Christmas Shopping '06

[Rowland]

As I approach 10 years post stroke and age 79 I went Christmas shopping to Sears. I wanted to buy my son a tripod set of lights and for which a rebate was about to expire. I hadn’t been driving much at all in recent months for fear my angina might kick in and cause me problems. But, I had no problem driving to Sears about 13 miles away. When I got parked in the city parking lot I made my way to the store only to find the entrance I remembered using was now closed off and I had to walk around to the main entrance. This walking caused minor angina to kick in and I found a display chair to sit on to rest. Next, I found the light set I wanted to buy, but found it too heavy to pull off the shelf with one hand. Luckily a kind fellow assisted me to get it under my good arm. But then I realized I just couldn’t make it to the checkout and all the way back to the truck – it was just too heavy. I had to abandon the purchase. The walk back to the truck caused the angina to kick in again, but I made it. Next, the ignition key I had hid under the visor slipped and fell. I couldn’t find it anywhere, but fortunately I had a spare key hidden at the gas filler cap. I now felt confident I could make the trip back home. However, I couldn’t get the spare key container open with one hand, hard as I tried. I finally found a woman who was kind enough to open it for me and I was now on my way home – empty-handed. When I got home and confronted my wife and son I balled like a baby. I realize now, my days of driving and store shopping are over – at least until I get my angina under better control. This was a hard lesson for me, but the kindness of strangers was heartwarming.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[KATHYINBROOKLYN]

:D Dear Rowland, I Am So Sorry For Your Experience. It's Easy To Feel Defeated, But Don't Give Up. Perhaps You Could Put Yourself On A Walking Program. Walk In Your Neighborhood, Or Yard Until You Have Pain Then Rest And Resume Walking Again. That Is One Way To Build Collateral Circulation.jim Reminds Me Constantly I Should Ask For Help More Often Than I Do.
Remember, The Poor Experience Is Not A Statement About You, But Rather The Store's Poor Accessibility.

[Mango Shade]

Rowland, if I have to hit the stores, I always ALWAYS use my chair. It's much safer and I can get around much more easily. It's about acceptance as well. It took me a very long time to get to that point where I could accept that I'm no longer capable of doing the things I used to do, y'know? I often talk about no longer being able to do something I'd done for half a century.... Like walking! That really does suck, but hey, c'est la vie as the French say.

Hang in there pal.

[jjano]

Rowland,
What Mango say is so true. Shifting gears and living a different life can be tough. But look at all the things your have accomplished in the past ten years. The guy that did all of that is not the same 100% guy who was around 10 years ago. Remember those accomplishments we completed by the same guy who would not let a stroke rob him if his life style, projects or life goals. Your web site alone has helped more people than you can ever know or count. So take a bow and shift gears again and continue to move forward.

When I ran the retirement home, the toughest thing I had to do was trying to convince folks to use that cane or chair. They would use it in the apartment but not in public. But after they gave the appliance a true try, they were much happier AND SAFER!!!!!!!!!

What your next project????????


Jim

[suse3349]

((((((Rowland)))))):o

[Rowland]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND GOOD WISHES.
Kathy - thanks for reminding me to walk to the point my angina kicks in. I have to do more along those lines.
Mango - I hear you pal, but I still think I can lick this walking and shopping thing, but thanks for your advice.
Jim, - I'm a stubborn S.O.B. as you no doubt know by now. I'm not ready for the cane or wheelchair or even the scooter (except halfway down my driveway so when I leave it and walk all the way down, I only have to walk half way back up). My next projects are:
1. Passing my driver's test today at 10:30. DONE!
2. Completing my reverse mortgage which is in progress.
3. Making a distribution to my 4 kids.
4. Replacing my front deck.
5. Licking my angina.
I'll think of more projects in time.
Thank you all again. I really appreciate your kind thoughts and really needed them at this point.:D :D :D

[moirac]

I think Rowland probably already has an extensive network of collaterals.

I saw the films of my two and they were sooo tiny, not nearly big enough to supply enough blood to a heart under stress.
Infinitesimal clots blocked both collaterals.

Rowland, I'm certain you can deal with the shopping challenges now that you know what you face.

[kdagain]

Hi Rowland... I hear you loud and clear. Sometimes we live within our limitations and get so comfortable that when we hit those things that sting of boundaries it is a soul-stopper.

I am so glad you arer still moving forward. I worry about your angina but I know you will just look at it as another challenge.

Keep on truckin'!
kd

[Mango Shade]

Rowland, a post script on my earlier post....

If that'd been me, I would've had no problem asking a salesperson to get it down, then take it to your car and stick it in the trunk. (Trunk? You Americans speak funny! It's called a boot. :rolleyes: ) Trust me, as an old salesman, the thought of the sale would be way more than enough incentive! Cynical, I know.

Yeah yeah, I know, you're Mr Independent, but think about this... If, in a perfect world, you were ablebodied, and you saw someone in a chair, you'd break your neck getting to him/her to offer assistance. Why? Because you could!

In the words of that 70's Argent song, "Hold your hand up". Nobody will think less of you.


By the way, on the subject of reverse mortgages, sorry but I'm a real SKI (Spend the Kids Inheritance) See, if you hadn't given it away, you and yer better half, could be on vacation here in sunny Aus.... First class even! :)

[Rowland]

Mango,
I hear ya, but I don't think that piece of sales advice would have worked for a $30. sale... maybe it would have. I really thought of it, but....

As for the reverse mortgage, don't be surprised if we end up on your doorstep in sunny Aus.:D :D :D
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[jjano]

Rowland,
Have been giving your problem a good bit of thought of late. Might I suggest, that your chair could be used ONLY for those situations in which you know would require a LONG walk, thus it will be used seldom and would not become one of dependency.

Think about all the folks who drive to the big grocery stores, walk into the store under their own power, but then use the electric powered chair/basket to do their shopping. Walk backout to their cars and are not wiped out by the experience.

Occasional use is NOT DEPENDENCE!!!!!!!!!!


Final thought. What if all of the long time posters showed up on Mango's front step for a Christmas party?????? Boy, would that make a wonder experience for about 15 of the greatest folks around!!!!!!

Jim

[Rowland]

Jim,
I agree that scooter use while shopping would be a good idea, but getting the scooter to stores that do not have them available (Sears) is still a problem. I don't have a rig to fit my truck, but I'll consider the idea further. Thanks.

Yes, I'm all for showing up on Mango's door step with beer mug outstretched.:D :D :D

[jlennon06]

because of extra walking needed to browse through stores and the logistics of carrying packages one-handed i do all of my shopping online and let ups deliver to my front door. i shop for fresh produce a few times a month but other than that it's amazon.com, netgrocer.com, schwanns.com, sears.com, walmart.com etc.

[Rowland]

Jan,
I'm with you! Online is the way to go. I deviated from that 'cause Sears said they were out of stock (online),but when I checked the local store for availabilty they had tons in stock - thereby luring me in to redeem the sale price and rebate. I suspect the online "out of stock" was just a convenient way to avoid the "free shipping" they had been advertising. They got me to come in, but lost the sale anyhow. I do almost 100% of shopping online except for some local purchases.:D :D :D

[Mango Shade]

Hey, you're all more than welcome! I might even fire up the barby and edumicate y'all to REAL quality Aus seafood. You haven't lived until you've demolished a mud crab or a Moreton Bay bug, not to mention jumbo tiger prawns. And when I say jumbo, roughly a pound per prawn? Oh Y U M! :p

(Prawn translates to shrimp for you Americans. lol)

[jjano]

Well Mango,
I have a great marinate for those killer prawns. Some fine Aussie red and white wine and some cold beer for the non wine drinkers, and the party can begin.

About 3 minutes per side on those prawns and the feast can begin.

Sure wish you lived across the street!!!!!!!!


Jim

[kdagain]

I wanna come, too!!!!

(and what is a reverse mortgage?)

[Rowland]

KD,
A reverse mortgage is where the bank pays YOU instead of your paying the bank -and you can never outlive the deal - they'll pay you forever, if you live forever (and you don't sell the house). Sounds great, doesn't it? The catch - you knew there had to be a catch, didn't you? The bank can and will do that provided you're old enough (62+) and will keep subtracting the equity you have built up over the years(plus interest) you have paid down your (regular) mortgage. Their payments will continue - even when and if there is no more equity left. Naturally, there are a lot of other hoops to jump thru before they accept the deal. But that's the essence of reverse mortgages.:D :D :D