INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

Chevyboy

No, Nettie, it doesn't matter!  We care about you, and we'll always listen!   I'm always talking about nothing, it seems like... Ha! 

Maybe it WAS the rads, but I don't know why they don't order some kind of scan to pin-point your problem!  I would make sure SOMEone listens and does it at least by August!  

Why do they tell you "no"?   They work for YOU....  If you are paying them, they should help YOU......Maybe something can be done, to help you....

tangandchris

Cute baby!!!

Sass-sounds painful, fragments sound even worse!

I'm exhausted today....had to see Infectious disease doctor and radiation oncologist today. Got a CT scan and they've started mapping me for radiation. ID doctor wants me to see PS again, she's not sure why I have the hardness on my chest again. it went away after my last surgery on 6/9. Also drain is picking up, not going down. She is running more cultures to see what is up. Psedomonas was not present in the last one, she said skin-staph??

anyway, I'm worn out with all these appointments. So much for taking time off work to recoup!

((hugs))

Spookiesmom

You've been on my calendar now we just need to figure out where. Can chat over weekend. 

It's a bit breezier here than usual, suppose from Arthur. Hope it stays minor. 

Blessings2011

Oh, Sassy – so sorry about the bladder stones. FIL has them…
some are the size of golf balls, I think.... (I had no idea the bladder was that
big) and he has several. They have sharp, jagged edges and tear up the lining
of his bladder and cause blood in the urine. Ironically, he has no pain. He recently
had some kind of surgery to remove them, and the surgeon told him to drink lots
of lemonade… something about the citric acid breaking down the calcium content
of the stones.

Smaarty – that’s a big boy! Kind of curious about “the daddy
they were hoping for”…

Gardengumby – OUCH for your DH!!!

Thanks, Pawprint!

Cami – what are you doing half in and half out of that
chicken coop? Cute outfit on that chicken!

Tang – prayers for healing and comfort…..

Blessings2011

Well, I finally got into bed after 2:30 this morning, then
played on my iPad til 5 a.m. The alarm went off at 9 a.m. I was not a happy
camper.

Had a 10:45 a.m. appt with my Oncology Therapist at Kaiser,
only I FORGOT that every Wednesday is Farmer’s Market Day there, and there is
NO PARKING anywhere. So I ended up parking in another zip code, in the end
space, and almost fell into the bushes getting out of my car. Had to use my cane because
my balance is so bad these days.

Got on the wrong elevator and had to hoof it halfway across
the hospital to find one that went up to the 4^th floor. Had a good
session with the therapist, and we both came to the conclusion that I don’t
need to come see her on a regular basis any more. So much of my depression is situational
due to pain issues, and I’ve got specialists up the wazoo working on those, so
the rest I can figure out on my own.

Left there, went down to the Gift Shop (they have an awesome
buyer, incredible stuff at such cheap prices), and got two books. Then went to
Medical Records to see about getting all our medical information put on CDs.
They can do it on a flash drive for $5, but it only goes back one year. Since
DH and I both got sick in 2011, the clerk suggested CDs, which cost $15 each.
That way we could have everything handy if we traveled across country.

Left there, went out to the parking lot (already 102 degrees
outside) and hiked out to my car. Stuck my cane down IN the bushes so I didn’t fall. Got in the
car, took off the light jacket I wore over my back brace, banged my head on the
steering wheel, and bit my tongue. Let’s just say the car door was open and I
yelled out a few choice nasty words at the top of my lungs, scaring an elderly
couple walking by.

Got home and called the Sleep Clinic and got put on the
waiting list in case something comes up before July 28^th.

DH won’t get his machine until the APAP class on July 9^th,
and that will be just a loaner for a week to figure out what settings he needs.

He has started going to Acupuncture for his Kidney Disease,
and today she did cupping…. That’s the procedure where she lights a cotton ball
on fire, sticks it in a cup, pulls it out, then smacks the cup down on your skin. In
his case, it was on his back, like mine was. Now he has giant purple hickeys
all over his back. THEN she stuck some needles in the backs of his knees and
feet… she says she is not only balancing his energy, but ridding his body of
toxins.

Unfortunately, when he got home, he got a call from his
Dermatologist. He had gone in last week and had several spots burned off his face and back. There
was one place on his back that was a sore that wouldn’t heal, so the doc took a
biopsy. Today he confirmed that it was a basal cell carcinoma.

DH will go back in, and they will do three procedures within
15 minutes… they’ll burn the area, take a slice out, burn again, take another
slice, and then do a final burn and a final slice. Guess they are looking for
clean margins. I feel really bad for him… I know how uncomfortable that might
be.

The bad news is that this is probably due to all the immunosuppressant drugs he has taken for the last three years. The good news is that this is the most common type of skin cancer, with the highest cure rate, and almost never metastasizes. 

We'll take whatever good news we can get!!!

All for now, Owlies.... BBL, maybe!!!

xoxoxo

Enerva

blessing sending you both hugs. 

Well I finally saw my new Ps, he says he will try his best to fix me. The bad news is that he still had not a date for me, he said I need to wait for his secretary to find a spot lol at least he gave me all papers he wanted me to sign and now I just need to wait I am so sick of waiting I could not sleep due to the anxiety of this appointment and now more waiting. Good news if that he seams to be aware of what needs to happen.  

Let's wait 

Holeinone

I thought I'd post another one of my flower beds. My gladiolus are starting to bloom. They are going to all bud out quickly. The next 2 weeks very hot forecast. Supposed to get to 109 next Thurs....high 90s until then.

Sas, sorry you are dealing with yet another issue. Sounds like it is getting better but owwww. 

Bluestfiercest, hoping all went smooth today & you get good results soon. 

Tangarang, hang in there girl.......

Chevy, sounds like a fun day with DD. 

Lots going on with everyone.....BBL.... 

tangandchris

Hole-I love Glad's...mine haven't bloomed yet, not sure what is going on. Flower bed is beautiful!

Blessings-sorry to hear about dh, when is his procedure?

Forgot to mention that I have apparently gained 8 lbs in the last 2 weeks?? uggg, I hope this is water weight or something. sheesh

I have been eating junk the last week or so, post chemo free-for-all I guess.

I've got an appointment next week with a therapist myself. I need to talk and let myself "feel" all of this. I've just been getting thru it, now that chemo is done and there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I'm feeling more depressed. It's hard to explain. *sigh*

Hole-109?? Where do you live again??

Blessings2011

Thank you so much, Enerva... so glad you got a good PS... remember, good things are worth waiting for!

Holeinone - your garden is beautiful! I love the half-buried pot.... my gladiolas came and went two months ago. Everything bloomed early here. Poor plants... everyone was so confused... I love your rock border, and your combination of colors!

Thanks, Tang. The Medical Assistant will call and set up DH's appt in Dermatology. We're just hoping it's sooner than later. I am so happy to hear you are going to see a therapist. There's even a thread here somewhere about "Why do I feel so much worse NOW that I'm through treatment?" I never had chemo, but there are so many different stinkin' emotions we go through after a BC dx.... sometimes it's a matter of PTSD, or sometimes it's simply a matter of "What just happened to me?" or "Who am I supposed to be NOW?"  Think of it as mental housekeeping.... and a great gift you give yourself. xoxoxoxo

JWoo

Just wanted to say, I am thinking about all of you owlettes. I'm lurking around, just being quiet. Feeling drained, started a new workout and eating life plan, lots of personal stuff happening, so not real talkative. 

Love you all though, and I wish I could just fix everything for all of you. 

Anonymous

Awe, so grateful for all of you! You brighten my days, and nights! Wonderful I get to keep up with you all on my cell, even if it's one way and don't get images.

FierceBB, hoping and praying all the tests and scans come back clean.

Blessings, been keeping up with you today. Sounds like a very busy day, hoping you have a better day tomorrow. 

Chevy, yikes, now that's a difficult situation. Hope you're not getting played like a fiddle. 

Sassy, hoping you're feeling better and all remnants of stones have passed. Sounds like an iPad would work for you. Thinking I may be home tomorrow, maybe we can talk?

Smaarty, what a beautiful baby boy. He looks so healthy, blessings to you and your family. 

Cami, how are you and Joey doing?

Pawprint, how are you feelings? Hoping for more energy for you. How are Annie Mae and Snuggs doing?mis she still wearing the (soft) cone of shame?

Chevy, Luv, GG, Spookiesmom, Nettie, Jwoo, Enerva, Hi1, Tang and everyone else I missed: lots of hugs to you all (maybe because I'm needing them too). 

So grateful I have you all, you're my other family who cares about my without all the history.

Happy Pre-Independence Day to all!

Pawprint

Holeinone...what a beautiful tranquil flower garden. Is it on the side of your house? A crazy wild bunny ate a hole in my back fence and ate all the flowers that I planted, except for the mums, apparently bunnies don't eat mums

Hi JWoo..nice to see you. It's nice to be quiet and do deep soul searching once in awhile. 

Cammi, you and Chevy crack me up. )

Enerva, I hope you won't have to wait too long.

Tang, I'm glad you're seeing a therapist. You need someone to talk to and help you process all that has gone on for you...lots of loss and PTSD for you to work thru. I wish you the best in finding a therapist you  feel comfortable with. 

Goodnight all....hope everyone can sleep well tonight. 

Pawprint

Hey 2nd, just noticed your post. I thought my energy was improving, but I hit a low point this afternoon. Tomorrow is my infusion. Got the first EOB, the cost per infusion is $1,080, and after insurance my cost is $224 for each infusion. OMG....i hope my blood labs go up soon, or I'll be broke. 

Annie Mae is doing much better, she only wears the cone at night now. Thanks for asking. But Snuggs, well she just sleeps and eats )

Take good care 2nd, goodnight....

sas-schatzi

Pawprint suggestions 're money. I can not move that post 're needymeds.org and social workers. It is the one tagged to get me banned. It is around page 400 .  Please,reread if you can. There is money out there to help. It is a matter of locating it. 

Google Leukemia and lymphoma society . Call their help line and ask if your problem with the blood is covered. They will need an exact name of your diagnosis. If it is on there list. Grants available up to 5000$. If you are on the list you will need to act fast. Their fiscal year ends june 30th.  They do retroactive coverage. That means they will cover allowed bills back to July first 2013. Sorry,did not know you had this kind of outlay. LLS COVERS a wide variety of bills. Not just drugs. Insurance premiums, copays and several other items. Forget all.

I would normally offer to walk you through needymed.org., but I do not have a computer. It is a bit of a tricky website. Huge amounts of info. Give it a try. We can chat.

Maddy would love to visit. There were about three big items on the agenda. Not sure what will happen now. It is a no sleep night. But we can try.

sas-schatzi

Blessings, your as good at comedy writing as Chevy and cami.  And the sage advice:)

Golf girl beautiful  great avatar

Tang hmmm skin staph two types. Generally, can be fixed. Are the sensitivities done yet? Need to reread your post there was something else. Bbl....okay drains, mixed bag ...the old saying of BetterOut than In.  Have they ever said anything about the impact on healing with rads?  Chemo stops it as previously discussed. But you should be picking up soon each day you are away from chemo. ..Is radiation going to impair the healing time.....????..They closed your incision line. Did they explain that may allow bacteria to reset up housekeeping.  Sorry, if that sentence is new info. 

SWEET SUE YOUhoo WHERE ARE YOU?

Jwoo hugs

Chevyboy

Morning girls!  Cammi!  They were talking about us....  I just KNEW it, and then, sure nuff'..... they were....

Now little Sass.... I am now removing that "word" from your vocabulary.  "banned" is no longer to be used by NONE of us, cause what would we DO?   I'll probably get banned for this, but don't even mention any word that comes close to b-a-n-n-e-d. 

That is a bad word, and not to be used in any regard, or sentence, or anywhere on this earth..... from now on...... or else!

(man, Idon'tknowwhattodowiththesegirlsthatdon'tlisten!) (Iamatmywitsend!)

Okay, now watch this.... it is just the sweetest thing I ever saw...

(and no, this is not me...  you little brats!)

http://english.people.com.cn/102774/8037736.html

Littlepaws!  Weese all so glad our "girls" are doing okay!  Annie Mae is probably used to everything now.... right?

2222222222nd!  It's okay now!  I think they all got the hint...  No phone calls yesterday....  I think it's fine, if we just go see her once or twice a week, just to talk, and have a cup of coffee, but she doesn't need a BABY-sitter constantly....  no matter WHAT they think!

Tang....  sometimes it just takes forEVER to find out what is wrong with us....  And by THAT time, we can come up with aNOTHER problem!

I'll be your therapist.... don't go spending countless dollars on someone who doesn't know you....  We'll all just take care of you....  now where do we start?  Ha, ha!

BLESSINGS!  That CAMMI did that to ME, hanging in that chicken coop!  She thought I wouldn't notice, but I DID!   So sounds like you had no fun yesterday? 
Man, they sent ME once to the wrong place too!  With my WALKER! And I was prettey PO'd!  That's when I was just 2 weeks out from breaking my hip in two, and had to find it and stitch it back on!

You hit your HEAD?  And bit your tongue?  WTH?????  Don't you know what you are DOING? 

You need a mouth guard.... just like the Hockey players wear... AND a helmet.... just like little kids wear, riding their bikes.  You need protection, girl!  Just don't go out alone!

So who is this KWAK you guys are going to?  That lights you on firre and SMACKS the bee-geesus out of you?

That just does NOT sound comfortable!    I just don't know....  YOU guys get in more trouble, when I am not around!

But okay, I know basal-cell.... piece of cake... but I don't know about THAT method...  What about just the Moh's surgery?

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mohs-surgery/basics/definition/prc-20014261

Where do you guys LIVE, is my next question?  Are you in someplace like "Godonlyknowswhere".....?  

Oh wait..... you live in California?  Figures!  I'll bet you live on the Berkeley campus.... right?  And you smoke Pot? 

HIO!  I LOVE your garden area, and the way you planted it!  Was that pot a broken one, or a whole one?    I need about 40 more checharonies in my garden, because THEY made so much fun of the few I have NOW! 

Come on Jwow!  Just take care of yourself...  and come back, and we'll make you feel better....!

camillegal

Good Morning

Oh I hope everyone has a nice week-end.

Blessing hope all goes well, u another one with so much going on. And all that walking too much.

Where does everyone live that's it over 100, OMG I'd be so miserable and never, (like now) leave my house.

And I hope Arthur has burned himself out to much weather out there. Oh u know what I mean.

And I think it's very normal when u finish treatments--I mean u have all these people fussing over u and taking care of u so u feel a safety net, then when u don't even thos u have family u feel alone with all of this still in u'r head. It's a big adjustment actually and one that normally fades but it's a shock to u'r mental stage.

BTW Chevy I remember when we still had operators and of course party lines, cuz I would listen and my mom had a fit when I would do it. That always seemed like a woman's job, well now that I think about it a woman could always figure out what hole the line had to go in. Men would put it anywhere. Oh we're all grown ups here, well maybe not mentally but number wise.

Shower day today, yea really. I think today I will go for peach sorbet--ooo sounds good. If u have a cat they should have a soap for catnip, u'r cat would be so happy and cuddle every chance they have. I should patton that. Oh well nother great idea down the drain with the rest of my soap.

I'll BBL I'd like to hear about any Dr. stuff going on too. And SAS I hope u'r really done with that stone thing, I used to think stones just went in kidneys til just recently. Oh just more places for things to hide and cause pain.

PattyPeppermint

good morning ladies.  

Blessings - your dhs burn off sounds incredibly painful. Hope it isn't. Wow. What a day you has yesterday. Hoping today is much better.  

Holeinone - love the flower beds !!!!!

SAS - hope the stones are on their way out - painlessly.  I have had kidney stones - hurt like hell.  

Hugs to everyone else 

FierceBluebird

holeinone, love your garden!  I have yet to be able to master the professional look. My plants come up willy nilly or spread or don't follow the height listed and looks like a wild mess. But the birds and wildlife don't mind so neither do I. 

Sas, have you had your crystals analyzed?  And no I'm not talking woo-woo mystic magic crystals. You can change your urine ph and crystal formation by what you eat or don't eat.  Hope you don't have any more problems. 

Poor blessings! Stay home and rest today!

2ta, extra hug for you since u need one!

Anonymous

Thanks, everyone! I am so glad I get the notifications of the posts to Insomniacs on my cell phone (at least that part is working) even if it's without the images so I can (try to) keep up with you. Your posts were my smiles and bright spots the last couple of days.

May need to keep this brief. I'm back at home and so much to do today! Haven't done laundry or grocery shopping in over a week, poor DH didn't have milk, bread or other "edible" food in the house. He actually has been a sweetie all this (surprisingly). His company got bought out and the takeover was the beginning of this week. He brought home stacks of paperwork (like all the new employee paperwork) for the new company and I said I would help complete as he's been putting in ridiculous hours (leaves home before 6 am and doesn't get home till at least 7:30 pm). I secretly knew I wouldn't be home Monday night, but didn't expect all that happened. 

Funny thing, that since I figured the job search/parent connection thing, I have felt so much better and lighter. Like a huge burden has been lifted and while I'm still struggling a bit with the situation (meaning bills are still piling up and I don't know where the money will come from to cover them all) I know I'm doing the very best I can. Now, for the kicker: received a call Monday morning for a pre-interview (unfortunately, we're still playing phone tag and from the sound of his voice, he's getting perturbed with me) and an email for another pre-interview later that day! Really? So, hoping to connect with both of them today.

Better post before this all goes poof....

Holeinone

Thanks for all the compliments on my flower bed. It faces south, out the kitchen table area. My DD worked at a high end garden center for several summers, the pot was cracked, so she got it. The top part has carving, so very decorative. Working in the yard is the best therapy for me. 

Here is photos of the place on the river I am going tonight. It's called Pillar Falls, on the Snake River. I live very close to the canyon rim & the river. My BIL is taking us up in his boat. We will have a cocktail & then come back to town & go out for dinner. 

FierceBBird, love the hot air balloon, I would be to chicken to ever get in one.

2nd, nice to hear DH is being supportive. 

Cami, you are smelling peachy, yeah! Love peaches...

Blessings, what a nightmare! I keep biting the inside of my mouth, it's raw. I have had two areas cut out & biopsied for skin cancer. The Dr. Did a good job of numbing up the area, did not feel much, but if they cauterize it, yuk, horrible smell.

Happy day to all.....

I 

Anonymous

Hello Owlettes!

hmm, very quiet morning/afternoon (for most of you) today.

Cami, who is Arthur? Someone I should know?

Blessings, wow! You've got your hands full too! Sounds like yesterday (what it yesterday? I've lost track) wasn't the best day for you. Hoping today is so much better for you and DH.  Pace yourself, especially in this heat (it's ONLY in the 90's here today). Better yet, rest, put your feet up, sip iced tea (or something else cold and refreshing), chillax, maybe say in night clothes all day.....

Pawprint, you too, stay cool today. So now that you cut back on Fridays and tomorrow is a holiday, do you get an extra day of rest? 

FierceBB, would love a ride on that hot air balloon. Calgone, take me away... 

Hi PattyP, good to see you!

Chevy, hopefully no more phone calls today either. 

Tang, sending you gentle hugs to let you know we care. 

Sassy, regarding new laptop/tablet/device: first thing to do is determine your needs. If you need just for internet (searches, emails, BCO, FB, online books) sounds like a tablet (like an ipad, not an alka-seltzer) might work for you. Bigger and easier to read than a Kindle but not as expensive or sophisticated as a laptop or PC). If you create, edit and manage files (word documents and spreadsheets) you might need something different as the ipad doesn't accommodate this purpose. Maybe a laptop would be better suited for you. Hey, who am I kidding, you're probably not able to read this anything if your current laptop is overheated to the point of exhaustion.

Well, funny how the world works. I've had 2 phone pre-interviews this morning. Interview late next week for one, the other is only part-time (10-20 hours a week, may work into full time, maybe not) and will let them know Monday what i decide. So I'm looking at a busy week next week: Monday - job workshop, Tuesday - Dad and I will take Mom to the geriatric specialist and get paperwork completed for her to move into the new facility; Wednesday - hopefully move Mom in; Thursday - job interview; Friday - collapse. Ha 

Oops, Hi1: I missed a few pages. Thanks for the photos! Love the new avatar by the way.

Spookiesmom

Arthur is the hurricane moving up the east coast. Cat 1, thank goodness!

Anonymous

spookiesmom, how far are you from Sassy? Just talking to her on the phone, she was mentioning Arthur (?)

Be careful all of you affected by this tropical storm!

sas-schatzi

Owls  laughing with Chevy and camis posts, blue and peppermint   stone recovery continuing. Did follow up with doc, tests ordered.

Happy Fourth

Enerva

The only day available right now is August 27 secretary said she is waiting to confirm another patient for July 30th and that if that patient can't do that date then I can take it, but we all know most likely no one in our position cancel or refuse a surgery date The Ps is fully booked  well at least I have a date now. It's so crazy how many surgeries are been done, it makes me sad 😔  so many of us in This journey

Teka

Where did the last 4 weeks go?

I did chitchat with some Owlettes in cyber space.

Hubby had to reattach a kitchen cabinet that pulled away from the
wall. I had to sort through dishes that caused the problem. I never
realized the weight in the cabinet.

He then installed a lovely new kitchen door )

Now back to taping & painting (

Enjoy the 4th of July Weekend!

*Owl Bench*

Nettie1964

Oh, my, as I’m reading, I really haven’t been commenting
because there is so much going on, but TEKA, when I saw your post about the
cabinet, I just had to post!!We had the
same happen one night!!We were sitting
watching tv and WHAM down comes a kitchen cabinet, I mean, ours, hit the floor
and most of the dishes inside broke!!Thankfully for me, I had been lazy and most of the good dishes were not
put away!!However we did have a mess of
glass in the floor!!DH and DSIL, put it
back up, cleaned up the mess and DH had to build 3 new doors, but all is well
that ends well!

I have a question, what could it mean if a dose of Prednisone made my pain go away for 24 hours?  Does it mask symptons or does it mean that I have some other issue?

Just wondering if any of you had any experience with this?

FierceBluebird

Teka, that is a beautiful bench. We can all sit there with our coffees! Be sure to post a picture of your completed work.

Spookiesmom

I'm on the west coast of Fl next to Clearwater. SAS is on the east coast close to Cape Canaveral. It's about 2 1/2 hours apart, but some storms are big enough to cover the whole state, coast to coast. Not Arthur. She is probably getting some stiff wind, 30 mph maybe more, maybe rain bands. I'm getting nothing.