Jack Giesecke
08-30-2006, 05:13 PM
I've been working with Lester Koester in Edna for a little over a year. First met him when he had an ad in the Victoria paper for a small engine mechanic/shop manager. I answered the add and have been working over there at his place on small engines, four wheelers, and diesel tractors (didn't count on that one) since.
Lester called me to see if I'd work on his mower couple of days ago, a Troybuilt. I went over there and got my tools on my wing/flat bed trailer. Went to his house and fixed his mower, was something pluggin' the fuel filter. Anyway, got through with it, mowed some of his yard to test it, he comes driving up. He's been going to MD Anderson in Houston for chemo, recurrence of cancer in his chest. Well, now, they're resorting to radiation. That's not good. That's a last resort deal when they do that. My mom got radiation back in the 50s when it was a new thing and they didn't realize a lot of the bad effects of it. She got cancer in her lower abdomen a few years ago and it killed her, I'm sure from the previous radiation to cure her uterine cancer.
Anyway, he looks awful, sounds awful, and I'm sure feels awful. I don't think he's long on this earth, personally, but he's still buckin'. Can't run the shop anymore, not enough energy and the heat gets to him outside. Says he's probably going to have to go to work. Guy offered him a "land man" job in the oil patch. They research land deeds and contact land owners to do oil contracts for drilling rights and such. Land owners like to see this guy comin', LOL. ChaChingggg. Anyway, he says he can make good money at it, can't work at his shop and do anything, and has used up most of his money on the cancer thing. I don't know if they have insurance, think they do through his wife's job. Sad deal, though, not his financial straights, but his health. Heck, he owns 10 acres of pasture, the barn and stuff and an old farm house that's all paid for. He'll get along financially, just sad to see a man withering away like that. Cancer is a terrible disease.
So, in a sad mood, I picked up my tool chest and brought it home. Now, I don't lack tools for the job, at least. Got my good digital volt/ohm meter back and my good flywheel puller, only thing I've really been moaning for that was over there. Business is pretty decent here and growing. I actually make more money here and spend less of it not having to ride 34 miles one way a day. But, I sure hope ol' Lester gets over this. Dang, this sux.
Anyway, give ol' Lester a thought in your prayers if you would. He's a good man and needs the help.
Lester called me to see if I'd work on his mower couple of days ago, a Troybuilt. I went over there and got my tools on my wing/flat bed trailer. Went to his house and fixed his mower, was something pluggin' the fuel filter. Anyway, got through with it, mowed some of his yard to test it, he comes driving up. He's been going to MD Anderson in Houston for chemo, recurrence of cancer in his chest. Well, now, they're resorting to radiation. That's not good. That's a last resort deal when they do that. My mom got radiation back in the 50s when it was a new thing and they didn't realize a lot of the bad effects of it. She got cancer in her lower abdomen a few years ago and it killed her, I'm sure from the previous radiation to cure her uterine cancer.
Anyway, he looks awful, sounds awful, and I'm sure feels awful. I don't think he's long on this earth, personally, but he's still buckin'. Can't run the shop anymore, not enough energy and the heat gets to him outside. Says he's probably going to have to go to work. Guy offered him a "land man" job in the oil patch. They research land deeds and contact land owners to do oil contracts for drilling rights and such. Land owners like to see this guy comin', LOL. ChaChingggg. Anyway, he says he can make good money at it, can't work at his shop and do anything, and has used up most of his money on the cancer thing. I don't know if they have insurance, think they do through his wife's job. Sad deal, though, not his financial straights, but his health. Heck, he owns 10 acres of pasture, the barn and stuff and an old farm house that's all paid for. He'll get along financially, just sad to see a man withering away like that. Cancer is a terrible disease.
So, in a sad mood, I picked up my tool chest and brought it home. Now, I don't lack tools for the job, at least. Got my good digital volt/ohm meter back and my good flywheel puller, only thing I've really been moaning for that was over there. Business is pretty decent here and growing. I actually make more money here and spend less of it not having to ride 34 miles one way a day. But, I sure hope ol' Lester gets over this. Dang, this sux.
Anyway, give ol' Lester a thought in your prayers if you would. He's a good man and needs the help.