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Posted 4/25/2017 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
So, I got one raised bed moved to it's new location. No simple task. Pulled out weeds, dug up plants, shoveled the soil out into bins, moved the structure, shoveled the soil back in, set up fencing around it...

Raining today...forced break. Glad of it!

I'll use some of the soil from the second raised bed to 'top off' the first. Then I can plant the lettuce and move some strawberry plants.

After I move the second bed I'll have to buy more garden soil to top it off. I will have to ask my neighbor, John, if he will drive me in his truck. The tailgate latch on mine is broken. Waah! He is a lawn maintenance guy and has a lift on the back of his truck!

Hopefully I can get this all done by the end of the week. I need to start the sugar snap peas, cucumbers and buy the tomato transplants! I'm late on the peas as it is!

The flower beds are getting a good soaking. This is the kind of rain we want, gentle, not pounding. So far, the berm in the dog yard is helping redirect most of the water. Only one puddle so far!
Posted 4/25/2017 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I know the feeling of glad it started raining especially when you need a break from the work. Will it be hot for the peas since you are getting a late start? I Hope not. Do you have a shady spot for them? I kind of wanted to grow peas, I can start a late crop I guess.

I need to get moving on my gardening if I am going to do it. I got a lot of little things to do. Spread soil, weed, get some seeds and tomato plants. I got seeds the other day a package of cosmos, sage and curly leaf parsley. I put them up on the thing with a card and some breath savers. The clerk did everything and I bagged the groceries. I didn't see the seeds and when I got home, they weren't there. They didn't charge me for them either. It is just so strange, I don't know what happened to them. Oh well, they were kind of expensive anyway. I will get plants when I can. And seeds.

I hope you all have a good day.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/25/2017 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. Sounds like the gardening season is moving in. Still a bit early for gardening here.

I feel myself slipping back a bit further in my depression. Probably
because my mobility has been growing more difficult. Starting to lose
hope of ever felling good again. Tired of this stupid waiting game to see
a rheumatologist. I see my GP this afternoon , but I don't expect much
change. I just wish ( I think ... ) I knew what is happening to my body.
Day to day stuff is getting too tough for me to keep up with. No real support system ( except Lupin ) to help me along either.
Sorry for being a downer....I don't mean to be one. I'm just tired of
seeing and feeling my condition worsen, and I'm tired of not knowing
how I will feel from day to day.
I've written and sent am email to our provincial opposition leader,
explaining about my wait ( 107 weeks now , as far as I can figure ) to
see a rheumatologist. I've received no reply yet.
Well, I had better start getting myself cleaned-up and ready for my
doctors appointment.
Hope you all have a good day,
Derwood.
Posted 4/25/2017 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Derwood:

Sorry to hear about this.

You say: "I've written and sent am email to our provincial opposition leader, explaining about my wait ( 107 weeks now , as far as I can figure ) to see a rheumatologist. I've received no reply yet."

107 weeks? What kind of medical system are we dealing with?

Do they have anything for people who can't pay for medical help?

107 weeks?

I went to mayoclinc.org, and they said:

"There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But recent discoveries indicate that remission of symptoms is more likely when treatment begins early with strong medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Medications

The types of medications recommended by your doctor will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how long you've had rheumatoid arthritis.

•NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects may include ringing in your ears, stomach irritation, heart problems, and liver and kidney damage.

•Steroids. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, reduce inflammation and pain and slow joint damage. Side effects may include thinning of bones, weight gain and diabetes. Doctors often prescribe a corticosteroid to relieve acute symptoms, with the goal of gradually tapering off the medication.

•Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. Common DMARDs include methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, Rasuvo), leflunomide (Arava), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).

Side effects vary but may include liver damage, bone marrow suppression and severe lung infections.

•Biologic agents. Also known as biologic response modifiers, this newer class of DMARDs includes abatacept (Orencia), adalimumab (Humira), anakinra (Kineret), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), rituximab (Rituxan), tocilizumab (Actemra) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz).
Posted 4/25/2017 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Derwood:

Under "Diseases & Conditions" on this website, there is a forum, like this one, titled, "Rheumatoid Arthritis."

It has other people who have your condition.

It also has at the top a "Resources" section which can be looked at.

Do you think that might help?
Posted 4/25/2017 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tim Tam. Thank you for reminding me that 107 weeks IS
much to long to wait. I can hardly believe it myself,except that I'm
living it, so I know it's real.
I'm at the point now with my illness that it is all I can do to make it to my local doctors appointment. How I'll ever manage to
travel 200 miles return to see this rheumatologist ( assuming that
some day I actually get a call and an appointment) is starting to
eat away at me.
My doctors appointment today didn't do much for me except
confuse me more sad I got the " Us doctors are getting pressure to
lower the amount of opiates we prescribe " chat today.
My doctor upped my fentanyl dosage slightly ( I'm at 125 mcg/h
now ) but he also increased my dosage of amitriptiline from 10 mg to 20 and tried to explain that this won't help my pain, but it may help me accomplish more each day. (????????????). I don't understand that. I'm a bit bummed-out after today's appointment.
He also put me on a waiting list for a " pain clinic " but didn't
explain what that meant.
I'm getting pretty discouraged now. i'm feeling more depressed
after today's appointment than before I went in today. I feel like
I'm losing this battle.

Derwood.
Posted 4/25/2017 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Derwood:

Glad you replied.

I have a condition which can be helped, but it's 700 miles away, and this condition is such that it prohibits travel.

So there's a double bind there. So, I know the frustration of that.

Does your area take care of the expenses if one cannot afford treatment?

Or, do they simply wait very long, like 107 weeks, before they get to see you? Is there a shortage of medical doctors in your area, or a lack of funds to have more doctors so that more patients can be treated?

Or, to put it another way, what is the problem?

Can you check out the "Rheumatoid Arthritis" forum on this website?

What is the deal with the 200 mile visit to see the rheumatoid doctor? Do you have transportation over there? Would your condition make it difficult to get over there?

What does your doctor today say about you having to wait 107 weeks for help? Are you in a war zone over there? What's the deal?

You say, " i'm feeling more depressed after today's appointment than before I went in today" and "I'm a bit bummed-out after today's appointment." That does sound very upsetting.

You say, "He also put me on a waiting list for a " pain clinic " but didn't explain what that meant."

I talked to someone recently who has back pain, and that person talked about pain clinics in this area. I didn't know what that was, either. From what I gather, they go in and talk about getting their pain treated, with medication, etc.

Keep letting us know what is going on with this.
Posted 4/26/2017 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Good evening everyone.

Jamie, thank you for your support, it's always appreciated. I would assume you are up and about at this time. I hope it is a very good day for you on all counts.

Karen, thank you. It is so good to see you, too. I hope you will be able to go back for the seeds soon. I've had that 'fun' of picking out just the right seeds, to find they never made into my bag. I started some seeds inside, and I've put some cool weather plants into the ground. I still have a few cool weather plants to get into the ground. It has been raining heavily the past few days. The weather man called it 'toad strangling rain', I laughed. So far, he's right. lol

Derwood, I feel so bad for you w/ that ridiculous wait of 107 wks. I'm so sorry you have to deal w/ time line, and that length of travel. I hope the pain clinic can help you and soon. Is there anything your gp can do, or must you see the specialist?

Tim Tam, I am amazed at the distance you would have to travel to receive help. Yes, that must be so frustrating. I wish there was something closer to help you.

I have been in the house all day, except for walking the puppies. My little men do not like rain, so it's been fun convincing them they need to go out. Not!

I spent yesterday cleaning the bathroom and today cleaning our bedroom. Ugggg! I need the rain to stop and the sun to shine, so I can go play in the dirt. Lol.

Working in the garden at least gets me out of my head for a little while.

Well, I'm going to call it a day and try to sleep. I wish you all a good night and/ or a good day.

God bless. Alice.
Posted 4/26/2017 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
We are into rain now too after a couple of sunny days. They say April showers bring May flowers. We'll see. I am anxious for more of my perennials to come up. They should probably be up by now.

I went mushroom hunting last night and all that walking made for a good sleep. I slept three hours later than usual. That was nice.

Thanks for the reply Alice. It really is nice to see you posting again.

Hugs to all...

Karen...
Posted 4/26/2017 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
yeah, i'm still here, holdin' up the bar!!! am tired, but it cold, sis came late, wrecked me routine. she comin' early, as she is going away, and i got to look after mum, take her to an appt, then on the train. and it is expletive cold!!! other son to take care of her for a bit. be good. hi trendy, ib, et al.
Posted 4/26/2017 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Derwood, what can I say? My daughter has Cushings' Disease and the best specialist is out in California, while we reside in New Jersey. We don't stand a snowballs chance in Hades of ever seeing him. That being said, we could have her records sent out for review and he could give recommendations. I wonder if your records could be sent ahead to the specialist for consideration?

We have more rain. On the 'bright side'...it has washed away most of the waste in the dog yard and flushed the soil well. No longer does the yard smell like an uncleaned urinal. I pick up the solids every day but there isn't much I can do about the liquid, especially in winter with the hose line shut down.

I weeded the back path, always easier when the soil is softened by rain. Now I can actually see the bricks!

I have an MRI of the hip scheduled this afternoon. Must go change into clothes with no metal.

Hope everyone has a peaceful day.
Posted 4/27/2017 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

Derwood- I do not think that you are gonna lose the battle with RA or depression. You have enough fight to do this and I know that you do. I know it is hard as well, I do not have RA, but I do have arthritis and have since I was a pre-teen so I know the pain and not being able to do much about it. A pain clinic here is pain management for those who are on med's and have a need for help beyond the meds. My hands, knees and hips are the worst. My back is getting bad as well. NEVER GIVE UP! Life is worth the fight.

HT- I hope that your mum got off well. I hope you didn't get too cold out there either. Hope you had a calmer day and have an awesome night shelled buddy.

Pitmom- I am glad that you are able to take a little rest and let mother nature do a little work for ya. Your garden is gonna be so pretty and comfy when it is done. Good job on the work.

Karen- I hope you found the mushrooms that you wanted, I hope that the rain brings super bright and smell just awesome too!

Well I am super tired today and my resolve for not going back on a sleep aid is fading. I got a call from my friend who lost her brother and her and pops sound really good, I am so glad. I took care of the game drama and I also put everyone involved that I will zero my self out should I be talked to in such a manner again. The person who caused drama was promptly kicked out of his alliance and told/showed what happens when I am messed with. So thing's are better now.

My sister was going to sale me her bike and she came down tonight and gave it to me! I was shocked! I am very grateful also. Well I am off, STAY STRONG AND KEEP FIGHTING
Posted 4/27/2017 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all!! Sorry I have been gone for a bit--as PitMom says,"Garden season." I have been working a lot as well--as it is final project season and standardized test season.

I have decided to live without teeth in the back of mouth on the left side. The bridge is just too expensive to get replaced.

The garden is well-I lost all my butternut squash to the cold. But that is it, I think. I still have eggplant and melons to go out--and have started 4 tomato plants to go out near the end of June. I have already been pulling radishes for a week. Tomorrow-sunny and 80.

We are in a valley alongside the Appalachians. There are lots of rocks, from that durned glacier that created the mountains and the valleys. I dug out a bunch--and took the biggest ones home and painted them. I got a set of letter stamps and labelled the various veggies. I also made three memorial stones for the gardeners--my Dad, my sister, and my Aunt, who died in February. These are little, but still nice.

My family and I are headed to MA next week to wrap up my aunt's belongings, and attend the memorial/burial. She will be buried in a veteran's cemetery, due to her service in the Navy in World War II. I pulled some photos from the twenties through the forties. I like looking at the old photos. The history is so very complex.

I realize more and more recently how my family environment shapes who I am, irrevocably. Anxiety governs my interactions with others. Being unhappy with my life is genetic in so many ways--active change takes time and mindfulness. It is sad tome to look at my life and realize the limitations I put upon myself.

Be well.all.
Posted 4/27/2017 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Anxiety takes over me too Myself. And I have put limitations on myself too. So much I didn't do.

I am happy with my sheltered little life though. For the most part. I feel safe.

Maybe that isn't the way it is suppose to go through. People should travel and live and be happy. I guess I wasn't goal orientated enough. I don't seem to have enough interest to go out and get things I want. You have to have the means though.

I am glad you posted. It has been a little while. Happy gardening...

Hugs, Karen...

Good day to all... Turtle, Pitmom, Dawn, Myself...
Posted 4/27/2017 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, and thanks so very much for the encouragementsmile

I have visited and posted several times in the " Rheumatoid Arthritis" forum , but I'm going to spend some more time there, reading up, doing research, asking questions, etc. Thanks for reminding me of this and encouraging me to check it out Tim Tam.

Regarding the 107 ( scratch that ) ... regarding the 108 weeks wait, nobody seems concerned. My doctor says there nothing " he "
can do. I got one reply from the Minister of Health saying he would
look into it for me, but he hasn't gotten back to me, even after a
second email about a week after the first ( 2 weeks ago now, since the 1st email ). I emailed our opposition leader and got no reply. i
will be remembering that when election time comes around....

I contacted our " Athritis Society of PEI " , and asked if the long
wait was normal. I got a response that never addressed my question
at all, but suggested that I phone xxx-xxx-xxxx blah blah blah. To
further insult, my reply was ended with an exclamation mark, as if
I had a bad attitude for asking if 107 weeks waiting ( without even
a date scheduled ) was normal. sad

Anyway, after 2 days of mostly sleeping I feel reasonably good
today. Further, I asked my brother to schedule anouther appointment with my GP ( I was too down to do it ) and asked if he would come with me. He said " no problem " .

Thank heavens for my brother Steve, and thank heavens for my
friends/comrades/compatriots at Healing Well , and thank heavens
for Lupin smile

Thank you ALL so very much. I will keep in touch smile

Derwood.
Posted 4/27/2017 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I just read 2 pages of posts to catch up and I forget most of it!

Apologies if I omit someone.

I feel the frustration for arthritis suffers, I have had it since I was 20. It is bilateral in all joints, but not RA. Ostio, but it is coupled with DJD. I have slowed both down, DJD almost to a stop until recently, with 3,000 units of GLUCOSCINMINE [SP?] a day.

Rumetoid, well that is a whole other store and I do not have any suggestion for that.

about, anxiety. Recently in group it has been a frequent topic. So I have been pondering it, so I don't have to think of my stuff. Nice avoidance huh?

Anyway, this is what I think. There is not a script for life. We all do the best we can. Worrying about our limitations is a kind of self-harm, I know this first hand, I did it to myself today.
If we have at least one person to love, support and share our lives, we are ahead of the game.
So what if our lives are 'smaller' than others? Are others happy? Look at Robin Williams, just for an example.
Self care and self compassion are far more important than concentrating on our limitations.

That being said, I of course am still trying to achieve this.

Today my pain in the foot was low, head pain was low, so I ran errands, planted 3 plants, 2 personals and a blueberry bush. cleaned off the patio, cleaned the pots out on the patio. Hosed it and the furniture.

NOW, my foot throbs, and my head pain is an 8 and rising. So when I am done on the forum, I will take a codine and lay down. Just ate 2 eggs and 2 mangos. Had to force the eggs.

I forget what else I was going to say.

Wish peace for all
Trina
Posted 4/27/2017 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Well I'm glad you are so strong Trina. You should be proud of that, but you definitely should NOT lack empathy for those who don't have that inner strength that you do. I have noticed this characteristic in you and
imho you should work on improving this. As the old saying goes " If you
haven't something good to say, perhaps you shouldn't say anything ".

That said, I want to be clear : my provisional diagnosis is RA. That
is all. Provisional. To learn more , I have to see a specialist ( yes, the person I have been waiting over 2 years to see ).

Peace all,
Derwood and Lupin.

Post Edited (Derwood) : 4/27/2017 4:05:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/27/2017 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Garden update...I got the second raised bed moved yesterday after it stopped raining for a while. I'll have to buy garden soil to 'top it off'. Planted the red leaf lettuce. I want to get 'ever bearing' strawberries for the bottom section of raised bed #1. I have some June bearing plants in the front bed now.

The flowering quince is nearly done, the leaves are filling in and the blossoms are being hidden. The hot pink azalea is just starting to bloom. The lilac is about 1/2 way open. I have a Korean lilac in the back yard that will bloom for the very first time this year! So excited! The lily of the valley will be up next in the bloom procession. Everything smells amazing already.

I've spotted some milkweed starting up on the side of the house and the rose campion should be stunning again this year. I planted some cardinal vine, some blanket flowers, some nasturtium and of course, sunflowers.

Even with torrential rain yesterday the back yard did not flood! No puddles! There's more work to be done out there but I am so happy!

Myself, I can't believe you're harvesting already and all I've managed to plant is one red leaf lettuce! Waah! Sorry to hear about your squash. The painted stones sound lovely.

Hope everyone has a peaceful day.
Posted 4/28/2017 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
hi all. like a noxious weed i am, you can't kill me!!! i keep popping back up!!! spray bottles at the ready whilst i blast out 'fight fire with fire' by Metallica!!!! the turtle chuckles.
Posted 4/28/2017 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
Fight the good fight HT! One mans weed is another mans flower! I leave a section of my property to the 'weeds'. Much of them provide food for bees and butterflies. Dandelions, wild ajuga, bindweed, to name a few. There is room for everything here. Some are the earliest blooms of the season and without them...

That being said, my frustration comes when the bindweed (wild morning glory) tries to cover my other plants instead of growing on the trellis I've provided! My nemesis! lol
Posted 4/28/2017 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Derwood, I don't think Trina was lacking EMPATHY in her post. She said she didn't know anything about Rheumatoid. So there fore she couldn't help. I think your thread was a little harsh towards her. That is just my take on it though. I may have missed something along the line somewhere.

Just my opinion...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/28/2017 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Well , I've reread Trina's post and I still get a very ill feeling about
it. In particular the "Robin Williams " paragraph.
Quite inappropriate considering the thoughts I have been having.
I feel that paragraph is in very poor taste. Does she know if I share
the feelings Robin Williams had?

I'm sorry you feel the way you do Karen.

Perhaps I need a break from Healing Well, but I stand firmly on my
post.
Regards,
Derwood.
Posted 4/28/2017 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Derwood, before you wander off the plantation,

I think you should consider what Pitmom said above on 4-26:

She said:

"Derwood, what can I say? My daughter has Cushings' Disease and the best specialist is out in California, while we reside in New Jersey. We don't stand a snowballs chance in Hades of ever seeing him.

"That being said, we could have her records sent out for review and he could give recommendations. I wonder if your records could be sent ahead to the specialist for consideration?"

Have you considered mailing your records to the Rheumatoid doctor who you said you had been wanting to see for a long time?

Could you ask your general practice doctor about this? I would not send my original records, I would send a copy of the records.

You could call your general practice doctor's secretary and ask her about this, if your next appt. is way off.

That might be a way to do this. Get him to be in touch with your general practice doctor.

If one doctor does not agree to do this, maybe you could find another. Or, call the Rheumatoid doctor, and ask his secretary if this can be done.

Perhaps there is a doctor in your area who he could work with, perhaps your general practice doctor.

Believe you can get this done. Be positive that you can reach this goal.

Of course, if he says he doesn't have time to see you, maybe that means he doesn't have time to look at your records, either.

So, this might not be the solution.

Do you live in a country that has few medical people?
Posted 4/28/2017 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
I believe he is in Canada TimTam.

Not positive though.

Derwood I am sorry for the thoughts you have been having. I hope you have a plan to get ahold of crisis if need be. I am sure some of it has to do with you not getting to see the rheumy. I am sorry you are going through that. Have you learned anymore on the rheumy forum? I don't think you should leave just because of this, but I understand if you feel you need a break.

I hope things get better on all counts.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/28/2017 9:51 PM (GMT 0)

Derwood said...
Well I'm glad you are so strong Trina. You should be proud of that, but you definitely should NOT lack empathy for those who don't have that inner strength that you do. I have noticed this characteristic in you and
imho you should work on improving this. As the old saying goes " If you
haven't something good to say, perhaps you shouldn't say anything "


Derwood.

It is unfortunate that you are so upset over a post that I was trying are to be kind and supportive in.

It is true I know next to nothing about RA, would you have rather me post false information?

As for mentioning R.W., it was the only iconic name I could think of that people might connect with, in order to see, that their life does not have to be any bigger than it currently is, that anyone can find contentment and peace within their life now, while learning to love themselves. AND I said it was what "I thought"

We all get into bad dark places.

None of us, know how one post will effect other person. This is what the guidelines are for.

If you do not appreciate my posts you can block me.

The thumbs down button is "ignore." If there's a member such as myself, who really irritates you, you can click on that thumbs down on any post by me/them and block all of their posts from your page. Everyone else will still see them, but they will be hidden from you.

Peace
Trina
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