So about three years ago, I broke my left wrist. So my right arm was my “good” arm for some time. Then last winter, after a minor fall against a wall, I discovered I have an impingement problem in my right shoulder. So my left arm became my “good” arm. Well, a few weeks ago, I sprained my left wrist, so now my right arm, just recently my bad arm, is now my “good” arm. Each time I switch sides, I lose a little function.
Where does the downhill spiral end?
Replies
I have seen this movie, there is a bad ending.
You are better off not knowing, but if you insist, it is very similar to the ending of "Alamo", they all die.
I have to assume that by now your proficient at wipeing yourself with either hand, that's the up side. Anyone out there who thinks it's easy, give it a try, prior to taking a shower. Use the opposite hand.
Where does the downhill spiral end?
At the moment, it's sitting in front of this screen, typing replies and knoshing on pretzels. :-)
Sucks getting old!!
No kidding. I thought I could hold off on the velcro shoes and the elastic pants for awhile, but it's not looking good.
Hey, Guys,On the plus side, I'm waiting until the distance from my belt to my armpits measures 12" or less. At that point, I've given myself permission to mount a full, 8' cap on my Ext-Cab F-150 with the 6'-6" bed. I'll be able to parallel-park with the cap overhanging the sedan behind me. I'll be able to transport full 8' sheets of hardwood ply without worryin about the weather. And I won't give a good goddamn anymore about anybody laughing at me. I can't wait.On this subject, I'm reminded of a newspaper article I read about 25 years ago -- a brother/sister, journalist/photographer team documented their grandfather's downhill slide, and wrote a photo-illustrated book about it. At one point, exasperated sister says, "Oh, Gramps, did you #### your pants AGAIN?"
Gramps replies, "No, that other guy did."Also, I'm a whitewater solo canoer, so talking about that inevitable future slide with my daughter one day, I said, only half-jokingly, "I've already picked out the waterfall." She smiled, patted my arm, and said, "That's OK, Daddy." I got the feeling that she really understood, and really meant it. Pretty cool, in my book: stories from our Native American brothers and sisters indicate that they knew how to choose when and where: "You guys go on, I think I'm going to sit down right here. There's a nice view."But there's plenty of unfinished business, my buddies and I, teammates for over 30 years, are still winning our softball games against guys young enough to be our grandsons...and there are still plenty of rivers to paddle.Keep your paddles wet,AitchKay
Edited 8/12/2008 9:48 pm ET by AitchKay
Nobody I know of on this forum has got me beat as far as age is concerned. No doubt some parts are reaching their limit so my job is to use up the parts that are still in good working order so I don't leave this round with too many good working parts.
But.
Awhile back I was taking a walk and I thought I would try joggin' again. While I was going a pretty good clip a young couple passed me. What really hurt though is that they were walking.
marson
I'm 52.
Until I was about 42 or so I was bullet proof. Work hard, lift anything very few pains and never need a nap.
Fell off my kid's bike and cracked my head. Not bullet proof anymore.
Last year I had a sore elbow, a bum left knee (opposite of ALC) and plantar flaciatis (spelling ??) in my left foot. I was ok was I got warmed up, but I got stiff if I sat down for long.
This year has been better, lost 15-20 lbs, cod liver oil every day. I don't know if the cod liver oil helps but it's good for my cholestrol.
But I still get stiff, and I protect my knee. And I take a nap every chance I get.
Just not the same body anymore.
Rich
I lost use of my right arm when it was badly burned in an industrial accident. To add insult to injury, I ran into the street with my arm on fire, and was promptly arrested - for brandishing a fire arm!
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
booooo
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!
"It is what it is."
I turned 50 on Peachfest Saturday. No I wasn't there. When I was 48 I was in pretty fair condition. Not so much anymore. I'm falling apart slowly. Fortunately my job is not too laborious though. I have diabetes - have to shoot insulin (careful, not too much), high BP, high cholesterol etc. Weak heart. I keep going, but I'm preparing for the inevitable day coming up. Glad I don't work in the "trades" anymore for a living, but I do miss it.
I am siding a house with Hardi planks now. Seems like I work an hour or so and rest an hour. She's gettin done though. And my legs and shoulders hurt, and my arthritic fingers are getting pretty bad.
And these darn trifocals make it hard to see anything over my head close up.
Sucks getting old.
Sucks getting old.
So just pick an age and stay right there.
I have 2 bad wrists (chronic inflammation since Feb 08) that nobody can figure out. Between me and my insurance I am about $10k in this so far.
Prednisone makes it go away but you can't take that for long.
The short answer is it gives me an excuse to buy more tools.
Can't use a hacksaw, buy a side grinder.
Can't use a screwdriver, buy a screw gun.
Can't use a hammer, buy a bunch of nail guns.
It beats just having a hook
Its time for you to think about putting down the tools and putting your brain to work. Make all that skill make money for you.
My partner/trainer/one who tolerates me and takes my management orders pretty well is 65. He complains about this pain and that pain and doesn't rush it anymore.
But, he can hand bang faster than any youngin' anywhere and I haven't seen him yet not have a good solution for a bizarre or complicated problem. He can read prints with the best of them as well. His education is limited in the formal sense, but get him on a jobsite and he can run a full crew and multi-task without even breaking a sweat.
He knows things and tools that some people have never seen or heard of. He also follows safety rules to the teeth and is a stickler about it. We've never had an accident when we are running a team. He did though, when working alone once building a new stairwell, fall through some boards he cut the main beam from. Stupid mistake he said and chalked it up to working alone.
I've had people fret, "Oh he's old he's old." but they shut up when they see him work.
I know that age is starting to get to me now as lately I have been finding that screws get real blurry when they are right in front of my face, like when crouching down to screw down a countertop under a drawer or something.
My partner suggested I wear reading glasses to work when I was doing that job. "What?!" I said insulted, "and look like some dottering old lady?! I don't think so!" I'd rather struggle.
Get some cool looking wraparound magnifying safety glasses. I can't wear them because I have astigmatism, and both eyes see wildly different from each other, and I see double without a prism grind. But if all you need to be able to see closer up, that's what I would do.