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View Full Version : 2006 = worst year ever! pretty long, but I gotta!


ThumpAZ
05-29-2006, 06:19 PM
While I know that my woes are not as bad as some folks, they sure as hell suck for me an my family. Also, while some things really suck, some others suck but also have good points (you figure out which).

2006 began with me in pain. Thanks to an accident 12 years ago and then really trashed at a community halloween thing. That sucked.

2006 also began with me looking for a new job... I'm still looking. So that sucks.

I also started tear-down on my Jeep in December to deliver the fuel injection to someone that had sent me the check (but knew it was gonna be a while) a few months earlier. So while it no longer sucks fuel, sitting there staring at it not able to run and provide fun, et al, does suck.

Somewhere in all this, one of my wife's last outings in the 350Z before parking it and taking over the GMC netted us a torn to crap front end from a tire carcass. Now seating Mr. Deductible, party of suck.

Then there's the issue of my wife being rather pregnant, and us not being able to "do" certain things due to her being grossed out. That both sucked and didn't. Still waiting for this one to end!!!

Next, I went through the "pain management" for my back, which didn't work. Off to surgery I go! Oh, the suck is strong with this one.

Now I got to have surgery and all the pain that is associated with that. When your doctor tells you "your back looks rather normal... for a 70-year-old"... well, that just f'n sucks.

The weekend after I get home from the hospital, my mother-in-law and wife's grandmother, both rather meddling and quick to cry foul if I say the least bit in what is what in MY home, move in to town from Louisianna. If you don't feel the suck from where you sit, then you have no feelings.

One week after surgery, when I'm supposed to be doing little more than sitting around and walking a bit - when lifting my walker is pushing the limits of my lifting restriction - my gorgeous little daughter is born. We had on;y gotten the nursery ready three days before we went to the hospital, which was scary. And while this blessed event doesn't suck. My need for recovery and inability to properly get it DOES suck.

Week five post partum, I go in for a vasectomy. See my thread elsewhere regarding the suck that is local anesthetic surgery.

Fast forward to 6 weeks post partum. My parents come to town. How could this POSSIBLY suck? Well, I like my mom about as much as I do my mother in law. Don't get me wrong, I love her and thank her for giving me life (most of the time) but I don't like her very much. Having my dad there made it all bearable, and is the only way that I didn't have to dig a grave in my back yard and make my mom the next Jimmy Hoffa-esque mystery. Mom = teh suck in my life.

Still in week six, it is baby's first trip to daycare. Anyone who's ever done this knows the emotional sucking that this event is. Good thing, though, is that it only served to steel my resolve to find new employment so my wife doesn't have to work.

Week six, still... I go to the doc and try to get released to work. He will only allow 4-6 hours per day. My boss's wife, who mangles the financials normally, "checks with the broker." Turns out, their lack of biz savvy has struck again. I read the contract for health ins. "Any employee who works less than 40 hours per week is considered part time, and not eligible for insurance." That's it, no clauses for medical restrictions, no nothing... that is ver batim! Well, I could keep insurance and not work, or I could return to work and lose insurance. Mind you, I have used every bit of time off they'll "allow" for this (that was another episode of 'as the suck turns' but I have enough already) so I have to go back as it's now been a month without income. Luckily, I got a hold of the broker and cut a deal where I signed a statement that I am a full time employee on medical restriction, and it is my intention to return to 40/week upon release from the doc. Now, the company won't LET me work over 6/day so I am getting rather short checks! I just wanna earn a wage so i can quit ilving so heavily off savings (that's Jeep fund from the tear down that started all this!) Hoover vacuums ain't got poop on this suction!

One week after that, my wife drives the Z to work for the first time in many moons. Some idjit backs out of a space across the aisle in the underground garage and hits the Z!!! DAMMIT!!!! At least the person was decent enough to leave a real name and number. Enter body shop shoddiness... Auto Body World on Baseline in E. Mesa brings the suck once again!

Now we're here, the present, Memorial Day weekend. Two rather suck-arse things occurred this weekend.
Friday evening my wife was putting around the house and I was in the living room taking care of baby. Well, I heard this loud scream - thud/crash - scream scream scream!!! I run in the bedroom to find my wife crumpled on the floor writhing in pain. Turns out, she slipped on the vinyl flooring coming out of the master bathroom. While attempting to catch herself on the bed, she overshot and her arm went completely behind her. The "crunch/crack" she heard in the fall turned out to be the bone structure behind her rotator cuff, as well as the bone just below the ball of the upper arm bone. While both are small breaks, and not ilfe threatening, they may require surgery. Recall, this was Friday night at the beginning of a holiday weekend. So we cannot even try to get an appt with orthopedic specialist until Tuesday... 4 days later. Which will cost us even more time off without pay for either of us. As well as more medical bills!!!
Additionally, she is now rendered rather useless in taking care of baby. Arm immobilized means that she can pet the baby, and sit with her if someone places a calm rugrat in her arms. So now I am sole caregiver.

So, here we are, me playing caregiver to wife who cannot shower herself, put on clothes, barely wipe effectively. Doing sole caregiver routine for 8-week-old baby who is not yet sleeping through the night.
All while not making enough money to stay out of savings, trying to recover from back surgery which isn't going too well. And maybe, just maybe, trying to uphold some of my promises to some offroad racing sanctioning bodies and their websites (anyone wanna do some pro-bono work to help out with those??? please!!! I'm begging for some help!!!)

If one more thing goes to sh!t, I'm gonna lose it. Not just crack under pressure and scream/cry/yell. I mean really lose it and wind up on the national news as one of those scenese that they intro with a warning and have to blur everything to keep from upsetting the children and old folks.

John_P
05-29-2006, 07:33 PM
"And this too, shall pass".

Wind_Danzer
05-29-2006, 07:44 PM
Glenn...

Man, I thought I had it bad for a while. :eek: Things will get better.

As for the pro-bono work, what needs to be done. If it's something I can do then I'd be willing to help out.

lancetkenyon
05-29-2006, 08:00 PM
Sorry to hear it. Bet it helps a little just to vent. And I thought getting my truck stolen sucked. Keep your chin up.

Antman
05-29-2006, 08:10 PM
All I can say at this point is to remember you have a wife and kid that loves you
and needs you. Also be thankful you STILL have your Mom and Dad. Things can be a lot worse and are for others. So when things get tough and your up to your eyeballs in crap, remember the little bird and keep your dam mouth shut! J/K!

Have faith, and it'll work out. At least everything except the back pain.

FrenchChili
05-29-2006, 10:07 PM
Holy macarroni that sucks!!!

Best of luck!

ThumpAZ
05-29-2006, 10:20 PM
So when things get tough and your up to your eyeballs in crap, remember the little bird and keep your dam mouth shut! J/K!
Didn't open my mouth once while typing LOL

By the way, when I let my wife read the post, she was chuckling early on. Then she proceeded to remind me of some more craptastic things that have happened/are happening. Remind me again why I shouldn't just kill everything on sight so it can't become one more thing?!?!?! :confused:

DsrtJeeper
05-29-2006, 10:23 PM
Glenn;
Sorry to hear this. You are not alone; my friend. You will find the strength to do the right thing and that strength comes through your family and God. I've still got the suck going on since my accident in '92 and my wife has to bare all the pain that I do. If you want to chat; just PM me for my number. Boy can we share some bad luck stories. I'm actually pretty good in the "suck" area and would be happy to share some thoughts with you. Talking to someone who actually can relate is a big positive. Hang in there and be strong for your family. If you need rest; ask a friend to come over and baby sit. This is the time to rely on outside friends and family no matter if it hurts your pride or involves those pesky inlaws. ;)

Please do PM me if you'd like to shoot the $hit. :)

Eric

AZXJ
05-29-2006, 11:21 PM
Hey ya whiney *****...Cheer the F up !!!! :D Wanna go grab a beer ??? Sounds like you need one or 5 !!! Beers are on me... You got the number..

ThePagan
05-30-2006, 07:26 AM
Glen.. as someone said above - these things too shall pass. Chin up, you havbe a wife and child whom you love, that above all else is a blessing.

- Shawn

ThumpAZ
05-30-2006, 06:08 PM
Thanks folks. The worst part for me is actually the failing to uphold promises... If a man can't keep a promise, then what good is he? Everything else will either kill me or hurt for a while.

Found out today that my wife doesn't need surgery (oh thank you thank you thank you). However, why the f' is there always a however, she will be down for at least three weeks, arm strapped to her side. After that, they'll start re-strengthening her arm and hope that she hasn't lost some range of motion permanently.

Three weeks until I get some help. Three weeks. Wow. That's one week after I go back to the doctor to see if I can go back to work full time.
Wayyy too much crap on my mind!

Eric, I might just do that. We could start a Virutal Jeep Whiney Old Broken-Down Farts Club - I have the virtual Jeep down pat... it exists only in my head anymore!

Oh, and Dave... I'd love to grab a brew or keg's-worth, but then who'd take care of the rugrat? Rain check?

LauraA
05-30-2006, 06:45 PM
Gosh kiddo, I don't even know you, but your misery tugged at this old broad's heart strings. I know it's trite to say things like, "things will get better" or "chin up"....but, you do seem to have the ability to be able to turn to family and friends for guidance and support and believe me, suffering in silence does absolutely no good. (Hell's Bell's when I'm unhappy, the whole world knows about it :D ) It's hard to tell someone not to dwell on the downside, especially when it seems to be the only side available, but that's the only thing I can think of that might help. I'm old, so I can honestly say, "been there, done that" ... you're not alone, despite how things feel to you right now.
Having problems doesn't make you less of a man, not recognizing and dealing with them does. Postponing promises doesn't cancel them out. Take it from me, you WILL be fine eventually.
Hang tough! ;)

"We could start a Virutal Jeep Whiney Old Broken-Down Farts Club" psssttt if you do...can I be a charter member?

Jeeppeepin
05-30-2006, 08:53 PM
Hey Glenn, Sorry to hear about the "Suck Fest". If there is anything I can do, and I will still sit for the rugrat, just let me know. As far as the website, wish I could help with that, but I know nothing about computers.
Take care over there, and "May the force be with you". ;) We're here for you if you need anything. Just ask. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Damn, you must be the Hulk!

danno
05-31-2006, 04:35 PM
Glenn, hang in there man.... Now is the time for you to take advantage of that close family.

Tom Schenk
05-31-2006, 11:20 PM
FWIW, I had back surgery in Feb 2006 (2 disks and some bone removed). It hurt like hell and is still healing but it still feels better then it has for the last 8 years. Take it easy (as easy as you can:) ). Listen to your therapist (physical :D )

ThumpAZ
06-01-2006, 04:32 PM
Tom, that's the biggest thing... if my baby is to eat/get clean diapers/etc. and my wife is to be clothed and not smell like a vagrant on a ten day bender, I have to push it, if not over-exert myself. I shoulda been out of the woods and no longer needing pain pills, but I'm still reliant on them to be able to do the things needed without falling down and writhing on the floor.
I talked to my PT about it, as well as my doctor, and they both agree that I am overdoing it, but that I also have no choice. My doc did express a concern of something bad happening if I'm not able to slow down... lemme tell ya - that is a scary situation to be in.