I'm bitchy, I moan, I groan.....anyway.

dreamwriter

Actually this is a blog and we keep all the laughter to ourselves.

I didnt get to finish because I fell asleep at the keyboard and hubby found me and made me go to bed.

My friend and I arrived at the closest hospital to my house.  Remember we arrived by ambulance.  Her complaint was sharp pain in lower left i and nausea.  Well the nausea quikly turned to vomiting.  It took 5 hours to be moved from the waiting area and 3 before the the doc shouwed up.  They gave her morphine to help her sleep. I took my night meds and fell asleep in the chair.  The next morning - 7 am - she goes for xray and ct scan.  The first was not far away and I almost kept up.  The second was further and the transport took off with me limping with a cane behind.  I was lucky to keep them in sight.  On the way back, I almost got lost on but the transport lady popped out just as I was gonna ask somebody where to go. I ran in that direction and found the right and found her.  Within 2 hours someone showed up to say it was a kidney stone and she would have to pee it out and she would know when THAT happened.

It is now 12:20 pm.  Lunch arrived.  A nice nurse got one for me too.  I was hungry enough to eat it too.  At 2 they ordered an ambulance to take us home.  At 2:45 I remembered that the drug store closed early on Saturdays.  I called the drug store and was told the pharmasist was leaving in an hour. I got a friend to pick up the order and bring it to David.  (He wasnt leaving the phone.)

At 6:30 - I was eating Johanna's dinner when they arrived.  I had spoon fed her the jello before nausea stopped her eating.  So I ate the rest.

David was really sweet when I got home.  Fed me a coffee and my night meds and put me to bed.

Today, I woke up one huge cramp.  He massaged, fed and took care of me all day.  He was funny and sarcastic.  And I loved it.

kmccraw423

Dreamwriter ... what a good friend you are.  There is nothing worse than being by yourself when you are scared and in pain.  I am so glad you were there for her and so sorry you overdid it yourself.  I love your sense of humor!

navygirl

My intention was to go up early last night, sign on and catch up to all that has been going on. My reality was, after 9 hours of ceiling to baseboards spring cleaning - I was too pooped to do much more than shower and go to bed.

Thinking of you all and hoping you have a quiet week!

barbe1958

Wow navy! I never do that much! I just move or redecorate.... I always wondered what "washable" paint meant....

GramE

Bonnie, you are either a bit behind or ahead to call it "spring cleaning"  --- it is SUMMER !!!!!!!    I have been away to Pinkstock this past weekend.  I am tired - long drive up but not so bad coming home  ---   and the laundry multiplied while I was away.   3rd load in the washer now and I am only ONE person....     

Hope all suckiness goes away and/or STAYS away.   Hugs,   Nancy 

navygirl

LOL...you both are cracking me up! Nancy...I know it's summer, but I have 3 dogs so this has to get done more than once a year! It just makes me feel better to say it that way!

Tell us about PINKSTOCK!!!!! I hope you had a great time! I forgot that was this weekend!

GramE

Chris and I are glad we went even though it was a small group.   Relaxing and out there with nature and away from the big city was great.   Wonderful group of people.   Vickie promises to post pics on PINKSTOCK thread.  A picture says more than a thousand words.    You should have been there, bonnie ---- and everyone else.

Connie07

A BIG THAT SUCKS FOR EVERYONE THIS WEEK.

Yes, I had neck surgery on Jan. 15, 09. It SUCKED.

I saw an Orthopedic Back Specialist (HA!) last August and he missed the neck damages on x-rays. After 3 months of drugs and pain patches, I dunno why, but I went back and he looked at those same x-rays and OH, found a herniated cervical disk. He was SO SORRY and tried to push me to have surgery a week before Christmas and I freaked. Then I thought, hmmm, maybe a Neuro Surgeon would be a better choice, so I went there and the Neuro did the fusion and bone growth stimulator. He just ordered the spine MRI I had Thursday. Can't fix anything surgically, but has seen people in my condition improve with PT. So, he wrote me for PT.

I"m 56, been sedentary going on 2 years now with overwhelming back troubles... here's how it went;

June-Sept.07 - Routine mammo found BC, lumpectomy, entire breast rads x 33 + 7 boosts. boob still aches. tummy was upset all the time, skin blistered the size of quarters and tried to swim every day. took short-term leave from job I loved and held for 18 years. After 12 wks and with huge fatigue, I returned full-time.

Nov.07 - Tummy upset worsens, Appendectomy on Dec. 15.  what a blast!! Another short-term work leave, 4 weeks. Returned to work Jan. 08.

At the end of my first week back to work, I fell, hard, in a city park. Hurt my back. It took a YEAR of whining, bitching and moaning about my back hurt. 2 ER visits, multiple PCP visits and he did stupid things like CT Brain to see if I had cancer in my brain and that's why I FELL??!!!  idiot. My BACK hurt, not my brain. Some PT, pain meds, antinflamatories, muscle relaxers and more in those categories from a pain management doc who's really smug and cocky. He saw arthritis in lumbar spine and did 16 facet injections, 6 of them were ablaisions. OMG they hurt. Ice, pain pills.. drugged up lots. Crying every day, sleeping in my car, not doing a good job, I left work yet again Aug. 08 on a third short-term leave. Turned into long-term, haven't been back to work  Aug. 4 will be a year.

Now, I'm a mess. there's pressure on my spinal cord in a variety of places, there's a plate in my neck holding two vertebrae together. There is arthritis up and down with considerable damage in all three major spinal "Areas".  owie.

Advise?   .... who sees a Chiro? does it work for you? I'm considering an implant device that says it will help control pain in multiple sites in the spine, but that's not going to fix anything, just mask the pain. 

What to do?   Thanks, Connie

GramE

Dear Connie:

Ouchies, eeeekkkkk,  dang, THAT SUCKS big time.   I have cervical disk disease, ONLY after several years of "stiff neck" complaints and a frozen shoulder.   PT only made it worse.   I already had 2 bottom slipped disks from car wreck.    

Advise:  Do not do the " I can't do it", but I MUST not do anything more to damage my neck/back/shoulder.   I have enough pain to last a life time and I hope to be around a bit longer.  You can call it being up front and bold, but it is MY body and I am not a fan of the "always in pain" club.    I am sorry things are the way they are for you.   Some days I tell myself that there are things I can change and things I cannot -- it usually gets me thru one more day.       

barbe1958

Connie, I've had 5 epidurals to my spine and neck. These are not nerve blocks, they're different. It has changed my life. I used to be on a cane with an electric scooter for longer walks. I don't know the terms you used...facets? if it's the same thing....

o2bhealthy

BIG THAT SUXS Connie!

Hoping that everyone has a less sucky day!

Mary22

Connie, a BIG THAT SUX!!!!!!!

Hello Ladies, hope all had a great weekend. The weather is summer like here today. The sun is shining, I wasn't what was happening this morning, since we have not seen the sun most of the summer!!!!LOL. I threw the kids outside since it was so nice out.

Connie07

Thanks, ya'll. One day at a time. That's how I got thru raising three kids, that's how I'll get thru this.

OG56

Well tomorrow begins the search for the right oncologist, BS and PS, I have appointments in Manhattan tomorrow regarding Recon. and next week at Sloan to see a specialist in LCIS and PLCIS. It is so scary to think I am going to have a Bilat MX..............Last year I was so thankful that my tumor was small and hormone positive and that I could have a lumpectomy with Mamosite,,,,,I just didn't realize that the Big Bad Wolf would come back so soon and blow it all to hell!!!!! I had a surgical fusion 25 years ago and so Connie and all of you with major aches and pains a big

THAT SUXS

Jane_M

Linda, I have heard that ER+/PR- have higher rates of recurrence.  Have you heard that, too?  Bette, from the April Rads group just found out she has mets, too and she is also ER+/PR-.

GramE

My moan for today ----  HOT,  forecast is 94 degrees......  Otherwise, not a bad day.   THAT SUCKS for those who need it.   HUGS for all,   Nancy

dreamwriter

The continuing story of my friend's Kidney Stone.

We got to the hospital an hour early.  She is nauseous and I am starving.  I eat through my lunch.  She has ginger ale and jello.  She has appt with Urologist.  I said, "Its first meeting, he probably wont DO anything."

He did.  Cute as a button.  Sweet talks everyone to do his bidding.  In other words, he knows he's cute and uses it.

Next thing shes in a gown, legs in the air and hes staring into her privates.  Then he stickes a tube straight up there.  She is knashing her teeth at me.

Then they gave her morphine.  And she mellowed out.  They kept her overnight. 

Im a pretzel.  Hubby is mad at me for not planning down time.

navygirl

Geeze dream...that sounds crappy! I'm glad she got taken care of though, kidney stones are no fun at all!

I hope the lack of activity the past few days means things are going well for everyone!

I could moan and groan...but really, I'm too tired

(((HUGS)))) to all 

Mary22

I am home and resting from my surgery. It went well, and no sudden hot flashes or other menopause symptoms. I think havinf=g been on the tamoxifena and Effexor helped with that.

Have a great day ladies.

konakat

Connie, Sessna, Dreamwriter, Mary -- big SUX!!

Mary: I found that I had a lot less hot flashes after my oomph!  I hope you get the same great benefit!  One less annoyance is soooo nice.

Traci-----TripNeg

Hello Ladies!

I just spent an hour catching up with everbody's stuff. I'm at work so can't reply individually but just wanted you all to know that I'm thinking about you all the time and I love all you gals, tons.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Mary22

Hello all, I am doing good. Just checking in!!!!!!

dreamwriter

I have unbent my back, manage to walk without a limp.  I took my body as close to exhaustion as possible.  Worried everyone, especially the friend I went to bat for.  She has the type of stone that will dissolve with drugs.  The tube is just to keep things clear while the drugs work.  She was peeing blood and didnt notice. 

My tube gets to stay in permanently.  Which means I will have a nurse permanently.

KAK

Hi, everyone!  Hugs to all of you dealing with crappola, especially Barbe, Mary, dream, dream's friend, Kathleen, connie & sessna.

Well, I got all my blood tests back & they showed that my red & my white counts are both below normal, not a ton below normal, but enough to account for why I feel like a dishrag when I get home from work or have a day off.  Navy, I'd be glad to pay your airfare to come up here to beautiful coastal Rhode Island to do for my house what you did for yours!!   I can only last about an hour with any housework, and then I have to take a nap.  

I really wish these oncs would take a little more responsibility for setting off this cancer fatigue.  It's well known, very prevalent & measurable, yet neither my med onc or my rad onc have done a damn thing to help me with mine.  (my PCP ordered the labs)  You know, if they're going to order that you be poisoned, then these oncs really ought to help you get over the effects of that poison, don't you think???

Connie, I'm a PT & a person who has had & recovered from cervical & lumbar herniated disks, as well as back surgery to remove a badly herniated lumbar disk 5 years ago.  I'm fine & I've done well & the surgery saved my butt.  Epidurals helped with the other disks.  Short-term oral prednisone helps, too.  (thats what epidurals give you, just in a shot that stays local)  PT can help you if the PT gives you the right exercises.  You have to stretch to fight the contribution that gravity makes to this mess & strengthen to help support your spinal column, and the right exercises work.  I've had 92 year old ladies feel better after PT with me.  PM me if you like, here or at the address I list below.  But be very careful with chiro.  Any chiro worth seeing wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot-pole & would want to see all your MRI's before saying anything.  Chiro helped me with headaches years ago, but I would not go to chiro for this.  Also, have you had a bone density scan?   You sound like you might have osteoporosis & might need some treatment for that, too.

I'm sorry I've been so slow getting my act together on the T-shirts!!   I'm starting to get organized now.  Anyone who wants one, they are costing me about $15 to make & mail.   Send me an email at info@kksphotos.com to get the ball rolling.  Those of you with whom I've already been in touch,  thank you for wanting one & I'll get more details out to you shortly!!

dreamwriter

My SUX is that I am so fatigued that its scary and I am not on chemo, radiation, just femara.  I was so tired, I napped on the kitchen floor where I was cutting a skirt for my eldest daughter.  I cut one piece, napped cut the next then got up and went out got food and came back feeling better but not myself.  Its hard to explain.  I feel like myself with a weight on my head and neck.  Thats as close as I can get.  And of course it set in after the nurse left.  It really scared me that I couldnt wake right up.

Mary22

I am more tired now that I am finished w/rads and taking Tamoxifen. I guess it is just our badies recovering from all the truama. I work only during the school year and I have the summers off, I am more tired now than I was when I was working. I still try to get out and do something every day. Even if it is justing sitting outside for a while.

Anonymous

Connie07, I am so happy that thee got thyself to a neurosurgeon!  Praise God.  Before anyone goes into your spine, you MUST determine if the problem is neurological - because if it is, neither a regular surgeon or orthepedic surgeon can help you - no matter what they try.  My neurosurgeon retired - so I'm depending on the Great Doctor to take care of my spine.

dreamwriter - do people stop you on the street and ask how you got those wings ahead of time?  To me, you are an angel on earth.  It is an honor to read about you and your life.

Could not go to family reunion - that SUXS!  Might catch a cold or worse from some out of towner.  Since I had pneumonia in May, I don't want another hospital stay because being away from home SUXS.  Have successfully signed up Dad for BistroMD.  Pick your plan, pay them, they send you your food.  It's all frozen (sent with dry ice) FedEx.  Dad was not eating right.  Must still get a physical with all the -scopy's.  I think he is borderline diabetic and is going to have to eat something every 2 to 4 hours - no ifs ands or buts.  The BistroMD food is for dieting and losing weight, too - so, If I can just get him to unfreeze and eat, 1/3 of my battle is over.

He's a guy type guy.  The best solution would be for me to sell my house, build a room addition to his house, and  move back in there as his live in cook - but... he's older and turns the volume up on the TV and that drives me crazy - and we're both creatures of habit.  I like the house silent most of the time, with the fans going - menopause - and I don't think he'd let me sell this house to move in with him (with the room addition).  I wanted him to be diagnosed and better before I tell him about my chemo treatments.  I don't want him to worry about me.

The way my life works, 4 months into the home remodeling (one of our homes) I'd end up in the hospital for something and not be able to cook anyway.  I know ladies - teach him how to fish, don't give him a McDonald's fishburger...

-sessna1

Mary22

Hello Ladies, hopefully everyone is out having a great weekend. it is raining in Pa yet again!

dreamwriter

I am no angel on earth believe me or my husband.  Angels do not whine.

navygirl

A big that sux to all who need it. My weekend was going great until I got word that a dear friend and former co-worker had passed away. She was my age and had colon cancer. Her passing came suddenly and out of left field, and there are a lot of people mourning the loss of a wonderful person tonight....and hearing that Lisa is back in the hospital yet again really has me bummed out.

Please say a prayer for Lisa...she has a wonderful spirit and a great sense of humor, I hope enough to get through this latest challenge. (((((HUGS))))) Lisa...