Does anyone care?

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by astroron

Hi Alex, I'm a man of few words when it comes to typing
but reading your voluminous writing makes up for my puny
efforts.
A friend of mine passed away late last year after going through
a similar situation as you.
After so many operations and no end in sight as to them stopping
any time soon,he decided enough was enough, so went down the
"let nature take it's course" route and passed away pretty quickly
after that decision.
That you have chosen to fight on, and take us all on your
journey is admirable and thought provoking.
Thankyou.
I have not long ago turned 80 and the only real ailment
is a bad back, I consider myself fairly lucky.
My bad back fades into insignificance as to what you're
going through.
I think of you often, and come on here and catch up
with your posts.
All the best my friend, keep on keeping on.
Cheers
Ron

Thanks for your kind thoughts Ron...

I was thinking only yesterday hanging on is a bit like refusing to leave the table even when full simply because there is still food left...we'll it is and I want another desert.

Just give me one night with all four scopes working, running it from the van on my flash computer, closing up when in bed...just to experience the dream now that it is basically finished...the biggest thing other folk should take from my experience is...don't put anything off...do it now.

The good thing is I still feel happy...I realise my impatience in getting the eight up and running is working against me...I just need to be grateful and patient ...I need to learn from that last night of issues..just stuff to work thru really.

I think a bad back is the worst.(and I am sorry you get it)...at least what I am getting is bad...I can manage the lumps because there is no pain but the back they do worry you but you can still do things...it is 11 on the 1 to 10 scale...fortunately today it has not been too bad and I was able to move so that really cheered me up...it's like I could handle a wheel chair full time but not this pain...I am just so lucky that the pain killers settle it down to being manageable...so that is the bright side..If not for them I doubt if I could manage...I have had pain but this is just way past what you can imagine....and life won't be the same if I can't keep putting in piers.


You take care.

Alex

[xelasnave]

Had a scan for my back today..longest ever..fortunately I woke up this morning and had no pain..I felt life was worth living again...but I have never been as low as that pain took me...still on pain killers but it seems different somehow..hopefully...so more concrete and star pickets?.?...no just joking..which is a good sign...radiation has been put back until Wedneday but the lump in my neck is now huge..but as it is not painful I am not worried...

So hopefully in three weeks things are back to normal, the new Inverter will be installed and all scopes working perfectly...

Thanks everybody

Alex

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Had a scan for my back today..longest ever..fortunately I woke up this morning and had no pain..I felt life was worth living again...but I have never been as low as that pain took me...still on pain killers but it seems different somehow..hopefully...so more concrete and star pickets?.?...no just joking..which is a good sign...radiation has been put back until Wedneday but the lump in my neck is now huge..but as it is not painful I am not worried...

So hopefully in three weeks things are back to normal, the new Inverter will be installed and all scopes working perfectly...

Thanks everybody

Alex

G'Day Alex.

I'm very glad to hear that your pain has gone and that you are feeling much better!
Continue to stay strong and positive, things will improve from here.

Soon you will be back under the starry skies Wishing you all the best Uncle

Best Regards
Joe

[xelasnave]

Thanks Joe...funny I just now recalled when in moto cross they referred to me as "Good old Alex" and actually made up a T shirt with that on it and presented it..a most wonderful occassion.. I was known as a caring person..and later around the pubs in Parramatta it was " Father confessor"... because all would tell me their troubles and I would listen a d for many folk they find that a first.

..and that reminds me of a girl at Brooklyn Pub after talking flat out for 30 minutes and me only saying yes, really and then what happened... she stopped and said " You know what I really like about you Alex it's that you are such a good conversationalist"...

So maybe my verbosity here is finally getting to talk.

Alex





The hospital just left a message and moved me forward to Monday afternoon...why?
Anyways I am so happy things are moving along ...

[Startrek (Martin)]

Alex,
You’ve certainly got an answer to your post , folk do care , so many lovely and sincere positive comments of support
Sounds like you are receiving excellent health care up north which is great. Good news about your back too
Your such a motivated and positive person , all
I can say is keep moving forward like you have always done and enjoy each day

Clear Skies

Best always
Martin

[TrevorW]

There are a few sayings that I try to live by to keep my sanity. Having looked after and dealt with my wife's debilitating MS for the last 17 years with no chance of her ever being the same woman I married 45 years ago



1. if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger

2. there is always someone else that is worse off than you
3. a teaspoon of honey catches more flies
4. unless you have something good to say about someone say nothing
5. don't turn the other cheek because some people will always try and slap you down


As a child I lost my dad from cancer, and a few friends over the years through it, all I can say is keep thinking positive and live life to the fullest while you can


PS: The guiding issues I have one night perfect the next it could be any one of a number of things, bad seeing , bad guide star, wind (the terrestrial type), PEC issues, etc etc , all these things in some ways enhance the enjoyment of the hobby as you research and learn what may cause these little gremlins to appear.

[xelasnave]

Thank you gentlemen...

I realise that looking back at myself starting this thread just how crushed I was...just when I thought I could handle everything and anything all the gear fails..like all the gear, the roof motor fails and two gennys fail, then that terrible pain near broke me...well it did break me I believe.

And like so many other times having this place and the support from all the wonderful people here really made it manageable...I don't feel lonely because of this place and the wonderful people.

Still I am going to continue laying around so as to help my back so I can get the radiation out of the way...

When one starts to think about the proposition that there are others who are worse off and you are serious about that exercise you realise how lucky we are..first to live in these times, in the best country it would seem in the world...and second the sheer magnitude of human suffering even now but all thru history..like Gehngis Khan murdered some 10 %
of the then world population and the additional suffering is just unimaginable...

Then think of the deaths and suffering due to war...it is very hard to get your head around ... and so my issues are zip really...although that pain made me a little less philosophical.

There are so many things we take for granted that really make our lives so much better than others from earlier times...just our smart phones..like on the way to my scan..where is the place.. hang on I will call up the map app...check the locality to see there is parking close by...and these new cars ..just watching the screen when parking was absolute fun...and of course the scan..how wonderful...they can see everything and in very high resolution...and while waiting entertain ones self with the phone in countless way..then a message to tell a loved one what's happening and when we will be back.

Most of all I am so lucky to have an Ex who is my best friend and without her support I really could not make it...she drives me, pushes the wheel chair picks up my meds if I can't...and best of all seems to understand I am a little different and respects me nevertheless...she is perfect.

I am indeed the luckiest man on the planet.


Alex

[Shano592 (Shane)]

May that luck hold out for years to come!


I'm only settling into my 50's now, but have had the Italian curse since I was in my teens. My grandparents had a >100 acre vineyard in Perth's Swan Valley, and every year all the kids were pressed into action to pick the grapes. The only issue being that the vines were set for 4'10" Italians, where I'm closer to 6-foot. Bending down to cut bunches over 10-12 days, certainly takes it's toll.


The back issues haven't stopped, but I have found ways to manage things that do work really well for me. I guess I'm lucky that I have always listened to my body, and found ways to not only cope, but recover from those types of injuries.


I think that the only pain worse has been of the wisdom tooth flavour. I never thought that I would be in so much uncontrollable pain, that I would be throwing up from it.


Get better, Alex. We will be waiting on your super-stacked images in the mid-term!

[xelasnave]

Hi Shane
Happily the back has fixed itself and I have not had pain killer for days.
I started my radiation treatment yesterday so on an upswing at the moment.

I am in a nice flat near the hospital and enjoying it all..big TV with youtube with plenty of food in a real fridge...

My cheshire is at the Post Office but astronomy must wait..I just hope the radiation works



Alex

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Hi Shane
Happily the back has fixed itself and I have not had pain killer for days….
….I just hope the radiation works

Alex

Us too!

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

Us too!

Thanks Scott..much appreciated...I got a call.. my machine is playing up so treatment today has been put back to 6 pm...I have a communal dinner to go to so I hope I can get both done...I was really looking forward to mixing with some real people other than just doctors and nurses...

It sure is a great life.
Alex

[Constant (David)]

Alex, modern pain management is a Godsend. Wishing you warmth, comfort and contentment. God bless

[xelasnave]

Thank you David...well I just now recieved more good news..the back scan shows there is nothing of concern and I do not even need physiotheraphy ...but I to think they needed to worry me by saying it may be cancer in my spine I really think was irresponsible... that news really shook me.

Things are looking much better..the lump has got bigger but they have noticed and adjusting treatment...anyways I thought to stop feeling sorry for myself and get things going again so I have arranged with my wonderful assistant to install the new inverter with its own solar panel, regulator and battery to give the roof motor its own power set up ...AND to get the roof working under that new set up...that is on for Friday afternoon as I have my fifth session of radiation on Friday morning...and on the assumption I feel fit enough to drive home by myself....but you cant waste time so.... I have a plan..all going well someone has picked up my Cheshire so with the hint of a clear night I can maybe get a few things sorted.

Thanks to everyone for your kind support ..believe me this time I was really further down than ever in my life and as it has turned out really not to much to really worry about...just shows one should not worry or give in...
Alex

[Shano592 (Shane)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

It sure is a great life.
Alex

If you're inhaling and exhaling, then life is certainly good!


Hopefully everything is coming up roses for you.

[Swarvy (Adam)]

Alex, not sure if you figured out your guiding issue or not but i had a similar problem. My blue line went one way and the red line the other way out to 150+. I did several polar alignments and same thing happened every time.

Im using the asiair plus which has an option to reset the guiding calibration, which i did and then re did the guiding sequence. It was fixed. If your not using asiair plus maybe whatever software you use has a similar option.

Anyway i hope this helps as i was tearing my hair out trying to figure out what could be wrong as i had changed no settings from the night before and there had been no guiding issues.

Hope your well mate,
Adam

[xelasnave]

Thank you Adam your timing is perfect. Yes it Is Asiair plus so I think you may have saved the day...and hopefully by this time tomorrow that issue has been taken care of..

Thanks for that and your good wishes.
Alex