According to my doctor my recovery from the 6 bypass is on track. However, I've never been one to sit and take it easy. While I can get around and take care of myself, I'm restricted in exertions. As an avid kayaker, I'm totally frustrated. This in turn has led to something I've seldom encountered and even then only briefly... depression. I can now see how it can bury people.
I can still laugh and know things will get better and I WILL persevere. However, it's given me a case of writer's block. I've been trying to continue my 'Odyssey' story but I'm stuck. (If anyone has any ideas, let me know!) In. addition, it looks as if I'm about to retire. My employer will only hold my job for 90 days so unless I'm fully cleared to return to work, which won't happen, by August 5 I'll be unemployed. Things are not bleak. My late wife, who I nursed through the last 9 years of her bedridden life, had been on disability social security. As her surviving spouse I have claimed SS under her name so I'm not without income. My full retirement is at age 66, 9 months away. I have a decent self funded retirement plan, not a lot, but enough to see me through with SS.
I'm a bit scared of not working. I've been working since I was 9 when my parents built & opened a service station. Literally I don't know how NOT to work! I've never learned to relax and take it easy. Even vacation have been go go go.
Visiting BC is one of my pleasurable daily activities. I was so jealous to read about the 2016 Gabycon. I attended the 2015 meet and thoroughly enjoyed it and the people. I really wish I could have made it this year! Maybe if my situation stabilizes, I could make it next year.
Comments
glad
Glad to hear the physical recovery is going well. Sorry about the forced retirement, maybe you could fill some time volunteering. A Heart-Healthy exercise group; park walks or something like that. As for odyssey, I wouldn't venture any ideas personally, I wouldn't want to mess with success. I'm sure you find your inspiration.
quidquid sum ego, et omnia mea semper; Ego me.
alecia Snowfall
Disability Income
It sounds as if you are in the UK? Not sure. In the US, you can get a Social Security Attorney and get SSD early and that will hold you over until you get regular SS. I did that since I was disabled at 56, but did not get SSI until 61 after I got the Attorney. Those 5 years were pure hell, and I was nearly on the street but for a woman who saw that I got some other help.
I hope that you get well soon and can get back to your kayak. I tried it a couple times and loved it but my situation right now does not allow it. I do enjoy biking, and hiking though.
6 way bypass? OW !!!
Gwen
not in the UK (IMHO)
the phrase 'holding your job open' is not heard here. We also have things like Statutory Sick Pay and Employment laws would not let you lose your job like this. If you did get sacked like this then you would have a pretty clear case for unfair dismissal.
As for retirement... Less than 3 months to go for me.
You need a plan. A plan of things that you are going to do when you stop work.
The stats are clear on this.
If you retire and do nothing you don't last very long before you are pushing up the you know whats.
I have my plans.
1) Lots of improvements around the house and garden.
- Extend the kitchen, Solar panels and maybe a loft conversion
- Sort out my greenhouse
- Sort out my raised beds
- Get a rainwater collection system installed
2) Get a new bike and ride it lots. Currently thinking of a Triumph Sprint GT SE to replace my 2011 Tiger 1050.
3) Take more pictures.
That should keep me busy for a while.
Samantha
Not forgetting
4) Keep on writing and posting here
Thousands of things
Since JS has a body restricted to the lower gears for now, there's nothing holding back her mind, which we have seen here is active and creative. I have often tried to make a mental list of what I would say to a kid who complained "I'm bored, life is boring", but usually run out of space on my mind page pretty quickly, and then wonder if anyone would have enough lifetime to get through half of them. Hm, story there maybe?
Jennifer Sue did you have access to Martina's photo files? I can't recall, but there are some new pictures if you want to get more jealous... It would be good to see you again, I know the intent is there to do a 2017 event, I certainly hope it happens.
Meanwhile, kick the "black dog" a good one for me, it's mean and doesn't respond to anything else.
Teri Ann
"Reach for the sun."
6?
I only had a quad bypass. After my release I was "encouraged" to walk, and to add to the distance each day. Boring!
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
Why boring?
A nice walk is great for working on plot lines.
:)
WOW
After rebuilding your heart be happy to be able to post this and you will be active again by your August deadline then back on the water before you know it . HUGS
Physical activities are just one small...
...and not that significant part of life.
There are so many ways to spend any amount of time usefully... Don't you have a 10 foot high stack of good books you promised yourself to read? Don't you have 20 relatives and 50 friends you had not talked to for ages? No? Than ask someone to bring the boxes of "useful" stuff from attic/cellar. Sort it with prejudice and throw away 99% of it. (Ask some one to do actual taking it out to the dump. No heavy lifting!)
Or just sit down and write a new story! (I loved A Summer's Odyssey, BTW)