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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / March 2007bit of an update
mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase mom, thank goodness. my father's surgery is tomorrow afternoon at 2. he'll be moving into the same convalescent hospital, after 3 days in the hospital, to complete his surgical recovery. he's kind of happy he'll be near mom. nothing completed yet, as far as testing/results go for my nephew and sil. i'm backsliding. well, actually i mean all the spinal injections, at all levels, are wearing off already, pretty much have. i'm on my cane a lot now. back to not being able to sleep more than 3 hours a night, with an occassional chair catnap for a few minutes during the day. even with my back's urging insistance for me to get up, i really don't want to get out of bed. y'know the want-to/don't want-to thing. the lowest doses of everything i try, pain meds, set off a maddening itch. i call it my narco-itch. it doesn't matter what i try, ultracet, codeine with tylenol, oxycodone (not at the same time, of course, and at lower than the prescribed dose.). it seems like though that stuff worked fine for awhile, i must develop an allergy to them all eventually. and of course, back spasms have figured out where i live again. can't seem to fool them. they keep finding my address. so, i'm a bit of a tired whiner these days. i guess i have to make an consult appmt. to see my pain specialist again, eventually. i don't see what else he can do, though, since i'm over the limit on the cortisone injections already. obviously, surgery is not a good option for me with this many spinal levels involved. i think that would be asking for more trouble, like multi-level surgical failures. i mean, i keep thinking that with 19 bad areas, there isn't much left for an ortho to afix stuff to and depend upon for stability. i'd have a gigantic metal brace for a spine in the end result, and one that wouldn't stay put at that. i guess i really should look into that drx9000 treatment stuff. i've been meaning to do that. anyway, sorry for whining so much. i should be focusing on the folks right now. i just needed a bit of a waaaah . . . nothing major. kate How about a soft squishy hug to soothe that "bit of a waaaah"? I'll even send you a virtual margarita to take the edge off (or I could fax you one - just run it thru your shredder and then serve in a paper cup). Hugs, Kimmy > mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie > whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > kate what??? virtual? i want (erase that), i need the real thing!lol(did you really believe i would say anything else?) thank you for the hug, sweetie. kate How about a soft squishy hug to soothe that "bit of a waaaah"? I'll even send you a virtual margarita to take the edge off (or I could fax you one - just run it thru your shredder and then serve in a paper cup). Hugs, Kimmy > mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie > whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > kate Kate...Lots of hugs...Soft and easy ones.. Prayers tooo... Something else I was going to say here...but lost my train of thought...Duhh... Just know it must have been more hugs and prayers.. Cindy > mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie > whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > kate thanks, cindy. not to worry, my train of thought takes a dirt road all the time.lol kate Kate...Lots of hugs...Soft and easy ones.. Prayers tooo... Something else I was going to say here...but lost my train of thought...Duhh... Just know it must have been more hugs and prayers.. Cindy > mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie > whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > occassional chair catnap for a few minutes during the day. even with my > back's urging insistance for me to get up, i really don't want to get out of > bed. y'know the want-to/don't want-to thing. the lowest doses of > everything i try, pain meds, set off a maddening itch. i call it my > narco-itch. it doesn't matter what i try, ultracet, codeine with tylenol, > oxycodone (not at the same time, of course, and at lower than the > prescribed dose.). it seems like though that stuff worked fine for awhile, > i must develop an allergy to them all eventually. and of course, back > spasms have figured out where i live again. can't seem to fool them. they > keep finding my address. so, i'm a bit of a tired whiner these days. > > i guess i have to make an consult appmt. to see my pain specialist again, > eventually. i don't see what else he can do, though, since i'm over the > limit on the cortisone injections already. obviously, surgery is not a good > option for me with this many spinal levels involved. i think that would be > asking for more trouble, like multi-level surgical failures. i mean, i keep > thinking that with 19 bad areas, there isn't much left for an ortho to afix > stuff to and depend upon for stability. i'd have a gigantic metal brace for > a spine in the end result, and one that wouldn't stay put at that. i guess > i really should look into that drx9000 treatment stuff. i've been meaning > to do that. > > anyway, sorry for whining so much. i should be focusing on the folks right > now. i just needed a bit of a waaaah . . . nothing major. > > kate you are entitled to a good whine, kate! it's so hard to deal with aging parents when we've got our own health issues going on. i wish you were feeling better. :-( diane you are entitled to a good whine, kate! it's so hard to deal with aging parents when we've got our own health issues going on. i wish you were feeling better. :-( diane thanks, sweetie. today was waaay better than yesterday. didn't have to use my cane today. could've, but didn't HAVE TO.<g> yesterday, on the otherhand, i literally wanted to shoot any architect who designed hospitals and convalescent homes with hallways! yesterday, i'd've welcomed two canes to use to walk those damn hallways, cuz one wasn't getting it. must've been a weather change or something. ugh. kate > you are entitled to a good whine, kate! it's so hard to deal with > aging parents when we've got our own health issues going on. i wish > you were feeling better. :-( > > diane Me too. Here's a BIG HUG. Hope you feel better soon, Kate. My knee has been acting up lately, so I told it to knock it off...but it doesn't listen :( Carole > anyway, sorry for whining so much. i should be focusing on the folks > right > now. i just needed a bit of a waaaah . . . nothing major. > > kate Aaah but it is major too and enough to completely stop most of us. You and yours are in my prayers. harv awwww, thanks, guy. kate > anyway, sorry for whining so much. i should be focusing on the folks > right > now. i just needed a bit of a waaaah . . . nothing major. > > kate Aaah but it is major too and enough to completely stop most of us. You and yours are in my prayers. harv (((((((((((((kate)))))))))))) you're entitled to a whine, I don't know how many of us could endure all the spinal stuff you've faced with other joints adding their own insanity. Go in to see the pain specialist, at least. When you are feeling this lousy it's time to get the medical professionals to do some of the thinking for you. here's hoping they invent a miracle artificial, flexible spine soon for folks like you.  SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare thanks, nann. it's gonna be a bit, yet, before i can clear my slate for an appmt. but i will. yesterday, i totally promised myself i will. ohhh, for startrek medicine, eh? kate (((((((((((((kate)))))))))))) you're entitled to a whine, I don't know how many of us could endure all the spinal stuff you've faced with other joints adding their own insanity. Go in to see the pain specialist, at least. When you are feeling this lousy it's time to get the medical professionals to do some of the thinking for you. here's hoping they invent a miracle artificial, flexible spine soon for folks like you. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare > thanks, nann. it's gonna be a bit, yet, before i can clear my slate for an > appmt. but i will. yesterday, i totally promised myself i will. ohhh, for > startrek medicine, eh? go ahead and schedule that appointment for that time in the future when you have time, or don't have anything scheduled yet. Then you can schedule other things around it. (I'm not really one to talk - it took me 3 months to get my hair cut! But you know how we worry about others more than we worry about ourselves.) SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Kate, glad to hear you mom is settling in at the convalescent hospital nicely. Will be keeping your dad in my prayers for his surgery and recovery. It is good he will go to the same hospital as your mom. I am sorry to hear you backsliding or your back sliding, which ever the case may be. Sorry I know it is not funny, but after the stressful week I have had, I am not really here. I sure hope they will find something that will help you out. I feel for you. I can't imagine what you are going thru with this back like this. Hey it is ok to whine and we have some lovely sharp cheddar cheese to go with that. I know you too well Kate and I know you are thinking of your folks even when you are whining. ;-) We all need to get stuff off our chest and what better way to do so than here. We are here for that even if we can't perform a miracle for you. We do have broad shoulders for some crying on. ;-) Just make sure they are not heavy tears though. ;-) Anyways right now, my rotator cuffs are a big mess right now. SignatureLove and hugs Jo (\__/) .~ ~. )) /O O ./ .' {O__, \ { / . . ) \ |-| '-' \ } )) Warning: squirrels. .( _( )_.' '---.~_ _ _& > mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie > whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > kate you caught that, eh?lol i meant it as a sly p/f-unny. thanks, sweetie. i'm sorry your shoulders are bugging you, hon. that doesn't sound fun at all. thank you, also, for the waaaay sweet card. you have amazing timing. did you know that? i got that card right when i needed it most. thank you, again for your sweet thoughtfulness. kate Kate, glad to hear you mom is settling in at the convalescent hospital nicely. Will be keeping your dad in my prayers for his surgery and recovery. It is good he will go to the same hospital as your mom. I am sorry to hear you backsliding or your back sliding, which ever the case may be. Sorry I know it is not funny, but after the stressful week I have had, I am not really here. I sure hope they will find something that will help you out. I feel for you. I can't imagine what you are going thru with this back like this. Hey it is ok to whine and we have some lovely sharp cheddar cheese to go with that. I know you too well Kate and I know you are thinking of your folks even when you are whining. ;-) We all need to get stuff off our chest and what better way to do so than here. We are here for that even if we can't perform a miracle for you. We do have broad shoulders for some crying on. ;-) Just make sure they are not heavy tears though. ;-) Anyways right now, my rotator cuffs are a big mess right now. SignatureLove and hugs Jo (\__/) .~ ~. )) /O O ./ .' {O__, \ { / . . ) \ |-| '-' \ } )) Warning: squirrels. .( _( )_.' '---.~_ _ _& > mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie > whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > kate Kate, Your welcome about the card. Yeah I did catch that punny. I don't know about me having perfect timing, I think it is the man upstairs that does that one. SignatureLove and hugs Jo (\__/) .~ ~. )) /O O ./ .' {O__, \ { / . . ) \ |-| '-' \ } )) Warning: squirrels. .( _( )_.' '---.~_ _ _& > you caught that, eh?lol i meant it as a sly p/f-unny. thanks, sweetie. > i'm sorry your shoulders are bugging you, hon. that doesn't sound fun at [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > kate Hi Kate, I wish news was better. It is so hard to be in that sandwich generation - we are there with my father in law and mother in law. My mil is 92 and my father in law is 86 and she is the caregiver. It is getting harder and harder and they really don't want a lot of help. I try to leave as much of it to my husband and his two sisters as I can't do much physically or mentally. this week I at least don't have to feel guilty. Thank goodness they will be in the same convalescent hospital - that is getting rare here (in BC). As for the spinal injections wearing off do go see the pain doctor. I am now on demerol as it is the only thing that does not give me rash and vomiting and it works. I use it sparingly. I am also on gabapentin and Keppra for the neurological pain and they work amazingly. Sometimes the antidepressants work well for chronic pain - have they tried those on you? Again trial and error seems to be the answer there. Hopefully he will have some suggestions. In the meantime I have something for you that I will try to get in the mail by Monday. Have been holding onto it so it is a bit old - you will understand when you see it (no it is not chocolate - that would never get old in this house). I bought it thinking of you and did not get around to sending it. Gentle hugs - thinking of you. One of these days when I feel well enough to get to Seattle without my family we are going to get together - maybe I can drive Carole down or we can meet part way. In the meantime I might be meeting with Mary and Joe if it works out. I am so scared of packing too much into this trip but would be fun to meet both of them. Take care of yourself. You are really important to this group! Kelly > mom's settling in the convalescent hospital ok, so far. she has a roomie > whose a bit of a frightful old grouchy-poo, but she doesn't seem to phase [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > kate > Gentle hugs - thinking of you. One of these days when I feel well enough to > get to Seattle without my family we are going to get together - maybe I can > drive Carole down or we can meet part way. In the meantime I might be > meeting with Mary and Joe if it works out. I am so scared of packing too > much into this trip but would be fun to meet both of them. That would be fun. If you could drive to me, I could drive us down to Seattle or perhaps somewhere north of Seattle so we don't get into all that icky traffic :-) I'm so glad I moved up to Bellingham where you can still drive from one place to another without getting into bumper to bumper traffic. Today has been gray and rainy, so I just made a nice dish of macaroni and cheese (the way Mom used to make it). I'm just waiting for the oven timer to go off and tell me it's all done :-)) Carole I had toast and poached eggs for comfort food today Carole - this rain is so depressing even the dog doesn't want to go outside - I am bribing him with cookies. I am so uncomfortable - the shingle rash is now large, purple in colour and itchy as hell. I am being careful not to irritate or scratch it and it is starting to scab a bit so that is good. I am running a fever tonight though so will have to watch that. I phoned my mom and told her it wasn't my turn for anything else - this sucked. Her neighbor who is a great friend of hers asked if I was paying for any sins my entire family and extended family had ever done as she couldn't imagine that I had ever been this wicked. Made me laugh. I told Margo that in fact the deal was I was standing in the disease return line and hadn't realized it was really the disease line - I had read the sign wrong. Anyhow off to bed. Can't sit any longer. And I think we should meet well north of Seattle - maybe in Mt. Vernon or somewhere. I could drive you there or drive Kate up. would be fun. Have to wait until after the rituxan etc. though. Something to look forward to. Kelly >> Gentle hugs - thinking of you. One of these days when I feel well enough >> to get to Seattle without my family we are going to get together - maybe [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Carole Hey Kelly, Mt Vernon would be good. There are a lot of places to go for lunch there. I've never had shingles (thank god!) but when I was a teacher, my dept head had them and I know what she went through. So I really do feel for you. Are you getting vitamin B shots? That's what she got and they seemed to help. Hope you had a good sleepy. One thing I love about retirement is that I no longer lose an hour sleep for daylight savings time...I just stay in bed longer :-) Gentle hugs, Carole > I had toast and poached eggs for comfort food today Carole - this rain is so > depressing even the dog doesn't want to go outside - I am bribing him with [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Kelly |
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