I asked again

i asked the doctor again if I could drive my Ford tractor,She said no,,its hot now,and if your left
arm gets sweaty and wet,the tube line in your arm will work its way out .That would be
dangerous.Needless to say the family will not let me .Its been too long since I have used the
tractor,it just sits in the little shed// shop I finally got set up for it. Never really got to do
anything in the little shop except set up the vise I showed pictures of,,And make shelves and
such.This treatment could go on for 5 months,,I think I have had enough.

Hang in their buddy you have a lot friends that are pulling for you,I'm like you though I'd be bored to death not getting out doing things.

DO ....; WHAT .. THE ... DOCTOR ... SAYS !!!!! After my coronary bypass the discharge nurse said sit down, she got right up in my face, read me the riot act; no lifting, no work, no tractor, no heavy anything, NO WORK!.... it went on and one. Do What they say.

Yes, I understand it would drive one on the wall. Find something you can concentrate your mind on. Hang in there; I know we are poor comforters. Praying for you. Hendrik

How about taking some classes? Are there any technical schools near you? Take a class in auto mechanics so you have a basic understanding of computer cars and trucks. Take a class in automotive(and tractor) electricity and learn how starters, generators and ignition systems work and how to diagnose them with a multimeter instead of trial and error. How about a class in lawn mower repair? These technical classes will occupy both your mind and your hands. If this doesn't appeal to you, how about a class in American History which would let you examine critically some of our past and present controversial issues. How about a class on religious issues past and present which would broaden your appreciation of some diverse beliefs?

Larry, just remember, chemo is only temporary, Stay strong,

Larry hang in there my friend, after my bypass sitting in the house I could think of hundreds of things I needed/wanted to do that I wasn't supposed to LOL after the doc released me I found that most of those things weren't as important as I thought they were at the time. Take it easy and get better you will !! Praying for You Steve

Good things come to those that wait... you'll get tractor time soon enough.

Well, the fact that you WANT to get out and do things is a big plus!

Just one day at a time, you'll get there!

Hang in there Larry.
There are many of us here who have you in our prayers, myself included.

Don't forget online classes and kindle books too, although sometimes getting out and meeting new people with common interests can be fun and enlightening. Some communities have very extensive adult continuing education classes and senior classes: stained glass making; wood working; wood carving; small engine repair; gardening; exotic cooking classes; photography; computers; business; cancer support groups; card groups; etc. Your down time could be a rare opportunity to do some new things or learn some new skills that you never had the time to try before, don't pass that up.

Model farm tractor kits from the 1970's are still available on ebay: Deere 4430, White 2-105, IH 1466, etc. Model kits of semi-tractors, cars, trucks, planes ships, sailing ships, military equipment, etc. are also available everywhere including Walmart. The kits can range from very easy to snap together to very challenging to assemble and paint.

Go to the public library and start pulling books on things you never heard of can be very interesting.When I had my knee operation I just grabbed a book from my personal 'library' that has several
thousand books and manuals learned some good stuff I'd never taken the time to look at even though I'd owned some of the books for years.

Larry,

It's tough when a person can't do the things they normally do. Just remember you're trying to reach a goal - and that goal is wellness! So you've just got to do (or NOT do) what the docs say because it's important.

Everyday gets you one day closer to being able to "do stuff".

If you get feeling too "down" about it - be sure to tell your doctor.

As others have mentioned, is there some type of hobby you could take up for right now?
Put a tractor or a farm scene puzzle together?
Paint some new barn signs to hang up when you get feeling better?
Invent a new recipe or two?
Though reading makes you tired... read one chapter of a book once or twice a day?

What about a new kitten to keep you company during the day? (Just thinking a cat would be company for you... but not as much work as a dog.)

And just remember we all want you to beat this thing! We want you to have more years with your wife. We want you to have more years with your little girl. We want you to meet your grandkiddles some day... and post pics of grandpa working with those little tykes in your garden.

If you feel like doing something... and if you know it's too much - then LOOK AT YOUR RUST... it's a reminder for you to REST.

We are still praying for you! Keep your eye on the goal! You can do it.

Gina, you make a good coach! We all are pulling for him. Ron Mn

Larry you have been blessed your cancer is curable others haven't been, so remember Tough times wont last but Tough people do you will have lots of time to drive that Ford when this is over I bet next years garden will be the best you have had. Randy

Larry, I don't post much but I've followed the boards for a long time and read some of your story and seen many pictures of your endeavours. Perhaps you could send me an email (hopefully I've put it on this post) as I have a story or two to share with you that I hope will help if relevant but I don't want to post them on the forum. Best of luck, Sam

[i:654c4848f0]Never really got to do anything in the little shop except set up the vise I showed pictures of,,And make shelves and such....[/i:654c4848f0]

[b:654c4848f0]Yet[/b:654c4848f0] Larry, you haven't gotten to do these things [b:654c4848f0]yet[/b:654c4848f0].

[i:654c4848f0]This treatment could go on for 5 months,,I think I have had enough... [/i:654c4848f0]

Hang in there Larry. I'm sure it sucks right now and many of us can't even imagine what you're going through (physically, mentally, emotionally). But we can all see that you're a good person and a hard worker. You're not a quitter! Hang in there,

Bob

Larry I also have cancer. Little gift from the spray in nam.I know it is very hard to find out you can't do what you use to.When I get to feeling that way. I just sit back and relax. Some times it is even fun to watch others work. For me my time is over. I will never be back to normal. But sounds like you will. If you will just do what they tell you.When they tell you. Take it slow one day at a time.

I would send my nurse to you. Cute little thing. But acts like a Marine Drill SGT. About all I get in. Is yes mam no mam.

Remember one day at a time. Do what they tell you.

Larry-I understand about the waiting.I usually don't post about myself,but back in March I had eye surgery.I had a setback and got some swelling inside my eye,after having been almost done healing.So I have had to endure monthly steroid shots in my eye to get the swelling gone.They hurt,and that eye is blurry at any distance.I am not limited on doing anything,but I can't enjoy a lot of things because I cannot see as clearly as I should.So I don't do a lot that I would otherwise do.And I am told I will now have to have cataract surgery on that eye.More down time.It has frustrated me very badly.I just want be able to see.Not to put your situation down,it is more than I am going thru.But,waiting,and waiting, sucks.But,I have learned acceptance.And to put it another way-we now live in a time of medical wonders.100 years-maybe even 50 years ago we would not been able to had the surgerys that improve or save us.That is what keeps me going!Time will pass.we will get by.Good luck,Mark

Billy, thank you for your service....and GREAT advice. God bless you, Larry and many more.

The Doctor told me when I got out of the hospital, in May, that I could not get on any tractor for at least 4 weeks. I did make it through 4 days before I broke his rule as it was planting season and I had to show my daughter how to drive the big Ford tractor. It worked out ok and I was sore enough that I did not break any more rules. Just listen to your Doctor, take lots of pictures and keep posting. The time will speed right by.

The old saying goes "when you come to the end of your rope tie a knot and hang in there" probably not the exact words but close. The few times I have been laid up, moving around and doing things hurt. Physical pain tends to slow us down. You probably don't have much pain and you feel reasonably good so being a normally active person you want to go out and do things. This would drive me up a wall too. I can assure you your feelings are shared by many others who are in the same position you are in. Verbalizing your feelings helps so if you feel like complaining we will listen.

I always enjoy your posts, great pictures!

Time will pass, and it will get cooler before that five months is passed. You've sure had lots of good advice here so I don't need to repeat it. But you've got lots of people praying for you.

Larry do as the doctor say to or you will find out the hard way things can/will be worse I learned that the hard way but I'll not go into that here.

On a side note I have the zucchini and onions and pepper socking for making relish. Book say 3 hours of soaking so will be around 2PM before I do much more

it will get better and the old ford will get the wheels run off it. you will probably have to put new blue paint on your tool handles next year due to the wear they will get when doc says go. 2015 - chemo and radiation for about 3 months about whipped me but I made it and am doing what I want. went to Florida Flywheelers this year to say I have been to a larger show. last checkup is still all clear and i'm doing what I want as in tractor show last weekend, working on house, following your posts here and praying for our fellow YT friends as needed. IT WILL GET BETTER LeRoy

I didn't learn the first time so I did it again. Did too much, too soon after a repair and suffered for it, twice.

Larry please do as they say. Just think every day you can't use that tractor is a day longer you can use it after you get well. And you can't miss with guys like me and Loren and Sweetfeet pulling for you. So keep the plow in the ground Larry and every thing will come out OK >> Jack << PS and after you get well again Sweetfeet might let you take a drive on her old F 20 . LOL

If you want, I'll come get it and use it in my garden.

Just kidding. Hope you're doing okay.

Larry ,??, Are You taking Chemotherapy ?/ Forgive me for not keeping up with everyone , i suppose i can research the archives to catch up on you ,,. but you can t ell me.. if you want ,. I had a chestport this time last summer ,,.,that worked well and i was able to make my hay ,started 1st week in may . finished my 12 treatments sept 25 ,, i carried a pump for 48 hours each time in a small man purse,,. LOL,, they were concerned about the cold sensation going to my feet , when that occured my medication was altered but i still had 2 monthes to go ...they removed my port in november ,,i feared infection issues,,AND YOU SHOULD TOO ,.. Aint Nurhin To play With ,. IT WILL Put You in The Hospital like some of my pals ,,they urged me to get rid of the port ASAP , Larry,, There are As many Types of Chemo as There are Ailemets ,, spyou probavbly wont get hit with NEUROpathy like i have,. it is very slowly getting better each month , i have dead feet and my legs are dead tired ,,. my fingers are poor for threading little1/4 inch nuts on bolts,.i can do the big ones a lot easier,,mechanicing in tite places ,where youcannot see ,,only FEEL ,. reaching up and feeling with my hands is challenging to the point of frustrating ,.. i hope you dont get like me ,, i would never advise anyone to decide this , Personally , i honestly would have declined chemo , and thrown the dice and assumed the risk ,, .. Larry I Would welcome a E-mail ,i listed it on this note ..And if you wish ,would Love to Chat on the Land Line about Life Livberty and The PURSIUIT of Happiness We are All Chasing ,,. Lol

Larry,

I too can relate, and know how hard it is to NOT do what most of us do as ordinary daily stuff. We were not meant to sit around and collect dust, we are working people and that defines who we are. We lose our sense of "self worth" when we can not do our usual things.

I have had the peripheral line from the inside of the left elbow to the Vena Cava (heart) twice. I know the possibility of infection, and you must take all possible care to minimize that possibility. The infection can take you down in less than 24 hours. A few years ago, the docs figured that I was less than 30 minutes from the Pearly Gates, due to a similar infection. Most of us have too little respect for the nasty possibilities, as we have been boogering up our body parts and getting and recovering from small infections as part of daily life. The possible infection through the blood stream (septic infection) can be massive, quick, and deadly.

Follow your doctor's orders, and take someone with you to the doc appts to hear and help you understand what she is saying. I know how meds and pain can cloud the brain so that I did not hear nor understand even 50% of what was said. My oldest daughter and wife went with me to appts to help me understand what I needed to do. My most recent medical crisis was in the summer of 2014, and I went through lots of "self worth" (or self worthLESS) thoughts, but hung in by the thoughts that if nothing else, I could at least be of some worth to the grandkids in their education and personal development. Fortunately I have gained strength, and have come back to the level of physical ability to bale 875 bales in one tiring day. But it is a good "tiring" as I can see the product of my own work. And the cold beer at the end of that recent day sure was appreciated. So the "final auction" has to wait for a few more years or hopefully at least a decade.

And like you, I do it with Ford tractors. They waited for me to regain strength, and were rewarded with returning to their favorite jobs. Thankfully, it has all worked out... and your medical situation will also. Have faith, and pray for patience. You will be better!!

With kindest regards,

Paul in MN

Larry, one of my wife's uncles was a single dad, had full custody of 2 teens a girl and boy. He had to have bypass surgery. They told him no lifting for X long. While he was still healing and with fishing season just around the corner he decided to mount the 25HP motor on his fishing boat. Although he didn't realize it he pulled something loose. He died over night in his sleep do to internal bleeding. Do what the DR tells you, no arguments!

Rick