bubbatww
Member
Long story
A bit over 2 years ago I found the wonderful world of Pen turning and this great site. Fired up, I was going to be the best pen turner around. As I began turning pens I noticed my eye sight would get worse the longer I stood at the lathe. Just put it off as needing new contacts and glasses. Pen turning was a fun way for me to get back into my woodworking and using my lathe again. After continued eye problems and hearing issues my wife finally told me it was time to go see what was going on. Hearing test came back abnormal so more hearing tests and MRI's which revealed lesions on the brain. (I was seeing Igor grabbing the abby normal brain in Young Frankenstein
). No doctor as of yet willing to say what was going on. Then May 2010 I went for a Spinal Tap, 2 weeks later a neurologist diagnosed me with MS (multiple sclerosis). I had no clue what this was or what to expect. The rest of '10 was a blur and if anyone remembers it was a super horrible hot summer….which effects people worse with MS. My pen and my pen site took a back seat as my depression worsened. Shots once a week with flu like side effects that lasted a few days and a fear of needles. Why couldn't a person with MS have a phobia of clowns or spiders instead of shots? Lol..
So as 2011 came around I was now determined to kick this MS monster right square in the head. I started a bucket list. 1st off I've always wanted to build a workshop. So, with some financial help from my mom, I started plans on a small shop. 16x20. 11' unlike 10' was wet..wet wet wet. Most the spring I just looked at my stakes because there was no way I could start this building with all the rain. July rolled around before I was able to actually get started and with help from a few friends, I got started. I was able to work all summer (even with my wife telling me I didn't need to push it) I found a new strength and something to keep my mind off this MS crap. Most of the building I did myself. Siding, flooring, electrical, windows, and doors with just a little help holding this or that. The roof being the worse, I could feel the heat and there were days I couldn't work on it till after the sun went down. Finally Sept. rolls around and my little building is done. All tools are moved in and I'm ready to start working again. With this building being insulated as well as any home I am able to cool and heat it which will help me from getting sick. I still have a few things to do inside when I can find the time. Pens… I try to do a few, will never be as good as you guys, but this is still fun and reading all your stories and seeing the pens you've turned is amazing.
Now 2012 is here and the bucket list item is to run a 5K with a grand illusion of a half marathon. One step at a time. Some have laughed when they've overheard my mention of a 5K. Guess they figure a 5K is 3.1miles "WOW such a big deal" these people don't know the rest of the story. The rest of my year is filled with Christmas toys I will build for my nephew and for my 1st grandbaby that is due in July. My new shots don't make me sick but now I deal with the phobia everyday…365days a year for the rest of my life but I have a family to think about and that's what keeps me going.
Bucket Lists small or large keep us going. I'd enjoy reading what your bucket lists are and thanks for taking the time to read such a lengthy post. I'll keep them short from now on…PROMISE J
I've added a few pictures of my building, as for me training to run.lol..no way
A bit over 2 years ago I found the wonderful world of Pen turning and this great site. Fired up, I was going to be the best pen turner around. As I began turning pens I noticed my eye sight would get worse the longer I stood at the lathe. Just put it off as needing new contacts and glasses. Pen turning was a fun way for me to get back into my woodworking and using my lathe again. After continued eye problems and hearing issues my wife finally told me it was time to go see what was going on. Hearing test came back abnormal so more hearing tests and MRI's which revealed lesions on the brain. (I was seeing Igor grabbing the abby normal brain in Young Frankenstein
). No doctor as of yet willing to say what was going on. Then May 2010 I went for a Spinal Tap, 2 weeks later a neurologist diagnosed me with MS (multiple sclerosis). I had no clue what this was or what to expect. The rest of '10 was a blur and if anyone remembers it was a super horrible hot summer….which effects people worse with MS. My pen and my pen site took a back seat as my depression worsened. Shots once a week with flu like side effects that lasted a few days and a fear of needles. Why couldn't a person with MS have a phobia of clowns or spiders instead of shots? Lol.. So as 2011 came around I was now determined to kick this MS monster right square in the head. I started a bucket list. 1st off I've always wanted to build a workshop. So, with some financial help from my mom, I started plans on a small shop. 16x20. 11' unlike 10' was wet..wet wet wet. Most the spring I just looked at my stakes because there was no way I could start this building with all the rain. July rolled around before I was able to actually get started and with help from a few friends, I got started. I was able to work all summer (even with my wife telling me I didn't need to push it) I found a new strength and something to keep my mind off this MS crap. Most of the building I did myself. Siding, flooring, electrical, windows, and doors with just a little help holding this or that. The roof being the worse, I could feel the heat and there were days I couldn't work on it till after the sun went down. Finally Sept. rolls around and my little building is done. All tools are moved in and I'm ready to start working again. With this building being insulated as well as any home I am able to cool and heat it which will help me from getting sick. I still have a few things to do inside when I can find the time. Pens… I try to do a few, will never be as good as you guys, but this is still fun and reading all your stories and seeing the pens you've turned is amazing.
Now 2012 is here and the bucket list item is to run a 5K with a grand illusion of a half marathon. One step at a time. Some have laughed when they've overheard my mention of a 5K. Guess they figure a 5K is 3.1miles "WOW such a big deal" these people don't know the rest of the story. The rest of my year is filled with Christmas toys I will build for my nephew and for my 1st grandbaby that is due in July. My new shots don't make me sick but now I deal with the phobia everyday…365days a year for the rest of my life but I have a family to think about and that's what keeps me going.
Bucket Lists small or large keep us going. I'd enjoy reading what your bucket lists are and thanks for taking the time to read such a lengthy post. I'll keep them short from now on…PROMISE J
I've added a few pictures of my building, as for me training to run.lol..no way
