I got a phone call this morning from my Dad who is now in his 80th year. His exhaust had dropped off his old Renault Clio and he was wondering where to go and get a new one fitted.
I am a motor mechanic with almost 40 years experience and had looked after the families vehicles until the dreaded lung disease struck 3 years ago, since then I have been relegated to checking oil ,water, tyre pressures and giving advice. Well I have been feeling much better recently so I said to him 'I'll do it'. At first he sounded concerned for my health and safety but I convinced him I could manage it.
I phoned the garage that I used to work at and asked them if I could use a ramp for a few hours and they were only too pleased to let me give it a go.
Next thing I phoned the auto parts delivery service and got the relevant parts ordered to the garage. It was around now that I realised what I had taken on and for a while started to doubt whether I would be able to manage this relatively simple task.
Well after finding my tool box under a foot of dust and overcoming one of the main parts being incorrect I huffed and puffed my way until the job was finished.
It was a success but it had taken its toll, I was knackered with a capital K. It felt great to be useful again, even if it was only for a day but I also realised that I was still a long way off the man I was only 3 years ago.
My Dad was well pleased to see me back in action, fixing cars and so were my old work mates but it may be a while before I do anything like that again.
I've tested myself and I sort of passed but the way I feel physically now, I know I couldn't do it again tomorrow.
All in all I'm pleased with the way today went but I'm not going to get carried away
Its back to checking oil and water for me and concentrating on staying fit for the Lung Transplant operation.
If anyone out there needs an exhaust fitted tomorrow then I can recommend quick fit, not me.
Tony.
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dall05
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It's always good for you to feel that you have achieved something. You will find that for the next few days, your smile is not buried so deep. Well done, you. For myself, I'm just relegated to telling the lads how to do it. I'm glad they actually listen most of the time, and they understand that sometimes I know what I'm talking about.
Hi John, Its a good feeling to be useful again even if it was only for a day. Your right about the knowledge that you can pass on and its good that is recognised.
Tony
Oh my,Tony,you have navigated a few challenges lately!!
While I commend you on them,you must take care of yourself too,& not go overboard!But all in all,you must be very chuffed with yourself.
I am still fighting a chest infection,not pleasant,that has interfered with the breathing of course! Worst time it could have happened,with hubby @ home now,& needing a bit of assistance,with things,unfortunately memory now almost completely wiped,after anasthesia,the last straw,so to speak,they were hopeful of return,but no such luck.
Anyway family have been helping,& we get there in the end!!
Good to have him back anyway,& on the bright side,is coping well,with the new hip,& responded well to physio,they visit 3 times a week(physios) & 3 times the blue nurses come for showering etc.
I was realy smiling at a neighbor,spending good money,on seeing clairvoyants,do people realy want to see what's ahead??! A year ago I would never have invisaged this,I think we have to enjoy,or at least make the best of each new day.
Sorry to have warbled on for so long!!
Take care,kep your energy up for that transplant but so glad you are not just sitting around,& congrats on the weight loss also.
Love Wendells xxx
• in reply to
We love hearing from you Wendells, warble on to your hearts content.
Wendells, you make me feel so very lucky that all I have to contend with is duff lungs. Your situation sounds far far worse than mine. Having to look after poor Harry with your condition must seem like running up a never ending hill but you do it and still have time for others.
Your right about clairvoyants, who really would want to know their fate, it pays to keep your head down and live in hope.
I'm not 100% sure that the crazy things I get up to are for the best but it sure beats sitting around with too much time to think about what may or may not happen.
Keep doing what you do wendells as we all love you for it and as Homebreeze says below we like your warbling.
Love Tony xx
Job well done Tony, what a star you are! A shining example to us all Mega congratulations
Thank you Sandra, I don't see myself as a star, more like somebody who's just doing what he can to keep living as normal a life as is possible. It helps me and hopefully others who read it to not give up, life can go on with lung disease all be it at a much slower pace.
Tony.
Tony, you helped your Dad. It was a good thing to do. Keep that in mind. But, now consider what you physically can do to keep your body ready for surgery. All the best!
Hi Annie, My Dad was pleased to see me doing what I used to do and his wallet is better off for it too. It certainly took its toll on me physically but mentally it was a very big boost.
Its not easy to find the right balance with keeping fit, all I know is that sitting around doesn't work for me.
It seems I can't just sit back and wait, I'm always looking for a bit of a challenge and ways of eeking out a little more from my body. So far its working ok so I'll keep on pushing the limits.
Changing that exhaust was the equivalent of running a marathon, and for that you can be very proud. But even the world's best athlete cannot run marathons on consecutive days. Rest now and bask a little in your glory.
Ace job there Tony - I have come to the conclusion that we actually talk ourselves out of more things that we probably could do, with huge effort, granted. The satisfaction will outlive the feelings of knackerdom though. Gold star xx
I'll wear that Gold Star with pride, its amazing what is possible if your not afraid to give it ago. My fear of breathlessness left me when a very good physio explained to me that being out of breath is a natural thing, The only thing that has changed is the point of breathlessness. The feeling is just the same.
Well Done Tony did u get a buzz like I did when I went into my work, Only I got site barred with a warning I am not insured to be there says H.R. they know the minute I get back there they are in for a hard time believe you me. Go on break more records am with you on this down with P/Fibrosis. MC
It was great to be back at work even if it was just for a day and there were plenty of friends there to help me if things went pair shaped. There is no such thing as HR at my small garage so the insurance thing wasn't a problem. Mind you if I had hurt myself things could get quite complicated but the chances are that wouldn't happen. Life is a bit of a risk these days anyway ain't it.
Lets kick this PF into touch eh' MC and get back to being useful again.
My son has just started an apprenticeship there so I will go and watch him some day's and help him with his training. I think I'll enjoy it more than he will.
There's plenty of seats and a bottomless cup of tea so I'll be ok I think.
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My Dad is really bad at the moment he is breathing so hard even at rest ,and coughing so much .He has been on antibiotics and steroids
Not good news 
Allow for shrinkage?
Hi everyone
