I'm Out!

Looks like this disability is real, so I'll be shutting down as a viable entity. I'll keep what I can and do consulting and free-lance stuff, like being a coppersmith on somebody's copper roof that needs a true soldered seam, or whatever. Really need to get that shoulder replaced anyway, so maybe I'll play patient again this winter. We'll see. Anyway, I'll be around more if I can. :)

I am sure you will find something (many things) to keep you busy Frank. At some point we all have become survivors......there is definitely comfort in that!

:) Roofing is reportedly strenuous. Not sure if it's true or not. Problem is the shoulder does need to be replaced. Beyond that, the tiny wire keeping me alive has a target area of 1/16" x 1?16" and a jolt on my harness, a fall, or grabbing something could dislodge it according to Doc. They think it's already shifted somewhat and my 'Threshhold has changed by moving up' and that's "Not good", whatever that means. As it is, the shop cannot maintain itself with constant overhead and lack of income and will eat itself before long. My 2-year cushion is dwindling since there was no real income since 12-2013 when I first got injured. ;) Divest and keep hand and tinner tools and see if I can use them later seems to be the way to go. I've had amazing amounts of help from here and elsewhere, but I have to go it alone and depend on ohters to bail me out. Out with the old and in with the new!

"I'm thinking that during the slow times I should be excersiing, lifting weights etc to keep in shape."

Absolutely. It's the slow times that will harm you, not the busy ones

B)

Or another way to put it: Not the hard stuff but the EZ stuff is what will harm you.

I just saw "Glenn" a recent customer of mine who is 81, last night. He's a little bothered that no one will hire him, so he continues to work part time---driving to Chicago to deliver ice a couple of days per week.

He knows....a body in motion, stays in motion.

Tinner, will this ever change, where there is no risk from these movements/ jolts?

It doesn't sound like it Twill. Other than ultra high BP after the operation, I was doing fine, then, one heart chamber literally quit and it took emergency surgery to insert a wire and external PM to keep me alive. (I was deemed too weaka nd too soon after the OHS to operate again for an internal PM.) That surgery had to wait more than a month. Just a month or so ago, during a checkup, everybody got ll worried again and adjustments were made and now the PM is working 99.9% of the time to keep me running. I exercise and go to shop to tinker, even drop by jobsites of others and piddle around, but seem to be physically unable to really work any. Tire too easily. I only have 3 working heart chambers according to Docs. I'm just not my old self, though I try hard.

Sorry to hear Frank. If I was closer, I'd have ya tinker on some of my jobs/projects. Haven't done a job in your area in a loooong time. Charlottesville is probably the closest to you I've been in the last few years.

I go through Richmond a couple times a year but, haven't worked in the area forever. Supposed to do a job up in the armpit of NoVa pretty soon. Not really looking forward to that...lol

I would come to your neck of the woods though. Hit me up if ya need any help with something. I'm about 2 1/2 hrs away.

Thanks RoofDude. :) Will do. I am going to look at one I probably can't do in Farmville. Slate/valley replacement.

Sorry about hearing you're being forced out, Frank.

So let me see if I have it right, life for you is now disability checks, picking the gravy out of your leads, chugging hot sauce and going to nudie camps. You're getting three things on my bucket list right there.

;)

Well, I see one person figured out what I'll be doing! :laugh: Sucking hot sauce and cayenne pepper every day in the nude. :)

Miss the projects though.

I tip my hat to ya Frank. In the past month I've had a perfectly healthy employee with young kids, and a relative who was a world class athlete, 2 time world champion at the peak of his success, multi-millionaire and the world at his fingertips... both killed themselves.

Like an iceberg, the 20 percent we can see, often doesn't give us a true perspective of what lies beneath.

As ugly as you are to look at, you've got it where it counts, my friend.

Frank, Have you considered doing teaching of the craft. Instructing other contractors in proper techniques of the craft. Things that you could do in the shop. Just a thought. Hope all is well as can be. Hang in there!

Mike H Said: I tip my hat to ya Frank. In the past month Ive had a perfectly healthy employee with young kids, and a relative who was a world class athlete, 2 time world champion at the peak of his success, multi-millionaire and the world at his fingertips... both killed themselves.

That's sad to hear Mike. I'm sorry about your loss. Hang tough my friend.

As ugly as you are to look at, youve got it where it counts, my friend.

I'm trying to get the nerve for the next operation. I'll know more this week. It's going to be a very tough one, unlike that simple thing in Feb.

GKRFG Said: Frank, Have you considered doing teaching of the craft. Instructing other contractors in proper techniques of the craft. Things that you could do in the shop. Just a thought. Hope all is well as can be. Hang in there!

Oh Tinner - I am calling you this weekend! I've got something for you!.