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Old Man Of The Sea

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Im sorry, Im comfused too where I should had post this.

Date of minor stroke 5/02/2010

Date I began this message 5/27/2010

Due to the minor stroke, I knowingly began this message knowing it would take me a long while to complete it, while each time reviewing this message, I was editing it due to the many errors made, so hopefully when posted, this message will be clear enough for all too understand. For im only able to type a short while depending on my physical strength and disabilities that was cursed by the minor stroke on 5/02/2010. My doctor advised that following the minor stroke I should remain hospitalized for close observation due to any further complications. I was told that I was at risk of a possible full blown stroke in the next few days to a stronger and more serious stroke.

Since 5/02/2010 I only seen my grandchildren I think three times, im unable to help with the kids as I done so sense almost eight years ago following their birth. Im sleeping a great deal these days for which im feeling extremely over tired much of the time and due to the stroke im left with a content piercing headache with a lost of vision and im setup with a specialist for as well, my hearing I feel has as well been damaged. As well im mostly always feel with extreme confusion and so, most of the time im staying home now for I now only try driving when its only a must.

I just remembered that im with numbness feelings on the left side of my face and left leg, it was hard to know this after the stroke because I was with great deal of confusion.

The reason for this message is that im very sad to say that I am force to quit the hobby after so many enjoyable years of tis marine hobby. And now im looking for what else I might do in the place of the marine hobby and im thinking of going back to oil painting and as for reading, it will have it difficulties for I been trying to read much at this time and I find myself falling a sleep and always awaking feeling confused, and I remember little at time of what I readied before falling a sleep.

I can say that im for the first time after so many years is feeling extremely scared, with fear to what if this disability becomes much worst.

I will be looking to sell my tanks and books and such, put I first need to put the time into it to taking pictures of everything and hopefully most items will be pick up in person, if I need to ship certain items, I will need the time to get a proper box for that shipping, put the tanks are to be pick up only.

I also almost forgotten that im with a strong numb feeling inside my skull, you know, like a feeling after some ones head struck a hard floor. I guess I cannot exactly explain that as well as I would like too.

So there be three large tanks, the two tanks I had setup as my eel tanks has been setup as one system. It’s a 70 and 120 gallon tanks with a 40 gallon sump I think it is with a euroreef skimmer and under the other tank stand is a UV with a chiller.

The other tank was to be my dream SPS tank, but I see now that it will never happen now, I waited so long and paid so much and now im with no choice but to call it quits. But rather then to say im quitting, im retiring from the hobby. Also I have the equipment I brought, the chiller for the 240 and skimmer with a calcium reactor. There be books and a few hundred lbs of aragonite sand, its clean and in 5.5 gallon pails.

Pictures of everything when I can manage it, will be taking of every item. Its funny, I bought a Macro lens a few years ago believing that I will have this reef tank up and running. Now I will either trade it in or I do some other hobby with it taking photos of butterflies and such.

On my computer, I had my computer guy make larger and have a magnifier for other wise I have for more greater problems to read anything. I do hope that this message is fully understood that im with no choice to retire from this marine hobby. I will retake up oil painting and take photos outdoors when im able too. I been typing a little ever so on and had been editing often for there would be many more errors.

After making a personal decision to retire from this marine hobby and I waited a few weeks so to know for sure my decision to leaving the hobby was a right choice to make. The thing here is, im napping much of the day off and on, for most days im taking three too four long naps. Im very tired at most times and I fall to sleep now quite easily, with that, im up most of the night, were as I sleep much of the day.

The one other thing which troubles me is that I wish to be always able to fend for myself, but it is much difficult now to manage cleaning house, I can not do as well in this as I done before the stroke. You all can see why im with much concern and is also a reason to wanting to move from this house in which the nearest house is about a few hundred yards down the road, so im with no one living near to check in on me, or my condition. And so im hoping to move from here somewhere after 18 months and I of course would need to find a walk in apartment.

I been also during these past two months, working on the list of items to sell. It isn`t the much typing I done, but rather was difficulty, much more difficulty then its ever been. I deleted the hundreds of files and everything totaled more then a thousand links for a few hundreds a lone were articles.

Sincerely,
Buddy
 
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Anonymous

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Buddy, I'm truly sorry to hear about your stroke. It must be a real wrench to have to leave the hobby and put aside carefully laid plans. I wish you the absolute best with your health and hope you surprise the doctors with a recovery that gives you more freedom than predicted right now and that you avoid a further, stronger stroke.

I'm sorry I can't take any of your equipment off your hands, as I'm in Japan, but I hope you find some buyers as soon as you're able to advertise.

Best wishes for a strong recovery,

Tom
 
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Anonymous

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I am sorry to hear this, and hope you feel better soon.
 
A

Anonymous

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Until you recover I am not sure you should attempt to tear down all of your tanks and ship them out, unless you have some help.

Is there somebody locally that can help you? Maybe even a local reef club or a LFS?

When I last had to move I chose to give all of my equipment and livestock away instead of trying to sell it. A very expensive gift but it was quick, easy and safer for the poor souls living in my tank.
 

Old Man Of The Sea

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The 240 not setup, it s not even on the stand I paid to have build for it and as of now sense the stroke, I not remember the guys phone number and as well as strange as it might seem, I can remember at this time were he lives, and his not calling me as well. perhaps I can hang onto the skimmer and calcium reactor as well maybe sell the chiller and hang onto as well the phosphate and carbon reactor. However, I will have no place were I can storage the 240, lease even the other tanks, not unless I pay a storage place to hang on to them. And then it would depend on what the cost will be monthly. And as well, I can search through my papers and notes on my computer for any info to the guys location, I just can not remember. I would as well storage the aragonite sand in pails. But again, it depends on the monthly cost to place in storage and then yes, I would have time then to revaluate my options.

Buddy
 
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Anonymous

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I know a LFS owner over in Spindale, I'll see what assistance he can be for you :)
 

Unarce

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Super nice of your to look into that, Gresh!

Buddy - Really hoping you're able to make a full recovery. Stay positive, set goals for yourself and never lose sight of them. Love the idea of going back to oil painting, but you never really say goodbye to this hobby. You can always stay connected with the local reef community, and the forum-folk. Maybe a nano-reef down the road.

Best wishes!

-Karl
 

Len

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Sorry to hear about what happened, Buddy. I hope for the best for your recovery and your family.
 

Nemo2007

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I am sorry to hear of your loss. Though it is difficult to deal with a sudden loss of function, especially a stroke, it can be done. Did you spend any time in an acute rehab center after your stroke? Most recovery after a stroke occurs within the first three months, but there is still usually further recovery in the following three months. A significantly smaller percentage will have yet more recovery in the following 12 to 24 months. You are still relatively early in the process. It makes sense to scale back, especially since it sounds like you live alone. You might want to hold off a little before making drastic changes. It would be helpful to follow up with a physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), a doctor specialized in helping people like you maximize recovery while improving you coping mechanisms for any permanent mental or physical loss. Depression is a common sequelae after a stroke and may need to be addressed. From what was typed above, I guess you live in the state of Illinois. The highest ranking Rehab Hospital in the country is in Illinois, RIC in Chicago.

I pray you recover soon.
 
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Anonymous

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Nemo2007":3p5l4ojn said:
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Though it is difficult to deal with a sudden loss of function, especially a stroke, it can be done. Did you spend any time in an acute rehab center after your stroke? Most recovery after a stroke occurs within the first three months, but there is still usually further recovery in the following three months. A significantly smaller percentage will have yet more recovery in the following 12 to 24 months. You are still relatively early in the process. It makes sense to scale back, especially since it sounds like you live alone. You might want to hold off a little before making drastic changes. It would be helpful to follow up with a physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), a doctor specialized in helping people like you maximize recovery while improving you coping mechanisms for any permanent mental or physical loss. Depression is a common sequelae after a stroke and may need to be addressed. From what was typed above, I guess you live in the state of Illinois. The highest ranking Rehab Hospital in the country is in Illinois, RIC in Chicago.

I pray you recover soon.

His profile states North Carolina ;)
 
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Anonymous

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Buddy I found a hobbyist/marine fish breeder in your same city. I'll ask her to PM you via this website and hopefully she can help you, or help direct you to some one that can help you :D
 

JD'sReef

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If you are still following this, I think you should rethink your approach. Having survived a TBI (tramatic brain injury), I would tell you that your reef is a way out of everyday life. You will make many mistakes (I flooded my sunroom multiple times, killed a fair few fish/corals), but it was therapy for me while I was not permitted to work. Please don't loose hope in your own capibilities. It has been 4 years for me, but any strugle was progress. Look at my old site, friendsofJason.com
Best of luck down your road home!
 

Microcosmos

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Whether in the end you choose to stay in the hobby or not, I hope you stick around here and keep us posted! I'd love to know what you decide to do next (of course I'm [not-so-] secretly hoping you stay in the hobby in some form or another)!
 

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