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I'm not doing well. I have some tough decisions to make.

John Pollman

John Pollman

Member
Messages
1,651
Location
Rochester Hills, MI
This has been one hell of a year. I'm not doing well at all. At this point, the broken wrist is healing, but there's a way to go. On top of that, the arthritis that has been bothering me for several years has kicked into high gear for the past six months or so. It's getting really bad. Even Motrin 800's don't provide much more than minimal relief, and I can't live on those without ruining my liver. It sounds like about the only solution is injections, which doesn't thrill me.

I'm in constant pain, and it's starting to become unbearable. If I don't get this under control, I'm afraid I may end up selling off a good portion of my very well-stocked wood shop. I have some very nice tools that I love using, but between Tay-Sachs and arthritis, I don't see myself using them safely anymore. This, among other things, is weighing very heavily on me right now. I feel like I'm headed for a life of sitting in my lift chair, watching documentaries and old movies. The arthritis is even making it hard for me to run the box office at work. I think it may be time to talk to my doctor about adjusting some of my meds. I'm not handling things very well, and I'm becoming a hermit.
 
My sympathies John. Many of us do not do well with being able to do less. My activities and output have also suffered due to arthritis and sleep problems. This affects my state of mind which pretty much drives everything else about our lives. I hope they are able to get you on a med protocol that will help. I am no doctor so all I can do is offer moral support.
 
I'll echo Glenn. I think a lot of us are facing the prospect of not being able to use or do the things we once did. Granted, you got dealt a really rough hand with the Tay-Sachs, but you've also been a role model to a lot of us when it comes to facing that that kind of challenge head-on. I hope your doctors can get you some relief.
 
i know exactly where you are coming from. Im morbidly obese, 71. had 15 major surgeries, 3 stent surgeries, diabetes, degenerative spondylosis, severe arthritis, and the carpal tunnel syndrome is become misery....cant find a surgeon who would operate on my back, both top surgeons said its 50 50 i dont make it....and some days while much more mobile then you i believe, I can hardly move in shop,,,,,so intarsia works well for me as I can sit much more.....and not lift anything heavy......but I will never give up......and I know how much you want to continue your hobby......I cannot believe they cant find a happy medium at least to deal with your pain....it would be great if you had family members who could assist you time to time to do difficult things.....youve been an inspiration to many of us, me included.....I might complain about health problems, but you live with plenty of them and show that its not a game stopper.....I wish you nothing but success with your battle and hope you keep banging out projects despite the pain and difficulty.and another p;roblem I have is I hate to ask my kids for help....they dont see me as that kind of person, but I have to ask my son to drive an hour sometimes to help me with such a tiny problem.....my son in law comes also...my brotherinlaw with heavy lifting.....my neighbor down the block never hesitated to help me with whatever, but his hemoraghic stroke set him back years.....but we are still planning a trip with them in october..god willing.....please keep fighting.
 
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