Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Dying sportswriter's blog


Matt Foley

Recommended Posts

Five years ago come November 17,I went into CMC Medical. Not because I was dying, but because of pain in my hips and I could no longer walk.

Walking had become very important in my life. Back in the mid-90's, I weighed 436 lbs! But I wasn't the large tub of goo that everyone thought I would/could be. Yes, I was large, size 60 waist pants, but I was also very muscular. But I took control, of my life and started walking. At first, it was to the end of the dead end street (About .4 miles) once a day. Then I started doing it twice a day. Morning before work and even when I got home. At the end of a year and a halk I was walking 4.5 miles in the morning and another 4.5 miles at night. In 18 months with a very controlling diet and walking and going to the gym 3-4 times a week. I became skinny! I weight 171 lbs, and wore a size 34 waist!

Then I got engaged and stopped walking twice a day, but wtill in the mornings. Iafter almost 10 years, I had put back on about 1/2 the weight. So after dumping 135 lbs over night. (Kicking the fiancee out!) I started walking again. This time I bought a weight bench for the house, instead of the gym. Again, hard diet and walking I went from 337 lbs to 204 lbs in about a year.

Anytime I wanted to lose the weight, I walked. My BP went down, my weight went down. My mental health went WAY up! Then November 15th, 2005 I was opening the kiosk for Dell Computer where I worked part time as a sale associate. (I also was a real estate broker for 1st Charlotte Properties.) I bent down to pick up a laptop computer there we alsays put away in a safe at night, and flet a stabbing pain in my hips. Long story short. I ruptured 2 disks in my back. I went from walking to not walking in 36 hours!

I have a point and I promise I'm getting to it. (In part 2)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I said that I had a point, I'm not just rambling here. (I promise.)

As I'm laying on the table talking with Dr. Joe Bernard, he tells me I need immediate back surgery to have any chance of walking again! What do you say to this? Nah, I'm good! Of course you are going to say, "Let's do it!" (He had already scheduled a operating room! (I didn't want to disappoint him. LOL)

3 Days after surgery I was still in tremendous pain! They told me that it would get better and I was going to be moved to CMC Rehab. (BTW. I spent Thanksgiving lying flat on my back in CMC. Not a way I would recommend to anyone.

I figured that 20-25 days in rehab, I would walk out of there. (After all I went from walking to not walking in 36 hours.) After 2 days, I reality set in. I have a greater than 50% chance of not walking again! Something you have done since you were 1 year old and I was 48! That kind of slaps you in the face!

My Point! (I told you there was one!) I could have gotten mad, gone into a funk, had thougth of suicide, etc. It causes you to take stock of your life. Just like this guy did. (I'm NOT saying walking equates to dying of cancer!) But there are things that you take for granted walking. Reality #2. You have to plan everything! I was probably 2 years old when my Mom stopped laying out my clothes for the day. Now, I have to lay out everything down to my socks & underwear before I turn in at night! You can't simply jump into a car and go anywhere! Most car doors don't open wide enough to let me transfer into them! Going through doors with automatic closer can be a real chore! I can't go to friends homes, because they all have steps! On and on and on!

In the first 2 days of rehab, they send you to a psychologist. They want to judge your depression level, I guess. I had over a week to think about it. (Not walking.) The conclusion I reached was, okay, so I couldn't walk. God/Life whoever/whatever you believe in, just gave me a "Do over!" I just got a Big Time Mulligan! (Golfers will recognize this term!) I just was given the chance to take my life in a different direction! (I like to think I have.) They send you again before they release you. Just to judge your mental preparedness.

Almost 5 years later, I'm still in the wheelchair. Not everything I have tried has worked out, but that's okay. I can't do everything I could do when I could walk, but everything I love to do!

Revelation #1! It's also given me time to rethink my situation with women. EVERY relationship I have ever had, hasn't worked out. The one time I was married, she got it annuled after 6 months! (6 bloody months!) The rest have faired no better. I get bored, or a thousand different reasons. (I NEVER cheated though! Before I got to that point, I always ended it.) Usually , I worked to much! It's one thing to realize where you went wrong, but you have to realize how you can correct it!

There's a He** of alot less to argue about/over. But there is more to be passionate about! People you hated or disliked, You simply don't care about. A couple of my Girfriends that I wished dead, I'd probably wrap up in my arms if I ever got the chance. (OK, the last ex-fiancee, I wouldn't put my arms around. LOL)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • In my view, the realistic expectation for this team to compete will start 2027.  At that time, I think we could be looking at the following (this is HIGHLY speculative):   QB:  You know, Bryce.  I am not a fan, but they don't ask me.  But there is reason for hope--and here it is.  Bryce will be entering his prime.  Since we are likely to pay him, there will be changes that I include throughout this exercise--I realistically speculate on what they are going to do with Bryce and then I realistically speculate on what means in terms of the cap and other positions. Bryce HAS IMPROVED.  The idea is that if you give him more weapons and protection, that will continue.  His career:   At this rate, if his growth continues, by 2027 we should expect nearly 30 TDs and about 12 Interceptions and a Rating of about 98.  His completion percentage should settle at 65-66% or so.  If that happens, you can win with it. The following stats demonstrate how the Panthers will be able to afford it (and re-sign Ickey) My guess is they will require about $60m per year. This is why rookies who can play are important.  It also helps us see the blueprint.  You may disagree, but this is the cruel realities of the salary cap. Robert Hunt:  Cut post June 1 and save $19m.  Who do you replace him with?  Ickey. Tershawn Wharton:  Cutting him saves nearly $15m.  We should all hope to see Aaron Hall (UDFA) make the roster and play well.  Regardless, this is a position we would likely have to address in the next draft. Trevin Moehrig:  Cutting Moehrig as the starting SS saves this team $16.5m.   Ransom will be on year 3 of a cheap rookie deal and should be more than ready to take the reins.  their styles are similar.  Furthermore, FS Wheatley (R, 4th round) will be starting. Taylor Moton:  So much depends on his knee, but I have an idea that he can play another 3 years.  extending him could save the team about $5m per year.  Cutting him outright would save the team about $21m. In the most drastic situation, we have to cut Moton and the other three players mentioned.   We would need (in all likelihood) a starting DT and RT.  It is possible that the DE would be addressed, but Wharton's production (so far) could be equaled by a rookie.  Look for a cut free agent and a 2027 draft pick here.  If you cut Moton, you save $21m, and that would be the only big hole to fill.  Having Ickey at RG gives you some depth at T, and Ickey could be the guy.  T could be pick in the 2027 draft (first round), fwiw.  It saves you $21m while costing you $5m, for example. We get younger, creating a core of Freeling, Hecht, and the RT first rounder in 2027) along with Ekownu (second contract in the $15m range, and Lewis, whose contract would be in the $16m range if not extended.)  The OL cuts (Hunt, Moton) would save $40m.  The OL would get younger and still solid with veterans at G.   By cutting Wharton (no brainer if his play stays the same) and Moehrig (good player--but we have Ransom on a rookie contract who would not be that much of a drop off--if any) in addition to Hunt and Moton, we would save over $70m in cap room. We would be able to give Bryce bag  and we would have enough to re-sign Ickey (if the knee is not too risky) to a Guard contract (probably at a discount, coming off that injury).  Furthermore, we could add a RT in the draft (or a RG if Ickey moves to RT) and that would be the only large hole to fill. Correct my logic if you see issues-- On defense, in addition to the aforementioned, Scott ($2m contract) is out, replaced by a 4th round rookie contract. CB Jackson's contract ($7.8m) expires and he is (possibly) replaced by a rookie contract.  At Edge, patrick Jones II's $10m contract expires and he is likely a reserve, and his role is absorbed by Phillips, Scourton, Princely, and possible an UDFA like Isaiah Smith or a 2027 draft pick.   These productive developmental players over the past 2 drafts will pay huge dividends.  On paper, I see the team getting much younger and possibly better while cutting nearly $100m and reallocating that money to get more production.          
    • If everything played out and that last thing happened, I probably just quit. 
×
×
  • Create New...