Here is an Up Date from Watash

watash Apr 18, 2009

  1. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    HI GUYS !!! Several have asked for me to post an update on my health.

    We have scraped through down here so far. Taxes are eating everyone out of house and home!

    Had to put new tires on, $250 for 4. Good thing we sold the Cadillac, and kept Jan's little Cavalier with 13" tires. Computer monitor died, got a used one, but the CPU is not running correctly yet. I want to burn some CD & DVD-RW's to clear most of the folders off the desk top. Can't find a good burn program. Nero went to poop, Artisan turned out to be very old and works best on old Windows 65 and 98 and Windows SE wont let me add another file (after the first one), to a disk, because it finalizes the whole rest of the disk !!! Wasted 3 DVD's with one file on the whole disk that could hold my entire desk top of files!

    The Doctor put me on 8 pills a day plus oxygen 24/7/365 and "Breathing Treatments" 4 times a day. That one takes 40 minutes, so I'm sitting in the wheel chair a little over two hours a day just breathing and thinking about what I could be doing.
    That knocks out vacations, eating out, or just getting out of the house at all.

    I have "progressed" about as far as I am going to, (He thinks), so Jan has started signing all the tons of paperwork to get me discharged to come home permanently.

    We are running some experiments to see how much I can deviate from the strict diet and schedule they have had me on. Ate one real chocolate candy and one coffee flavored real ice cream cone, both made with real sugar. (It has never been done by a diabetic that he knew of ! ) He guessed it might go up to around 300, and Even though it was scary, I wanted to know what would happen. (I told him I was informed by one of the cooks that sometimes they just bought cake at the store and served it as dessert to the few of us who could have none of the other kinds of desserts.
    When I took the next blood sugar reading it was the lowest one I have had yet- 105 !!! I can't wait to tell him!
    I have been telling him I am NOT diabetic!
    He can't believe my lungs got coated with plastic!
    I like him though, because when I first talked to him, he checked my symptoms and I asked what was wrong with me. He said "From those symptoms, it appears you are sick".
    Enough of my rant! HA!

    The present plan is to try to strengthen my legs enough so I can walk some distance. We have a Treadmill and other devices, so I can still do some exercises here at home.

    At one time I could walk around the Convalescent Home with a cane or walker, which is a bit over 310 feet. The Therapist quit for a better job, and the home has not found another one yet, so I have deteriorated ever since.

    I have tried it on my own, without a technician along with me, but they caught me, and screamed bloody murder about- "If you slipped and fell, you could break a hip and be on our hands for the rest of your life!!!" That was discouraging, so I have gotten pretty good as a wheel chair cowboy, but you tend to depend on it.

    When warm weather comes, I'll have Zak clean out surplus supplies and machinery, then install stools where I can sit to operate the lathes, milling machine, drill presses, etc.

    There are no plans to build any more engines, so I'll probably just concentrate on getting the layout running, maybe repair a few of the older engines, and just "play" at running trains all day.

    Jan says she likes that idea, because it will keep me from under feet most of the day when she wants to work in her flower gardens.

    That's how the worm turns from this end, what's new with you guys?? Later, Watash
     
  2. JCater

    JCater TrainBoard Member

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    Wayne! It is so good to hear from you! I am glad things seem to be more on an even keel now, even though the regimine sounds tough. I also like the idea that you will be home for good now and have a chance to run the layout...and shoot the breeze with us here ;)
     
  3. Ironhorseman

    Ironhorseman April, 2018 Staff Member In Memoriam

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    Thanks for the update, Wayne. I understand what you are saying about having to change the life-style, but it still beats the alternative. ;)

    I have a friend who has been in a similar spot for the past few years. He has adapted to his so-called "limitations" very well. Today, his biggest gripe is having to have an O2 bottle with him everywhere he goes. But even those are becoming more convenient by a reduction in size, etc.

    I'm really happy to hear you are going home!
     
  4. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Good to here from you Wayne. Don't let them push you around too much. Pushing your self around in that wheel chair keeps your arms strong. ;)

    Be careful when you do stand up and exerciser your legs.
     
  5. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Wayne,
    It's good when you can run some trains and sit in front of the computer.That's more than some time ago!

    I'm busy with my railroad, just completed a Grandt Line 25-ton.

    Wolfgang
     
  6. COverton

    COverton TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wayne, we haven't exchanged much, if anything, on this forum because I am rather new, but I offer my encouragement to keep finding ways to be content. Once you are content, grateful, whatever, all the little progressions, as you define them, are welcome and keep giving you hope and energy, thus improving your contentment and overall disposition. Forget what was....look to what could be, and enthusiasm and hope will flow from that when you get all the little victories that are sure to come.

    It is really too bad that when we are vulnerable and feeling bad, at the same time other things go wrong that really work hard at making us miserable. Your computer should/oughta be a source of real comfort, a refuge even, but when they act up...sheesh! We do get attached to this one technology, don't we?! :tb-wacky:

    I wish you the best, and it would be great to hear often that you are okay and enjoying some little victories.
     
  7. chooch.42

    chooch.42 TrainBoard Member

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    Watash...Great to hear (from your own fingers) with such bold florish, that you're still "doin' ", in spite of the medics' best efforts. Getting home and back to your real life may be the BEST medicine available. I applaud you for not taking your challenges lying down, and pushing the envelope (reasonably). Hoping you accomplish all you want, and more...Glad to have you back with us. All the Best. Bob C.
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Great to hear from you! Please keep us posted on the layout progress.

    :thumbs_up: :tb-biggrin:

    Boxcab E50
     
  9. Mr. Train

    Mr. Train TrainBoard Member

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    Good to hear from you!

    Remind me to be quite when I complain about having to get up go off to work. God speed in what ever you are doing.
     
  10. rush2ny

    rush2ny TrainBoard Member

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    Good to hear from you Wayne. I wish you well in your recovery and keep you in my prayers!

    Russ
     
  11. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Yo, Watash, buddy, sure good to see you back on here again. Keep on keepin on and those docs will be proven wrong. :tb-biggrin:
     
  12. Cleggie

    Cleggie TrainBoard Member

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    Good to hear form you again Wayne, I new that you were sick from other posts on the forum so it is great to hear you are making progress, the hobby is great theropy.

    I think we all miss that zany Texas humor
     
  13. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Thankx Guys, it sure helps to hear from friends.
    There was a time when we used to share photos of layouts, engines, etc, and store them in folders on the desk top.
    Now we have to burn all those photos onto a CD or DVD disk.

    Who makes a reliable burn software (besides Windows) that you guys use?
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I use a program that came with my burner, called Nero. Does the job I need. I don't believe it's available as freeware.

    Boxcab E50
     
  15. Mike Sheridan

    Mike Sheridan TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome back, properly.
    May the force be with you ;)
     
  16. Tim Loutzenhiser

    Tim Loutzenhiser TrainBoard Supporter

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    Watash - try this for burning CDs/DVDs (scroll down on the page and look for the free version):
    DeepBurner
     
  17. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hang in there Wayne. We miss having you on the daily list and we're hoping your returns will be more frequent.

    Charlie
     

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