Question/New Topic for us Oldtimers

[TransAmMike]

15 hours ago, CaddyDaddy said:

66 years old.......mentally mid 20’s.....LOL!!! Heart attack 15 years ago, couple of stents. More recently, heart valve. Due for a new shoulder and knee. Been getting shots to prolong the inevitable. Still pretty active. Lots of yard/farm work. Matter of fact, shoveled/threw about 5 yards of mulch today. Still help a kid out with his Modified at the Saturday night track. Get in a few two hour bench sessions each week.

 

14 hours ago, TNT said:

Glad to hear age has not stopped you gents or your health issues from building. Myself i am 61 on the outside. But back in 99 i had to have my colon removed and a j pouch made with the remains of my guts. F.A.P./ gardner syndrome. Then i developed 2 desmoid tumors on each mesentery. Then they found a pancrestic tumor, but by the grace of you know who it disappeared. Dr calls me his miracle patient. Everything got to hurting so bad i would drop to my knees. Got to hurting so bad along with a surgery on my foot from my army days forced me to quit plumbing. Became a casino tech and my foot became issues. Another surgery and forced on SSDI. This February had toes removed. Still seeing DR. Dr apologized for having to do it told i wish it was done sooner because it would have saved me a ton of money from visiting your office every other week. But i keep plugging away. Wife says i need to quit trying to do so much. Told quit trying start dying. Never give up. 

 

5 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I will be 70 in exactly 8 months. I'm in decent shape despite a bypass in 2016 and a few other things. I take a bunch of pills every day to keep things in check. My girlfriend is 4 months older than me and still looks good and is still working.

I was hurt in a 2011 car accident, have had many ESI injections to battle pain issues. My lower back, I hurt that now and then. I had a tough spring with spasms. I see my heart doctor on Friday, he checks me out every 3-4 months.

So far this year, I have gotten my veggie garden planted, also my patio pots and flowers. I made a new pool filter platform a month ago that was hard work. I bought a "new" 1966 Belair that I am working on, got that registered yesterday. I still own and drive a '59 Ford with a 355 Chevy and a 4-speed in it, worth about 425 HP.

I just keep moving, I'm up most mornings by 6.... I have a 4-legged alarm clock, an 8 year old feral kitten-cat rescue. I avoid the day time TV trap like the plague. I retired in 2020, lost about 40 lbs and feel pretty good aside from chronic pain. Before the driveway gets too much sun, I have to stumble out to do some work on the Belair.

 

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I'm pretty ancient, but working almost full time years after "retirement" and getting moved to my place in Az. takes up all the time I'd otherwise have to build models right now. My recreation these days consists mostly of hiking at a nearby national park to de-stress, and I credit that and continuing to do physical work for my remaining in relatively good shape despite the miles that are on me.

I have a lifetime's worth of full-scale project cars to keep me busy in Az. after the move is done, and a nice shop out there to work in, plus a separate model shop. And the place is close to mountains to hike and camp in, Lake Mead, the Colorado River and boating, and pretty much everything else I love about outdoor life. So if I live long enough to enjoy it all, I'll never get bored.

I just wish I'd known at 18 what I know now about people and expectations and opportunity and disappointment and resilience and self-reliance and taking personal responsibility for one's own actions and standing up for what's right no matter what and all that other "boring" stuff.  

You guys have overcome a lot of obstacles.   Glad to know y'all keep plugging away at life. My issues pale in comparison.  Only surgery I have had is my 2 colonostomy surgeries that kinda took the energy out of me.  Arthritis in hands and carpal tunnel in one and degeneration in both shoulder joints are my biggest issues but it's tolerable.

Well, back to the plastic '55 Chevy WIP.

 

 

[Pete J.]

Glad I am not the only one who has hit a rough patch.  I am 74 and had open heart surgery almost a year ago.  Implanted a battery operated pump to assist my failing heart.  Now I wear 4 lbs. of batteries and controller to keep me going.  When I first got out of the hospital after 4 week, I had very shaky hands from the meds.  Over the last year, I was weaned off most of the drugs and my hands became much steadier.  My children kept me going buy buying me complex Lego kits to build.  That scratched the modeling itch a bit.  My hands are now good enough that I have gotten back out to my workbench.  I am currently working on finishing several projects I started years ago and just never got back to.  I have promised myself that I won't start a new kit till the started ones are on the shelf.  I hope I have many more years of building left in me. 

  Of course, I now look at my stash and realize that I need to downsize it.  I have put that off long enough.  Time to sell some kits. 

[Bucky]

Just turned 69 on June 10. Been bashing styrene since I was 8 years old. Kinda slowed down recently due to moving to another town and battling some nasty health issues, but I'm still hacking on a Revell '67 Dodge Coronet build!!

[TransAmMike]

1 hour ago, Pete J. said:

Glad I am not the only one who has hit a rough patch.  I am 74 and had open heart surgery almost a year ago.  Implanted a battery operated pump to assist my failing heart.  Now I wear 4 lbs. of batteries and controller to keep me going.  When I first got out of the hospital after 4 week, I had very shaky hands from the meds.  Over the last year, I was weaned off most of the drugs and my hands became much steadier.  My children kept me going buy buying me complex Lego kits to build.  That scratched the modeling itch a bit.  My hands are now good enough that I have gotten back out to my workbench.  I am currently working on finishing several projects I started years ago and just never got back to.  I have promised myself that I won't start a new kit till the started ones are on the shelf.  I hope I have many more years of building left in me. 

  Of course, I now look at my stash and realize that I need to downsize it.  I have put that off long enough.  Time to sell some kits. 

Wow Pete, the sure is a lot of extra weight. 

I here ya on the downsizing the stash, same here but I don't know if I could part with them. Will never get them all done for sure. 

Hang in there. ?

[TransAmMike]

7 minutes ago, Bucky said:

Just turned 69 on June 10. Been bashing styrene since I was 8 years old. Kinda slowed down recently due to moving to another town and battling some nasty health issues, but I'm still hacking on a Revell '67 Dodge Coronet build!!

Good luck to ya, I do like the' 67 Coronet RT. Back in the day I actually had 2 friends that owned 4-speed Hemis. Man they had brute power. 

2 funny stories.. one of them had his girlfriend in the passenger seat, he speed  shifted and she wound up laying down the the bucket seat looking up at the roof. The seat frame mount broke. 

The other one I was sitting in the bucket seat, he speed shifted and the d@mn glove box lid flew open hitting me in the knees. Man it hurt ?

[bobss396]

I may have done too much yesterday. I jacked up the back of the Belair, took the tires off and adjusted the new brakes. My buddy came over around 5 and helped bleed them. He never even got dirty. The car stops well. I will take it in for the inspection later today, maybe tomorrow.

I also took some weeds and vines out of my front and side beds. I washed with poison ivy soap just in case. It was pretty cool and I like to work in the shade, I take pool breaks too. My yard always looks nice. I have a lawn service come in and do the weekly cutting.

So I'll take it easy for the next few days, give the body a chance to heal. My lower back is a little stiff, no bad pains. I see my heart doctor on Friday, he calls me one of his "miracle" babies. He was the attending heart doctor when I coded in the ER back in 2016. 

[TransAmMike]

5 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I may have done too much yesterday. I jacked up the back of the Belair, took the tires off and adjusted the new brakes. My buddy came over around 5 and helped bleed them. He never even got dirty. The car stops well. I will take it in for the inspection later today, maybe tomorrow.

I also took some weeds and vines out of my front and side beds. I washed with poison ivy soap just in case. It was pretty cool and I like to work in the shade, I take pool breaks too. My yard always looks nice. I have a lawn service come in and do the weekly cutting.

So I'll take it easy for the next few days, give the body a chance to heal. My lower back is a little stiff, no bad pains. I see my heart doctor on Friday, he calls me one of his "miracle" babies. He was the attending heart doctor when I coded in the ER back in 2016. 

Oh yeah Bob, gotta recoup every once in a while. I wish I still had your energy. Maybe it's just the 8 more years I have on you?

What engine you have in the '66?

[JollySipper]

Wow, some of you guys have really been through the wringer, huh? True survivors in every sense! I'm kinda young still, only 43. I know there's other kids on here close to my age, but not many.....

[TransAmMike]

Oh my gosh TJ, you're just a baby?

[Brutalform]

I’m just a 58 year old, but, I’ve been around the block, and got beat up a bit, to where I was rough around the edges. I have spinal stenosis, I need a knee replacement, have carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep with a C Pap. I had two stents put in my LAD, also known as The Widowmaker. I’m grateful for Covid because after I had it, I started to get these weird, tiny chest pains, and passed all the stress test, but when they scoped me they found two blockages.  I felt like a young man again after the ticker got straightened out. I couldn’t believe how much you slowly decline over the years, and then, BANG! All of a sudden you feel new again. Since then, I lost almost 60 pounds, and I feel the better now, than I have for several years. I go to the gym three times a week, and now I just moved into a new house. I’m starting to get moving on building more models now, as these ailments aren’t as bad as they were when I weighed 280. Now, I hardly ever use the CPap, and can get more bench time in now, as it’s not hard on my body anymore. That’s what I get, I suppose, from driving professionally and making deliveries for the last 30 years. Hopefully I’ll be around another 15 to 20 years? I just don’t ever want to go back to where I was. 

[JollySipper]

4 hours ago, TransAmMike said:

Oh my gosh TJ, you're just a baby?

Physically, maybe.......... I'm like the opposite of the 'young man in an old body'!  

[shoopdog]

I’m a young 63 and retired at 61. Had a triple bypass at 55, took all the prescribed meds for a couple of years but nothing now. I do limit my  physical labor as I do get worn out quite easily. I’ve been able to control my blood pressure with my diet and my dog walks me daily for a couple of miles. I too model for 1-3 hours in the morning, pretty good stress relief, that and not going to my former job.

[Brutalform]

10 minutes ago, shoopdog said:

I’m a young 63 and retired at 61. Had a triple bypass at 55, took all the prescribed meds for a couple of years but nothing now. I do limit my  physical labor as I do get worn out quite easily. I’ve been able to control my blood pressure with my diet and my dog walks me daily for a couple of miles. I too model for 1-3 hours in the morning, pretty good stress relief, that and not going to my former job.

So, you are off the meds? I would like to get off my blood thinners, but they still keep me on them. 

[TNT]

On 6/12/2024 at 10:33 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

I'm pretty ancient, but working almost full time years after "retirement" and getting moved to my place in Az. takes up all the time I'd otherwise have to build models right now. My recreation these days consists mostly of hiking at a nearby national park to de-stress, and I credit that and continuing to do physical work for my remaining in relatively good shape despite the miles that are on me.

I have a lifetime's worth of full-scale project cars to keep me busy in Az. after the move is done, and a nice shop out there to work in, plus a separate model shop. And the place is close to mountains to hike and camp in, Lake Mead, the Colorado River and boating, and pretty much everything else I love about outdoor life. So if I live long enough to enjoy it all, I'll never get bored.

I just wish I'd known at 18 what I know now about people and expectations and opportunity and disappointment and resilience and self-reliance and taking personal responsibility for one's own actions and standing up for what's right no matter what and all that other "boring" stuff.  

I love arizona. Been there RVing a few times. Tons of cars to look for out there. As soon as i get out of this frankenboot we plan on  hiking again maybe not the rough trails but outdoor movement. 

[shoopdog]

2 hours ago, Brutalform said:

So, you are off the meds? I would like to get off my blood thinners, but they still keep me on them. 

I’m off all prescribed meds and haven’t seen a doctor in 4+ years. I do take vitamins, zinc, magnesium, B-Complex, aspirin and Qunol Ultra CoQ10 supplement. If I was still seeing a doctor I’m sure he would still be pumping me full of meds.

[bobss396]

12 hours ago, Brutalform said:

I’m just a 58 year old, but, I’ve been around the block, and got beat up a bit, to where I was rough around the edges. I have spinal stenosis, I need a knee replacement, have carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep with a C Pap. I had two stents put in my LAD, also known as The Widowmaker. I’m grateful for Covid because after I had it, I started to get these weird, tiny chest pains, and passed all the stress test, but when they scoped me they found two blockages.  I felt like a young man again after the ticker got straightened out. I couldn’t believe how much you slowly decline over the years, and then, BANG! All of a sudden you feel new again. Since then, I lost almost 60 pounds, and I feel the better now, than I have for several years. I go to the gym three times a week, and now I just moved into a new house. I’m starting to get moving on building more models now, as these ailments aren’t as bad as they were when I weighed 280. Now, I hardly ever use the CPap, and can get more bench time in now, as it’s not hard on my body anymore. That’s what I get, I suppose, from driving professionally and making deliveries for the last 30 years. Hopefully I’ll be around another 15 to 20 years? I just don’t ever want to go back to where I was. 

I was a competitive weight lifter until age 58, I quit after my late wife was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. I have one shoulder I managed to rehab without surgery, this was in 2010-2011. Then I had a car accident in 2011, really messed me up and I live on pain killers. I have other injuries over the years, I had knee reconstruction in 1982 and it has been pretty good since. I have spinal stenosis and have had lots of ESI injections, nerve blocks, RFA ablations, etc. I broke my right thumb 2x, once playing baseball and once boxing, I was in a GG industrial league for a few years. Now arthritis is setting in, I need to get it looked at.

I'm doing good after my widow-maker HA, I see my heart doctor later today. I will probably have a heart valve ultrasound in the office and I'm due for a stress test. One good thing about Medicare, I pay almost nothing and they spring for the nuclear test.

I retired in 2020 and lost 40 lbs and have kept it off. We had a great cafeteria at work. The work stress was taking a toll on me too. It was getting crazy with Covid, so I opted out. 

Having another 1:1 car is good for me, it gets me up and outside. After my HA in 2016, within 5 months I was working on my older Ford with some help. We changed the rear gears, new leaf springs and front sway bar. I did the traction bars myself.

[TransAmMike]

Man I feel  like I'm in great shape medically in comparison.  Probably my biggest problem is I'm just too lazy to do exercise.  I walked out to feed the horses yesterday, about 50 yards and I was flat worn out and my lower back was sore, especially after the walk back.   I need some motivation.

Edited June 14, 2024 by TransAmMike

[Zippi]

I just turned 70 last month and I'm starting to feel my age.  I retired 4 years ago this September so Just enjoying retirement and working on models and going to car shows.

[Zippi]

1 hour ago, TransAmMike said:

Man I feel  like I'm in great shape medically in comparison.  Probably my biggest problem is I'm just too lazy to do exercise.  I walked out to feed the horses yesterday, about 50 yards and I was flat worn out and my lower back was sore, especially after the walk back.   I need some motivation.

Hey Buddy, hit up Cocina Real down the street for some Great Mexican food and Marqiretas.  A cold strawberry Marqireta always helps my back out ?

[TransAmMike]

15 minutes ago, Zippi said:

Hey Buddy, hit up Cocina Real down the street for some Great Mexican food and Marqiretas.  A cold strawberry Marqireta always helps my back out ?

Oh yeah, TexMx will really  help the the bad back?

 

[Brutalform]

20 hours ago, Zippi said:

I just turned 70 last month and I'm starting to feel my age.  I retired 4 years ago this September so Just enjoying retirement and working on models and going to car shows.

With the name Zippi I thought you were a young lad like myself? Lol

[espo]

A note to all. You're only as old as you feel. 

[TransAmMike]

AND,  like my wife always says to me "It beats the alternative"?

[bobss396]

On 6/13/2024 at 1:10 PM, TransAmMike said:

Oh yeah Bob, gotta recoup every once in a while. I wish I still had your energy. Maybe it's just the 8 more years I have on you?

What engine you have in the '66?

It has a 283 that runs well. I had it in for the inspection on Friday and everyone there said it ran well and was quiet under the hood. I took it for a good run after the inspection, up to 70 or so. The alignment is out for sure. I adjusted the camber on one side that improved it.

I may have a case of poison ivy... minor so far. I'm going to the beach with my sons in a bit, salt water is good for it. I did was with a poison ivy soap after I was done working outside. Hope I got most of it off me.

I go for my 3-year stress test on the 19th at my heart doctor's office. I'm gearing up to change all 4 coil springs at my buddy's shop soon, this will be a tough job. I have help him put a transmission back in something there first. 

[espo]

6 hours ago, bobss396 said:

It has a 283 that runs well. I had it in for the inspection on Friday and everyone there said it ran well and was quiet under the hood. I took it for a good run after the inspection, up to 70 or so. The alignment is out for sure. I adjusted the camber on one side that improved it.

I may have a case of poison ivy... minor so far. I'm going to the beach with my sons in a bit, salt water is good for it. I did was with a poison ivy soap after I was done working outside. Hope I got most of it off me.

I go for my 3-year stress test on the 19th at my heart doctor's office. I'm gearing up to change all 4 coil springs at my buddy's shop soon, this will be a tough job. I have help him put a transmission back in something there first. 

Are you using any Calamine Lotion on your poison ivy? I used to have to have a 55 gal. drum of that stuff the last time I got caught by it.