little rant & whine

[Chillylulu]

I had to take a lot of time and catch up on posts.  I haven't been here (tool talk) very much the last several weeks. I have loads of tools I have been sorting through to take pictures, but I get slowed down by life . 

I started breaking off my fingernails (I'd never lost them before)  Around the first part of Dec or end of Nov I pulled one of my nails off ( the pointer on right hand.)  I knew when I did it, although I didn't feel much of anything.  Lost my right hand thumbnail early Jan, or so.  I see a couple of docs every month & they weren't worried. 

Then around the 2nd week of February, on a Monday  after I saw my Dr on Thursday, I saw some schmutz under the right hand middle nail. I went to clean it out on my tooth an pulled the whole nail off, barely hinged on at the base.  This kind of freaked me out - it looked perfectly normal seconds before.  I made an appointment w/ my Dr for the next day - thinking there was something really wrong with me. He said that he could test for a fungus, but that it would be negative.  He said I must have injured it elsewhere and then it was the final straw when I went to clean it.  He suggested I wear gloves "like Michael Jackson."

After his diagnosis he and my wife start debating the best way to dispatch a zombie, after they had already discussed whether I was turning into a vampire, a zombie, or some as of yet undiscovered creature.

I've been dealing with the slow loss of my sensory nervous system for 23 or 24 yrs now.  It starts with the nerves farthest from my spine and they dwindle away. I'm getting used to no feeling in my fingers.  Its amazing how easy your nails come off. I have to be careful putting my hand in my pocket or under a pillow.  If a nail catches I dint feel it and push right past whatever it snags on. I was polishing some silver thing I made on my buffing wheel.  It must have been hotter than I thought because the next day I had three small blisters on my left pointer finger. Never felt them, either.

I wouldn't exchange my problems with anyone else's and I am not prone to feeling sorry for myself. But it is kind of hard when you have been able to make anything safely your whole life and now you aren't sure how safe anything is.

Since I've been coming here it has given me a new path.  I've always bought and used quality vintage tools, now I've been on a tear. I'm learning a lot here and getting information to help me get more out of the interweb relating to classic tools.

Yesterday I picked up an ancient wood machinists chest (no wood front, of course.  That's two I  need to fabricate.)

I'm barely in my 6Th decade (51) and I'm glad I didn't wait until retirement to do some things.

Have any of you figured out how to make stuff when you  can't do what you once did?  I'm a maker - not big on TV or sports. I do appreciate a nap more than I used to!


Regards,

Larry - Mrs. Chilly's husband.

[international3414]

you seem to have a good sense of humor?,keep a stiff upper-lip ...hang in there...at 60 now and it aint easy...good luck

[HeelSpur]

Last year my toenails started separating away from a couple of my toes, they did blood work and said my vitamin D was very low. It was hard to believe since I get a lot of sun on me. They put me on 50,000 units of D3, one pill a week. I don't feel any different but my nails are healing up a little.

[skipskip]

Interesting thread.

My pal and I have 'retired' from the auto repair business at a relatively early age.

We plan to make our way in the world by wrenching on customers cars ( him), and selling used  parts (me).

This fall, one of his  knees gave out,  and he can  get around, but he cant  really climb around and work. A new knee will help, but not so much.

it occurred to me that at some point, I might suffer an injury or breakdown.

So, we are both looking at Plan B, trying to find alternatives when our bodies wont allow us to do what we had planned.

I'll be interested in hearing how some of you have dealt with this.

And Bob, I hear you loud and clear!!!

Skip

[Lostmind]

I did 47 years as a mechanic , mostly cars. 25 years were flat rate. They were the first 25.
I'm retired, and I can still do what needs to be done on my cars , but I would get fired in one week
if I was on flat rate. Most of the guys on here know that the problems " accumulate" , and it's usually not just one thing that limits you or slows you down.
I think the good thing is , by the time this happens , you get to where you work smarter.
All that said , I'm sure it is a real PITA to work without feeling in your fingers.
It took me a while to get used to no boss watching over me and timing me. I still get satisfaction out of completing projects.
Hang in there , and best of luck.

[Papaw]

I feel your pain!
I have a slight heart problem that will someday make me retire, but not yet.
I use Tool Talk and photography as therapy when I feel down.

[bonneyman]

I hear ya. Seems the past few years things with the body have begun to noticeably change. memory, eyesight, hearing, dexterity, stamina. Just can't seem to do the things I used to do and always thought I'd be able to do.
How I deal with it is knowledge and experience. I now know things that I didn't know 20 to 30 years ago. So, instead of stumbling through a job (when I had the stamina) I now get it done quick and neat. But I'm realizing that things will only deteriorate from here. So, I'm also looking at alternatives for the long term.
At least you're not alone.

[Chillylulu]

I work for a great company. Even though I work from home a lot I've been able to keep my office. It is one of two best in the building - corner office facing West towards the Rockies.  I have very good insurance, I am considered completely disabled but I don't want to stop yet.  I would like to make it 6 more years until I am 57.  The primary motivation is greed.  Our profit sharing is so great that in a couple of years I'll make more from that than my base pay. I got worried and did one of those retirement funding things that tell you how much you have to save to meet your retirement needs and it said I have enough.

I have it worked out with our area manager to sell work and teach our young engineers how to treat people. When I feel that I just cannot work any longer I will still be able to design systems from home.

I am lucky because my experience allows me to run circles around the young guys when engineering these systems. Its all on computers nowadays so I can work anywhere. Disability insurance maxes out at 60k, I'll get the rest from savings or side work.

The problem isn't money, its where do I put all these tools and chairs I have been buying.  Just got a couple of boxes of eBay rust in today. You guys are right, we have to use our experience to keep ahead.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement.  The extra chemicals may be helping too, so thanks Walgreen's.

Larry