Deer Camp is now Closed. Season is Over. If you're looking for the short version. That's it. I made it through.

I left early Friday morning for camp with my belly still full of Thanksgiving. I remember thinking on the way down, "This is it! I've done it." I picked up my buck from the Lenoxburg Store on the way. The lady knows me. We bring her several every year. I'd mentioned I'd had Chemo when I dropped off the buck. As we were schlepping the coolers out to the truck, she remarked on how much better I was walking from a week before. I admit I was a bit shaky after getting the deer hoisted and cleared out. I didn't know how noticeable.

I kept having that feeling all weekend. My last sit at Midway. My last walk out in the dark, my last climb up the ladder, and so on.
" This is it! You f'n did it!" I was up on the porch Saturday night, having come from my last sit at Hollywood-- 3 hours of perfect scenery unspoiled by a deer. We're all assembled, and I mentioned this thought I'd been having all weekend.

" . . . so now I'm sitting up here, and the thought occured to me. 'Okay, so what's next?'"

I have to say it was a bit like walking off a cliff. Yikes. I really do have the rest of my life ahead of me.

I have a teleconference with the Cancer Survivors Clinic this week. They do the mop-up. I'm still tottering about, unable to feel my feet. I'm also do back for some more tests, but that's not exactly what I'd want to call a hobby. I'm trying to come with a new hobby. Reloading and shooting have gotten expensive. I'm somewhat limited right now with manual arts, because my finger are numb. I was talking about it with the Shamanic Dream Team over lunch the other day. I told them the best idea I'd come up with so far was public nudity: get to get out and meet people, usually get a free ride home. As I said, I'm still thinking. Ideas are welcome.

So I have to report that thinking "This is it!" was somewhat misplaced. KYHillChick had wrenched her back and was no use to help me schlep my gear in when I got home. I got everything from the truck to the garage in the pouring rain only to have the rain stop and the sun come out. That's life. I was pretty well gassed by the time I got the rifle cases in the house.

Then I had to confront the 50+ lbs of frozen venison I had in the cooler. Somehow that had to get down the basement and into the freezer. I finally decided to break it down into 4 grocery bags and take them down individually, but that meant 4 trips down and back up the basement stairs in fairly rapid succession. When I finally got to the top of the stairs the last time and made it to the recliner, I knew that was it. I'd made it.

Determination wins!

Congrats! Must feel good.

Wow Tennessee deer season runs for another 6 weeks

Glad for you... That is genuine.

Waidmannsheil!!!!!!

Hang in there!

Doing great!

Shaman got sand!!

Glad to hear that you made it thru, congrats on your deer, beating cancer and having a good attitude on life.
I would rethink the whole public nudity thing,...just saying

Shaman- this was so great to hear. Hope you find that hobby. Wish I could help but am still wondering what I want to be when I grow up- wish I knew my calling.

My wife just beat breast cancer. That and she has had half her organs removed over the years- I am sure not all necessary. This is my first year with both my parents gone. Season ain't the same without me sending pics or text to the old man- ya know?

One thing about your story is that it shows how despite all the silly and unnecessary confrontation on this site its original 'campfire' purpose of reaching out and garnering some fellowship
can be felt - so thank you for that.
Koombaya? Sure whatever but glad you are around and thankful for Rick. Every year thanksgiving seems to carry a touch more weight. Not a bad reminder.

Geezer Grit!

Shaman, you have become an inspiration to many, especially those who face adversity. Thank you and all the best.

Clifford

Prayers answered?

Great!

And this whole attitude is why you're where you're at. Grace, humor, determination, and a sense of humor make all things possible.
May God bless you and yours.

Outstanding!

+1

Great news.

I admire your courage and you attitude.

Great mental toughness --- outstanding results. Congratulations.

Whatever is next needs to begin with a 3 week lookback from this thread. Not a month ago, you could barely make it to a deer stand. Now, you schlepped meet in and outa the truck and climbed 4 flights of stairs. Folks talk about baby steps when recovering from chemo and cancer. The last month you have made leaps forward. What's next is truly unknown for all of us, but based on the last month, I'd wanna make sure I included long walks in the woods.

Great success story thanks for posting👍

What to do after deer season? Start planning and prepareing for Next Deer Season! It will be here in a year! Glad you beat it!

Congrats man !

Not sure I'd have the fortitude, hope I don't have to find out.

You had a good season this year,goals were met.

Now is the time for planning next years trip.

Also you might think about spring turkey or just going there to make thing better or just going to camp to get away for peace and quiet.

It does a body good.

You came a long way this year. Best of luck to you next year.

Good for you. God less you

When used properly stubbornness is an admirable trait.

Congrats Shaman.

You can't calm the storm ~ You can calm yourself.

The storm will pass.

Glad you've done well, Shaman. And a get well to kyhillchick!

Maybe duck season?

Thanks for noticing.

Funny you should mention that. I had a teleconference call with the Cancer Survivor's Clinic today. The lady they had interviewing me was stunned at what all I could do. Outside of the neuropathy in my hands and feet, I'm basically back to normal. I still have stamina issues, but that seems to get better the more I do. She'd figured from the notes that I'd still be stuck in the recliner.

I really wish I could take long walks in the woods, but I can't feel my feet. Getting off the path is a real fustercluck still. She said that may go away given time.

Congratulations on your deer season! You've had quite a year.

As I've said, I know it's not the Transmitter. It's the receiver; I just haven't been feeling the Holy Spirit much in this process. I'm not worried. It'll come back.

So I'm going through the pics we took as we were leaving deer camp, and I found something. Sunday AM was rain and wind from before midnight until mid-afternoon. Nobody went out, because it was so miserable. In the midst of getting packed up to leave, we got a respite of an hour or so. The rain stopped. The sun came out and this:



I was in the bedroom stuffing gear in duffle bags. I was a bit late to the show but managed to snap a few pics. The arc went from just downhill from the front porch to just over the curing shed. We could see both ends for a bit. I was too busy to pay it much attention, but I'm looking at that now and. . .yikes.

Sometimes it takes 4 days and a baseball bat to get the message through the receiver, but it gets through.

great to hear youfoughtrhru and won!