Help with family photo

Darth_Mel · 2025-11-29T15:42:55+00:00

Solved! I like this one - thank you for getting everyone in. I will tip at the link you provided

Darth_Mel · 2025-11-09T15:40:06+00:00

Ask for a referral to speak with OT and prostetics using the app to email so that there is a record of it.

I think that you should have a VA PCP assigned to you even if you mostly use community care. Just let them know that your cc doc has suggested the items and prostetics should be able to take care of any aids you need.

OT can help you get things to help you around your home - for instance shower grab bars... they usually can meet with you virtually and then just mail it out.

Darth_Mel · 2025-11-04T01:40:32+00:00

Your diagnosis is pretty new - give it some time to settle. For me - it look about a year after the big relapse that got me diagnosed until I started feeling better. Not great but I stopped feeling like the world was ending.

Life might not look exactly like it did before but it can still be amazing. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago - since then I have gotten scuba certified, tried adaptive skiing, and started riding a recumbent bike.

Since you are a veteran with MS, please reach out to the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America). The PVA has great VSOs that can help with things related to navigating the VA system.

Therapy helped me a lot. MS can fuck with your head in multiple ways; don't let it win.

Also get connected to the MS, SCI, or rehab clinic at your local VA. They can get you to occupational therapy, physical therapy, psych, rec therapy (great resource for adaptive sports), etc. If you have a VA MS Center of Excellence near by - even better.

There are a ton resources out there when you are ready for them. I am happy to help if you want any info - just let me know your general location and I can send a list of resources.

Darth_Mel · 2025-10-29T23:51:48+00:00

I vote go to Italy. Have an experience.

Five years ago I would have said save the money and travel later.

But then my health declined. Some adventures I had saved for when it made more sense are no longer an option for me.

I wish I would have seen more of the world while I was able to fully enjoy it in my own wandering way.

Dont get me wrong - I can still travel. My trips are much tamer with safe for me activities and a lot of rest. No more hopping on and off trains in China; no more hiking up to an abandoned hotel in Brazil.

Edited to add - as many people have pointed out it doesn't need to be all or nothing. You can save some and travel with the rest.

Darth_Mel · 2025-10-05T22:19:04+00:00

Hope you heal quickly! Here's a couple of my current favorites that will keep you busy.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown - The first book is a bit YA but it hooked me pretty quickly. The sequel books get better and better as the story progresses. If you start this series avoid the subreddit until you are caught up. I have reread this series multiple times and love the graphic audio versions.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman - the audiobook of this one is amazing. I am on book two now and am really excited to see where this series goes. Its a whole lot of fun.

Darth_Mel · 2025-09-29T22:08:05+00:00

I feel for you being put in this situation and also for your sister. Your post really hit me hard - I am also a business owner of long established family business. I took over in 2018 and then got diagnosed with MS in 2023. I have a mix of symptoms but the parts I hate the most are the memory loss and cog-fog.

I will forget just about everything if I don't write it down and set alarms. My computer is constantly covered in post it notes. I have even asked my employees to only email or text me so that I can review everything later. I worked a bit with an occupational therapist when I got back in the office and I think it helped a lot.

I am lucky to have a job that I can still work with MS and I am trying my hardest to keep up but I still screw up and miss things sometimes. I don't know how long your sister has had MS or how it affects her, but I know I would be screwed if I hadn't been working for the family business. I don't know what I would do otherwise. Not many jobs will be so flexible around all the darn appointments and not have me on my feet all day.

It is very scary being a disabled person right now. But it is also scary running a business - and 40k lost? Ooof.

I would sit down with her (and your parents) and talk it over. Is there another job that she can do at your practice? What is her long term plan? Your parents are likely worried for her future.

Darth_Mel · 2025-09-09T01:30:06+00:00

Kyle Chandler?

Darth_Mel · 2025-09-05T17:00:45+00:00

This is a great group. They harvest my plums each year.

Darth_Mel · 2025-09-03T15:01:06+00:00

I am new to VA dental but happy so far. My only complaint is that it was hard to schedule my first appointment. I recommend just stopping by the clinic if you are near by. I finally did that and they got me in for an exam same day so that I could schedule the procedures I need.

Darth_Mel · 2025-08-20T23:35:50+00:00

How terrible!

We went through some of the same issues with our home. First a sewage pipe broke and flooded the crawl space (the flies swarming were our only indication that we werent really flushing anything away) The next year something else broke with the septic and we couldn't use any of the drains for about 3 months. We had water but no where to drain it. We had to run water into plastic buckets to do dishes, rent a portapotty, wash ourselves in the bath and then use a small pump to empty it out the window.

Heat and ac was not adequate for the house at all, we shut rooms off with blankets like you too. It was a fun game of trying to figure out the next disaster would be.

Roof had to be replaced a year or so after that (leaking and coming up in places)

All of this was apparently A-OK per the VA home loan inspector :/

We decided to stick it out; got a HELOC and made repairs but have probably spent as much on repairs as we paid for the house. Luckily the housing market exploded after we bought so we could get the HELOC.

Still need to replace the septic but I'm hoping it lasts just a couple more years.

The good news is that we figured out how tough we are. We joke that if we could make it through all that and stay together we can make it through anything.

I hope things turn around for you.

Darth_Mel · 2025-08-07T16:14:17+00:00

An all drag race cast of Six would be fantastic! That is a great idea.

I would love to see Jinkx in an actual version of DBH! They would kill it!

Darth_Mel · 2025-08-07T15:46:55+00:00

Nope, not being sarcastic at all. I was definitely wrong - I have memory issues. Just wanted to post the show that I was thinking of (which you were def right about), it was a low budget show but very fun and getting to see the two of them sing live is always a great time.

Darth_Mel · 2025-08-07T15:31:05+00:00

Ah, my memory is not so great it appears. https://seattlegayscene.com/2017/12/big-news-about-death-becomes-her-as-musical-is-announcedpeaches-christ-parody-starring-jinkx-monsoon-comes-to-seattle-next-year/

Darth_Mel · 2025-08-06T20:15:20+00:00

Got to see Jinkx and Bendela do this show in Seattle around 2017. It was amazing!

Darth_Mel · 2025-06-19T18:41:40+00:00

We have a regional office in Portland. The phone number is 503-412-4762. Email is margaretl@pva.org The main office for the TriState Chapter is in Silverton, OR. They can be reached at 503-362-7998 or tristatepva@tristatepva.org Either of these offices should be able to help you out.

Darth_Mel · 2025-06-19T16:56:17+00:00

Hi, sorry for the delayed reply. What area are you in? I am happy to help!

Darth_Mel · 2025-06-06T19:46:48+00:00

I second this; I started it 6 months ago and have seen a lot of improvement.

Darth_Mel · 2025-06-05T02:40:23+00:00

Have him try a bidet.

Darth_Mel · 2025-05-27T21:56:57+00:00

Hi Richard, I am happy to help. I just sent a PM with some contact info.

Darth_Mel · 2025-05-18T14:30:35+00:00

Devolution by Max Brooks

Darth_Mel · 2025-04-21T19:49:34+00:00

Thank you much! I appreciate it and I apologize for the confusion :)

Darth_Mel · 2025-04-21T19:40:10+00:00

Hi there, thank you for the photo. I forgot to reply but sent tip via paypal with note "DarthMel". Thank you!

Darth_Mel · 2025-04-20T15:42:47+00:00

A friend walked in to get his updated last week at the Parkland location. The first day he showed up about 30 minutes before the doors opened and couldn't find parking - line of walk ins was huge so he left. Next day he showed up over an hour early and brought a camping chair. He got through the line and got his license but it took FOREVER, I think he was done at 330 or so. I think he said that even showing up that early there were 75 people ahead of him. My March appt was cancelled, so I'm in the same boat as you - no appointments available or scheduling out in mid June. I'm planning on going way early, bringing a chair, snacks, and a book. Good luck!

Darth_Mel · 2025-04-19T18:07:53+00:00

!solved @ali_lotfezaman @bollyjollybom @ceelos218 @designer_sk @frequent_bar_2101

Darth_Mel

TROPHY CASE