to go to the top of the queue. I’ve had to do some juggling around, so the dates at the top are not really relevant.
It’s been a while since I last updated this blog; you would think I’d have plenty of time to write, since the family history book is now finished and I’m continuing to recuperate from my neck and upper back surgery. I honestly don’t know where the time goes! I’ve taken advantage of my recovering patient status and sleep in most mornings. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday my Visiting Nurse comes in to change the dressing on my incision. But, it’s no ordinary dressing.
Several weeks ago, I developed a problem in part of the incision. Although it’s not an infection, it left a large, deep hole in the wound. The surgeon decided it would heal better if it were attached to what is known as a “wound vac.”
The correct name is V. A. C. therapy, which means vacuum assisted closure system. It involves attaching a tiny vacuum device, sort of like a suction cup, to the wound. It then pumps out the fluids and works to heal the skin. A tube is connected to a small computer/machine with a canister that I wear like a fanny pack 24/7. (Visit http://www.activac.com/8.asp). I understand the wound vac is used quite often for patients with all types of wounds, including our soldiers in Iraq.
The doctor just told me this past Monday that although I’m healing well, I may have to wear the wound vac several more months. It is somewhat cumbersome, and I have to be careful that it doesn’t leak or get blocked; if it does, it sets off an alarm. Sometimes it also emits embarrassing gurgling noises! Consequently, I’m hesitant to step outside the door, and my social life is practically nil!
December 1, 2008 – Turkey Day in Boonville
Thanksgiving Day marked the four-week anniversary of another surgical procedure on my deteriorating vertebrae. The surgery on my neck and upper back took place at Syracuse’s Crouse Hospital, where the neurosurgeon fused some of the errant skeleton together and inserted various other hardware to keep my head attached.
Recuperation hasn’t been the piece of cake I thought it would be, but life is looking better each day. On Thanksgiving Day I parted company with the hard cervical collar I had to wear 24/7 and traded it for a soft collar, which is somewhat more comfortable.
Keith and I celebrated Thanksgiving Day dining at a local restaurant, where we stuffed ourselves at the all-you-could eat buffet. It was the first I had stepped outside the house since my return from the hospital. I nixed the soup and salad bar, and went straight for the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. It was good, but not as good as mom and dad’s homecooked turkey dinner. The best part, though, was there was no clean-up. On the down side, there were also no left-overs to nibble on later.
Since the booksigning, I’m happy to say several people have contacted me with positive comments about my family history book, “The George Druck Family Chronicle.” If you don’t yet have your copy, please contact me at jaroutson@aol.com, and I’ll let you know the ordering details.
October 27, 2008 – Successful Booksigning!
We had a busy weekend in York, Pennsylvania, and made it back home safely. My brother Ted’s surprise retirement party Saturday night was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed seeing people I hadn’t seen in years. Thanks to his daughters-in-law Amy and Wendy for a great job organizing it. He said he was truly surprised!
I am happy to report that the book-signing on Saturday, October 25, went better than I ever anticipated. It was wonderful to see other people excited about our family history. Sometimes I’ve had the feeling that I must be the only person in the world hooked on genealogy. But then I meet someone else who’s interested in the same roots, and it gets me revved up again.
There were newfound cousins, fellow researchers, and family members stopping by non-stop from 10:30 until 2:30. I couldn’t believe how enthusiastic they all were. It was the most rewarding part of the entire book-writing process. The time flew by, and I didn’t even think about lunch!
Knowing that others appreciated my years of digging for dead relatives and typing for hours on end was mind boggling. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find my camera, so have no photos to post. Hopefully, I’ll soon have some from the other folks who remembered to bring their cameras and who so kindly wanted to take my photo! It was awesome.
Thanks to my mom, who so generously offered visitors her fresh-baked goodies and hot coffee, and thanks also to my Aunt Martha who was there to lend a hand.
We’ve decided to hold a (first-ever) Druck family reunion this summer. Thanks to Eileen Goodling Druck, wife of Ron Druck, for volunteering to help with this endeavor (and watch for a link coming soon for Ron and Eileen’s new website for their music ministry, “The Drucks”). We’ll be posting more information on the reunion as soon as it becomes available.
Eileen and Ron Druck - Druck's Music Ministry
Thanks to everyone for your patience and support of the George Druck Family Chronicle, and for your enthusiastic response. Keep an eye on this weblog for more interesting tidbits about the family history that I wasn’t aware of until after the book went to press.
October 23, 2008 – The Book Has Arrived!
Finally! My sister picked up the books yesterday from the printer, and since they are being printed in York, Pennsylvania, I had them over-night a copy to me. It looks great, if I must say so myself, but I’m surprised that I don’t feel more excited now that I’ve actually seen the finished product. I guess my most exciting moment was when my daughter-in-law Diane, who did the typesetting for me, told me she had dropped off the final version at the print shop. I knew then there was no turning back.
I’m headed to York for an autograph session on Saturday, October 25. Maybe while I’m there, I’ll try to talk Borders into buying a few copies! Yeah, right - wishful thinking, I know, but it would be nice.
I have plenty of copies for sale. If you or someone you know might be interested in buying a copy of “The George Druck Family Chronicle” please contact me. I’ll be happy to see that you get one – for just $35.00, which includes shipping and handling. As soon as I get a free moment, I’ll scan the cover and post it here for all to see.
