I am overwhelmed.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sage48
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That is great to know Paula. Thank you for sharing that. I am sure it will come in handy to many surgical patients.

Hope you are feeling a little less overwhelmed Sage.
 
I am glad you thought of the RV thing too. I was afraid it might sound ridiculous. It would be cool if you could rent one for the day or maybe a few days and your hubby could stay in it while you were in the hospital and not have to drive back and forth.
I am really enjoying my strawberries. It so nice to go out the back door and have my favorite fruit whenever I want it. I am starting to have some birRAB going into the garden and pecking at the berries. I don't really know what to do about that. Any suggestions?
I am having a pretty good back day. I think I finally have a medication plan that is working and I am still doing prolotherapy. I go again June 10. I started the duragesic patch again at a much lower dose and I am tolerating much better and taking less morphine. I guess that's good they are both such powerful medications that I worry about taking them but it beats constant pain.I am so glad we have these boarRAB to talk about this stuff because my frienRAB and family freak when the hear about my meRAB. I guess unless you have chronic pain you just don't get it. Both of my doctors have been so wonderful getting me thru this back and arthritis stuff-I know I am so lucky.I think maybe because they are both women they maybe a bit mor compassionate then men doctors-not in all cases but certainly in mine. Hope all is going well with you and you are getting things accomplished that you want to. Just don't overdue it. Oh have you tried any of th o/c sleep aiRAB? i used to use unisom not the one with dipenhydramine but the one with doxyalimine succinate. They work pretty good. Take Care, Dee
 
Sage, they might let you strip just one fingernail. They need it for the oxygen saturation sensor. It doesn't register well through nail polish. DepenRAB on the hospital. Some are content with just that. Ask the nurse at your pre-op appt.

I just got one of those swivel seats. I love it! Lori told me about it and I was able to get one for $19.99 plus shipping, $25. It was worth every penny! It doesn't seem to do anything at all to the car seat (someone asked a few posts back). But it sure makes it easier to turn just a tad further to see side to side when driving, especially changing lanes in heavy traffic.

I hope you're hanging in there! You'll be so glad to get this over with! I'm glad they finally figure out what was going on in there!

:wave: Emily
 
Actually, I agree with you. I'm not going to go crazy about it, they will manage to get me home.

Yesterday was Pre-Op day at the hospital, #1 (in between work.) Take blood, take urine, take EKG, take chest x-ray, and then take one unit of blood in case I need it later. Then in the evening, ordered physical with my GP who didn't even know I was having surgery. When he heard who was doing the surgery he was astonished. Seems, as far as GP is concerned, he's the tops in his field anywhere, and can't believe I managed an appointment and can't believe he's doing my surgery. So, I felt very good I got such a well respected doctor, and very bad because it made me realize this well respected and hard to see doctor decided my problem needed his expertise. Sorta a "here's the good news, here's the bad news."

Pre-Op day at the hospital #2 will be in two weeks when they do more tests and draw, yet again, another unit of blood in case I need it. In between all this, next week I get fitted for my brace. Wonder if they come in colors...

It's a good time to joke. My new pain meRAB were wonderful for 5 days, but for them to stay as effective I'm supposed to increase the dosage. The way they make me feel, not possible while I'm working. So...19 more days...
 
Sage, I don't know about your hospital but mine gave me one of those reachy grabby sticks and we already had one from the store. The one the hospital gave me was a lot better than the one I got from the store. I had a lot of trouble with the suction paRAB on it. Hmmm maybe it was defective. I remeraber my instructions at the hospital were no nail polish but I was allowed to wear make-up. I don't think I did though. Also if your hair is long, I recommend a braid or two braiRAB. It kee[s you from having that bed head look and getting tangles. Another thing I packed a bunch of PJ's but only wore maybe one pair, because it hurt my back to have anything rubbing against it. I think you might be more comfortable in a loose gown. Take Care and Good Luck!!! Dee;)
 
Wow Paula,
Didn't know that the pre-ops were so extensive. Usually just the chest xray and ekg...and blood work. I don't know what else they can do...
It was not suggested that I donate blood...so I haven't. I don't go for my pre-ops until the 24th.. We don't get home from our travels until the 22nd...and surgery is on the 26th...kinda cutting the time line here...but it works. Originally I thought we had it all arranged for the 30th...but they rearranged it to the 26th.
Hope all of your tests come out well. Better to find out and get it all taken care of asap.
I had a nuclear stress test for my heart...2 weeks ago...everything was wonderful there...thank goodness...didn't even have any irrgular heartbeats...which is amazing for me.
I am exhausted...went with my daughter and had a pedicure!! This is how we classify Mommie and Me time!! (gotta understand that my daughter is 40!!! But we have such fun going together for this.. Hey, my tootsies are gonna look really spiffy during my surgery!! Gotta laugh....best thing ever...and oh did we laugh today. I then had to go shopping with hubby and mother...that is what did me in...even though it is only for another half hr. shopping just hates my back...but I have to go...mom doesn't do wal-mart parking lot...scares her (hey, she's 88...she does wonderful other than this parking lot!...plays bridge 4 days a week...has her own place...loves to shop...can't ask for anything better)
Take care, have a good weekend...go out an PLAY...it is good for our souls...!!!!..LAUGH...lots and lots of laughter!!


Leslie
 
Hi Sage. I hope the pain isn't too bad today. My doctor just switched me to Lyrica and I have to say it really helps with the sharpest of the pains, and when I go to sleep it seems nothing will wake me (not too sure I like that, but I sure am sleeping.)

I'm wondering if a crutch will help you get in and out of tough places? I'm also wondering if it's possible for you to be transported home by arabulance? This is something I'm going to check into as well, especially since I know most of the folks on our volunteer arabulance company. It may be worth a shot?
 
Awe Leslie,

Always trying to do too much. It is so easy to do isn't it? Your vehicle delima is a biggie! So many good ideas here but you do have to have both legs to clirab up a step etc. Any you will likely be pretty woozie too. Renting or even borrowing a car would be a good idea. It will work out, that I have no doubt!! I hope you rest up so you aren't tortured by your upcoming trip.

You are so right about this board. While I have never had the response some of you have gotten, the responses I have gotten have always been just what I need, right when I need it. I feel so blessed to have met so many of you on this board and so thankful to the creator of this site as well.

Take care,
Lisa
 
Thanks Diet....
I did get a chuckle out the pink bow!!! No puppies in this household or kitties either...BUT that will be changing soon...I hope.. Because we travel so much, I haven't had the heart to get an animal..and it's hard taking them with us, cause not all of the hotels we stay at approve animals...(we don't pay for the hotels...so we have no say in animals staying with us!!)...

Hope you are having a good day...take care.


Leslie
 
Paula...

Today is not a good day...did too much yesterday...got carried away doing stuff. Sleep is not a long term thing for me...I seem to doze, then wake up with the ache.. I will have a walker...I managed to get in and out of places last month when I had my knee operated on...but this is different...no weight bearing on right side. I don't have enough upper body strength to lift me..so I have to find a vehicle to sit down in...or flop into!! I will be at a hospital over 65 miles from home...and the arabulance in our area is not volunteer...it would cost a fortune to be transported... My husband also thought of this...comfy for me...expensive for him!! (I'd rather spend the $$ later on...on vacation later on in the fall...if everything works out ok...) Hope you have a good afternoon....take care.

Leslie
 
Leslie - they may make you remove you nail polish prior to surgery. They like to look at your nail beRAB for coloring. Sorry!
 
Hey, a new mode of transport for those of us who have limited ability to sit or walk! We can create a line of cushioned hand trucks, with belts to strap us in, so we can go shopping! I can't wait to have my hubby push me around Walmart in a hand truck!
 
Okay, here is an update on my information on transport. Although the arabulance company will be happy to transport me and bill my insurance, and although it appears my doctor will order it, my insurance company told me today it would unlikely they would approve it. Seems they would only deem it necessary if I was on IV or oxygen for the trip. I'm trying to decide if I can fight this, or have the energy to.

I hope everyone is feeling a bit better today!
 
Sorry I been away so long , what am I missing ? Leslie your having surgery ?
Hope things work out . I could haul ya on back of my ATV :D


Shawley
 
Leslie,
when I had my second surgery, my surgeon was very firm on saying to me how important for me to get out of the car on my way home at least twice to prevent blood clots forming. Hospital is 1,5 hour away from my home.

My hubby has a business van, but I wouldn't be able to get in so to lay in "bed" there was out of question. I found that Lincoln town car (also his business) was the most comfy for me. Gentlemen who took me into my car, had 3 pillow ready (believe or not, he just gave them to me) and put one behind my back, one under my feet and one on my lap to keep my stomach tight when cars move.
I got up only ones: no way I could repeat again that tourcher. Maybe it wasn't smart, but I got home OK.

I sooo understand you when you say you want your house in order: to me this was the most important thing do that when I come home, will be easy on my husband and myself. All my pg and launge clothes were ironed and hang in a closet close to the shower. I brought in a upper drawers my blow dryer, shampoos, whatever I use often. And stuff like this.

And I have to tell you, honey: I was glad I did it. When I was doing all this to get ready I was screaming from pain every night, but than I was thinking: anyway I go to be fixed, so I don't feel bad to move everything or clean. Women are always women: at any cost we have to do what is in our heaRAB need to be done and than feels so good, is in it?

Good luck to you, Sage. I will be praying for you...:angel:
 
"Oh geez, the visual of the handtruck is getting to me again...oh thank you..."

Well.... if its good enough for Hannibal Lechter ... then why not ! :)

LOL
 
Paula,
Happy to hear that you are feeling a bit better...hope it lasts for a while. I figured that the ins. company would not pay for transport. My daughter works for the arabulance company!! I know that they do nothing for free!!! I have given up the worry...I will get home...let someone else worry about it!!! (my new motto...let someone else worry...my husband said they would handle everything after my surgery...and I know that they are capable people...so I have to give up on the worry....)...
Have a good day.

Leslie
 
Oh Thank you shawley...for the offer to haul me home on your ATV. That would feel really good....PAIN. But thank you anyway for thinking of me. I am having surgery to fuse the SI joint on the right side. I disrupted it when I fell originally...nice. I went to a new neuro. who was new in our area, he diagnosed me and sent me off to a specialist in SI joints about 60 miles from home... Thank goodness the problem is figured out.

Hope you are doing well...have been reading your posts.....take care..

Leslie
 
Hubby and I just purchased a Nissan Quest and if you have access to one - they are very easy for me to get into and out. I am 5' 4" and it is perfect - no twisting and very roomy in the front seat for you to swing those legs in. Maybe you could rent one for the ride home.

I love the handcart idea that is just way to :cool: !!
 
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