Posted in the wrong place --- sorry to long to delete

[Wildhawke11]

Rockys first post back at cyberzone since the shooting.

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First of all Fellahs I am embarrassed to have to be the point of well wishes because of some bad luck that has come my way. For someone who wishes to only live the quiet life and tries to be live by a code of manly polite behaviour, well sometimes I just cant figure it. Because so many decent men on this board, led by my dear brothers Ronnie, Danny and Bucket have shown heart and concern I will explain what happened to me.

I was fast into a deep sleep when at four thirty am in the pitch black of my flat I felt like someone was slamming a shovel into the back of my head over and over. I didn't know If I was dreaming or what. I turned around in a quick motion to see a white male dressed in black sticking a gun into my back and pulling the trigger over and over. It was like a surreal drama and it took a spilt second for things to register. At first I thought it was the police (who I have had bad dealings with in the past) and I wondered what the hell was going on. Then quickly I realized I was being executed. Anger came into me and I wheeling and spun out of my bed onto the floor, swearing and determined to get to my attacker. It was a cold night and I had three comforters on me. Well as I spun to the floor to attack, I got caught up and twisted into the comforters! As I did this the man backed out of the room and shot three more times. He never hit me. I got loose of the comforters and crawled on my hands and knees at my attacker. I could hear him trying to reload a clip and I told him I was gonna finish him if I reached him. It was pitch black and I could barely see him, but I think I got about ten feet from him and the cowardly bastard ran away through the back door he came in! That left me alone in the dark, as I heard him run away. I just couldn't get to my feet quick enough to run after him. As it turns out there was a good reason why.

I live in a upper flat and my back door leads to a stair that goes to a basement that has to be travelled across to get to a lower flat where four people live. The attacker came in through that flat and went the route I mentioned to get to my back door. I never leave that door opened, but on this day I did because the girl who lives downstairs asked if she could use my phone so I let her and told her to just leave the phone in my door which I left open for her. That was my undoing. Either because I wouldn't return her love advances or for the sake of robbery that I didn't cooperate in by dying she let in the hitman to murder me. I will speak no more on the subject other than to say I had the grand total of $120 in my flat. Things are happening to square the account and punish the guilty.

I picked my self up and somehow walked down the two flights of stairs to get to the other flat and get my phone and get some help. As it turned out I was starting to die the moment I was shot. I was hit with 6 22 cal bullets in the back. My muscle quality in the back did not allow five of the bullets to go all the way in and they stuck out with the bottoms of them easily seen and picked out. Had any of those bullets got through, I would be dead or paralysed. I was very lucky. The sixth one was in my side, got through, severed my colon and of course poison and infection was running wild in me.

The doctors told me I was in need of immediate trauma surgery and blood transfusion. I refused. I figured it was my time. I thought of Clev Williams and what he went through, the hospital time, the weight loss, etc. I just gave up. Then my cousin came in with some police and they told me that under Michigan law a gunshot victim who has been brought by a ambulance has no choice and they have to operate to save his life. I gave in knowing what it would mean, but I refused any blood. Well I don't remember anything else but waking up. The bullet had broken two ribs, and pieced my colon. They cut off 13 cm and reattached it. But I had two gigantic abscesses of infection. In Clev Williams days it meant more and more surgery's. But I was lucky. Today's modern tech saved me. Using a cat scan they are able to put a hole in me, attach a bag, locate the abscess and drain it with out surgery. If it works. It did for me. Thank The Good Lord.

Still my blood was low, my temp bad and I needed transfusion. I again refused. I didn't want anybodies else's blood. I wanted to build back my own. It was a gamble. So here I am, on my back, tube up my nose, IV in both arms, two holes in my sides draining poison, with a huge 8 inch open gash on my stomach, destroying my abdominal muscles. Yes i was in intense pain, but who was there to fight? My attacker ran. I couldn't avenge myself. If I took the drugs to ease the pain I would have been totally defeated. A burden on others and on drugs. I have never taken any drugs in my life nor have I had a drink since fifteen years old. I had to have something to fight, a victory of sorts to have a foundation for a comeback. I chose to fight the pain. I was almost four weeks on my back fighting the pain. In that time I slept maybe three or four hours. When I talked to Ronnie and Bucket the first times I could hardly talk for the pain. But finally the sacks are out of me, the pain is mostly gone, and the huge cut is healing at a rapid rate. My vital signs are perfect and I can now walk anywhere I want and can even move around pretty damm good.

I have lost my rock hard two fifteen and only weigh 178. I went from Muhammad Ali to Joe Calzaghe! But I cant wait to heal and maybe work out again. Ronnie is the expert and he tells me to WAIT AND HEAL. I gotta listen to him. No rushing it. Don't want a hernia.
During the surgery I developed a small blood clot on my lung, so I am on a blood thinner for three months to clear that up. Other wise I am getting better at a rapid rate and eating my fruits and picking up strength. After seeing car accident victims, gunshot victims, men at arms dragged into war and maimed, and the poor children who through no fault of their own live in pain and most times don't make it. (I was on the trauma floor for almost a month and saw a lot) Of course I feel grateful, don't complain and pray for those not as lucky. What happened to me was nothing when compared to others better than me and more deserving of a break. Life is hard to figure. It certainly isn't fair. So fellahs I took six in the back from a coward. Not as many as Cole Younger but I'm in the rankings.

It gives me a great appreciation of what Clev Williams went through to come back and compete in a era when medical science was not what it is now. Much is said of Ali's performance that night, but its Williams appearance in that ring and his career after that shooting that should be talked about. Amazing man and my inspiration to come back to my former strength and body. Thank you for all the support. I am touched and grateful. Nothing better in the world than men feeling for other men within a code of honour and decent behaviour. I am again grateful and say thank you. Ronnie, Danny and Bucket especially. My hearts blood to you. Again thank you fellahs. I am getting stronger and hope to post more often as therapy and am glad to be back. Your brother Rocky