member elliot/bigboy4005

He's still around Paul, but not posting much.  I too hope Elliot is OK as well.

Last Visit: 2 days ago

We have to keep in eye on him. He's given us a scare a few times.

I had asked the same question recently over on What did you do on your layout today.....

Hope all is well and he's just busy working on the layout. Unusual for him not to post his month end updates.

Bob

 Hay Elliot, certainly hope all is well with you and yours.

Larry

His profile shows that he was on the forum 2 days ago, but his last post was about 3 weeks ago.  Got to visit his layout early this summer - hoping for the best for him.

I too have missed Elliot, and have thought of checking on him when I wasn't online, of course.  I am hoping he has been busy with summer things after the Big Boy photograph tour he took.

Hi guys, and thanks for your concern. I am alive and mostly well, which is to say that I have no new health issues. However, a couple old ones are causing me a good deal of trouble as they relate to working on the layout. One is easily fixed, namely the cataract in my left eye. It will be a couple more months before that gets resolved. Even though it's just one eye, it makes even using the computer, frustratingly difficult.

Unfortunately, the other problem will never go away, which is the neuropathy in my hands. Imagine going through life with oven mitts on. This condition makes everyday tasks, very difficult. Things as simple as reaching in my pocket and grabbing my wallet require a good deal of effort. Once I finally get it, there's the issue of dealing with its contents. To get a credit card out I have to use my thumb nail to engage the raised numbers and slide it out. I have a terrible time at the gas station paying at the pump. I can get the card in OK, but I have a very hard time pulling it out of the reader. Paper money is also a challenge. 

Even using utensils to eat is a challenge. My wife got me a set with fat handles which helps, but there's still a fair amount of fumbling involved. Even finger foods are difficult sometimes I often wear the ketchup when I eat french fries when they slip out of my fingers, and sandwiches usually fall apart in my hands. The bathroom has its own set of problems, I'll just give you  G rated example, a bar of soap in the shower, 95% of the time I drop it at least once. It takes several attempts to get it back, lasting up to a minute per event.

When I look back at how I used to be able to do things just a few years ago, I get kind of depressed. I haven't touched the layout in more than three months, hence no updates, nothing to report. I'm just in a funk, and the trains are at the heart of the problem. It doesn't help that I've been finding the content of the forum very dull for my taste of late. Just like Mr Ed, I will never speak unless I have something to say.

Throw all those elements together, and it's the perfect storm, for my disappearance. As Mallard noted, I have been visiting and reading a little, almost every day. The point is I'm still here, just not talking.

Good to see your response Elliot, sorry though for the health issues. Good thoughts to you!

Elliot, good to hear from you and that no new health issue have cropped up just the old pain in the *** ones.  As for not working on your layout everyone goes through some form of that, a lot of ups and downs like a roller coaster. But at least you visit here. Plus you can at least run trains and enjoy them. I also agree with you that the forum has changed somewhat in the past year or so............. Paul 2

That's certainly a bummer Elliot, I can only imagine how it would be to have the loss of my hands.  I do hope there's some relief possible, from what I read, it's not a rosy picture.

We are all glad that you are still with us! I know we all still for you!

Elliot,

I am glad that you chimed in on the thread. I'm sure everyone can agree that we are glad to see that no more issues have arisen. I know that you are dealing with more than the average person would be able to. You show us all not to take the basic things we do daily for granted.

 I haven't been doing a ton with my layout lately and though it's not health related I just haven't been motivated and have dealing with other issues. I come here and many times it at least makes me go into the train room and look around  and think what I want to tackle next and MAYBE run a train. 

You will continue to be in my thoughts and I hope that some relief will come to you when it comes to your current health issues. Now that you have this thread, whenever you go through these type of hiatus chime in and a simple "hey" will suffice. Know we are excited about that monstrosity that you are building but we are more excited when we hear from you.

Dave

Elliot I am very sorry to hear of this.  It seems like life is always throwing us challenges, some more that others.  I've often thought about if I were given a choice of which one of our senses to lose, which one would I chose?  I would never pick my sight or hearing, maybe smelling would be the best choice?  I hadn't thought about our sense of touch or being able to use my hands.   

I haven't done any reading or studying about your problem, but I hope there is solution or relief in your short term future.  I hope that you know that you have a lot of train friends that will be hoping and praying for you. 

Lurk all you want and maybe we can say or do something so enticing that you will be compelled to draft a reply.  If not, please pop in once in awhile just to let us know how you are doing.

Art 

Elliot, the forum just is not nearly as good without your active participation.  Your monthly updates  month after month and year after year, have been a great read, visually stunning, instructive, and always welcomed.  And your modeling pieces were equally superb.

Fight on!

Thanks for replying.  

Re the forum, it has its ups and downs.  Lots of great posts recently on some tinplate and postwar stuff, but that's not your thing.  You occupy a niche in the hobby - too realistic for the tinplaters, and the scale guys sniff at that third rail (too bad for them!).  You fill your niche quite well, and offer a lot of ideas and inspiration to all types of train guys, if they are willing to open their eyes and minds to what you're doing.  

Hope the health frustrations improve - most people facing your challenges would have curled up in a corner years ago, but you have persevered.  My aches & pains pale in comparison, and when I feel down about them I think of what you have accomplished.

When the layout calls you back, keep up the good work, and we'll be here when you have something to report.  

Mallard4468 posted:

When the layout calls you back, keep up the good work, and we'll be here when you have something to report.  

I second that and wish you well.

Elliot,

Your message is a happy/sad one.  I was fearful some rather bad health issue had reared its ugly head, so happy that is not the case.  The vision, I can relate to having had cataracts removed 2 years ago, it was all I could do to use the computer at work.  I wasn't on it as much at home.

The neuropathy on the other hand is tough.  I had an older train friend years ago who had something that caused similar problems.  I do so grieve for you, as I did for him.  

As to the Forum, I think all of us have times when our interests wax and wane.  I have contributed little this year on my layout build because I haven't had time to do much, and sometimes health issues do interfere.  

Please always be conscious that I and many others here are thinking of you, pulling for you, praying for you!

It's beyond frustrating to have your brain tell your body to do something, and it doesn't. I think we all have to deal with our problems and shortcomings. I just hope you find a way to deal with this and lesson the stress to yourself. Don't let it beat you! Assign what you can't do to someone else if possible. Limit the time to keep it fun. Reward yourself with whatever you like to do. Have fun and the people around you will enjoy your company.

I so admire, Eliott, your extraordinary skill, knowledge and insights regarding all aspects of model railroading that you have contributed on this Forum. And, your great enthusiasm you have shared about our hobby on the Mccomas and Tuoy 6 video set many years ago is, IMO, unforgettable. 

As Mark and our other Forum friends have said above, I too am both happy and sad about the health-related news you have imparted to us. We all hope and pray that your symptoms will lessen, and you can be as active as you want to be on finishing your great layout and posting on this Forum.

This thread has inspired an idea for a new one, which I will start shortly, that might be of interest to many of us. It's title will be: Our Therapy. Arnold

Hang in there, Elliot. Getting older can stink, sometimes.

My sister has neuropathy, very bad in her legs. She also has Lupus. These are not illnesses for the faint of heart, but she has endeavored (with medical help) and lives a pretty active life.

Elliot- happy/ sad to read your post. As others have said glad to know your are well (mostly), the nephropathy sounds like a real PITA. 

If nothing else know that you have a bunch of guys thinking of you and maybe this thread will lift your spirits a bit.

Bob

Elliot, I to am happy and sad of your post. I am happy and grateful that nothing new as in health issues has come up. I am sorry about the hand problem as it makes life's everyday task hard some times.

I want you to know as others have said that your a very important part of this forum. I have learned so much for your thread and from your personal help here it is amazing the knowledge you carry with you! Even though I have never met you I would still like to be able to call you my friend! My thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope to see your post in the future! If anything just say HI!

P.S. I started the puzzle but had to stop for awhile, The wife and I are going to get started on it again so I can hang it in the train room! 

Thank You for being such a great guy!

Good to hear from you Elliot. Hang  in there buddy, your an inspiration.

Good to hear from you Elliot. 

Elliot sorry to hear hands are having issues tammie can relate to your hand neuropathy she has it as well and frustrates her at times. but we are glad that you are okay otherwise. as creative as you are maybe with patricks help you can make an Elliot robot that will do all these things for you on the layout.

Elliot,

Good to hear from you but sorry to hear of your troubles... As we get older we all face these challenges but I have hope things will get better for you.

Your posts and photos of the 4014 were a pleasure to read .. thank you for that!

Keeping a good thought for you,

Eliot, I am also sorry to hear of your troubles. Having hand problems really stinks. I have trigger finger and for a while I couldn’t close my left hand. Tools and other objects would just fall out of my hand but this is nothing compared to what you have. It looks like eventually I am going to need surgery. I got a cortisone shot and it helped for a while but it’s starting to come back. I hope you can get better and somehow find some relief from your problem. I am in awe of your layout and enjoy the updates every month. Get well soon. 

I just went through the cataract thing last year; I understand the sight frustrations (it was both of mine), and I am glad to hear that a fix is on the horizon.  You will be better than new when they are done.

As for the other problem, just know that my thoughts and prayers join with many others here.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Hi guys, and thanks for your concern.

Best wishes, man. Really enjoy your posts.

Jim

gunrunnerjohn posted:

He's still around Paul, but not posting much.  I too hope Elliot is OK as well.

John ... did Keith (Michigan & Ohio Valley Lines [MOVL]) ever return to the forums?

It is certainly disappointing to learn of your health problem, Elliot.  I guess we all have to play the cards we are dealt, but that does not make it any easier.  Many of us take comfort in knowing that you are still out there, and hope that the condition will not end your participation.

Number 90 posted:

It is certainly disappointing to learn of your health problem, Elliot.  I guess we all have to play the cards we are dealt, but that does not make it any easier.  Many of us take comfort in knowing that you are still out there, and hope that the condition will not end your participation.

Couldn't say it any better, Prayers are with you.

Eliot,  Thanks for letting know your condition.   I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Try to stay as positive as possible.   The negative thoughts and energy, if not checked, only make a challenging situation even worse.   It's not realistic to think that you won't be sad, frustrated, angry about the issues, just try not to lose entire days in the spiral.   

Elliot,

I'll pray that you find some relief from your ailments and how they are affecting you.

Elliot,

Thank you for sharing your difficult news.  I have always enjoyed your posts and contributions to this forum over the years.  One of the reasons it is less interesting is because you don't post as often as you'd like.  Nothing but the best to you always and hope you find reasons to have something to say here.

Hi Elliot;

I rarely post, but do often check the forum, and always look for your updates. Something you should know about me to understand why I'm posting now is that I don't consider myself a "train guy" (whatever that means). I didn't grow up building layouts, prototypical operations or gear isn't a priority for me, and I only have room for a small Christmas setup. Yet I love seeing and reading about all aspects of this hobby. There was a time when I was as deep into RC planes as you are trains (must be a connection there somewhere). My point is that if you can inspire someone like me than you are a great asset to the hobby. I hope this post and the feedback you receive from this forum can return some of that inspiration to help you through your challenges.

Thanks, John W

Thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes guys, it really means a lot. On top of my chronic problems, I have been suffering with the "seasonal crud" for the last three weeks. I think I'm finally getting better, but it's really lingering. 

On a slightly happier note, I did look at the new MTH catalog this morning. Unfortunately, there wasn't a whole lot in it that I was interested in, though that's not really uncommon for me, because I don't buy their engines. I want no part of DCS. I have made a few exceptions over the years, but the items have to be really special to warrant conversion to TMCC. I used to do conversions myself, but I don't think my hands are up to the task anymore. The only things I usually buy are premier cars, and the offerings were kind of thin for my taste. Real toss up as to whether to place an order or not.

I also made a post to another topic for the first time in almost seven weeks. It was about Yahoo groups. I just had something to say on the subject.

EBT Jim posted:

John ... did Keith (Michigan & Ohio Valley Lines [MOVL]) ever return to the forums?

I haven't seen him in a very long time.

Same with Nicholas (Rocky Mountaineer) 

Darn, hand problems are tough to deal with. I wouldn’t say “never” because there’s stuff in the pipeline that may help. In case you want some hints from some hands that went prematurely arthritic (lupus) about forty years ago...

 You may feel silly to start with, but one of those nylon net puffs and “body wash” are a lot easier to deal with than bar soap. (Try the Old Spice kind.) The puffs usually have a wrist strap on them so they’re harder to drop. 

French fries on a bad day? Stab them with a fork. Seriously. Some things are too delicious to stop eating. Fat-handled forks help, but the kind where the handle is a big loop is even easier. Crosscut sandwiches with cocktail picks (better still, tiny stick pretzels) through them are easier to handle. If they’re still a pain to deal with, switch to flatbread, tortilla wraps or pita pockets. (Everybody makes a mess with burritos, so they don’t count. By the way, soft tacos are easier to hold onto than crunchy ones when you aren’t sure how hard your hands are clamping down.)

See if you can find an “anti-pickpocket” wallet you like. They have a grippy outer layer. If you can find one with slightly looser card slots, like the RFID-blocking ones, that will help. A lot of stations now have “tap to pay” where your card never has to go into the reader, which would solve that problem. Nothing is gonna make my paws small, graceful or strong, but they still work for now. I hope yours will be useful for a long while, too.

—Becky