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rasmith3530 wrote:Hey all, sounds like everybody's pretty chipper which is a good thing. Carol Ann, I'm glad things are evening out for you, and that you got to enjoy a meal cooked outside the house for a change.
Yes, the semantics of our language are really interesting. I grew up with parents who were into the whole sports car scene back in the 1950s and learned how different parts had different names in England as opposed to the U.S. For those curious about such things, my early memory of a "family car" were my mom's '54 Alfa Spyder and my dad's '54 MG-TF. In 1958, they would go on to trade both of those in on a pair of Austin-Healey 106s. I grew up in what was called the "Pony Car" era, so I was mainly interested in Mustangs (5) and Camaros (2). That said, I have owned two MG-Bs, one a '64 Roadster that I swapped a later 1967 engine into, and the other, a 1972 B GT, that one built to full Leyland Stage IV spec.
Enough about cars and names though. Nothing really new to report on my butt, bum, fanny, rear end or whatever you want to call it. It's doing fine and holding its own.
Now for the big news, my trip to the VA (Veterans Administration) clinic. I had not been to a VA facility in nearly two decades, so I was not quite sure what to expect, especially in light of all the budget cuts over the past decade or so. Well, I was quite pleasantly surprised. I was examined top to bottom, left to right, forwards and backwards, and all over the place. They addressed things I hadn't even complained about! It's all about "Wellness," getting and keeping you well. I was issued a pedometer and signed up for a nutrition/weight/fitness program called MOVE. I'm being scheduled for a podiatry exam, and for a diabetic opthomology exam(even though I just got new glasses last year). We're not going to address the fissure issue, as that appears to be doing quite well.
Now, for my two main issues, the problems with my tremors and blackout/concentration issues, the doctor asked a lot of questions and also wants me to get all my history so we can start a baseline. I also need to get my MRI for my back. The doctor doesn't want to duplicate anything that has been done. I am also scheduled to get a series of very comprehensive blood tests later this week. Once that is all gathered and reviewed, we'll plan a course of action.
I was not rushed and as mentioned, I was seriously examined both in regards to main complaint and the other items as mentioned.
For those here in the U.S. the VA medical system is a single payer universal health care plan, and it works! I experienced no "Death Panels" and was treated efficiently, courteously, and not like a number.
Have a "painless day" all!
rasmith3530 wrote:Carol Ann, wow, you got to drive, cool. I do miss that, but because I was pulled over for driving erratically the first time I had one of my blackouts, and I've had a few more while behind the wheel, my doctor does not consider it safe to have me driving, and, I guess, I have to agree.
Over the years, I owned five Mustangs. My first, bought from a fellow Mustang club member, was a 1966 GT, equipped with the 289 Hi-Po engine and 4 speed. I modified the suspension on that car to duplicate the Shelby GT-350R, and built the engine to put out about 350 horsepower. After playing with that one for a while, I came across an ad in the newspaper offering a '67 Mustang GT350 for only $600. I figured it must have been a misprint, but decided to call anyway. It turned out the owner and his friend, after rebuilding the engine, had taken the car out "to see what it would do." They ended up involved in a chase with suburban cops and the guy lost his license. He owned about five or six cars. His wife chose a station wagon and gave him less than 30 days to get rid of the rest. I didn't even argue price, I just handed the fellow the cash and drove away. The car had been equipped with the dealer installed updated Shelby engine camshaft and dual carburetor manifold. It had at some point been custom painted in this flip-flop blue green paint that looked like different colors from different angles. Sadly, the paint had cracked in what is called "spiderwebbing" and looked horrible. It was also missing three of its four side scoops. We took the car down to bare metal and refinished it in factory Windsor White with the blue Shelby twin stripes. The car had a white interior that took two weeks of devoted cleaning with the seats and carpet removed to get back looking nice. Once finished though, it was a very pretty car. Sadly, I didn't get to enjoy it all that long, for one night, when I stopped by a local coffee house where a bunch of sports car fanatics hung out, a friend of mine informed me about a trade they'd taken in. The car was a pristine 1969 Boss 302. The following day, I drove up north to the dealer after work, drove the car and struck a deal. Luckily, one of the guys from our Mustang club had been watching my build up of the Shelby with great interest and bought it without hesitation. For its maiden voyage under his ownership, he took me to the dealer to grab the Boss.
I have to say right here that this is the car I most regret ever selling. The moment you sat in the car, and especially after firing that motor to life, you realized this car had been ordered for one purpose, and that was to drive quickly. Right away, you would note that there was a block-off plate where a radio would normally sit. The car was equipped with the super Drag Pack which included a special heavy duty cooling system, an oil cooler and remote oil filter, high output charging system with the battery relocated to the trunk, a heavy duty clutch, and a 3.91 ratio Detroit Locker 9" rear axle. The Boss came with a Hurst shift lever and "T" handle for its 4 speed transmission. This car just wreaked of power. Because of the "locker" rear axle, it was nearly impossible to not sqeal the tires going around turns. I loved this car. It was in the factory bright yellow, and the original owner had resisted ordering the "sports slats" for the back window, I assume to conserve weight.
I eventually traded in the '69 in favor of a '71 Boss 351 that we'd taken in trade on a Hurst Olds 442 W-30 at the dealer where I worked. To put it mildly, I was not real happy with the newer car. The Mustang had grown by 1971, and that growth came with increased weight and bulk that detracted from the more powerful engine, and made the newer car less precise through corners. One other major shortcoming was the redesign of the roofline whice left one with a pretty us less rear window. I ended up getting rid of it to purchase a very nice '69 Camaro Z/28.
Later on, I would own one more Mustang, a 1980 coupe I bought to build as a project. I ended up replacing out the little 2.3 liter four in favor of a 351 Cleveland Cobra-Jet.It was a fun toy.
rasmith3530 wrote:I haven't posted an update recently, because up until now, there hasn't been anything new to report. My recovery has been going well, with no pain or unwanted side effects save for the very faintest of a discharge when I blow wind. That hasn't been solid, more just something that a quick swipe with toile paper would take care of. I've been careful to clean up, at least with a wipe afterwards.
Today, however, I had an unplanned event. I felt that a bowel movement was coming on, so I headed to the bathroom in the store I was at. I felt just the slightest bit of pain, nothing to speak of, but when I went to wipe, there was blood. Not a lot, but blood all the same. I hope this isn't a harbinger of bad things to come.
Yesterday, for Easter, we had ham. I had cooked veggies and a bit of mashed potatoes. I didn't really eat a lot at all, so I'm not certain that the meal had anything to do with it.
I have been under significant stress, due to both my health issues, and some personal stuff as well. That may have more bearing on things, and I hope what I experienced today was just a minor thing without further setback.
I do not want to spend the rest of my life with this monster!
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