Monday Check-In

I am finally seeing the end of the flu....gonna be a bright shiny week!

If it weren't for my shingles pain, I'd be doing pretty good. I've tried capsaicum cream and xylocaine patches, and either they've helped or the pain has decreased on its own, but it's still really painful, even though the rash is almost gone. I'm hoping it won't go into full post-herpatic pain and will go away on its own in a few more weeks.

Otherwise, my breath is improving after my blood clots, my inflamed esophagus is improving after being treated for acid reflux, and my cancer pain is nicely under control. There are only minimal side effects from my medicines too--minor dizziness, a little swelling in my feet--so that's nice.

Nothing planned for this week, but I'm thinking my wife and I might plan an overnight trip again someplace in a week or so if the weather cooperates, if I'm like this or better. Need to take advantage of any time I'm feeling halfway decent.

HUGS and positive vibes to everyone experiencing the awful consequences of CP. My heart goes out to all of you.

My pain has been bad the past week. Each night I've had to go to bed early because my pain is so bad, there's just nothing else I can do. I've been going to bed earlier than my 3 year old ... The pain is back to shooting down my legs, which hasn't been an issue for a while.

I had a disappointing appointment with a new nurse practitioner at the women's center I am using as my care coordination team for the past several months. She finally told me that all I can do is manage :( And I can't accept that at this point.

Appointments I need to make this week are for a GI work up, an abdominal ultrasound, and I have to schedule an appointment to get a cyst removed from my eye. It is this big ugly looking thing that keeps getting bigger, and I'm sure it will be a simple procedure to have it removed, I've just been putting it off for so long because I can't deal with one more doctor!

I've also been ignoring my accoustic neuroma. It's unlikely to be growing and again, I don't want to go to another doctor! I'm supposed to see a neuro-ENT but I haven't even called for the appointment.

Let's see . . . on Friday I had a disappointing oncologist appt., my PSA continues to rise somewhat rapidly, went from 79.9 to 114.3 in a month and am now on appts. every 2 weeks with blood draws. Good news is I found out that my neat female cat that I got from the pound is a rare Siberian Forest Cat. I was googling cats and there was her picture. The vet agrees and said that she is a genetic Sport.where a pure blood can just pop out of the strangest mixes. That makes up for the bad report . . . Q

Hi all! Well it has been 4 weeks ago today that I had my right knee replacement surgery. I got the staples out two weeks ago today I continue to have the physical therapist come to the house three times a week for PT. I was informed Friday that this would normally be my last week, but the physical therapist feels that I need to have a couple of more weeks because of the continued swelling in my knee and leg has slowed down my progression a little bit. With that said I still feel I have made great strides in gaining movement and strength in my right knee, (even with the swelling) and can just about straighten it out as much as my other leg. Bending is still a bit of a problem, ( I can bend my knee) just not quite a much as my other one, and it is still quite painful to bend. Swelling seems to be the main problem with doing that. I have two more weeks before my follow-up appointment with the surgeon and I am not suppose to drive until after that appointment. Need I say that is also another source of irritation! Other than going out to eat with my sister and brother in-law, I am more or less stuck at home! Not that I would go any where anyway, but I guess it is just the idea of being told that I shouldn't or can't! that drives me nuts! Ha!

I must admit I am a bit surprised at the speed ( or lack of it) in recovering! ( Maybe my expectations were a little to high or unreasonable) but I did think it would be easier, and I would be further along than what I actually am! I am more than a bit anxious to get back to doing "regular stuff" ( cleaning my house, taking my Christmas tree down and packing it away) (( I have taken down everything else but the tree,)) but it is so big "9 plus feet tall" and I, as of yet cannot stand on a step ladder or anything so I can reach and take down all the decorations on the top part of the tree!. I am getting a bit more than impatient at doing some of these "normal" things!

Anyway my life still goes on, and other than some minor inconveniences I am doing well! I am looking for another PCP that will give more attention to my plus three edema in my right leg, and find out what is causing it, and what needs to be done to control it. Home Healthcare nurse thinks it might help speed my right knee recovery if I can get this taken care of. Not impressed with my current PCP and his lack of attention to some things.

Anyway that is my up-date. I am ready for spring! warm weather, or maybe just a trip to Hawaii or something! LOL

I wish you all well! and hope all of you have a GREAT week!

White Beard

TM, what is your dose of morphine - is it ER or IR? I'm on 15 mg 4x/day. I started at 15 mg 3x/day.

Rick,
I'm on Extra Care and its a real life saver. Are you receiving SSDI BENEFITS AND NO OTHER GAINFUL INCOME? Then just bring your yearly statement of the amount of your monthly payment in to SSA or MEDICARE and that should set you up. Best of luck . . . Q

Yah Rick,
That sounds great, your deductible is less than ours so you should be a shoe in. Too bad that they didn't let you know about it sooner, huh? I only found out about it when the state, NM, sent me a letter about it. I think that it also closes the donut hole on plan D as well because we have never had to pay more than the regular $2.40 copayment all year long and we definitely go past the $2,350 or whatever limit is . . . Q

Been a while since I've posted. Just finishing up a few more exams this week into early next week, then I am taking next semester off. The pain and function of my eye have really not been good the past 6 mo or so. And I've also been dealing with some other major unexplained health issues, which greatly affects my ability to function. I barely made it through this last semester (actually not quite done yet, since I had to take an incomplete to finish up these last few exams thanks to all my health problems).

I have mixed feelings about taking the whole semester off. Was hoping to only take half the semester off. The school originally told me I could do it. Because after I finish these last few exams, I am done with my core academics. And I was supposed to start my clinical rotations next week. So my schedule would theoretically be much more flexible since I'll be in the hospital and not the classroom, and we start new rotations every 2 wks. But it turns out that because of financial aid reasons, it's not going to be possible to just take off a few rotations after all.

But as disappointed as I am, it's probably just as well that I have to take the whole semester off. Because we have a lot of work to do to get me "healthy" again. And two months might now have been enough time to get me feeling better, anyway.

So this now makes a total of 2 medical leaves for me. And a 4 yr program has now become 5 1/2 yrs. But hey, all that matters is that I graduate with the degree/license and my health. Not how long it took me to get there. It's a setback, but I'm a fighter. Heck, I was never supposed to make it this far, anyway, according to my doctors. So despite everything, I'm still proving them wrong!

Wish me luck. 3 more exams to go. Then next week begins the onslaught of doctors appointments.

Skeye

It's Wednesday and woke up with a stiff neck and I have to sit through a 4 hour meeting at work today. I'm in too much pain to sit this long. I'll just have to stand in the back every so often, they don't care if people do that.