Pete81241

Hi Pete,
I have a power wheel chair and a manual purple one as well and of course a bright red scooter. After my first back surgery, as I was loosing my ability to walk and stand for any length of time, my physiatrist felt that I would need them and I did.....but I am stubborn and didn't want to give in, although I used them for some months after...but I refused to give in and kept using a 5 prong cane, which I still use to this day, as well as afo's.....I have found that as long as I keep fighting, I have a reason to keep going. I have 4 kids, two girls and two boys. My older two are the girls, one 20 and one will be 18 in a few weeks....my sons are only 13 and 11.. They were even younger when all of this started and I just couldn't not try.....I always told my kids that no matter what life throws at you, you pick yourself up and keep going....so I do.
I find joys in the little things in life, knitting for a few hours, playing with my kids and my puppy..she's my little love now...and I find something to make me smile each day.......
I'll bet those grandkids keep you going.....and you are giving them memories , they will treasure and I'm sure you already do.
Do you do any wood carving? I always wanted to learn how to do that.....
Keep excercising, it does help to preserve some of the muscle and we all know how important it is to keep moving, even when it hurts. Laying around does nothing but makes things that much more difficult.....

Morning Pete,
It sounds wonderful at your house this morning. My two sons just left on a winter overnight camping trip with their Scout Leader...it's cold here, but I packed them extra thermals and hats and gloves, so they will be warm.
Working with the wood sounds like wonderful therapy and you never know , you might find an interested buyer somewhere. You'd be surprised what people pay for , and how they are willing to pay someone with an eye for designs. You should really give it a try.
I know that if my canal closes anymore and it will eventually, I will need those chairs again, but for now, I only need them on occassion, so I keep them. I have found that I use the scooter more for longer distances, because walking a distance is still tough for me, but for now, I can make do with the cane for the most part.
We had a dog, for almost 17 years but he passed away two summers ago, and we were devastated so I didn't want to get another dog for a long time, but my new girl, is a crapzu-maltese , not even 5 pounds ( she only weighed 2 pounds when we got her) is my joy...she loves me and my family like there is no one else in the world and she jumps to almost 3 feet when we come home , and kisses us as if we are her sun, moon and stars...she has us all completely wrapped around her tiny paws. I wish that I could send you a picture, you'd see why we love her so much...
You might love a small dog, and I'll bet that you would find having one a huge addition to your days, especially on the bad ones. I have found that when I am having a tough day, she knows and seems to watch over me that much more..she's a wonderful companion. Want me to talk to your wife? I can convince her... :o)

Welcome, Pete. I have had brain surgeries also. Hope you are doing well. You seem to have a fun personality. My dads name is Pete. He's my best buddy and biggest supporter.

Maryann

Pete, seems like you were going to do a trial for a pain pump, did that ever happen? It seems like you would be a good candidate for a pump. At my last refill almost 2 weeks ago,the computer showed that the low battery is now showing on my pump.This battery has lasted a long time, so its time for a new pump to be put on.

I read that you sleep on the floor, wow, I don't know how in the world you pull that one off. I cannot sit in the floor let alone even think about sleeping on it. If I sit more than 15 minutes on my brick hearth I am in trouble, the same with metal chairs. I know you said you have a wheelchair, are you able to use it? Is there something wrong with the fit now of your wheelchair?

Take care.....Susie

Thanks for answering my questions, hope you can get your pain pump trial soon! Do keep us posted on that, it's good your trying to stay as active as possible. I finally got out yesterday and did some yard work, hate the yard work, everyone here uses a mowing service except us and get this those mowers blow all the leaves into the street and they always seem to find our yard, all those leaves, my hubby and I were out there for 3 hours and we still have lots of leaves yet to get cleaned up! Let the leaf war begin, eh...I might blow them out into the street, sure would be nice if those leaves just blew away.

Where are the pumps located. Is this to come off all pain med?
Pete have you ever got your date for the trial? I know your a patient man, but its been a long time. I am sure this will held you. Did you fix your ramp in the van?

Hey Pete....

Welcome back. I've been on here several years... but we must have missed each other before..... (I've spent time off the board off/on over the years).

Anyway.... I've got multiple pain/health issues.... I also have eight kids.... six of which I had before my pain/health issues started.... and surprise twins that came along years after the boys.... Being on here for me, at least, is a brief escape from the insanity of the kids, house and managing my health - which is a FT job in itself.

Just wanted to say hello. I like your sense of humor. I gotta keep laughing each day or I'd give up, lol..... Take care and hope to get to know you better.

--Tina

Thanks Pete for explaining how it works.

Pete I know you had a bad day yesterday. I hope you are doing just a little better today.

Yes Pete we got snow, rain and freezing rain. I am happy you got the lift fix. Did you have to bring it in or you fixed it. Pete not to good of a pain day, but might be able to manage to get in the hot tub tonight. Hubby will help me.

Pete do you have a date set up to do the trial? My pump is refilled every 5-6 weeks, its a older unit and my dr says the medicine loses its effectiveness sitting in the pumps. So, she changes the meds out much sooner than 90 days.

Susie

Yes, when they put in a new pump they remove everything. Omg, you ate something that morning, oh wow, I would have thought as many surgeries as you have had you would have been on automatic pilot and not touched food. I know live & learn. I hate to hear that you think the dr is kind of putting you on the back burner.

Not every dr does this, however, there must be something to it. One of our members had a pump & noticed a few days before before her refill qppt her pain always increased for no reason. So, she told her dr how my dr changes the meds out & he moved up her refill dates and her pain stopped spiking.

I hear you about the pain flaring but since this pump trial is about reducing pain I would think this is one admission if it did increase it would be ok because they could tweak the meds. You get up & move around & do things when doing the trial. That would be the perfect time to have an increase in pain I would think. Haven't you been trying to do a trial for well over a year, thats an awful
long time to have waited. It you are serious about doing a trial I would be calling that drs office every day until I got a trial date.

Take care....Susie

Wow Pete this does not sound good. When did you call them last.