Moanalogue

Hi Everyone

Momto3 - yes this is like the GM thread - all are welcome

Havent heard from Camama or babyplace - hope they come back too - glad you are back

Last time (if I remember correctly) you were having breast screening done - I hope that all went well for you.

Keep posting Mom 

 Ivy6 - you must join in too - I know you know more about RA than I do  and we could all use your support and friendship.

Mags - you go girl!  I havent heard of Tai Chi for Arthritis, sounds fun though. I do yoga when I feel I am getting stiff, or I walk (thats hard for you though with your foot), Swimming sounds good too. Whatever you decide go slowly at first. Its exciting when you have a plan set - good on you

I just got back today from staying at my daughters near Bronte beach. I didnt do the Bronte to Bondi walk (but feel like I did ) we did lots of other walking though.

The weather was lovely and I managed not to get sunburnt. I must of looked like a freak covered in towels while I watched my son bodysurf but it did the trick.

We had some lovely meals and enjoyed fish and chips one night while watching a local cricket game at Coogee.

The eastern beaches of Sydney are truly beautiful. I think my son only missed out on swimming at 2 of them we certainly did a beach crawl.

Now its back to the grindstone and I really need to get back to work for the rest

Hope everyone is doing well.

Jo

Just a quick note to let you know I'm back but exhausted. I will post again tomorrow once I've recovered. My body survived but only just, I'm very sore. Glad to see more people posting again. Best wishes, golitho

Hi again,

Queensland was good, easy with the kids, the weather was beautiful and the beaches were close. We stayed at the casino hotel so very flash but not a lot of space for the 4 of us. The hotel had a lovely swimming pool complex and we spent a lot of time there.

Did the obligatory theme park the 2nd day there, Wet N Wild, kids loved it. Stayed nearly 11 hours! Got our moneys worth. I hung out in the shade and cooled off in the wave pool once I overheated. Lived on pain killers but managed to survive. Sat we spent the whole day at Carrara beach. Again I found a lovely shady spot where I could see the kids swim. They are all strong swimmers now so as long as the youngest is with my daughter (life saver) I feel confident.

The Iron Man competition was on, it was interesting to watch them all compete from our vantage point. A local filled me in on some of the competitors and as we talked I discovered he has RA! He takes only supplements for it! But moved to the Gold Coast for the weather. He was really bad 15 years ago but has given me hope that I am still in the active stage of this disease and once it settles I may finally get some relief. Peggy he said his feet were so bad he couldn't bear a sheet on them. Sound familiar? He takes 14 capsules of fish oil a day and I told him I can't stomach that. They repeat on me and make me feel ill and he told me to freeze them! Worth a try.

Sunday was spent at the dance comp, My son's group came first in their section and qualified for the grand final. They knocked off our dance schools older group and there were quite a few noses out of joint. There is huge competition between the girls, the boys are all so supportive of each other. So I decided to splash out and buy tickets to the grand final on the Monday.

They came 3rd overall, it was absolutely amazing, this is out of dance schools from all over Australia and New Zealand! Won a massive trophy and to think the school had written them off! We were of course thrilled for them, such a high level of competition and competing against kids 2 years older than my son's group, amazing result. We made a lot of friends too, got to know more parents. Spent the afternoon in the pool with quite a few of the kids from the school and got caught up on some of the politics! I'm so glad I don't have a girl!

Anyway, it was a great holiday, expensive for me, but wonderful experience. We walked everywhere and if I didn't have RA it would have been very easy. So close to restaurants, beaches, buses to theme parks etc. I had some horrendous nights unfortunately, just in so much pain. Looking forward to my next infusion now if my body handles it. Can't get hold of my rheumy, she must still be on holiday. I'll just have to hope the hospital will deal with my reaction to the mouse protein.

I am still sooo tired. How is the exercise regime going Peggy? I loved doing the hydro therapy, it made me feel very positive and definately stronger at the time. She had us running on the spot under water up to our shoulders, climbing up and down a step and using noodles to provide resistence to push down on under water. I'll get back there again one day!

Good to be home, Jacqui

A few DVD titles from our library catalogue:

Tai chi for arthritis [DVD] Part II / East Acton Videos ; written and produced by Paul Lam ; director, Julie King.
Lam, Paul
King, Julie
Narwee, N.S.W. : East Acton Video, c2001.
1 videodisc [DVD) (ca. 65 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.


Movement to music [DVD]
Melbourne, Vic. : Arthritis Victoria inc, Osteoporosis, c2006.
1 DVD (50 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
Move it or loose it. Easy level. DVD 1


Low impact aerobics [DVD]
Melbourne, Vic. : Arthritis Victoria inc, Osteoporosis, c2006.
1 DVD (50 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
Move it or loose it. Advanced level. DVD 5


Flexibility & stretching [DVD]
Melbourne, Vic. : Arthritis Victoria inc, Osteoporosis, c2006.
1digital videodisc [DVD] (50 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
Move it or loose it. Intermediate level. DVD 4


Chair based exercise [DVD]
Melbourne, Vic. : Arthritis Victoria inc, Osteoporosis, c2006.
1 DVD (50 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
Move it or loose it. Easy level. DVD 2


Chair based and more [DVD]
Melbourne, Vic. : Arthritis Victoria inc, Osteoporosis, c2006.
1 DVD (50 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
Move it or loose it. Easy intermediate level. DVD 3


Hope this helps!

Ivy.

ps. Pity they can't spell "lose" in the titles...

Wow Jacqui..  What a lot you did, I was exhausted just reading it all.  No seriously it sounds like you had an awesome time there with the children and congrats to your son, how proud you must be...    I'm glad you stayed out of the sun, lucky to find some shade!  I expect you feel like you need a holiday of rest just to get over it. 

Never the less it's good to push ourselves I think, I've decided that AS is not going to define who I am!!!

I've had my weight in day today and guess what?  2.4ks lost...  (5lbs 4ozs in old money). Not bad for the first week I thought.  I'm still swimming, although I must say it's almost killing me.  My body hurts so much. The remicade infusion I had on the 4th Jan hasn't done a thing this time. All down to not being on Mxth at the moment I feel, as before it was wonderful.  Very disappointed, but hopefully back on it next month, blood tests willing.  I use my stick almost 24/7 now, it's a shame but what can you do.  The feet (I say that because it's both now) are useless, I have cronic pain in them and wake at night not knowing what to do with myself.

Today I woke not feeling too well, I keep waking up feeling almost flu like with regards aches and pains but when I get up it slowly goes.  Today however it didn't and I feel really out of sorts, BUT that didn't stop me swimming 13 lenghts in one go.  No no no   I can hear you both say, rest up.  I will do that but I can't give up on the swimming, some kind of exercise is better than none and I feel much better mentally when I've done it.

I didn't buy anything much other than some food Jo, I'm so over shopping centres these days. I think if my body/feet were wiling I'd enjoy it better...  Jo if your getting 40C that means we will as your only over the mountain really. lol.  Can't say I'm looking forward to that though.  Aircon here we come...

Ivy: I agree with Jo, seeing Prince William isn't any great shakes, you see more on the tv don't you, and that's coming from an ex-brit!  I can't thank you enough for all the information you've given me re: DVD's, your so kind.   I promise I will start doing something about it.  My hubby pointed out the other day that Tai Chi may not be the think for me as you need to balance (and sometimes on one foot) I can't stand on the two feet I have let alone one!!!  It wont stop me trying though.

So I'll sign off now as getting tired and going to lay here on the sofa watching tv while hubby is out.

Bliss....

Take care all of you, be kind to yourselves.

Peggy

How about under water Peggy? I can move under water so much better than I can out of it. Worth a try anyway?Well done on the weight loss.
Thanks Ivy, I'll look in to those videos. I'm constantly impressed with what the libraries have to offer these days. Really helpful for kids school projects and have great internet help sites too.

Yeah, read about the prince in the paper thats about as far as I go. Read in horror that its rekindled Australia's need to remain under the British commonwealth. I have an early memory of waiting to see the Queen on some dusty road somewhere for an hour, only to have her drive by at such a rate we barely glimpsed her. My mother loves the Queen, sad isn't it?

Saw Circus Oz Jo, that was NY's eve. Brilliant, can thoroughly reccomend them. They perform to all ages, really funny, very clever and extremily entertaining. Loved them.


I'm due for my next infusion, Monday. I've been procrastinating about dealing with it all. The feet are bad, I must have decided to follow in Peggy's footsteps. Not on walking sticks though, I don't think my wrists would cope!

Trying to rest, have a running round day today unfortunately, allergy doctors for my youngest and other checkups for other kids, general before going back to school stuff.

Have to pick up my tiles too for the splashback. Bench tops in next Friday 29th! Very exciting. Stairs looking amazing, wardrobes in today....can't wait.
Have a great day everyone, must fly, Jacqui

Hi Mags, I can relate to the tidying when you can window. Body gives you a window of opportunity and you take it, what else can we do? It sounds as if your kitchen will be easier for you. Hope the sleep happenend again last night. It was a hot one!

Not looking forward to this hot weekend either. I live on the panadeine fortes, keep the pain at a manageable level (sometimes) but I suppose with your liver you'rd have to be careful.

Hope the quotes aren't too outrageous. Our stone people have stuffed us around, bit cross with them, but won't go there just yet. Hopefully we'll see them at the end of next week or early the week after!

I remembered we're not suppose to be political. Hope we haven't upset anyone with our Prince vs republic comments?


Well must away, always up early, have trouble sleeping most of the time and often just give up trying at 5ish, sad but true. Sometimes I wake up from 1-3 and then manage to get back to sleep until 6. Least of my problems,

big hugs to you all, have a good day, Jax (my nick name)

Hi one and all,

Love the nickname 'Jax' Funny how people shorten names. Obviously mine is Mags short for Margaret, but only my mother ever called me that, she hated it when people called me anything other than the name she gave me .    Me I prefer it as Margaret sounds like I'm being told off all the time.

So I had another good nights sleep, no aches and pains, no watching the clock go by as I took another pain killer before bed. My god I was in so much pain last night I just sat on the sofa crying silently, tears running down my face, poor Paul didn't know what to do, but there isn't anything anyone can as you all know. Mind you our house alarm went off in the middle of the night, plus an hour later Paul's mobile phone alarm!!

So feeling rested I decided to clean out the pantry today, just having a break writing this. Nearly done and looks good, so much rubbish though, 4 shelves are empty now.

Jo, you poor thing suffering with that headache, does it make you feel sick at the same time? On the very rare occassion I have them it hurts to move any part of the body, are you the same?  Once a week is still too many, how do you cope?  Especially with 'back to school', I'd forgotten about that and suddenly came across a queue in Office works like I'd never seen before, realised when I saw all the mums with the children plus students, with their arms full...

Jacqui, the quote for the painting and paper I haven't got yet!  We have bets on what it's going to be, I always go higher then I'm not shocked.... yesterday we changed our minds on the colour of stone and the thickness of it, therefore, guess what, yes more expensive, still you only do it once Paul says.  I also changed my mind on the tap for the sink as we've added a filter/chiller tap to be added (more expense).

Oh well....

While on here I've just had a phone call from someone who was told I what to do Tai Chi for Arthritis. Turns out I'm not available on his days of doing it, but I can join his 50- 90 exercise class which is gentle and focuses on muscle movement and balance, most done by sitting....I'll give it a go, you never know it might help.  Wonder if there are any other younger age 50+ people there?

I'm game for anything this year....

Dont' work too hard Jo and everyone have a great weekend, stay in the aircon, it's going to be a hot one... !!!! 39/43c here...Ouch!!  Our son is coming down tonight from the city and Paul and he are going fishing on the dam tomorrow (or not if it's that hot), me I'm staying in with the house in lock down mode.

Take care and be kind to yourselves.

Peggy.

 

Hi Everyone

I didnt want to whinge about the heat today - BUT - UGH 43c at 3pm!!!! I could have fried eggs on our driveway

Because it was 40c yesterday I sat around doing odd jobs and paid for it today with my neck and back aching - sooo today I splashed around cleaning the bathroom ( mmmm cold water lol) and dusted, just so as I could get some movement back without the aching.

Now I feel entitled to sit for awhile

Hope you guys survived - the late rain and southerly were very much welcomed and thank heavens we can turn the aircon off now as my eyes feel like sandpaper

Heres hoping tomorrow is cooler.

Jo

Went to a friend's husband's 40th birthday party last night and couldn't believe how conservative it was. I hope my 50th will be a bit more exciting this year!

Love this cooler change, athough my wrists are aching, my knees and feet are happier. Still swollen, remicade tomorrow... lets hope it does something to all this swelling and lets me get on with my life.

Hope the weekend is good to you both, Jax

Had another reaction to the remicade despite taking an anti histimmine and a medrol pack prior to the infusion, had trouble breathing again. Needed another medrol pack and oxygen before it all settled down, Just don't know if my lungs are coping with the mouse protein.

I'm wiped out today, bit of a temp, aching limbs and a headache, not good. Cross your fingers this infusion works and the horrible reaction was worth it.

I see my GP tomorrow, I'm going to discus my pain relief options, feel a bit concerned about returning to work and being on my feet all day. How will these ankles cope, not to mention the wrists, knees and lower back!

Happy Australia Day one and all, hope you all survive this heat. I'm definately in the pool today, floating to ease my joints and head, might even bring down my temp. Gottabe positive.


Upper staircase finished, now they are doing the parquetry in the small landing before finishing the lower staircase. Tiling the BBQ area tomorrow, very exciting. Then we might actually be able to start on the garden! Of course we are running out of money at this stage so everything is fairly tight. Wardrobes look fantastic.

Can't wait! I'll post again soon, Jax

Happy Aussie Day to all the Aussies

We had a nice cruise down the Nepean River in the FIL's boat. We set out early and got back before it hit 38c out here Now we are relaxing in the aircon and waiting for the heat to drop to fire up the barbie.

Mags - you are brave to head into the city today - hope it wasnt too much for you. How did you go at the GP's?

Jax - Im sorry about the Remicade reaction - that must of been scary - hope it works for you this time around. Good luck tomorrow at the GP's.

I actually have a showdown with my Gastro tomorrow  Ill let you know how that goes.

Ivy - where are you? oi oi oi!  lol

Aaron - welcome - I enjoy yoga too when I feel I am becoming stiff and sore - helps loosen me up. As for sitting - UGH - that can be a real killer for me, can only sit for short periods before the need to move. I need to find the right balance between non-active to active.

Well Im being bugged to hurry up and get off

have a good day everyone

Jo

Hi Mags, got put on your med, fentenyl patches. She put me on the 25 dose patch, what strength were you on?
Shes also sending me to a pain management clinic so I feel I've been put on yet another roundabout. Here we go again....jax