Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
Anyone that has that thought needs to read dons post.. Its my son that is a c 6-7 and as a mother seeing my son in the pain and all I sad to say have wished a # of times he would just pass so he would not have the pain and all the BS and then he get up and has a better day I hope you a better day... Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
Bobbie, I've been thinking about your email since you posted it, trying to mentally compose a reply. Here's my short answer: No, I've never wished not to wake up. In fact, the opposite is true for me--I go to sleep every night praying that I get another opportunity to be alive tomorrow. But, it's not a simple question to answer, is it? I consider myself extremely lucky because 32 years post-injury I don't have the debilitating pain many of you describe. I don't have any pressure sores or kidney stones; my bladder and bowels function well and I still don't need Viagra. I'm not bragging; I am grateful for everything I have. My first thought is that you have to be honest with yourself, Bobbie. Is this simply a temporary period of 'the blues,' or do you possibly have clinical depression? It's a very important distinction because depression does have a physiological basis and can be effectively helped with medical intervention. If you are having suicidal thoughts I beg you to seek a mental health hotline--I guarantee there's one available in your community. On the other hand, if you're just feeling down and out, having a rough go of things at the moment, then I'm glad you had the guts to mention it here. Yes, I honestly think it took great courage to share a weak moment here, to be vulnerable. 'Us people' with disabilities are always held up as inspirational; we're fonts of strength and wisdom because we survived a disability. We all know what a bunch of bullshit that is. Partly, that misconception is fed by the media and their fixation on the 'supercrip.' I'm sorry, but if I see one more news story about a guy climbing Half Dome in Yosemite using only his tongue I'm going to puke! All of us here know we're just regular human beings, getting up, doing our business, going to bed. Guess what? Sometimes we even have bad days! However, Bobbie (and all), it is my firm belief that--barring medical issues causing depression--we (and only we) have the power to make ourselves happy. I don't just believe that, I know it. It's somewhat ironic that I read your email, entitled "To wake, or not to wake up?" the same day I started reading 'The Last Lecture,' by Randy Pausch. For those of you unfamiliar with Mr Pausch's Last Lecture, he's a Professor at Carnegie Mellon University who learned he had only a few months to live due to pancreatic cancer. His accurately-titled 'last lecture' is available on youtube and shouldn't be missed. The irony is that this man endured mind-boggling surgeries and procedures so he could have even a chance at living a few days longer, and here we are talking about throwing away precious days, weeks, years. I'm reading the book because my father--the strongest man I've ever known--has recently been diagnosed with leukemia. I'm not judging anyone here. I can't walk a mile in your shoes (to use an exceedingly inappropriate cliche,) so I don't have the right, or desire, to lecture anyone. But, as I said, I know that we have the ability to choose (yes, choose) happiness and gratefulness in our lives. HOW you do that is going to be very much an individual thing. There are a million self-help books out there, and a few of them are even good, but that journey is yours to take on your own. Having said that, I still feel the compulsion to make a few suggestions (once I start typing I just can't stop--sorry!) First of all, one has to make the mind shift from what we've lost (or can't do,) to what we still have available (or can do.) If you can see, be thankful. If you can hear, be grateful. If you can think, praise the heavens. Somebody wrote that they miss the simple things, like sitting up in bed and putting their feet on the floor. If you could travel back in time you'd tell that guy not to take ANYTHING for granted. Randy Pausch, who died from his cancer in 2008, less than a year after giving his last lecture, would love to come back and tell you that same thing today. Don't take YOUR life for granted. Can't go camping alone in the wilderness? Become a scout leader and inspire the kids to step away from the X-Box. Can't bed a bunch of babes? Find one you really like and write her the greatest love letter ever created--she wouldn't stand a chance. Can't move your body? Move your mind! Take a class, read the 100 greatest books ever written, join your city's council on disability issues. If they don't have one, start one. Refute Stephen Hawking's gravitational singularity theorem. Or write an haiku. My point is.well, you get my point. "I guess it comes down to a simple choice really. Get busy living, or get busy dying." -Andy Dufrenes, The Shawshank Redemption. I'm heading off to bed now. My caregiver will be here shortly and I'm bushed. Tomorrow I have committed to organize my music collection after I get home from work. It sounds mundane but I'm excited! Thirty-plus years of collected music will provide both dust and amazing memories.
[QUAD-L] I'm tired
I'm tired of surgeries, test and procedure. I can't tell you how many times I have been poked, prodded and labeled. I'm tired of pills, Doctor's visits and UTI"s. Goodnight, I'm going to SLEEP now. Bobbie
Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
I just want to cook & eat what and when I want. I want to wear a drop dead dress and heels and go out dancing. If I can't sleep, I want to get up in the middle of the night. I want to clean my place MY way. I want to paddle a canoe on a lake again. I want to sail my sailboat again. I want to water ski again. I want to go swimming again. I want to go snow skiing again. I want to put a back pack on and hike up a mountain camp overnight with a friend or two. I want to drive a stick shift again. I want to stay out all night and get in trouble when I get home. I want to slow dance with Pete. I want to have sex and know what it feels like. I want to have an orgasm know what it feels like. I want to have shower sex that I've never have had. I want to pack a light suitcase and drive three hours to my sisters in Saratoga, NY for the weekend. I want to be able to do yoga and tai chi. I want to rollerblade and cross country skiing for the first time. I want to be able to sew my own clothes. I want to take care of somebody that needs as much help as I do. I want to take care of Pete when he doesn't feel well. I want to learn to play the harp. I want to feel the earth between my toes. I want to be able to turn in the middle of the night without waking somebody up. I want to plant and grow vegetables and flowers in a garden. I want to take a trip to Europe with a friend. I want to be needed and have purpose. I want to go to a picnic and if it starts to rain run into the house with everybody else and not into a garage with one person keeping me company. I want to pick up and hold my nieces and nephews as infants and toddlers. I want to go to sleep and sleep and sleep and sleep and sleep and sleep ... and never wake up. I'm done. It's been 41 years and each year there's a new problem. I am in so much pain in my endurance level continues to drop. My family and friends do not understand they just remembering me full of energy. Bobbie > On May 27, 2014, at 1:54 PM, RONALD L PRACHT wrote: > > I just want to go to the lake like I once did. Go to my camping spot nestled > three miles back in the woods and ride my four wheeler. I want to be able to > go shoot targets with my guns and enjoy cleaning them. I want to be able to > ask out any woman and have a chance at taking her out on sat night. I want to > work on my truck and change my own oil. I would like to get into one more > fist fight to feel im still alive. I want to feel sex again and have a > regular woman that loves me next to me every night. Mostly, I want to be > independent from others, show up and leave when I want to without guilt or > being forced to do something. I want to sit on a toilet and feel a bowell > movement. I want to go to family events again and be able to go out in the > garage with the men. I want to cut grass and smell that fresh cut smell. I > want to work hard at a job and get a paycheck again. I want to feel proud > again. Have a bunch of buddies over and get a lil crazy. > > Sadly a lot of these things will never happen for me anymore. I am still > greatful to be alive most of the time. My next segment will be whats left > still to do! > > Ron > > > On Tuesday, May 27, 2014 9:52 AM, Larry Willis wrote: > > > > Ditto, Ron, ditto. > > Sent from my iPad > > Begin forwarded message: > >> Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com >> From: RONALD L PRACHT >> Date: May 26, 2014 at 10:15:36 PM EDT >> To: "quad-list@eskimo.com" >> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? >> Reply-To: RONALD L PRACHT >> >> When Im in pain many times I question if I will wake up. I have had times >> when I have my talks with the lord and say I just cant do this anymore, but >> then I wake up for another bowell routine >> >> ron >> >> >> On Monday, May 26, 2014 8:26 PM, Gmail wrote: >> >> >> I have a question. 90% of the time when I go to sleep I hope/wish I will not >> wake up in the morning. >> Dose anybody else ever have these thoughts?Bobbie > >
Re: [QUAD-L] Unsubscribe
Julie, I for one will miss your witty sense of humor.. Best Wishes In a message dated 05/27/14 13:49:23 Central Daylight Time, jbauer.kzconsult...@gmail.com writes: Would you please unsubscribe me from quad-list? Thank you! Julie
Re: [QUAD-L] Unsubscribe
http://www.makoa.org/quadlist.htm Follow the instructions. Sent from my iPad > On May 27, 2014, at 2:49 PM, Julie Bauer > wrote: > > Would you please unsubscribe me from quad-list? > > Thank you! > Julie
Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
Oh, yes many times Bobbie I get sick of the pain! lindaf - Original Message - From: "Gmail" To: "quad-list" Sent: Monday, May 26, 2014 8:26:39 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? I have a question. 90% of the time when I go to sleep I hope/wish I will not wake up in the morning. Dose anybody else ever have these thoughts? Bobbie
[QUAD-L] Pain Research Study
FYI- Just passing this info along. I'm not affiliated in any way. Don. Are You Suffering with Pain? The Translational Pain Research Group at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital is seeking individuals with pain as a result of Spinal Cord Injury to participate in a research study. Volunteers must: Be between the ages of 18 and 65 Be able to make 4 overnight visits to the hospital Have had pain for at least 3 months Volunteers who qualify for the study will be reimbursed for their time. The cost of travel to and from BWH will also be reimbursed. For more information please call 617-525-7246 (PAIN) or email paintri...@partners.org
Fwd: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
What's left can be and is great, but it sure as hell doesn't compensate for what is gone. Not in my experience, anyway. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com > From: RONALD L PRACHT > Date: May 27, 2014 at 1:54:42 PM EDT > To: "quad-list@eskimo.com" > Subject: Re: Fwd: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? > Reply-To: RONALD L PRACHT > > I just want to go to the lake like I once did. Go to my camping spot nestled > three miles back in the woods and ride my four wheeler. I want to be able to > go shoot targets with my guns and enjoy cleaning them. I want to be able to > ask out any woman and have a chance at taking her out on sat night. I want to > work on my truck and change my own oil. I would like to get into one more > fist fight to feel im still alive. I want to feel sex again and have a > regular woman that loves me next to me every night. Mostly, I want to be > independent from others, show up and leave when I want to without guilt or > being forced to do something. I want to sit on a toilet and feel a bowell > movement. I want to go to family events again and be able to go out in the > garage with the men. I want to cut grass and smell that fresh cut smell. I > want to work hard at a job and get a paycheck again. I want to feel proud > again. Have a bunch of buddies over and get a lil crazy. > > Sadly a lot of these things will never happen for me anymore. I am still > greatful to be alive most of the time. My next segment will be whats left > still to do! > > Ron > > > On Tuesday, May 27, 2014 9:52 AM, Larry Willis wrote: > > > > Ditto, Ron, ditto. > > Sent from my iPad > > Begin forwarded message: > >> Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com >> From: RONALD L PRACHT >> Date: May 26, 2014 at 10:15:36 PM EDT >> To: "quad-list@eskimo.com" >> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? >> Reply-To: RONALD L PRACHT >> >> When Im in pain many times I question if I will wake up. I have had times >> when I have my talks with the lord and say I just cant do this anymore, but >> then I wake up for another bowell routine >> >> ron >> >> >> On Monday, May 26, 2014 8:26 PM, Gmail wrote: >> >> >> I have a question. 90% of the time when I go to sleep I hope/wish I will not >> wake up in the morning. >> Dose anybody else ever have these thoughts?Bobbie >> >> >> > >
Fwd: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
Spot on, Ron. So spot on I want to weep.and beautifully expressed. To wake up, sit on the edge of the bed, and feel my feet on the floor..sigh. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com > From: RONALD L PRACHT > Date: May 27, 2014 at 1:54:42 PM EDT > To: "quad-list@eskimo.com" > Subject: Re: Fwd: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? > Reply-To: RONALD L PRACHT > > I just want to go to the lake like I once did. Go to my camping spot nestled > three miles back in the woods and ride my four wheeler. I want to be able to > go shoot targets with my guns and enjoy cleaning them. I want to be able to > ask out any woman and have a chance at taking her out on sat night. I want to > work on my truck and change my own oil. I would like to get into one more > fist fight to feel im still alive. I want to feel sex again and have a > regular woman that loves me next to me every night. Mostly, I want to be > independent from others, show up and leave when I want to without guilt or > being forced to do something. I want to sit on a toilet and feel a bowell > movement. I want to go to family events again and be able to go out in the > garage with the men. I want to cut grass and smell that fresh cut smell. I > want to work hard at a job and get a paycheck again. I want to feel proud > again. Have a bunch of buddies over and get a lil crazy. > > Sadly a lot of these things will never happen for me anymore. I am still > greatful to be alive most of the time. My next segment will be whats left > still to do! > > Ron > > > On Tuesday, May 27, 2014 9:52 AM, Larry Willis wrote: > > > > Ditto, Ron, ditto. > > Sent from my iPad > > Begin forwarded message: > >> Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com >> From: RONALD L PRACHT >> Date: May 26, 2014 at 10:15:36 PM EDT >> To: "quad-list@eskimo.com" >> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? >> Reply-To: RONALD L PRACHT >> >> When Im in pain many times I question if I will wake up. I have had times >> when I have my talks with the lord and say I just cant do this anymore, but >> then I wake up for another bowell routine >> >> ron >> >> >> On Monday, May 26, 2014 8:26 PM, Gmail wrote: >> >> >> I have a question. 90% of the time when I go to sleep I hope/wish I will not >> wake up in the morning. >> Dose anybody else ever have these thoughts?Bobbie >> >> >> > >
[QUAD-L] Unsubscribe
Would you please unsubscribe me from quad-list? Thank you! *Julie *
Re: Fwd: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
I just want to go to the lake like I once did. Go to my camping spot nestled three miles back in the woods and ride my four wheeler. I want to be able to go shoot targets with my guns and enjoy cleaning them. I want to be able to ask out any woman and have a chance at taking her out on sat night. I want to work on my truck and change my own oil. I would like to get into one more fist fight to feel im still alive. I want to feel sex again and have a regular woman that loves me next to me every night. Mostly, I want to be independent from others, show up and leave when I want to without guilt or being forced to do something. I want to sit on a toilet and feel a bowell movement. I want to go to family events again and be able to go out in the garage with the men. I want to cut grass and smell that fresh cut smell. I want to work hard at a job and get a paycheck again. I want to feel proud again. Have a bunch of buddies over and get a lil crazy. Sadly a lot of these things will never happen for me anymore. I am still greatful to be alive most of the time. My next segment will be whats left still to do! Ron On Tuesday, May 27, 2014 9:52 AM, Larry Willis wrote: Ditto, Ron, ditto. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com >From: RONALD L PRACHT >Date: May 26, 2014 at 10:15:36 PM EDT >To: "quad-list@eskimo.com" >Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? >Reply-To: RONALD L PRACHT > > When Im in pain many times I question if I will wake up. I have had times when I have my talks with the lord and say I just cant do this anymore, but then I wake up for another bowell routine > > >ron > > > >On Monday, May 26, 2014 8:26 PM, Gmail wrote: > > > >I have a question. 90% of the time when I go to sleep I hope/wish I will not >wake up in the morning. >Dose anybody else ever have these thoughts? Bobbie > > > >
Fwd: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
Ditto, Ron, ditto. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com > From: RONALD L PRACHT > Date: May 26, 2014 at 10:15:36 PM EDT > To: "quad-list@eskimo.com" > Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? > Reply-To: RONALD L PRACHT > > When Im in pain many times I question if I will wake up. I have had times > when I have my talks with the lord and say I just cant do this anymore, but > then I wake up for another bowell routine > > ron > > > On Monday, May 26, 2014 8:26 PM, Gmail wrote: > > > I have a question. 90% of the time when I go to sleep I hope/wish I will not > wake up in the morning. > Dose anybody else ever have these thoughts?Bobbie > > >
Fwd: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up?
All the time, Bobbie, all the time. Sometimes more than others. First thoughts on waking up Oh God, here we go again. I am continually amazed by the number of things we quads have in common. The same pains, anger, despair, sores, infections, and even the same thoughts. If there is any consolation, it is in knowing that we are not alone in our suffering. Sent from my iPad WBegin forwarded message: > Resent-From: quad-list@eskimo.com > From: Gmail > Date: May 26, 2014 at 9:26:39 PM EDT > To: quad-list@eskimo.com > Subject: [QUAD-L] To wake, or not to wake up? > > I have a question. 90% of the time when I go to sleep I hope/wish I will not > wake up in the morning. > Dose anybody else ever have these thoughts?Bobbie > >
Re: [QUAD-L] Hands-free Harmonica
Welcome to the quad with Joe. There are a lot of interesting people on the list and you can learn a lot from now on. We have all had different experiences and try different things to help us live independently. Thank you for joining, Dana C 4-5 Complete quadriplegic 40 years post in July 26,74 MVA in Prairie Village Kansas Sent from my iPhone On May 26, 2014, at 5:33 PM, linda...@comcast.net wrote: > Welcome to the Quadlist. Some really nice friends here. > > Lindaf
