Oly Update
Fyrfighter sends us an update on Oly, his fellow driver/engineer who recently displayed signs of a stroke. He had a brain aneurysm that threw a clot, resulting in a TIA or mini stroke.
Fyr reports he has had surgery. The very good news is this was successful, and he looked good when he stopped by the firehouse the other day.
The sad news is his firefighting days are over. He is now going through the process of a medical retirement.
We all will have to, or already have, “hung up the helmet” as it were. I’m calling this one a win, and extend my thanks to all you Delta Whiskies and Whiskettes for the kind thoughts, etc. on Oly’s behalf.
And thanks to Fyrfighter for the update.
Category: None
Bummer that he can’t fight fires any more, but Good Stuff that he is doing MUCH better!
After 33 years of RA, ARNG, and USAR service, I was directed by Big Green to hang up my fatigues and go to pasture. I consider it a win, I’m sure Oly will in time realize he had scored a big win as well. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, my friend, and don’t look back…
Great news! What Oly needs to know is that retirement IS survivable. Most definitely. AND, it can be done with great success. Takes a bit of getting use to, but it can be done.
First order of business is to rest up a bit. Get completely healthy. Then enjoy the process of discovering what you can do now to feed the need to contribute in new and wonderful ways instead of firefighting.
Now is when you get to act like a kid again as you find things to do to replace those things you are medically discouraged from doing. Mostly, just enjoy it all. And never forget that many of us have faced lesser and greater challenges and have made it through. You are never on this journey alone.
Tough times ahead, many steady hands and strong hearts need for Our pending tribulations so, as always, The ‘Prayer Lamp’ is still illuminated for Oly, and the Greater TAH fam.
Is it true retirement if you’re retired from your first job (Uncle Sam Ain’t Released Me Yet), yet still working in your chosen occupation (electronics) 20 years later in a series of civilian occupations and companies?
Best of luck to Oly, I hope he is able to adapt and adjust. The slowing down and destressing is the hardest part.
Remember, the secret to eternal life is breathing IN one more time then you breath OUT.
Vein burst in my brain in 1986. Surgery fixed the aneurysm, but the subsequent problems, not surgically reparable. I was AGR in the Texas Army National Guard, so, as the division surgeon told my doctor, “The Army will pay for everything.” Magic words. I would like to have worked until full retirement, but not possible. So, I get some money for the rest of my life. That is a win. Best of days to Oly.
I’m Glad everything worked out for Oly except for the loss of not working the pump panel, being on the “nob”, chasing hose kinks Etc but he can be 100% healthy again and enjoy his retirement, listen to the scanner and visit the station when he wants to BS with the crew.
Thanks for the update Fyrfighter, we will continue to offer up our prayers for Oly.
Oly you got this, continue the fight. I was where you are now a little over 2 years ago. Only 65, could strap on a set of gaffs, be a happy hooker with the best of them, and work all day alongside linemen half my age. It’s been frustrating as all hell trying to claw my way back to where I was the day before it all happened. And it was a sad day when they said, “don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.” It sucks, but it is what it is. Hang tuff man, you got this.
Thanks again all, I know Oly appreciates it, and I’ll be sure he sees this. We are gonna miss him, and told him yesterday, as soon as the doc ok’s it, we’ll have a pot of coffee on for him.
It will be a struggle for him, I think this is the second or third time he’s retired, so he hasn’t been very good at it to this point, but I know he’ll adapt.
Glad I found this place and all of you! Thanks for being there.
I’m thankful God left Oly around for a while longer.
As a man of years of service, I’m sure he will find a way to serve others some more, in a different manner than preferred perhaps, but maybe being the one to make a life-changing difference in another’s life.
Tell him “Thanks!” for us, Fyr.
Will do GB
Good news that he’s well. Better news that he’ll have some financial back up for the, hopefully, many years he has left. Bein’ able to provide for his family takes a lot of weight off a man’s shoulders. Thanks for lettin’ us know how he’s doin’.
Hang in, Oly!