Any other H.A.M.B.ers on here have physical problems which make it so you can't work on your rides? Mines in the garage, up on the lift, everything I need to work on it present but my physical limitations won't allow me to do anything presently. How do you deal with the mental anguish of wanting to get the car on the road so you can just take it for a simple drive and not being able to do so. It' taking it's toll on me mentally. Ideas? Oh, some humor for you. Finally decided to order me a welder couple days ago. Went online to check bank balance only to find out debit card number had been stolen. Now my money is tied up in fraudulent transactions until the bank can finish it's investigation. Gotta love it. Was gonna get that free shipping from Eastwood if ordered by the 31st. Probably not now.
I'm not that bad of shape for someone 64 years old but I smashed my index finger on my left hand a few years ago after having a cow smash the tip of my left thumb a few years before and you guessed it, I'm left handed. That slows me down a lot when I am working on things that need a bit of finess. That and the knees don't like squatting down to work on stuff but my Mac brake stool takes care of that most of the time. I used to work 16 or more hours straight on a project when I was up against a deadline but have little interest in doing those hours on something again.
Yeah, I've been monitoring the work you two have been doing. Don't think you have much holding you back. I've seen you little "secret" Royal. Don't think there is any question about your mental status. You're cleared for take off. Maybe Jeffrey can give me a little "Idiots guide to building a hot rod for the mentally insane" post.
We all have our mental and physical times.....it is called beeing human.....luckily this is my hobby and not a full time job.
My problem is my full time work is paint and body and not being able to do any of that now either. So you can imagine how the mental status is going. Bills don't care, they just keep pounding on you.
sam, sorry to hear about your situation. I myself am having similar situation. I went from working to paralyzed in 3 days back in june. i'm mobile again with the use of crutches and pain killers.nerve regeneration is a bitch. anyway i understand the frustration.i'm half a year behind on projects and trying to go back to work part time.it did help alot just to shuffle out to the barn with friends,have a beer and plan future project work with them and letting them do small things for now.i am just happy for every day the sun comes up and i'm here to see it. changes your way of thinking. just hang in there,look foward to every sunrise and don't turn down help from real friends.take care
Diabetes can be a real bitch. I'm on meds now, it's a little better. I had to pay other people to do work on my car because I didn't have the energy to break more than 4 bolts loose. It was the most frustrating thing i've ever had to do.
Just went out to the garage and snapped a couple of pics. Yes I see I need to set the date on the camera. Doing it now. I guess I could go out and hang with my buddies. Brought them in from the cold and the ice. I don't think they understand what I kept them from being in outside.
I heard that Mojo. COPD and conjestive heart failure here. Both flared up at the same time. Took me down like a MMA fighter.
I hear you. Pain and fatigue can make you insane. The way I see it, any day you wake up is a good one. I been fighting for health since `92. It never helps once insurance companies get involved. I experience success in very small steps, but it is success none the less. I get jealous of people who can actually complete a project. I've had dozens of cars, but not finnished one. There are ways to look at your situation as opportunity, but only you can find them. Just keep doing what you love.
Sam, my 25 yr old daughter was paralyzed in a car accident in September (her idiot boyfriend, driving my daughter's car, slammed into the back off a semi on the interstate). She suffered a traumatic brain injury and broke 4 vertebrae in her neck (plus a bunch of other injuries), leaving her a level C4 quadraplegic. Two weeks after her accident, I had a heart attack Seven weeks after my heart attack, I had a spontaneous subdural hematoma, pushing my brain to the right and causing unbelievably horrible headaches, some numbness in limbs, etc. I've been unable to do much physical stuff at all, feel pretty worthless (especially when it comes to helping care for my daughter. I can turn her, but can't lift her, etc). I deal with it by getting on the HAMB and reading what others are doing. It's enjoyable and, while not the same as working on my own cars, more worthwhile than watching television! I hope you get to feeling better soon and are able to get back out in the garage and back to work.
If I am down, then the best up, I can do is to help somebody else. There is always someone worse off than I am and, if I can guide or help them out I get lifted up not as an ego thing but, my attitude changes. I feel good helping other people it gets me out of my self. I am sure there is somebody or something around that can benefit from your experiance. I also see these e-mails from the ones that want to learn maybe you can find one of them and help them along meanwhile you will be helping yourself.
MENTAL CHECK LIST + or - for your mental state fundamental sacramental departmental sentimental detramental developmental interdepartmental complimental enviromental implemental monumental temperamental regimental supplimental judgemental instramental ornamental experimental documental governmental compartmental incremental fragmental firmamental segramental elemental nonjudgemental
My father told me this over fifty years ago(he died in 1990).......If you want to see how rich you are...........don't count your money.....count everything that money can't buy........thats what life is all about..........
Hey, you have a couple of the best friends you can get there.They will keep you sane until things get better.
At 67 and having had some injuries due to a headon collision and being a Lineman for many years (back,knees,etc.), I'm kinda slow. Takes me a while to get things done but keep plugging along. Glad I can still get around and happy for everyday that allows me to function. Some days I can only work on stuff for a couple of hours, sometimes longer. Mentally it is irritating as I don't like the speed at which I am able to get things done. Still, I'm glad to be able to work on these old Fords--it's good therapy !!!
I suffer from wanting things done my way on my schedule. As I have aged I learned I really need to have gratitude and acceptance. Looks like you have two good friends there in your garage.
Tackle your car a little bit at a time. I have a buddy that goes out to his garage for a few hours then is sacked for a couple of days, but he keeps doing it and the car progresses. He needs to work on his car just to prove to himself he can. Doesn't get a ton of work done in one stretch, but he just perserveres and it eventually gets done. He never used to be able to accept other people helping him on his car, but his car club buddies, my friends, finally got him to accept their help and his new ride is now mobile and finished. He is the kind of guy that would help anyone, but couldn't accept help. At any rate, finishing his car helped his mental outlook. Now he can tinker away at detailing it and doing little things to keep himself busy. Pat.
Yep, but the physical can make you mental. So very true. When ever you get up to start your day, take a minute and think: I'm breathing, I'm vertical, the sun is up, a great day. It will lift your spirits. _______________________________________________________ Gawd! I didn't realize there were so many broken, grumpy ol' farts in this bunch. At least I feel I'm not in the minority, now. Between this one and the "Sore Hands" thread, we do comprise quite a bunch of old reprobates.
One day at a time even if you can only research what you what to do it keeps your mind active, the physical stuff will come in time. Take care and take it a little bit at a time. Rob
The biggest problem for me is that I feel like I have no more purpose left and I'm only interfering in others people's lives. I sit around and invision my family and friends lives with me and without me, and think, there lives would improve without me. I just feel worthless. I've run this ship for 35 years and I'm just having a problem handing it over to somebody else. Maybe I should go and talk to the drill seargent in the Geico commercial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlWddAXSRA
Special Sam I too am in the same boat as you are ! COPD and heart problems same as you except ,I've been on the Meds for four years now.... I agree with you 100 % about the Meds kicking ya in the ass.. But Man ,you can't let it keep ya down, You have alot in life ,a lot more than a lot of other people,think about it ,their are a lot of homeless folks out in the cold,in way worst shape than you or me. You have A nice shop their and I see two things in that picture that don't care who you are Or how bad off you are ,They still love ya and Will stand beside ya , and depend on YOU ! I HAD TO LET THE CARS SIT and just had enough strength to get up and down the stairs, on a good day, Now I have a little more strength and I can do a little more each day,and I thank God for it EVERYDAY..... Man ,all I'm saying is like everyone else on this thread HAS told you, keep your head up ,be positive know who you are ,and everything will turn out great, Their are a lot more folks that give a shit then you think right now, But you'll see ,it will turn around and all will be cool soon. If you need to talk ,P.M.me. I'm just down the road and can listen better than most.... Later , Chuck..........
Sam, it's all in your attitude, stay focused on enjoying what you can do and try to not dwell on what you can't... that's what I've done for the last two years and it works pretty darn well most days. Good luck to ya, and there's no shame in wearing out, shoot, if I had know I was going to live this long I would have been a lot more careful!
The Jalopy Journal
