The most terrible days in my life

[barry k]

Hello, my name is Sabine Kratzer, wife and partner from Barry Kratzer of " BULLDOG - INSTRUMENTS ".

I think the most of you know my husband and I would like to share with you all "our days in fear".

Barry had on Aug. 5th. a TIA ( mini stroke ), he lost his speach and his right arm went numb. The speach came back before the Ambulance took him with to the hospital and everything was fine after about 50 minutes. He could go home after 100 tests and 3 days Hospital stay.
They could'nt find anything, except from 2 smal blockages in one of the carotid arteries, but the doctors said they are not on the right spot to cause a TIA. Hm, so the doctors said...

But Barry was back in the Hospital on Aug. 11th. with another TIA, and he had the surgery on Aug. 13th, were they had to cut one of the carotid arteries in his neck. They cleand out the 2 smal blockages and found a 3rd one what was already loose and ready to block his brain to give him the big stroke.

So, they caught all to the right time and everything was fine, till he had some complication after about 4 hours, he was in bad pain and he could'nt breath right. They took him back in the Operating Room.
I thought I will loose him...I never had so much fear in my life...never.

Barry is back home now and I am really happy about that.

He is doing fine.

He will need maybe 1 or 2 months until he can do what he loves to do " BUILDING MANDOLINS "

Right now we have to cover up the Hospital Bills, that mean we have to sell our mandolins fast.

We have 5 mandolins here on this Classifieds:

<Moderator's note: as general policy, we don't allow personal itemized sales listings in the message board, but due to the extremity of the situation, a casual mention of their existence in the Classifieds is allowed this time only.>


Thank you all for your help and support.

Best Regards,

Sabine Kratzer

[Timbofood]

Sorry I can't help Sabine but, I will certainly pray for you both.

[SGraham]

Sabine and Barry,

Suzanne and I will be praying for you too!

Steve

[Hans]

Very sorry to hear that...pray that all is well now and Barry's recovery is swift and without complication.

[mandomedic]

I too am very sorry to hear about Barry and I wish you both strength and tolerance in getting through this bad situation.
I want the mandolin world to know that I recently purchased one of Barry's mandolins, a 2007 F-5 from a second party, slightly used, and have to say it's a fine sounding instrument.. If you'd like more of an opinion about the Bulldog that I have, please don't hesitate to email me... Ken Cartwright mandomedic@wvi.com
www.kencradio.com

[jasona]

All my best to you and Barry.

[Spruce]

Sabine...

I'm very sorry to hear of your trials...

Could you PM me with your address please?
I'm not seeing it at your website...

[Jackie Walters]

Hi Sabine,
I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. Sounds like God was not ready to take him though! I bet he wants your husband to make more mandolins! My prayers are with you both..take it a day at a time..things will work out.

[barry k]

Barry had really an angel on his side watching over him and I am so thankful about that.

We thank you all so much for your kind words and prayers, we really appreciate it.


God bless you all.

Sabine Kratzer

[Pete Braccio]

Oh, Lord!

Sabine, I will be thinking of you and Barry and wishing you well.

For those that are looking for a great mandolin, Bulldogs are the real thing. I have Bulldog #1 and wish to someday bring home an F4 sibling for it.

Pete

[Mattg]

I think it was very classy and wise of the moderator to allow this exception. It just goes to show the kind of good folks that run this site.

Hang in there Sabine, things will turn out well.

[jim simpson]

Sabine,
Thanks for sharing your difficult story. My best wishes to both you and Barry. I knew Barry from his Pennsylvania days when he played in the bluegrass group "Rockledge".
Jim

[jim_n_virginia]

Sabine I am so sorry to hear about Barry, I hope and pray he gets back on his feet and is building mandolins fast!

Get well soon Barry!

[BlueMountain]

Get well and back to work soon, Barry!

I've owned a Bulldog, and I know a number of other people who own one or a K&G. Seriously good mandolins.

[Jim Broyles]

Sabine, I wish I was able to help financially. I was looking forward to meeting Barry at the wedding last summer of our friend Brad Haberle, but Barry was not able to attend. If I remember correctly it was due to a health issue back then as well. The wedding was June 16, 2007. Anyway, I will get this information to Brad and we will be praying for you and Barry. Keep looking up.

[Capt. E]

Strokes are such a secret killer, you were lucky to have caught it in time. I can only imagine what you went through and you both are in our prayers.

John

[David M.]

Barry: Get well and strong soon! You and Sabine and all will be in our prayers and thoughts. I had your #31 K&G and it was a good one. Wish I still had it and its Georgia Chicken Foot!

Take Care.

[Skip Kelley]

Barry, I pray for a speedy and complete recovery. I wish all the best to you and your family!

[Jim Broyles]

Sabine and Barry,
I just talked to Brad and of course he told me that he already knew of Barry's ordeal. I hope to meet you at Brad and Maria's this fall if you can make it up.

[herbsandspices]

Sabine & Barry,
My thoughts and prayers are with you both!
Good vibrations being sent your way.
Best,
john

[bjc]

Prayers and good vibes...

[Tracy Tucker]

Hugs and prayers from Ohio!

Tracy

[barry k]

Sabine and Barry,
I just talked to Brad and of course he told me that he already knew of Barry's ordeal. I hope to meet you at Brad and Maria's this fall if you can make it up.



Yes Brad knew it, because he called Barry's cell phone in the hospital 1 day after the surgery and he was pretty much shocked to hear whats happen.
Our plan was it to come up in August, but how you know we could'nt make it, but we looking forward to make our trip up there in the fall.
A other friend of Barry, Vic and his wife were already ready for us too, she was going to cook pork chop and sauerkraut for us # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

...we both hope to meet you soon


Sabine

[barry k]

I really want to say thank you again to all of you, for your prayers and thoughts, get well wishes and to give us strength and hope.

Thank you all and God Bless You All !!!

Sabine Kratzer

[Tim Peter]

Barry, wishing you a quick recovery. I will remember you in my thoughts and prayers. Wish I could afford one of your fine instruments. Get well soon.

[sean808080]

So sorry to hear and hope the recovery goes faster and better than expected. Healing rays going your way Barry.

[barry k]

Hello all, here is a quick update about Barry's health. He is doing much better now and he is back in his workshop. He still don't has his full energie back but he started already to build again. So that mean we have 2 mandolins in work right now (custom orders). It will take a little bit longer, but that don't matter, cause he is doing that again what he loves to do...BUILDING MANDOLINS".
And I want to say "THANK YOU TO ALL" again, for all the support, thoughts and prayers... and a big thank you to the moderators of this website, because you were there where I really needed help !

Thank you all so much, from both of us, Barry & Sabine Kratzer

God bless you all!

[MandoSquirrel]

Good to hear he's making progress, & getting back to doing what he loves!:mandosmiley:

[Pete Braccio]

Hi Sabine,

That is the best news I've heard all day (and then some). I'm thinking of you both and wishing you the best of luck.

Pete
Proud owner of Bulldog #1

[8ch(pl)]

God comfort and bless you both through these trials.