Grant Davis's Blog at LumberJocks.com

Ailing mother.......

Grant Davis — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:24:04 GMT

Over the last week, my mom (Mary) has been having some breathing problems associated with fluid around her heart. She was first trying to convince herself that she had pneumonia, but after three doctors visits, she was convinced to have a heart cath(she can be quite stubborn). She has been dealing with a leaking heart valve for > 12 years and it’s finally decided to give her some problems. The heart cath was performed on Friday morning and the doctor informed me that she has three blockages (one artery completely blocked and two blocked at > 80%). In addition to the blockages and leaky valve, he said that she had suffered a heart attack in the past week. The last test he had performed on her in his office a couple of months ago showed her heart functioning at 55% and on Friday it was functioning at 25%. They decided that she would need surgery at the Ross Heart Hospital next week and transported her from the Cambridge Hospital on Friday evening to Columbus by way of ambulance.

Her doctor came in yesterday and told her that her surgery would not be until Wednesday morning. He has three heart surgeries already scheduled on Monday (each taking 6 hours). Her surgery will be the first on Wednesday. Mom told him that she’d rather wait until he was well rested :-) He wants to take the extra days to continue to get the fluid off of her and make her heart stronger for the surgery. After meeting her heart doctor I have been very impressed with him. He spoke with us for over 20 minutes, and was very patient with all the questions. Of course, mom is understandably nervous, but she’s in very good hands. She told the technician who gave her a chest Xray on Friday night that she thought everyone in that hospital must take happy pills because they are all so kind, caring and friendly.

Once her surgery is over, she will be in the hospital for one week to 10 days with 6-12 weeks recovery to follow.

My mom is now 75 years old and has only been retired for 2 years. She does have longevity on her side as my grandmother will be 102 in June.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated.

New planer and the feeling of sorrow for a friend

Grant Davis — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:23:15 GMT

I just got home from a visit with my old college room-mate. He is an avid woodworker and has a shop that I envy (double income, no kids). He was showing me his newest additions to the shop and we were just shooting the breeze when he asked me what type of planer I had. I told him I had a DW733 when he asked me if I would like to buy a used DW735. I asked him who had it because I knew it was not him, he has a Jet, JPM-13CS. I told him I was interested in it but wanted to know more about it. He began to tell me about his uncle who had passed away suddenly in January from a brain anurism. He told me his aunt gave him the contents of the shop but told him he could get the tools and wood at his leisure. We decided to make the half hour drive over to look at the planer. When we walked in it was pretty obvious that his uncle did not use a DC. By the looks of the shop and how things were sitting it seemed to us like the planer was the last tool that his uncle had used before he passed, there was a small stack of red oak that was sitting beside it.

After all was said and done I ended up bringing this DW735 home with me this afternoon for $200

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2230746540074856682dRJBAn

25000 project pics...way to go LJ's

Grant Davis — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:18:12 GMT

Can you believe that today we surpassed 25000 project picture posts.

I for one am so glad to be a part of this wonderful community of woodworkers. I have learned alot from all of you and hope to continue to do so. Everyone here is great and it feels like one big happy family.

Here’s to another 25000…...CONGRATULATIONS to ALL