Tom Betka Update
jazon
Posted 6/13/2008 6:11 AM (#322190)
Subject: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 113


Location: Green Bay, WI
Everyone on this board has benefited from Tom Betka's passion for all things Muskie. Well as some of you might know Tom underwent surgery to replace his ailing knees. Tom had both knees replaced in a hospital in Chicago yesterday.

I talked briefly with Tom last night and although he was a little groggy he said everything went as well as could be expected. Tom will be out of commission for a while but I'm sure he will be back at it soon. Here's hoping you have a quick recovery.

Jay Zahn

Edited by jazon 6/13/2008 6:36 AM
Pointerpride102
Posted 6/13/2008 9:16 AM (#322207 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 16632


Location: The desert
Good to hear the surgery went well. Hope you have a quick recovery Tom.
MUSKYBOY
Posted 6/13/2008 10:42 AM (#322232 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update


Best of luck Tom for a speedy recovery and hopefully you will be back on the water soon.

Steve
ESOX Maniac
Posted 6/13/2008 12:09 PM (#322248 - in reply to #322232)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 2752


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
Tom- Hope you have a speedy reovery and that the pain of the past is a distant memory. After all there are some muskies waiting!

Best wishes
Al
esox50
Posted 6/13/2008 12:12 PM (#322249 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 2024


Glad everything went well, Tom! We'll talk soon about "the project"...

Sean
reelman
Posted 6/13/2008 12:30 PM (#322252 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 1270


Tom, Good luck on your recovery. I have had 3 people in my family get double knee replacements and every one of them says that it was the best thing they had ever done. They also were amazed at how quickly they recovered. In no time at all you will be back in the boat fishing.
Netman
Posted 6/13/2008 12:43 PM (#322254 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: RE: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 880


Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151
A good friend in my Lions Club had both replaced last year and is walking around great again. Give it some months and he'll be back running for the net!!!

Bruce
LarryJones
Posted 6/13/2008 7:47 PM (#322311 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: RE: Tom Betka Update


Tom, You now have strong knees to support those Green Bay Giants your going to catch & release this fall! I also have enjoyed the many discussions on muskies we have had over the last couple years.Just so everyone knows how dedicated Tom is to Muskies,with the VHS hitting us hard here on the Niagara River and Tom having surgery keeping him from traveling out to fish with me here over the opening week,Tom donated his Charter Deposit to the Chautauqua Pendergast Bait Fish Fund.Tom cares about muskies and where they are does not matter.
Thanks,Tom and I hope your back on your feet very soon.

Capt. Larry D. Jones
sworrall
Posted 6/13/2008 8:58 PM (#322318 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 32885


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Tom,

Hope all went well, and you heal fast.
Jomusky
Posted 6/15/2008 8:47 PM (#322490 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: RE: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 1185


Location: Wishin I Was Fishin'
Good to hear all is well.

Get those legs working for September fall fatty bite!

Guest
Posted 6/16/2008 4:49 PM (#322615 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: RE: Tom Betka Update


good luck tom. hope all is well.

dannyboy
Reelwise
Posted 6/16/2008 6:14 PM (#322633 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 1636


Goodluck Tom!
dougj
Posted 6/16/2008 6:18 PM (#322635 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: RE: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 906


Location: Warroad, Mn

Tom:

Bet you'll like your new knees. Had a buddy who had his done and he's a new man.

See you this fall!

Doug Johnson

tcbetka
Posted 6/18/2008 10:06 AM (#322838 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: RE: Tom Betka Update




Location: Green Bay, WI
Thanks everyone--it sure is nice to hear people say nice things about you. I have time only for a short update...

Yesterday I got discharged from the hospital and admitted into the in-patient rehab program at here Rush. I plan to be here for at least four more days, and then hopefully discharged home. However I might still need in-patient rehab--but I would hope to get that arranged for Green Bay, at the hospital where I work.

Thanks again for all the well-wishes, and thanks to Jay Zahn for making the announcement here. There are several people that have asked me to keep them informed of my progress, but I simply don't have the time or the energy to contact everyone on a regular basis right now.

I will check in again a day or two.

TB
Muskydr
Posted 6/18/2008 11:29 AM (#322852 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 686


Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Heal up quick Tom, best wishes to ya!!
GILLYMAN
Posted 6/18/2008 11:34 AM (#322856 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 9


Location: Green Bay
Wishing you a quick recovery Tom-hope all goes well and that the pain is gone forever.
Cowboyhannah
Posted 6/19/2008 10:52 AM (#323001 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 1453


Location: Kronenwetter, WI
Tom--

Best wishes---hope you recover quickly---let me know if you need help into a boat this fall...I've got a cushy seat behind a console and in front of a T-8!
Hunter4
Posted 6/19/2008 11:08 AM (#323004 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 720


Thanks Jay,

Nice to hear Tom is progressing along. Tom my father in law had both knees done at the same time as well. Afterwards, meaning the rehab and he was back to playing golf. Which was in less than six months. He said " I wish I would have done this ten years ago". He never and I mean never complained about his knees and hips for the remainder of his life. I hope you have the same success. Do what the nurses tell you to do and keep up with the rehab until your doctor gives you the ok.

Take care,

Dave VanDoorn
tcbetka
Posted 6/22/2008 6:18 AM (#323243 - in reply to #323004)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update




Location: Green Bay, WI
An update:

We got home from Chicago yesterday afternoon, and are getting settled in. Now begins the very difficult rehabilitation process that will likely last 4-6 months or more. In essence, I have to re-learn to walk because I had bilateral knee reconstruction. While this included knee replacements, there was also a significant amount of soft-tissue work done on each knee. It is a very strange sensation, to say the least--walking on two new knees, with new supporting soft-tissue structure. But at this point, I am not even sure I will be well enough to fish muskies this fall.

But keeping things in perspective, I am thrilled to have the surgery over and be back home again--and have the support of the many friends who have emailed and phoned their support. Your messages have meant a lot over the past 2 weeks.

Thanks again to all...

TB

Edited by tcbetka 6/22/2008 6:20 AM
sworrall
Posted 6/22/2008 6:26 AM (#323244 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update





Posts: 32885


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Ahhh, stay to the positive sir, you will be fishing this fall if we have to cart you to the boat...which we will not!
bobski
Posted 6/22/2008 9:09 AM (#323251 - in reply to #322190)
Subject: Re: Tom Betka Update




Posts: 144


Location: Green Bay, WI
Best wishes to you Tom. Hope your rehab goes well and quickly.