FRIENDS WITH RA & OA...#11
 

Good morning everyone. TGIF!! "Thank God It's Friday!" or "Thank God I'm Forgiven!"
Hope all are feeling as well as you can, this morning. I got up around 4 am...couldn't sleep. :( So, thought I'd post to my friends, & drink some coffee. :coffee:

It's going to be an extra long day. Managers at the TV Station will be gone for the weekend. Meaning, I have the station alone until live programming at 4 pm. That's ok....it either just gets too quiet, or too busy! Never know from day to day. I also panic, if we go off the air. I'm afraid I'll push the wrong buttons! :o But, to think about it, how much harm can I do? We're already off the air!! :lol: It's funny how the phones go to ringing...people asking if we know we're off the air! :lol: Like....if I didn't have to answer the phones, I might get us back on sooner. :D

Well, we've had several days of rain, now it's turning colder. Hope it doesn't stay that way. We haven't gotten our winter clothes out, yet. Just have a sweater, & jacket. I suppose that's going to be on our list for the weekend.

Good to hear from you Young Grasshopper! You don't seem to mention your back problems as often as you did. Are you doing better, these days, or just not saying anything? I do hope you're better. I know for awhile, you sounded so miserable. I felt for you. When I first hurt my back in that car wreck, I couldn't get relief for about a year. I felt that dying would have been welcome if that was the life I was going to live. My neurologist said I was a very strong-willed person...that there were men that would take their own life in that kind of pain. I wasn't brave, or strong-willed (I didn't think). I didn't know I had a choice! :?: I have a wonderful neurologist, though. He stayed with me & helped all he could, (& still does) until we found what would help. He's become a personal friend to me & DH through these years. :)

Well, I guess I'll go. Hope all of you have a good day! The link to the last thread is below, if anyone didn't read all of the posts.http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...d=1#post694338

Hi Charlotte. So you have to work by yourself today. Well, it does have its merits as well. You could try getting on the air :lol:

Sorry to have been gone for so long. I have been away every weekend for so long, that it takes the week to recover so I can go again :dizzy: My son is getting married tomorrow and then HOPEFULLY, I can stay home. When I am going like that, I don't sleep well, and the fatigue takes over. I have been reading, just not posting.

Have been having problems with my back as well. I am off to the Chiro. this morning for the second time this week. Hopefully, this will take care of it. It felt pretty good yesterday, but he wants to see me again today. This Chiro. wants you to stay away as long as possible, so when he tells you to come in, you know you should.

I won't address everybody, because I have to get ready to leave. I just hope that you all have as painless Friday as possible. Think positive and have a wonderful day. :)

Good Good Afternoon Ladies just wanted to pop in and wish everyone have a pain free Friday also Ohio is havibg some rain and chilly weather so it is really bothering my back more then usual just glad that I got the next 2 days off from work so I can take it easy and not do much lifting I dont even have any winters clothes out yet so that might be my project this weekend well ladies have a good one Rita:dance:

Hey There
 

I hope you all have a great weekend... Every day seems to be a little better. I still have the pain but that is going to take some time,so my Dr says.. He fooled around a good bit with my insides..
Hope all you guys are well ...Joanne

Joanne-great to hear that your at least feeling a little bit better. I am so sorry you had to go through surgery...

Rita-It's chilly and rainy here in Montana too. We must all be having the same weather. I at least feel pretty good, which is a definite plus.

HC-sorry 'bout your back. Hopefully the chiro can get all the kinks worked out of it. Have a great time at your son's wedding. When I got married the second time, I wish I would have had a small wedding. Instead we got married in front of the judge-at least he is one of my dad's oldest friends so it wasn't like we got married by a complete stranger.

Charlotte-How did your quiet day at work go? Mondays I always work by myself. Sometimes its a blessing and sometimes not...Depends on my mood and how much I have on my mind. I kind of enjoy the quiet though. I never seem to get much of it.

Has anyone heard from Okidoll? I haven't seen a post from her for a couple of weeks. Hope she's okay.

To the rest of you pain-sufferers or pain-tolerators...Have a great night and I will check back with you all.

~chris

Hi All!

Happy Saturday......rainy fall day here in NY. Thanks for the note Charlotte....nice to know that I was missed. :)

The back has it's good and bad days. I'm still looking into the WLS but not too sure. Guess I'll just have to take all the tests and pray a lot....think I might find an answer there. Thinking about trying a chiro myself....guy at work raved about this doc. that's actually on my health plan! Always been afraid to try going to a chiropractor but can't be any worse than considering surg.

Hope you had a good time at the wedding Canuk.....didn't hurt yourself doing the chicken dance or the hokeypokey....ever wonder who thought those dances up?

Okay, I'm rambling....hope everyone has a pain free weekend!

Deb

Good Evening Ladies hope that you all had a pain free day well weather has really been chilly today but just spent the day doing nothing and enjoyed it!!!!!!Joanne glad that you are up and about hope that you are feeling better :smile:hopeing the rest of you ladies have a great evening!!!!!!!!Rita

hello friends!
hoping everyone is doing ok!
its been unualy cold and damp which has my feet in trouble.
i just came off a pred burst.
my wrist and feet were screaming.
doing pretty much better now!
thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

chris my siamese cat name is DC
named him after that darn cat!
he is my cutie!
everyone have a great sunday!
doni

Doni-
Don't you just hate the weather...Seems like it messes with everything. We've been fairly chilly here and rainy. I feel worse from my allergies than the RA right now. For some oddball reason when the humidity changes I get really dizzy and lightheaded. Fall is my worst season for allergies so far.

My feet are achy but mainly in the morning when I first get up and when I've been sitting down for awhile. I'm hoping that by losing some weight that they will feel better somewhat.

To everyone-hope you're all feeling good or at the very least...better. Reading everybody's post, it sounds like we are all having the same kind of weather. Hope it isn't creating too much havoc in everyone's lives. Well have a great day and be good to yourselves.
~chris

Hi group, haven't been around in a while, but still around. I've been feeling pretty good lately, but today I'm really hurting, but it is my own fault. I pushed myself too hard yesterday, had too much fun and paying for it today.
I went to a "toursity" town with a church group and walked around way too much, but we did go to a fantastic concert, OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL. It was so much fun!

Ageoldie-
Glad to see you're back. I love to wander around touristy towns. They are too much fun. Hopefully your pain will only last a short while.

Well just had to say hi...I have to get back to working on my daughter's Halloween costume. She wanted to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

~chris

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Hello everyone...

So good to read all the posts! Friday was VERY busy, but went well. I was glad to see Connie come back today, though. It DOES get lonely when no one else is at the station.

We've been having some very rainy weather the last few days. Tornado watches & warnings out all through today. Hit a town not far from us.

Happy Canuk...Good to hear from you. Hope the wedding goes well. You'll need to rest quite a bit afterward, you know. Weddings really do me in!

Joanne...Glad you're recovering, although it's slow. I've had several surgeries. I reallly feel for you.

Hello to eveyone else. Enjoyed reading all the posts. Maybe I can get back online tomorrow. I've got to work on the picture album all I can.

Good morning,

Just had to do a quick post before getting Kayla from school. Where I live, one of the radios stations does A GREAT PUMPKIN CAPER. You get clues from area businesses and try to find a pumpkin they have hidden in the listening area. Pumpkin #1 was found yesterday, so my sister and I are going to gather our clues for #2 today.

I've been doing good staying on program and lost 2 lbs. since last week. Drinking lots of water seems to help out. With my RA, I even feel better.

Doni-how is your weight loss battle going? How are you feeling? I know you were having a hard time. Please let me know how you're feeling. Maybe you're methotrexate needs to be increased a bit. That helped me out alot. Of course, I have to go in for blood work every 2 months and chest x-rays every 6. My doc is a cautious person. He's also a member of my church.

Hi Charlotte, Rita, Joanne, and all my achy friends. Stay happy and hopeful and be good to yourselves. I have to get out of here...school is out in just a little bit and Nicole needs to get dressed. Talk to you all soon.

~chris

I just wanted to share my "news" I got a letter from my PCP yesterday saying that she was no longer going to be on my insurance plan. As I don't think I can pay her out of network charges, I will have to find a new doctor. That dosen't make me feel warm and fuzzy right now. At least my Rheumy didn't send the letter.

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Hello everyone.

Ageoldie....sorry about your PCP. :( Maybe things will work out. I hope so. It's good to hear from you, though. Loved your graphic.

Hi Chrily...I like the idea of the clues of the pumpkin. Sounds like fun. A good way to gain listeners to the radio station, also. We might try something like that at the TV Station for Christmas! Thanks for the idea.
Speaking of getting someone ready for school...our son is living with us temporarily & has joint custody of his 2 little girls. This week they're here, & the 5 yr old is in school. Well, he was sick this morning....so, I had to dress her (NOT a morning child! :o ) & take her to school. I know why God gave us our children while we were young! :^:

Hello Siamese, Young Grasshopper, Happy Canuk...everyone. Hope you have a pain-free day!

Hey There
 

I too hate to shop for a new PCP. After nursing in this area ,I know a few.. The really good ones are usually not on my plan..I am getting impatient sitting around waiting till I no longer have to take a pain pill. This is just not me!!!Ofcourse, I don't do much sitting.. I am trying to stay active.. I am going to get my hair cut today and then to Walmarts to pick up some meds.I think ,I am going to start walking short distances at the beach.. Tomorrow,I will try to color it... I am beginning to look like an OLD WOMEN..Grandchildren..I wish I had a small one... Mine are grown.. One will be 23 this week. The other one is back close to Irag. He is on the Truman . I think they are in the Persian Gulf.. He is pretty safe. I still wish he was somewhere else..He was there during the bombing..But he was in the Med then.. He will be getting out after this tour.. He can hardly wait.. Life in the service is not the best..
I am sorry not to address all of you. I do read your posts and think about you. I think some of the little pictures and guotes are great and in most cases so true..I wish I was that computer savvy. My sister Eleni is the one for that. When she gets to feeling better I will get some lessons from her..
Bye you all..Florida weather is at it's best right now... Joanne

Hi all,
Checking in for the evening. Glad to see you post, Joanne. Are you feeling any better? I hope so.

Charlotte, my 5 yr. old daughter is not a morning person either. It's fight after fight, mixed with tears, aggrevation and all sorts of emotional turmoil. I was just dying for school to start and now I'm not sure if I can handle the rest of the year. It's the same every morning. My stress level is way high. I can't get out any words over top of the crying and tantrums. I just want to throw up my hands and walk away. I just don't know how to deal with it on a day to day basis. BTW-I love that old granny picture. She looks how I feel!

Ageoldie-I was helping my sister with her health care management homework so just today I learned what a PCP was. Sorry to hear about your doctor not being in your plan. Why can't they make this whole healthcare thing a little less complicated.

Hey Happy Canuk, Young Grasshopper, Rita, and Doni (Doni, where are you?)
Better yet...I wonder if Okidoll quit the 3FC website. I haven't seen a post from her forever.

~chris

Good Morning Ladies!!!!!!!!! Just wanted to pop in and say HI! Joanne so good to see you posting again you go girl and get that motivation going!!!!!!!!even if it is short walks just thinking on the beach wow!!!!!!!!and you dont have to consider old to dye your hair:lol:well the rest of you ladies have a good one really felt funky yesterday as got a flu shot which they really encourage working in a hospital and it was free !!!!!!but feel ok this morning thank goodness Rita:tread:

Hope you all look better, physically, than this poor kitty, this morning! :^:
Glad you got that flu shot over with, Rita. I hope mine is being reserved for me, next month when I go for my general check up. I've heard there's a shortage this year. I think, folks like us, though, have them in reserve. Glad you stopped by.

chrily...sorry your daughter is like that in the mornings. I dealt with it that one morning, & it took me a few hours to recoop. One thing with my granddaughter, she's a night owl....& her dad lets her sit up waaay too late. They are two of a kind. Has she always been this way, or just since school started? If it's just been lately, you might need to check to see if there's a reason she's not wanting to go to school. There are a lot of things I didn't know about my children until they were grown, & told me. I don't know why children, sometimes, don't think they can tell us things. If she's always been this way...you poor thing...I don't know what else to advise you. Maybe she'll finally outgrow it. Hopefully, before it gets you down too bad. :(

Joanne...glad you're feeling better. Don't overdo. That's what I was bad about with each surgery I had....which is quite a few. I'm an impatient person, & wanted to think myself healed more than I was. I'd over do, & set myself back. It is good to know you're up & around. Get that hair colored, woman! Don't want someone as young as you looking old. :D Oh....I'd love to be at that beach with you. ;)

Hello to everyone else!! Have a great Friday. TGIF!!!

Hi Charlotte,

Kayla has always been this way. Getting ready for church on Sunday is another major feat for this family. It's kind of hard now. Last year, the doctor put me on anti-depressants because I was having alot of anxiety attacks...and I mean alot. Since we've started school, the stress of it, has made me have some attacks again. I wanted to get off that med sooo bad but don't know if I should now. It seems the more stress I'm under the more anxiety attacks I have. I hate feeling this way...but I hate being petrified to go anywhere too. Just don't know.

Hey, on the brighter side, I made good, not great, food choices yesterday. I stayed within my points range for WW again. That feels good to be in control of that. My feet haven't even been hurting as much in the morning.

Today is another clue day for that darn pumpkin. Plus I have to drive to the next town to pay our vehicle insurance. We went with this one guy there because we got some great discounts on our homeowners insurance and car insurance. Just my husband forgot to take it, so it's my turn.

Well, I'll let you all know how the pumpkin hunting went today. I have to be back early though to take Kayla to the doctor. She had a sore on the back of her foot and it looks weird now. It looks infected and its 2x the size it was last week. She says it hurts too. She won't let anyone touch it. Hopefully we can get it cleared up. Too me it almost looks like its ulcerated too. So I'd rather have a doctor play with it. I'm not interested in causing any staph infections or such.

~chris

I DID NOT want to get up this morning! I was finally forced, when my back meds wore off. I can't lay there when that happens.

Chrily...wish I had a remedy for the situation with your little girl. Hopefully, she'll finally outgrow it. I'll pray it'll be soon.
Our 5 yr old granddaughter (the one that's not a morning person) had a bad sore behind her ear where her ear was pierced. We took her to the Dr. As you said, wanted the Dr to play with it. There was a lot of infection in it. After the Dr. treated it, she gave a prescription for some cream that cleared it right up. Now, we keep the remainder of the tube handy for other occasions.
I'm sorry about the anxiety attacks. I've never had them, but, our son did, during his separation & divorce. I thought he was going to die, sometimes. It got scarey. He doesn't have them, anymore, thank goodness, now that all has settled down.
You're doing well with your diet. Keep up the good work. You know, I tend to forget this is a weight-loss forum, most of the time. So, if I don't mention losses, please don't anyone be offended. I really love having friends who understand pain....although I wish no one had any.

Well....I hope you all have a good week end. Feel as good as you possibly can. I'll try to post more later. Working on those Christmas albums. :D
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Charlotte,

Afternoon. I know what you mean by the mother's perspective of the anxiety attacks. I scared my mom pretty good too. She thought I was going to die too. Trust me, I felt like it. At the time, I didn't know that my liver count was super high either from my meds. I would sit up and get light-headed, nauseous, my heart would beat funny, my arms would go numb, and I'd make it the bathroom just fast enough to sick. I had my mom babysitting me on Saturdays, My sister babysitting me all week. It was scary but I was just not functioning at all. I don't want to go back to that. Its odd when your mind plays "tricks" on you and you're not sure if what you're feeling in real or not. It was frustrating too because no one would listen to me. They kept telling me it was in my head and I kept telling them it wasn't. You feel like all your words are falling on deaf ears and that your all alone in it. It did hurt me bad emotionally. I can feel like nothing's going to get me again like that but I'm afraid that if I get taken of my anxiety drugs, it'll happen again. I know this isn't really "diet" talk but I don't have anyone to confess all this to. Things may seem rosy but they aren't alot of the times. I try to keep smiling.

I assume you are dieting too, otherwise you wouldn't be visiting this site. Anyhow, have you noticed a difference in your joints? Has it helped you out healthwise? Just curious. I don't want to be too nosey.

Hope everyone is doing good with their disease "friends", and with the weight loss or maintainence. I'm looking forward to the day that I'll be maintaining and more comfortable in this skin I'm in. Come on size 12 jeans....come on!

~chris

hello freinds!
sorry i was missing in action but i cought a nasty and was down for a few!

chris,yes the damp weather plays havoc with me all the time..
sorry to hear your allergy's have been roughing you up,that cant be pleasant.
my dr. told me if i lost weight id notice a big change in my feet,im plugging on just like you we can do this!
i have panic attacks as well no fun i say!
how is kayla's foot?
the pumpkin caper sounds like a blast,we never have nothing like that here.
are from a small town?
WOHOOOO ON THE 2 POUNDS!
gone forever and getting closer to onederland indeed!


ageoldie,i understand bout the walking.
im glad you had a great time!take care of you!
sorry to hear bout the dr.glad it wasnt the ra dr.

charlotte,no flu shots here!
says im not eliglble.
there is a shortage here.
do you make your own graphics?
there awesome!
i love the little blinkie you cant see it but it hurts.
oh i love that one!
keep em coming.
everyone be safe
be happy
be painfree!
doni

Hey Doni,

Guess I overdid it yesterday. I shampooed the carpet and now I'm back to that good old wrist pain that goes all the way up to my shoulder. I was on the couch all night with my arm hanging over the edge again. That has got to be one of the worst pains.

Kayla's foot is doing fine so far. They drained the sore and I'm just supposed to soak it and keep antibiotic ointment and bandaids on it til its healed. The doctor says it looks like it was trying to form a callous to protect the sore underneath, so the skin is really tough. I'll just have to make sure she keeps socks on and quits trying to sneak out of the house with just her shoes on.

The pumpkin caper is a blast. By big city standards, I suppose we would be a small town...but for Montana, we are the largest city.

Morning Charlotte, Joanne, Rita, Ageloldie, and the rest of you. I better be gone so I can attack my mountain of unrelenting laundry. I figure if I stay moving...my body won't have time to retaliate and hurt. I'll check in tomorrow after work. Tomorrow morning is my weigh in. Kind of curious about what I'll see.

~chris

Hi All,

Just wanted to post a note so I could keep my place in the thread....lol. Yeah, should have entitled this "Confessions of Lurker".

Chirly, you can come and attack my mountain range of laundry if you want....heck, it's so high I could yodel. Okay, it's not a yodel...more like curses heaped on the brother who hords towels.....I went to the closet the other day and didn't find any, thought they'd be down in front of the machine, but no....found 30 or so in his room! Grrr. Have tempted to hide the clean towels and let him deal with just one. Yeah, sad when you get so fed up with housework that you hide towels. Sad part is I know that it won't do a bit of good with him.

My back has been okay. The flu had hit our house and I"m waiting to get the worst of it. Just a sore throat right now. I work at a hospital too but they're only giving the shots to doc's and nurses. Oh well, guess I don't rate. Then again, I don't know how much good a shot will do anyway...already got a cold :(

Well, I hope everyone has a great week. Joanne, great to see you posting! Charlotte, how are the Christmas albums coming along?

Take care,
Deb

Well, after several days of rain, we finally got a beautiful, sunshiny day. I've been kind of down the last couple of days. DH's work very slow, now. So, have those worries. Then, my mother got bad off yesterday. Nursing home called & said she wouldn't, or couldn't eat. This is how Alziemer's patients usually die. Either choke or starve to death. Me & my sister got really upset. We know the end is near, but to think of her starving is so hard. One of my daughter's happen to visit her, right after we got the call, & let us know she had gotten her to drink a whole can of Ensure! My sister went on to the nursing home & called me back that she was ok for now. I just had a day of needing to keep to myself. I get really stressed easily, lately. Not good for RA. I'm better today...although all the problems are still here. :^: I'm ok. Just needed to vent, I guess.

Chrily, as you can see...this isn't all about diets. When you need to talk, we're here to listen. I'm sorry you have this problem. I know what my son had was very real. His dad & I felt so helpless. But, it helped him knowing we were with him & even an emergency room dr diagnosed it, once. We was alone, & afraid to drive all the way home when he had an attack, so he stopped at the nearest hospital. The dr just sat with him & talked quietly, letting him know it would be over soon. That's what we would do after that. It seemed to help him. He hardly ever has an attack now. The divorce is settled...I know that helped.
I know what you mean by making yourself smile. I have to do that in public, especially at the TV Station. Viewers like to see a bubbly person as I always was...even in town when I meet them. So, I guess it's a "pretend" world, until I get home in the evenings. I suppose it helps me cope with the RA & OA to get through the day. But, it doesn't seem fair. Of course, those I work with know me pretty well, so they know when I'm having a bad day.
I joined this forum last summer, when I was on a diet. I lost 47 lbs. Went from a size 16 to a size 10. I'm mostly maintaining, although I'd like to lose a little more. I've also gained just a few pounds back. Soooo easy to do. Yes, I can tell a big difference in my joints. Of course in my back, where the OA problem is the worse. My Rheumatoid Dr was thrilled at me losing the weight. This forum helped so much. Mainly, though, I've stayed because of the friendships. As I vented earlier, I found friends that I can talk to when no one here at home can really understand. Oh....if you wonder....it's hard to maintain!! :^: At least, for me.

Hello Young Grasshopper...the Christmas albums are coming along nicely. In fact, I'm almost ready to start printing them out. I've got to get a few pictures from my MIL, of extended relatives, then I'll be ready. I'm so glad I got started early.
Sorry you're taking that old flu! Take care of yourself. I know what you mean about the towels. Our son keeps towels in his bedroom floor from bathing the girls. :( Don't know how to solve this problem.

Hello Siamese....no, I don't make my own graphics. I'd like to, but can't afford to buy the programs to make them. Thanks for the compliments. You're welcome to take any of them you want. Sorry you've been sick, also.

Hello to all. Have a good Sunday!

Good morning ladies.

Sorry to have disappeared for so long, but things were not going the best they could have been. Friend passed away, brother had heartattack, then another friend in hospital with cancer, and finally, something happy, my son got married. They had a small wedding, but it was nice. The only problem was the weather. It chose Oct. 16 to SNOW!!!! The roads were not good and it snowed all day.

Charlotte - my Mom had Alzheimers Disease, and it is the most horrible of all diseases. Thankfully, she only had the worst of it for 2 years. The same thing happened to her with the eating. She was diabetic, and went into a coma and then slipped away. It was a blessing in the end. She had had no quality of life for quite a few months and knew nothing. Just so sad. My heart goes out to you and if you EVER need to talk, just let me know.

Grasshopper - glad your back has been feeling good. I guess you all have a problem with the Flu Vaccine. I don't get it - nevr have. I sure hope if you do come down with it, you will not be too ill.

Well, I can't read everybody's posts, sorry to say. My GD was here this weekend, and we were playing (she is ) and her finger made contact with my eyeball. Had to go to ER and it does have a scrape and a small gouge on it. So, I have Votaren drops and an antibiotic to put in my poor old eye. I mostly keep it covered with a patch and it is irritating to use just one eye, as you soon get a headache.

Hope you are all well.

It's been one of those days, already. :^: The phone has rung constantly since I woke up. I like quiet in the morning as I drink my coffee :coffee: & do my posting to all of you. My time has been taken up, though. I'll come back soon as I can. It's the "long day at the station" for me. Gotta get ready.

Happy Canuk...so good to hear from you. Glad the wedding went well. Sorry for the problems. I was afraid something was going on with you...& said a prayer. Thanks for the kind words of my mother. I may have to talk with you some. Again, thanks. Hope your eye is better. (ouch!)

Hope all of you have a good day.

Good Afternoon Ladies hope that you are having a pain free day well I woke up to sun so that has put me in a better mood around this area everybody is having back problems so keeping my fingers crossed that it doesnt come my wayas I need my back to do my job!!!!!yes alzheimers disease is something that I wish they could find a cure on tonight I will be working at a nursing home which I do 2 days a month to keep my foot in the door in case no work at the hospital but will be working on the unit and my heart really goes out to these people sad thing it could happen to any of us so I try and treat them like how I would want to be treated you just have to have a little more patience in dealingwith them well I guess I should consider my self lucky that I was able to get the flu shot and free as Ohio is in short supply so that is something postive well ladies I got to get my towels out of the dryerso hubby will have something to dry with working all these days in a row I dont get to much done so better get motivated into doing something so have a great day Rita:dance:

Hi All,

Charlotte, so sorry to hear about your mom....I'll keep her in my prayers. Also, and no offense to RAR, you might want to rotate family members at the nursing home if you haven't been doing that already. When my grandfather was in the hospital I would almost swear they wanted him off real food....to make their job easier...hooked him up to an IV. Sometimes it just takes a little more time and patience to get them to eat.

But remember to take care of yourself, Charlotte. You won't be able to do anything for anyone if you run yourself ragged.

Canuck, glad to hear the wedding was a success. Okay, so it snowed and the roads were bad....but those who made it had a good time, right? Sorry about the eye...had that happen in middle school once...ouch! Course my brothers saying stuff like "Ahoy Matie!" and "Arggh!" everytime they saw me didn't help. Hope you're feeling better ASAP!

Pretty good day for me. Thought I would have to watch my niece but they heeded my warning and kept her away from the house due to the flu. I was really worried that she'd be here today. So, free day for me....:).

Hope everyone is having a pain free day and that the Pumpkin Mystery has been solved in Montana :)


Deb

I haven't been on for a couple days. My wrist and arm did its usual flare up. Had to sit up and sleep and all that good stuff. Much better today. All I have to say is "don't chew gum all day at work". My jaw is flaring up now...
This will probably be my best day on the program. I don't even feel like opening my mouth.

Charlotte-Sorry to hear about your mom. I had no idea that happens with Alzeimer's. How long has she had it anyhow? Must be upsetting for everyone. I'm sending some prayers your way.

Canuk-Glad to hear the wedding was a a success. Now me, personally, I think snow would make it a romantic kind of day. I married my second husband in January. I wish we could have afforded a wedding but went to the Justice of the Peace at the courthouse.
Sorry about you're eye too. I went to the ER in Sept. for my eye too. Although I accidently instilled my contact cleaner directly into my eye instead of getting poked. Not my smartest move but I was so tired that day and not thinking at all. Needless to say, I got antibiotic ointment for my eye and it was swollen and red for a week.

Hey Rita-I was reading your post. Are you a nurse? I really admire you for helping in the nursing home. Around here, some of the people in the nursing homes get so snotty with the patients. My heart aches for the ones nobody comes to visit too. I've seen to many of those. I used to go visit with my Grandmother when my Great Grandma was in. Their faces light up to see people, esp. little ones. I wish more people would take the time and not forget that they need love and attention too.

p.s Charlotte... I hid my RA from my dad for over 2 years before I told him. I work for him so at work, I'd pretend that nothing hurt. I kept that smile on my face and was in agony on th inside because it hurt so bad. Grin and bear it! He finally found out when I had my med problem last year and couldn't hardly walk or stand. I was shuffling my feet and every step was excruciating. I cried alot...it was too hard to hide. I have had this complex for most of my life. I never was that close to my dad but I am so worried about being a disappointment to him. Or just letting him down. Sad huh?

Well I have to get the kids pushed out the door for school.

Hey BTW Deb- Maybe I'll have to start hiding towels too. :lol:

Love you all!
~chris

Hey There
 

Angel- Losing the weight is the easy part..Maintaining is the hardest. I am there and have been for the past 4 years. If you are like me the thought of gaining all that weight back is keeps me in a constant state of worry.. I hate it..
I was a charge nurse in a nursing home for the last 15 years that I worked. I know what you and your sister are going through. Just keep in mind that your mother is getting the best care. She is not suffering as she probably does not realize what is happening. That in itself is a blessing. It is probably harder for you than it is for her.If she is near the end ,keep in mind ,she is in Gods hands. It may be difficult for you ,but, try to stay realistic.. I cannot tell you what a relief you will feel when she does finally go Home to God.
Hello Everybody...Joanne

Chrily & Joanne...you both made me feel better by your understanding.

Yes, Chrily....it's sad when you feel you have to pretend. Especially when you try so hard to get your dad's approval. My dad was always very proud of me. I was "daddy's girl". My mother was the one that I had problems with. I forgave her for everything when she got sick. I don't hold anything against her, but do feel it was such a waste of both of our lives, not having a mother-daughter relationship as we could have had. I'm sorry you don't have a close relationship with your dad. Chrily, don't think that's your fault. You don't have to prove yourself to him. Just be yourself. If you hurt...your body is telling you to slow down. There are times we have to pretend. Like when I'm in the public eye. But, when I'm just around family, believe me, they know when I don't feel good. I hope I haven't said too much. It's like my pastor's wife told me, when she saw I was trying to push myself once. No one knows our feelings. Only do WE know how we feel. If I'm not able to do something, now, I don't. Anyone can think what they want. Even my DH, as much as he loves me, just doesn't understand. I'm still hearing constantly, how I should get off the meds, & exercise more. :(

Joanne....Yes, I am terrified at gaining the weight back. It's just so hard to lose, & worse on my health, also.
Thanks for the advice. I had another friend who'd worked in a nursing home to tell me the same thing. I'll try to listen to your advice. My sister & I just really panicked the other day. I don't want to make the decision of forced tube feeding. I'm her sponsor, & afraid they will ask me to do that. I'm not wanting that....but, don't want her hungry. I think you're right, though. She probably doesn't even realize she's hungry. She was sitting up yesterday...but, she was in her own world. My sister & I agree it would be more merciful to allow her to go on to God.
My step-dad is giving me a hard time, now. He called me today, & chewed me out. Said I went behind his back to be his sponsor (which isn't true...he told them he wanted me.), & he didn't even want to be there. He had himself checked in & called us to tell us about it. We didn't even know he was planning on going. :^: Oh well...I've been expecting that. He's strange, sometimes.

Hope everyone has a good evening.

Hey There
 

Angel- There is a lot of controversy about tube feeding. A person in your moms condition can live for years with tube feedings.. But then again ,"Do you really want that? Would she want that?"It is a difficult thing for families to decide.. There is no quality to life.I agree that it is kinder to just let them go.I am not in favor of putting a tube in.It is sad ,but, some homes are in favor of them because the longer the bed is filled the more money they make.I hope she has the living will.
I have found that men tend to get forgetful and difficult as they get older..I bet your S/dad checked himself in because he could not manage well,but, maybe he just wanted to be close to your mom and still have some say so.
Nice day here in Florida.. We have a few now and then.. We need rain in my side of town.. My yard is dry..
Hello Everybody...Joanne

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Good morning, everyone.
Hope the TGIF day finds all of you as pain-free as possible. My Remicade is beginning to wear off, but still doing well. I'm retaining more fluid from the RA than I usually do, though. My legs and ankles have been swelling pretty bad.

I agree, Joanne...it is kinder to allow my mother to go on, when the time comes. I just wish it wasn't my decision, as the sponsor. Of course, I'll confer with my other sisters (one of which, you'd never know existed. :( ) when the time comes. No, she doesn't have a living will. That's why I'm afraid they'll want an answer from me. I tend to think the same about the nursing home wanting to keep them alive for the money. That's sad. They are in a very good one, but......facts are facts.
My step-dad has always been this way. We'll (my sister & I) will go out of our way doing things for him. Then, he will turn on us. This would happen before he ever got sick. He's diabetic, & started having to have shots. He didn't want to give himself a shot each day, & wanted one of us to go do it for him. Well, we have to draw the line somewhere. We both live quite a distance from him, in bad health ourselves, besides gas being so high. We told him he would have to learn to do it. Nurses were going by the house & giving him his shots, but it got really out of control. He was pretty sick, & called us one day, saying he'd checked himself into the nursing home, & we needed to clear the apartment & rental storage by the end of the month. We had 2 weeks! Talk about working our sick fannies off! He told us to sell what we could...gave us some things...& to decide for ourselves what to do with everything else. Most of it was old & not any good, so we threw it away. He knew this, & all was fine. He's feeling better, now.....getting bored. He's deciding he wants out of there....& we're to bring everything back & get him set up somewhere. I don't think so! What he gave us, he can have back,but, not mother's things. We're not going through all that again. I have just got the medicaid through for him! He's got 2 sisters that don't come to see him, or help in any way. He has no children. So, we have tried our best to take his aggravating ways these past few years, & help him. Mostly, because he was dedicated to mother. It sure wasn't because he showed care for us...never has. We can only take so much, though! Oh well...I've vented enough! :^:

Chrily....I hope your wrist & arm is better. Although my hands are't looking so great anymore, they don't bother me much. I'm so thankful....I stay on the computer a lot! Especially since the housefire....keeps me from dwelling on things.

Young Grasshopper....hope you're doing well. The advice of rotating family members is good. Only thing, there's only 2...me & my sister. :( Our children visit....but, have very busy lives. Their kids are into ball, cheerleading, etc., plus their jobs. That's ok. They need to take care of their families. I don't think they can hook an IV up to my mother, anyway. They tried it at the hospital, not long ago. She kept pulling it out....hates needles! They gave up. :o

Rita...glad you got your flu shot. Shortage here, also. My appointment with my General Dr is soon. I'll probably get my flu shot, then. Mine is usually saved for me. I expect it will be again. My white blood count stays very low, so I'll need all the protection I can get.

Hello Happy Canuk....hope you're better.Hope everyone is feeling good today. Hello to all who read this today!!

Good morning...good morning...good morning...

Just had to see how everyone is doing. My hand was doing good until I aggrevated it again yesterday. There's nothing I can do. When you have to lift a little one and fight her to sit in a carseat, something has to hurt. It's funny how one 2 year old can take on the strength of 4 kids when they really don't want to do something. I think maybe I would we good in a rodeo doing steer wrestling. :lol:

Charlotte-My ex MIL is like your stepfather. She was in pretty rough shape with her emphysema and my ex SIL had to get rid of all her property so she could qualify for medicare to be in a nursing home. My ex SIL bought her property and is making payments on it. And now she wants back out. The doctor's are saying they won't let her out unless she has a place to stay and the necessary things to take care of herself. So she is still in the nursing home. I think it's probably for the best with her because she doesn't take care of herself. She had a mobile home she was living in and she fell asleep while smoking and burned it all down. It even destroyed her car. Then she was staying in a motel for a bit and got so weak she couldn't get out of bed and they had to call my SIL and an ambulance to get her out. Needless to say because of all that, she wrecked the mattress and the room and isn't allowed back there anymore. I like her but she is in another town in a nursing home so around the holidays I try to send her some treats up...like her pringle potato chips, crossword puzzle books, and gloves to keep her hands warm when she goes outside to smoke and of course a pic of her youngest grand-daughter...Tiana.

~chris

Just have a few minutes to drop in and say HI! Hopefully I'll have time to catch up this afternoon. I'm going to our 2nd Sjorren Foundation meeting this morning, I'll report in after it's over.

If I don't make it back in, hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween!

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I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I can't seem to get to feeling better. I do everything I know to do, but, I just keep feeling worse. My joints are all swollen. My right thumb is twice the size of my left one. :( I ache all over...my ankles are swollen....& boy, am I ill! :^: My treatment is still two weeks away.

Didn't get the roof on Saturday. It was a beautiful day. No one showed up. Later, one SIL called & then came over around 3pm. He said it was raining at their house that morning. Oh well....I'm getting use to disappointments.

Hope all are feeling well today. Good to hear from you, ageoldie. Sorry I'm such a grouch today.

I meant to get on here last night but my shoulder hurts like crazy. Instead of the the pain going from my hand up to my shoulder, it decided to go the other direction.

Charlotte,
I'm so sorry you're hurting so bad. I'm going to be saying a special prayer for you. I wonder why you're body is acting that way. I really hope for a speedy recovery for you.

Not much happening here. Just my flare but it seems I have a certain time each month when it is worse...so I'll just have to live with it. Plus I did an exercise video yesterday, which maybe my arm wasn't ready for. I can never gauge how far I can go before I'll be paying for it the next morning. I'll learn. Either that or my body will get used to it.

Well I better get going and get some housework done before my husband thinks I just laze around all day watching tv or playing on the computer.

~chris

Hi Everybody.

Barb - nice to see you drop in.

Angel - so sorry you are having such a tough time. Perhaps stress is playing a big roll in how you are feeling. Once the roof is on your house, maybe you will be able to relax more. Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Chrily - I hope your arm feels better tomorrow. It is just so terrible, when you want to do something, and end up hurting worse. So much for trying to help yourself. I did a couple of days of exercise and was laid up for 8 weeks. The chiro advised that I just try walking instead of exercises.

Joanne - hope you are coming along good now. I know you are still having summer by my standards :lol:

Grasshopper - glad things have improved a bit for you. Keeping the pain levels down is such a big +

Well, just wanted to stop in and say hello. Have a house to finish cleaning, so I had better get to it. Hope you are all having a fairly good day.