After seven days in the hospital they finally sent me home. The wound is still not completely healed and I'll be on antibiotics for a LOOOONG time, but it seems the infection is gone, at least for now. The key will be whether it comes back. If it does they will most likely have to remove the pacemaker/defibrillator.
Again, thanks for all the good wishes and prayers!
Don't feel as if you have to reply, but I know there are lots of my friends keeping up with this ordeal so wanted to let you know!

Don I knew you would make it – I call guys like you winners. They are always near the top. Do you miss performing as you have done in the past?
Have you any idea how many of us would love to be as popular as you? Keep going Don we care.
John C.

Great to hear you're back home Don.
Soon you'll be fully recovered and be 'back in the saddle again'

Don please get rest.... Get well
Very soon... You got this buddy!

Glad you made it out. Now, keep away from the flu carriers - this is really important.

All the best,

Gary

God Bless, Don ...

👍👍👍

Great news ... hope you make a speedy recovery.

Don, Best wishes for continued recovery and a speedy one!

Good news Don. Hope everything heals properly and you can get back to your joy

Don, don't do anything even remotely risky. Just content yourself with being bored for awhile (like the rest of us ).

chas

Bring home the Korg and play in your house until you get healed and better.... Learn new tunes..... Tweak and edit styles..
music heals baby

Welcome back Don

Two thumbs up, Don.

So, how long do you expect recovery & home bound to take? Would guess this would be a good time for some of the practice on some of those tunes we've been putting off till later? Take your time and be sure you're getting better. I want to be able to come down to Shreveport and hear you b4 we're both done.

Earl

Thanks guys. And I appreciate the advice. Fortunately if I decide to go play no work is involved, and it is stress free. I specifically asked the doctor if it would hurt me to go to work and he said no, it would probably be good for me, just keep the wound covered.
I'm waiting for home health care to arrive any minute. Hope it still looks o.k. to them.

Ahh yes..the expectation of the home healthcare professional..I remember that feeling after major DVT blood clot hospitalization..I must say, no slight to anyone intended, it was a letdown when the burly male nurse showed up..

Mine turned out to be an older lady named Lisa. Really professional; better than a burly male nurse I guess.
She said it looked really good!

Glad to hear that Don, you'll be completely healed.
1 Peter 2:24.

Same with me when I had my hip replacement......but I probably healed a lot quicker .

chas

Cool Beans ! I hope your healing is quicker than liquor.

Fortunately, I've been there, done that ... watching Don command his stage as comfortable as someone performing in his living room is an absolute joy ...

Ditto It was an honor to play on Don's stage in Shreveport..... What fun we had.

I went UP to Shreveport for a Jam years ago....Didn't get to go to Ernest's, but saw Don in action at the Jam, hat and all. A real pro. SMOOOOOTH. Everything he did sounded great and looked effortless. I thought: "When I grow up, I want to be him".

After the jam we went to a local casino buffet. He piled his plate high. Finished it off. Then said, "Time to Re-Load". And he did. I suspect he is going to be eliminating the re-loads.

I have no doubt he is going to do the right, healthy thing.

Eddie

Hey guys, I'm honored that you enjoyed it so much. I wish we could all get together again. Thank you for saying such nice things.
Eddie I haven't been to a buffet at the casinos in several years. Sure is good though!

Get well Don first, ...then we can always setup another Jam...
I'd love that for sure,.....Let's Do This while we still can!

I'm in this time for a jam

Best wishes and I hope the wound will heal properly.

Jams are fun, and I loved those Casino buffets with crawdads and frog legs.

Gary

Last one I had about 30 people committed and 10 showed up, other than a couple of locals.
Still it was great fun. When I get on my feet a little better, maybe one more?

Dinner at Ernest's yea!!

Donny, neither one of us can afford dinner at Ernest's.

Don, I went through the same thing. About 30 committed early on, but when the day drew near, I think we had about 12 show up, and most brought their wives, so we still had a good crowd and had a very enjoyable day here at the Diamond Ranch. And, the food was probably not on par with that at Ernest's but I didn't have any complaints about the menu. I was even able to grill a vegan dish for Bill's lovely wife who is a vegetarian. I would love to do this again, but I'm just too busted up health wise to pull it off.

Stay well, old friend,

Gary

Don & Me......
Hall (RIP) & Me...
2009

One of the greatest times of my life at the Shreveport jam performing...

Sure miss Hank. He was my best friend.

Don.....Hank R.I.P.was the best....great guy, musician, and singer also..we had fun times always..
and don't forget Joe Lee R.I.P. Jammin' with legends like them & you was one of my greatest thrills...

Thank you

There sure is a lot of history on this forum. Many “Professionals” have graced it with wonderful performances and stories.

Although it’s taken 13 years to reach my 300th post...I view you all as “Professionals”

Godspeed Don,

jingleman

I was fortunate to be at Ernest's with Don, Hank, and Bill (Semi Live) Pittman ... what a great night ...

Oh yes Tony Bill (Semilive) was with us also Jammin' good times