For Older People with Sense

Isabella4

Chrissy, so pleased you're' thru' the other side' just hope now you can manage to keep yourself on top of the pain. I know what you mean about a shower, that is the one thing that worries me as I'm getting older. My mother is in a nursing home, and she only gets one shower a week..I think I might go mad if I couldn't get my daily shower. A lot of the time I'm in a couple of times a day.

Are you in a big swish hospital facility ? What are hospitals like in your corner of the world ? The hospital I am booked to go into for my back op. has just (yesterday) been hauled over the coals. Its headline news in our local paper, apparently it's dirty, well understaffed, and has a bad infection problem, and 'uncaring staff'...really sounds good, eh?  It is the only very big Victorian hospital still operational in our part of the world, the rest of the hospitals have all been replaced now by new glass and steel structures..but at least they're not as bad as this orthopaedic place.

I have had a houseful this morning. DD plus 3 GDs and a GS...all filling the place with gossip and noise ! Phew...was glad when 2pm came and I was alone again. I managed to get my hair done, and my car washed before they went, so. I suppose not a bad morning. My walking is very bad today, I have been unable to do much at all, as soon as I stand the pain goes crazy. I have taken myself off the morphine patches, they were just NOT working. I went up 3 different strengths and nothing seemed to be working, apart from bouts of sickness, lots of pain, and awful red weeping squares of skin on my upper body and arms, where the patches have been.  I think I have tried long enough, 13 weeks, and nothing , but no doubt my GP will not be pleased with me. I am back on my old meds, they haven't kicked in yet, so not a happy bunny tonight. I am using hydrocortisone cream on my red areas, which itch like mad...they are slowly clearing up, but it's taking about 4 weeks for each red square to go. My upper body looks as if a jigsaw puzzle is all laid out on it, waiting to be put back together..... 2" red squares all over me !

Our weather is about to change, for the worse, within the next 2 days...we have had the most glorious weather...I managed to do a bit of a garden clearup last week....but am afraid my pain has put me back in the 'looking out of the window' category now. We are expecting -2 and -5 night temperatures from tonight, and snow showers on and off all next week....what a change. It will surely catch out a lot of little flowers that came peeping up early.

Off to bed now for an early night...and a nice long warm shower. A fair bit of my pain goes when I am laid in bed after my shower.

Isabella.

chrissyb

Wow Isabella, your hospital facility over there sounds like the pits!  I must admit, that where I am is really nice.  Although it is an older hospital, over the last few years it has been all upgraded so internally it's got all the mod cons.  It's a smaller private hospital run by the Calvary Hospital group and holds a very good reputation.  The staff here have been nothing but caring and very helpful and nothing seems to be too much trouble............you really feel as if you are being truly cared for.  Ooops! time for a jab in the belly!.................I'm back!  That was just a clexane shot to prevent blood clots.  So when are you booked for you back op?  Real soon I hope as you have had to put up with that pain for way too long.  You sound like you are allergic to those pain patches as they souldn't be leaving gooey red marks on you like that!

Sounds like your winter just doesn't want to leave!  We had a couple of really warm days here last week but the temps are starting to drop back to our beautiful mid to high seventies Autumn days and chilly nights. 

A hot shower and then straight to bed is truly the best medicine when it comes to aches and pains.  I hope you sleep well!

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

lwd

Chrissy,

I see you're in good hands and your sense of humor is still intact.  I've been thinking of you and hoping you're able to get plenty of rest and get out of there soon.

Love,

Lane

SoCalLisa

Chrissy, picking some virtual blossoms I just saw across the fence in our backyard..

Hope you enjoy your shower..nothing like it..

chrissyb

Ooo Lisa, are they prunus or plum?  They are sooo pretty!

Thanks Lane......lol....yup they removed a knee but left the humour intact!......lol ........ God forbid they intfere with that!..........lol

I've been out of bed twice today, once for my shower and that was sooooooo nice I didn't want to get out!......lol.........and then I was allowed to sit in a chair and eat my lunch and when dinner arrives I will once again be in the chair to eat.....yay!  But tomorrow that will even be easier as the cathater will be removed in the morning...........a double yay for that one!!!!  Love those things...NOT!!! but it has been neccessary.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

Gingerbrew

Happy shower for you!

Yay! Ginger

3jaysmom

yeah for you, chrissy.. glad you're doing well.....3jays

Alyson

Morning all just checking in to see how folks are then have to go and take MiL to the doctors. She has to get a form filled in for a mobility card and she is very confused about it. Also her legs are purple and the skin is so fragile - that worries me.

Hope you are all having a restful and enjoyable weekend. We certainly did, well not restful. Son was Bestman at his friend's wedding which we attended as well, what a lovely day just so beautiful. No phots as yet but will get on to that later today. DS is taking me out for luch and sadly he and DGF are away tomorrow. They will be home in September.

Big hugs to all.

chrissyb

Well girls the Physio I had today was a real charmer...........and a bit of a sweety.....lol.  He was very pleased with my progress and seems to think that I have progressed further already that most other day 3 patients.  Now that is good news to me as I thought I might be lagging as the pain element while doing the exercises is rather atrocious but the walking is not too bad.  I was actually out of my room this morning and down the hallway today and I was firmly encouraged to do the same walk at least once more today so I will do that a bit later after icing the knee for a couple of hours.

Oh Yay!!!!  Catheter gone!  Jellco gone!!!!  and major dressings gone from the knee!!!!!!  Now having all those removed has made me feel a whole lot better and at the moment I am proped up in bed with a huge bag of ice on my knee.................ahhhhhhhhh!  now that feels good.

Have a great day all!

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

Gingerbrew

Happy dance for the icing.   Go Chrissie!

Hugs GInger

Kaara

Chrissy:  Do that PT...I hear it's the magic bullet for success with the surgery!  Good luck  to you in getting through this challenge with minimal difficulty and pain.  Hugs and prayers coming your way!

Leah_S

Chrissy, I'm glad things are going so well for you.

And about that happy dancing? We'll do it for you for a while - might be just a tad too much just now.

Leah

Gingerbrew

Hah, I wasn't picturing the "Charleston" more a slow glide down the hall.

GInger

QCA

Chrissy, you are such a wonder!  Glad most of your "extras" are gone and you're already doing therapy and walking.  Will you have to go to a rehab center for later therapy or can it be done on an outpatient basis? 

Kathy

chrissyb

Kathy not sure yet, the physio is hoping I will have progressed enough that I can just go straight to my DD's house rather than rehab.  He is very pleased with my flexing and movement he thinks all I really need now is the strength and confidence in the strength to be striding it out very soon.  He seems to think that my DD can help me with the exercises so rehab won't be needed...................yay you that as it will mean that I will be home in a couple of weeks rather than a month!

Ginger, why not the Charlston if I can?  I try anything once!

Leah, sometimes you just have to let your hair down and go for it!!!

Love n hugs all!   Chrissy

3jaysmom

glad everyone is doing so well.. glad you got the wedding in, and lunch, allyson.. hows the pain levelZ? i knew it was bad there, for awhile...

  chrissy, i knew you'd "bite the bullet" and do what you're told.. my mil had a recumbent bike with hers, at home. seemed to help the most.. are they gonna loan you one, too? ask, it never hurts...

  skip the charlsten for later, gitl.hahaha 3jays

macatacmv

Hallelujah I am done with rads!!!!!!!! I stuck it out and got all the way through. I whooped so loud that it brought the doctor and nurses running! The techs gave me a certificate and a shower of confetti. I had to do a happy dance and then hug them both! They said that was the best reaction they had ever gotten. I was like really? It was so exhilarating for me. Of course then I coughed for 10 mins in the changing area, but it was worth it!!!! My certificate says I completed my course with high honors and good spirits, no mention of crankiness or poor spirits. LOL I'm about to go take a celebratory nap.

My MO emailed me back and said to wait on Arimidex until we figure out lung issue. So that is next on my plate, oh yay. But for right now it is rest and recuperation. 

 Hope ya'll are doing well!!! 

chrissyb

Nancy I'm happy hopping for you girl!!!  I'll have to wait a little while longer before I dance but hopping is good......yes?  You done good!!!! in everyway!!!  Have that well deserved rest and give yourself some time to heal.

3jays, DH said he will probably buy one for me if I really want one.  While I'm at DD's, I will try out hers. 

After speaking to the doc yesterday, he's just a happy for me to stay an extra day or so here in hospital and then go straight to my DD's house.  Truth to tell I'm happy with that also so that's probably what will happen although I haven't been told when that is likely to be yet....................but I sure will keep you all informed.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

Kaara

maca:  So glad you're done with those rads!  Even more glad that your MO is going to wait until your lung issues are resolved before starting you on Al's.  That is just good sound logic, and will give your body time to build itself up again from the rad tx.   Take care of yourself and keep us updated.

Leah_S

Mac, so glad you're done with rads! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to the BS last week. We talked about pros and cons of prophy mx and he's very understanding of the reasons I want to do it. He's also very aware of the problems of LE so wants to do what he can to avoid doing SNB (I have mild LE on my surgery side already). He's given me scripts for mammo, u/s, and MRI and said if nothing shows up in any of the imaging we can skip the SNB since in that case the chances of an invasive tumor that has spread to nodes would be extremely small. So I have an appt for the mammo and u/s for the 17th and will call in the morning for the MRI appt. Things are moving along.

My Passover preparations are moving along, too. The house is almost ready (leaven-free!) and then I'll start my cooking and baking. For me, that's the fun part. Of course, the absolute best part is that my oldest son, who lives in Baltimore, will be coming for the holiday. Now that's a celebration!

Leah

Wren44

Maca, Celebrate! We'll throw a confetti party here as well.

chrissyb

Yay Leah!!!!   Finally things are moving for you!!!    So glad to hear that you have the referals for all the scans you need and here's prying that they are all clear so you can go ahead without the SNB.

Love it when children come home to visit!  Enjoy your holiday and the company of your son!

Love n hugs.    Chrissy

chabba

Leah,  I am so happy for you that your son will be home.  I hope you enjoy your holidays.

Chrissy, wonderful that your recovery continues so well.  Have to admit I am having some very funny visions of you doing a "hoppy dance". 

macatacmv

I love it! Hoppy Dance! very appropriate this time of year with the "Easter bunny" on his way. 

Leah, my son is coming home too for the holiday! Another reason to celebrate.

Thanks everyone!  

QCA

That's great news, Leah!  Hope all the scans are fine and you can go ahead and schedule the surgery.  Glad preparations are coming along for Passover, and doubly glad that you'll get to see your son!

YAY, Mac!  So glad rads are over for you!  I know just how you feel, too.  At the place where I went, they had a bell on the wall that you rang after your last treatment, and I rang the heck out of it.  

Chrissy, that sounds great, going to your DD's instead of a rehab center.  I so hope it works out for you, and at the rate you're going I imagine it will.  

I'm going to dye Easter eggs with DGS tomorrow for the first time. Found some dye for "intense" colors that you mix with vinegar, so we shall see.  One of the best memories from my childhood was dying eggs with my 2 maiden aunts and to this day I think of them everytime I smell vinegar!  So, hoping to start memories for DGS too.  I do want him to remember more than his grandmother chasing him down to go potty, which I'm doing every day!

Kathy

FilterLady

Maca.....WTG on getting finished with rads.  It is a wonderful moment, isn't it?  Sometimes you can't see the end of treatments but it does eventually come and it's a milestone that has been reached and you should celebrate!

I hope you have a Happy Easter!

LaDonna

Gingerbrew

QCA, the vinegar, yes!    I loved the deeper color eggs.    My MIL does Lithuanian eggs with the wax and it is really amazing. I am very primitive in my egg skills.   Of course I am not Lithuanian, my husband is.

Ginger

QCA

The eggs were very pretty, Ginger, and we had a good time doing it.  The colors still weren't as intense as I remember, but I seem to remember that my aunts used boiling water and maybe that made the difference in that long-ago dye.  DH and I are having egg salad sandwiches for supper and DGS took the rest of the eggs home with him.  I know a salad with the boiled eggs would be better for us, but we just had salad last night and that's as good an excuse as any!

Kathy

chrissyb

Oooo Kathy those painted eggs sound so lovely!  I do wish you could take a pic and share.

Well girls, I've had the word and the word is that I will be sprung from this place either tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday.  Personally I think that tomorrow is just a teasing carrot and Saturday will be the day.  My Physio, Ian, had me walking the hall ways just holding the had rail for a while yesterday both forward and backward............er yes I said backward.............lol.  Apparently walking both ways makes sure that I have the correct  knee movement and posture to walk properly.  The bend is getting better as well, it is now at about 80% so Ian is very happy with that as he initially said he wanted me to have a bend at 90% before I left hospital.....................I'm guessing he will be pushing that extra 10% today and tomorrow.  It's hard to believe that a week has passed already since the big day and it's also hard to believe that I have this great chunck of metal that performs like my knee..............the best thing is, even though it is still swollen, It is less swollen than what it was prior to being done..........now that truly is a good thing!

Love n hugs all and  to each, however you celebrate the holidays, enjoy the time with your family and loved ones................Chrissy

Kaara

Chrissy:  So glad you are doing better and getting ready to go home.  You will be walking like a champ in no time!