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Busy day for me at the VA tommorow, finally here

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Posted 3/12/2015 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Andrew, actually could keep you busy with some wood projects, lol. I have great ideas, but suck at doing them. In the midst of building my wife a large, L shaped sewing center. Its been a struggle. Then wanting to rebuild our food pantry. Then I have a closet ceiling to replace......got a good yard man last year. But thanks for the thought.

Tim/Chart, I did not, will not, call out names, no need for apologies or expunging (not sure what that means).

I apologize for being touchy at times, have the same problem in r/l, never knows when that mood is going to hit me, I know its the pain and fatigue speaking, and not the real meal.
Posted 3/12/2015 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
ex·punge

/ikˈspənj/ verb

erase or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant).
Posted 3/13/2015 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi David,
It's sad to read what your daughter has done.
When my dad told me he had prostate cancer about 18 years ago, I tried to find out all I could about it, and help him. However, as you know it takes years for everything to soak in and feel knowledgeable enough to talk comfortably about it. I read and post here out of respect of my dad, someone I will never forget. It was awful to watch him go through what he did.

Hope you get your answer soon.
Posted 3/13/2015 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
"I apologize for being touchy at times ... I know its the pain and fatigue speaking, and not the real meal."

We know, David, we know. No need at all to apologize.
Posted 3/13/2015 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
81, thanks, meant to say real "me", not real "meal", wasn't hungry at the time.

tim, thanks for the definition, kind of thought it meant that

thanks squirm
-----------------------

today was a normal pain day, they can almost seem refreshing compared to a really bad pain day. got a letter from VA today, the ultra sound at least for my kidneys has been set up for the 27th, 3 days after I see my doctor. but then got a late phone message, too late to call back, I am betting they are going to move the 23rd March doctor appt. till after the ultra sound is done, makes more sense to me. will find out in the morning.

today, didn't plan to be so busy, but such is life. started with a 2 hour legal meeting, was held at a restaurant downtown Greenville, but I wasn't able to eat a bite myself. then came home rested 2 hours or so, then went to church and taught another history lesson in the RCIA classes for 2 hours. back home, and after doing some house work, back to resting. wife working real late, been that way all week for her, not expecting her home till 1 AM or later, poor girl.

if we win this huge bank settlement, getting closer all the time, main goal is so that my wife can retire before the end of this year. been in the case nearly 7 1/2 years now, and getting closer still to a mega settlement. she will have to wait another 2 years for early SS, but money shouldn't be an issue. we want some quality time together while I am still on this side of the grass.
Posted 3/13/2015 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
David-I am wishing you the best with your health and with the legal thing. You have so much going on. I don't know if I could deal with all that you do. Just fighting with the insurance company and billing departments wears me down. Hang tough my friend. Prayers always. I sent an email.
Posted 3/13/2015 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
thanks, faust.

everyone from my doctors to wife to mother to friends, keep pushing me to rest more and to slow down, but my answer is always the same. as long as I keep pushing forward and trying to stay busy, I feel alive, I feel relevant. the day I have to just lay back and do nothing, will be the beginning of my final decline. I can't accept that thinking at this point. I will push as hard as a can each day, trust me, my body has limits, and those limits keep approaching faster and faster. I have to keep adjusting my daily plans to the realities of how I am feeling at the moment. guess we each have our own style, no right or wrong
Posted 3/14/2015 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
FRIDAY UPDATE

mostly a stay at home rainy day, putting together wife's new "L" shaped sewing center that I designed and built. got a stack of appointment letters from the VA today ,they are doing the special kidney blood work on the 19th, then the ultra sound, then the doctor's appointment, and then reminded me of my denture impressions on the first of april. sounds like they are working hard to get things done.

tonight's big treat, took my wife to see Elton john in live concert in Greenville. Concert sold out in 2 1/2 hours, have had tickets for 2 months. Ended up with great seats by chance. Hadn't been to any music concert in the past 15 years. the crowds and noise got to me, but have to admit, that man knows how to put on a performance, it actually lasted for nearly 2 1/2 hours, virtually non-stop. was aching sore from siting so long in a cramped, hard seat with no padding - wished I had bought my seat pad along. but it was a good mind distraction. last time I saw Elton john live was in 1971, when he had barely gotten started, hard to believe he's still going at it 44 years later.
Posted 3/14/2015 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
Rock on David !!
Posted 3/15/2015 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
diane,

like all of us human "beans", its nice to have those kind of mind distraction events from time to time. I generally don't do concerts, not even to artists I like, as I have always had a wee bit of panic with loud noises and crowds. first half of 2 1/2 concert, nervous as an alley cat, plus even with a good seat, was trapped in the end of the row, so no easy way to get up, walk, or go to the "can". by second half, I kind of chilled out, and was able to enjoy it more so.

fortunately, I was having a "normal" pain day, so it made it more physically bearable to me. only wished I had been clever enough to have brought my chair pad with me, as the folding seats had zero padding, and really got to my back and hips.

it was quite the performance, for sure. made my wife happy that I was able to go, so that was worth it to me.
--------------------------------------

on another note, I saw the not so hidden meaning thread that one of our mods shut down quickly, and saw the source and the posters. I am not stupid, I know perfectly who this was being directed to, and didn't appreciate it. perhaps I should put together recent letters and prognosis reports from the VA and my oncologist, and make it available to all the non-believers and skeptics out there.

I thought it was offensive in nature, and certainly took it personally. so if that was the goal of the two posters (not counting the mod - good job btw), you won. you upset me with your false accusation that wasn't so cleverly disguised.

Perhaps its really time to rid myself of this place, which is a shame, because I honestly believe that 99% of those in this community are for real, and I have made some true r/l friends among you.

david
Posted 3/15/2015 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
ps

got 2more appointment letters from the VA today, got me booked so much for rest of March. Tells me my new VA doctor is really on the ball. Feeling a bit encouraged with all of this, perhaps answers, and solutions are soon in front of me.

Can only speak from my own limited VA medical experiences, but in my case, I am getting excellent service, and wait times have really improved.

After all these months, excited knowing that hopefully on April 1, will get fitted for my new teeth. Never thought not having any teeth for nearly 6 months would prove to be such a struggle. Like many health issues, you don't know how good you got it, until its taken away from you. Now I got to learn all about denture care. Some of its sounds creepy, but it should make a huge improvement for me.
Posted 3/15/2015 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hello David ~ We think of you often and like to check in to see how you're doing. It seems each time you're waiting to see a new doctor. I certainly hope you will receive answers and some good solutions! God bless you dear friend!
Posted 3/15/2015 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey you.... have a good week and remember, "Eat papa, nobody likes a skinny santa."

Thinking of you.....

PS on an aside re: controlled substances (Narcotics) laws state that pharmacies can accept faxed copies in certain cases- use in assisted living and nursing homes, hospice patients and patients that are terminally ill (don't have to be under hospice care). They just have state on the prescription which of the above it is (ie: IE: terminally ill patient). Then the faxed copy is accepted just like an original. I can get you the copy of this if you would like. Its helped many of our patients and for some reason not well known, but we have been using it a lot more now that the laws changed last Oct.

Take care my friend.
Posted 3/15/2015 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
David,

I have stuck by you on this forum for nearly 7 years in support. Let the record speak for itself.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1266050

Post Edited (Tim G) : 3/16/2015 8:55:18 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/15/2015 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
David, I've only been around here a short time, and I don't know what to say about your situation. I'd only suggest that there are many here who are on your side. You have to do whatever you need to do to maintain your sanity. Whatever you choose, may the road rise to meet you....
Posted 3/16/2015 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
David, I either missed a few posts that have since been deleted, or missed the meaning ( or what you took as the meaning) of them.

Just want to say I hope you stick around, if not for your sake, then as an example,to others here who run into trouble , of what being tough and determined means.
Posted 3/16/2015 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
same here prato....we missed all the action! turn
Posted 3/16/2015 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
aimzee, just posted to you here, and it all disappeared. thanks, hope ron is doing well, haven't seen a report about him in a while. it has been frustrating with the doctor changes, none of them by my choice, as it change only has added in more time getting tests and answers. most of last year was wasted with a neuro and my long term PCP throwing me under the bus when they couldn't come up with easy answers. both of them vowed to me, that "they would never give up", lol. then when I turned it over to the VA, was just getting somewhere with the first doctor, and then without any warning, they switched doctors on me. the new one is great, and very on the ball, so I am hoping the VA wont switch him off of me. got many appointments and test lined up the rest of the month going into April, and hopefully will have some results and answers soon.

kuku, thanks for the tip. aware of how that works with nursing homes, rehab, hospice. for now, all sides feels that is best for me to make that once a month trip in person for scripts. too much chance of losing it in the mail, happened before, and that starts another chain of problems.

halbert, thanks for your words.

prato and casper, no fears, no remarks were directed toward you or anything you have ever said, don't have any issues whatsoever. appreciate any support that comes this way, as I support you both openly in your own journey's.

tim, don't have any issue with your support over the years, you are a decent person. appreciate your care and concern.
Posted 3/16/2015 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Will not be adding any more to this thread, getting kind of long, makes it hard to follow. Have first tests this week lined up on Wednesday and Thursday, soon as I get any kind of results or feed backs, will start a new one.

Thanks everyone, appreciate your words and efforts and care on my behalf. Couldn't do it as easily without it.

Got an intensely busy week lined up, makes me tired just thinking about it, going to have to pace myself to make all my commitments, or may have to slice off some of the non-essential parts. Can't do it all anymore.
Posted 3/16/2015 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Purgatory- you don't have to be in hospice to be terminal. And you don't have to be in any of the above to allow the pharmacies to accept faxed prescriptions for scheduled narcotics, but you do have to be considered terminal. Trust me, they have done this for Paul's and at work we do it for others. Works very well. There is no way Paul could drive 70 miles each way just to pick up his medicine each month that's for sure, so hats off to you if you are able.
Posted 3/16/2015 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
If I would let the VA take over the pain management part, problem would be solved. Could simply drive 10 miles each way and pick up meds at the outpatient clinic. However, VA dr. advised not to, if I were happy with current set up as my oncologist is also my pain manager.

The VA will not supply Fentanyl, instead, they want to put me on straight Morphine, which neither me, nor my oncologist agree with. Plus with the VA's still ongoing reputation with delays and such, a person on long term pain meds could be in a mess if the supply line got screwed up due to whatever the reason.

So its a balancing act either way.

The same VA doctor advised me to stick to my Oncologist, as he stated they didn't possess any oncologist of my oncologist's experience and expertise in the entire VA network in SC. If I didn't have a doctor, they would supply one out of Columbia, certainly not one specializing in advance PC and BC, and would involve a 250 mile round trip every time I needed to see him/her. So that doesn't even make sense.

But I do understand and appreciate what you are saying.
Posted 3/16/2015 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
David,
When I get the chance I check in on your thread. You are quite an inspiration to me and I wish you the best. Awesome that you got to see EJ live. I think he may be the best male vocalist ever!
Beth
Posted 3/16/2015 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
"And I think it's going to be a long, long time"
Posted 3/17/2015 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
David, took my wife and daughter to see Elton John in Savannah a couple of years ago. He puts on an incredible show. We have done our best to see our rock and roll favorites of our youth. For the most part we didn't get that chance in our younger years. The bands may be older but they can still put on a show. And it does give us an opportunity to forget for a couple of hours all the crap that eats up our daily lives. Continued best wishes!
Jim
Posted 3/17/2015 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Why won't VA supply fentanyl? What are the differences with that and morphine? Paul was on the patches but they put him on the morphine and now just increased his dose when really it should be going down but pain has been ramping up lately with the incision herniating more now. Starting to think the GI stuff will take him long before the Pca at this point.
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