(October 2, 2023 at 8:53 am)brewer Wrote: Chronic pain and depression go hand in hand but I think you know that, you have my sympathies.I completely agree, I'm sure that why my doctor said he was worried about my mental health. I had planned on working until I was 70, which is when I could receive 100% of my benefits, and then retire.
I had a lot of ego and self worth tied to my job/employment and planned to continue working until at least 65. When 'laid off' at age 54 I went very dark, basically tried to drink myself into oblivion for many years. Finally snapped out of it but there still exists a void that no other activity seems to fill.
Our house would have been payed off by then. I worked a very physical job my entire working life, and figured I could continue to do it to earn a living, but I was wrong. My body started wearing out in 2010, and by 2011, I had to have surgery on both knees.
I only made it to the age of 56 before I couldn't do my job anymore, and had to go on permanent disability. I'm only getting about half of what I made when I was still working, which has really affected our income, and always will.
It fucking sucks.
