When things go from bad to worse....

Dyre Straits · Dec 2, 2003, 08:14 PM

I was writing a report, complete with photos, of damage to a house resulting from a leaky drain at an upstairs garden tub. The really bad part about this is that the lady I'm working for just bought this house two weeks ago. She even hired a certified home inspector to check out the house prior to her purchase. He did not discover this problem.

One of the major problems he did find was that the home is equipped with polybutylene pipes. (For those not familiar, this is a plastic pipe that has now been discontinued and is subject to a class action lawsuit due to extensive failure over the years.) Anyway, I'm in the process of exchanging this plastic pipe with L-type copper throughout the house.

This morning, as I was wrapping up the report and about to send it to the printer, my 32-year old son walked into my office. I say, 'walked' but it was more like 'eased slowly' while cringing in pain and holding his neck and head with both hands. As best as he could describe it, he was having a 'charlie horse' in his neck. The pain was so intense he was driven to his knees a couple of times.

His dilemma: He HAD to be at the store where he works to open at 11 a.m. To his knowledge, both the owner and the manager were already on their way to downtown Atlanta to pickup supplies for the store. So, he HAD to be there to open. AND, he could not drive himself. So, as quickly as possible, I drove him to the store while he suffered in this awful pain.

Fortunately, both the manager and owner were at the store when we arrived only a few minutes late. However, they were dealing with another problem: The shipment of books and comics they were expecting was nowhere to be found. They were on the phones trying to locate the shipment.

Even though my son could hardly walk, he agreed to stay at the store while they ran down this shipment. Thankfully, it was only a couple more hours and my son was able to come back home and lie down and relax. It's the only possible relief he has right now. (He had sent me for a cervical collar from the store and said it helped, but wasn't near the kind of relief he needed.)

So, he's back home and I was ready to go on to my job and deliver the report I was working on this morning.

I walked out the door, only to discover that......

I have a totally flat tire on my van. And, it's totally gone. On close examination, the steel cord is wearing through the tire and it won't hold air long enough to drive it to the nearby tire store.

If you've ever seen the movie, Trains, Planes, and Automobiles, with Steve Martin and John Candy, that's about the story of my life right now. (Maybe it will get funny later on when I look back on it, but, it's not funny when you're going through it.)

EDIT: I have found out what it is that is ailing my son. There's a name for it: Acute Torticollis. (Think 'torture' and 'collar' and you have what means, 'severe pain in the neck'. Of course, he's often been a pain in the neck, but not in this way.

)

wertret · Dec 2, 2003, 08:19 PM

Shit happens man, just go ahead, tomorrow would be a great day

**MIG-31** · Dec 2, 2003, 08:23 PM

hopefully things might be much better for you tomorrow.

Dyre Straits · Dec 2, 2003, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnybravo
hopefully things might be much better for you tomorrow.

Or, they could be even worse.

**MIG-31** · Dec 2, 2003, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyre Straits
Or, they could be even worse.

certainly hope not.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 2, 2003, 09:14 PM

neglecting your van's upkeep have we?

Judas · Dec 2, 2003, 09:15 PM

drive on the sucker.....lol.... na... you got a spare? there quick and easy to change.... 10 minutes.....

Dyre Straits · Dec 2, 2003, 09:45 PM

Actually, I had 2 brand new tires put on the front just 2 months ago. I expressed some concern then about this particular rear tire. But, even the tire man thought it would last me a few more months. But, I carry a LOT of weight in the van in the way of tools, supplies, and equipment. So, it wore out faster than either of us expected.

I've been doing business with this tire guy for nearly 20 years. I just got back from there and we opted to go with a good used tire for now. (I want to replace both rear tires at the same time with new ones after the first of the year.) Total cost for this used tire was: $10.

I just had to take the tire to him using my son's car. I didn't want to use the spare from the van as it's mounted up beneath the back of the van and really is more trouble than it's worth to work with it and then put it back after getting a new tire.

Dyre Straits · Dec 2, 2003, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnybravo
certainly hope not.

You know what they say?

"Smile, things could be worse."

"So I smiled. And, sure enough, things got worse."

Markius · Dec 2, 2003, 11:23 PM

well i hope your having a better day today!

EDIT: LOL it says 2nd december near the post but its 3rd here in Aus...

so i guess i mean ~ hope you have a better day tommorow

these things happen when your on the other side of the planet

Judas · Dec 3, 2003, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyre Straits
Actually, I had 2 brand new tires put on the front just 2 months ago. I expressed some concern then about this particular rear tire. But, even the tire man thought it would last me a few more months. But, I carry a LOT of weight in the van in the way of tools, supplies, and equipment. So, it wore out faster than either of us expected.

I've been doing business with this tire guy for nearly 20 years. I just got back from there and we opted to go with a good used tire for now. (I want to replace both rear tires at the same time with new ones after the first of the year.) Total cost for this used tire was: $10. I just had to take the tire to him using my son's car. I didn't want to use the spare from the van as it's mounted up beneath the back of the van and really is more trouble than it's worth to work with it and then put it back after getting a new tire.

i hate those bloody hiden tires.. sure... consmetically... nicer.... but the x factor on the time and trouble to actually use it.... is way up there...

$10 sound pretty damn nice..... considering that it usually costs $25 just to patch a pin hole in a tire.....

toddsmack2k · Dec 3, 2003, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyre Straits
Or, they could be even worse.

Believe me Dyre all to well things could be worse. But you keep your chin up and go on!

Falstaff · Dec 3, 2003, 02:43 AM

Does anyone believe in Karma, eventually this will all resolve itself

mainman · Dec 3, 2003, 04:24 AM

Relax bud, thinks will get bether, dont worry!!

Judas · Dec 3, 2003, 07:54 AM

Karma?

toddsmack2k · Dec 3, 2003, 08:32 AM

Dyre on a different note, I hope your son gets to feeling better.

Dyre Straits · Dec 3, 2003, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by toddsmack2k
Dyre on a different note, I hope your son gets to feeling better.

Thank you very much! Earlier tonight he tried to get up long enough to eat something and said there wasn't any change from earlier in the day. From what I've read it could take up to two weeks for full recovery.

toddsmack2k · Dec 3, 2003, 09:35 AM

I wish him the best and fastest recovery. Just remember he can and will get better!

Judas · Dec 3, 2003, 06:33 PM

....why would anyone do that to him?

Dyre Straits · Dec 4, 2003, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by toddsmack2k
I wish him the best and fastest recovery. Just remember he can and will get better!

I'm glad to report that my son is doing better today. Also, I was able to get a LOT of work done today as well.

So, today is a tremendous improvement over yesterday.

(P.S. Judas, why would whom do what?)

Judas · Dec 4, 2003, 12:11 AM

....i might have read something wrong... but i thought he had gotten a charly horse or something...... making him sore.....

Dyre Straits · Dec 4, 2003, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Judas
....i might have read something wrong... but i thought he had gotten a charly horse or something...... making him sore.....

What my son had was muscle spasms in the neck. It was like having a charlie horse (leg cramp) in your neck. He almost couldn't stand up because it hurt so much. He's better today.

Judas · Dec 4, 2003, 12:20 AM

oh..... i know of charlie horse as this: Someone yelling charlie horse and then punch you in any spot on the body....... sorry.... i've never heard of "charlie horse" used as you did.....

Dyre Straits · Dec 4, 2003, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Judas
oh..... i know of charlie horse as this: Someone yelling charlie horse and then punch you in any spot on the body....... sorry.... i've never heard of "charlie horse" used as you did.....

It's very interesting to me how terminology can take on so many different meanings from place to place.

Judas · Dec 4, 2003, 12:36 AM

yeah.... i'm used to people just screaming Charlie horse a split second before they punch your lights out...(all in saposed good humor)...... tell that to the next guy that swings.. and misses his true target.....

toddsmack2k · Dec 6, 2003, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dyre Straits
I'm glad to report that my son is doing better today. Also, I was able to get a LOT of work done today as well.

So, today is a tremendous improvement over yesterday.

(P.S. Judas, why would whom do what?)

Excellent news Dyre!

Dec 2, 2003, 08:19 PM	#2
wertret Still watching... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orihuela (Spain) Posts: 1,560 Rep Power: 0	Shit happens man, just go ahead, tomorrow would be a great day __________________ "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."

Dec 2, 2003, 08:23 PM	#3
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,850 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	hopefully things might be much better for you tomorrow. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Dec 2, 2003, 09:14 PM	#6
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	neglecting your van's upkeep have we? __________________

Dec 2, 2003, 11:23 PM	#10
Markius DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 2,350 Rep Power: 0	well i hope your having a better day today! EDIT: LOL it says 2nd december near the post but its 3rd here in Aus... so i guess i mean ~ hope you have a better day tommorow these things happen when your on the other side of the planet __________________ DriverHeavens Aussie... "Lifes tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late"

Dec 3, 2003, 02:43 AM	#13
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	Does anyone believe in Karma, eventually this will all resolve itself __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Dec 3, 2003, 04:24 AM	#14
mainman Mr. Nobody Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OmniPresent Nightwatcher Posts: 5,961 Rep Power: 71	Relax bud, thinks will get bether, dont worry!! __________________

Dec 3, 2003, 08:32 AM	#16
toddsmack2k It Never..... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,173 Rep Power: 0	Dyre on a different note, I hope your son gets to feeling better. __________________ [color=blue]*Bleeding From the Inside Pouring Out, The* *DriverHeaven* Spiral, We Shall Never Let Go Of.[/color]

Dec 3, 2003, 09:35 AM	#18
toddsmack2k It Never..... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,173 Rep Power: 0	I wish him the best and fastest recovery. Just remember he can and will get better! __________________ [color=blue]*Bleeding From the Inside Pouring Out, The* *DriverHeaven* Spiral, We Shall Never Let Go Of.[/color]