posted on September 6, 2000 04:30:22 PM new
SAABsister, I know exactly what you mean! I was in an accident a year and a half ago when a 48' tractor trailer ran a redlight while going 45 mph (and gaining speed trying to get through the light), and t-boned the car I was driving. I am just now able to actually GO when the light turns green. For months I would just sit there making sure that everyone on both sides of the red light was going to stop before I would proceed. Meanwhile, there were lines of cars behind me blaring their horns for me to GO!
That accident is a really big reason that I started eBaying (is that a word?). After 8 months of intense physical therapy, many MRI's, cat scans, etc., I have been deemed permanently impaired, which really sucks since I am only 28 and have 2 small kids to care for. I have lots of days that I don't feel like getting out of bed and I know that there isn't an employer out there that would put up with that. Thank God I have my degree in business...it's gone along way with my eBay "career"!
posted on September 6, 2000 06:28:38 PM new
yuper592, it's quite an adjustment, isn't it?I know what you mean about waiting at lights. Sometimes rather than listen to someone blow the horn, I would just pull into the intersection and think " hope I don't die!" My husband would suggest a trip to a flea market miles away and I'd have to think about whether I could stand the traffic which never bothered me before the accident. I found that I required several stops on most trips - cups of coffee or a newspaper - anything to break up the amount of time in the car.
I know I would have trouble as a freelance writer(for a newspaper)now - I seldom had to take notes before because I had great recall. Now if I don't write something down immediately, I'm apt to forget it. I think that bothers me more than the physical pain which has diminished but not disappeared. At least with eBay, you can pace your work.
posted on September 6, 2000 06:52:39 PM new
SAABsister, adjustment has been my middle name since my ordeal. My newborn was exactly 3 months old on the day of my accident. I literally could not lift him for weeks after the accident. My pain killers would knock me out to the point that I wouldn't even hear him wake up for his middle-of-the-night feedings (thank God I'm not a single Mom!). My pain has subsided somewhat also, but it's still there every single day and as every day passes I get madder and madder at the man that hit me. I realize that he didn't set out that day to malicously hit someone, but his carelesess has cost me dearly and will continue to cost me for the rest of my life. I lost my job because of this accident (like I said, not too many bosses out there willing to allow you to miss days upon days of work) and the financial strain is unbelievable. The saddest part of the whole thing is it was the driver of a HUGE corporation, a very common household name. If I'm lucky, I will walk away from this thing with enough money to cover the costly medications I have to take for the rest of my life. I'm now trying to adjust to that crummy idea!
posted on September 6, 2000 07:22:47 PM new
SAABsister and yuper592: Oh my God!! You have both put into words what I have been feeling for the last two years (actually anniversary of accident is the 7th). My dad was in a major car accident and our whole world changed in a slip second.
He had to have a total shoulder replacement and months of training (actually, he is still working on that shoulder). Thank God he had a job that he could take time off from (ended up taking 4 months off and only works 7 hours a day now because he can't drive so my mom and I have to drop him off and pick him up).
Of course I am so thankful that we are lucky enough to still have him. It really could have been worse. However, there are moments of extreme anger at the driver (small world time: The driver of the other car had tried to break into our house 6 months before the accident).
Anyway:
Someone mentioned magnets. I never would have believed they worked, but they have done wonders for my dad. He has horriable spasms in his arm plus limited mobility. When he uses the manets he doesn't have the pain PLUS has a much wider range of motion. I have also used them for migrains and cannot recommend them enough! I know it sounds strange, but they really do work!
posted on September 6, 2000 07:56:29 PM new
I don't want to sound like an advertisement here - but, since there are several of you on this thread experiencing pain on a regular basis - I have to throw my two cents in on the magnets.
If you haven't tried it - believe me, magnet therapy honestly works wonders. A few years ago I wrote a monthly newsletter for a company that sold magnets. My work required extensive research (most of which I've forgotten) but, I was surprised to learn how prevalent their use is in other countries - particularly Japan.
A couple of points though - don't bother with the cheaper brands as they generally aren't going to have the strength to do the job.
Also, don't use one if you have a pacemaker - the results can be deadly.
They're fabulous for back pain - and if you can swing the cost of a magnetic mattress pad you'll sleep like a baby. Two brands that I remember as being exceptional were Nikken and Russell. Nikken sells through an MLM but you could buy Russell through their web-site. Or, check eBay?
Believe it or not - I don't sell them - used to think they were hokey - but learned that they really do work for all kinds of aches and pains.
posted on September 6, 2000 08:42:28 PM new
Bravo, macandjan!
Who knows how many lives you may have saved that night?...
Interesting thread, by the way! It is great to see so many people empowering themselves when the brick and mortar business world is not always as accommodating as it could or should be.
posted on September 6, 2000 09:07:13 PM new
How much do the magnetized mattress covers cost? I'd like to get one for my son. I also sell on Ebay because of having a nervous breakdown teaching school! I have a very difficult time remembering and I take medication for depression, anxiety, pain, acid reflux, high cholesterol, and sleep with a C-pap Machine. Really lovely for my husband.
posted on September 6, 2000 09:11:16 PM new
I am retired, but need supplement for insurance and since I have worked for over 45 years in Radiology, it was time for me to relax, but I didn't I had a major Panic attack that landed me in the Psych. ward for 2 days. I needed to get out with people but feared it so now I spend my time selling on ebay. I was very outgoing,able to do anything but now I prefer to stay home. I do go to an occasional estate sale or rummage sale but it is not a top priority with me any more. I use to go religiously every Friday, Saturday but the urge is gone. Thank goodness I have quite a jewelry collection. ebay was a god send to me.
posted on September 6, 2000 09:41:55 PM new
Awwww crud,
I typed this long message and hit a key that erased my post.
I have Systemic Lupus, and I am chemotherapy. Ebay has been a lifesaver. The only problem is that I sell Disney collectibles. Since the announcement of Ebay and Disney's auction site bids have been way way way down.
Now I will have to find something else to sell online. Don't know what yet.
[ edited by kellyb1 on Sep 6, 2000 09:42 PM ]
posted on September 6, 2000 09:45:48 PM newSyl36 It's been a while since I've priced them, but I think a good quality twin sized would run around $250. Even if your son sleeps on a larger bed - the twin should cover enough area to be effective. I would recommend that you get a small magnet pad (about 16" x 16" ) first and see if that helps your son before progressing to the larger size. If he has a particular area that causes him pain, spasms, poor circulation, etc. he can test the smaller one first to see if he notices any relief. Plus, that's a good size for putting on the back of your car seat or chair. Macandjan is right in that they don't work for everyone. I would guess that it depends on the type and cause of pain.
It's really important to study the use of magnets and to find the right strength. A lot of chiropractors sell them - so you might talk to some in your area. I should caution that the use of magnet therapy should be treated as seriously as a medication because it will alter your blood flow and effect changes in your system.
I realize that my earlier post sounded like a blanket recommendation for everyone. So, wanted to add that this is actually a serious medical decision. My personal experience was a complete end to years of lower back spasms - just by using a small pad. I found that I couldn't sleep on one because it put me into such a deep state of sleep that I was uncomfortable with being that out of it. OTOH, my husband really likes sleeping on his.
[ edited by mybiddness on Sep 6, 2000 09:46 PM ]
