Slightly OT - Woodworking & Medical Issues

[Admiral]

When working low, I've found a caster adjustable auto mechanics stool to be useful. I have this one

http://www.sears.com/craftman-craftsman-...lsrc=aw.ds

[gmcooter2]

I am 64 years old. I was forced to retire earlier than planed to due to failing health . I drove a school bus for 30 years and carpenter work on the side. In 2010 a ladder broke with me and I fell  from about ten feet high up. I fell across the side board of my trailer. I broke my back and it has been down hill sense. I make toys and models and can do most of it sitting down. I have chairs at all of my saws. I can not stand for more than a few minutes without out sitting down. My back does not stop my woodworking as long as i can do most of it sitting. This summer I have been having severe migraines. They limit my shop time. I usually have to sleep them off. I had to go to the ER with one. They gave me a medication that help but my heart doctor and family doctor do not like me to take only when i really have to.  I have a appointment we a specialist next month. I hope he can find the problem. I love my wood working. I just work until the headaches get to bad that I have to stop. Take care hope your health gets better.

[Skip J.]

First: Thanks Andy for your service!  And thanks to all of the vets on here!

After reading all of these posts, I'm not sure I should be saying anything at all.  I'm 68 and my job will last about 5 more years.  So far I've been pretty lucky on the job, I work around streams so I see a lot of cottonmouths and gators.  The gators don't bother me, but I'm skittish around the snakes.  I can't lift as much as I used to, I buy 40 lb sacks of concrete when I need it instead of 80 lb. Occasionally I lift 50 lb bags of fertilizer and sprain my back for several weeks. I get tired much faster than even a few years ago, sometimes I just have to come in and have an afternoon nap.  Between work and working on house projects I get my share of sprains, cuts and bruises, but have never had any permanent damage.  I just don't like feeling tired all the time and delicate... that's just not me.  I do try to eat a green salad every day, and I've been doing tai chi for flexibility for about ten years, and my wife and I walk a mile or two every morning.

[Steve N]

Skip, Nap is a good thing, never have nap guilt. Needing one is just your body telling you, you've kicked enough patootie for that stretch, and you need to back off an recharge. LOML has nap guilt, it's a terrible thing to see



Admiral we think along the same lines

[Arlin Eastman]

Curt

I have a lot of things and the only thing I do not going out in the garage when I am not doing well.  Other than that I just learned to work around what hampers me or just not doing it, but I feel there is always a way to do it.

[Skip J.]

Hi Steve; Thanks! I realize that all of the work we do around the house and the sitework on the job is what keeps me in shape.  But when I run out of steam early in the day it just doesn't seem right.  I am going to keep what you said in mind and it will help as I go down this road. I do have an old office chair on casters in the shop and long term stuff like sharpening blades I sit at a low bench until I'm done.  It almost seems like sharpening and tool cleanup is like taking a break... All my yard tools are sharp too now, even my shovels..