Well, it is taking a bit longer to get the F150 home than I would like, but it is coming. My wife's friend (who is selling me the truck) has been dealing with closing out her late mother's estate, which is taking a while because evidently she is having difficulty tying up some loose ends. Her mom was a sweet lady but not one for future planning, evidently.

Among the things her mom "put away" somewhere is the title to the truck. She would have to drive 20 miles to town and apply for a new one, and I told her that she really doesn't have to be in a hurry. Get everything else squared away first, then we'll talk truck. No problem.

Yes, I COULD use the truck around here now. But I am not about to press the issue. The best things come to those who wait, it's said, and I am a patient man.

That patience is going to be exercised a lot in the coming years, I found out this week.

The good news is that I do NOT have MS. That's the good news.

So you know the bad news must be really bad, right?

Well, it could be: I have a degenerative spinal disease, and I was born with it. My neurologist is amazed that it took almost 30 years for it to manifest itself as it has over the past year. I'm just thankful he took the time to explain what it is, what it does, and what it can do in the future.

What it is, is congenital spinal stenosis, not to be confused with the variety that develops with age. In this case, I was born with a very -- VERY -- narrow spinal canal, and the nerves and spinal cord have precious little breathing room.

This lack of room does not always allow all of the nerves to communicate with the brain the way they ought to. Sometimes it's kind of funny when the message does get across -- I'll want to scratch my cheek and end up poking myself in the eye -- but, more often than not, it's just a pain in the butt and about a hundred other places.

Before you ask, no, there is no safe surgery that could correct this. It's too extensive, and even with the advances in spinal operations, no surgeon my neurologist consulted with even wanted to take the chance, for fear of making matters worse (i.e., paralysis).

I've been told that it is entirely possible this will not get worse, so long as I don't overexert myself or hurt my back in any way, shape or form. In other words, no excess physical work, and no lifting over 10 pounds, unless that hurts, then the limit is 5. Gee, thanks, Doc ...

So now I have been officially declared disabled by my doctor, and I have the license plates to prove it, with that nifty little wheelchair on 'em. The greeters at Wal-Mart see me coming with my cane and immediately offer me one of them fancy little electric scooters they've got. (Wonder what a 302 would do for that ...) And, in general, people have been really good to me, very helpful, even though I'm determined to do as much as I can for myself, for as long as the Lord'll let me. But I do appreciate it.

And I also appreciate everyone around here who's been pulling for me. God bless all of you. I can't wait to get that old truck home so I can GENTLY work on it. As long as I can turn a wrench, I've got a dad and a best friend from childhood who've committed to help me work on it when it needs it. There again, I am blessed.

So that's the latest for now. Long story, huh? Sorry, but I had to share. Have a great week and I'll check in later. Maybe I'll have an answer to somebody's questions as I poke around on here. You just never know.

 

I kinda know what you are going thru. I had a bad car wreck 2 years ago that left me all but dead. I broke my neck, leg,shoulder,all ribs on 1 side,foot,ankle,and lost vision in my left eye.
The foot was the worst and it is not going to get better. I too am familiar with the cane and Wal-mart scooters. The Dr tried to get me to do the disability thing but there are still lots of things I CAN do so for now I am continuing to work. As things get worse, well we will see.
My friend has the same issue with his back and is 50 years old. He did not take care of it as you plan to and now he cant do anything. So please, do what the Dr says.
Good luck.
and good luck with the truck. Let us know when you get it.

Best,
Justin

 

Thanks, Justin ... trust me, I am doing EVERYTHING he tells me to do, but I'm also trying to keep myself from going INSANE in the process!

Along that line, I've already been out on the tractor this morning, mowing the neighbor's yard and pulling the sweep-o-matic (my word for it) around my fence line where it got cleaned out over the weekend. Kind of handy, that thing ...

Well, I have to run ... later!!!

--Jacob

 

I feel for both of you & know what you are going through. In April I learned I was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 a rare thing where brain tumors keep recuring.
I am now deaf & have facial parylis on my right side after brain surgery. Hang in there!!

 

Dang Timber. I don't feel so bad. I thought I was the only 30 something that was screwed up.
300mg of morphine every day is the only thing that lets me get out of bed.
We just gotta keep on keepin on. At first I did nothing but sit around. One day I made my mind up to just keep going. I have been mentally better after that. Our physical problems will never go away, but we cant let them rule our lives. As bad as we think we are there is always someone worse.

Sorry for the topic drift guys.

If you 2 or anyone wants to talk off board about this more I would be more than willing. My email is in my profile.
Best,
Justin

 

Dang man, good luck with that. I'm pullin for you all! Hang in there.

 

Guys,

As long as we have this place to come together and chat, and trucks that need us , I do believe we're all going to be OK. Whenever I get to feelin' rough, I just start working on something. Sure, it takes me longer than it used to, but that's fine.

Timber, I'll be praying for you. Same with you, Justin. You know, the good Lord might seem like He's got it in for us right now (I know I feel that way more than I can explain!), but there's a reason for all this, and we might as well try and figure out a way to let people know that we are still gonna keep on fightin' and livin' every day the best way we can.

I don't know what tomorrow's going to bring, but today, I'm gonna make the best of what I have!!!

 

Very insperational words.

Good luck with your future truck, and good luck to all three of you guys, hang in there.

 

http://www.kbtx.com/news/headlines/1626136.html

 

Wow. That's the first thing that came to my mind. The second thing? The Lord was definitely looking out for you. No question about it.

If nothing else, I think with our physical problems, the Lord is trying to teach us patience. Before I got as bad as I am now, I was really impatient about everything, as in, it had to get done and get done NOW. But not any more. If I can possibly do it today, it gets done today. If I can't, I don't beat myself up over it. I used to, but I don't now. I'm just thankful for the ability to get out of bed -- everything else is a bonus!