Bucket Lists and Multiple Sclerosis

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bubbatww

bubbatww

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
Messages
103
Location
Dawson Spring,Ky
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 :cool:). 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
 

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I admire you for not just giving in to the depression and not just rolling up in ball and waiting for the end to come, that is not an easy thing to manage (fighting the depression) no I don't have MS yet but I have 4 other auto immune diseases and they say its just a matter of time. So my hats off to you and THAT IS A GREAT SHOP!!! and good luck in the 5K
 
Sweet shop.

Glad to hear you have adopted a very positive attitude.

I have a bucket list but it is on hold and thinking about it just makes me mad. Someday this albatross will fall from my shoulders. Right now I want to get through a day without arguing with the wife.
 
I worked as a RN for over a decade, the folks who do the best are the ones who have an attitude towards there illness like yours. Really admire you for not letting it get the best of you. August 17 2001 I was told I would never walk without a cane again let alone hunt Dall sheep......took 5 years of painful training but I did it! And showing my Doc the pics from that trip was one of the greatest days of my life!

So my bucket list? Well most of it involves hunts and or traveling. You asked, hope it doesn't bore the snot outa ya, here it is in no particular order.

1) Mouflon sheep in Hawaii archery harvest......we plan on doing this one in about 3 years.
2) Marco Polo sheep above 10,000 feet in Tajikistan
3) Ibex in Mongolia
4) Dall Sheep archery harvest here in Alaska
5) The Shinto temples of japan!
6) See Angkor Wat
7) Prong horn antelope, archery harvest
8) Bunch of family stuff but I really dont have any control over most of it, see my son graduate, get married, have kids.......I statred my family rather late.

Here are a few I have done.
1) Solo Dall sheep hunt, this one is an annual event for me now
2) Solo mountain Goat, I do this about every other year......really tough and takes a bunch of training.
3) Solo winter caribou hunt above the arctic circle........got so cold my socks froze to the inside of my boots when I put them on in the am! Chemical foot warmers are great for sleeping but sweaty socks and boots that have been chilled to well below 0 dont mix!
4) Learn to surf, actually got kinda good at it when we lived in California
5) Free dive and spear fish a kelp bed, highly recommended!
6) Move to Alaska.
7) Work as a pro fishing guide
8) See a bule whale, one of two animal sightings that brought tears to my eyes!
9) See a musk ox, the other animal sighting that moved me deeply.
10) Kayak wiht a humped back whale. I have had the honor of Kayaking with many sea mammals, Kayaking was the one thing I loved to do before my injury that I still cant do. Selling my white water boat was one of the few times in my life when parting with a thing was very difficult for me!

Most importantly have a family! For most of my life I believed this one was impossible. My wife and son are truly my greatest achievement and my greatest blessing!
 
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LOL! Me Too!

Haynie said:
Sweet shop.

Glad to hear you have adopted a very positive attitude.

I have a bucket list but it is on hold and thinking about it just makes me mad. Someday this albatross will fall from my shoulders. Right now I want to get through a day without arguing with the wife.
Click to expand...
 
Great shop and an even greater attitude . Keep it up. I'm gonna have to remember that bucket list idea! Thanks for telling us your story. Good Luck.

Wayne
 
I thought getting through a day without arguing with a wife was on every guys bucket list. Congrats on facing a phobia.

So far my little bucket list means getting front page time with a pen here. I have not as of yet.

Phil

Haynie said:
Sweet shop.

Glad to hear you have adopted a very positive attitude.

I have a bucket list but it is on hold and thinking about it just makes me mad. Someday this albatross will fall from my shoulders. Right now I want to get through a day without arguing with the wife.
Click to expand...
 
Keep up the positive attitude. It will really help. I have been battling lung cancer and now have it in remission. I am still fighting the battle against the damage that the radiation and chemo has done to my body, but I keep telling everyone that I am winning. I have a lot of projects started and am keeping myself very busy as I kn ow I am a winner.

I see you have the same attitude and WE WILL WIN!

Congrats on the shop!
 
A positive attitude and not giving in to the depression of an illness or disease are wonderful accomplishments in them selves.
Building a sweet looking shop like that is a tribute to fortitude, congratulations, you are a winner.
 
Keep up your post on how you are doing - Need pictures of you crossing the finish line. I have a small list in my mind and need to write it out so I can cross them off as I complete them... Thanks for the inspiration to all who share thier life.
 
Nice story , very inspirational. I fought back from medical problems and disability myself. It took the wake up call of my brother's diagnosis of terminal colon cancer to get me out of my depression over my illness and kick it's butt. Will power can be a powerful tool. Best to you and love the shop!
 
Way to go, Troy. There is nothing like a great attitude to help get yourself through a bad spell. I had the great luck to have a farther that fell into a life long slump of self pity after his injury in WW2. When I had my accident in '63 at 19 and lost my left leg, I had him for a bad example. There was no way that I could put up with that way of life. As I said, I was lucky.
You obviously, have a very similar attitude. Your shop and determination are proof of that. You will do just fine. Keep it up. We are preoud of you and all others with similar grit.
Charles
 
A list I dont have but last year our second daughter sent me a Video Bucket List and early in the year a mate of mine bought a Mercedes Benz, made me twitch a bit so I answered an ad on the internet for a 30 yr old Mercedes in Melbourne 400 miles south of here. Booked a cheap flight took delivery and drove it home that same day at high speed. Rego was high and petrol was the engine coolant but I had it for over a year both Wilma and I enjoyed it. Gone now two cars one driver would not swap the experience.

Had the same feeling in middle age had a Datsun 260Z for a few years.

No list no regrets pressing on with medication and maintaining everything possible for SWMBO my best friend for 59yrs in Chemo then radiation, will never run a 5K, been there.

Have fun I do.

Kind regards Peter.
 
Right now my number one item is to help my dad build his business up enough that neither of us have to worry about retirement. I'd also like to go skydiving someday. I'd like to consistently shoot below 100 when I golf, and I'd like to follow your example and build a freestanding shop!
 
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