INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

JWoo

I just wanted to pop in and tell you all how much i love you.

Sorry i have been mia- life is insane for me right now, and i am working through some stuff.

Happy birthday and happy anniversary to all that have one in the past few weeks.

I hope everyone is feeling good, pain free, and hopefully getting some rest.

xoxoxoxoxo

jeni

Loveroflife

Mel- Flonase, similar to oral corticosteroid inhalers can cause oral thrust in the mouth.

Ms. Blondie- Hugs to you.

Rose, Flamming Hot Cheetos tastes better than flowers. Both of my girls love it too! Your older daughter is such a selfless sweet older sister. Such love is mirrored. Bless your heart for adopting your 2 younger girls

mostlymom

Hugs Blondie

M0mmyof3

Glad its Friday at last! This last week has been a pressure cooker for me! My mom ordered from me and has been at me all week about where her order was. I was getting calls 2 or 3 times a day about it. Finally yesterday morning, she got the answer to her order status and everything is fine, but there was no need for her to constantly pester me about her order. I don't have control over that situation.

So that is part of why I haven't been sleeping so well.

Temps are supposed to get up into the 70s next week and we are supposed to see one day of 80 degrees.

Chevyboy

Morning gals! I'm just so bummed...... My gal-friend ever since grade-school had a stroke! And she can't speak! I am just so shocked! I LIVED with her for 2 months about 13 years ago!!! I feel so bad...! Her Son answered one of my emails to her, and told me she is doing really good, but unable to speak.... I am just at a loss........ I've never been around or seen anyone with a stroke who can't talk.....

And SHE and I are just crazy when we get together! I've emailed him, and asked what I can do.... Or not to do........

Do you gals know more about this?

And Blondie.... I'm so glad you will finally get the help and care that you need! THAT is good news! xoxoxo

Jazzygirl

Good morning friends. Happy May and wishing you a beautiful month ahead!

Loveroflife

Ms. Chevy, have you come across this one yet? Hope I won't get banned again for this, but will take the risk.

https://www.caring.com/articles/stroke-prognosis

Loveroflife

Ok, I am still on. Here is another one.

http://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/massive-st...

You can also go to American Stroke Association site.

I'm really sorry that it has not been a good few weeks for you

PattyPeppermint

hey Blondie. - I am not sure you have the right number for me. I haven't missed any calls and I don't have any voicemails ?? Maybe on your number. Concerned how you are doing ????

Gm all

Spookiesmom

Ah chevy, your friend is still there. It will be different now,, but just love her as you always have.

Blonde, thinking of you.

Rosevalley

Spookie- said it well Chevy. Be there talk and banter like you always do, which will make your friend smile! She's there - just different, but she will appreciate you! Also it is not unusual for stroke patients to be very emotional, cry & seem to get upset. They can't control emotions as well, so just be supportive. My Dad went through a period where he would talk and it was just gibberish. He looked so surprised like-"where did that come from who said that?" It was upsetting to watch. I just talked about anything.. stuff in the papers, weather, told a story about the kids. I did validate that "that didn't come out the way you thought it should and sometimes that happens. Give it time for your brain to heal." His brain didn't heal. But we sat with him and folks talked and were there. It's hard to see someone like that. (((Hugs)))) for you Chevy. Lots going on in your world. Changes are so hard and growing old is hard.

Momof2- now you're a sales rep it's hard! Funny your Mom about her order.. made me laugh. I hope your customers aren't all like that! Glad you are healing. Nice to see JWoo slip in! Phyllis- wonderful you got to spend time with DS and get 2 Springs in one year! Jazzy- that post in a clamshell.. cracked up! Sassy I love Dan Brown.. let me know how that one is, not read that.

Loverof life- Yep Flamming hot Cheetos were a better call then flowers! Ha ha your kids like them too? My youngest just LOVES them. My oldest (age 21) and my youngest (age 14)are adopted and deaf. My biological daughter is 19 and of course she signs well, having lived with 2 deaf sisters her entire life. Poor kid didn't get home until after 10pm and had to be at starbucks at 6am! After 4 hours of that Am starbucks shift she goes to class- long day. She's a good kid, good grades and her little sister was thrilled to have her there. Friends from school were coming up-"who's that?" Youngest DD, " my college Sissy came to watch us perform!" Ohhh cool!

magdalene51

Sheesh! I take a day off and Owlettes go crazy! Had the longest day in quite a while yesterday, and paying for it today. I had decided to switch PCP's since the cancer clinic opened a family care clinic in the same building, and it took a few weeks to get a first time patient appointment. Yesterday was the day. But what made it long was that I still don't have a car and my cousin drives me where I need to go. Would not have been a problem except that she ended up having a funeral yesterday. For those who don't know, my DC, who lives with us and is 78, is very active in choir at out church. She helps keep the robes and music organized and helps out in lots of ways, including singing. The funeral was for a choir member who also sings with a large chorale, which was sending members to sing with our choir, so cousin had to be there early to get them robes, and there wasn't going to be time for her to come home to get me for my appointment, so I had to go with her. I actually asked one of my rads drivers if she could take me, but she goes to the seniors game day and lunch at church... So I ended up there while I was waiting for DC. Played dominos, had lunch, saw a bunch of old friends and acquaintances, sat and chatted until DC showed up.

New PCP was hilarious. Apologized for having sudafed brain, we talked and laughed and she listened and took notes, refilled my scripts, sent me for labs, scheduled a bone density test, come back in a month. I was so glad I made the change, especially when they sent me down to my old buddies in infusion for labs and I didn't have to worry about blowing out a vein or whether someone knew what a port was (much less how to access it!). Doc really put me at ease. She wants me to see my orthopedic doc and see what we can do for these joints.

All in all a very long day for me, though enjoyable. One of the lunch ladies is a BC sister, we shared tattoos. Her husband died the day she had her 3rd chemo... I can't even imagine trying to go through this without DH.

And I come back to find hootie hoos and jwoos and phyllidoos and all kinds of stuff! Ok that clamshell was rofl funny, sent it to a friend. You ladies are a lifeline.

Oh, and I followed Chevy's link to heirloom roses, found a Cécile Brünner and I'm going to order it. Local garden shop doesn't have one. Here's the link:

Cécile Brünner Rose

M0mmyof3

Everything was fine with mom until a bit ago. Another call about her order, even though its on the way! Doesn't she understand that I can't control when the status of her order is updated. None of my other customers have been bugging me about when their orders are coming. Even my hubby who ordered from me is being patient. I feel like telling her that I can't control when it gets there so stop pestering me about it. I even tried to explain that I have had that situation when I have put in orders of my own and it did no good!

Jazzygirl

Mommy- I had a friend long ago who became an Avon representative and had me hold a party with some of my grad school friends. One friend ordered some after shave for her husband and then never heard a word. Since I held the party, guess who was getting bugged all the time about where it was? So I know that pain. I think being an Avon rep is tricky business.

First bloom from the pink prickly pear out back today!

Chevyboy

We stopped to see Carol.... She just cried when she saw us.... Glad her Grand-daughter was there, to tell me a little more about what happened.... I guess she was working out in her garden.... She was supposed to go up to Morrison to have Dinner with her Fiance'.... When she didn't show up, he called her Son, who lives close to her... He went over and found her.... Called the ambulance.

I guess when it happened she couldn't move her right side at all... but is slowly regaining some use there! I could understand a couple words, but she would get so frustrated, so I would take over, and talk more, or change the subject! DAMN! My Husband made her laugh a few times.... But that worried look on her face, when she tried to talk..... I guess I just never have been around someone with that damage before....

Rosie, did he get better? I wonder if she will regain use of her arm, or legs, so she can walk? Her right foot is in a "boot" to keep it bent, otherwise it will curl under? She seems to understand everything, just can't communicate very well yet....

We hugged each other, and she just held on and sobbed.... I told her she would be alright, and that I would help take care of her.... It was just such a shock I guess.... I didn't know what to do..... I'll go back, and just talk about everything else..... Thanks for the suggestions..... Does anyone come out of it completely? I mean she lived alone.... Had Glenn, for the last couple years, but they have their own homes..... She volunteered for 3 different places.... had such a full life.... Took trips to every country you can think of!

She was the one who went to Viet Nam, Thailand, Pearl Harbor, India, Pakistan, A train trip through the Canadian Rockies, China.... Everywhere! She loved her life of traveling..... Has been through all the States.... with that Senior tour group.... It used to be called Elder-Hostle.... Maybe she and Glenn can do it again soon........

How precious our lives are! We just pray to God we will be given another day.... for us and our loved ones....

Spookiesmom

She will most likely go to a rehab facility. How much she regains depends on how much damage was done. She may get *some* speech back. It IS very frustrating for the person. She could write or type what she wants to say. But it's early days for her, trust her docs.

Jazzygirl

Chevy- my mother had one in the front of her brain and recovered a lot (never any paralysis). Her sister had one a few years ago and it was very bad, they did surgery to relieve the pressure of the bleeding on the brain. She did not make it. My sister (a doc) says strokes have a 1/3 ratio- complete recovery, 1/3 recovery with some change in function, 1/3 don't make it. Broken hips go much the same way.

When my mother was in the hospital after her stroke, I went down in the morning they moved her from ICU to the neurology floor. Not long after she was settled in, a woman came in who was someone who volunteered to visit stroke patients and talk about recovery/rehab from a stroke. She told us she had had had FIVE strokes. She rehabed from all of them and seemed very strong in the end.

During rehab time for my mom, there was a woman in her early 50s who had a very bad stroke. She was my mothers roomate and she had paralysis and severe pain in one arm. I saw then how really bad it can be for a person. I remember her daughters being there a lot, as well as the husband. My mother seemed so less injured than that woman more than 20 years younger than her. That will be in my mind forever.

I think where it occurs, how bad the bleed is, etc. and how fast they get care makes a huge difference. My mothers cleaning person came in that day and found her. Had it been a different day, my mother would have died that day. I am glad someone went and found your friend and got her help right away.

I pray Carol gets stronger every day. Your visit seemed to mean the world to her.

Chevyboy

Thanks you guys.... She is in a care-center.... working with her all the time.... She can lift her right arm up with her left hand.... She has no pain.... Was probably out in her garden for a few hours or more, until her Son went over there....

But they said she had no movement on her right side when she came in there.... It's been about a month.... She can move her right hand a little, and her fingers.... I think they are working with her....a lot!

Spookie, she trys.... she can say a word or two.... and then can't talk, and gets that frightened look on her face.... But we just kept on talking to her.....

Jazzy.... yes..... my broken hip is alright, but won't ever be the same as my un-broken one, I don't think.... but I'm doing good, for my age.... It could be a lot worse, I know..... Man, that was NOTHING compared to what happened to her....!

She survived Thyroid cancer.... It's just that I've known her since we were about 12..... So she is like my sister!

Wren44

Chevy, Do you know if she can't think of the words? Or can think of them but can't get them out? Some people make good recoveries. I know that frightened look from volunteering in a rehab floor of a hospital. One woman stuck with me because she looked like a frightened rabbit. Then a few weeks later she was playing cards with other patients.

Chevyboy

Well, I don't know.... she just can't say them I think.... I think she might know what she is trying to say, but nothing happens, and she puts her head down.... She STARTS to say something, but then it isn't there... Just one or two words... but we made her laugh.... until we got up to leave.... Yes, I thinks she is really frightened... She must be wearing diapers.... because I know she can't walk yet... But she can use her left hand.....

Thanks Wren... We'll go see her again Sunday! She might be a little better by then?

Chevyboy

So is everything paralyzed on one side? It didn't affect her face... just her arm and leg.... does it affect her internal organs also?

Rosevalley

Chevy my Dad did not get better, but he was dying at that point. My Mom had a stroke at age 30, drooped her face and made her speech odd. She recovered completely. My Grandmother had a stroke, found her in the bathroom. She recovered completely. My Uncle had a stroke that wiped out his entire personality. He literally was a different person,scary. We call my Mom's side of the family "Stroke Central" more folks on that side have had strokes then anything else. The strokes are all different and it depends on where the affected area is, as to how well they do. I have seen folks in the hospital that I would swear wouldn't make it, go to acute rehab and end up regaining much of their strength, speech, mobility etc. Sometimes you have to ride it out. In my experience having access to acute rehab with well organized Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy - those patients regain the most. Another BIG plus is having a support system - friends, family, church, temple that stand by the person because recovering from a stroke takes a long time. Your humor and support is GREAT MEDICINE so just be there for your friend hugs and love and friendship heals. ((((HUGS)))) for you too!

blondiex46

Thanks i know it is good, but scarey

Sorry chevy bout u r friends hugs

Patty pm me u r number again plz

Jazzygirl

Blondie- I am sorry you feel scared. I would be too. Sending you love my friend.

Jazzygirl

This is for all the people out there needing a hug tonight.

Chevyboy

Ah thanks Rosie....! Means a lot to hear about other's recovery. She's been like a Sister I never had... always there for me, and she is my Olive Garden Buddy...

We also went to school with Anna, and were always close, but Anna just drifted away, would never return our calls, and just chose to be with her family, and they are all enabling her to just grow old and feeble, and wait on her........I see pictures of her on FB...... I would get a hold of her, but after 5 years I know she MIGHT have someone take her to go see her, but then we wouldn't hear from her anymore AGAIN, so I don't want Carol to have to go through that.....

I don't think this will take her out... because she HAS improved they say... And in her mind, she wants to talk, and tries to find the words, but just has to stop, and look worried, or laughs.... We are young enough to come out of this.... I guess, like you say, everyone IS different.... They work with her all the time I guess....

Seeing her like this really shakes your sense of "everythings okay in this world".... Even my Husband .... just was hard to see someone you are so used to being one way, and then it's all gone..... I'll be there for her.... She DOES have a large family....

She's also one of my friends that has a Daughter, but hasn't seen or heard from her in probably 40 years... I wish they would let her know... maybe that would help her? I don't know what happened, and she has said she doesn't know either... but SOMEthing had to happen back there somewhere.....

Jazzy, Carol must have been outdoors working in her garden, but by the time her friend knew something was wrong when she didn't show up, he called her Son and he went over..... It was probably about 5 hours or more... She was still in the garden.....

Blondie, is it home hospice or are you in a care-center? Will they take care of all your shopping, etc? Glad you are getting help! xoxoxo

Jazzygirl

Chevy- we are not sure how long it was for my mother either. The cleaning person came in to the house and my mother was sitting in the chair unconscious and also shaking. She ran to the neighbor and they called 911. They called my SIL who lives in the area, who called my sister. They confirmed a stroke in the ER and she also had a grand mal seizure n the ER. My sister (a doctor) told me she may not recover.

We got on planes that morning and both arrived their independently at midnight. My mother was sitting up in her bed in ICU and said "well you sure got here fast." I honestly expected she might not be alive when we got there.

Cancer is an awful disease, but things that affect the brain can change things like that.

Hugs sister and hope you can continue to keep in touch with your friend and encourage and love her as she works to recover.

Smaarty

My girlfriend had a stroke while at her son's party. So she got the medicine right away but it didn't help, the stroke was too big. She did really well in rehab, she had her left side paralyzed and had trouble swallowing. But once they moved her into a nursing home she started going downhill. I think once she realized that she couldn't go home, she gave up. It took her a year before she passed. I Miss her a lot. Chevy, I hope your friend makes a complete recovery, many do. Just be there when you can and make her laugh.

PattyPeppermint

Chevy. Glad you got to see and talk to Carol. I am sure she must have loved your visit. adding her to my long prayer list

Blondie. Pm'd you. Of course your scared. Would love to talk to you. I'll be home and free all weekend. Call anytime night or day.

Good morning all. Today is turning out to be beautiful. Sun is shining. Yes I think out high today is 72. Perfect. Not too hot or too cold. Feeling much stronger today. Ready to find something to get into today. Dh is working but me and ds's are home.

Hootie hoo

Chevyboy

You gals are sooooooo sweet.... ! Thank you for talking about this..... I can remember my Grandfather sitting there after his stroke! Only that one was really serious.... and he didn't make it either.... His eyes were wild, and he just yelled out!

They SAY she is improving.... but man, this is going to be a long haul for her.... It's been a month I guess, and just now starting to move her fingers on her right hand....

When we first walked into her room, I said "CAROL, WHAT THE HELL?" And she laughed! I told her we have to get you better so you can get home...! But then I saw how she couldn't move.... and I asked what that boot was doing on her foot.... I just didn't realize that she also couldn't move her right side. Glad her Grand-daughter was there.... because Carol couldn't have told me.....

Thanks gals.... xoxoxo