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FRIENDS WITH RA & OA # 14...
Hi everyone, Hope you had a great Valentine's day! I received roses from my honey! Wasn't that sweeeeet!! Joanne...that is a lovely idea about the vacation. Only problem, when it came time to come home, DH would have a rough time getting me into the car....kicking & screaming! :lol: 70 degrees! WOW!! Why don't you take a picture sometime, & put it in one of your posts? Include yourself in it, of course. :D So, are you walking on the beach more than the treadmill now? I lost 9 lbs so far, but I'm worried that yesterday's Valentime candy...here....there....& EVERYWHERE I went....put some back on. I hope not. Well....I can't stay on long. My appointment with the Neurologist is today. Gotta get DH & DS off to work, so I can get dressed. Hope all are feeling well today. I'll try to post more this evening. |
Hey There
Angel- It is supposed to be in the 70's all week..I don't have a scanner so I can't put picture on. Maybe we can Messenger your address and I can send you one sometime.. My sister Eleni puts pictures on now and then..Another thing for me to learn.I am alternating walking on beach and T/M now.. It gets boring on the T/M sometimes.
Hello Everybody...Joanne |
Charlotte-You'll have to let us know how your neurologist appt. goes. I'm praying for you.
Joanne-I need to be on the sand too. ;) My life is such a hectic, stressed out, jumble of a mess right now and walking on the beach sounds like heaven to me. I might have to shove myself in a box and mail me down to you. :lol: You gals have a great day! I'm back to cleaning, or I guess I should call it "damage control".... ~chris |
Well, I went to the Dr yesterday. He ran some tests in the office. He said my thumb problems are definitely from my neck. The circulation is being cut off. In fact, it's that way on the whole right side of my body. That side was weaker in the tests, also. He's very concerned about that, & put me on Trental to try to help with the blood flow, until all testing is done. Next, he confirmed that 5 disks in a row are in trouble. He first wants to rule out RA in the spine. I knew that would be a large concern. I go next Wednesday for MRI's on my neck to find out how bad the disks are, & the Radiologist will be able to tell him if RA is involved. Then, I go back to him the following Monday. (23rd) I told him that I had been researching it, so I knew how serious it could be. He said after 20 yrs of being my Neurologist, he knew that I had been. :^: He wanted to know why my Rheumatologist had told me so much about the results of my test. I told him that I ask about it, so he was obligated to give me the results & answer my questions. He just smiled, & nodded his head. I have to keep wearing this stupid cervical collar....be careful with my movements, etc. & wait & see. I didn't ask, but believe the danger of the blood not circulating right, & weakness on one side is danger of a stroke. Isn't life wonderful!!!!!!!! It'll be ok. I've been in tight situations before....& yes, I do desire your prayers. I fimly believe in prayer & of course, I'm a little nervous about it all. Chrily..."my life is hectic, stressed out, jumbled mess, right now".....ok, girl, you know we're here for you. We're not a beach, but we are your fiends. If you need to talk....just "take a walk" with us. Remember, we love ya lots! ;) Joanne...I'll be glad to give you my address & my email address. If your sister could email your pic, I could put it on for you. Or mail me a picture, I could scan it. I'd love to do that! Don't forget the beach! A pic of you on the beach would be great! I'm getting excited....I'd like to know what you all look like! :D It wasn't in the 70's here, this week, but was fairly warm. Getting colder tonight, though, & going to start raining again by Saturday. Hope you all have a good evening. |
Charlotte-I love your Garfield picture. He has always been my "hero"...all the way since grade school. I am so sorry to hear about your neck. I don't know how you handle it. I would be a nervous wreck. I'm an worry way too much and think of the worst case scenarios when I have something going on. Big personality flaw. My husband says I'm a fatalist. Just call me doomsday.
Today was a little calmer around the house. Nicole has a really bad cold and I'm waiting to see if it hits her lungs hard. She always has problems with that now since she had pneumonia. I have this nasty feeling she is going to have, or has, asthma. As far as my stressing. I just don't know what to do anymore. Tiana is hitting the pre-teen, hormone-changes and is one major mood swing after another. She doesn't get along with my husband. To me, it does seem like he gets on her more. Almost like he can't wait for her to screw up so he can have a reason to be mad at her. My 5 yr. old is fighting back too. She's been back-talking more and hitting her little sister. I help clean her room and the next day its a disaster again. I'm tired of doing things and having them undone. ANd then you have Nicole...she's biting, hitting, screaming, and taking off when no one's looking. She took off with her trike the other day and was one block up on a busy street before I found her. We have tried the "naughty corner", time outs, taking favorite things away, taking away priviledges...and the results...NO CHANGE! Every night, without exception, dinner is a chaotic stressful time. None of the kids will eat. "i'm not eating that. I don't like that. Etc". My husband has been testy with me and the kids. I haven't had any time alone with him and to be blunt...not even any "relations" for almost 6 months. Nicole keeps waking up and getting in bed with us late at night. I feel like I'm failing the parent test...along with the spouse test. Kelly says I'm distant to him. I know I am but don't know why. I want to be loved and love someone but I put walls up with everyone. I'm a mess, I think. I feel like the world's coldest person. I know it doesn't sound all that bad but I just can't put it into words or write everything that's been happening or we'd have a book.... ;) OKay...that was my mini-vent session. I wish I knew of a parenting class, or a book on parenting that would help. I've read Dr. Dobson's books but didn't get a whole lot of information out of them. I wish we could afford counseling because I sure could use it. Find out why I am the way I am. ~chris p/s sending heart-felt prayers your way, Charlotte. I keep thinking that it could be me going through the same stuff some day. I'll keep praying and praying and praying for you. |
Hi Chrily...
Well, I just posted a very long message to you, & lost it all! I doubt if I can remember it all, now. I'll do the best I can. I do know my heart went out to you. I'm so sorry for all you are going through. You ARE NOT cold, or a bad mom or wife. You are in bad health. You have a pre-teen, younger children, distance from your DH, & seeing a strain between your DH & daughter. I think you are a very strong person! You're under a lot of stress, & that is very bad for you. I've done a lot of research, & found that the meds for auto immune disease effects different things, including the desire for "relations". It's the same with me. I love my DH very much, & want his love & attention....but, feel like an old woman that just wants to rest. Remember, also, that your DH, like mine, doesn't have the health problems that you have, so he can't understand. My DH has always been in perfect health (thank God), so he thinks drinking a lot of water, & getting exercise is the cure all for everything. I have printed out material from websites & given it to him to read, concerning RA. It seems to have helped him a little. I can see how they may not realize how it is, I didn't either, until I got it. My children are grown, so I don't have to chase after them, or contend with teenagers....they drove me up the wall, & didn't have RA then! I went through all that you have to contend with, only with good health...I thought it would kill me! We started out with twin daughters....I got pregnant with them on our honeymoon. Four yrs later, another daughter, then 6 yrs later...when I thought I was through having children, I had our son. It was a real strain....trying to work, & drag kids to the babysitter, & school. If I'd had RA then, I don't know if I could have handled it. I don't know of any books, but I'm doing research to try to "help myself", if I come out of this immediate situation alright. I've found that foods can help or hurt RA. So, I'm going to try to eat the right foods. When I get a list of the good & bad foods, I'll post them for you all. Do you have a few minute during the day that you can be alone & unwind? I go to my pc, or out to a park, or just to town to the stores. Do you have someone (besides us) to talk to? I don't (not really), that's why I vent a lot to all of you. I use to go to "Notepad" & put down my feelings, then delete. Now I come here. If there's any chance at all...& I know it's hard....for you & DH to get a couple of days away, or just go out to eat alone, it would help you both. DH & I go out every Friday night & eat, just to get out of this invironment. If we're home, I'm doing my own thing & he's doing his..mostly TV. But, to go out to eat, we talk! If you can't afford steak, go to McDonald's...anywhere...just to be together. Sometimes, our DH's get a little jealous of our attention, & he's already complained to you. Any time you need to talk, I'm here, Chris. When we're in bad health, & hurt, we're not going to be the person others/we want us to be. We've got to take care of ourselves. You need to be around & feeling well enough to get those youngsters grown. Some day you'll here from your pre-teen (like I did :D ) "MOM...I don't know how you handled me, or why I was that way...I'm sorry" ...It'll all be worth it!! ;) I hope I've suggested something that might help. I thank you for your prayers....counting on them. Have a good day. Charlotte |
Charlotte-YOu're husband sounds like mine. When I'm hurting and reach in the medicine cabinet...he makes his usual comment..."swallow another pill..." That just gets on my nerves so fast. If I could get on with my life without having to take medicine, you bet I would.
I've thought about my medicine being part of my problem. Until my stepmom was talking to Kelly at Christmas and told him I was just like my dad. He's a great guy but not really good at showing outward affection. I could literally count how many times I've been hugged by him on one hand. That's not good for being his daughter for almost 34 yrs. As far as friends go...I only had one in town. After I had #2 (Kayla) we haven't done anything together. Her daughter is in high school and mine are in grade school. Just don't have much in common. My only friends are you guys on this website. Before 3fc, I was probably more of a basketcase. It's hard to function without any adult companionship. I do things with my mom occasionally, usually just visiting. My sister's occasionally but they are around the same age so they spend most of their time together. I really don't have much of a support system here. The weight loss issues I handle on my own. Same with the RA. DH sees but I don't think he totally grasps what a bad day with RA is like. You know-it's funny. I always swore my mom was mean and my stepdad was a jerk ( he was in alot of ways) but I was a terror in school. I can look back and seriously ask my mom how she handled me. I really feel bad for alot of the things I did. Someday Tiana will know. She threatens to live with her dad all the time now, when it gets too much for her. I told her that may be a decision she would regret later. Her dad is nice and loves her but he isn't a "good" father. She has asthma and still he smokes in his house with her. He's an acoholic...he's on parole so he hasn't drank in 3 yrs. but his parole is up in August. He is a convicted felon (felony assault). And he is married to a former meth addict he met in treatment. I'm so glad I have a great guy now. Anyhow...I think that is partly why dh picks on Tiana so much. It's such a long story but my ex, my current dh, and I all used to do everything together. Kelly was there even when Tiana was born. I think it eats at him knowing Tiana's dad as good as he does. Anyhow, my ex asked for a divorce in 1997 and was remarried right after that. Anyhow Kelly and I got married in 1999. I hope you don't think that is too strange. Maybe someday soon I'll leave you a PM and tell you all that's happened. Tomorrow my mom has her hysterectomy. She got diagnosed with uterine cancer last week and they want to do the surgery right away. I pray that all goes well with her. I'm home today with 2 sick kids. Kelly is taking the day off tomorrow so that I can go be with my mom. Gotta get some bleach in the whites...Thanks for listening to my rambling and caring about me. I had a long talk with God last night about your condition, my mom, my husband, and what to do with my little ones. ~chris |
Thanks Chris...
I appreciate the prayers. I will be praying for your mom tomorrow. I'm sure she will come through the surgery well, & everything will be fine. It's great of your DH to stay home tomorrow to give you opportunity to be with her. I don't think your situation concerning you & your marriage is strange, at all. Of course, any time you want to pm & tell me anything, it's fine. Don't worry about what I'll think. I'll just be your friend. Speaking of friends. I have friends, especially being at the TV Station. Connie, the manager & I are very close. I just don't have anyone that I can confide in. As much as I love Connie, she is the type of person that gets the subject on her, before I can finish what I'm saying. I know she's concerned...just doesn't give me the "time to listen to me" that I need. Everything that happens to her is worse, & more important than anyone else. I know she doesn't realize it, & like I said, I do love her. I know you're busy today. Take care of those little ones that are sick....& YOURSELF! :) Let us know how your mom's surgery turns out. Charlotte |
Hey There
Chris- I hope the news concerning your mom after surgery was not too bad.. Keep well yourself.. You are going to need all your energy..When kids are small they will do a lot of things that hurt ,just to get attention.. They usually outgrow those things.
Angel-What would some friends do without a friend like you.. You seem to shoullder a lot. It seems that with all you have in health problems. home repair,etc that you are named right. You must have a Angel on your shoulder.. Hello everybody...Joanne |
I wrote a whole post last night and forgot to hit submit....I was so tired.
Anyhow my mom's surgery went longer than expected and her time in recovery was extra-long too. THey took everything out, including lymph nodes. They have to biopsy everything they took out and then if any of the lymph nodes have cancer, she will have to follow up with radiation or chemotherapy. She is in so much pain. It hurts to see her like that. They had to dig into her pelvis to get the lymph nodes so she's had alot more done than just the hysterectomy. On a scale of 1-10 for pain, she told the doctor she's at a 9. They gave her an i.v. epidural, and that wasn't even blocking the pain, so last night when I left they were getting ready to do a morphine drip on her. I just wanted to cry. I'll see her this evening when Kelly gets home and all the kids are gone. I wish I could have done the surgery for her. That my mom and I really ache for her.... I'll keep ya posted on her recovery and the biopsy results when they come back. ~chris |
Oh Chrilly.........I'm so sorry your mother went through so much. When I had my hysterectomy, I was cut from side to side, & it hurt more than any I'd had. (I've had several) To think they did more by getting the lymp nodes....making it worse! I'm really praying for her. I know you're hurting for her & would take her place....but, I can tell you....she would much rather go through it, than have you to. She WILL get get better as the days go by. It will also help to hear that she's cancer free, also.........which, we're all praying for!! Keep that in mind. Don't believe different until you have to. As Joanne said, take care of yourself, also. Please let us know something as soon as you can. Hello Joanne...Thank you...you make me feel good. I try to be a friend...but, remember....there's a lot of people who encourage me, also. They may not realize that I need someone to just sit still sometimes & listen, but I know they care. I'm constantly receiving gifts (mostly angels :D ). Being a friend to others, working at the TV Station, etc., helps me keep my mind off my own problems...so, I'm blessed. I'm constantly finding people in a lot worse condition (healthwise, & home problems) than I'm in. I have a lot to be thankful for. DH's aunt passed away yesterday. It's a 1 1/2 hr drive to where the funeral is to be at. DH is planning on us & other family members going tonight & of course, the funeral tomorrow. I just asked him if he would be hurt if I stayed home, because of my neck. The car ride will irritate my neck & then, there's a lot of standing at the funeral home. He said it was my decisiion, but he had a hurt look in his eyes. I'll have to think this over. I don't want to hurt him, but I'm really wondering if I should go..... |
Charlotte-Sorry to hear about your husband's aunt. Thanks for praying for my mom. I know that the doctor made her incision from her belly button down as far as he could. My sister just called...I guess my mom is feeling better now. She says mom is relying a bit "much" on the morphine drip. Jennifer says she just pushes the buttons whenever she wants.
Well there is too much fighting going on. Gotta go...AGAIN! ~chris |
Hi Chris,
Glad your mom is feeling a little better. Don't worry about the morphine drip. It will only allow her a certain amount, with a certain amount of time between doses. She can push the button all she wants! I know.....I thought I'd wear that button out, before it would stop the pain! Little by little, she'll get better. Time will just drag for you all...& her...until that happens. From her belly button down! ouch! Mine was across. I do have a large scar from belly button up to chest, though....from hiatal hernia & gallbladder removal! I'm reeeeeeal purteee! :^: At least, hers,is low where it can't be seen. Let us know the test results as soon as you can. I keep checking in to see if you've posted! Love ya, Charlotte |
Charlotte,
My mom can jsut add this scar to her collection. She has an incision by her belly button and one on each of that when they took out her gall bladder and she has one about 4" long on her neck when they had to do a lung biopsy on her. She liked that one too. They numbed her nose with cocaine. That was when they were checking her for sarcoidosis. My brother has the same scar. He has sarcoidosis too. He told his students in his special ed. class (he's a spec. ed teacher) that he got it from sword swallowing. Such a weirdo... :lol: How are you feeling today? Are you going to go the funeral or just stay home? Talk to you soon. ~chris |
These flowers are for you & your mom, Chris. We could get together & compare scars. :^: I have a 4 inch scar on my neck from the last laminectomy when they put the metal plate in my neck. I was surprised they went in from the front. Have you heard any results yet? I suppose it'll take a few days. I went to the wake last night. It really irritated my neck. A long drive there & back, & the standing around at the funeral home. Not many places to sit. It was so hard to see DH's dad. It's his sister, & he has Alziemer's pretty far advanced, but most of the time, he'll finally reacognize his family. He DID recognize her, & it tore him up. He wasn't far enough along to not tell him, so we had no choice. They aren't taking him to the funeral today, though. I'm not going today. DH is ok with it, I think. Little granddaughter had strepthroat last week, & my throat is bad this morning. We have 2 little granddaughters that are here every other week. Our son is divorced & has joint custody of them, & he's still living with us. It's been a year now. :dizzy: Hope I'm not taking it, I have to be very careful about infections with RA. My white bloodcount stays very low. DH said he would take me to eat, then he would leave. We have a favorite restaurant we go to on Sunday, & had planned to go eat, before leaving for the funeral, as it's not until 3 pm. That's sweet of him to take me, before he goes. If my throat isn't better tomorrow, I'll be checking in with my Dr. Keep us informed. Thinking about you. Charlotte |
No news on my mom's biopsy results yet. Maybe tomorrow. She might be able to go home tomorrow too. Wouldn't that be great?
~chris sorry my wrist is killing me...or i'd type more. |
Hey There
Chris- If the report is not given before your mom leaves the Hospital they will probably give it the first follow up visit..I hope it is OK.
Angel- I sometimes wish there were more G/children in our family. I guess that is not likely to happen.Maybe ,I need to get a little dog. They take about the same amount of care. Of course my hubby keeps saying no to that thought. He might have to get up and take it out. I try almost everything to keep him moving.. The weather here is good. It may rain the end of the week. We need it really bad.. Hello Everybody...Joanne |
Hi Joanne.....
Well, my sister only has 1 grandchild & is perfectly content. I have 11 & perfectly content with that amount & more. I believe it's just natural to want the amount you have. :D I wouldn't want to take care of them all of the time, but do enjoy being with them. I'm really ready for son & girls to get their own place. It's been a year now, so maybe soon. He needed help for awhile. He's doing very well now, & has gained weight...& going to the gym. We're very proud of the way he's straightened up his life. Wish the girl's mom would do the same. Well, if your DH doesn't want to take the dog out, what about a dog that stays outside? Maybe chain it at night, or something. They are very good exercise, & would help keep him moving. He could take the dog for walks on the beach! Have a good day....... Charlotte :D |
I'm in a lonely place today. There is no one to talk to and there isn't anybody on this darn computer either. My sister went to the hospital today to get my mom so I had her kids for awhile. Her husband came and got them just a few minutes ago.
I hate days like this because they are harder for me to control my munchies. I get bored and walk into the kitchen and just start opening the cupboards and the fridge at random and just snag whatever. I ate a few graham crackers but decided if I keep my hands busy then I won't be needing the food. So far its working. :) Hope you guys are all having a pain free sort of day. I'm not bad. My wrist hurt like crazy last night but this morning it wasn't too bad and now the pain has all but disappeared. I suppose I should get ready to pick Tiana up from school. She has girls' honor choir after school on Tuesday and then after dinner she has basketball practice. Tuesdays are a busy day around here. ~chris |
Hey Chris......get your hands out of that food!!!
You should take advantage of the time alone to rest...not eat! :^: I was alone all day, also. I polished my nails, & watched a couple of movies while clothes were washing & drying. If I'm polishing nails (which they really didn't need, today) I can't eat. :D Remember that next time. Girl, with all you go through, you should have enjoyed the day alone. I suppose it's hard to get used to, though, isn't it? How's your mom? Sorry I wasn't on, when you were here. What does the Dr do for your wrist, besides the splint? I'm sure you've said, but I can't remember. I just found out my SIL's dad got back from Iraq yesterday!!! I'm so glad for their family. Now, maybe life will be better for my SIL. He's had a rough time, since he got back a year ago. Those soldiers have been through so much. :( Hope all rest well tonight......... Charlotte |
Charlotte and Joanne,
Good news! My mom's biopsy results came back negative for cancer. She won't have to do radiation or chemo. I am so relieved and happy. Today Tiana is out of school early so after lunch and picking up the house...we're off to the park. Tiana wants to work on her basketball moves and the 2 other girls can play on the slides and stuff. Get me out of the house! Too much time in here is not a good thing. It doesn't improve my mood and I think its about time I got some fresh air and blow the dust off my body. Charlotte-My doctor hasn't really said much about my wrist. There isn't any real active inflammation. It just flares up from over use so I just splint it. IT was more my idea than his. I got this Arthrits Foundation book that I sent for and it has great coping ideas and such for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Its a whole book dedicated to it... I never think of pampering myself by painting my nails or watching a movie alone. Don't know why. I'm a strange one... :) I'm so glad to see that your sil's dad got back from Iraq. What a relief! I'm waiting for my sister's bil to come back. What a scary place to be. My bil went over right in the beginning and got an early discharged...something about a his psychological profile (narcissim) not fitting in with the Air Force's. Gotta get the kiddos to school. Check back later. ~chris |
Hey There
Chris- That is really good news about your mom.. My G/son is outside of Irag on a carrier.. This is his second time in that area,since the war started. He should be coming home in April if nothing else starts over there.He will be getting out of the Navy. He has been in 5 years. I think he is finally ready to settle down and go to school.My daughter has him signed up at the local junior college ,hoping for early release.
Angel- I too try to stay busy to keep from eating. This has not been a easy week for me..I think I need to get back to my quilting. I have a project ready to layer and quilt.. Bye...Joanne |
Our prayers were answered for your mother, Chrily! I'm so happy for her & all of you. I know you must be so relieved. Maybe soon she'll be feeling better. I'm glad for anyone who didn't have to stay in Iraq. I know it's necessary, but to see the soldiers, like my SIL, come home with problems, is sad. Joanne...good news about your grandson. Tell him we're all proud of him, ok? My SIL was in the army for 10 yrs. He probably would have stayed if not for my daughter & their 2 children. He was afraid he would get killed & leave them alone. I see there's something else I'd like to see pics of...your quilts! Ohhhh I forgot to pm you with my address! I'll try to do that tomorrow. I'm soooo tired! I went for my MRI's yesterday, & had a copy of the report faxed to my house. Well, I'm really hoping for the best, but I suspicion that they don't send the patient the whole report. What it DID say is that C7-T1 disc is bulging heavily & there are several osteophytes in the spine. (these are bone spurs from Osteo Arthritis) That is just about all it said. I posted on a site that is about Neurological problems & copied the whole report, asking for an interpretation. I also told what the EMG showed, & what my Neurologist said. I got a few responses that it didn't look like a complete report. So, I suppose I wait until Monday to find out anything for real. I already knew I had at least one bulging disc & bone spurs. Oh well......... Gotta get some rest. Love all of you! |
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...over/4_9_7.gif Where's everyone at??????????? Did I say something wrong????????? Let me know, if I did. I love you, & need you all......... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...08/cart127.gif. http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/...pcharlotte.bmp |
I'm here! I'm here!
I've just had a really nasty cold/flu bug and haven't been doing much of anything. Of course, I had to work today, so my wrist is sore again. I'm seeing a pattern here. It hurts on the day I have to work. Hummm..... So how are ya feeling, Charlotte? Anymore news on your neck. Please keep me posted. I'm still keeping you in my prayers. My mom is doing much better. She's now just taking Tylenol for the pain and she is almost walking "normal". My sister and I have been taking turns doing dinner for them so that my mom and brother don't have to sustain on fast food. Joanne-How are you doing? Haven't heard much from you lately either. We are soooo mean. :) Gotta go and rest the wrist. I'll check in tomorrow and see what's happening. ~chris |
Keep holding on, Chrily.....maybe your wrist will be better, some day. It must be rough for your wrist to hurt with everything you try to do. My thumb was that way....still is a little sore. Have you got one of those mouse pads that you can rest your wrist on? I've heard they really help. My SIL uses one all the time, because he's on the computer a lot. He doesn't have anything wrong with him, just uses it, so his arm/wrist won't get tired. I took my MRI's to my Neurologist yesterday. He showed me about 3 bulging disks, & several bonespurs. He doesn't want to send me to a surgeon yet, though. He wants me to take the film to my Rheumatologist. That makes me very nervous. I asked him if RA was involved in the spine. He said that the Rheumatologist would run more tests. I pushed him, but he didn't push very well. :^: I don't go for a treatment until March 21st. I'm thinking of getting another appt before then. Well, hear DH coming in....gotta go get supper on the table. Good news about your mom! Love ya, Charlotte |
Hey There
Angel and Chrily -I have been a little busy. Dr. appt's etc. My Colesterol. Trig. and sugar are up. I guess all tha valentine candy. I went out hunting a discount Vitamin store today. The Dr. said go back on red yeast rice and coq10.. I rather take that than all the other things they have on the market. I hate making the pharmacys rich..
Back tomorrow.. My neck is giving me a fit right now. Dang arthritis..Keep well. Joanne |
Joanne-Are you diabetic? My dh's doctor is worried about my husband because of his outrageous triglyceride levels, cholesterol and so on. When he first went to the doc, his triglycerides were 1368. He now has them down to 386 but he still is supposed to be below 150 ( I think that's the magic number). There is a long history of diabetes and heart disease in his family.
Charlotte-Sounds like the neurologist is a bit unnerved by your mri results. That would make me nervous. I have to say, the name rheumatoid arthritis is so deceiving. The sound of it makes it seem like such a mild disease...but its the opposite. It can do so many things to a person and I don't think the average person really knows how devastating and dangerous it is. I know most of my family doesn't. It's a scary thing to have. I'm praying for the best possible results for you. I hope you can get to rheumatologist before you appt. on the 21st. I bet he can get you in if he believes it's serious enough. Maybe have that neurologist lean on him a bit to get you in earlier. I better get to bed. Too much excitement in town right now though. A big explosion followed by a fire wiped out a whole city block of new construction. I keep listening to the updates. Thank the Lord that none of the buildings were occupied yet. They still haven't got it put out and I'm sure it will be an all night job for them. ~chris |
Hey There
Chrily- No I am not diabetic.. We were given 3 boxes of chocolate for Valentines. My hubby and I ate them all. I had bloodwork on the 18th. I think that is why my sugar was high. :lol: :lol: I have a family background of OA, hypertension ,heart dx and cancer.I lost a lobe of my r lung some years ago because a blood clot got stuck. I guess God was on my side. The Dr. said I must have a Angel sitting on my shoulder.He said I should have been dead. The clot was just too big to pass. That should be enough to deal with. Otherwise ,I feel pretty healthy. I walked at the beach yesterday. About 2+ miles. I usually walk farther.. I will be 72 the 10th of this month.. I may live a long time yet. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hello Angel, I hope you are having a good week..Joanne |
Joanne, I feel like such a baby. I'm only 33 and I feel old already. I still have a hard time believing sometimes that I have arthritis already, but mine is RA. You remind me of my ex husband's grandmother. She was 84, almost blind from macular degeneration but she would walk everywhere and she was so energetic and healthy. She amazed me. She passed away a couple years ago at the age of 97.
As far as my husband's family goes...his mom, brother, and sister are all diabetic. One of his other brother's has lung cancer and the brother with diabetes had a heart attack at 35. His mom, youngest brother and sister are all asthmatic. And his mom has COPD and congestive heart failure with a little emphysema thrown in for good measure. Now our littlest daughter, Nicole is showing the signs of future asthma problems. When she gets a cold or goes out on a very windy day, we have to give her breathing treatments because of her wheezing and breathing. What a healthy group! I'm glad you are so healthy and active. That is absolutely great! Hi Charlotte-How're you today? Keep me informed of your spine situation. I said a long prayer for you last night. :) ~chris |
Hi Chrily & Joanne....
I know what you mean about the RA, Chrily. There are so many people that just don't understand. I don't want sympathy, I just want them to know that it is a disease that I have to fight everyday. I get so tired of hearing "you don't look sick"! I'm glad of that.........but, you know what I mean. I called my Rheumatologist office today & told the nurse what my Neurologist said. She said that my Dr wouldn't be there until Monday. (There's a different Dr each day for the treatments....sometimes I have mine, sometimes another one.) She said to bring the MRI film then, & leave them for him to go over. He may call & have me do other testing, or wait until the 21st to talk to me. At least, I feel like I'm doing SOMETHING! Yes, the RA scares me. More than anything I've ever been through. It takes control of me, instead of me controlling it, & I don't like that. WOW...excitement in your neighborhood! I hope no one was injured. Thanks for the prayers, my friend. Get some rest. Joanne...I didn't know you had been through so much. I'm sorry. You deserve that beautiful beach of yours. Enjoy it to the fullest! You, do, however, need to go light on that candy! I'm one to talk, I can't even stay on my diet, because of my sweet tooth! Take care of yourself. Love to all, Charlotte |
OH come on you two..I'm the one who works in a candy warehouse. If I can stay away from the sweet stuff, you can too. Just do not dangle any choc. covered cinn. bears or peach rings in my face. :lol:
Charlotte-I'm glad that I get to see the same doctor everytime I go in. All and all, my RA is pretty stable right now. When I got my last blood work back, my inflammation was low and my c-reactive protein test was finally in the normal range. I was .6 this time instead of 8.0. I haven't even taken Bextra for a long time now. I'm just living on methotrexate and the occasional advil. The splint really help my wrists but that is pretty much the only place I have any problems with anymore. Okay...off to bed for me. I have to work tomorrow and the morning comes a wee bit too fast for me. I am just not a morning type I guess. Have a good night ladies.... ~chris |
Hey There
Angel-Chrily- I guess I am the oldest/youngest one here. :lol: You know the saying'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'?Well my life could be made into a book. The things we keep in the shadows sometimes are the things that make us stronger..I have a sister that hides her head in the sand. She wants to believe that things were always perfect in her life and everyone elses life.Sadly life is not like that. I have always tried to be realistic and face things and deal with it..
When the chocolate is put in my face,I'll eat it. :lol: :lol: No control!!I'll just give up something else.. Yes ,I like the beach. I am one of those people who likes to be alone there. My sister ,Mary, Has decided lately to be there at the same time. I don't want to hurt her feelings,as she has a lot of issues that may never be resolved.She just talks too much about past life and I really don't want to hear it..I guess I have to go deaf.. Bye...Joanne |
Ok everybody, cheer up!! It's almost spring & even almost Easter!
Well, Joanne...You may have to go to the beach with your sister, & then make another trip alone. :^: Unless, she's the type you can sit down with and explain wanting some "alone" time. Bad situation to be in. I didn't realize you had a sister living that close to you. You've probably said something about it before, but, you know me & my "sometimers". :o We have a beautiful day here, today. I hope there are several more like it. In fact, this whole week has been nice. Hi Chrily...I forgot you worked in a candy warehouse!!!!!!!! How in the world do you control yourself???????? I'd have to put masking tape over my mouth. :lol: It's ok with me that I see a different Dr at times. I know all of them & like all of them. It's mostly that way because sometimes our Dr doesn't have patients coming in that day, or works in a different town that day. A Dr has to be nearby our room while getting the treatment, though, in case complications arise. They come in for a general "check up" & talk. So, if I have any new problems, as I did with my thumb, I trust all of them with it. I've made it sound like a dozen, but there's only four. :D Glad you've got your RA under control. Wish your wrists would stop bothering you so much. My RA is all over. It's a constant battle, but not giving up, yet! Well, gotta go. TGIF!! Everyone have a good weekend. Got a few people missing.......hope all are ok. |
Hey There
Angel- I have two sisters in this town.. Eleni who values her alone times the same as I do and Mary who has been living in N.Y for 30 years and is trying to establish a close relationship her way..I don't want to hurt her feelings and drive her away ,but, there are issues.She seems to always think we leave her out. Not so. We are just homebodies. So I guess I am going to tell her I will meet her at the beach. It is a 3 mile walk from my house. I will be increasing my walking time and that can only be for the good.I want to lose another few pounds anyway.
I will be 72 years young next week(10th). I am going to keep it quiet. I gave Eleni a picture to put on the site. She is good at that..There is so much I need to learn..I hope there will be a lot of years left for me to do the things I want to. Hello Chrily-When chocolate is brought into the house ,I have no desire to stay away from it!!!.. My hubby loves cocoa puffs.. Did you know they make a great dry snack.Just a handfull now and then.I will eat bakers chocolate..That is how bad I am..He eats pie ,cookies. etc and complains about his weight. I told him last week how many cal. were in Whoppers.. I don't touch any of that.I weighted in at Tops at 145 this week. I want to lose about 5 more.. It looks like we are the only three here lately.. Let's not let this site get lost.. I would really miss you...Got to get to the laundry..Bye till later....Joanne |
Hello everybody. I am still alive, although for awhile I wondered. The flu got hold of me and I just wasn't able to be on the computer. Today is really the first day I feel like I can play again. So my time was limited.
I haven't read all the threads yet, but I do hope things are going well for everybody. I will read and be back later. I just read Chris, that you work in a candy warehouse! I suppose it would be like working in a bakery. Sooner or later you get tired of it all. I worked at Sears candy counter years and years ago. Would go from school and eat Cashews. I actually grew to hate them. Thank goodness I am NOT a chocolate lover. I can take it or leave it, but I love sweets, especially caramel. When the fatigue takes over, I crave sugar and would almost kill to get it. Hopefully, this will now be under control. Joanne - keep up the walking. How are the knees doing now? I have had a bad 2 months, now I am into month 3 and praying that it will be better. I want so badly to start walking, but just haven't been able to. Hope everybody has a good day. |
Joanne-You sound like my ex-sil. She is a big chocoholic too. She was craving chocolate so bad one day and the only thing she could find was that Magic Shell chocolate syrup for ice cream (the stuff that makes it look like a dipped cone). She tipped her head back and just poured it down her throat. I'm a chocolate craver but I can control it most of the time with sugar-free hot cocoa or sugar-free fudgsicles.
Okay Hey Happy Chanuk! I'm glad you're feeling good enough to come out and "play" with us. I had a touch of the flu last week. I know I was really run down and feeling like I was ran over by a freight train. I'm happy you're back. Hi Charlotte-How's your day? I'm hoping not too bad considering your situation with your spine. We are so sunny here today. After the housecleaning is done...the kids are going to play outside! I'm going to enforce that one. Let them run off some of the excess energy they have. Okay...back to the cleaning. Talk to you soon. ~Have a Great Pain Free Day!!! ~chris |
Hey There
Happy- Glad to hear you are feeling better..Since my last injection way last year the knees have been doing ok. If I overdo they will hurt but nothing compared to what I was having. I walked 4 miles today. I am going to try and keep up that pace.
Hello everybody...Joanne |
Just a quick hello today.......got lots to do. Sent my MRI films to Rheumy this morning by DH. Hope he doesn't call me with problems. :^: Happy Canuk....so glad to hear from you! :D I was just about to pm you, to see if you were ok. I'm so sorry you've been sick. Hope you're a lot better real soon.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...r/highfive.gif Chris....been thinking about you. I hope life is calming down for you a bit. How's mom? We've been having having problems at the nursing home with care for my mom. Some little things, some not so little. I don't want to be a pest, but I want her taken care of right. She stays scared a lot (far advanced with Alziemer's & doesnt' know what noises, etc are) We DO know a new woman sharing her room was ill with her, making her upset & cry. Our mom is quiet. The other lady didn't like it that mom's tv was to be kept on one channel at all times. (the one that I'm on, for the music...it calms her. Also, if a car wreck is on or shoot-em-up...she thinks she's involved, so we have to be careful). The tv belongs to mom & we pay the cable bill. My sister went Saturday & found a large fan sitting on the tv, the tv was unplugged, & something had been spilled around & under it...real thick & syrupy! Mother was laying in bed clutching her pillow & shaking. (don't know how long she'd been that way.) She was staring at the fan on the tv. She has cataracts, so probably thought it was someone standing over her! My sister went down to the nurse's station. Sunday, the other lady was moved to another room. :) It's something all the time. Sorry......suppose I needed to vent. :^: The nurses all seem to love her & pet her a lot. It's just that sometimes we think some of the younger ones just do what they can get by with. Hi Joanne....I remember Eleni...wasn't sure she lived in your town, though. I hope everything gets worked out with your other sister. My younger sister & I are very close. We married brothers & live close. Our older sister lives only about 1 1/2 hrs from us. She is jealous of our relationship, but never comes around. Maybe once a year, she'll come see mom. We used to go see her, but she never came to see us....so we stopped. We love her, just not close. How are you going to celebrate your birthday??? I do hope you get that picture put on the site. I'd love to see you. Gotta go get ready to go to the station. Hope all have a good day. |
Hey There
Angel.. Our sister Mary met us at a nice restuarant for lunch today. She gave both Eleni and I a nice Birthday gift.. It was really pleasant.I met her later at the beach for a walk. Now she tells me she wants to meet at my house and walk out to the beach!Eleni's B/D is tomorrow(8th) and mine is Thrus. As I said it will be quiet. Just my hubby and I after Tops. We have always made big things out of those special days. It is time for us to slow down. I told my son that Holidays were not any fun for me anymore. Too much work..
You know, you Have to stay on top of the staff in the N/H. Check everytime you go. I used to look to see if they were wet, and if they were turned as they should be,so there would not be any bed sores. My mother-in-law was in the home where I worked. I was charge nurse there. The staff knew I would check every patient.Needless to say ,IF YOU SEE SOMETHING,YELL!!They will only give as much care as you demand. I'll remind Eleni about the picture..Otherwise send me a PM and I will try to mail one to you.. Bye for now Hello Chrilly and everyone..Joanne |
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