For Older People with Sense

chabba

Isabella - so good to see you again.  I have missed you so much.  I was so afraid you were having an even worse time with your back when you didn't post for so long.  My heart and thoughts have been with you and will continue to be.

barbe1958

Isabella, isn't back pain a crap load??? I finally got my morphine increased to 100mgs a day which has made it tolerable. I can only sit or lie down for about 4 hours at a time and then I have to change position. They increased my breakthrough pain meds by doubling them too (still morphine but faster working). Are you even on morphine yet?????? Can your doc get some sent to you by the pharmacy? If so, get some stool softener and laxative with it and take them BEFORE you need them!! (all the drugs)

SoCalLisa

My onc tried liquid morphine and it did not do anything for my pain, just made me loopy.

Gingerbrew

I recall that after surgery the neurosurgeon told me that the drugs had not relieved my pain, that I just couldn't remember it. Regardless, I am very glad they gave me meds because the preceeding year and a half were miserable. I delayed going to the Dr because we didn't have insurance and took 12 ibuprophen a day, the old prescription strength. Pain robs us of so much in our lives. I say take whatever works and tell your doc if it doesn't.    

I hope you get relief soon.

Hugs Ginger 

barbe1958

You have to be VERY careful with aspirin and Tylenols!!! I have compromised my liver by "over-dosing" on Tylenols!!! I used to take 12-16 Tylenol 1's a day and found out years later that was way too much Ibuprophen or whatever Tylenol's active ingredient is. My doctor at the time accused me of drinking and I wasn't!! Not a drop for YEARS but my liver readings were off the scale!! HE was the one that wouldn't prescribe me a pain med. Thank God for my doctor now that I've had for about 9 years. He understands that for me to go to work and/or function, I need to be painfree. If not I'm a depressed and anxious mess.

Ginger, what surgery did you have that needed a neurosurgeon? I need one of those for my back so I'm on a hunt! 

Gingerbrew

Barbe, I had surgery on my spine. L4 L5 with herniated disc. I had sciatic pain that was disabling, the pain went down to my big toe. It becamse worse and worse.  We had no insurance and it was the neuro surgeon who told me to take the 12 ibuprophen a day that it was as good an antiinflamatory as the prescription meds. The 12 a day was the previous RX dosage. I could buy 500 at walmart for 7.99.   I toughed it out until we had insurance and I was beyond the pre existing clause.  The Healthcare Act includes preexisiting now. I don't think people realize what the uninsured will do to themselves to have coverage.   

I know not to take tylenol in excess. A relative works in an ER and tells me that overdosage of tylenol is a horrible way to commit suicide. They have had teens come in and it is a tragedy. It isn't reversable and the death is painful and slow. Also my cousin had cancer of the thymus and she took too much tylenol for pain control and destoyed her liver. She was just in her late twneties. So sad.  

As to the surgery I had it was a discectomy and laminectomy of L4 L5 and was microsurgery, my scar is small and healing was no issue at all.  I did some nerve damage by waiting so long. Be smarter than me.  If you have any other questions please ask.

Hugs Ginger 

barbe1958

Thanks Ginger, I, too have 3 herniated disks that actually bulge the wrong way!! I get relief when I bend BACK rather than forward!! They thought it was a tumour until an MRI showed it was 3 disks. Now I have bony overgrowths impinging on the nerves growing out the sides of my spine. My PCP said no surgeon would touch me until my legs started to go numb....sigh. I want him to get my name in NOW so that by the time I get to the head of the list I may be critical enough!! It takes years to see a neurosurgeon up here as there are so few. I am on 100 mgs++ of morphine a day to keep the pain under control. I have quick release morphine for breakthrough pain. I do NOT get loopy...sometimes I wish I did! 

Lisa, I think liquid morphine would act way too fast, you think you'd throw it back up! My quick release morphine tablets work in about 20 minutes. I don't know that they are working until I go "oh! I feel a bit better!" 

Gingerbrew

Barbe sending PM 

barbe1958

Powerful PM, thanks Gingerbrew!!

Gingerbrew

I just posted on Marybe's thread. I received a call that Marybe is in a coma and has been removed from ICU. Hospice is there.   I am so sad.

Ginger 

chabba

Ginger, I'm sure we all are sad and grieving what we know is to come.  After the last two weeks I know what a wonderful help Hospice is but the very name brings tears to my eyes for all it implies. I hope they help Marybe and Tim as they did my Brother and his wife. 

Alyson

Have just been chatting with Melissa J, she gave the same news and that it could be any time.

Darling Marybe may God hold you in the palm of his hand. We send love and prayers.

QCA

Oh dear sweet Marybe.  We love  you.

Kathy

macatacmv

I am so sad!!!

Elisimo

Praying so much for Marybe, just heard from BarbA and Marybe will be going from the hospital to Hospice on Tuesday.  Praying that changes and the doctors can get on top of things and get her ready for her planned trip next month.

justjudie

Just heard about Marybe over on the Stage 4 board. Oh God..please a miracle for Marybe! She is the strongest woman I know. Hope she is in no pain.

Elisimo

BarbA was with Marybe earlier this evening and told her all the names of the people that were sending prayer, special thoughts, love and hugs to her.  She said Marybe smiled when she hear the names.  Barb plans on reading all the posts on Marybe's thread tomorrow.  Everyone is welcome to posts as all will be read to Marybe.  Go to http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/779235?page=40#idx_1181 and post your thoughts and feelings for Marybe and Barb will read them tomorrow.  This link is to page 40 and so it may not be the last page, but just reading all the posts from others show what an encouragement and inspiration Marybe was to us all.  

chrissyb

I still can't believe this is happening. I'm so saddened. Marybe is one very strong very lovely lady and it was a real treat to be able to meet her last year at Shell Knob. Was that just a year ago? So much has happened since then. I wish her a peaceful trip........it's not the one she was planning but it is the final one and it should be one that she does with ease.



Love n hugs to her and you all.......you are all very special people and it is my privelage to call you friends. Chrissy

Leah_S

I am praying for Marybe, and I'm glad that BarbA is able to be with her.

I'm leaving in a little while for the hospital - checking in tonight for tomorrow's surgery. My dh will try to update on the thread "Not your usual Stage IV surgery" in the Stage IV forum.

Leah

macatacmv

Leah, I've been thinking about you a lot. Couldn't remember if you are a day ahead or behind. Hope all goes smoothly and gentle hugs.

chabba

My thoughts are with you Leah

QCA

Prayers for you, Leah, and looking forward to when you're on the other side of this surgery!

Kathy

3jaysmom

at about 1:10 today, our dearest Marybe passed on . Barbara called, and asked me to post it here.she was in her death, peaceful, and doing Just as she wanted to.. Barbara A and her loved ones were with her at the end, and she just passed easily...3jays

chrissyb

Oh 3jays thank you for posting this sad news. I'm glad for her that her passing was gentle and sad for all of us for the loss of one so loved by all. If you speak to Barb would you please ask her to pass my condolences to Tim.



Love n hugs to you. Chrissy

3jaysmom

Barb already did a fly by on the red devil thread, but will be posting later..

   Last night i made my first "art" on photobucket.. she's still encouraging me to break my bonds....3jays

3jaysmom

SoCalLisa

Dilly

Leah, I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Thanks for letting us know where your dh will post.

3jaysmom

G-d speed, Leah. prayers for a good surgery from so. fla................3jays

Alyson

Thinking of you Leah as you have surgery. Blessings.

Tears flowing for Marybe.

Big hugs to all.