Ugh... atrophy

[MackenzieB]

So today, being one of the nicer days we've had so far this year, I thought it a perfect day to do some seriously needed tasks on my truck. As in replacing the fuel pump which is in the gas tank.

I've done this before, (nice fuel pumps you specced there, Dodge) about nine times. I used to just drop the fuel tank, drag it out from under the truck, swap the pump and put everything back together. However, there's this small issue of raising, and holding, a gas tank with gas sloshing around inside of it while trying to bolt it back up. Kind of sucks actually.

I knew that there was no way that I'd be able to do it that way. I can't lift stuff like that anymore. It's just too heavy.

So the last time I went the other route. Unbolt one side of the bed, loosen the bolts on the other side, tilt it up and shove a 2x4 under it to hold it up. Much easier than lifting several gallons of gas in a fuel tank.

It took me 5 hours. Heck, it took me over an hour just to unbolt the 6 bolts holding the bed in place. That bed must be eating real well. I could hardly pick the thing up. Last time I tilted it up with one arm and shoved a 2x4 in place with the other arm. This time, took both arms to lift it up and I had to kick the wood into place. Then hold the bed up with my back to get it high enough to get the 2x4 right.

Well, it took me 5 hours to do something that used to take 1 1/2 hours. Hopefully I won't have to go through that again. I paid extra for an improved part this time. If it goes out again it's going into the shop. Somebody else can do it.

I like the appearances that the atrophy is doing. But there's things you just have to let go of because of it. Lol... and I was thinking about swapping out the engine after this last final smog test. That would probably take me months to do that

[Guest]

Honey,

It's not that your muscles have gone away, it's that you're having to use all of your power just to lift those DD's. That's a job all in itself!

Love, Megan

[Guest Robin Winter]

It's not happening nearly fast enough for me! I can't wait until someone asks me to do something because they aren't strong enough, and I can legitimately say "I'm not either!" Ok, so I can't open the pickle jars anymore....that's a start!

[Guest KarenLyn]

That's why I buy my husband power tools. So I can get things done. They're well worth the investment.

[Cyndee]

Those Dodge trucks are great Mackenzie, I owned one too, and they last long time, well worth putting up with this repair.

I am definately loosing strength in my upper body here, however I moved over a dozen wheelborrows full of fir tree rounds (tons) yesterday from the neighbors yard to mine for my firewood collection. I still like to stay vigorous, even as the HRT has been changing me. I noticed lugging my amps and speaker cabs at gigs or at rehersal studio is getting to be quite the chore these days, where are those roadies when you need them ?

C -

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

My strength is shot.......

I now struggle to get the garbage bag up into the dumpster.....

Oh my!

Dee Jay

[MackenzieB]

Honey,

It's not that your muscles have gone away, it's that you're having to use all of your power just to lift those DD's. That's a job all in itself!

Love, Megan

DD's? Really? I must have been asleep when the boob snatcher came and abscounded with them. I looked under the bed but they weren't there either. Were you mistaking me for my sister? One can only hope that the "one size less than siblings" thing is true. Or is it not atrophy but my muscles mysteriously migrating to my chest? I dunno.

Yea, Cindy, I know they last a long time. I bought this one before our son was born. Now he's 22 and the truck has 325000 miles on it. The thing still runs great although it seriously needs new paint. I'm thinking a House of Kolor metalflake purple. But that'll have to wait until I get my compressor and paint guns here. At least I can use a power sander.

[Guest]

You mean tat thing that poked my eye out a bit ago isn't DD? Have to wear heels in this house just to be safe from hazards...

Just jealous, of course. And, haven't lost any strength here. Never had any to begin with!

Love, Megan

[Svenna]

Funny thing is, I not only can't do the same things physically, I seem to have lost the brain wiring needed to actually CONCEIVE of doing such a task.

My car is now making a HUGE banging sound under the hood. Now, once upon a time I could pull a motor or rebuild a carb with nothing more than a ball peen hammer and a butter knife. Nowdays, I can barely figure out how to open the hood, and in fact, that FACT has proven to be sufficient to prevent any investigation to date. I am turning into a typical mechanically inept and UNWILLING female...

I want my car to just 'go away' and come back as a brand new model, fully functional and fuel efficient. I am losing all attachment to mechanical things, I think...

But, YMMV, lol...

Me? I can't stomach the idea of grease under my nails EVER again, what the heck?

It wasn't very long ago that I was still 'manly'. Not so anymore, HRT done kilt dat man!

S

[Guest Tamar]

Lol. I am absolutely the same,Svenna. I only open the hood now when the car overheard. I'll throw some more water and oil at it,drop the hood and walk away. And dirty fingernails? BLEH. I can't stand them.

[Guest Tamar]

Lol. I am absolutely the same,Svenna. I only open the hood now when the car overheard. I'll throw some more water and oil at it,drop the hood and walk away. And dirty fingernails? BLEH. I can't stand them.

I meant: overheats,not overheard

[Guest Robin Winter]

I can't say I was ever inclined to those things lol. But I have similar experience in other areas.

[Guest Tamar]

BLEH! I must have jinxed myself. A 3 way plastic hose connector broke and dumped all my my coolant on the road. I machined another one up out of brass and put it in. Here's hoping there's no more problems. Now I'm hot,sweaty and covered in black crap I'm not going to be able to get rid of for a week. I think the lesson is not complain about problems I don't even have.

[Guest Krisina]

I've never been mechanically inclined or a fixer upper so I won't be doing work on the car. However my work involves some heavy lifting. It would be interesting to see what hrt would do to the ability to do my job. Tiring no doubt. I'm not there yet, so I can only imagine at the moment.

Krisina

[Guest Tamar]

I've never been mechanically inclined or a fixer upper so I won't be doing work on the car. However my work involves some heavy lifting. It would be interesting to see what hrt would do to the ability to do my job. Tiring no doubt. I'm not there yet, so I can only imagine at the moment.

Krisina

Krisina,I don't think it will much impact on your ability to do your job,but as others have suggested,it might impact your job satisfaction levels quite strongly. I suppose time will tell what life has in store for us all.

Hey,its all part of the adventure.

[Guest AnneInKC]

I have definitely started to feel it at the 3 month mark. Body is definitely changing.

[Guest Krisina]

Well sometimes I have to lift boxes for example that are 50 lbs full of paper. But like mentioned, it might affect my job stratification. I have seen some women lifting heavy boxes like that, so suppose I'm not the only one

Krisina

[Paula ult]

One of my former housemates was 5'6" tall and weighed around 140, after 3 years on hrt she could still lift 60 lb with ease, i on the other hand after almost 4 years on hrt have trouble lifting 30 lb cat litter bags and unscrewing pop/soda bottle tops is sometimes hard, before transition i lifted weights at the gym, i could curl 25 lb dumbbells without any trouble, i think genetics and body type plays a large part in how much you will still be able to lift.

Paula

[Guest ZoeG360]

I have this theory that if I keep lifting at the gym the muscles won't go away. Today on the bench press I struggled with 265 where two months ago I was at 280. Everytime, I keep asking myself what I am trying to prove?