Hey folks, I’m back! In the truckin’ business we’re always on a trip to somewhere, I guess, that’s how we make money, but there is a line from a great song by the Grateful Dead, “What a long, strange trip it’s been,” and folks. I can tell ya, the last 30 days have been like no other I’ve been on or want to go on again! But if you’re reading this, then you’re readin’ scribblin’s by a very grateful and humble man. For it is not only due to the wonders of modern medicine that I’m around to write this column, but it is due to the outpouring of love and support that myself and my lovely bride-to-be, Miss Sue, received that made the road so much smoother! And I feel quite certain that those of you out there who have been through triple-bypass or any heart surgery for that matter know exactly what I’m talkin’ about.
I’m sure unless you have needed their services, the folks at Maine Medical could be easily taken for granted, but take it from this old trucker, we are darn lucky to have such a world-class organization at our disposal.
Let me back up just a bit. Thirty days ago I finally, with a little push from Miss Sue, went and found me a new doctor, as mine had retired. Of course, I, like a lot of men, feeling invincible, didn’t see the big urgent need, so it only took me about a year to accomplish.
Well, then the good doc, Dr. Hunold, asked me what brought me in. I explained the whole fatigue issue. I told him, “Doc, I used to work all day and dance all night, and I can’t do either anymore. ‘Bout like a six-cylinder engine skippin’ and runnin’ on four cylinders. Is this what old age is all about?” I asked, because if it was, I’m not really excited about it!
Well, he listens to my heart for a bit, asked some questions, and sent me for a stress test. Now here was the first pothole, that doctor, after about six minutes on a treadmill, had seen enough.
Now this is where we left the “side road” and jumped on the “big road,” as the next thing I know, a couple days later I’m on a table at Maine Med and they are pumpin’ dye into my heart, and things ain’t lookin’ real good! But wait, suddenly, after having a half a dozen people workin’ on me, I’m all by myself laying here and they’re all over in the corner having a big powwow. I’m thinkin’ coffee time or what? But pretty soon, back they all come with the news that I have some bad blockages in three arteries, and that if I do nothing, I can hold out until they can schedule me for surgery.
Now I’m not sure which was worse, trying to do nothing or thinkin’ about surgery, but I’ll tell ya, I’ve been on some pretty rough roads haulin’ freight, but that load, as we say in the truckin’ business, was high, wide, and heavy over the next 10 days for sure! And I feel sure that if it wasn’t for my lovely bride-to-be, Miss Sue, and a great staff of employees, the load could have been much worse!
Well, the big day arrived, July 5, I’ll never forget it for sure, and I got to admit, seeing the operating room and knowing that, this is it, no turnin’ back or backin’ up now, made it very real, very quick, and anyone who says they weren’t scared for those few moments before the lights go out ain’t right! Because I’m pretty sure I musta looked like Casper the Ghost!
But all went well. I came to with my share of hoses and tubes stickin’ out of me, and four days later I’m back in good old Scotty Town, and 10 days later doin’ some scribblin’! Thank you God!
OK, enough about me. Will someone please tell me why, down on Main Street, the gutters look like heck? Speakin’ to a couple of shopkeepers and they are pretty frustrated as well, with town hall for the lack of respect that is shown to Main Street. I can’t say as I blame them, as we all pay taxes, and at the least, we should be able to sweep the butts and debris up, as I believe our highway department has a big vacuum to do this with.
For some reason, town hall doesn’t get it, that Main Street is the first impression one gets of our beautiful town, and I know that even though I don’t own a store or business on Main Street, I always feel good when I tell someone where I’m from and they reply what a beautiful town we have. Let’s keep it that way, as it looks pretty sad right now.
I remember thinking on the Fourth of July, just before my operation, how sad, biggest tourist day of the year and we can’t even pick up the trash layin’ in the gutter!
And before I say enough for this time, there is one other thing pinchin’ too. I don’t understand why we let a commercial bus company stop in the middle of Main Street, creating a traffic hazard, snarlin’ traffic all up, and act like this is OK. I’m pretty sure if I put one of my 65-foot trucks on Main Street several times a day to load or unload, me and Chief Jason would be talkin’, and that wouldn’t fly too good. What do you folks think?
Great to be back, doin’ a little scribblin’ and chewin’, but most of all thankin’ my lucky stars, for my lovely lady, Miss Sue, my family, staff, and all my wonderful friends, love to all!
Feelin’ awesome!
Larry Sidelinger
Yankee Pride Transport
Damariscotta
