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NA down for the count.

| A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
  1. #1
    newattitude started this thread.
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    NA down for the count.

    One thing I never disclosed to anyone was that I have scoliosis - my spine is curving as well as twisting in opposite directions, I stand hunched over normally but in pics make sure I stand as straight as possible. My lower 6 vertebrae have been compressed and fused for over 15 years as well as a few in the middle of my back. Usually I have been able to work through the pain. Last week though, I thought I was moving some large tractor decks safely off a lift into my truck but it wasn't safe enough, I popped my right hip; and the pain, I was crawling on the floor. Crying. Screaming. I thought exercise from scrapping which is pretty much a physical 24/7 job would keep me healthy. Nope. Old age/disease can hit when you least expect it.

    This post is not for sympathy - it is to remind everyone no matter what your age that you need to take every precaution even if you think you don't need to.

    Work as safe as possible because you just never know. Don't be stubborn, ask for help if you need to or even if you think you don't need any.



    I'm NOT letting this get me down, I am crawling into my truck every night and driving with many breaks in between with a helper as I cannot even lift a bag of aluminum cans right now. I am still scrapping even if its on a 5% level which to me is still 100% because I'm too **** stubborn to just sit home and I consider I'm still in the game even if I do have to share now until I get through this.

    No sympathy - I just want everyone to remind everyone to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and adjust accordingly. Even if you don't think you need to.


    Scrap on scrappers!! *Fist pump*
    Scrapper, Scrap Yard Worker, Horse farm worker, Cooler Puller and just plain ''tired''



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    hobo finds's Avatar
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    Stay Strong! I know you will!

    A job applicant was asked, "What would you consider to be your main strengths and weaknesses?"

    "Well," he began, "my main weakness would definitely be my issues with reality—telling what’s real from what’s not."

    "Okay," said the interviewer. "And what are your strengths?"

    "I’m Batman."

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  4. #3
    Metalbestos's Avatar
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    Get well soon

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    You possess the intellect and drive to do the job now change the job to fit your situation. Keep going, Mike.
    "Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}

    Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked

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    Well said NA and I admire your courage. I have been toying with a trailer design that would fit behind my wheel chair because I want to keep scrapping till the day I die. It might be worth looking into e-scrapping. As much as you have contributed to the forum, I am sure many members might give you the short course. Another idea is to broker scrap. I met a man that does it full time and makes fantastic money. Regardless with your courage, determination, and stubbornness you will out perform most of us here. Good luck and a toast to a speedy recovery. Keep us posted.

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    NA I have read many of your past posts and admire you and your drive to keep moving forward. Hope all goes well for you. "fist bump" you are truly one to look at for knowledge and determination. Keep it up as long as you can, and when you can't any longer, broker.

    Safety is a key concern on my mind every day or night I go out. I used to move grand pianos for a living. Was not fun.

    All of you need to think and then lift, working too fast will only get you hurt.
    Cleaning up the e-waste one company at a time

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    Even at 5% I would consider it an honor to work with you...Your 5% is better then many people's 100%.

    I hope you get back to strength soon or at least get some relief from the pain.
    Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesaler
    Certified Zip-Tie Mechanic
    "Give them enough so they can do something with it, but not too much that they won't do nothing."

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  14. #8
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    gt well and good luck

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    NA, your determination is an inspiration to me! Thanks for caring about others enough to post so maybe someone can avoid or at least limit the affects of scoliosis. I know several people who are now bent over and it is sad to witness. But the difference is they are no longer mobile. You are, by your own drive.

    Have you had spinal blocks done, where theyb put you to sleep and do some sort of block for the pain? People I know have had mixed results, sometimes the pain finds another path, but there are times where the blocks help.

    Wishing you all the best and will be thinking about you as I go about my day while scrapping.

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  18. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by KzScrapper View Post
    Even at 5% I would consider it an honor to work with you...Your 5% is better then many people's 100%.

    I hope you get back to strength soon or at least get some relief from the pain.

    Same here.

    I've always admired your drive and determination.

    I ride alone most of the time, and tend to stick to the smaller stuff these days, asthma, fibro knocked some of the wind out of my sails a few years back. Every now and then the old man comes along for the ride, but like the Toby Keith song, neither one of us "is as good as we once was" although some days we can still give it he$$.

    Scrapping is still kind of a side line that came as a result of picking/fixing/or breaking junk, but one that I love. Escrap, reselling, fixing mowers, computers, etc. There is nothing I won't try to learn if it interests me, unfortunately there probably isn't enough time on this earth to learn all the stuff that does.

    Hope you feel better soon NA.
    Sending healing thoughts your way.

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  20. #11
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    Thanks for the reminder about staying safe, NA. I have no doubt your drive and determination will get you through this.

    Do remember to take it easy from time to time. I used to push myself to the brink too and believe me I'm paying for it now both with back problems and heart problems.

    This is a great lesson for newbies as well. Your body will only take so much abuse until it quits.

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  22. #12
    newattitude started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by scrapme View Post
    NA, your determination is an inspiration to me! Thanks for caring about others enough to post so maybe someone can avoid or at least limit the affects of scoliosis. I know several people who are now bent over and it is sad to witness. But the difference is they are no longer mobile. You are, by your own drive.

    Have you had spinal blocks done, where theyb put you to sleep and do some sort of block for the pain? People I know have had mixed results, sometimes the pain finds another path, but there are times where the blocks help.

    Wishing you all the best and will be thinking about you as I go about my day while scrapping.
    No. For a while I tried a chiropractor but it actually left me in more pain afterwards. maybe he just wasn't so good. I didn't want to do anything until I had to, just wanted to tough my way through with the occasional pain pill to ''get through'' the pain and keep going but this knocked me for a loop. I was off my feet for 3 days before I couldn't stand it any more , I just HAD to get out there again in whatever capacity I could. right now I have steroid shot but still have a limp and pain and can't put much weight on it yet .

    I HATE being inactive and broke down some scrap in the garage on my lap sitting in the chair so I felt like i was doing something!

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    Quote Originally Posted by miked View Post
    You possess the intellect and drive to do the job now change the job to fit your situation. Keep going, Mike.
    Ditto. Thanks for the reminder. May u be blessed n a.

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  26. #14
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    NA,

    You are an inspiration to us all, with your comments on how you do your jobs, which are usually at full throttle, git-er-dun!! And 9+ hour curbco shopping sprees on a regular basis....wow!

    And then it turns out you are working against some personal medical issues that are very serious and painful...and through this obstacle you are doing it better than lots of able-bodied people! I'll bet your forum name comes from something to do with this issue, too!

    I hope your latest problem with your hip is at least something that will eventually heal up, unlike your back problems.

    What were those "tractor decks" that got you? Never heard that term.

    Anyway, please keep on the positive, and you'll get thru this latest setback. My thoughts are with you.

    Jon.

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  28. #15
    newattitude started this thread.
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    ^^My bad, they were large lawn mower decks.

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    God bless NA! Stay strong and scrap on!
    Money is not the root of all evil, the love of money is.

  30. #17
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    My prayers are with you. "When your going through he@# keep on going, maybe you'll get out before the devil even knows your name."

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    Quote Originally Posted by happyscraper View Post
    My prayers are with you. "When your going through he@# keep on going, maybe you'll get out before the devil even knows your name."
    My old saying always has been; "Heaven doesn't want me and hell is afraid I'll take over..."
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  33. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by scrapme View Post
    NA, your determination is an inspiration to me! Thanks for caring about others enough to post so maybe someone can avoid or at least limit the affects of scoliosis. I know several people who are now bent over and it is sad to witness. But the difference is they are no longer mobile. You are, by your own drive.

    Have you had spinal blocks done, where theyb put you to sleep and do some sort of block for the pain? People I know have had mixed results, sometimes the pain finds another path, but there are times where the blocks help.

    Wishing you all the best and will be thinking about you as I go about my day while scrapping.
    N.a. I'm in your boat with the scoliosis , born with that and fallen arches . After many car accidents and further damaging my back thru construction, bar backing and numerous stone jobs . After my last accident over a year ago , I have had 2 blocks , neither took . Some days I can't get out of bed as well . I try not to depend on the meds , cause that's just a mask . I'm gonna recommend Epsom salt baths and horse liniment . It's like Ben gays evil twin . It gets super numbing cold and most nights I can't sleep without it. I wish you a speedy recovery , I know how it feels to be off your feet or restricted by light duty . Wish you the best !

    Any tack store should have the liniment , it's super strong since it's designed to penetrate a horses coat to relive he muscles after a hard run.

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  35. #20
    newattitude started this thread.
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    I have an MRI scheduled since I have to see a back specialist now. Might as well see how bad things really are at this point. I haven't had things checked in over 5 years.

    I HATE being down. As soon as this happened my eyes scanned the garage for whatever was usable to make this all easier and not have to stop any longer than I had to initially (Made me crazy!!!!). I'm walking better now and most of the pain is gone except if I try to lift something heavy so, I took the chain hoist off the garage beam and hooked it to the front wood post behind the cab so I can pull heavy objects into the truck alone and not lift them. Genius! Best scrap helper I've found yet!!! Slow going but it gets the job done!! It worked great pulling a deep freezer into the truck up the ramps! I also modified a dolly that the handle goes longer on and it seemed weak with cotter pin holding it so I drilled new holes and used bolts and a chain from the bottom section to the top for more strength. Now it has 2 instead of one, one on each side. I made it 7 foot long so I can stand in the truck and pull things up the ramps instead of lifting. The longer length of the dolly and ramps (also 7 foot long) also avoids most of the bending and pulling is easier than pushing/lifting! I can use the sides of the truck for added uh, what do you call it? when pulling things up if needed - strength? Help from bending? I don't know but it helps. Hold on with one arm pull with the other!

    My longer routes took me a bit longer by myself this time (got tired of the brother helping me lol) and break down tired me out faster and required 2 drop offs instead of one but I'm pushing myself because in my mind which might be wrong lol, being down = bad for the body, mind and business. I stop more to ''tighten up the load'' because I still can't just toss something over the rails like I was able to before, the hip says ''No freaking way Cindy!!!!'' so stuff has to go over the tailgate or putting the tail gate down, things I never had to do before ugh. I'm also breaking things down into smaller pieces (like grills, etc) instead of re-lifting them whole so that helps too but takes longer. I'm also using large garbage cans, putting them into the truck empty and filling them and its just one roll the the edge of the tailgate and ''dump'' the scrap at the yard a few times vs throwing it all in and back out loose.

    Thinking cap and modification = ''Yay! I'm not a mind numbing boob tube watcher this week!!'' lol. Just have to make sure I take a thermos of caffeine with me this coming Monday, my eyes started to blur I was out so late (3am). Gonna grind those beans and make it STRONG! Like Greek coffee!!! I'll be bulldozing my way home, look out!!!! Cops gonna be thinkin ''WTH was that blur just went by?'' lmao

    I have a winch someone gave me that I've been toying with hooking to hook to my truck but I thought no, using an electric winch = not using my arms = ''getting soft!'' Lol, there's that stubborn again.

    So thats where I'm at now, thanks everyone for the support and encouraging words and I hope I did some good for someone in some small way by telling my story.

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