EBD fundraiser

[seadog]

Hang in there Dave. Sounds like you have a good attitude. That helps A LOT. My Dad had COPD and CHF. Slowed him down a bit but he kept going. Do your PT. It makes everything work better. Do your PT.

My step-Mom was a RN. She said to my Dad that as long as he's still breathing he's doing his PT. Made a big difference in his quality of life. Did I mention to do your PT?

 

[EastBayDave]

Hang in there Dave. Sounds like you have a good attitude. That helps A LOT. My Dad had COPD and CHF. Slowed him down a bit but he kept going. Do your PT. It makes everything work better. Do your PT.

My step-Mom was a RN. She said to my Dad that as long as he's still breathing he's doing his PT. Made a big difference in his quality of life. Did I mention to do your PT?

Thanks; I'm sticking w/the PT although the RN goes away next week. Guess you only get one for a few weeks these days....:cry

 

[EastBayDave]

Update Dec. 7th, Pearl Harbor Day

Was asked elsewhere & posted this. Duplicated here as no updates in awhile.

Just doing "OK" I guess; have "regressed" a bit I think. Still trying to walk every day but have been sick w/mild cold/flu last few weeks so have missed a lot of days walking. So distance is down to a max of ~1/4 mile; mainly even less. Around the block is about as far as I can go. Can't stand for very long, ~5 minutes before I start wobbling. Spending too much time on my butt me thinks?

Least I'm getting in my favorite TV, college & pro NFL football on Sat./Sunday's. I gotta get working harder; but the pain in my chest is still there. Let's me know when I overdo it like anytime I deep breath/cough/sneeze = ouch! I give up on the lifting of soup cans & the light stuff. Doesn't seem to be helping so dug up my 10lb. dumbbell (for curling w/one hand.) Started trying to use it everyday; but inconsistent.

So not doing much but working out my fingies w/the remote control & typing on my favorite websites. Not good. For a change it's been kinda cold this year; don't go out when it get's below 50'. I think I'm gonna freeze solid. Born in here in CA & spoiled rotten! LOL

Still no house heater here; using stove burners & space heaters to try to keep house in the 60's at night. Gets up & down in the 50's at times. Have even tried the fireplace but it only heats one room & not the bedrooms = no good. Also short of wood; have to buy prepared wood in boxes/expensive. Everyone here bitchin' about it but what can you do? No money = no heat. Waaaa Waaaaa.

So, we will keep trying but it appears to be taking a lot longer than I thought. I had told everyone I'd be up & around/back to normal at 3 months since the heart surgery. Looks like it's going to be much longer than I thought. 3 month anniversary a few days ago. Kinda depressing & down in the dumps but what can you do? We will just keep trying as much as we can & keep trying to be positive...

Thanks for the inquiry...

-ebd

 

[two wheel tramp]

Hi Dave,

I'm sorry you're feeling poorly AND are stuck being cold. What kind of heaters do you have? I am getting one of those oil filled radiator kind delivered some time tomorrow but if you really need something to keep you toasty I will ride it over and you can have it. My mom has one of the kind that I ordered and it keeps her house toasty.

Have you talked to PG&E about maybe getting some help with your electricity bill so you can keep yourself warm?

Holler if you need the heater. I'm happy to deliver. It should be in my hands by tomorrow night.

xoxo

 

[EastBayDave]

Hi Dave,

I'm sorry you're feeling poorly AND are stuck being cold. What kind of heaters do you have? I am getting one of those oil filled radiator kind delivered some time tomorrow but if you really need something to keep you toasty I will ride it over and you can have it. My mom has one of the kind that I ordered and it keeps her house toasty.

Thank you for the kind offer; we have 3 space heaters but 2 of them are the cheap cheap type & are not only failing to do the job; one is downright dangerous ($12 special/wiring to the wall gets hot & it pops the breaker= :wow YIKES!) I keep thinking of the Oakland warehouse fire. :thumbdown

As my son broke the firebrick cleanout the other day (tossed in log too hard, broke the "firebrick" into pieces.) Now the dang fireplace is out. When it rains it pours....ho hum...:cry

Have you talked to PG&E about maybe getting some help with your electricity bill so you can keep yourself warm?

Yeah; already did that months ago. Knocked our PG&E bill from mid-$300's down to ~$175 per month. Much lower, but still hurts.

Holler if you need the heater. I'm happy to deliver. It should be in my hands by tomorrow night. xoxo

Thank you again for the more than kind offer. Will let you know.

More calamities the last few days. Dishwasher failed; I forced the broken plastic part back into place= working again. Shew! \

The Shower water handle/faucet broke, now no baths/showers. Ugh. Toilet failing to flush/leaking =oh gawd! :yikes: Anyone around her a plumber?

When it rains it's a Tsunami. We really having fun now.

-ebd

 

[EastBayDave]

Today's update. Walked yesterday; legs complaining. Taking a few days off due to rain not good. You see, I've been on 1 pair of shoes f/~20 years. Black "Dress Shoes" for work, =old Red Wings I had re-soled a few times. Problem is they leak= that's why I don't walk in the rain. Gotta find some shoes. Anyone have a set they tossing? I fit 10.5-11, & need walking/running shoes...

My mason bud from the mountains (prospector mostly/sometimes mason =lives "off the grid") to fix my fireplace. Hopefully this afternoon if his pile of junk truck makes it here from near Orville? Will have to get some firebrick from the hardware place, f/him to hammer into shape. :cool

Showers a bitch. Took 1st cold shower in decades this morning; I'd forgotten how much of a PITA it is. Sitting in front of space heater now trying to regain some heat in me shivering bod.

Started getting a couple tax-free donations @ the zrxoa.org website for our "heater-fund." Got about 1/2 what we need. If that happens maybe we can think about Christmas for the kids soon; not thinking about it yet. if your so inclined to donate to the cause:

paypal in me wifies name: paypal.me/teri616

Other whining: Pain in chest still heavy; especially when coughing/straining/ using left shoulder. They keep telling me "muscle pain" but I'm skeptical...

That's it for this update. See ya next time....Hopefully less bitchin' & more good news...sorry.

-ebd

 

[two wheel tramp]

You're getting a portable radiator heater delivered later and I just threw a few bones at your heater repair fund. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[EastBayDave]

You're getting a portable radiator heater delivered later and I just threw a few bones at your heater repair fund. I hope you feel better soon.

Oh thank you so so much!

Now I can unplug the $12 Home Depot special. That thing had me so worried (bad dreams about Oakland fire.) The wire from it to the wall would get hot; it would trip the circuit breaker occasionally. Now I can toss it out in the garage where it belongs/close to the trash can. :thumbdown

(I can't believe they sell such things; but my wifie will always buy the cheapest junk on the shelf...my fault I know.)

Thanks again Reama; your the BEST! artyartyarty

 

[two wheel tramp]

I wouldn't be able to do this without my special little angel who will deliver it to you today. :love I just hate the thought of you being cold and sick while trying to heal.

 

[EastBayDave]

I wouldn't be able to do this without my special little-angel who will deliver it to you today. :love I just hate the thought of you being cold and sick while trying to heal.

Got it yesterday afternoon; your special little-angel was here. I didn't know @ first as I was feeling bad & lying down; kids didn't tell me someone was at the door. Heard just as she was about to drive away so hobbled out there in me socks on the wet grass to say thank yous! Must have looked hilarious, everyone was laughing when I hobbled back. :laughing

Had a hard time saying thank you; was breaking up a bit. So many from all over have been helping me this week I'm astonished! It's really been a Godsend; donations f/as far away as Australia & Europe, & all over the USA f/the www.zrxoa.org site.

Friends I haven't heard from in decades are suddenly on the phone, e-mail, etc. calling to see how I'm doing. It's a bit overwhelming; the wifie & I are so happy & grateful things are getting fixed. We about halfway to a decent permenant wall heater now. :wow
!!
For once, I'm at a loss f/words, except a BIG thank you! :thumbup

 

[EastBayDave]

Today's update:

not much this AM as I'm still asleep/burnt-out after the weekends work. One good thing is I lost some more weight due to not eating & being up & about more than typical. Was averaging about 244 lbs (down from 300ish before surgery.) Was quite surprised to see 237.6 on the weight scale this AM. COOL! Haven't been this light since my racing days prior to 1984'. :cool

Little accomplished yesterday due to pain/resting f/the weekend. I've managed to re-pull a stupid chest muscle I've pulled a dozen times since surgery. So, today all I'm going to try is to build new donated space heater (attach feet/plastic/etc.) After that, the daily walk (I haven't done since last week as it's been raining/cold.) Also will take care of cooking f/the wife's & kids lunches pronto upon wife's arrival home f/work. Yes, I need a cooking garment (name escapes me?) Then comes dinner...:laughing

On a VERY HAPPY note, received more donations yesterday totaling $80. Hip Hip Horray! Heater Fund now up to $440 over the last few days. Thank you all again; those reporting as "from Santa" (no sent from address) I love you all; even though I have no idea who sent it. The heater fund grows a little more. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Also heard from BARF'er friend who knows a contractor. Is willing to take a look at heater/other house problems to see if an installation or two would be helpful. Am hoping he comes by to look at things maybe this weekend. Keep ye fingies crossed! :thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

Teri (Frequently referred to as "Wifie" here), asked if we should dive into fund to get kids something f/Christmas. I firmly said "no way, this is donations for the heater fund! We must take $ away from elsewhere." Maybe a pc/gamer-box game or two/maybe a music CD? It's nice to finally think about Christmas; we also promised we (as usual) would not give each other gifts, again.

Things are turning around & looking up; thanks to all of you. All the best my friends for a happy holiday season for you/family/friends,

-ebd

 

[EastBayDave]

Sat. morning. Not much to report today (yeah he always says that!), except still a bit tired/sore from working around here, not sleeping, & doing tons of cleanup/fixing things here. Got my walks in each day but the rainy Thursday. So that's good. Haven't picked up the weights due to pulled muscles. Bad.

We trying to get my son moved f/living room couch to his own bedroom. It's the former "radio shack" w/all my radios & gear, so needed a lot of work/still does to finalize maybe this weekend. It's a nightmare of twisted wires/ cables/coax /stuff to clear from 6 ants. & tons of radios (most of my radio gear is now in the For Sale Forum here.)

We got the new portable heater last weekend, hand delivered by our own BARF member "RebekahLynn," & bought by a group of you great BARF folks who put in for it. *I got it built & tried it last few days. Works great! :thumbup

*Upon inspection noticed box was bashed a bit, uh oh. Once out of the box found some bent parts (feet mounting hardware); so I did my McGyver routine. Some drilling, some bending, & got it together. No instructions but who RTFM? Didn't have one anywayz. It works great!:teeth:teeth:teeth

*Wifie didn't want me to mention that (something about not looking at a "gift horse?") She's right of course; but I wanted you all to know everything. I thought important to whoever (?) all purchased it to look at store of purchase. Next time show receipt & ask for a deal; they owe you one f/not having to take it back/warranty. I'm just grateful & thankful you all did this f/us. I'll never forget it.:thumbup

Thank you again; time f/some morning coffee....:cool

-d

 

[EastBayDave]

New Year update; about time I guess eh'? Someone said I should give all a accounting of the donations f/full transparency/honesty. Ok, here are approximations; I will go thru it for more concrete #'s later.:

BARF:
Paypal/cash donations = ~$400
1 space heater bought by several BARF'ers, & hand delivered.
A BARF'er brought a plumber friend by who did great job fixing toilet.

A bud of mine fixed shower; we now h/warm showers instead of cold.

ZRXOA:
Paypal/cash donations = ~$675.
One cane sent; I can now trash my broke one & take walks w/o injury.

Things still needed: walking shoes/heck any dry shoes f/my walks. Going to need help w/the bike when the weather turns/spring. I still don't get around too good; but it would be hella nice if someone could give me a hand w/the bike when the time comes. Needs brakes fixed/forks(seals)/tires (have donated rubba), Tune-up/valve check. I just can't do most of it right now due to mobility issues, & the garage is packed/no room.

I'm not going into the dozens of things the house needs; you all have done enough to keep us warm, & keep us dry this winter. :thumbup

There may be something I forgot; remind me please. That puts us well over the $1K mark in the "heater fund." Thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish I could do something for all of you; if so let me know. You all know me & I would be more than happy to lend a hand in anything. Bike wise or not.

I will try to get a more precise accounting of everything by going thru the PP account, mailed items, & cash donations. You all know who you are; many thanks from all of us here. :thumbup


Once again, riders have proven to have more heart than anyone...



All the best,

Dave

 

[EastBayDave]

status update:

good morning...1st cup/waking up kinda after a long, bad night. Doing just ok; could be a lot better but feeling down a bit from all the stuff going on.

The rain/cold & leaky shoes is preventing me f/walking =sux; but guess we need it. I still have this nasty cold that has transgressed down into the lungs. TMI me thinks but trying to be honest. Coughing & sneezing a lot; coughing up crap. It hurts a bunch. Now I have a "clicking" in me chest when I cough = I think I've coughed so hard I've re-cracked me sternum? Great...

We had a nice guy look @ the toilet last Sat./a BARFer came by to buy some of my prized ham radios, & brought a bud who's a plumber. He got it mostly working but it still plugs up occasionally. I think it still needs "snaking" or something?

Sold 2 of my ham radios to a BARFer. I sadly had to give them up, we need the cash desperately. Added to the heater fund it's going to help. My 2nd most fun hobby is about gone....:cry

SSI has decided I could be working/so they threatening to cancel my SSDI benefits in about a week; this will really hurt as it's 3/4's of my income. I have about a week before they stop payment. They of course don't answer the phone or return calls... grrr. I paid into this system f/50+ years? :mad

Bah, enough of my whining. G'day everyone! :ride

All the best...ebd

 

[EastBayDave]

1/17/17 update

Hi there,

Just a 10-day update; nothing much has changed around here except we have now started having contractors give quotes on installing a wall heater. The “Fundraiser” has brought in just over $1.1K, & added to the funds received from the ham radio sales that give me ~$1.6K. I figured it was time to finally start shopping f/a new wall heater because the 3 space heaters running full blast has driven the PG&E bill into the stratosphere (f/$100 to >$400.) :wow

First few quotations were in the $6-$9K range. Holy moly! Yikes. This is going to cost a hella lot more than we had guessed before. Ok, started looking into lower-end contractors; they are in the $5-6K range. Still outta reach for us; hmmm. What to do now? Donno...need to talk to a bunch of folks & see where to go from here.

Health wise: Finally getting over this cold/lung thing I've had f/a month. Coughing & trouble breathing has reduced to a manageable level (chest pain still there though.) Taking some leftover antibiotics seem to help; my azz_ipe doctor would not even prescribe those over the phone. Good grief. Anyway I'm slowly getting back to almost normal & that's gggreat! :teeth

Still walking every day; been trying to extend the distance as I've been stuck at 1/4-1/3rd mile. I been pushing it a bit out to 1/2-3/4 mile now. From 1 block to 2, even several times over 3 or even as far as 4 blocks. I even ventured out into a local park, & have walked around the park a few times. I did go to far a couple times & thankfully the wifie came & got me when I was stuck on a park bench. She knows my walk timing & I should be back by xx-minutes.

The legs are finally getting/feeling better & the vertigo has reduced except the last 1-200 yards. Legs still get rubbery toward the end of the walk, & I still can't stand very long. Thankfully a ZRX'er send me a new cane (love them guys!), & I'm using a properly fitting cane finally.

I'm trying to lift the weights every day; but the pulled chest muscle seems to hit every exercise I try to do. Frequently re-pulling it out; then it takes several days f/the injury to heal enough to use it again. I went to the “Pain Management” group at the hospital, & got a flier of recommended exercises. They seem a bit hard for me- seems to be aimed at younger folks. Hmmm...

Got a hold of SSDI by simply walking into their office. Waited 1.5 hours to get waited on; was pretty hammered by the time I showed someone the proper paperwork all filled out. They say that's enough & now I got me benefits handled starting the end of the month. SHEW! (was the last day before discontinuing benefits; I gave up waiting f/return calls that never came.) One huge load off my & everyone here's minds.

Had a big fire last night w/purchased wood. Those boxes you buy typically work for one fire; then it's gone. One evening. The brick covering the hole is working f/now. Someday I'll get a real “ash-door” & fix it properly.

So, 2017' so far is looking up. It things go as planned I'll be able to get out in the garage & tinker on da bike by the warming spring. That means a ride by summer me hopes! So far so good; a BIG thank yous again everyone! You da best!

-d

 

[Honey Badger]

Good to hear you're getting out and things are coming along. Keeping my fingers crossed you can get out for a little tootle on two come spring!

 

[EastBayDave]

Good to hear you're getting out and things are coming along. Keeping my fingers crossed you can get out for a little tootle on two come spring!

Thanks; hope your leg coming as well? Sadly El-Nino year this year; lots & lots of rain typical about every decade. The rain's stopping me from walking far too much. Thinking of just wrapping feet w/plastic bags or something?

I still need to talk to Rebekah about friend contracting or recommending someone to replace heater/furnace. The contractors I've been calling are all over the place in estimates = from $2K (shady sounding people), to contractors @ official Nationwide companies @ $6K-$12K range. :wow

Not sure how to proceed there but need to stop big PG&E bills. Now up to $450 a month takes a ton of monthly budget. Found out the "flue" is asbestos, & few want to work on it, or more $ to do so. Oh goodie.:rolleyes

Least I'm feeling a bit better now; & pain has declined a bit so I've cut pain meds to minimum/none dependent on that day. During last few weekends we finally got both kids fully moved in to their bedrooms; just had to move a bunch of my stuff to boxes & filled house/garage w/it. Arrrgh.

My autistic son is still having a hard time; he doesn't sleep good in there & wakes me up out in the front room in wee hours of the AM (3 & 5am this morn.) He goes back & forth to bedroom to frontroom/couch. Says noises in there & can't sleep. All we can do is keep trying...:thumbup

So, new year still looking up a bit for us. Still a long way to go. I figure late spring or early summer I'll be feeling well enough to make enough space in garage, so I can get to the bike & start tinkering. Then maybe mid-summer some rides. Wishful thinking but THAT keeps me going...:teeth

All the best,

-d

 

[Sharxfan]

Try calling Home Depot and having them send out a contractor. When I was in Cali we did that for our house and it cost us ~6K for Central Heat/Air. They had to install all the duct work and machinery with vents in every room. the company was very professional and HD will follow up with you through the whole process. the HVAC place was great they even repaired the ceiling when one of the apprentices stepped through the ceiling. About 2 hours after they left the house on the last day HD called and said how did they do and how would you rate them.

I am not sure how much work you would need but it might be worthwhile.

 

[EastBayDave]

Try calling Home Depot and having them send out a contractor. When I was in Cali we did that for our house and it cost us ~6K for Central Heat/Air. They had to install all the duct work and machinery with vents in every room. the company was very professional and HD will follow up with you through the whole process. the HVAC place was great they even repaired the ceiling when one of the apprentices stepped through the ceiling. About 2 hours after they left the house on the last day HD called and said how did they do and how would you rate them.

I am not sure how much work you would need but it might be worthwhile.

thanks for the info but that's way out of what we can afford. We still looking as just getting the wall furnace/heater replaced as low cost as we can. Very limited income on SSDI & the wifie working part time.

-d

 

[EastBayDave]

Just a quick question:

Been walking a lot (between storms), & lately (this week) been trying to extend range/strength by going farther/faster. Only use cane mostly for balance/vertigo, & only every 2nd step now on the weak leg/hip/knee. I still use it, just not as much when I can/feel good.

Now, last few days started getting calf cramps. Mostly at night during sleep stretching. Startled awake in PAIN w/muscle locked solid. :wow Spend the rest of night/following day w/repeated calf cramps & slowly subsiding pain.

Is there something I can do to prevent this? Diet? Different exercise? Other??? So far only thing I can do is slow down/not go as far. But that's not improving the legs when I do that. i want to push....harder & harder to get better.

Help?