Hobby recomendations

**Zen** · 10-11-2007, 12:16 PM

Sandra is right, he does need to get out of the house. Take those dogs for a walk in the park or an easy trail. Energy begets energy and sunshine definitely has an effect on depression. Unless he's had an injury or a diagnosis like herniated disc or spinal stenosis his back pain could be tied into depression as well.

Silver had a great idea too. Ham operators are often used on large organized rides. That would give him a great feeling of being needed & useful. Plus it would tie in to something you're doing.

**sundial** · 10-11-2007, 05:02 PM

Would he be interested in helping pets get to their forever homes?

I am active in german shepherd rescue and often I transport dogs to their homes or meet another volunteer that transports. I can't tell you what a real charge I get knowing some family is eagerly waiting for their new family member. Often these dogs are castaways and were sitting on death row. But because of a brave soul that canvases dog pounds, these dogs are sprung from jail and are on their way to their new families.

Pets are very therapeutic and the rescued ones are even more grateful and try even harder to please.

Here's one that I transported. Look how happy she is!

To become a volunteer for transport, check with your local rescues and find out if they need someone to help transport. You can google a specific breed to find a rescue in your area or check for a specific breed rescue on www.akc.org

**Zen** · 10-11-2007, 05:29 PM

Rescue transport is a great idea.
Anything that will get him out of the house and actually interacting face to face with people.

A rescued dog isn't necessarily a definite breed. The organization I foster for goes to shelters in West Virginia and Ohio that have high kill/low adoption rates and rescue dogs according to personality.

**sundial** · 10-11-2007, 06:09 PM

I suggested purebred rescues because they are more prevalent than all-breed rescues. Any good rescue is a worthy cause and they are often in need of good volunteers.

**Mr. Bloom** · 10-11-2007, 07:41 PM

leukemia? What's the prognosis?

Are there meds that slow him down and lead to depression or is this totally separate from his other maladies?

**Hub** · 10-12-2007, 04:15 AM

you folks are great! You've given me a lot of great ideas- we go to Jackson today to the hematolgist. We'll have the day together & hopefully good opportuniteis to shaare some of your ideas.

A couple folks had questions- I want to try to answer- HE does have some stenosis-mostly in his neck- He had a double laminectomy in the lumbar region in 2002- when that incision healed, the scar tissue grew back quickly, thick and ropy. Now the scar tissue puts more pressure on his spine than the original bulging discs. We go to a pain clinic to monitor and administer his pain meds.
He was diagnosed with acute promyleocytic leukemia in April. He spent 45 days in the hospital this spring and summer. ( I spent this summer on Hwy 49 going back and forth from home- work & the puppies and UMC in Jackson). He is in remission at the moment- his type of leukemia has a very good prognosis. We are 2 months into his 18 month course of maintenance treatment.
We have done some woodworking stuff together in the past, it usually degenerates into me assisting- being Gilligan to his Skipper. . . . but I will try again. Right now he is sort of jealous of any time I spend away from the house doing something by myself- like riding Old Blue. It hurt his feelings that I went to LR to ride avross the Big Dam Bridge and he soen't want me to ride the TOur da Delta- but I'm working on a plan for that.
ALl that said, I know we have a lot of issues . . . but I thank all of you for your ideas and support (especially the cooking ideas!)

I will update y'all on our progress

Thanks bunches!

Hub

**SouthernBelle** · 10-12-2007, 05:43 AM

Having just bought a home-built teardrop trailer for the purpose of going camping and taking my bike, would the 2 of you be interested in building something like that?

If so, I can direct you to a forum and some websites.

**PscyclePath** · 10-12-2007, 06:53 AM

The Central Arkansas HAM operators supported the Big Dam Bridge 100, and and are supporting the Arky 100 down at Sheridan this weekend. THey also work closely with the state's Department of Emergency Management in setting up networks during the frequent storms and post-tornado activities around here. I went to HAMFest here for several years when I was the local FidoNet BBS cooridnator, and was looking into getting into HAM for awhile, until I figured out that carbon fibre bicycles were cheaper, and ultimately better exercise ;-)

The geo-caching idea has merit... and if you figure that might help, the Big Man has a birthday & Christmas coming up, and I've got a guy who works for/with me who's a GIS/GPS wizzard...

Pscyclepath
currently cold in Kentucky)

**Mr. Bloom** · 10-14-2007, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Hub

we go to Jackson today to the hematolgist. We'll have the day together & hopefully good opportuniteis to shaare some of your ideas.

How did the discussion go?

**Hub** · 10-15-2007, 07:32 AM

Well, not so well- He got a neutral report at the doctor's office- not good, but not bad- he is not responding to the maintenance treatment the same way most folks do-so doc took him off the metyltrexate, mercaptopurine &
vesenoid for the next 2 weeks. He did another bone marrow biopsy- and we should have the results today or tomorrow- He had to have a transfusion as well. SO instead of shopping for a sofa like we planned- he stayed in the clinic all afternoon.
We spent the trip home talking about why doc did the biopsy & asking what if the cancer is back. - I just didn't get around to asking him to cook.
I plan to try again after the report.

**sandra** · 10-15-2007, 08:23 AM

Hub, do you have some sort of support system? Are there any groups in your area for spouses of people dealing with cancer? I know I would need one or at least a good friend to talk with about all that you are going through.

Hugs to you.

**Mr. Bloom** · 10-15-2007, 05:11 PM

Hub, it sounds like this is a tough time for both of you.

I really wish I knew how to advise on finding a hobby, but there's a lot of complexity in your lives right now...magnified by an uncertain prognosis. I do think that some level of light physical exertion would help his depression...

As a man, I want to say "Is it possible that he's lonely and scared...and using the idea of a hobby as a 'red herring' for more companionship." BUT, your "bossing around" comment really bugs me about whether he's being sincere or not...and that's why I don't know what to say...

**crazybikinchic** · 10-15-2007, 07:05 PM

When my husband was on dialysis, we played games. Nintendo, Phase 10, etc. We liked to play Tetris a lot, and Phase 10 (card game). He often did not have the energy to go walking, and by the time his transplant came around, he should have been in a wheelchair, so walks that were once taken were no longer an option. We are both competetive, so Tetris was a good avenue for us. It satified the need to compete, yet gave us quality time together. As far as your need to ride your bike, have you tried to explain that when you are on your bike, that is when your problems, ie. stress, leave even for a short time? I am fortunate that my husband understood this about my exercise (I was not riding at the time, but was exercising). I tell people that the reason that I do not have to take purple happy pills, is that I exercise.

**Hub** · 10-16-2007, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

Hub, it sounds like this is a tough time for both of you.

As a man, I want to say "Is it possible that he's lonely and scared...and using the idea of a hobby as a 'red herring' for more companionship." ...

That's part of it- he depends on me for his emotional support and entertainment- I know that he is trying to get more of my attention
and time. As far as being bossy- that's his nature- not a new development. The deal is that since I'm the one responsible for more and more stuff- I'm less inclined to be told what to do and how to do it.
I did mention the cooking and HAM stuff this morning . . . told him just to think about it- Right now we're still waiting for the info from his bone marrow biopsy.

thanks y'all

Of and for support - I have my mom & my sis - I talk to them almost every day- and I work with a great bunch of folks- and then there are my neighbors- that keep the little one during the day
shown here with her poppa.

**Tuckervill** · 10-16-2007, 09:11 AM

They're having a little tete-a-tete there, eh?

Cute picture.

Karen

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