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Several posts lately mention some small world coincidences. One of my book chapters includes several you might enjoy. I would like to share them and I'll keep them short by breaking them into two or three sections over the next few days

The Chapter title is "Volunteer Civilian Medical Tours"

One afternoon about six months into my first tour, I was sitting in our Scout Hooch, opening my mail. I get this letter from home telling me that my dad is coming to Vietnam. Of course I was shocked. But the letter went on to explain that he was not coming to my base in Vinh Long. He was headed for Tay Ninh, out northwest of Saigon - quite a distance from Vinh Long. The AMA (American Medical Association) Civilian Volunteer Medical tours were either six or eight-week tours to help staff some of the many medical hospitals and clinics that our military maintained throughout Viet Nam. They assisted the military doctors. These (civilian) doctors were mostly older, and all voluntary - all at their own expense, and on their own time. I beleive there may have been hundreds of civilian Doctors who voulnteered for this.

It was only about a week later that we were coming back onto the airfield at the end of a day’s mission. It was late afternoon. I was parking my Loach in the revetment (walled parking space) and shutting down my aircraft. As usual, there was a large truck - a deuce-and-a-half - waiting to pick up pilots and crews for the long ride off the flight line and back to our hooches. But just beyond my revetment was one of our two Company jeeps, parked, with one of our Company clerks sitting at the wheel and looking intently at me.

I thought to myself, Is he here for me? Then, as the noise of my engine, and rotor head subsided a little, I could hear him saying something like “Old Man to see you.” I had one thought. Am I in trouble with the Old Man? (a common but respectful term for the Commanding Officer in any military unit). But as my engine and rotor noise finally quieted, he yelled again, “Your Old Man is here to see you.” I was shocked! This couldn’t be real, I thought. But he was there to drive me separately around the fixed-wing runway and back to my hooch.

We reached our Scout platoon hooch, and the driver dropped me at the door. I walked into our tiny “day room” and there was my dad, sitting there, waiting for me.

I was dumb struck!

I introduced Dad to the guys in my platoon and a few others. We visited for a few hours before I walked him over to the ”O-club” for dinner. I was half excited and thrilled, yet somewhat embarrassed. I felt a sense of undeserved privilege. I should have taken him over to meet my CO and take some pictures with the guys, but my mind was not functioning clearly. Dad slept the night in the bunk above me. The next morning, I flew him back down to Can Tho to get his flight back to Saigon and on to his base from there.

TBC

07/23/25 08:59 AM

#15950

If there were a competition among all God's critters for most style and ingenuity per square inch I'd vote for spiders.

(having my air c. fixed and have disturbed a few previously unnoticed crawl-space co-habitants in the process)

07/23/25 09:58 AM

#15951

Mike,

Just beware of Loxosceles reclusa and Latrodectus mactans.

Jim

P.S. Both build erratic looking webs.

Hint: Look for violins and hour glasses.

07/23/25 12:19 PM

#15952

forgive me if I have a born again vibe. Just had my ailing air conditioning fixed. I was in a sweaty a c withdrawal. If you ever visited Florida or lived down here you know what I mean.

If those three dudes who came to fix it hadn't been so sweaty I'd have hugged every one of them and I might not have stopped there.

07/23/25 03:48 PM

#15953

Donna Kelley (Velazquez)

Jim, as a designer there are few things that I hate more than erratic looking webs.

Mike, I am so glad that your "three dudes" were able to save you from that harrowing experience.

07/24/25 12:26 PM

#15954

had to share. you'll see why.

https://www.tiktok.com/@abc7chicago/video/7530652897399295262

07/24/25 08:58 PM

#15955

"Volunteer Civilian Medical Tours" continued

While Dad was with us, he shared a crazy story from his trip through Saigon, down to Can Tho, (“can toe”) and then back up to Vinh Long to visit me.

A little background - I should point out that Dad was an eleven-year-old kid in, Columbus, in 1922, playing in the construction of the “new” football stadium - the now famous Ohio State University “Horseshoe”. Dad and a buddy would ride their bikes (grew up on 10th or 11th Ave east of High street) down to the construction site, grab a few frogs along the riverbank, and sneak up (after the workers left) into the opening arches of the (finished) southwest tower, and drop their frogs out over the wide opening. Then they ran down the steps to see if they had “smushed” on the pavement below.

Fast forward..... (1969)

By now, Dad was part way through his forty plus years as head of the Allergy Department in the OSU medical school. As a result, I had grown up with free tickets to any athletic event I wanted to see. I believe I missed one home football game from about 4th grade through high school - about 1957 through 1966. And I saw almost every home basketball game for three years with the greats, Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, and Mel Nowell.

So, it was now 1969, and Ohio State was planning to put down Astro turf on the football field. But there was some delay, and it was decided that they would wait a year, rather than try to lay the new field in mid-season, in case something went wrong with the installation. (In fact, I believe it was two years for whatever reason). As a result, someone in Columbus had created a silly bumper sticker to mark the event. It said something like,

“EVEN ON THE GRASS, WE’LL STILL BEAT THEIR ASS - GO BUCKS”

So, Dad is changing planes at the huge Tan Sa Nhut airport in Saigon - a very crowded busy place. As he sat waiting for his flight, crowds milling past in both directions, he notices a guy approaching who looks like an American businessman, wearing a button-down shirt and tie, with a briefcase. As he passes close by Dad, Dad sees a bumper sticker on the guy’s briefcase - you guessed it - “EVEN ON THE GRASS, WE’LL STILL BEAT THEIR ASS - GO BUCKS”.

Dad jumped up and chased the guy. The two of them introduced themselves to one another. The guy’s name was Dick Pendell, and he was an insurance salesman from Columbus. He and his wife and (I think) six kids spent about eight or ten summers doing missionary work for some Presbyterian mission up in Kon Tum in the Central Highlands.

The guys loved Dad's story.

t.b.c.

07/25/25 12:55 AM

#15956

Modern Medicine

Our generation is so fortunate in so many ways.

Of course, each generation can probably make the same statement. It is just that ours, at least medically, can back up that statement.

Today I had a lumbosacral MRI to help determine and evaluate some leg symptoms that have been quite painful and life style altering for a couple of months. I suspect many of our classmates have had such procedures.

Medical diagnostic ability has always been ahead of our ability to treat the disorders that they find. So, I am hoping that nothing too serious or out-of-the-ordinary is found.

Anyway, what is amazing, at least to me, is the speed at which diagnostic abilities have advanced and been disseminated from major medical centers to - essentially - neighborhoods.

I was able to choose the MRI facility where I had this test and there were 3 or 4 of them within a few miles from our home. The one I chose was right across from our favorite coffee shop, a mere 10 minute drive from our home - and not in a hospital.

This is so different from my training years at Riverside Methodist Hospital (which was first class even in those days) when, if we wanted to order a CT scan (at that time a new technology) we had to send the patient to the University of Cincinnati via ambulance since they had the nearest scanner. No, OSU did not have one yet.

The staff was very professional, competent and knowledgeable. Not to mention the good selection of country music I chose for my headphones 😄 🎸!

Of course, I wonder if all these facilities are needed for our region, but they are convenient and patient oriented.

I suspect that the scan will not show anything too serious and that the physical therapy that my doc has prescribed will help and surgery may not be needed.

Oh, and the PT facility I have chosen is in our Rockrimmon neighborhood, one right turn and less than a mile down the road. I would walk there but that would defeat my need for their services 😔!

Jim

07/25/25 11:26 AM

#15957

Joseph D. McCarthy

Jim. Hope and thoughts for a great outcome.

07/25/25 12:36 PM

#15958

Is it just me, or are the inbox notices falling way behind again?

Does anybody know how to correct that?

07/25/25 01:21 PM

#15959

Jim:

Thanks for that engaging and informative nugget and best of luck rehabbing and getting back on track - can't help saying: take care of yourself, doc, or to borrow a phrase, physician, heal thyself.

Makes me homesick, in its own way, knowing your chances of geting great care are excellent given the advantages of living in a great town like columbus.

07/26/25 11:52 AM

#15960

PS JUST LOOKED AT THE MEMORIES PAGE - THE THREAD THAT RUNS SO TRUE!!!

OMG I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT! WE WERE STARS!!! WHATTA HOOT!!!

07/26/25 04:04 PM

#15961

Joseph Gentilini

Hi Jim H. - hope your tests come out well and that a few PT lessons will cure the problem. Personally, many years ago - after 2.5 years trying every other opton, I had my L-4, L-5, and S1 fused. The recovery was long, but I can now walk and do just fine. Hopefully, you won't need any surgery! Joe

07/26/25 11:54 PM

#15962

Joe G., et al.,

Unfortunately the MRI revealed multiple significant pathologies in the spinal canal, nerve roots and discs. Thus, a referral to neurosurgery is in progress. I sort of expected that but was somewhat surprised at the extent of the pathology. So, that will be the next evaluation as to what approach and procedure - open, robotic, endoscopic, etc.- will be used.

Prayers will be appreciated! 🙏

Oh, and I doubt if any autumn Aspen tree photos will be coming from me this season! 😔 📸!

Jim

07/27/25 06:43 AM

#15963

Michael Boulware

Jim Hamilton,

Please keep us posted on the progress of the good doctor.

07/27/25 08:51 AM

#15964

Joseph Gentilini

Sorry about the news on your back, Jim H. Hope you find a good surgeon, get it done, and be free of pain and discomfort. I am glad that I had my back surgery - life is better now. Be at peace, Joe G.

07/27/25 12:15 PM

#15965

Donna Kelley (Velazquez)

Jim, I am really sorry to hear that the MRI results were not more favorable. You have got an entire class cheering and praying for you so thanks for keeping us posted.

Not to worry...we will be happy to see repeats of your beautiful Aspen photos from last year.

07/27/25 12:48 PM

#15966

John Maxwell

Jim H.
I remember falling off my roof cured my sciatica, but I had chronic back pain aside from the sciatica. I met a therapist that showed me a technique where I would use a rolled up ankle weight which formed a padded "V" that I placed between vertabra and rocked to and from and back and forth on each joint. It hurts at first, then as you lay on it asecond time in the same position the pain vanishes and you can maneuver. The key is the amount of weight you apply, from neck to tail bone. It's temporary but it keeps the tendons and ligaments stretched and walking is a lot more relaxing.

07/27/25 01:46 PM

#15967

(https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/27/trump-numbers-statistics-false-misleading/ )

Joe, Joe, Mike, Donna, Mike,

Thanks for the prayers, good wishes and encouragement!

Jack,

I would try falling off the roof but Janet no longer allows me to climb up there! 🤔

Seriously, I may have to wait till after surgery for specific PT instructions since some of the nerves affected are in the sacral area and could be damaged if I do the wrong type for my specific situation. Done wrong I could damage them more and develop what is known as a cauda equina syndrome. You all can Google that one as it ain't pretty.

Jim

07/27/25 01:51 PM

#15968

John Jackson

From a Washington Post article:

President Donald Trump made a promise at a reception last week for Republican lawmakers that was as impossible as it was specific: He would drive down drug prices by as much as 1,500 percent — “numbers that are not even thought to be achievable,” he said. A price cannot drop by more than 100 percent, but Trump went on to make several other precise but clearly false numerical claims.

The cost of gasoline had fallen to $1.99 a gallon in five states, he said; according to AAA, it was over $3 in every state.

Businesses had invested $16 trillion in America in the past four months, he added; the entire U.S. economy last year was worth less than $30 trillion.

Trump even congratulated Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins for having an approval rating of 92 percent. In this polarized moment, it is unlikely any U.S. political figure enjoys a figure close to that, and the White House provided no source for the claim.

Trump is either one really confused puppy or he’s a grandiose pathological liar who makes stuff up to suit his purposes (I’d argue both statements are true).

07/27/25 02:11 PM

#15969

Jim, and Jack,

I hear your dilemma. Over the last 18 months I have seen about four different doctors, including a surgical insertion ("Inspire" chip) and have upcoming appointments for about three others. I have not yet tried falling off of any roofs, but I can assure you, pulliing out in front of oncoming cars doing 50 mph does not solve the problem either.

Like I told my friends, if I had known that aging was going to be this complicated, I would have gone through it years ago.

07/27/25 02:17 PM

#15970

P.s.

It would apear that John and I had better math teachers at OLP than Donald did wherever he spent 4th grade.

07/27/25 05:31 PM

#15971

Nina Osborn (Rossi)

Jim I hate that you are going thru all this. Especially if it is painful and it sounds like it is!! I will say prayers for you, your entire medical team, and your family that surgery is successful and your life better after it is over and PT works its magic. Maybe AI can actually help. God bless you....as all the others said, keep us informed and know our (lurkers too) prayers are with you.

07/28/25 01:21 PM

#15972