Plugger Problems

This a list of the pains and miseries I have.

Most of the time I am weary and struggle to do simple tasks. My mind runs slower and I struggle with words and memories (before this I had a good memory and as a preacher could speak well) which makes it hard to be around people. I define my days as:

1. There goes my chicken!

2. Where is my chicken?

3. I have a chicken?

I don’t feel what I call real pain as much since my body is mostly numb. Often I have what I call phantom or unreal pain which can be a sudden pain like a punch (which often takes my breathe away), or a stabbing pain (which lasts longer as the days go by).

When still preaching the pain was so bad I would throw up a couple of times each sermon and having

to swallow it made my throat hurt. I found out drinking a carbonated beverage would allow me to burp rather than throw up. Even when I do not feel the pain I still get nauseous.

Traveling in a car for more then a few minutes was agony. One time the pain was so intense I passed

out and when I came to was paralyzed from the neck down for 18 hours. I had little pain and

when movement came back so did the pain. I almost wish I had remained paralyzed. The numbness has spread so far I do not feel the pain but still drink a carbonated beverage to travel.

My abilities and mood together can swing sharply from day to day and at times during a day. One day I can plan for the future and the next be unable to think clearly which is hard on my family.

Other things:

I find it harder to make it to the bathroom in time.

I drop things more often.

Dr Byrd recommended a chair yoga program and it helped with strength and mobility.

Spend more time in bed then I used to.

There may be other things but I may not remember them which is why I made this list.

(This was written in 2017 as I was preparing to go on disability.)