Wishing you all the best Barry. From your posts you sound determined and up beat. I'm sure that a positive outlook is important.
Health update.
- Thread starter BarryW
- Start date
Wheelchair life is a massive learning curve but I am coping well and every day I feel I am coping better.
Well yesterday I had a visit from the mobility company and I tried out two powered wheelchairs around the flat, trying one outside. Happy to report that both fitted under the bench, one of the things that needed testing out!!!
I have ordered one of them made to fit my body shape with all the functions I need. It’s expensive, the base cost being £7,000 and with the modifications bringing it up to around £12,000. It’s a lot of money but it is well worth it given how important it will be to me. I could have gone cheaper but I don’t believe scrimping would have paid off. It is for this kind of thing that you need to plan your retirement for, that’s the investment adviser in me talking!!! The wheelchair will be delivered anywhere between 3 and 8 weeks time, depending on availability of parts.
Incidentally, the other one I test drove and didn’t order was an ‘off the shelf’ chair that, in theory could have done what I need costing under £4,000. However, it was chalk and cheese in the way it drove, while responsive it just did not ‘feel’ as good and it would struggle a bit more outside. The extra cash goes into providing more power, comfort and speed with the ability to climb steeper slopes and handle rougher ground with increased safety.
Still not really able to get to the bench, my son is sleeping in that room and, quite honestly, I could not manage without him while using a manual wheelchair. I might be able to work something out though, soon, I have itchy fingers to get on with that Lancaster…….
My spinal operation wound is healing slowly but is giving me a fair bit of discomfort. My son though, is giving me better wound care than I got in hospital, washing it with salt water twice a day, and applying Savlon and dressings for the night.
My cancer treatment continues and I have had a further consultation about the next stage of treatment. This will be hormone tablets with lots of horrible side effects. These will start on the 2nd September…in particular fatigue can be expected and thinning of my bones so I will need to be taking a lot of care.
My son will be with me until January for when he has arranged to start a new contract and will go back to sea in the Antarctic region. That should give me plenty of time to acclimatise to both the new treatment and the ‘powered wheelchair’ lifestyle. During that period some changes will be implemented, with the help of my son, to ensure that I can live alone in the flat.
I will have Alice with me Friday nights through to Monday mornings while my other son will be spending Wednesday evenings with me for a
‘movie night’ with beers and pizza! Something we have now started…. Therefore I won’t lack company from January and, besides, that powered wheelchair will get me to the pub alone….
Anyway folks, that’s my current news. So happy modelling…… Hopefully I will join you in that soon.
Well yesterday I had a visit from the mobility company and I tried out two powered wheelchairs around the flat, trying one outside. Happy to report that both fitted under the bench, one of the things that needed testing out!!!
I have ordered one of them made to fit my body shape with all the functions I need. It’s expensive, the base cost being £7,000 and with the modifications bringing it up to around £12,000. It’s a lot of money but it is well worth it given how important it will be to me. I could have gone cheaper but I don’t believe scrimping would have paid off. It is for this kind of thing that you need to plan your retirement for, that’s the investment adviser in me talking!!! The wheelchair will be delivered anywhere between 3 and 8 weeks time, depending on availability of parts.
Incidentally, the other one I test drove and didn’t order was an ‘off the shelf’ chair that, in theory could have done what I need costing under £4,000. However, it was chalk and cheese in the way it drove, while responsive it just did not ‘feel’ as good and it would struggle a bit more outside. The extra cash goes into providing more power, comfort and speed with the ability to climb steeper slopes and handle rougher ground with increased safety.
Still not really able to get to the bench, my son is sleeping in that room and, quite honestly, I could not manage without him while using a manual wheelchair. I might be able to work something out though, soon, I have itchy fingers to get on with that Lancaster…….
My spinal operation wound is healing slowly but is giving me a fair bit of discomfort. My son though, is giving me better wound care than I got in hospital, washing it with salt water twice a day, and applying Savlon and dressings for the night.
My cancer treatment continues and I have had a further consultation about the next stage of treatment. This will be hormone tablets with lots of horrible side effects. These will start on the 2nd September…in particular fatigue can be expected and thinning of my bones so I will need to be taking a lot of care.
My son will be with me until January for when he has arranged to start a new contract and will go back to sea in the Antarctic region. That should give me plenty of time to acclimatise to both the new treatment and the ‘powered wheelchair’ lifestyle. During that period some changes will be implemented, with the help of my son, to ensure that I can live alone in the flat.
I will have Alice with me Friday nights through to Monday mornings while my other son will be spending Wednesday evenings with me for a
‘movie night’ with beers and pizza! Something we have now started…. Therefore I won’t lack company from January and, besides, that powered wheelchair will get me to the pub alone….
Anyway folks, that’s my current news. So happy modelling…… Hopefully I will join you in that soon.
HI Barry jen an are very happy to see you increase in your new enviroment an yes quite right on the chair no good buyin one if it cant handle all the steep rd an rough ground an we hope you get on well with it an be nice to see back at the bench building that big lanc
ATB from jen an i
jen an chrisb
ATB from jen an i
jen an chrisb
Hi Barry
I can only begin to understand the life-changing events you’re going through. But your upbeat attitude and your determination are an inspiration to us all. I am glad to hear that your son is there with you to help you through this. Also, the chair (although more expensive) will, I’m sure, be the better investment. The comfort side alone may be worth the extra expense.
I hope the coming treatments go well and the side effects are not harsh. The sooner they can get you to the modeling bench and working on another masterpiece the better.
Wishing you all the very best
Paul
I can only begin to understand the life-changing events you’re going through. But your upbeat attitude and your determination are an inspiration to us all. I am glad to hear that your son is there with you to help you through this. Also, the chair (although more expensive) will, I’m sure, be the better investment. The comfort side alone may be worth the extra expense.
I hope the coming treatments go well and the side effects are not harsh. The sooner they can get you to the modeling bench and working on another masterpiece the better.
Wishing you all the very best
Paul
Sounds as if things are heading in the right direction. Lots of positives in you post. You're right to go for the best and most suitable wheelchair. It will be a huge element in your future life so totally right. Great that you have people around to support you and great that you are heading for independence.
All the best Barry.
All the best Barry.
HI Barry how are gettion on with your wheelchair as jen asked me as its been a while since we last heard from you sir
Jen an chrisb
Jen an chrisb
Hi Chris and Jen
All is good thanks. I am still adjusting to life in a wheelchair and awaiting the delivery of my powered one. It probably won’t come for a few weeks yet.
My son is still with me and being brilliant in making sure I am OK, doing all the things I cannot do until I get the power lift wheelchair.
Not really getting any bench time, it’s difficult when he has all his stuff out in the modelling room where he is sleeping.
I hope all is good with you.
Glad to hear you are still on top of your game, and chipper with it!
Great news that the chair fits under the bench and can get you to the pub - and back? lol
Glad to hear Alice is looking after you as well as your two boys. As much as you are glad for one of your sons 'living in' to look after you, I bet you are itching to get the plastic addiction fed and watered!
We all look forward to seeing your new toy in the latest acquisitions.
Great news that the chair fits under the bench and can get you to the pub - and back? lol
Glad to hear Alice is looking after you as well as your two boys. As much as you are glad for one of your sons 'living in' to look after you, I bet you are itching to get the plastic addiction fed and watered!
We all look forward to seeing your new toy in the latest acquisitions.
Hi all.
Some good news.
My power lift wheelchair was delivered Thursday and I have been scooting around on it and trying out different tasks. It really makes a difference. A friend describe it as a F1 wheelchair, up to 8 miles an hour speed, about 15 miles range, lots of different presets that are really useful, one for the bath transfer (yes I have managed a bath or two, one for the loo, two for indoors (restricting speed and sensitivity),
two for outdoors (much faster). It can it flat, sit me up, beg for breakfast…..
Well not the latter but I would not be surprised if it did!!!
anyway it is transformative as it also lifts me sufficiently to do most things around the flat and it will help in the model room when I can get back there. My son will stay with me as I am getting used to Ian’s will be off starting a new contract in January, with another confirmed for June for a lot more money, so all is good for him. I really could not have managed without him.
On the cancer side, the operation wound is healing though slowly but it definitely feels better, I am not squirming with discomfort of an evening the way I was even a week ago.
Then there is the treatment Doctors are very pleased with how it’s going and how my body has responded, the medication has reduced my PSA from right up in the thousands to being almost undetectable, and that before the new additional treatment started…. So all is good there. All very positive.
I won’t get back to the bench much before January when I will be keen to get in and finish the Border Lancaster. There will be some great builds after that to look forward to……. I will post a thread of what’s to come at some point, there will be one or two surprises for you….
Some good news.
My power lift wheelchair was delivered Thursday and I have been scooting around on it and trying out different tasks. It really makes a difference. A friend describe it as a F1 wheelchair, up to 8 miles an hour speed, about 15 miles range, lots of different presets that are really useful, one for the bath transfer (yes I have managed a bath or two, one for the loo, two for indoors (restricting speed and sensitivity),
two for outdoors (much faster). It can it flat, sit me up, beg for breakfast…..
Well not the latter but I would not be surprised if it did!!!
anyway it is transformative as it also lifts me sufficiently to do most things around the flat and it will help in the model room when I can get back there. My son will stay with me as I am getting used to Ian’s will be off starting a new contract in January, with another confirmed for June for a lot more money, so all is good for him. I really could not have managed without him.
On the cancer side, the operation wound is healing though slowly but it definitely feels better, I am not squirming with discomfort of an evening the way I was even a week ago.
Then there is the treatment Doctors are very pleased with how it’s going and how my body has responded, the medication has reduced my PSA from right up in the thousands to being almost undetectable, and that before the new additional treatment started…. So all is good there. All very positive.
I won’t get back to the bench much before January when I will be keen to get in and finish the Border Lancaster. There will be some great builds after that to look forward to……. I will post a thread of what’s to come at some point, there will be one or two surprises for you….
Great news Barry, hope you recover completely soon. Try moving your body as much as you can, as it helps recovery better than driving around all the time. Cheers
HI Barry jen an i are very glad to hear you are on the positive side an your wheel chair is good we both wish you all the best an yes lookin forward to seein what you have comein on the model side
ATB
JEN AN CHRISB
ATB
JEN AN CHRISB
Morning Barry. Well that is very encouraging news. You sound very upbeat. So glad that you have got some mobility back into your life. Stay positive and I look forward to you resuming your building threads.
Great news Barry. Everything seems to be going well. Your upbeat, positive attitude is so good. I look forward to seeing more progress on the Lancaster.
Nice to hear your recovery is going well Barry.
As others have said your positive attitude is admirable and no doubt a big factor in your progress
Geoff.
As others have said your positive attitude is admirable and no doubt a big factor in your progress
Geoff.
Thats positve to hear Barry.Bet you cant wait to get on with your 32nd builds.Do wish you al the best.
Glad to hear you are bright and cheery. The chair sounds like a great addition. I was wondering how you manage bed bath and erm.... beyond. lol. Good to know you can be left alone for a day or three and not have to hose you down in the garden after. Have you introduced the chariot to the local beer hole yet. Can you get done for drunk driving in a wheelchair?
Hope you can cope not getting to the bench.
Say hi to Alice...
Hope you can cope not getting to the bench.
Say hi to Alice...
Barry,
Glad to know things are going well, the wheel chair sounds like a bonus.
Glad to know things are going well, the wheel chair sounds like a bonus.
HI Barry how goes things for you as jen was askin me to put on a little post to see how your are sir ?
chris an jen
chris an jen
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