EBD fundraiser

[Sharxfan]

EBD, I used to get calf cramps a lot. I found that stretching the calves especially after exercising helped. I also sleep with a second blanket that covers me from the knees below to keep my calves toasty and it seems to help as well.

Have you looked to see if you can qualify for help from charities? I am not sure in California but seems like there is a program for everything. You may qualify for some assistance to help you get heat in your house. Have you tried calling PG&E and explaining your situation they may know of some organizations.

 

[dravnx]

Your not hydrated enough and your electrolytes are also off. Drink more water and get your electrolytes balanced.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153188.php
I go through the same. I have a bad habit of not drinking enough fluids. When I get dehydrated, I get muscle cramps at night.

 

[EastBayDave]

EBD, I used to get calf cramps a lot. I found that stretching the calves especially after exercising helped. I also sleep with a second blanket that covers me from the knees below to keep my calves toasty and it seems to help as well.

Thanks; I'll give stretching a try. As for heat, that's covered w/heat pads & space heaters. However due to my diabetes, I get little blood flow to the legs/feet anywayz. All the docs say amputations are in my future. No help, but this is what you are in for...

Have you looked to see if you can qualify for help from charities? I am not sure in California but seems like there is a program for everything. You may qualify for some assistance to help you get heat in your house. Have you tried calling PG&E and explaining your situation they may know of some organizations.

Oh yeah; documented earlier in this thread is how we tried to get various benefits from various organizations. Most turned me down as I am a home owner & therefore have too much $$$ (bank owns it anywayz..sheesh!) We between SSDI & wife's part time work make slightly too much $$$.

We have had several people f/various agencies out here & were turned down for:
Mice evidence (gee I live next door to a 1x4 mile field/wildlife preserve; we get all kind of critters around here. What do they expect?)We trapping all the time ever since I moved in here in 81'. Its nonstop...

"Clutter." Your house is messy/cluttered. You need to get it cleaned up or we will not enter. Done that many times but still not "good enough." Guess you need to eat off the floor or no benefits....

Asbestos flues on water heater & house furnace. No workie on asbestos...(not even to remove/replace.) Great help/thanks.

Evidence of mold. What house doesn't have a little? We 6' above sea level, & at high tide water is just under the topsoil. I also have a underground creek/stream adjacent to house that was buried ~30 years ago & put in a 15' round concrete pipe. They leak so many cubic tons of water per ft. Mold is a constant battle. Again what do they expect? Derp.

I'm really getting miffed @ gov't workers whose job it is to say "no." They really hurt people like us. Especially the reverse discrimination vindictive types who really enjoy that. Stick it to da crackers. Anuses.

So yeah, we tried that route & are still trying. Best & only thing we got so far is help on the PG&E bill (discount.) Other than that; they no help at all; just enraging/depressing us. Gov't workers sux...

Such is life in the big city man.....sux.

 

[EastBayDave]

Your not hydrated enough and your electrolytes are also off. Drink more water and get your electrolytes balanced.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153188.php
I go through the same. I have a bad habit of not drinking enough fluids. When I get dehydrated, I get muscle cramps at night.

Thanks for suggestion; the problem is I'm on a "Low Water Intake" diet. Excess water makes one put on weight; thus it makes the heart work harder. As I have congestive heart failure ("CHF") I have to moderate water intake. So I'm in a kinda "Catch-22" situation there....???

Lots of suggestions of "Gatorade"/"Pedialyte"/etc. Great for sports/athletes & babies, the high salt content makes it bad for heart patients. Salt bad for the weight/heart, sugars bad for diabetics.

I swore by Gatorade back when racing. A race on a hot day & I'd lose 5lbs. every race w/non-vented leathers. Gatorade was great for preventing that; but back then I was in great shape. Compared meself to "Popeye" back then w/the huge arms. I was a muscle man back in the 70's/80's...

Nowadays w/the various issues; those things just not appropriate for me specific bad health situation...

Thanks for info anywayz...

-d

 

[EastBayDave]

a quick note on the heater/furnace quotes. We think we may have settled on a couple local contractors. Their prices are the lowest; but quality is unknown. I have one coming tomorrow & the other later in the week for estimates.

They are the best yet @ $1700, & $2000 (w/caveats of perhaps more if flue/roof needs work.) So we're almost there. Compared to the big nationwide companies quotes of $9-12K, these prices are great & affordable to us w/the heater fundraiser funds.

They are also local & specialize in these type of homes f/most of their work. Cool man...

keep ye fingies crossed!

 

[Honey Badger]

Dave, gatorade is basically sugary crap - try looking at skratch labs products (skratchlabs.com). Their stuff is natural, and I believe they have some lower sugar/salt versions as well. Everyone who's tried it has noticed a very distinct physical difference on hot track days...the flavors are pretty mild, which I prefer.

 

[EastBayDave]

Dave, gatorade is basically sugary crap - try looking at skratch labs products (skratchlabs.com). Their stuff is natural, and I believe they have some lower sugar/salt versions as well. Everyone who's tried it has noticed a very distinct physical difference on hot track days...the flavors are pretty mild, which I prefer.

Ok, will have to check that out. Back in the day Gatorade was the only thing available. Hated the green stuff, but fell in love w/the orange when it came out. Chug-a-lug when needed...

Racing on a hot day in sealed leathers was worse than being in a sauna. I would literally lose like 5 lbs. in sweat per race. Had to quickly build it back up so drinking a whole jug in less than 5 minutes was normal between races.

It worked too; many times it made the difference between 3 races a day or 2. I always wanted the most track time I could get so...

 

[Honey Badger]

Ok, will have to check that out. Back in the day Gatorade was the only thing available. Hated the green stuff, but fell in love w/the orange when it came out. Chug-a-lug when needed...

Racing on a hot day in sealed leathers was worse than being in a sauna. I would literally lose like 5 lbs. in sweat per race. Had to quickly build it back up so drinking a whole jug in less than 5 minutes was normal between races.

It worked too; many times it made the difference between 3 races a day or 2. I always wanted the most track time I could get so...

Well, this past year I survived 6 races a weekend (5-6 of them on Sunday) on skratch - gatorade, coconut water, olives, whatever didn't cut it for me, a combo of the skratch products did

 

[Sharxfan]

Man hate to hear about the diabetes. it runs on my mothers side and I am fighting it tooth and nail.

I had a friend at work that had it very young guy but he was moderating his carb intake per doctors orders and was avoiding insulin. Don't know what type it is but have the doctors talked to you about dietary changes to help you avoid the worst issues? I know most doctors are either pills or no way but may be worth a shot.

Asbestos sucks no one wants to touch it now days due to all the regulations on it unless they specialize in it. Have you ever checked into how much it would cost to have it removed and modern materials put in? wonder if that would help the quotes get lower or get you some assistance.

 

[EastBayDave]

Man hate to hear about the diabetes. it runs on my mothers side and I am fighting it tooth and nail.

I had a friend at work that had it very young guy but he was moderating his carb intake per doctors orders and was avoiding insulin. Don't know what type it is but have the doctors talked to you about dietary changes to help you avoid the worst issues? I know most doctors are either pills or no way but may be worth a shot.

Asbestos sucks no one wants to touch it now days due to all the regulations on it unless they specialize in it. Have you ever checked into how much it would cost to have it removed and modern materials put in? wonder if that would help the quotes get lower or get you some assistance.

I'm a Diabetes "Type II" & use both insulin injections & pills. It started about age 40 & has slowly progressed w/age. My Grandpa was a diabetic.

Docs say it's slowly killing me & I need to "reverse" it. Been trying all that time; I guess not hard enough. I always liked a good=bad meal, & that was a big part of the problem. In later years I became a real fatty @ 330lbs. at one time, so I wasn't helping myself at all. Now @ 237 & trying to hold that. About right f/a 6'3" "big-framed" fella (should'a played pro football.)

Since the "incident" (heart attacks/triple bypass), I can't eat/drink anything that might be bad. It's water & dietish/low sodium/low water intake diet only. Kinda blows f/me as I always liked "great eating/going out f/awesome dinners/etc.; so it's a big change from a lifetime of getting enjoyment out of food.

The 1st contractor arrives today f/a full estimate. We have 2 others appointments coming over the next few days. We should have a better idea of -exactly- what it should cost to just replace the furnace; no a/c or high $$$ units like some have been quoting.

By early next week we will likely make a final decision. A bit late, but it's still dang cold in here even w/the space heaters running full-blast. They help a ton; but I'm used to being comfortable/not shivering under the sheets/blankets. The kids are ok as their rooms are smaller & the space heaters are good enough for the room size.

But to get the whole house warm, the modern high-efficiency wall furnace will do the job...

All the best,

-d

 

[EastBayDave]

Well, this past year I survived 6 races a weekend (5-6 of them on Sunday) on skratch - gatorade, coconut water, olives, whatever didn't cut it for me, a combo of the skratch products did

Back in the day very few/if anyone did 6 races a day. We would call that "IronMan" stuff. By the 5th/6th race you had to be just a little bit tired?

As I'm a heavy advocate for racing/riding safety now; I'd worry about someone a lot -doing that volume of racing in one day. I guess w/the bikes working better overall these days (easier handling/not wobbling all the way around the track), it's not as tiring as it was back in the day? Having not ridden anything newer than a 00', I really don't know. I'm also assuming "rider aids" & better tires are helping nowadays too?

I did 3 races regularly to get max track-time I could. But if I was tired or had a problem w/the bike/me, I'd scratch the 3rd race. Didn't want to take any extra chances; back then too many were dying/getting maimed so it was on everyone's minds. It does something to you when someone get's killed right in front of you. It did me anywayz...

More power to you if it works; just please, be careful! Above all, have fun & enjoy the ride. Don't make it hard work or scary, then the love of racing/riding on the edge, & the love of the sport get's diminished a bit; & it gets more dangerous f/you too.

At the end of my career, I was already considering quitting racing. I had take far too many chances & had too many close calls over a lifetime of riding. A little grease-sweep, riding @ 105%, & chasing a pro/team-mate who was pulling away (little Rich Oliver) did it for me...

-all the best,

-d

 

[EastBayDave]

Sorry all, been offline for several days; hope I didn't miss much?

AT&T climbed the pole & my phone & internet are back online

GOOD NEWS FOLLOWS!!!

 

[EastBayDave]

4am & so excited I can't sleep. So composed this a bit half-awake = please forgive typos/grammar/etc.

1st THANK YOU EVERYONE who have helped in the many ways you all did.

The donations, space heater deliveries, words of encouragement & hope, & well,...just all of you kept us from being as down as we might have been! YOU kept us looking toward solutions =better times ahead. I don't know what we would have done w/o all of you! We were not getting help f/anyone else, just riders.

This week we had more problems; plumbing (you don't want to know), electrical system burning (too many space heaters wide-open), & the phones/internet down, & bill collectors. I'll cut the details, too much to list. It's been a heck of a winter so far. The shivering in the cold & pain f/injuries were the icing on the cake.

The latest great news came from our own BARF'er “Acme” (Tony) & wife “Pam,” who took it upon themselves to cut a check for $1.5K to add to the “Fundraiser” account. Holy molly Captain; the wifie & I almost fainted together.

All together, between BARF & the “ZRXOA” Fundraisers, the total came up to *$2.7K. : (*edit: corrected amount up $400.)

We are still astonished here; & trying to wrap our heads around this. Motorcycle riders helping others in need , well it's just unbelievable. The words of encouragement & DOLLARS raised for us have changed minds (friends/etc.) about Riders. Most can't believe it; but we insist they do. We are changing minds about us. I will tell the tale as long as I'm breathing.

All is in the "Fundraiser" account as of Sat. 1/28/2 017. Almost all of it will be used on this Monday/Tuesday. We will keep the account open just in case a donation is slow (snail mail), or trickles in later.

Yes; yesterday's visit/estimate by the 4th contractor (one of many) we've chosen has got the furnace replacement going. He says start Monday & maybe finish by Mon. or Tuesday. It's going to be ~$2.5K total dependent on how it goes. The asbestos flue removal & roof work complicates things contractor says so it could go either way slightly ($3-$500)...

I know a few of you offered deals on labor/installation of the furnace; but at this point we are too cold to wait, & the $$$ are there. It's a low rate contractor, but even w/the space heaters, it's cold in here. We gotta do it!

If luck holds, we will finally have real gas heat by early next week! Hip Hip Hooray!

It's heaven sent & for everyone here, & we are forever in your dept.


All the best & THANK YOU, from "EBD" = Dave, Teri, Eric & Jason

 

[EastBayDave]

health update

Oh yeah, forgot to mention health. Still recovering far too slowly for me; it's coming along mostly f/diet & exercise. The weight is hovering 238-242lbs. I've working my butt off during walks/workouts but every time I push too hard, -zing!-, another muscle pull. Usually this nagging bad chest muscle & the bad back.

So, thus far today I'm limping a bit. Twisted the knee in a hole yesterday, but I'll be out walking again later when it warms to daily max (~50' maybe?), & push push push to go a little farther. It's somewhere between 1/2-3/4 mile (haven't measured yet.) No more one/or two blocks.

Now it's one block to the park, then halfway around the park (soon to be ALL the way around.) Then a short go on the dumbbell's, curling & arm exercises. Maybe a couple push ups/deep-knee bends. It's not much, but it's more than I could do a few short weeks ago.

Just getting phone/internet has been uplifting for all. The furnace getting replaced early next week is just....well (excuse me ladies) "tits" man. We are so much happier looking forward to next week's warmth. That's about it for now...

-ebd

 

[EastBayDave]

Furnace/heater installed! :d

YES, it's finally happened. It's in & working great!

I've never shown you all the pics, so both new & old are at bottom of this post. Here's what you guys bought! As well as a costs breakdown:

It's installed & warming the house as we speak; maybe too much. I think Teri has it on 85' or something, shew! It is so nice to remove sweaters, hat, even shirt. Heat = aaahh! cool

Total cost was $2K (detail to follow.) It was less than most quotes from various contractors; I think due to some "things" this one did to cut corners. A little less than both the BARF & ZRXOA Fundraisers sent us (a total of ~$2.6K.) Mainly due to the sudden $1.5K check f/Barf'ers Tom ("Acme") & wife Pam. That one bowled us both over :

I'll have to determine what needs to be returned to who of the two groups, & go from there. Gimmie a couple days; this part going to be hard to figure out.

Now we just gotta get me better, & get some urgent plumbing done, & the house will be ok for awhile. The rest can wait. I'm so overjoyed; & so grateful to YOU, the riders, who made all this possible. W/o you folks, we don't know what we would have done.

Thank you all again, thank you so, so much!

Here's the pics:

 

[EastBayDave]

heater install breakdown

Finally! Been a long winter so far, now I don't have to worry about heat anymore. Big weight lifted off both the wifie & me shoulders. Kids opened both doors, & slept all morning w/the heat, they are out cold....uh...hot.

Here's the cost breakout.

Purchase & labor to install new furnace/heater & take away old one=$1600
Labor for asbestos flue removal, installation of NEW steel flue & roof heater vent, fixing shingles (nails/sealant), anti-rodent blocker (didn't know that existed) = $450.
I gave them a $50 cash tip (I always give tips to a job well done.)
So there's $2k, all gone. There is ~$700 left over; I'm just got thinking about how to return excess to ~50 different donors. Most of that was the one family who donated a check f/$1500! That's not to mention EVERYONE else who donated also, helped/came by/dropped space heaters off/etc. Lots helped; lots. From both rider groups.

Anyone need a space heater or two?

They (3 guys/owner & two installers/workers) got here @ ~8:30 & were done ~10am. Fast = zoom! 1 in house, one in attic, & one on roof. Told me they had 3 more to do today. Wow. Guess this is pretty common repair in these houses, the unit itself was 64 years old (exactly as old as the house.)

New one is warrantied parts/labor for 5 years. Says the best they can do is 10-15 years, but that's on more costly units (HVAC/Central air heat/ac or pay for extended warranty - a/c really not needed here. New unit is 50,000 BTU (same as one replaced), a dual wall unit, heat goes out thru each wall f/back bedrooms/front living areas.

Thank you all again, you the best. Riders helping riders...again a big thank you to everyone who was involved/donated/etc.

 

[EastBayDave]

Couple thoughts this AM: this thread is getting a bit long @ 10pages; wonder if I should separate the health issues to "Riders on the mend" & the house/repair issues to "Fundraiser" (this thread?) Still pondering that one...

I've had several PM's f/both groups to "just use the extra." You don't have to break my arm man as we still need urgent repairs (plumbing.) I still feel bad keeping more than the amount needed. Just me...

Truth be known, I've tried not to mention this as it's kinda TMI. We need a new commode, badly. The 64 year old one plugs ~60% of the time, making plunging a lot necessary. It's a real PITA the daily use of a plunger; waiting every time to see if...uh...it, goes down.

It's been snaked 6 times in the last few years, 2 years ago we had a new "line" from sewer/street installed all the way to house/cleanout (~60ft.) It cost over $6K (loan from father & law), & didn't solve things.

Now the recent plumber visits/snakes say it must be the old toliet itself. We've decided on replacement is needed. They start just over ~$130+ plus install labor (I can't do it), so a slightly better unit w/labor is ~$500.

Now that we got the ok f/you'all, think we are going to immediately go for it as plunging makes me pull this chest muscle again & again, & it's a total pain for everyone here.

Let me know how you all feel about spending remainder of $$$ on this. I've gotten a few PM's both sites to go ahead, but would like to hear more approval before spending your $$$. Feel guilty as it is...

-Sincerely,

-d

 

[firstbuell]

OG toilet testimony:

"comfort height" loos cost just a bit more - so worth it!

just as in luv, a coupla inches make all the difference......

 

[EastBayDave]

OG toilet testimony:
"comfort height" loos cost just a bit more - so worth it!
just as in luv, a coupla inches make all the difference......

Yep; shopping next couple days, & am planning on either larger seat or taller commode. Prices start ~$100+ tax for cheapo/good brands ~$200-$500. One contractor says ~$300 to install. So keeping toilet under $400, & getting contractor under $300 will use up remaining fundraiser funds. Thanks again everyone!

Also planning on the $50 kit to make it electric eye flushable. I can install that myself (easy), & you just wave your hand over it...swish! No more hands/fingers on a maybe dirty/unsanitary handle. eeeeuuuuuck.

I'm looking f/contractor now; our furnace installer sez: "we don't do that." So gotta find someone new...looking as we speak.

-d

 

[Sharxfan]

Man wished I was still in the bay Area I would drop that toilet in for you for the totally affordable cost of a six pack. If you don't have to move any plumbing and the original mounting bolts are still good all you would have to do is clean the old wax seal out , put a new wax seal and then drop on the new commode and tighten some bolts and hook up the water line again. easy peasy.

Now installing a new kitchen sink faucet is a pain in the ass. especially when the old one has corroded itself so it is like one big lump of metal. Took me a few hours to do that last night. Almost wished I would have paid a plumber to come do it.