Hi, we are a day ahead of you, today is Sunday, actually as I write 8.45 pm .... Enjoyable homely weekend with a visit from a true friend with a casserole for dinner!
I've been down over stuff I'd like to avoid, but can't.....so looking for a good nights sleep, courtesy of a sleeping pill, to help me face the new day!
Wishing you all less pain and more laughter to your lives! ;)

Stupid internet!! LOL My post yesterday didn't "take" as my laptop decided it was time to "update windows" just as I was posting!! Oh well, shouldn't complain as I've been able to get on regularly again. Hubby and I spent the day doing housework yesterday. Yes, he helped!! Trying to do more today. Its a slow process as I'm really doing a deep cleaning. You know, the spring cleaning thing that hasn't happened here for many Springs. Or I should say, Fall Cleaning!! I do think we're going to hire someone to paint. I just don't think the two of us can get it done and if we try, it could take yrs. LOL Hope you all have a good day!!

Good morning everyone, happy Sunday.
I didn't sleep real good but I did sleep some. I took my family out to dinner and then we went for haircuts last night. Then we went to a night thing at the zoo to watch the critters that are active at night and topped it off by stopping for icecream.

The weather was perfect and I held up well and Eric, that's been sick all week was feeling better and held up good even though we wore him out at the end. It was a real nice evening.

Things have really improved with my kids. They were both real good last night. I can't describe the stress we had to deal with taking two autistic children out. I used to be a nervous wreck before we would even leave the house. It's like being on high alert at all times, makes you feel like you're in the secret service or something.

But both boys have really come a long way with all the in home therapy they get and last night was just amazing to me when I look back at how things used to be. It was almost refreshing. Dealing with the stress and the pain used to really run me through the wringer, but last night I didn't have to deal with either and it was wonderful. It was almost like being a normal family, ha ha.

It's kind of a pretty day here today and I'm tired but not hurting real bad. Left knees stabbing a little but everything else is tolerable.

Joy and the kids have thier Sunday stuff today so they'll be in and out today. I have a few things I'd like to work on today but I'm just taking it as it comes. It may get done it may not, I'm not to worried about it.

Hope you all have a great day,

Mike

Happy Sunday afternoon,

Well gang, I am hurting for certain I am attributing most of it to weather changing and that it has settled in my neck from the other night. Yesterday was awful, you name it, it hurt. I took lortab all day, flexeril twice, and lyrica and I could feel no relief. Muscles ached, etc. You all know arthritis and fibromyalgia hell.

I just got a notice that my rheumatologist is retiring November 30th. I knew it was coming--he is 61, he went from 4.5 days a week to three last year and when I saw him in October, he said he was down to two days a week. I thought to myself, it won't be long, and sure enough, I got the letter Nov 4th. He said he had a heart attack last year that could have been fatal. He has been marvelous over the last fourteen years and helped me get a diagnosis, get an adequate treatment plan in place and helped me to see the future as bright. A thirty eight year old female has bought his practice but I am pretty sure she will be only working here part time as she has a practice in Salem. Hopefully reaching her office will not be a hassle and I just hope that she will not say, You can't have lyrica.. That really helps the neuropathy in my feet. They burn all of the time. I won't see her until April. I just dread having to train a new doctor, lol. Especially a young one who knows it all and then some. Not saying this will be the case, but I am sure most of you know what I mean.

I know that it won't be long until a lot of the specialists that I see will be saying so long, "We have other things we want to do in our life" All of the MD's are sixty and above. The only ones that are young are the two orthopedics, knee surgeon and back specialists. I turned my opiate management over to the back guy and signed a contract. He cut me from 120 lortab to 60 but I am sure he will increase it if warranted. He is very open. 90 would have been nice but sometimes, you just have to wing it and be willing to work with them.

I had a crown fall off of my back molar while eating last night. So I have to fit a dental appt in this week. I have a busy schedule this week. Fortunately, I have a pt appt tomorrow. He can work on my neck and I see the NP in the afternoon regarding my cyst and perhaps she would increase the flexeril or change it. I normally just take one at night. The hassle with muscle relaxers is that I can't drive on them. I mean you really don't want me on the road.

Sorry for the long post. I am just not good at being succinct. I have a hard time editing what I write. I wish you all a good and hopefully well controlled pain day. Bob plays this afternoon but I am thinking that I will stay home and get my Bible study worked on and get my sheets and bed covers washed. Hubby has flea bites on him.. We defleaed the cats last week but fleas are a never ending battle here in the Willamette Valley.

Big gentle hugs,

Melinda

Hi all,

promised i would update, trying to keep typing to a minimum :)

firstly, healing hugs to all, i know this weather isnt kind to me and i am sure i am not alone, i hate that i cant type individual responses anymore.

i saw a hand specialist in manhattan a few weeks ago and she was an answer to my prayers. i saw five different hand doctors who left me hanging because i have MS.

The new doctor took a direct course of action. in a few weeks i am having a procedure done where the dr will paralyze my arm temporarily to fully examine my hand since its been impossible bc of the pain. she is going to see which surgical procedure is best for me to correct my hand contracture and open it. she is also going to see if she can get a cast on it in the mean time.

Its progress so i am thrilled. lately my MS has been kicking my butt, i now have not been able to use or open my left hand in over 15 months. I really have been feeling like i am 84 these days.. not 24,

you are all in my thoughts and prayers, even if i cant write and check in, i am always reading.

hugs and love,

bridget

Good Morning,

I am feeling it today as I I knew I would as I made soap yesterday and knowing I would feel it more then usually it still was no easy to deal with. The process calls for being on your feet and in one step standing and not shifting my weight will really wear me down. I got a counter chair but it did not help alot and some things you can not do sitting down.

Thank goodness I go to foot doctor tomorrow and hoping he takes care of the problem without saying lets do this test and that test as I dont want it dragged out just diagnose and treat in one visit would be a dream. What was weird when I took off my socks I had these tiny little red marks all over my feet like little red pin pricks it almost looks like little blood vessels that popped.

I am back at it today but a different process that uses a crock pot so I will not have to sit there and stir till my arm falls off. You might be asking why I go through all of that for soap and I am not sure except that CP has taken away so much from me and I dont want it to take away my enthusiasm for crafting and sure there are lots of crafts that dont involve standing and I do those, but I need to have variety as things will become stale.

I have to keep my mind sharp as possible as I already feel that not being in the public working and such things have left me somewhat fuzzy. I had to do math yesterday with fractions and I sat there scratching my head and I was glad. I know I am weird

Good morning all,

kind of a rough start today. I overslept and had 10 minutes to get the kids on the bus this morning. I was so out of it I almost fell twice and for a moment I was pinballing off the walls in the hallway trying not to fall. Joy's off again today and she helped me scramble and we got the kids to the bus on time. Not a great way to start the day, but at least I slept again last night.

Yesterday was a beautiful day but I pretty much wasted it and didn't do anything. I need to quit making myself feel bad for taking a rest day.

We sent Eric back to school today and he wasn't real thrilled about it but I think he'll be alright. He missed the whole week last week.

Joy's got to run to town later but I haven't decided if I'm going yet or not. I guess it depends on when she goes and if she'll by me lunch, ha ha.

I'm feeling OK but not great, just at a happy medium I guess. I've really been doing pretty good overall. I hope it lasts for awhile.

I'm still a little scrambled from rushing around this morning, I'll check in later when my heads screwed on right,

Mike

Good morning everyone.

Manny, I am so glad that you are contiuing to craft. It is very important to keep doing what you enjoy despite the pain/disability. I still craft and, I plan on upgrading my crafting knowledge soon. I don't knit or needlework as much as I used to because of my arm issues but, I can do many things still. Good for you girl! Homemade soap is awesome by the way...my favorite scent is lemongrass & basil or Pumpkin spice.

LE-you just have been through the wringer my friend...cysts, dentists, teeth, spasms etc....Maybe you need to wrap yourself up in bubble paper and just go to bed! FYI: I found much, much better relief and no side effects for me after I switched from flexeril to baclofen. I hope you get some relief.

Mike-My left knee is killing me also! Are you sending bad mojo down to me?? I am so glad that you and the family had a nice day out at the zoo the other day. I am even more glad that you got rid of both kids for school today without falling. I love it when my family goes off to work/school during the day...I relish the quiet day.

Bridget--YAY! I am so glad that you found a good doc who is willing to help you with your arm/hand. I know you have been having a very difficult time with your issues....I am glad to see some positive in there for you.

Nealy- is there an end to your cleaning my love? I know things can't be that bad at your house...think basics---toilet/tub, carpet, fresh beds, clean kitchen. Then, work on dusting etc. I am glad that you are going to have some more help out there for painting. I worry about you and E taking on too much out of stubborness and financial deficits. HUGS my lovie.

ME>>>Pretty tired today and hurting pretty good. I had little duck in for a MD appt at 7:30 this am, drove my son to school and then took her to the doc and then took her to school.
Yesterday, my mom and I got into it..tension balloon burst. She ended up apologizing later but, it was definately a hard day yesterday.
I am going to take a nap and wait for my phone to charge so I can make a few calls.

HUGS and LOVE ya'll

Today, I took most of the day off!! Paid some bills, sorted some papers and filed them, put together a meat-loaf which I'm going to pop in the oven shortly. Hubby snored so loud last night I couldn't get to sleep until 4 and woke at 7:30 a.m. Did take a short nap this afternoon. I can't wait till he gets his Medicare. I KNOW he needs a sleep study. This snoring is getting worse and worse. Unbearable at times!!

@ Ducky, yep, house was that bad. 2000 (way too much house) sq. feet. that has been neglected for over 2 yrs. No deep cleaning at all!! And way too much clutter (mine and E's) So its slow going. I'm just going to have to be patient and take days off as needed.
I'm sorry you and your Mom had probs. So hard for 3 generations to live in same house!! Takes wisdom, patience and a heap of fairy dust. LOL

Tomorrow morning I go for my little volunteer job, English as a 2nd language tutor. Looking forward to that.

Hope you all have a great evening. I'll check in tomorrow!!

It is good to hear from everyone today.

The leaves here have been stunning. The gossip is that we got two extra weeks this year. they are coming down fast now. Rain off and on today.

Just want to share my excitement. I met my goal weight at the bariatric clinic for having my surgery scheduled. So that no one wonders. This was not a hastily made decisions. I have been overweight for close to twenty years; a lot can be attributed to prednisone therapy but I have an ownership in it. I graze or did graze. I eat for comfort if I am stressed. My health was declining. I have a strong family history of obesity. I have arthritis and DDD and need desperately to get this weight off of my joints. I am near 55 and cannot imagine what my health would be in ten years. I did not want to take that chance. I want to live to see my children become productive adults. Grandchildren eventually would be gravy. I have done WW many, many times over the years and gone on to gain it back. I am not able to exercise hardcore due to a connective tissue disorder. Hence with the low impact stuff that I do, it takes me much longer to lose weight.

I have been blessed with good health insurance but Bob is retiring. We will probably have to go with less benefits in a year or two as the Postal Service is trying to pull out of the FEHB. This will be huge when put into action. It does require congressional approval but I doubt if there will be any action in 2012 as it is an election year.

So after much thought and much prayer, I decided it was do or die. The Center of Excellence provides a multi-disciplinary approach. It has been well worth it. The educational process has been wonderful. I am still working on a lot of behavior modification and that will always be a work in process.

Now that I have written a novel....surgery will hopefully be on or before 12/19 as per insurance pre authorization
I will be happy with anything on or before 12/31. I am sure ins would extend it if surgeon unable to accomodate due to holidays or surgeries booked.

I know it will be morning before many read this but I wish you sweet dreams and rest. Happy Tuesday. Hope it is painfree. Oh, one last thing, dentist was able to re cement tooth; saving me beaucoup $$$. Good night all.

Big gentle hugs and love,

Melinda

I had a so-so day, all of my kids were on the warpath which means I did absolutely too much running around so ill feel it tomorrow, but on the plus side the specialist that i wasn't supposed to see until mid January called today and said they have a cancellation for tomorrow afternoon, so fingers crossed hopefully i can get a small bit of relief to help me through the holidays. Pain levels have been pretty high as of late and i ran my thigh into the corner of a rather heavy desk today so that certainly did nothing to help, but wow the colors the bruise is blossoming in sure are beautiful! So the plan is after tomorrow i am on strict couch rest until next week, because i do not care how badly i hurt " I COOK THANKSGIVING DINNER " that has not and will not change, that is my big deal for the holidays and it will get done...lol
I hope everyone is doing well and having a good nights sleep, gnight and god bless........Kris.......

Good...........middle of the night.

Looks like my good streak is over. I felt pretty bad last night and I haven't been able to sleep. My backs really acting up and it's kept me from sleeping.

Only a couple more hours and it's time to get everyone up. Maybe I'll collapse later after everyone leaves.

My wife's been telling me that I have alot of spazms when I sleep. I'm not sure if it's the stimulator or something else. She says it looks like I'm dreaming about being electricuted or something. She says she notices it most in my legs but sometimes it's my whole body. I have notices when I wake up sometimes my whole body kind of shudders or jerks. Pretty wierd.

I went running around with Joy yesterday and had lunch out. I wasn't really feeling right before we even got to town. My pain started acting up and I really didn't feel too steady on my feet the whole day.

I guess I shouldn't complain too much, I really had a pretty good stretch going there for a few days. I feel like everythings comming back with a vengance now though.

I've got an appointment this afternoon so I'll have to make another trip and pay for it too. Damn!

Hope you're all doing better than me,

Mike

I hope you can catch a little nap, Mike. It bites to feel rotten and all 'turned around'.

I'm hurting worse by the minute and haven't even started my workday, yet. Meds are apparently going to be ineffective, today. I did manage to make a batch of banana oatmeal muffins for my morning clients. All I can say is...they better be hungry! Usually are since I've been spoiling them since the day I opened my salon.

I look forward to hearing how everyone else is, this morning. Hugs to all!
Cherry

Dave-I miss you and I wish you could be here more often but, I am so glad that you are happy with being back to work. I would like to ask....can we start a new thread please???? This one is getting too long again. Just my thoughts. HUGS and love to you my friend...MIA Dave is your new nick name.

Mike-You and I are on the same schedule these days...I was up most of the night. Damn! I sure wish I had chat back so I could see who is on in the middle of the night. HUGS to you my friend

LE-I wish you blessings and luck for your bariatric surgery. I hate to be a negative nelly but, I know 20 or more people personally who have had that done. Every single one of them have had complications and, all but 2 of them wish they never would have done it. I hope you have much better results and, this surgery does what you want it to. HUGS to you

Kris-I always cook too...regardless of how bad I hurt, I do the holiday cooking. I always look like something that has risen from the grave...moaning, twisted, hunched, leaning, and hurting so badly. When dinner is done, I will go to bed and not before! Have a great T day with your family and, hopefully, less pain with the cooking of it.

Cherry- I am so sorry hat you are hurting worse...I have been hoping that you were better since you were able to return to your old MD for your previously medication therapy. HUGS to you

Nealy- Honey..I am so glad that you are taking the day off. It is so important to rest and, sometimes, I hink you sacrafice your self in order to "just push through it". Please take care of yourself my friend. Oh, and, if you push a pair of socks down E's gullet---he might stop snoring!! LMAO!

ME>>> very tired and hurting still...don't know why I am going through this right now. I think after being so busy last week---I just have not been able to recover yet and, the weather doesn't help I think. Oh well...whats new right? HUGs and LOVE my friends!

PLEEEEESSSeeeeeeeee start a new thread
why cant we have them daily.... whoever wants to or gets here first gets to start them......it would certainly help me.