2018 Nationals! I finally get to recap!

I usually recap my adventures at GPs and Nationals but this time I was delayed as many of you know.

 On the last day of the Nationals, I was fighting a raging infection, that after going to the emergency room, was told I almost died! What?

Well after 3 days in ICU and 20 days in the surgical unit of New Hanover Hospital, I am back on the mend and grateful to be vertical. LOL

I won’t describe all the time and effort it takes to put on an event like the AAFTA Nationals. It has been described in other posts. I will say, that for the effort of the crew at THAGC and Twin City Gun Club, I believe we had a really smooth and enjoyable event… The weather cooperated even if a little hot, especially on Sunday.

As match director of the Pistol match, I was particularly proud of the fact that we had 42 competitors show up ready to play! since I have been shooting FT It is the largest group of folks taking part in a pistol match. I believe it will grow as people see how much fun it is. Also, with several going hands only like John Eroh, Leo Gonzalez, and even Tom Wade, (Who ended up in hunter but did shoot hands only) That could be a possible new class for AAFTA pistol field target in the future?

Tyler Patner continues to amaze me, only missing 2 shots on a maxed-out course I set. I myself was surprised that I tied with Ray Barnett for 3^rd as I was totally out of breath and heart pumping from all the running around prior and during the match. After 3 rounds Ray prevailed for third and I ended in 4^th..Congrats to friend Ray.

 I used all my targets from my business and only the huge kangaroo failed after ¾ of the way through the match.  An overzealous competitor pulled it off angle on the block and it became jammed. Unfortunately, the replacement target I put in its place, was one that was not checked before the match and it too was not working. (My fault as I could not check with Chris Cory for the good targets and just grabbed the first, I found). I gave everyone the target to comply with the AAFTA required number of shots.

Day 1 of the rifle match I was on the blue course that was in the woods. I was shooting with Manolo Gonzalez, my brother from another other mother, from Puerto Rico. It was to be a great weekend shooting with him for the first time. We have become great friends over the years, but never competed in the same squad before. We shot both pistol and rifle for all three days.

Day one I had several brain farts, like being out of rotation on the first target of the standing lane! I ended up with a 51, and that tied me with good friend Brian Van Liew and Garrett Kwakkestein for 4^th place on day 1.

I figured the next day I would be able to increase that to get me close to the top of the leader board.

But Alas, it was not to be!

When I awoke Sunday morning at the motel, I thought I had a hemorrhoid, as my bottom was on fire… At that time, I did not know that I had the infection raging… Well needless to say, all day when I sat on the bum bag and even standing, I felt like I was sitting on hot coals…!

It was a good day too, as I was cleaning lanes in spite of the heat and pain. I knew I was having a great day, only missing a few far shots across the pipeline for wind. However, on the last 5 lanes, it all went South on me.

The pain was intense, and my eyes started to blur a bit as well as my mind. I started to shake almost uncontrollably. I managed a 50% on the standing lane, but was out of rotation on 4 shots. Actually, on one of them I was shaking so bad, I inadvertently dropped a target at 50 yards across the pipeline. The second shot I was not shaking so bad and I watched the pellet go clear over the target. I guess the shaking put the, out of rotation shot on the first attempt, into the KZ…LOL

At that point I ended 3 shots out of the trophies. But I didn’t care. After I was done, I went to lunch and could not eat. I was shaking and cold like I had the flu. I thought I was heat exhausted, as it was in the upper 90s and the jacket was hot. I ended up drinking 8 glasses of sweet tea which later proved to fuel the infection. Evidently infections feed on sugars…

I had to tough it out as I needed to hand out trophies and shake hands. After that, I went up to the white course and used my trailer to pick up all the targets and lines, that we brought out to the shooters pad. Then I told everyone I could not stay as I had the truck heater on 89 and was still cold.  And so, I went to the motel and slept until Monday.

The next day I was a little better and not shaking, but the pain was a little more intense. I ended up meeting with Keith Knobloch, and he helped me fold up my 20’ canopy and collect the pistol targets. I left and went home. I called two fellow members to keep me awake on the 2.5 hr ride.(Many Thanks Ray Hawkins and Mike Finchum)!

Long story short, I slept all day Monday and then went to the hospital emergency ward on Tuesday after I woke. I felt the pain creeping up my bottom to my nether region. And no man wants pain there, but it was rt there….LOL

They gave me a CAT scan and sent it to the main hospital in Wilmington. I was then whisked away to there and the chief urologist came in the pre-op. He said “I will pull no punches “ and that I was “very, very, very sick”. At that point he said I was borderline sepsis. I knew that term from several people that had died in my life.

Well, after debriding the area. (fancy doctor speak for cutting out flesh ahead of the infection) I was now half assed

!LOL  I know many of you already knew that fact!

They took out around 1/4lb of flesh from my rt butt cheek up to the boys, and a tiny bit further. (No they are still intact….) Just a little shorter hammock…

He said that is was necrotic tissue/gangrene that was removed. I was surprised that it could happen in a day or 2. He told me that if I had not come in the ER when I did, we would not be having the conversation.

Now for the public service announcement. He told me the reason that it spread so quickly was that I was an un diagnosed type 2 diabetic! Never had a symptom that I associated with it. But I did drink fluids a lot and urinated often. Which I thought was because I drank water and diet soda often.

Well now I have a new diet plan and inject insulin 5 times a day and take two pills. The insulin is only temporary for now, to help the wound heal with lower glucose. So now you remember the 8 glasses of sweet tea I had at lunch? I threw gas on the fire so to speak.

I really enjoyed the Nationals in spite of my personal problems. I had a great time contacting all the companies for their donations. I was able to secure some really great rifles, as well as make some friends at the manufacturer’s besides.

Meeting so many new folks, that I only knew from their comments on forums, was a highlight of the event for me.

I saw a group of people who came together for the sport they love, and have a great time. No attitudes, no arguing, just good comradery, and fun.

I will remember this Nationals for obvious personal reasons, but more for the intricate goings on to put on such an event. Having a well-run match was the primary goal we strived for, and I believe that the THAGC club succeeded. My hat is off to my fellow club members who dedicated their time, effort, and even money to make the event memorable. I thank each and every one of them and with cudos to Scott Allen, Chris Cory, Phillip Hepler, Curt Hathaway, Keith knobloch, Will and Ginger Piatt and the other core organizing members. I was proud to be a part of making this event go smoothly.

We had so many who came and helped to clear lanes, cut trees, and other manual tasks. Miguel Sanchez,  Ford, Louis Loria, Joe Garland and Jimmy Williams who was instrumental with his equipment to make the White course.

All our members contributed in some way, along with the owners of the 2 other clubs in NC. Gerald Long of the Central Carolina Air Gun Club and Jody Morrison of the Mooresville Airgun Club .

 I personally appreciate every one of them. I can’t say enough how this hobby has some of the nicest folks you would want to meet

And lastly, I want to thank each and every one of you competitors that made the trip to North Carolina to shoot the event! It is the competitive spirit of all of you that really made our effort worthwhile!

People worry about making the hobby grow, and getting new folks into the sport. I believe we, as an organization of clubs, are doing pretty well at that.

 It has been growing since I started for sure. Here in NC we have 3 clubs now where it was only 1 when I started in 2015. If we can keep the decorum of the past year, I believe we can develop the sport into an even more thriving sport, that would rival the European numbers in a few more years….

Thank you all for reading this….. Keep on shooting straight, and as my friend David Slade always tells me.

“Just aim for the round bits”!  Words to shoot by! 

Paul