“patientslikeme”.

Here’s a wonderful forum where “patientslikeme”, can express how they feel on a daily journal to assist others.  I truly enjoy reading all the posts, and reading what treatments are successful and helping in their daily routines.  It’s amazing how many of us our dealing with this illness.  The community and the feed back is simply up-lifting.  I believe, no matter how difficult the day may seem, never stop believe that your mind can truly heal you.  Some of the posts, are sad and others are filled with these amazing stories, of overcoming the simplest things.  I have often said, I count my “wins”, everyday.  Getting dress, putting on my shoes, brushing my teeth, and just walking with the use of my walker.  There are many more throughout the day.  It’s all about muscle memory and constantly repeating the same actions over and over again.  Putting on my socks, is difficult and taking showers without sitting is huge.  And yes holding on to the soap is hard, thank goodness no one is with me.  Laugher is the best medicine.

Here’s my Quality of Life entry, it looks at your social, mental, and physical accomplishments.

My faith, and positive outlook. I’ve always said, nothing gets accomplished without working for it. So now here I am, fighting this illness daily. Understanding things will happen and it’s how you deal with them. I’m making the best out of my situation, with support from my wife of 32 years and my two sons which I love. Family and friends make all the difference in the world. I’m happy to be a part of this, so thank you.

It’s like having a different kind of “my face”, you interact with “PALS”, which means people living with ALS.  It’s a pick me up session which is free, remember your words up-lift others.  I love this phrase “everyday a Friday”, because if this day of the week makes all the difference then treat everyday like it’s Friday.  Encourage others to smile and laugh and to do the things which makes all the reasons to love and live.

I wanted to share this with everyone, and how amazing people are in taking the time to develop this site to share our journey with others.  So don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and feeling, it’s the best form of releasing yourself to others.  And it truly helps, when you make the difference just for that day.

So a Special Shout Out to, “patientslikeme”.

When it rains, it pours..

There would be days when you would hear this phrase in the shop.  “When it rains, it pours”, all good technicians know this term too well.  Why, do things like this happen?  Some times, I would have these thoughts, after rebuilding a transmission, replacing all the clutches and seals.  Or better yet, a complete overhaul.  And thinking, did I pressure check the rear clutch pack or front seal. I considered myself an excellent technician, but those thoughts would someway find their way in.  There would be days, when four cars would comeback for whatever kind of issue.  I would stand there and listen to our dispatcher, he already has one he’s rechecking.  Now, there is another and two more waiting.

That would only reinforce my commitment and professionalism, never having this happen, but to ensure everything I repaired would not come back.  It takes pride and understanding the basics or what I would say the fundamentals.  I had this dream, while working in the shop I could hear John across from me, cursing and throwing his tools, “I’ll never fix this, I suck, why did I choose this profession.  I walked over and said, whats the issue?  He looked at me and said here take a look at this?  Wow, how in the heck, did you manage to do that.  John, said that’s a good question.  Lets, see if I can explain this, John was replacing an exhaust manifold and the rear stud broke off in the cylinder head.  Well, lets just say, the easy-out was broken where he drilled out the stud and the hold half of the block.  Oh my, is correct.  I said, John its your lucky day, this same exact thing happened to Jose, last month.  I, know this machinist here in Glendale, he’s an artist.  Common, lets tear this engine down.  What are you saying, you’ll help me, of course.  Thirty minutes later, it was out.

We both walked over to the manager’s office and said you need to look at this.  Now, what did John do?  It’s going to be fine, but you need to let the client know about this.  And we need the parts truck, so we both jumped in and off to the machine shop.  Hello, Scott it’s an emergency, how fast can you repair this.  Scott, said just because it’s you give me an hour.  Great, what kind of sandwich do you want?  Anything, okay.  I’ll be back.

About an hour later, we both arrived and with the biggest sandwich I believe Scott ever had.  Here you go, WOW, that looks like new.  You truly are the best, thank you so much.  And here’s the P.O number, 12345.  Jumped in the truck and off we went.  Got back to the shop, and we both reassembled it, record-breaking time.

Client, picked up their vehicle, and the best part of this dream was this event really happened.  The moral of the dream or story, always be willing to help others when the opportunity presents its self.  Helping others when they think all is lost.  No matter how big or small, you can make a difference.

Looking through the glass.