INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

Loveroflife

Feline, have a blessed holiday!

JunieB, make sure they rule out chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Boy, that is a mouthful there! Why do they have to come up with such long medical terminology? Ms. Chevy, don't laugh because I know you can make up even better medical term.

Here is the link, Junie:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_cond...

Anonymous

FeelingFriskyFeline ~ You are going on a XXX holiday for 2 weeks? You go girl! Where to? You must post many pictures - love the photos you take. Just be sure to blur out the "naughty parts" so you don't get in trouble 😝

Have fun! 💗

Anonymous

JunieB ~ Listen to Loverly and Sas! Praying the swelling is just a temporary side effect from surgery. (((hugs))) I tried to write more last night but I fell asleep in front of the computer! Ack. I go through phases were I sleep at irregular and inconvenient intervals. I didn't get out of bed until 2:30 p.m. my time. Gotta make my tea and some breakfast and I'll be back. .......

Chevyboy

Oh Sheppers, you're not getting off that easy! So you shot that River Rat, or whatever that was with your little 357 Magnum 4 barrel, twin-trigger, with the blower on it? The one with the rotating carburetor & the bullet-proof sun-roof? I STILL laugh every time I think of you.... ! And all we have around here, are Foxes, Raccoon's, Crows and pet Chickens!

I bought that "fan" about 30 years ago, and it has had 4 different coats of paint on it. I'm leaving it white....

Chevyboy

Chevyboy

susan3

I'm still laughing at the shot rat too. Do you know how many bullet holes I would have in that wall. So,very impressed!!!

susan3

off to dinner with some major drinking involved. Way to long of a story to post, but I am getting the dog tomorrow. Wish me luck

Chevyboy

Susan! Me too! I'll bet that was a dead mouse, and her cat brought it in to her! My cat brought us in a dead Robin one time! WHILE MY MOM came to visit!!! I found no humor in that one. And Sheppers (I mean Annie) probably "accidentally" shot a hole in there whilst chasing a snake... That room probably has 1000 holes in it by now!

JunieB

Oh My Gosh Susan! Yeah! Can't wait to hear that she's finally gonna be with you.

Feline - Have a great time on Holiday! Send pics please.

Thanks Loverly, I didn't see your post before I went for ultrasound, but will read your link. Ultrasound came out negative by the way. Apparently the elevated d-Dimer is related to my cancer somehow. The normal high end of a d-dimer is <0.5. Mine is 1.05. But, US tech said that unless it reaches the level of 7.0 - 9.0 the likelihood of a clot (P.E. or otherwise) is low. So glad I won't need to take blood thinners. Yeah!

Spoke to bus driver with the 2 dogs who got into the rumble with the raccoons (2 Adults, 1 Toddler). Both dogs are home and doing good. Will need healing time. Schnauzer got 6-7 punctures and Westie only got 2 punctures. I'm so glad.

Chevy - I think 56 1/2 is too late to start looking for a man who'll ruin my lipstick. Plus, been single toooo long.

Hey Sheppie - I was up until 4:00 a.m. this morning and woke up at 8:20, then dawdled in bed until 10:20. I think it's nap time.

JAN69

I'm a long time lurker and have always admired this thread for the deep caring friendships you all have for each other. Today I feel compelled to write a little bit to Loveroflife.

Loveroflife, During much of my 25 year teaching career I was an ESL teacher, mostly high school, but some adult school and college. The story you shared of your escape from Vietnam brings many memories of students I taught who had very similar stories. I especially remember one high school boy who told of his escape. Many times he and his family pushed off from the shore, but the boats were not seaworthy and they had to return. Finally the parents decided to stay behind so that their children would have a better chance. He and his siblings made it to Thailand where they stayed for some long time. By the time he was in my class, his parents were still in Vietnam. My heart went out to him, in fact I wanted to take him home and make him my own. Of course I didn't. Those years after the fall of Saigon were filled with stories like yours and his.

I've always wondered what happened to my former students. We moved out of the area when my dh retired, so I never knew if they were able to accomplish their dreams. Reading about you becoming a nurse warms my heart and gives me hope for "my" students. Let me congratulate you on your achievements, I know just how difficult your transition into American culture must have been. Your admirer, Jan

Lookforward

Susan nice to hear happy news are you just training the puppy, or is he yours to keep.

Junnie hopefully the swelling will come down

Surgery went well,I feel great. I'm tethered to the bed and can't move far. Only complaint is a build up of gas, I would like to go for a walk. I probably will be able to go home Sunday

WenchLori

Shep, I love the dressed up raccoons! Purple is my favorite color! DH was standing behind me and asked when I was able to get clothes on our raccoons? He's a hoot!

I've been pretty wired since getting home from chemo. I'm hoping to fall asleep soon. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do. I love all the pictures, they make me smile and laugh and that makes me drossy!

Hugs to All

GracieM2007

Hi everybody . I've come back onto the site after quite a few years being gone but I found out this week that I have stage four bone Mets. I feel like I was doing pretty good until tonight and all of a sudden tonight it's really hard ! I am having a lot of anxiety and just almost like grief has anyone else experienced that ! Crying that's just almost uncontrollable and extreme fear I know I'm probably having an anxiety attack ! Why do these things wait until 12 o'clock at night to hit like this !!!

Loveroflife

Hi there, Forward. It is good to see you checking in to let us know how you are doing. It must have been a long surgery. Oooh the gas....very uncomfortable. Never take a toot for granted. Drink warm water rather than cold and ask for simethicone. How are you resting with the trauma on both your front and back? Praying for speedy healing and comfort.

JunieB, yay for negative ultrasound result. Blood thinners are a pain.

Wren44

Gracie, I think many experience what you're experiencing. Crying is helpful and sometimes you just need to get it out. You might get more support on a stage IV thread, but I'm sending hugs and wishes for peacefulness. If the anxiety keeps up, ask for something to help.

GracieM2007

Thank you Wren it helps just knowing I'm not alone. I'm widowed and I live alone so I really don't have anyone to talk to. And I can't tell my friends because they are all pretty upbeat people and don't want to burden my kids or cause them more worry than they already have. All of that has left me feeling very very alone

Loveroflife

Hi Gracie, a few of our friends here have mets to bone. Jazzyjunebug and Shepkitty will drop in shortly. I think it is human to be anxious and grieve the betrayal of your body. The anxiety is worst when everyone is quiet and asleep.

GracieM2007

Thanks, it is really bad tonight so weird that it's waited so long to really hit me. I wonder if I was just kind of in shock for days and it's wearing off or something

Loveroflife

Oops just saw that you live alone. I had my family when I was diagnosed, but the loneliness was still there until I discovered BCO. Hang in there. Hugs to you.

GracieM2007

Thanks hugs back!!

Loveroflife

I think you are still processing the news. It's ok to cry. I was really upbeat after my mastectomy until a few days later when I tried to put on a shirt and couldn't. I started to cry, kind of like a mourning cry for my forever changed body. I am glad my girls were in school at the time. I didn't want them , especially my younger daughter, to worry about me. I had to stay strong for them. How old are your children? I have an eighteen and a thirteen year old daughter.

GracieM2007

My kids are grown, my son is 36 and my daughter is 40. They are both just blown away by all of this already. I'm trying really hard not to let them know how scared I am. They both are married with four kids each so they have big responsibilities of their own

Loveroflife

Lori, I didn't see your post until now. You have the steroid high? Hope you get some shut eyes.

Oh Jan, I have great respect for teachers, especially ESL teachers. Thank you for your kind words. I'm just an ordinary person with a story to share. I just praise God for carrying me through my troubles. Everyone has trials and challenges. Some more than others. No one is immuned from life troubles. My mom and dad had it worse than me losing both their parents at a young age. War is tragic. It robs families of their love ones. Where did you teach? A lot of people in my parents' generation suffer from depression. It was easier for us younger people to adjust to life here. I would love to know more about you.

susan3

Gracie, sorry to hear. We really hope nobody ever joins the stage IV club. Crying, yeah, we all do it. Mine looks more like sobbing, heart being pulled out, and can't catch my breath. Then begins the rollercoaster. I am 16 years, last 6, stage IV. I am one of the lucky ones. On chemo for life, but have been Very functional.

Look for groups, but please don't stop looking after you hate the first one or two. I actually just found a great group, after lots of trying different ones. Just met up with them for the first time yesterday. So there are great support groups and some are actually fun.

And of course this is a great group. I personally stay on this thread even though I am stage IV, cause I love these ladies, and I need upbeat. And they are a fountain of information.

I pray your anxiety eases up and you find support on this jou

GracieM2007

Thanks Susan! I appreciate your sharing with me part of your experience too. I Think it would be easier if I just had someone to talk to !! But living alone I'm by myself about 90% of the time . So it just all kind of piles up

susan3

wrench, hope and pray chemo is gentle on you. Hugs

Lookie, not sure if permanent. We will see how this hallmark saga movie i wish I wasn't in plays out. Phone conversation with brother today was appalling. He just keeps raising the bar on how much of a jerk he can be. Buuuuutttttt, I am back in counseling, so look out big brother, I am feeling very impowered now..lol

Over the next couple of weeks, he will be impossible. This would be considered crisis time, crunch time. Decisions need to be made quickly. I'm not sure if he is capable of a decision. Mom, can't do anything with her broken arm now. So he is very very angry guy right now. Found out he put a board in the backyard so the dog couldn't get to the gate. Mom tripped over it. He used words like stupid and ignorant about mom. How couldn't she step over it. I have to keep my mouth shut, otherwise it will be the silent treatment again. You know that wheel of abuse. Soooooooo, anyone want to adopt my brother????

But I really am in a good place right now. Counseling is a beautiful thing. And I am surrounded by such great "other " family' and friends. So it's all good.

Nighty night

susan3

see....life is beaut

Loveroflife

Yes it is, Susan. We try to keep our focus on the positives to move forward. She is precious. Look at that forehead! Looks like you might have another doc in the future. Good news about the pup. Please post pic when you get a chance.

susan3

will do. It's so much fun happening with Elena now. Love how they respond to stuff, and study your face. So wonderful they are closer. See them twice a week. Had fun buying baby clothes with them yesterday. I think we could have bought the store. But happy to say we refrained:).