• From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-07
  • Posts: 2,037
  • User Karma: 202

Topic: Life Changes

Few have probably noticed a lack of posts from me. I was never too active. Still, I have been silent, and figured an update was in order.

I'm sick.

The attack at the start of December was caused by some sort of coating on my brain, particularly the stem. The world spun, vision went double. I literally had to crawl across my bed to reach the phone. Two weeks in the emergency room, followed by four weeks of in-hospital rehab, sent me home unable to work or drive. I've downsized my life, tossing most of what I owned to fit into a one bedroom apartment. I'm just starting to get financial aid, but will still be a drain on my sister for awhile. My eyes have a hard time reading text, so needless to say writing is a chore. I'm not a happy camper.

Still, I'm alive. Whee.

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  • Registered: 2014-10-20
  • Posts: 550
  • User Karma: 182

Re: Life Changes

That sucks, man. If there's anything you have a hankering for (movies, candy, cards), feel free to message your address. I know you're not sharing for charity or sympathy, but I've also had to rely on family for emergency support (it really sucks). I wouldn't have dreamed of asking them for something unnecessary on top of that, no matter how much I needed a pick-me-up.

But if a flick and popcorn or a bag of skittles would make a hard week a little better, let me know.

Meanwhile, soldier on, Invid.

Witness me!

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  • Teague
  • Teague
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  • Registered: 2009-11-06
  • Posts: 5,717
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Re: Life Changes

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  • Registered: 2014-10-20
  • Posts: 550
  • User Karma: 182

Re: Life Changes

Witness me!

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  • From: Poland
  • Registered: 2012-11-01
  • Posts: 592
  • User Karma: 121

Re: Life Changes

Aww, man... Hang in there, our thoughts are with you. Let's hope for the best.

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  • Registered: 2010-11-12
  • Posts: 1,180
  • User Karma: 475

Re: Life Changes

Jesus, so sorry to hear about this. As everyone else has said thus far, thoughts are with you.

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  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-07
  • Posts: 2,037
  • User Karma: 202

Re: Life Changes

Thanks.

I'm too lazy to look for something that lists the exact condition I have, but Neurosarcoidosis seems to sound close enough. They biopsies two blobs in my chest to confirm the diagnosis ("It's minor. We're going to collapse your lung..."). Treatment was mostly massive steroids, which I'm off of. I suspect I'll be going back on, as I'm relapsing.I'm seeing the neurologist Friday for the scheduled followup.

As for dead cats, if you send some good recipes, I'd be down for that. I have a patreon account if anyone want to throw money at it. Two chapters of my new book a month pays for my internet, which let me tell you is a godsend (no idea which god). Change tossed into an iTunes or Rifftrax gift card would also be appreciated. If you live near good hobby stores, I would love models to waste my time with. Fighter planes, and anime models based on original Macross and Gundam. I can't see well, so easy ones smile

What I want most I'm not even thinking of asking for. I've only seen the new Star Wars once, and Deadpool not at all. The whole not driving thing. I can wait.

Actually... I know what I need. Before this hit, I was going to set up a print version of one of my books to send to printtopress.com. I dread playing with that now. The cover was painted my my niece, and I owe her a copy. Anyone want to help?

Chris Mack
21 Sunnyside St. Lower Apartment
Lockport, NY 14094

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  • Registered: 2014-10-20
  • Posts: 550
  • User Karma: 182

Re: Life Changes

Is anyone closer to Lockport, NY than I am (Trumbull, CT)? Or anyone close to me feel like taking a weekend trip smile?

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9 Reply by Writhyn (edited by Writhyn 2016-03-07 05:58:35)

  • Registered: 2014-10-20
  • Posts: 550
  • User Karma: 182

Re: Life Changes

Also I'm perfectly happy to help with printtopress, but what would that entail? Just filling out forms and stuff? Proof-copying? Or is it more just a cost thing?

Witness me!

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  • From: Bristol. Again.
  • Registered: 2010-06-17
  • Posts: 1,202
  • User Karma: 343

Re: Life Changes

Really sorry to hear about what you've been going through Invid.

Have you looked into any Text to speech apps that might help with browsing the web at all?

Faldor's Website

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  • From: Van Dieman's Land
  • Registered: 2011-06-02
  • Posts: 1,358
  • User Karma: 233

Re: Life Changes

Sorry to hear about your condition, man. Sounds like a real cunt of a thing to have too. I wish there was something we could do. I hope the doctors can make you better.

not long to go now...

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  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-07
  • Posts: 2,037
  • User Karma: 202

Re: Life Changes

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  • From: State of Idaho
  • Registered: 2010-12-08
  • Posts: 2,367
  • User Karma: 289

Re: Life Changes

First of all, how does his OP not warrant one like? He's still alive-we should "like" that tongue

Also, that sounds really crazy. Glad to hear you're doing ok, and that you are still kicking.

God loves you!

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  • From: Van Dieman's Land
  • Registered: 2011-06-02
  • Posts: 1,358
  • User Karma: 233

Re: Life Changes

not long to go now...

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  • Registered: 2014-10-20
  • Posts: 550
  • User Karma: 182

Re: Life Changes

@Invid
Looks like you put that together with a Mac, cause I'm getting a pages file that I can't do much with. If you can convert and send me a .doc file I can help, otherwise does someone else have an Apple computer who can help him?

Witness me!

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  • From: State of Idaho
  • Registered: 2010-12-08
  • Posts: 2,367
  • User Karma: 289

Re: Life Changes

God loves you!

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  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-07
  • Posts: 2,037
  • User Karma: 202

Re: Life Changes

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  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-07
  • Posts: 2,037
  • User Karma: 202

Re: Life Changes

An update.

The last couple weeks have been bad, my condition regressing. The physical therapist would show up and say, "No, you're in no shape to do actual work". Saw the neurologist for the first time since the hospital, and immediately put me on 80 mg of steroids a day for two weeks, which will then taper down. I suspect I'll be on them for life. I'm also now on optional insulin.

On the good side, after three days of steroids, I was actually able to write 600 words or so. Science!

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  • Registered: 2014-10-20
  • Posts: 550
  • User Karma: 182

Re: Life Changes

Whoo boy. Hang in there!

Witness me!

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  • Teague
  • Teague
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  • Registered: 2009-11-06
  • Posts: 5,717
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Re: Life Changes

Good lord. Shit is too scary.

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  • From: Montpellier, France
  • Registered: 2011-12-04
  • Posts: 1,141
  • User Karma: 498

Re: Life Changes

Damn, Invid. I'm so sorry. Hang in there.

We're just a bunch of strangers on the Internet, but I'll be damned if we won't help you in any way we can. Just let us know.

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  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-07
  • Posts: 2,037
  • User Karma: 202

Re: Life Changes

My niece goes outside to check the mail today, and what does she find? An unexpected package of goodies. Thanks, Writhyn. Between this and finally getting to see Deadpool (at an AMC with reclining comfy chairs and everything), my day was complete smile

As for other stuff, the drugs are helping. I can write a bit, and while I tire easily I can move more. I also don't have to watch my carbs as much, although I do watch them. I'm ripping movies to turn one hard drive into a movie server for my AppleTV.

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  • Teague
  • Teague
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Re: Life Changes

pimp

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  • Registered: 2014-10-20
  • Posts: 550
  • User Karma: 182

Re: Life Changes

Invid, how are you doing lately?

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  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-07
  • Posts: 2,037
  • User Karma: 202

Re: Life Changes

So so. On the good side, I finally have both foodstamps (called SNAP) and a monthly grant from the state/county  that is less than my rent so all goes directly to my landlord. This is a big help, so my sister only has to chip in a few hundred a month to help with other bills and expenses.

On the health side, things are mixed. I'm with a new neurologist (the first is more stroke focused), and we're trying to get my steroids down. The first two attempts left me worse than when I came out of the hospital, but the high dosage side effects are kicking in. I'm at 45mg a day, and a good "maintenance" dose is 2 mg every other day. This is going to be fun. I see the doc again on the 16th. All therapy has ended, after 40 Physical Therapy visits. I'm waiting to get on extended home care, which may provide some (I do get free transport to the Doctor)

I'm keeping busy. I'm ripping my DVDs still, have games I haven't played yet. I can write, so with the view zoomed in I'm doing a long serial ('Have Cane, Will Travel') and trying to revise another story. Still no glue for the models, but that will come. Went to Thursday's Rifftrax, and my sister is providing transport for us and my niece to go to the Buffalo Bandits playoff game in a couple weeks. There's also a trip up to Toronto in July.

I use a walker to walk. The weather is nice now, so going out alone is an option. =

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