To

Congratulations ! Remember that challenge and change will always occur – it’s how we handle them that count .

hope all goes well dennis. I too love the lumberjock community and rely on the site for a good chuckle or pick me up. You are a tough cookie to continue to work in all that pain. I would use it as an excuse to taks time off. You are a tough SOB to keep on truckin. We’ll pray the injections go well and surgery is not needed. No one wants back surgery, And as a carpenter like yourself, It would drive me bonkers to be unable to work the wood. Best of luck

-- Woodshop supplies at bulk discounts. www.getneds.com

Dennis, I know first hand what you are going through. I had the same thing. The injections did not work for me and I did have to go for the fusion with rods installed. L4-S1. It might work for you. It was a very difficult time but know that it does get better. Listen to what the doctors tell you and don’t try to push it. I Just went for my 10 year check up and came through with flying colors. It does take a long time but keep your thoughts on the positive side and you will get better. I am now doing more exercises and feeling better. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need to. Keep the faith.

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY

thank you patti , and congradtulatios to both of you !
it is much easyer with two sharing ,
my prayers to you both .

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

Thanks for this post Patti. First, congratulations to you both. There is usually an inspiring woman present in the life of a successful man. I’m guessing that Dennis’ best works of art are still to come! Dennis is an inspiration to us all and remains in our prayers for a speedy recovery. God bless you both. Max

-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com

Dennis – wishing you a speedy recovery and happy life with Patti

-- Phil in British Columbia

I want to say thank you to each and everyone of you for your support it means alot to both Dennis and I.

troubled times ….. keep your eyes on the light at the end.
I hope everything goes well and your good health returns quickly

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Congratulations to the both of you on your engagement and to Dennis, it sure sound like you have picked a wonderful women to be your wife! Thank you Patti for sending out this message to all the LJ’s and our complete support goes out to you Dennis. Like it has been said, it will be a long road, but you WILL do it and will be back creating the wonderful boxes that you do. You are an inspiration to me.
Take care….............

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

My congratulations also in your engagement, my prayers for your future together. Certainly prayers go out for you Dennis on your situation, I’ve talked with you on phone about this, and know very well some of what your going through, my sympathies are definetly with you. If I can help in any way, don’t hesitate to contact me.

-- Dan Wiggins

Congratulations on your engagement, Both of you are very special people and hope only the best for both of you.
Dennis I will put in an extra prayer for you!! as I know all to well what back problems are like, I had to give up Tournament Bass fishing because of back problems. I sure hope all goes well with your treatments .
Dennis Keep your head up as you have alot of friends wishing you and Patty only the best that life has to offer.

God Bless!

-- Rj's Woodworks,San Jose & Weed Ca,

Patti, thanks for the update and congratulations to both of you on your engagement. Dennis, been there – done that! 1986: six weeks in an armpit to crotch bodycast before surgery, 13 days in hospital after fusing L4-L5 with chunks of bone trimmed off my hipbone, 6 months in bodycast post surgery (in FL in July-Dec) and another six months in a removable poly jacket. Fusion helped quite a bit to alleviate the debilitating pain for eight years then spent six months recovering from sciatica secondary to herniated disc. Now I live on pain killers daily.

Definitely do what the doctors tell you and hopefully you will see relief of your pain. Actually, I hope the steroid injections work – that would be the simplest and least painful route. They aren’t very painful – I have them 2-3 times a year. Much easier now that they are done with the aid of xrays than they were 15 years ago when in was just stick, see if you hit the right place, stick again, and again until it feels right.

Sounds like you are a fighter, so hang in there and don’t get too depressed with all of the pain. And you have a new fiance to keep you happy! That should help.

Jim

Congrats to you both. even though these are tough times you have each other. My best wishes to you both.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

With a lady like Pattii by his side I’d say Dennis is a very lucky man.

about 7 months ago i had the injections for a herniated L4-S1 disk that i had been suffering from for about 6 months. i was between jobs and had no health insurance when i got hurt and once i got a new job i had to wait 3 months for insurance to kick in. i was pretty much couch-ridden anytime i wasnt at work. i can definetly symphathise with dennis on how much it hurts. my pain was actually in my leg because the disk was pinching my sciatic nerve. its weird how that works but basically i couldnt walk sit down stand up bend over or lay down without constant pain. i didnt get to do anything woodworking related in that time :(

anyways to cut to the chase there is hope! i had 2 shots and all is good now. the doctor said the shots could last up to a year and its possible the disk may heal itself in that time. i still can feel some lingering pain if i bend over a certain way but its livable. anyways good luck to dennis and congrats to you both

I figure you are both lucky people Deniss is obviously a nice guy and you are a very swet lady so please share the same happiness that My wife Bronwen and I have had over 38 years this year august the 14 the much brotherly love Alistair from my family to yours.

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Well congratulations on the engagement, wish the both of you the very best! I feel for you Dennis on the back problems, I know how bad the pain can be. I’ve had and still have my share of back problems. I hope your foot and back problems both get better very soon…........ Take care Bud!

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

I am all to aware of back and leg problems. I am all too aware of the problems they pose in a relationship also. I will pray for you both and that the Lord keeps you together and strengthens your resolve. Keep it going Dennis, you have a gift that you must share with the world.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Get well soon Dennis !!!!!!! And congrats!!!!

-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com

Congratulations Patti and Dennis. Dennis you take care and we’re here to support ypu. Do what the doctors tell you and get well soon. We wish you and Patti a long life together.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

I am very thankful for all the positive support…. I thank each and everyone of you for taking the time to write and show your support for Dennis…. Here is my special prayer for him that at this time I would love to share with all of you….. I hope you don’t mind

A Prayer for my Dennis

In God’s name I pray
AMEN

I am the man that english is not my first language but i would love to say ;
Congratulations on the engagement,,
Its happened to me long time a go as well, but the power of love and share are the most great medicine
what ever will happen is a God given, to me its just a test to see how strong we are so Get well soon Dennis and finish the box, HI folks this is the box i have done while i was sick, you will have a story to tell your grandkids Dennis.
Thanks for the post Patti, you did the righ thing, patient and pray.

Cheers,
Rosewood.

-- http://picasaweb.google.com/deniirawan66

Congratulations Patti I will keep you and Dennis in my prayers.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Congratulations, Patti and Dennis. and Dennis, get well soon,

-- Thos. Angle

Dennis, I will spare you the details but I have gone thru the mill myself and now I am better then ever. I will pray for your recovery. Iam sure your will power is just a great as your talent never quit.

-- Billp

Sorry Patti, In my earlier post I forgot to congratulate you both on your engagement. May you have a long life together. This will only make you stronger.

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY

Bob42: It is ok ~~ I was more just hoping for the support for Dennis ~~~ He admires alot of guys here on lumberjocks and I was just hoping he could read the support from others…. and yes I do believe this is making both of us stronger and I can’t thank all of you that has responded enough ~~ it means more than you will ever know… thank you again!

Patti, I’m thrilled to hear the good news, and saddened to hear how badly Dennis has been afflicted. I blew out my L4-5 disc long ago in college, and know how difficult and painful it can be to be so hobbled. I join you in prayer for Dennis relief, and echo the other LJs in congratulation for your upcoming nuptials. I am thoroughly aware of the value of having a pearl of great price as a lifemate. I’d very like be a goner without Pam’s support and guidance.
If there is anything I can do to be of service, please do not hesitate to ask.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Wow!! Thank you so much everybody. I really fell like Lumberjocks is part of my family. I am a big worry wort when it comes to medical things. So I’ve been driving my self crazy with just worrying.

Right now, are company is doing good we are booked up for six months. So I have a ton of AutoCAD drawing to do.

I have been designing the next two boxes for my book. I’m very happy with the designs. And can’t wait to start making them. The first chapter box is completed, just some editing to do.

Thank God for patty, She is my Angle. She has been taking great care of me. Also she is helping me a lot on our book. I’m not a very good writer & she is a very good writer. So we are a perfect team.

Thank you everyone so much for your support, it means so much to me. I hope to be back woodworking soon. Dennis

-- Dennis Zongker

I want to say thank you to each and everyone of you for your support it means alot to both Dennis and I.

Dennis be strong and today you will do great. Believe in yourself and remember, “Courage does not mean you do not have fear. Rather you have the knowledge that something else is greater in life than fear.” Relax and everything will turn out in your favor.