big life changes

[chuckrh]

after 45 years of working in various capacities more or less constantly, i am escaping from the fiery pit of corporate hell at the end of today's shift. think i am going to sleep for 2 weeks to start with. it's not perfect as this was spurred by some serious health issues but with less stress & more freedom the hope is that'll be a bit more tolerable than it has been the past 2 years. i've been fighting a bad version of RA for close to 10 years, so i've put up a good fight. this is a new beginning. i'm ready but there will be a period of adjustment. the ceremonial deletion of the 4:00 AM alarm on my phone will be in a few hours.....

[Clams]

Good for you and good luck, Chuck!

[scotto]

Sounds like a positive change. Good luck with your next steps.

[tinnitus photography]

good luck man! 4AM sounds awful. RA sounds a lot worse.

[Tequila Cowboy]

Good luck to you! I had a lifestyle change due to health as well giving up my job in May.

[chuckrh]

thank you all. such a relief to be out of corporate USA. technically i'm still an employee for 6 months but that is due to wacky process to retire on disability. means some money to me. now for.....nothing. haha. this phase will last a week or 2. time to reenergize.

[beantownbubba]

Best of luck to you in this new phase of your life chuck, and best wishes for your health which I hope will benefit from the stress reduction associated w/ leaving a stressful job.

[Rocky]

Enjoy your new found freedom Chuck.

Do things in retirement that make you happy.

[Beaverdam]

I’m sorry to hear about Chuck’s problems, and I’m wasn’t sure where to put this so here goes....

A week ago tomorrow I was feeling very tired and “off.” I decided to go for a run thinking that exercise would boost my energy (it often does). Pre run, my five-year-old daughter was in our den, and I offered to give her a “horsie ride” on my back. After a few minutes I was ready to get up, but she was still on my back, so I stood next to a column in our den. Apparently I tried to grab the column but was unsuccessful and my 180 pound ass fell on my little girl. Luckily my wife and son were in the room. Apparently at first my wife thought I was playing a sick game, but then she saw me convulsing.

When I regained consciousness, I actually felt better than I had prior to the episode, but my wife convinced me to visit the hospital. I went to the ER with my wife and kids, and after some tests the ER doc diagnosed seizure. I’ve been in denial all week and researching what else might have happened. I know that I’ve shared with some of you that I was in a serious auto accident in high school (‘95) and wondered about the connection.

I had an appointment with a neurologist today who is still planning to do further testing but really thinks seizure. The hypothesized reason is scar tissue from my 25 year old TBI. I am freaked out for lack of a better term. On the practical side I can’t drive for at least six months; this is hard with kids and their various activities. Also, I was told by the neurologist not to drink. I’m not a daily drinker, but I do enjoy a drink or six at a rock show and on the weekend.

I’m just wondering what the future holds and praying for the best. Thanks for listening, friends!

[Flea]

I’m sorry to hear about Chuck’s problems, and I’m wasn’t sure where to put this so here goes....

A week ago tomorrow I was feeling very tired and “off.” I decided to go for a run thinking that exercise would boost my energy (it often does). Pre run, my five-year-old daughter was in our den, and I offered to give her a “horsie ride” on my back. After a few minutes I was ready to get up, but she was still on my back, so I stood next to a column in our den. Apparently I tried to grab the column but was unsuccessful and my 180 pound ass fell on my little girl. Luckily my wife and son were in the room. Apparently at first my wife thought I was playing a sick game, but then she saw me convulsing.

When I regained consciousness, I actually felt better than I had prior to the episode, but my wife convinced me to visit the hospital. I went to the ER with my wife and kids, and after some tests the ER doc diagnosed seizure. I’ve been in denial all week and researching what else might have happened. I know that I’ve shared with some of you that I was in a serious auto accident in high school (‘95) and wondered about the connection.

I had an appointment with a neurologist today who is still planning to do further testing but really thinks seizure. The hypothesized reason is scar tissue from my 25 year old TBI. I am freaked out for lack of a better term. On the practical side I can’t drive for at least six months; this is hard with kids and their various activities. Also, I was told by the neurologist not to drink. I’m not a daily drinker, but I do enjoy a drink or six at a rock show and on the weekend.

I’m just wondering what the future holds and praying for the best. Thanks for listening, friends!

That sucks, sorry to hear. FWIW, THC/CBD are probably helpful in seizure disorders.

[Beaverdam]

I’m sorry to hear about Chuck’s problems, and I’m wasn’t sure where to put this so here goes....

A week ago tomorrow I was feeling very tired and “off.” I decided to go for a run thinking that exercise would boost my energy (it often does). Pre run, my five-year-old daughter was in our den, and I offered to give her a “horsie ride” on my back. After a few minutes I was ready to get up, but she was still on my back, so I stood next to a column in our den. Apparently I tried to grab the column but was unsuccessful and my 180 pound ass fell on my little girl. Luckily my wife and son were in the room. Apparently at first my wife thought I was playing a sick game, but then she saw me convulsing.

When I regained consciousness, I actually felt better than I had prior to the episode, but my wife convinced me to visit the hospital. I went to the ER with my wife and kids, and after some tests the ER doc diagnosed seizure. I’ve been in denial all week and researching what else might have happened. I know that I’ve shared with some of you that I was in a serious auto accident in high school (‘95) and wondered about the connection.

I had an appointment with a neurologist today who is still planning to do further testing but really thinks seizure. The hypothesized reason is scar tissue from my 25 year old TBI. I am freaked out for lack of a better term. On the practical side I can’t drive for at least six months; this is hard with kids and their various activities. Also, I was told by the neurologist not to drink. I’m not a daily drinker, but I do enjoy a drink or six at a rock show and on the weekend.

I’m just wondering what the future holds and praying for the best. Thanks for listening, friends!

That sucks, sorry to hear. FWIW, THC/CBD are probably helpful in seizure disorders.

Yes, I asked about this today. I need a cookie! The doc said no alcohol and no psychedelics, but thc is fine

[chuckrh]

I’m sorry to hear about Chuck’s problems, and I’m wasn’t sure where to put this so here goes....

A week ago tomorrow I was feeling very tired and “off.” I decided to go for a run thinking that exercise would boost my energy (it often does). Pre run, my five-year-old daughter was in our den, and I offered to give her a “horsie ride” on my back. After a few minutes I was ready to get up, but she was still on my back, so I stood next to a column in our den. Apparently I tried to grab the column but was unsuccessful and my 180 pound ass fell on my little girl. Luckily my wife and son were in the room. Apparently at first my wife thought I was playing a sick game, but then she saw me convulsing.

When I regained consciousness, I actually felt better than I had prior to the episode, but my wife convinced me to visit the hospital. I went to the ER with my wife and kids, and after some tests the ER doc diagnosed seizure. I’ve been in denial all week and researching what else might have happened. I know that I’ve shared with some of you that I was in a serious auto accident in high school (‘95) and wondered about the connection.

I had an appointment with a neurologist today who is still planning to do further testing but really thinks seizure. The hypothesized reason is scar tissue from my 25 year old TBI. I am freaked out for lack of a better term. On the practical side I can’t drive for at least six months; this is hard with kids and their various activities. Also, I was told by the neurologist not to drink. I’m not a daily drinker, but I do enjoy a drink or six at a rock show and on the weekend.

I’m just wondering what the future holds and praying for the best. Thanks for listening, friends!

That sucks, sorry to hear. FWIW, THC/CBD are probably helpful in seizure disorders.

Yes, I asked about this today. I need a cookie! The doc said no alcohol and no psychedelics, but thc is fine

thank you for the thoughts beaverdam. i'm sorry to hear about your trouble. prayers up for you & family. the retirement thing is good as my employer was eating my soul & would've just threw me away eventually. the health stuff not so great. all i can say is listen to doctors & if you're not happy or not making progress try another one. i'm talking more the specialist realm. i went through about 4 rheumatologists before finding one that could figure out what was wrong. they all knew something was fucked up but couldn't pinpoint it. turned out lucky me got a really rare & aggressive version of RA. i did good lasting as long as i did working etc. in fact my docs weren't too happy i kept going but i wasn't ready to wave the white flag. i am now. really trying to do stuff like swim & eat better but not really helping to a noticable degree. maybe after in a month when i've gotten through another chemo round. anyway, you take care of you. reach out if i can help.

[Beaverdam]

A week ago tomorrow I was feeling very tired and “off.” I decided to go for a run thinking that exercise would boost my energy (it often does). Pre run, my five-year-old daughter was in our den, and I offered to give her a “horsie ride” on my back. After a few minutes I was ready to get up, but she was still on my back, so I stood next to a column in our den. Apparently I tried to grab the column but was unsuccessful and my 180 pound ass fell on my little girl. Luckily my wife and son were in the room. Apparently at first my wife thought I was playing a sick game, but then she saw me convulsing.

When I regained consciousness, I actually felt better than I had prior to the episode, but my wife convinced me to visit the hospital. I went to the ER with my wife and kids, and after some tests the ER doc diagnosed seizure. I’ve been in denial all week and researching what else might have happened. I know that I’ve shared with some of you that I was in a serious auto accident in high school (‘95) and wondered about the connection.

I had an appointment with a neurologist today who is still planning to do further testing but really thinks seizure. The hypothesized reason is scar tissue from my 25 year old TBI. I am freaked out for lack of a better term. On the practical side I can’t drive for at least six months; this is hard with kids and their various activities. Also, I was told by the neurologist not to drink. I’m not a daily drinker, but I do enjoy a drink or six at a rock show and on the weekend.

I’m just wondering what the future holds and praying for the best. Thanks for listening, friends![/quote]

That sucks, sorry to hear. FWIW, THC/CBD are probably helpful in seizure disorders.[/quote]

Yes, I asked about this today. I need a cookie! The doc said no alcohol and no psychedelics, but thc is fine[/quote]

thank you for the thoughts beaverdam. i'm sorry to hear about your trouble. prayers up for you & family. the retirement thing is good as my employer was eating my soul & would've just threw me away eventually. the health stuff not so great. all i can say is listen to doctors & if you're not happy or not making progress try another one. i'm talking more the specialist realm. i went through about 4 rheumatologists before finding one that could figure out what was wrong. they all knew something was fucked up but couldn't pinpoint it. turned out lucky me got a really rare & aggressive version of RA. i did good lasting as long as i did working etc. in fact my docs weren't too happy i kept going but i wasn't ready to wave the white flag. i am now. really trying to do stuff like swim & eat better but not really helping to a
Chuck, thanks for the well wishes, and back at you my internet friend! Do what you can, and I’ll be thinking about you!

[Tequila Cowboy]

I’m sorry to hear about Chuck’s problems, and I’m wasn’t sure where to put this so here goes....

A week ago tomorrow I was feeling very tired and “off.” I decided to go for a run thinking that exercise would boost my energy (it often does). Pre run, my five-year-old daughter was in our den, and I offered to give her a “horsie ride” on my back. After a few minutes I was ready to get up, but she was still on my back, so I stood next to a column in our den. Apparently I tried to grab the column but was unsuccessful and my 180 pound ass fell on my little girl. Luckily my wife and son were in the room. Apparently at first my wife thought I was playing a sick game, but then she saw me convulsing.

When I regained consciousness, I actually felt better than I had prior to the episode, but my wife convinced me to visit the hospital. I went to the ER with my wife and kids, and after some tests the ER doc diagnosed seizure. I’ve been in denial all week and researching what else might have happened. I know that I’ve shared with some of you that I was in a serious auto accident in high school (‘95) and wondered about the connection.

I had an appointment with a neurologist today who is still planning to do further testing but really thinks seizure. The hypothesized reason is scar tissue from my 25 year old TBI. I am freaked out for lack of a better term. On the practical side I can’t drive for at least six months; this is hard with kids and their various activities. Also, I was told by the neurologist not to drink. I’m not a daily drinker, but I do enjoy a drink or six at a rock show and on the weekend.

I’m just wondering what the future holds and praying for the best. Thanks for listening, friends!

Your are in our thoughts, of course. Let's hope they figure it out and you're right as rain before long!

[beantownbubba]

Sorry to hear this beaverdam, and best wishes and highest hopes for a good diagnosis and speedy recovery. Pls take to heart what Chuck said: There is no direct correlation between the condition you have and the doctor(s) you happen to see due to convenience, geography, insurance plan, a friend's recommendation, etc. If this turns out to be serious/unsuccessfully diagnosed, make the trip to the Mayo, or to any of the major medical center cities or specialized hospitals (if you've narrowed down the possibilities enough). This is not the time for either politeness or laziness.

And please take this to heart because I am one of the world's leading experts on this subject: Friends and family always want to help but they never know what to do. Don't laugh off or minimize your situation so they know it's serious and then ask them to help out. I can imagine how difficult it must be to deal w/ not being able to drive just managing work, never mind the crazy kids' schedules we're all familiar with. Get people to take your kids w/ theirs to the pool or ballet class or whatever. Get them to take you when they go to the supermarket (or even better go for you). Work out either a regular ride or a rotating list of rides to get to and from work. The driving is the obvious problem based on your post, but if there are other concerns, from meals to babysitting to whatever, treat those problems the same way. Everybody's always reluctant to ask for this kind of help and I get that. But the benefits are too great and too important to let pride and not wanting to be a burden and all the usual excuses get in the way. Besides you'll be giving your friends and family a chance to do a mitzvah which they should appreciate. Mitzvah = good deed, but w/ soul.

Pro tip: If it turns out that you get a lot of offers of help get a good friend to take on the coordination and work w/ that person to develop a literal schedule. There's no reason to treat this as any less important than you treat that logistics problem or excel spreadsheet at work.

FWIW, I am here if I can be helpful in any way. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

[Beaverdam]

I really appreciate all of the kind thoughts and advice. I’m still just processing everything at this point. You folks comprise a wonderful online community!