Guest guest Posted June 28, 2002 Report Share Posted June 28, 2002 New to " groups " - so not sure how to respond to posts I receive in my email bundles... Anyway, there was one to Byron about traveling and reflex. I just wanted to say thanks. I had just been discussing this topic with an associate earlier tonight... Perhaps Byron is not where I am, but I fully understand what you were getting at with the reflexes. Or at least I think I do. I am meeting again with my internist Tuesday, and think we'll mutually agree that I should take myself off " driving priveleges " . It is just such a burden on my wife to drive me to all my client appointments. Of course, if I were ever to cause anyone else any pain... that would be terrible, and I know that would lay heavily on me for the rest of my life. In fact, with each warning sign I get - I keep thinking - what if... What if ... when I crossed that line, I hit a car coming at me?... What if... when I crossed the line on the shoulder I lost control of the car? Even... what if... when I was driving home - I wasn't able to find a landmark that was familiar? Of course, I hadn't even thought much about the " true reflex " actions. I have been tested at times to have absolutely zero reflexes - none at hands, feet, elbows, knees... And then... is there anyone else who is fine one minute - and totally exhausted the next? I mean, seems to come on without any warning, or pattern. Well, so much for the " one post " tonight. I told you guys I was full of questions though. All for tonight. Much planned for tomorrow (Friday)... Let's see how much of it my body ends up agreeing with :-) Thanks again for being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2002 Report Share Posted June 28, 2002 Giving up driving is one of the most difficult things people, especially men, have to contend with. Sam has not driven for 5 years--we both recognized that he didn't see well enough and that his reflexes were poor. It was hard for him to do, and now of course I do all the driving--what little there is, and since we moved to a much more populated area at the same time, I had to learn all new traffic patterns etc. He did all the driving when we were together after he retired 18 years ago. I am forever appreciative of his attitude and gracious acceptance of the problem. He too worries about my doing all the driving and would like to spare me, but it can't be. Of course, you have additional pressing problems as you apparently are still working. Yes, Sam has his ups and downs--seems quite well (comparatively, that is) one time, and then terrible in the next few minutes. No warning. Sam was diagnosed almost 5 years ago, and is 78. Life is a lot more difficult for younger people, so we are fortunate in that respect. This is a good helpful group with practical, informative advice, and I rely on them a fair amount. Best wishes to you. Lou R.. t 07:25 AM 6/28/2002 +0000, you wrote: >New to " groups " - so not sure how to respond to posts I receive in my >email bundles... > >Anyway, there was one to Byron about traveling and reflex. > >I just wanted to say thanks. I had just been discussing this topic >with an associate earlier tonight... > >Perhaps Byron is not where I am, but I fully understand what you were >getting at with the reflexes. Or at least I think I do. > >I am meeting again with my internist Tuesday, and think we'll >mutually agree that I should take myself off " driving priveleges " . >It is just such a burden on my wife to drive me to all my client >appointments. Of course, if I were ever to cause anyone else any >pain... that would be terrible, and I know that would lay heavily on >me for the rest of my life. > >In fact, with each warning sign I get - I keep thinking - what if... >What if ... when I crossed that line, I hit a car coming at me?... >What if... when I crossed the line on the shoulder I lost control of >the car? Even... what if... when I was driving home - I wasn't >able to find a landmark that was familiar? > >Of course, I hadn't even thought much about the " true reflex " >actions. I have been tested at times to have absolutely zero >reflexes - none at hands, feet, elbows, knees... > >And then... is there anyone else who is fine one minute - and >totally exhausted the next? I mean, seems to come on without any >warning, or pattern. > >Well, so much for the " one post " tonight. I told you guys I was full >of questions though. > >All for tonight. Much planned for tomorrow (Friday)... Let's see >how much of it my body ends up agreeing with :-) > >Thanks again for being there. > > > > > >If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may >unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > >shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2002 Report Share Posted June 28, 2002 Hi: I'm still working, though " semi-retired " . I teach from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm two days per week in the fall, winter, and spring quarters. When I have to give up driving, I'll have to give up teaching. Fortunately, I still drive between the lines, have good reflexes, and my corrected vision is 20/20 (I had my annual eye exam last week.). Byron Re: Travel and reflexes > Giving up driving is one of the most difficult things people, especially > men, have to contend with. Sam has not driven for 5 years--we both > recognized that he didn't see well enough and that his reflexes were > poor. It was hard for him to do, and now of course I do all the > driving--what little there is, and since we moved to a much more populated > area at the same time, I had to learn all new traffic patterns etc. He did > all the driving when we were together after he retired 18 years ago. I am > forever appreciative of his attitude and gracious acceptance of the > problem. He too worries about my doing all the driving and would like to > spare me, but it can't be. Of course, you have additional pressing > problems as you apparently are still working. > > Yes, Sam has his ups and downs--seems quite well (comparatively, that is) > one time, and then terrible in > the next few minutes. No warning. Sam was diagnosed almost 5 years ago, > and is 78. Life is a lot more difficult for younger people, so we are > fortunate in that respect. This is a good helpful group with practical, > informative advice, and I rely on them a fair amount. Best wishes to > you. Lou R.. t 07:25 AM 6/28/2002 +0000, you wrote: > >New to " groups " - so not sure how to respond to posts I receive in my > >email bundles... > > > >Anyway, there was one to Byron about traveling and reflex. > > > >I just wanted to say thanks. I had just been discussing this topic > >with an associate earlier tonight... > > > >Perhaps Byron is not where I am, but I fully understand what you were > >getting at with the reflexes. Or at least I think I do. > > > >I am meeting again with my internist Tuesday, and think we'll > >mutually agree that I should take myself off " driving priveleges " . > >It is just such a burden on my wife to drive me to all my client > >appointments. Of course, if I were ever to cause anyone else any > >pain... that would be terrible, and I know that would lay heavily on > >me for the rest of my life. > > > >In fact, with each warning sign I get - I keep thinking - what if... > >What if ... when I crossed that line, I hit a car coming at me?... > >What if... when I crossed the line on the shoulder I lost control of > >the car? Even... what if... when I was driving home - I wasn't > >able to find a landmark that was familiar? > > > >Of course, I hadn't even thought much about the " true reflex " > >actions. I have been tested at times to have absolutely zero > >reflexes - none at hands, feet, elbows, knees... > > > >And then... is there anyone else who is fine one minute - and > >totally exhausted the next? I mean, seems to come on without any > >warning, or pattern. > > > >Well, so much for the " one post " tonight. I told you guys I was full > >of questions though. > > > >All for tonight. Much planned for tomorrow (Friday)... Let's see > >how much of it my body ends up agreeing with :-) > > > >Thanks again for being there. > > > > > > > > > > > >If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may > >unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > > > >shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2002 Report Share Posted June 30, 2002 HI MARYLOU. THANKS FOR RESPONDING. Giving up driving is one of the most difficult things people, especially men, have to contend with. DOES SEEM SO, DOESN'T IT? DONNALEE DOESN'T APPRECIATE MY COMMENTS MUCH EITHER - FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE TO LEARN TO TAME MY TONGUE. GETTING BETTER AT IT THOUGH. HELPS WHEN I LEARN TO ACCEPT AND BECOME LESS BITTER OVER THE WHOLE THING :-) Sam has not driven for 5 years- SO I GUESS HE'S USED TO IT NOW? I DIDN'T DRIVE FOR A MONTH OR TWO THERE (3 WEEKS OF WHICH I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL :-) BUT I RESUMED - WHETHER I SHOULD HAVE OR NOT. -we both recognized that he didn't see well enough and that his reflexes were poor. It was hard for him to do, and now of course I do all the driving--what little there is, and since we moved to a much more populated area WE ARE CONSIDERING MOVING WHEN WE FINISH BUILDING THIS HOUSE AND/IF SELL IT. TOUGH ROW TO HOE. PLANS SURE CHANGE. I REMEMBER MOVING HERE, AND TELLING MY WIFE THAT THIS WAS THE LAST MOVE I WANTED TO MAKE - THAT I WANTED TO BE BURIED OUT IN THE BACK WOODS. TIMES CHANGE - AND DISEASE CAN SURE CHANGE PERSPECTIVES, CAN'T IT?! at the same time, I had to learn all new traffic patterns etc. He did all the driving when we were together after he retired 18 years ago. YEAH. I USED TO TELL PEOPLE, THAT DONNALEE DID MORE DRIVING IN 2 MONTHS, THAN SHE HAD DONE IN 11 YEARS - SINCE THE BIRTH OF OUR FIRST CHILD. I am forever appreciative of his attitude and gracious acceptance of the problem. He too worries about my doing all the driving and would like to spare me, but it can't be. I'M BEGINNING TO ACCEPT THIS. VERY SLOW, AND VERY HARD - AND IT DOESN'T HELP TO BE FROM THE STATE OF MISERY - I MEAN MISSOURI - YOU KNOW - THE 'SHOW ME' STATE. WE CONSIDER OURSELVES A BUNCH OF STUBBORN MULES THERE. OF COURSE, MY FAMILY HAS THAT TRAIT AS WELL :-) Of course, you have additional pressing problems as you apparently are still working. YEP. STILL WORKING - AS MUCH AS THIS WILL ALLOW ME. I WAS REMINDED FRIDAY OF JUST HOW UNPREDICTABLE ALL THIS IS THOUGH. WAS FEELING RELATIVELY GOOD (FOR ME) WHEN I LEFT FOR WORK. HAD AN ERRAND TO MAKE IN A NEIGHBORING TOWN BEFORE I WENT TO WORK ANOTHER 30 MILES OUT. NEVER MADE IT TO WORK. I KNEW WHEN I MADE IT TO THAT TOWN, THAT I WOULDN'T BE GOING ANY FARTHER. WORST TIME OF IT YET - BY FAR. IN FACT, MY BODY HIT ME SO HARD - THAT I'M STILL KINDA PICKING MYSELF UP OFF THE GROUND. I TOLD MY WIFE THAT I FELT LIKE I WENT BACK 7 MONTHS - TO WHEN I FIRST GAVE HER MY CAR KEYS. GUESS THIS WOULD SOLVE ONE ISSUE THOUGH. WE COULD GET RID OF SOME OF THESE VEHICLES OUT HERE :-) YOU SEE, I'M AN OLD CAR NUT. IN FACT, MY EBAY NAME IS OLDCARADDICT. I USED TO RESTORE CARS - BEFORE WE MOVED OUT HERE. TOO MUCH TIME NEEDED TO BUILD THIS HOUSE AND FARM, SO I SOLD THE OLD CARS, BUT STILL HAVE A SPECIAL SPOT FOR THE OLDER ONES. IN FACT, ONE OF MY 'NEWER' CARS IS A 1979 MERCEDES DIESEL. ANYWAY, WE CAN KEEP ONE TO RESTORE FOR MY ELDEST, BUT GUESS WE CAN SERIOUSLY LOOK AT THINNING OUT THE REST. GOTTA ADMIT THOUGH - IT'S NOT JUST DRIVING THEM - OR SHOULD I SAY 'NOT DRIVING THEM' THAT IS THE BUMMER... FOR ME IT'S EVEN GOING TO A CAR SHOW AND SEEING WHAT OTHERS DO - AND KNOWING I USED TO BE ABLE TO 'DO' THAT. OH WELL, MY TREASURE IS NOT LAID UP HERE. ANYWAY, THERE ARE WAYS TO MESS WITH CARS, AND NOT DRIVE OR RESTORE THEM. I'VE FOUND THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF YOUNG WOMEN IN OUR CONGREGATION WHO HAVEN'T A CLUE HOW TO CHANGE THE OIL OR PERFORM OTHER SUCH MAINTENANCE - SO THERE IS STILL A CALLING FOR AN OLD CAR NUT :-) Yes, Sam has his ups and downs--seems quite well (comparatively, that is) one time, and then terrible in the next few minutes. AIN'T IT GREAT! NOT! THIS IS PERHAPS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO ACCEPT - FOR BOTH ME AND THOSE I WORK WITH. THEY MAY SEE ME - AND THINK I'M FINE (THOUGH I'M REALLY NEVER 'FINE' ANYMORE - IT'S MORE A QUESTION OF 'FUNCTIONING' OR 'NOT FUNCTIONING' :-) THEN THEY MAY NOT SEE ME FOR DAYS, BUT WITH MY WORK, THEY NEVER KNOW WHETHER I'M WORKING SOMEWHERE ELSE (ANOTHER BLESSING OF MY FIELD OF EMPLOYMENT :-) PROBLEM IS THOUGH - JUST AS YOU SAID - NO WARNING. I WAS DOING (RELATIVELY) FINE FRIDAY - THEN - BAM! No warning. Sam was diagnosed almost 5 years ago, and is 78. WELL, HE'S A TAD BIT OLDER THAN I AM. :-) Life is a lot more difficult for younger people, IT'S SO NICE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE 'OLDER'. :-) IT'S NICE WHEN I'M CALLED 'YOUNGER'. :-) OF COURSE, IN MY VIEW - I AM STILL YOUNG. AS I'VE TOLD MANY LATELY - 39 WAS A BAD YEAR. MY BODY SEEMED TO FALL APART! AND I'M NOT EVEN 40 YET! :-) WONDER WHAT THIS NEXT YEAR WILL HOLD IN STORE? MY BIRTHDAY IS GOING TO BE SPENT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS I CAN THINK OF THIS YEAR. I HAD PLANNED ON GOING TO A ST. LOUIS CARDINAL'S BASEBALL GAME IN ST. LOUIS. THEY EVEN HAD A HOME GAME ON MY BIRTHDAY. BUT, GUESS WHERE I'M GOING TO SPEND IT? WITH FAMILY - AND WITH NEW FRIENDS. MY B-DAY IS THE 26TH OF JULY. so we are fortunate in that respect. This is a good helpful group with practical, informative advice, and I rely on them a fair amount. I HAVE INDEED FOUND THIS GROUP TO BE VERY HELPFUL. A NEAT SIDE BENEFIT IS THAT - ODD AS IT MUST SEEM TO MANY - I FEEL LIKE I BELONG SOMEHWERE. WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS THE CORRECT DIAGNOSIS (WHICH I GUESS THE TEST OF TIME WILL BEAR OUT), I AM EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS WHICH SURE POINT THAT WAY. IN FACT, THE MORE WE LOOK, THE MORE I FIT. AFTER ALL THIS TIME - THERE IS ODD COMFORT IN THAT. Best wishes to you. Lou R.. THANKS MARY LOU. I APPRECIATE THE NOTE, AND THE WELCOME. HOPE MY RESPONSE WASN'T TOO LONG-WINDED. PAUL AKA PULA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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