Life changes

 

I spent 6 and a half years working in the tow industry. Bad hours, but good pay. Now I've moved on to a produce company. Loffredo Fresh Foods. It is a great place to work, I'm not making as much money though it is a great place to work. I'm doing all the routing for the company while my boss (a great guy) is on a much deserved vacation. I'm routing all our trucks covering a huge swatch of the Midwest. I'm finally on my own, I really love this job. It is like solving a huge puzzle every day. 

Busy Busy Day Ran out of spoons. Again

Went to my son's Band concert yesterday. We went early so he could practice, and ended up waiting around in the Commons at South East Polk. I got to see some folks I knew and had a good time. Come show time my back started acting up and wouldn’t ya know Somebody forgot his pain medication. That is really no surprise considering the fact that our hot water heater started making funny noises and peeing all over the floor just before we left. So Busy Busy Day. I ended up toughing it out till the end of the show and came home to bed, my spine had other ideas however and kept me up until 4am. Well I should close this for now and try to get some time in on the Leg Sim before a friend comes over to look at the hot water heater. Take care All

Leg Sim

It has been a busy summer for me, I have been riding all I can and working on my physical condition. Ups and downs seem to be the order of business but the game is not over till I stop getting back up. Last week I went to my final appointment with the Doctor who approved my Leg Sim®. It is all mine and my wife has promised to keep me at it walking further and further, I'm still real shaky with stairs but getting better. While Liedra and I were waiting to go in several amputees asked about my Leg Sim® So Joe better be watching his mail LOL.

Lately I have been meeting new amputees and giving them my contact info, I haven’t heard back from anyone yet but I will in their own time! Meanwhile I will keep them in my prayers. Other than that not a lot going on here just getting ready for the cold!! Keep Stumpin!!!

www.legsim.net

Back in the saddle again

It was a great day today, warm, but not too warm. Liedra Danny and I finished the servicing and repairs to the Trike. When we were done we took a short jaunt to get gas with Danny, Cubbie, and David. Later on Liedra talked me into going again and it was really windy blowing really hard. We had a ball riding today. I used the Leg Sim to walk to and mount the Phoenix and it was so much easier to stow than my wheelchair.

Me using my Leg Sim to get on my Trike

Heigh Ho Silver and AWAYYYY!!!!

Busy Day, Ran out of spoons

Whew!! I am wiped out I was up at 5:30 with Danny and have been on the go all day. Running errands and trying to deliver a pen but now the guy wants a different color?!?! So I hope someone will buy it If nothing else I will keep it for myself, I really love Fountain Pens, So elegant! I went to the VA today to get my prescriptions and some pads for my TENS Unit (muscle zapper). Man those guys were slow and I was starting to hurt, Liedra took care of me (I have one great wife!!!!) I have been getting more time on the Leg Sim and can walk at something like a normal pace but is is scary (I'm afraid I might fall again) I think i might try selling my pens at some local real estate offices.

I was working on the trike the other day and had to take the headers to change the spark plugs That's the way I'm gonna do it from now on I saved time even with the extra steps involved. The hard part was replacing the Alternator stand that was cracked, I can't seem to get the tins on the engine to go back together again. Guess I will have to run down and get Steve to help.

Well So much for now I'm gonna Sleep
Chris

Back Up

Sorry but I have been feeling bad lately so i havent been able to pay any attention to this blog. I'm now feeling a little better and have been working on my Trike and turning pens at the Lathe. I have been working on the Leg Sim, especially since my back pain was acting up again, and has helped a bit. Today I sold some pens at the bank and got some more hardware kits to make more pens. We took some pictures of me cooking and at the Lathe using my Leg Sim. It is amazing to me how such a simple thing as standing up can help improve your mental state.

Well I guess it is time to go to bed. Good Nite Joe Schrader wherever you are!!!

Chris

Working with wood

Well my daughter has gone home and things have gone back to normal. It was really nice to have her around the house, unfortunately she wasn't here long enough to really see anybody or go anywhere. Liedra and I got the wood working equipment set up in the mud room and part of the dining room. I have made one pen and ruined one so far so I am 1 for1. LOL

I like working with wood it calms me down and reminds of the wonders in life. Today I ruined a piece of wood that I had really wanted to use, and when i looked around for another pen blank I found this piece that had been in my supply for along time and had been overlooked many times. The wood was raggedly cut and the color of dirt but I figured what the heck? When I started to cut into the wood I noticed a really nice grain and color not unlike purple heart. I had so focused on what I thought I was looking for that I almost missed what God was trying to show me. Working with wood is like that sometimes you have to try to read what the wood wants to be and you are never sure if it is the right thing, but when you and the wood are in tune it is like magic. I always feel better after completing a project. I will have pictures soon.

Chris' Rules for Handling Boyfriends and Husbands

 Chris' First Rule = B, B, & B,
Beans, Bullets and Booty.
    Beans = Feed him well,
    Bullets = Give Him some time to be a GUY ie: hunting, fishing, or howling with the Guys, and
    Booty = (that too) But like a puppy we need to be scratched behind the ears and be reminded that you Love us(we can't read minds, see rule 2)



Chris' Second Rule, All Men are Simple

Ladies us Men are SIMPLE!!!!!!! If you spend more than 20 seconds wondering what we meant by ________, You are over thinking things.

Let us be a guy occasionaly
Show us a little care and attention to let us know we are loved,
and we WILL move Heaven and Earth for you.

Morpheus

Morpheus . . . .Morpheus. . . Damn Is it too late to take the Blue Pill?????????

Just feeling kinda funky and down in the dumps. Things are catching up to me and piling up.

It has been a rough time for me lately I have been waiting for a VA Pension to start, It was already approved they just needed some info like how many kids at home Income, medical expenses and so on. I submitted the paperwork in November and they requested a rush to be put on it, all they had to do was do some math and I am still waiting!

They said in late November or early December that it was on the last desk that it had to pass through before they could start paying me. It is still on that same desk February 14th! It is hard to make ends meet on my wife's Wal Mart paycheck even with the help I’ve been getting from my aunt (She has been a lifesaver thru this whole thing even if we don’t see eye to eye some times, But she has always been there for me, even way back then when I was the little Bastard Child that didn’t belong in the family photo).

My best friend moved out and I miss having him around. Someone else who is very close to me hasn't talked to me in over a year, because I shot my damn fool mouth off and she has every right to be POed at me. im just so tired emotionaly right now. I can't get arround like I used to and my main help is not here anymore.

Sometimes I wish Id have taken the Blue Pill.

Happy Valentines Day

Stumpy

Back to the knife but not me this time

Liedra my wife had a small procedure Friday and has been in pain ever since so I have been taking care of her instead of the other way around. Jessie our Siamese cat spent most of the time curled up as close to Liedra as possible as if she was trying to comfort her, She always does the same for me when I have had surgery or been having a particularly bad day pain wise. Even Jake and Sox have spent time sleeping with Liedra It looked like she was hemmed in on all sides most of the time.

My post Christmas blues were late this year. I guess it was just alot of things hitting me at once, My best friend moved out and there is a large gap where we would talk about guy stuff. The VA is still screwing around on my pension when I submitted the last paperwork that they needed in November I was told that my pension was approved that they just had to figure out how much it should be!?!?!?!?

Just how long does that take??????
Somebody order a new Abacus for those guys!!!!

And to top it off I guess I'm getting a little cabin fever. I took the new electric wheelchair to Lowes since we had a clear day and just got out of the house looking at stuff I cant afford, but getting out from these 4 walls. The Leg Sim is getting to where it is almost instinctual, YAAAAYYYYY!!!!
Well I guess its bed time,
nighty night,
Stumpy

Sick days, Snow days, and Better days ahead!!!!!

Well It has been another busy week Danny my son was sick with bronchitis for over a week and stuck at home. We had a lot of really good talks while Danny was recovering, but as soon as he felt better we were hit with a Blizzard and he got a snowday and missed another day of school.

I am working on walking backwards and side to side on my leg sim, we found that my lower leg was swelling badly so my Physical Therapist gave me some support socks (wow I really don’t feel THAT OLD). The socks help keep the swelling down and makes it a lot more comfortable. My veins in my leg were swollen and sticking out “UUUUUGLY”

I talked to Joe Schrader (inventor of the Leg Sim) the other day he seems to have taken an interest in my case. He and I have been talking off and on for years. I tried several times to get this ball rolling but the staff at Long Beach VA Hospital kept giving me the run around and Joe and I tried and tried but it wasn’t until I moved back to Iowa that I finally found someone who was willing to listen to me.

The physical therapist was the first one to show an interest. She sent me to the amputee clinic so I could show the Doctor and after I showed him the printouts from the website he looked it up right there and said “lets give it a try” and before you know it I was back on my feet after 8 years in a wheelchair. It sure felt good to see my wife at eye level and walk around my house and see the view from up here, LOL. In addition to all that I am starting to see improvement in my back pain.

Where is Stumpy (Waldo)

Well sorry (to Both my readers) for not posting last week I just ran out of spoons and crashed! It happens sometimes but I am girding my loins cause I have a back breaker for the next three days.

I have Physical therapy at 0810am tomorrow (Wed) and get measured for orthopedic seat cushions for my Wheel Chair at 9am And after that I have to see my doctor to get my meds refilled and at 7pm I go to my freehand carving class at Lots of fun but late and I get chased down by the janitors who have forgotten their glasses and just see a short blurr at the end of the hall and start yelling hey you stop!!! LOL. Thursday morning I will go to get a wheelchair lift installed in my truck and in the afternoon I should get my electric wheelchair. Now going shopping wont be such a burden on Liedra and Danny.

I've been working on my Leg Sim and getting better all the time, most of my ambulation at the house is on the Leg Sim. Maybe tomorrow we will start on inclines and stairs ""IF I AM READY"". I also have something on Friday but I forget it right now. Danny has been sick since Saturday and I'm still not sure if I should let him go to school. Well it is closing in on bed time so goodnight to both of my loyal readers.

Luv Ya
Stumpy

Ready 4 Bed

Well folks it was a long day but we got allot accomplished today. This Morning I took Liedra to her Doctor's appointment. The Doctors said that the skin discoloration that we thought might be melanoma ended up to be nothing to worry about, the first Doc even got us a second opinion!!

This afternoon we went to the VA Hospital we picked some paperwork for Liedra and checked on my electric wheelchair. After much checking and calling they finally found it at the wheelchair lift store, so we made arrangements to install a new hoist on my truck and pick up my chair on the 27th YAAAAYYYY!!!! It will sure make the VA trips easier.

While waiting for my Physical Therapy I overheard that some one's brand new lift wouldn't work, it sounded to me like the transmission interlock wasn't engaging so I helped the driver get his passenger out of the truck using the manual controls since the interlocks were on the fritz. So I have done my good deed for today.

After all that I was up and walking across the Physical Therapy room several times, boy was I wore out and sweating!! Then I went home for a shower and a nap (HARD ZZZZZZZZZs) It is now night and the boy and my wife have been fed and I am ready for bed.

Good Night
Dream Happy Dreams
Stumpy

Homework: Tell someone that you haven't talked to in a long time how much they mean to you!

Monday!?!?!? Monday!?!?! Hey I don't hate Mondays anymore

Hello again I'm doing better today we started the day by cleaning up a little around the house. We are setting up my wood lathe in the mud room so I can start turning pens before Spring. I cant wait until Wednesday night I will get to go to my wood carving class!! My first freehand carving is going to be a chain carved out of a single piece of wood. I got to talk to my Girls today, I am so proud of them Amber has always been strong and independent young lady, and Christina is a people person maybe even more than her Mom. They are living together in Anaheim Ca. (definitely not easy) It is so expensive out there. I have succeeded in one thing these two young women are much better prepared to be on their own than Liedra and I were! Anyway I LOVE, MISS, AND RESPECT, my daughters!!! 

Aren't they just adorable,

They keep getting Cuter the older they get.

Today I walked some more on my Leg Sim, I noticed that finding my seat on that little bicycle seat is becoming natural and walking is becoming instinctive and I find myself leaning to pick something that is just out of my natural reach more and more. I have retired my old style walker and am using the leg Sim exclusively around the house.

Liedra and I have been discussing surgery to repair the hole in my abdomen that just wont heal. There are more risks than normal with me (my batting average when it comes to surgeries is really bad) .  There other issues to start on now that my health is getting a little better and I have the things I need to get around and live my life.

This afternoon when Liedra and I were at Wal Mart we met a young boy who is wheelchair bound, he had a new wheelchair that allowed him to stand upright while still supported in his chair. It seems like doctors are recognize the need for our bodies to be erect for certain periods of time, I know it has helped me. I offered to take him on a motorcycle trip on the trike if Mom and Dad were comfortable with the idea and one of them rode in the back with him. I hope he does because getting over barriers is a big thing when you have a disability.

I'm watching Danny singlehandedly winning the cold war on X BOX 360 Call of Duty, Black Ops!!
Video games are one place that I can keep up with him . . . . . . when he is not beating my Heinie. LOL

It has been a really good day, so I think I will go to bed earlier than normal tonight.

Good Night Everybody
Stumpy

P.S. Your homework is: Do something nice for somebody you don't like!
""Confuse Karma""

How I became an Amputee

This video really hit home for me all the things she shows are things I had to contend with, Revision after revision, Infection, wound cavities packed every two days with gauze, Wound vacs, Changing wound vac dressings were extremely painful and most of the time the nurses did not know what the heck they were doing.

***WARNING PARTS ARE GRAPHIC***

But if you want an insight into how it was then watch this.
Stumpy

BAD DAY

I'M having a really bad day today I'm so tired of things going bad! I was feeling too good so I guess it was time for the carpet to get pulled out from under my foot. Its the same old story I'm just tired goodnight.

Fallin Again BOOM!!

Well folks I've done it again I was going to the restroom in the night, and liedra came home and woke me up so I tried to walk into the restroom with the Leg Sim and I started leaning back back back annnnd down. After I got up and taken care of myself I spent several hours talking about the good ol days when Steve and I had hair. Memories of friends filled the room like an impromptu D Troop reunion. I realised that I have been very lucky in friends and people I worked for SgtMaj Rhodes who finished what Msgt Thompson started, Senior Drill Instructor Sgt Drake reinforced, and that I was able to pass along to my Marines. The hand of God has always been in my life sometimes subtle sometimes like a sledgehammer up side the head but always guiding me to where I needed to go. Directing people into my life that I needed and, placing me in the path of people who needed me, allowing me to be of service. God has been good to me but he has always expected me to do my part. I have been Blessed especially now that he has brought many friends of my youth to help adjust to new life on Disability.

Low Spoon Day

OK as Christine Misderano says when you borrow spoons from tomorrow you will have less tomorrow! Well its tomorrow now and I am sans spoons, but God loves me my Physical Therapist wanted to go home sick and wanted to cancel my appointment YAAAAaaayy zzzZZZZ!! I spent today resting and working on my RC Helicopters. Today is a good day for some indoor flying BZZZIING.

Today we found out that my sons grades were slipping so we packed up the video games. I have confidence that he will bring that grade up in no time at all. Well that is all I have energy to write tonight

Stumpy

For those of you who havent read the spoon theory here it is narrated by the author.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cmiser1

LOOOOOOONG DAY!!!!!

Today was a take care of the wife day and I am wiped out!! I woke at the ungodly hour of four thirty am and couldn't get back to sleep until Liedra and I got Danny off to school. Then we both took about an hour nap. Then BOING I'm up again and Liedra is not feeling well we had an exchange of ideas at VOLUME!!

So we started out through the slippery Icy roads for Broadlawns Hospital's walk in clinic and financial assistance office. This is so strange because I am so used to taking care of my family that, it feels weird to be getting help from someone else and, what is even weirder is that the people working there aren't making me feel like a worthless dirt bag because I need some help. Bravo Zulu Broadlawns!!!!!!! We got Liedra's prescriptions filled and the paperwork taken care of and we started home at FIVE PM!!!!! 

Roads were slick and I was hurting pretty bad by that time, I believe that it was about this time that I ran out of spoons. (see the spoon theory at www.butyoudontlooksick.com) When we were almost home when I remembered that my wood carving class starts tonight and a friend is paying the tuition so I had Better show up! Dropped Liedra at the house so she could go to bed.

Then I proceeded to a Junior High wood shop class room where I met some new friends and had a great time, next week I will start carving a chain out of a single block of wood. Sounds challenging but fun, I spent most of the time looking at the teacher's tools and some examples of what is possible, Some chisels were hand forged by the teacher and looked great. I started dozing in class so I packed it in 20 minutes early. When I came home I talked to Danny about his day, finding out that we have a parent teacher conference tomorrow. Other than that things are all quiet on the home front but I am out of spoons and am using tomorrows spoons so I had better go to sleep because I have Physical Therapy tomorrow and I have done exactly JACK  for PT today!! Oh well with any luck tomorrow will be more interesting. Right now I am going to curl up with my lovely but snoring wife and get some sleep.

Thank You Lord for another good day
Stumpy

Stumpy's Snowy Day

I awoke today early and feeling good I am able to get by with less medication.

I had coffee with ""The Boys"" Jake and Sox, I fixed my coffee and sat at the dining room table watching the snow start to fall when both boy cats jumped up onto the table and sat with me watching the snow. Good times!!

I watched a little tube and straightened up in the kitchen, still gotta do the living room and I'm still feeling good pain is about a  4 out of 10 haven't felt this good in a long while. I found out that my electric wheel chair is in but missing the part that will allow it to be lifted into my truck. I will try to look at it tomorrow at 8 am when I go in for Physical Therapy. I will try to get the electric chair tomorrow, wish me luck.

I did some standing and sidestepping today on the Leg Sim along with my trunk strengthening exercises and really worked up a sweat. I am so much more stable now than I was in the beginning. With all this snow I might end up snow bound and have to miss Physical Therapy. I hope not! It is easier to get motivated when I have new milestones every time.

Back in 2003 only months after the crash when I first was able to sit up, my PT wanted me to try to stand with a walker. So I tried and ended up standing 15 seconds the first day, 40 seconds the second day, Took 3 steps with the walker the third day, and walked around the room on the fourth day, Mary the Physical Therapist at St Josephs Hospital in Orange Ca said "I cant tell you where we want to be next week because you will do it today"! LOL.

I guess being a stubborn Jar head won't go away with time! While sitting in my recliner Jesse the girl kitty came out and sat on my lap (which she does rarely) and watched as I browsed YouTube videos. She loves to watch movies and TV on my laptop but, if I am not careful she will sit on the keyboard and leave Jesse hairs all over.

Strangely enough when i start to get depressed the Animals in the house want to cuddle, it's like they know that i need cheering up. I wish my girls could come out and see how beautiful it is out here.

I put a turkey in the oven 2 1/2 hours ago and it is about ready so I must go and get ready to feed the family.

God Bless
Stumpy