Saved me

[harryr6574]

Hi all. I have been a member for about a year and thought it was finally time to relay my experience. Don,t get excited I did not have to dig my self out of a hole or anything nasty like that. You see several years ago I had a massive heart attack and according to my doctor I should have died. Well since that day I have been upset over my limitations, so last year I bought a Kubota Bx-24 as we had a pool put in and there was a mountaing of dirt that had to be moved and as time went on the dirt had to be moved a few times. The yard is now smooth and I have been able to put in numerous plants for my wife. I also removed close to 100 trees, cutting them down myself which took about everything I had. However, the BX made easy work of all the stumps (some huge). This tractor, my best friend, has allowed me to accomplish things like before my heart problem and really made me feel like a man again. Now, this may sound silly to some members, but according to my doctor 70% of men who have a heart attack become clinically depressed. I never got that, but I did get over the top mad. My tractor saved me, mentally I mean and I would suggest anyone with this type problem get a tractor, you will be glad you did. My wife no longer sees me as an invalid, but is amazed at everything I have accomplished and the list of chores I still have. I live in Lexington, SC where we do not have much snow so I can not speak of the tractor's ability to handle that particular chore, but the BX has been more than up to everything I have thrown at it. I hate to ramble, but I wanted to let everyone know of the value to me my tractor has been other than just plain fun. You could spend thousands on rehab and such, but a tractor is a lot more enjoyable. I am 58 and could talk more, but I think everyone gets my point. Let me know of similar experiences, I do enjoy reading even if I don't contribute as much as I should. Harry

 

[brin]

Hi Harry....Congratulations on your recovery and progress, attitude is the key but then you have already found that out. You should visit this thread , Don has had an experience similar to yours and he is winning and actually curing his heart....you should PM him...http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/227942-heart-healthy-eating.html

 

[Zebrafive]

Thanks for posting. One more reason to own a tractor, any size, any brand..

 

[don45640]

Way to go,Harry! You rock! don-ohio ^)

 

[Radar52]

That is a great story and am glad you got thru the tough times and found a good outcome at the end. I just got my tractor last summer and am amazed at the things that I now find I can use it for. In Michigan we have snow and love going out and plowing and moving snow. I also find the tractor great for cleaning up 10 acres of trees and scrub. I intend to put a pool in this summer and am sure the tractor will come in handy for that task. I have a BX25 and never dream of what aid the backhoe is for tasks. Glad you posted up with the story. By the way, my dad lives in Timmonsville. Where is Lexington from their?

 

[TripleR]

Great story Harry, there are a lot of us who depend on our tractors to do the things we no longer can and to keep us out of the house and from dropping into depression. I bought cab tractors to allow me to keep maintaining our farms after heath and age kept me off of our open station units.

 

[Thomas]

Very true Harry.
By the sounds we have something in common,10/2010 had my massive heart attack wasn't suppose to come home now 28% working heart,I didn't get depress but it didn't take much for me to turn sour attitude towards those...just needed time to figure things out my way to cope and Mrs. and wildlife were my BIGGEST supporter.

You keep on puttering and taste life.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for relating your story, I can tell you this, when I have had a bad day at work, I can come home and get on the tractor, and do some kind of dirt or rock work, and all my troubles seem to melt away. You can call it therapy if you like.

James K0UA

 

[Don87]

Thanks for relating your story, I can tell you this, when I have had a bad day at work, I can come home and get on the tractor, and do some kind of dirt or rock work, and all my troubles seem to melt away. You can call it therapy if you like.

James K0UA

+1.

And thanks for the story Harry.

 

[DieselnHooters]

Inspiring stuff Harry, thanks for sharing

 

[cqaigy2]

Yes, tractor therapy. Good going!

 

[RaydaKub]

Great story, Harry. I've been fortunate enough to not have health issues such as that, but just a bad day at work and tractorin' around cheers me up. Thanks for sharing.

 

[sam5570]

Harry that is a great story with a good ending glad your doing well.

 

[kebo]

Inspiring stuff Harry, thanks for sharing

Yep,good story!! But, gotta say finally glad to see a next door neighbor posting on here! I live in Lexington as well, although I don't keep my tractor here at my house in Lexington. Maybe I'll run into Harry one day at the TSC lol.

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

Hey Harry, since its medical therapy, maybe you can deduct it on the medical expenses portion of your taxes... Well, probably not, the IRS might take a dim view.

There is something about jumping on the tractor and doing something -anything- with it, that just plain makes us feel better.

 

[texasjohn]

Great story...congrats on your recovery.
Yep, I'm a great fan of diesel and hydraulics...helps my knees and back and hands and mind.

 

[tc18ny]

That's a great story. It's always good to hear from people with a positive outlook in a world full of negativity. I just bought my dream tractor a couple of weeks ago and it makes me feel better just going in to the garage and looking at it. It's why we're all on this forum - we all love tractors for one reason or another. Keep on tractorin' Harry!

 

[harryr6574]

I am pleasantly taken aback by the positive replies to my original thread and have read others with a similar story. Some folks have changed their diets drastically with good results, others are like me and have fought the problems with rehab, hard work, drugs, and mostly a good attitude. I do walk 3 miles every day which tires me, but I feel better than if I don't walk. I, like others, do not like taking all the drugs, but my doctor says I will be taking them the rest of my life even though my blood work is remarkable, or so I am told. This is not the end of the world even though I thought I could see the end. Thanks to everyone that has replied and I wish you all the best.
Harry

If you can't walk tall then don't walk at all!

 

[harryr6574]

Hi kebo, you seem to have some very serious equipment. Do you farm? I have occasion to cut hay with my uncle although we have not the last 2 years. He uses a Deere, but I do not remember the model and I have to travel to Blythewood to help him. I have started helping some folks up on the lake getting dirt off of their boat ramps and other small chores. I put some teeth on my FEL which is a saviour in the dirt at my house, if you can call it that. The stuff is like concrete when dry and like oily quicksand when wet. Stay in touch and keep tractoring.
HarryQUOTE=kebo;3164609]Yep,good story!! But, gotta say finally glad to see a next door neighbor posting on here! I live in Lexington as well, although I don't keep my tractor here at my house in Lexington. Maybe I'll run into Harry one day at the TSC lol.[/QUOTE]

 

[vtsnowedin]

A great thread Harry We are all glad to hear how you are adapting. I'm just your age and am fighting with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. I dropped fifty pounds and have changed diet but have more to do. Tractor therapy sure does help. It gets you out of the computer chair and outside and really helps keep your mind adjusted. I had some resistance from the keeper of the checkbook when I first bought "My" tractor but as soon as I did a job for her that she considered important it became "Our" tractor and a member of the family.
Keep puttering along and work within your limits. You can always do another bit tomorrow.