Thanks and a message to all my forum friends

[walkin jack]

First of all let me say how very much your prayers well-wishes and support mean to me as I adjust to this, my new reality. This is a tough one for me but I appreciate it and am greatly comforted by it. I want to be clear about my situation. I will be 8o in June but my over-all health is good. I have slowed down some over the years but I STILL can and do cut, split, and stack my own fire wood. maintain the care and feeding of my 5 acres and various duties and projects. I FEEL good....except for my hands. They are numb and hurt most of the time. Night time is hell. The range of motion in my finger is very limited. Fine movement and tedious tasks are all but impossible. My shooting days are over for anything bigger than a .22. So Glad I have my 617-6! If I am shooting anything bigger than a .22, something very bad is about to befall me. Tying knots, holding a fork, picking up small objects ....and.....typing are all but impossible . To illustrate the point I have been working on this for 48 minutes. I have to stop and take breaks to let my fingers rest. I will log in frequently but wont be able to post as often or as much. Typing is very painful so I hope you will all understand. I give thanks for the good things I have in my life not the least of which is the friendship and caring from all of you.

 

[taz666]

Can the Doc's do anything for your hand pain?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Jack, you are a forum key stone and fixture. You always bring good things to the table here.

Fervent prayers continue for you and Miss Pam.

 

[MRB1]

I feel for you there. Pain is something that you just can't adjust for, and some of the medications create side effect that you don't want. But a pain specialist might be of help. I'm eight months behind you, so the bright side is we're still able to do more than a lot of others can at half our age. We worked hard for our discomfort, so we might as well live with it.

 

[dmar]

Thanks for the update, and very sorry to hear what you’re going through. I’ve always enjoyed your posts, and look forward to future ones…

I’m not sure what your tech skills are, but I want to suggest that you look into getting some voice to text software put on your computer. It really is not difficult to use, and works really well. Once it’s downloaded and someone walks you through it it’s a breeze to use. The software will make it so much easier to stay engaged here at the forum, and with other communication/emails that you need. Maybe ask a family member, or friend to help if you’re not comfortable getting the software downloaded.

Hope this helps, and I’m praying for your strength and good health!

 

[KalamazooKid]

Prayers for you Jack. Without being nosey, is it arthritis in your hands? Only reason I ask is that it runs in my family from my dad’s side. He had issues with his hands and neck, same for my older brother. At 67, I have only slight issues now but know that it’ll likely get worse with age. And I too love to work outside and was just cutting firewood this am, sore hands and all.

Anyway, I feel for you and hope that you’re able to find some relief for your issues. [emoji120]

 

[Rustyt1953]

From Jack's PM:

" I am dealing with some stuff and my hands are in pretty bad condition. Arthritis, nerve damage, nephropathy, and trigger finger. Numb most of the time now. Nights are the worst."

 

[walkin jack]

Can the Doc's do anything for your hand pain?

Not as far as I know...short of Surgery. Too many times that just makes things worse.

 

[Retired W4]

Jack,

I know what you mean about the night time. I was first diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2009 after 13 months of interferon and other drugs. It's just gotten worse over the years. The pain really kicks in when I lay down for the night. This last round of Chemo has put it into my hands. Simple things can be difficult. Nerves do not regenerate well like some other organs.

I'm not complaining but someone once said, misery love company. I've got you in my prayers and I know you will work through this. Getting old ain't for sissies and I think you are a tough guy. Keep splittin' that wood and leave the fragile glassware in the cabinet.

Tom

 

[fordson]

Jack, I sympathize and understand how one can be nimble of mind but graceless of body. I feel for you Shipmate; life just get tougher as we mature …..

 

[Oldengineer]

Jack,

I suffer from the same problem and I’m 78. I was given a pair of microwaveable gloves for Christmas. They stay toasty for about 30-40 minutes and allow me to “forget” the pain and fall asleep. Just a suggestion that might help a bit. Don’t give up.

Tom H.

 

[armorer951]

Thanks for this update. Hope you can find some relief from the pain.

By the way....Microsoft and other vendors have something called "talk to text" or "voice typing". This would allow you to dictate your messages to us here on the forum without using the keyboard, or with just limited use of the keyboard.

There are some apps for cellular phones that also provide this option.


Carter

 

[bgrafsr]

I know how you feel about your hands Walking Jack. My hands have been numb for some time now (I think it may have to do with a nerve in the cervical area of the spine) and they always cold, but as I'm also 80 years old I don't want surgery unless it's really necessary. I did have a pinched nerve in my neck many years ago and I had surgery to correct that, along with several surgeries in my lumbar region for herniated discs. The last surgery the Surgeon implanted an artificial disc and used a rod and screws to help the spine. I'm very fortunate as the surgeries helped immensely and I don't have any problems now as far as the back goes.



I have a real problem working on my guns and don't do any 'smithing for the most part, and it really bothers me that I can't do the gun work like I used to do.


I don't shoot much anymore, but if I do, I can still shoot most calibers although I don't know about .44 Magnum.


Hang in there and I'm sure things will improve to some degree.

 

[walkin jack]

I use battery powered heated gloves They do seem to help.

 

[Onomea]

this is me. I am trying the iPad dictation feature for the first time it seems to work pretty well.


---

Typing: On an iPad or iPhone: Settings, General, Enable dictation.

I'm sure with a bit of practice one would become adept quickly.

 

[walkin jack]

further observations- Fishing was my first passion and by far the most powerful. Some of my passions are not as easy as they were, some not possible at all. To give you some idea of the ferosity of my love for surf fishing I offer this- I wrote it 24 years ago. I still feel the same in every part of me...excet my body... f S U R F F I S H E R M A N' S C U R S E

It is a most peculiar aspect of human nature that pain
and suffering seems to enhance ones passions, what
ever they may be. For me it is the surf. Few things
I've experienced have truely satisfied me like
standing in a pounding surf and fishing. Too late in
my life, I realized that I enjoyed fishing in the surf
BECAUSE of that challenge rather than IN SPITE of it.
The surf, as I have written before, is, in many ways,
like a lover, capable of stealing your life as you
expose yourself to her potentially deadly forces, or
making your wildest dreams come true. And each time it
is the mystery of "which will it be today" that draws
me to her. On the days she has been kind and generous
I leave feeling 100% fulfilled. On the days when I
escape her cold, cruel indifference with nothing but
my own life I still feel a kind of victory..."not
today, you bitch!"

A lot of people that THINK they enjoy fishing haven't
ever experience true fishing fever, for which no cure
exists or is desired. One things is certain, it is a
life-time deal and it doesn't diminish with age. No
matter how much I do it or what the results, it's
never enough...ever.

One strange thing, though, the more these old bones
protest, the more the spirit cries for more. I don't
know how this conflict is going to be resolved. It is
NOT how I want to meet my final reward but even I can
see the poetic justice, should it go that way.

Just remember that us fanatics DO need our pain...we
eat it like candy .......W. J.

 

[kamloops67]

I know a little about chronic nerve and tendon pain .
Not sure what the laws are in your area , cannabis is legal and “regulated ”here where I live
Be open minded to CBD and full spectrum gummies or candies
It works well for a lot of people ,without the usual side effects of mainstream pharmaceuticals
There are also topicals that many swear by , I have no experience with them

 

[Ματθιας]

Hopefully, you all can find a way to get your hands work for you or at least make it better!

 

[rwsmith]

Sorry and prayers...

That's really tough, Jack. I'm behind you in age but catching up with the pains. We like hearing from you. Can 'two finger' typing or using a pencil w/eraser to hit the keys help, maybe one in each hand. Maybe even rubber band them to your hands.

 

[Greyman50]

Jack, all surgery is not bad. Must research the Mds and ask friends and fellow gun club members( if in one). Have had 2 carpitunnel surgeries in both wrists, both ulna nerves moved and trigger finger surgeries on both hands. Arthritis in both hand is slowing me down and sold off all my 44 Mags. If you are up to it check around you might find some help. Keep us informed.