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Title: ... changes in latitude ... Post by Dave_Emond on Jul 16th, 2007, 11:50am "changes in latitude ..." Well my friends, seems the doctors have ran out of solutions and I guess so had I. If you missed my last post, I want to apologize for my reactions of self pity and putting them up here on this site and accept full responsibility for all I said and the consequences that followed. Anyway, I've decided that the best medicine now is to take off for a while, up into the mountains, deserts, wherever the weather will allow me to go. No ... I'm not doing this for reasons I had in the past ::) Instead, I'm hoping to become more spiritually, mentally and physically stronger. Without much financial security, I'll basically be doing what they call "Boondogging". I used to vacation this way years ago and know the West and some Midwest areas very well. Know many campsites that are free as well as back roads that lead to great areas where I can fish and hunt small game without being bothered. Probably many will first think is this safe for me? I've done a few "test" runs and found there were many areas I needed to work on. Mainly balance as I've gotten out of the wheelchair, then put away the walker. About a month ago, I got a bit over confident, had a bad fall and couldn't get up (this has happened at home as well if I land on my back, even on a solid floor.) So, Docs had told me I couldn't do certain exercises, but I've started doing them anyway. A month ago I could maybe get one push up ... I'm now averaging 17 and moving up. I do calisthenics 3 times a day and even with no muscles on my right side and a "Pred Belly" that just won't go away ... I've finally managed my first sit up! So I'm going to keep it up and practice more walking on different surfaces. I'm having all my utilities shut off while I'm gone to help cover fuel and whatever else I may need. I'll be traveling very slowly off the highways and away from any cities. I hope to find "odd jobs" along the way. I'll be testing my abilities to do this starting tomorrow. I went to another town to see if I could actually first find small jobs like this under the conditions I'll find myself in out on the road. I picked up a painting job of posts under a deck with an all small rock ground and it will include some tight spaces as well as ladder areas. Another good test. Also got a job painting just the top roof of a car ... that should be easy enough. I got two other offers, but I don't have time for them. I'm leaving August 9th and still have much to do to make sure this will be a safe trip and I can hopefully meet my goals. I'm hoping for at least a 3 month trip, but if things go well ... I hope to stay out as long as I can. When needed, I've also prepared myself with KOA, where they have showers and laundry and even work programs. I have a credit card for back up in case of emergencies only. Another goal is to try to continue back on my course of dealing with the chronic CH (similiar to Charlie's method) and wean myself off Xanax, the docs have no new meds that are not narcotics that work for me. 18 years I've been on this addictive med and I know it's up to me to wean myself off of it. (NancyC ... we talked about this years ago and you said you could help me when I was ready ... I'm ready! ;) If Nancy doesn't see this, could someone please contact her for me? Thanks!) I will be heading first down into New Mexico then through Arizona and into California. (That may be 3 months right there at the pace I'll be moving ...LOL) Any fellow Ch'ers or friends that live AWAY from cities and might like a visit or need some work done, let me know. (No free cash please, but I wouldn't turn down a meal or shower ;;D) If I can stay out, I'll travel as long as possible. Most likely try to head through the Midwest and possibly as far East as possible. I'll have a cell phone on me at all times, so if things work out, let me know where you live and write and give me a phone number if you'd like to just even visit for a bit. Can't guess now where I'll be at any given time, but if I'm in the area, I could call well in advance. My computer, phone, etc. will be shut off as of August 1st, so I'd have to hear from you before then. I should be able to stop by libraries and check in with you all now and then or if I get to visit anyone, they can let you know what's up and how this venture is going. Will most likely be following the best weather routes. Even though I wish I could have left earlier, I still need to leave soon. I don't want to spend another long winter just sitting here in this little place and make the same mistakes I did last winter. Wish me luck, my family thinks this is a good idea and what I need to do ... and so do I :) Now I hope my Family here will support me too! Dave |
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Title: Re: ... changes in latitude ... Post by andrewjb on Jul 16th, 2007, 10:39pm :), good luck, n may the sun never shine on your shadow. andrew. |
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Title: Re: ... changes in latitude ... Post by 1stdonna on Jul 16th, 2007, 10:44pm I'm not trying to be funny Dave, but what will you accomplish by doing this? It is going to be so difficult. I'm worried about this.......what if you have a crisis, like falling down and not being able to get up? |
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Title: Re: ... changes in latitude ... Post by dennisoc on Jul 17th, 2007, 2:50am Yup...you sure have posted a world of shit at this site. good shit...bad shit...crazy shit....helpful shit... you know that you are in good company...linda b...drummer...frank...all the OUCH board drama...tony...danny boy...jonny...carl...elaine...bob...dj...that animal guy that caused dj to change boards...me...mel...todd...gary g...marie...or was it angel...or angela...or was it just Ted ...and you old farts know i'm just scratchin the surface. you can start yer day over anytime you like. Be true to yerself Dave. ...read the likes of kerouac, kesey, and vonnegut etc...while you walk that road... walk in the sunshine den |
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Title: Re: ... changes in latitude & attitude ... Post by Dave_Emond on Jul 24th, 2007, 3:54pm Thanks All who have responded in both posts, emails and IM's :) Quote:
Donna, you and others have had concerns about this, but please do not worry. (Also to those who worry about being alone.) What I hope to accomplish are many things. First off, I hope to change my attitude to much more positive. I've had too much of doctors telling me their "guesses" of how long I'll live, the meds they give me (that seem to only cause more problems) and many other negatives that they and myself have fallen prey to. My final destiny is in the hands of God only and that's a positive to me ;) Although docs had told me I couldn't do certain excercises, I continue to do so now anyway and feel better results in some areas. And ... I just finished a job painting on ladders and crawling on sharp small rocks (under a deck). Although it was about a 3 day job and took me 7 days to complete ... for once in a very long time I feel proud of myself ... for completing it. Now, I did find myself somewhat caught stuck on the ground 3 times, but managed from the excercising to get myself up under conditions I previously would'nt have been able to! I think I'm on the right track and do appreciate you remember this problem and your concerns :-* A few people have written and worried about the idea of being alone out on the road. Funny thing is (although again I appreciate the concerns) is I want as much time alone as I can get! My window in this housing is right next to the back door entrance and the building is all enclosed. 3 floors of people that don't get along and want to do nothing but gossip. I have to quietly open my door to see who may be wandering the halls just to try to avoid the "latest" gossip just to get my mail or God forbid have to do my laundry ! :P My window is like a open invitation for all to approach and pass on all this crap I escape in the halls and quite frankly feels like an invasion of privacy. I have to keep my lights off if I want to hope they may not see me ...even during the day! Close the blinds? Yeah I could do that, but then I just feel stuck in a box with no sunlight :( (I may upon my return put up a charge sign for consulatating, opinions and unwanted gossip :-/ ) I think this trip will be healthy for me. I hope to deal with my frustrations that involve CH, Anxiety Disorders, (plus the Xanax that involves both those areas) Chronic pain, and the alcohol the docs suggested for that. (Note: they also recomended the 6 to 8 onces per day for blood flow.) When it comes down to it, I hope I can find more help by taking a "vacation" from everything and prepare myself for the future to become the person many old timers here once knew and return to hopefully being an inspiration to those I've recently met and future newbies. Plus I may have a chance to meet a few fellow CH'ers along the way. :D I'll be leaving in about 2 weeks, so if you want to visit for just lunch or maybe at a campsite I may be staying at nearby ... just let me know :) Love ya All, Dave |
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