I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Anything that does not fit elsewhere can be discussed here.

Moderators: DJKeefy, 4u Network

Post Reply
User avatar
Grandad
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6924
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: South East UK
Has thanked: 797 times
Been thanked: 2254 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Grandad »

We seldom talk about personal stuff and rightly so. However, some recent events concerning Mrs G and myself have some bad and good, ying and yang, pessimism and optimism and I am inclined to share the story. A fairly long story and I don’t wish to bore you but just want to tell it with its ups and downs, pros and cons…..

Over recent months I have intimated on several occasions about us curtailing our activities particularly with respect to using the car. Mrs G has had the incurable Dry Macular Degeneration for several years. This causes loss of central vision so in her left eye she only has peripheral vision. During a routine eye test in January, the optometrist identified what he suspected to be Wet Macular Degeneration in her other eye. This can be treated but if not found early will lead to blindness. He made an urgent referral to a specialist clinic and she was seen just over a week later. The diagnosis was confirmed and after a scan of her eye she started a series of monthly injections into the eye with scans to confirm the degree of success. A scan last Friday showed that the disease is now under control and she would not have any injection for a second month when another scan will be done to decide her long term treatment. So, a bit of bad news but now the news is much better.

Now my problem. For many years I have been aware of an increasing lack of feeling in my feet. I am not diabetic. In November last year I had an accident in my car (the first in over 60 years of driving). I had just visited a nearby friend and there was light rain and as far as I could remember my wet shoe slid off the brake pedal. The insurers settled within 48 hours and I bought another car, similar model but newer so all was well. In January I was even more aware of the problem with my left (clutch) foot and discussed it with my doctor who diagnosed Chronic Peripheral Neuropathy.

As both of our conditions are reportable to the DVLA (The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) for continued license to drive, we duly printed the online forms and sent them to DVLA early in February. There was then a long, five month, period through which we were both in suspense as to whether we would be able to keep our drivers licenses. During this period the DVLA contacted our specialist (for Mrs G) and GP for myself for professional reports. Early July we both received confirmation from DVLA that we could retain our licenses to drive.

Good news but, by her own decision, my wife had decided that whatever the outcome she would not drive again unless the treatment to her eye showed significant visual improvement. I needed to continue to drive and I also made a decision about my future driving. As I was now very aware of the lack of feeling in my left foot I have this week changed my car to an automatic which I am finding resolves the problem completely. We only did 900 miles since last November, and that was mostly to the supermarket. We have already done a quarter of that since changing the car on Monday. Next weekend we are going to Staffordshire for a few days to visit relatives so in under two weeks we will have travelled more than we did in eight months while decisions were made about our driving.

It feels as if some restraints have been removed and we now have freedom of movement once again. Just our little story of recent events but we are very happy about the outcome…….just wanted to share it. :up :lol:


:gg:
User avatar
Horus
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 12363
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: UK
Has thanked: 1658 times
Been thanked: 2213 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Horus »

Great result Grandad and you should be praised for behaving responsibly with your foot problem, the automatic was definately the way to go and you will not want to go back to manual gearbox. They are so good these days and unless you have driven them before can be a bit strange to start with, especially just pulling up to traffc lights or on a steep hill and not having to release a hand brake and slip a clutch to pull away again, quite un-nerving when you first do it :lol: Although my last few cars have been all manual gearboxes I have owned several automatics and rated them highly, but when I first swapped over I had to jam my left foot under the seat to control my natural reaction of using my left foot on a clutch. :lol: :lol:
Image
User avatar
Kiya
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 4286
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: Peterhead Scotland
Has thanked: 1575 times
Been thanked: 537 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Kiya »

I agree with Horus A great result for you :)

Does that mean you both will be going out & around a lot more now & plenty to photograph to show us :)

Thanks for sharing :) :)
User avatar
LovelyLadyLux
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 11596
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:12 pm
Location: Canada
Has thanked: 417 times
Been thanked: 2714 times
Canada

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by LovelyLadyLux »

Great news and I'm sure the 'just knowing' now has been a great weight lifted. Anytime there is a period of not knowing I think we (well me anyway) typically tends to want to plan worse case scenario so as to be prepared and minimize last minute adjustments. Good that the automatic car has solved the driving problem too. When I returned to Canada this latest car is an automatic. No reason for getting it as I'd always had manuals except it was the best financial deal at the time and I saw no reason not to purchase however I still often push the clutch in. Not sure when that response will finally stop but I'm often feeling the need to change gears via the left foot going into action.

This is really great news that you're able to get back to a more normalized lifestyle of traveling about, sight seeing etc. 900km over 8 months is hanging pretty close to home and while that has obviously been do-able having the ability to travel about is giving a much higher quality of life.

I have a few friends who have peripheral neuropathy however this has gone hand and hand with being diabetic. They've often talked about the level of pain involved which is considerable. Is there anything you can do to combat this disease? Acupuncture to stimulate the nerve endings? Massage?

I know that my friends have done nothing to combat this as they're both smokers which has exacerbated the diabetes which has caused their neuropathy so they're in a vicious cycle however if you do not have diabetes is there something you can do to stop/slow/fix the neuropathy?
User avatar
Grandad
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6924
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: South East UK
Has thanked: 797 times
Been thanked: 2254 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Grandad »

Thank you all for your friendly comments but, after all, personal stuff is not something you discuss other than between friends. :up

@Horus. My only previous automatic Horus, was 30 years ago after a heart attack. When I returned to work they had changed my company car for a new one with auto drive. They thought it would be less stressful.....very nice thought.


@Kiya. Yes Kiya we hope to get out more. Most of this year has been like internment :) but then it was like being let out of a trap :lol:

@ LLL. My PN is chronic, meaning it is gradual over a long period. Had it been acute then I would probably not be allowed to drive. When I was 23 I had rheumatic fever which affected me in my feet. Very painful and I spent 12 weeks in RAF hospital. My doctor agrees that it could have some baring on the current situation.

As a medical aside, I have taken Pravastatin 40mg for very many years. I have a very uncomfortable pain in my right shoulder that can wake me at night. In my wisdom, I wondered if a lower statin dose might help my feet. ;) So without reference to my Doc I reduced my dose to 20mg. After two months I went to see him and tell him what I was doing and to ask for a blood test.

He always says that any pain from taking statins would be in many parts of the body. Well, during the two months my shoulder pain has disappeared and my cholesterol is actually a point lower than with 40mg......he said carry on with the 20mg :lol: :lol:
:gg:
User avatar
LovelyLadyLux
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 11596
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:12 pm
Location: Canada
Has thanked: 417 times
Been thanked: 2714 times
Canada

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by LovelyLadyLux »

Statins can be weird and wonderful. Good to know the reduced dose helped the shoulder pain.
User avatar
Grandad
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6924
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: South East UK
Has thanked: 797 times
Been thanked: 2254 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Grandad »

We have had the new, well pre owned, car for nearly three weeks now and I am completely happy driving it and have regained my driving confidence after A) the accident, and B) the awareness that my left foot was now unsafe.

We did something over 500 miles over the long weekend and, although I have always thought of myself as 'A DRIVER' which means using a manual box to its fullest potential; I am now enjoying the relaxed one foot driving of an automatic. ;)

I have a couple of outings to tell you about and maybe I will get round to that this evening. No castles or country houses Kiya, just a couple of places we found while in Staffordshere, watch this space Eh! :lol:
:gg:
User avatar
Horus
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 12363
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: UK
Has thanked: 1658 times
Been thanked: 2213 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Horus »

Glad to see that you are pleased with and adapting to your new motor :up
Image
User avatar
LovelyLadyLux
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 11596
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:12 pm
Location: Canada
Has thanked: 417 times
Been thanked: 2714 times
Canada

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by LovelyLadyLux »

Waiting to see!! :D
User avatar
Kiya
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 4286
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: Peterhead Scotland
Has thanked: 1575 times
Been thanked: 537 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Kiya »

@ Grandad....No castles or country houses :( ..........I'm sure it will still be interesting :)
User avatar
Grandad
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6924
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: South East UK
Has thanked: 797 times
Been thanked: 2254 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Grandad »

Yes I am enjoying driving again but with a difference. ;)

When working, my company cars tended to be large-ish because I would often need to carry staff or customers. After I retired we opted for smaller cars like Peugeot 206's, of which we had 10 on an annual lease arrangement via my son who works for Peugeot. We then bought a new Black 107 that we called 'The Rocket' and then a white 107 Sportium that we never got to give a name. :lol:

5155 5156

Small cars suit us because our garage is not over large and little cars fit nicely. :lol:

So to the latest.....The quirky little Toyota iQ. At a very tight squeeze you can get 4 in but we never need it so keep the rear seats down to give ample space for shopping, cases etc. It has all the features, knobs and buttons of a large motor but is like a big car with the back sawn off. Cruises happilly at well over the national speed limit and does about 55 to the gallon. Road tax is just £20. The auto is CVT which means there are no gears, just a continually variable ratio so you have no sensation of the car changing gear.


We absolutely love it and with very efficient aircon it suits us admirably. ;)
5154
:gg:
User avatar
Horus
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 12363
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: UK
Has thanked: 1658 times
Been thanked: 2213 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Horus »

Hey Grandad that sure looks a little dinky, just the job for two people and very ecconomical, now are you sure you did not reverse into something at the back? :lol:
Image
User avatar
Grandad
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6924
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: South East UK
Has thanked: 797 times
Been thanked: 2254 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Grandad »

@ Horus :)))

I think you would like it H. They have just stopped production because there were too many in the small car range. This was really over engineered and over specified for a city car. Add to that it was built in Japan and it is actually a very nice highly specified well built small car. There was a version badged for Aston Martin that sold for £30k :o

And we like the economy too. :lol:
:gg:
User avatar
Kiya
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 4286
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: Peterhead Scotland
Has thanked: 1575 times
Been thanked: 537 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Kiya »

Awe it's cute if I can call it cute for a car ;) reminds me of the old bubble cars :)
User avatar
Horus
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 12363
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: UK
Has thanked: 1658 times
Been thanked: 2213 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Horus »

To be honest with you Grandad there is little point in running bigger cars nowadays unless you have to, when I was working I used to like the bigger cars and usually drove Granada's or Scorpio's and a few Audi's & VW Passats and if it were not for the fact that I may need room to get a wheelchair and other stuff for my mother then I would probable downsize from the people carrier type I have now. ;)
Image
User avatar
LovelyLadyLux
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 11596
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:12 pm
Location: Canada
Has thanked: 417 times
Been thanked: 2714 times
Canada

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by LovelyLadyLux »

Cute car Grandad and in my second most favourite colour - white (most favourite is grey or silver as it doesn't show dirt). Here those little cars with the chopped off backs are referred to as "smart cars." I knew they'd be economical on gas but didn't realize they were that economical. Lines on it are good.

When I worked we had BIG cars and even bigger four wheel drives that could literally climb mountains. My car now is a small Toyota. Not quite your little car but very much like either of your first two.
User avatar
Grandad
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6924
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: South East UK
Has thanked: 797 times
Been thanked: 2254 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Grandad »

Yaris or Auris LLL? Toyota do build very good reliable cars :up
:gg:
User avatar
Grandad
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6924
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:15 am
Location: South East UK
Has thanked: 797 times
Been thanked: 2254 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by Grandad »

Diverting somewhat into small or city cars LLL, there is a 'Smart' car manufactured by Daimler in their plant in France. This is the Smart Fortwo that looks like this.
5160

This is a two seater, very popular throughout the world and they made !.5 million last year. My car is much larger and similar to a family car inside except it is only 3 metres long. My earlier picture does make it look a bit like a bubble car Kiya but it is much larger than those.
51585159

LLL, we have vehicle duty tax depending on the vehicles emissions. These range from zero tax for cars emitting less than 100grams of CO2/kilometer, to the gas guzzlers that pay £1065 for their first year from new and then £490 per annum. I expect you have something similar in terms of motor taxation...

Mine is £20 per annum for around 109gm/kilometer :up
:gg:
User avatar
LovelyLadyLux
Egypt4u God
Egypt4u God
Posts: 11596
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:12 pm
Location: Canada
Has thanked: 417 times
Been thanked: 2714 times
Canada

Re: I Wanna Tell You a Story......

Post by LovelyLadyLux »

Mine is a Toyota Yaris. It is good for tooting about here and there in town but the longer highways drives are not quite as comfortable. It has 4 doors and I'm able to push the back seat down so it is able to carry some pretty remarkably big loads.

More and more around here I'm seeing the little 2 seater cars being used about town. Easy to park, just enough space to carry all the groceries and get you anywhere you need to get to.
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Christmas Story
    by LovelyLadyLux » » in Just 4 Fun
    2 Replies
    1119 Views
    Last post by Grandad
  • A short story
    by Horus » » in General Discussions and Rants
    6 Replies
    2802 Views
    Last post by Kiya
  • A story of Cairo
    by PRchick » » in Just 4 Fun
    96 Replies
    37895 Views
    Last post by Horus
  • My new camera story
    by Grandad » » in Hobbies And Pastimes
    31 Replies
    2053 Views
    Last post by Kiya
  • Can U remember when & do U have a story.......
    by LovelyLadyLux » » in General Discussions and Rants
    3 Replies
    774 Views
    Last post by Horus