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The Road Of Life ~ Part 3 of 4 CLOSED

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Posted 11/6/2010 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Friends,
I'd love it if you'd all help me generate a list of questions for my trip to the surgeon on Tuesday. It's definitely not an open and shut situation. I'm not even positive that a redo is the solution. We shall see. Thanks in advance, for helping me think of questions!
Denise
Posted 11/6/2010 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
How about... Will a dilation help it?
Posted 11/7/2010 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, still struggling with my asthma and sinus drainage. The steroids made my blood too thin so now have to go back to 2x a week. I am so glad I have a dear friend at work that understands because she has a blood clot in her brain and her blood has been too thick and then too thin. She told me yesterday that she was so glad she had me to talk to and she gave me a big hug. I told her she has been a great comfort to me have someone that understands. You can't even imagine how awful being on a blood thinner unless you experience it first hand. I am so glad God brought my new friend who understands into my life. I'm still working away on organizing my scrap book room in between all the therapy, blood and allergy appointments. I'm finding out how truly awful my new insurance is too of late. Not a good thing. I'm going to just concentrate on the good things like Bella coming to visit and all the very needed repairs that my future son in law is doing on my little car. He's redoing the whole front which cost $300 in parts and would have been over a thousand in labor. I'm lucky to be alive since my steering could have went at anytime.

Janice, I'll keep sending those prayers up for you. Headaches are really awful to deal with. I've never had migrains but have sisters and other family members that get them including my daughter. I can't imagine what it's like. I've only had sinus headaches and from my nitro pills.

Bill, so glad you're getting the help you need and some good news. Have you looked into the possibility of a wheat allergy causing all or some of the tummy troubles? Fish oil helps with inflamation in the digestive system and helps your heart too.

Denise, I'm sending up prayers for the baby and mom? I had that with my son and he was healthy. My asthma is still acting up along with the sinus. I'm not sure if it is my stomach or my sinus making my asthma bad. It could be the mildew and mold left behind by the flood of poo water in July. I can't stand to be in the basement for more than 10 minutes. I want my daughter to rip out the walls. The walls are not worth my health. I can't get any more allergy shots either until my asthma calms down. The steroids aren't doing my stomach any favors. You should ask your doc if you have the swallowing problem dysphagia which can be a side effect of the surgery. That's what I have and if I lie down with out swallowing about 20 times what ever food or liquid that is trapped in there comes back up and chokes me. I had the same results of the barium swallow that you did and they wanted to loosen my wrap but told me it would most likely result in more acid reflux from the stomach again and I sure didn't need that. Good luck I'll be interested to hear how things go. Well I hope for your sake.

Joy, I've heard the same thing about rotator cuff surgery. It should be done sooner than later. I sure hope it's not that though for your sake. It's good that you got right on that and in to the doc. That's how my arm was too when the doc had me try to lift it and it was arthritis and bursitis from what they told me. I hope your feeling better.

Kitt, I think the ballet will be one of her favorite things well unless it is put up against a dog related activity. How did your daughters doggie halloween party go? That sounded like so much fun. Our little guy wore his pumpkin costume this year. Abby just wore her coat and looked cute too. Take care and I'll try to check in tomorrow. It's back to organizing again for me. Barb
Posted 11/7/2010 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Dear everyone; Joy, thank God you went to the Doctor, even though it means more treatments, please heal correctly and quickly!

Bill, I have finally been diagnosed with small bowel bacterial overgrowth with co-concurrence of uro-genitary complications...yeah..wow. I have to be on Flagyl one week a month for 5 to 10 months; except that you can't be on an antibiotic for two weeks prior...I've had ten urinary tract infections in less than one year, how the h*** am I going to stay off of an antibiotic so that I can start an antibiotic? Sounds funny just saying it doesn't it; so, I am going to try massive amounts of probiotics; maybe that will help the uro part long enough for me to treat the bowel part.

Kitt, I have had MRI's on my back, I have bulges, tears, spurs, stenosis and arthritis and I have a GREAT pain mgt specialist. I'm sorry to hear about the skin cancer...don't you just want to say enough already!!!! Please be careful, the infections from last time are still fresh in my mind, so I can imagine how you feel...you're not going to let them do that many again, right??

I just saw my orthopod for a re-check on my knees and shoulder. The good news is that my knees are better; we're doing a 3 week synovist regimen instead of the 5 week hyalgan treatment; my knees don't look like they need the extra stuff..yay!!
The not so good, is my shoulder is going to require more surgery; I have developed two large deposits of calcium..again..but, tough, it's going to have to get a lot worse for me to have surgery again.

The lithium for the headaches helps a lot, but it makes me feel so nauseous that I'm cutting it out. Barb, have you tried hot soaking baths? They may not be as good as muscle relaxers, but the heat may help your back and the steam may help you breathe?

Denise, I'm coming up with questions for you; from my experience, besides the obvious, how many have you done? is the follow up, how many of those that have been done have complications, and what are those complications?

The next few weeks I see my breast surgeon, my headache neuro, my reconstruction specialist, my orthopedist and my family Dr...my poor husband, I feel bad for him...mostly, I just feel guilty.
Posted 11/7/2010 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Janice,
Don't feel guilty! You didn't choose to have to go to all those docs. Your husband knows that. I know...when you're the one dragging to doctors all the time, it does get old, and you do notice that your husband is the one dragging you there! However, you know your husband wants what's best for you, and would not be happy to think you're feeling guilty! I do get it, though.

I expect I'm in for some testing, which is fine. I think we all have one thing in common--our cases are complex, and there isn't a cut-and-dried, simple, obvious answer or course of action. I've got to get busy and start writing my questions so I'm ready for my appointment. I really appreciate your insights and ideas. Thanks so much.

Bacterial overgrowth--yikes! I've heard of that. I assume it's from antibiotics? I hope you get that straightened around ASAP. It is disturbing as we take multitudes of meds for various and sundry reasons to know that the meds themselves can cause other problems. Sometimes I worry that I'm creating a vicious circle. It's a Catch 22 for sure.

Barb,
I'm glad you've found a friend to connect with. That makes such a difference. Thanks for the good wishes about my daughter in law and baby. Her blood pressure hasn't gone down yet, so she called the doc and they doubled her dosage. I guess they want to know if the BP meds bring it down within a few hours. They're trying to keep the baby in for as long as they can, because the continues to be important maturation going on, and every day can make a difference.

So, we're playing the waiting game...While she's got two and a half weeks yet, the baby could come any time if they decide to induce because of the high BP.

I hope you get your sinuses and asthma straightened around. Have you thought about getting a petri dish/mold test kit from your allergist to put in your house and basement? You can check if you're wondering if it's having an effect.

I know how frustrating it is to have your asthma kicking up, and steroids are terrible on your stomach. I hope you feel better very, very soon!

Joy,
i will add your question to my list. Thanks.
I hope you're feeling more comfortable tonight!

Take care everyone!
Hugs,
Denise
Posted 11/7/2010 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I soaked in an episom salt bath this morning thanks to a night of pain from my knee, back and shoulder. I felt better for a little while then my knee felt worse. >:(
My bruise is spreading down my leg like the doctor said it would. It's very techno-colored.
I can raise my arm a little higher today, but it's still sore and makes clicking noises.

I'm amazed at all the troubles everyone's having lately. I hope ya'll get better.
Posted 11/7/2010 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,
Yup...we're a bunch of basket-cases!
Hope you're feeling better. How are you managing at school?
Enjoy your evening!
Denise
Posted 11/8/2010 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Again..........

Joy,  I can hear you clicking way up here in MN.  I will be in Mississippi for 3 nights next weekend.  Hold onto the warm weather for me.  Sad to say I cannot soak in tubs anymore because everytime I do ~ a Uniary Tract Infection.  When I have the flu soaking in a hot bath always help me relax.  I won't get sick that is all there is to it.

Barb,  I am so glad you have someone at work to talk to and who understands what you are going through.  Learning I have Factor V Leiden thrombophilia was a scare for me at first but talking with the hematologist relieved my worries.  I am only on 1 Baby ASA for the mini TIA which was not caused by the clotting disorder.  All so technical.  You take care of yourself and be sure to set that extra plate on Thanksgiving for turkey day - yummy.

Janice,   Never feel guilty. You do wonderful things for others and it is right that it comes back to you.  My hubby is always quick to offer to drive me to the Doctor's office as he knows it helps keep my anxiety down as well as I may try to back out as, like, you I have to many appointments.  This year besides seeing my PCP, I have seen a neurologist, cardiologist, radiologist, physchiatrist, hematologist and coming up ~ a Dermatologist.  Now throw in my hubby's Surgeon, Internal Medicine and Gastroenterolgist and I cannot remember all their names without looking at their business cards.  idea   Maybe we could get together and all have a girl's day out without a physician in attendance. 

Denise,  I am so excited for you and I hope you DIL can make it through a bit more time. I know your DIL must feel frustrated by the forced lack of activity and being a nurse makes it harder as we sometimes know to much.

The first emergency severe preeclampsia I ever took care of was years ago now but I remember the overhead page to OB stat.  So I responded to the room which was dark with all the shades closed and the OB nurse was working with a flash light and she would go over by the young woman and get down on her kness and tell her to pray as she prayed with her.  I was stunned and immediately took control of the situation and sent the OB nurse to get the patient's paperwork and report to the accepting hospital so we could efficiently make the   transport as we had an inbound ambulance coming to take her uptown to a neonatal center.  I stayed with the patient watching her pressures, titrating her med as needed,  holding her hand and letting her hubby be with her. I did not pray outloud as I was truly afraid that she would feel her time was limited.................I prayed in my mind that I would have the skills to make the transfer safely and timely.  After the fact, I did have to smile a bit as you never know what you will find when you respond to any emergency.

I feel medicine has come along way since that day and OB physicians are extremely talented. Wish your DIL the very best for me. (((((((((Hugs)))))))))).

Bill,  It is good to hear from you and remember to be kind to yourself and let us know how you are doing.  I will be away from the boards from Thursday through Sunday this coming week if you can check in.  :-)

Love and hugs to all,

Kitt

 

Posted 11/8/2010 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Denise, everything's going good at school. I'm excited over my latest computer upgrade at school...we got ELMOs! For those who don't know what they are it's a computerized projector that works with our promethian boards. It takes pictures and live video. The children can watch me demo how to read a story or do a paper.
It allows me to sit at the computer and watch the children as I talk over things displayed without blocking anyone's view with my body.
Posted 11/8/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,
ELMOs are great...so much better than overhead projectors. Our school got Promethean boards this year...a year too late for me! They got all new computers, too...lucky them!
I did get an ELMO last year, but just projected it onto a screen.
Glad to hear things are going well!
Denise
Posted 11/10/2010 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, having a very bad day and night of pain. I have an awful feeling the steroids brought on an ulcer. I hate that stuff. My asthma is a bit better. I don't think the asthma is going to be helped by the tummy troubles. I'll have to call the doc tomorrow. This is getting very overwhelming. I saw the pain doc today and he wants to do shots again for my back. He told me he doesn't believe in foot surgery as he never gets to see any of the good out comes of foot surgery. My foot has been hurting alot again and the big toe is turned in. I had surgery so the foot pain would be gone.

Kitt and Denise, It is great I have a sympathetic friend to talk to about the blood clot and living with it. She's very supportive.

Hi to Bill, Joy and Janice, I am off to bed. Barb
Posted 11/10/2010 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Barb,

Ouch,  I am sorry to hear you had a bad night and know I am here for you.  I can understand why you are getting overwhelmed my friend :( ; sending you lots of healing hugs and prayers to help you stay strong.

Never give up and keep on advocating for what you need.

To All

 

I will be offline from Wednesday evening until Monday the 15th.  Going on a vacation and I will miss each of you very much but I do need a fun time. 

Off to pack   :)

 

Love and hugs,

 

Kitt

Posted 11/10/2010 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Have a wonderful time, Kitt!  yeah yeah yeah

You can be sure we'll hold down the fort while you're gone.

Be safe,

Denise

Posted 11/10/2010 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so frustrated!
Yesterday I started having weird painful spasms in my right foot. The pain runs down the little toe side of my foot and the bottom of my heel.
I can't find a comfortable position to sleep in at night after 4:30am. Everything seems to hurt. :(
The bright side is I think my wrap is still holding. ;)
Ugh!

Enjoy your vacation, Kitt.
Posted 11/11/2010 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, Kitt! That's a very bright side. This too will pass...you'll heal and be back to your old self, ready to fall over another twig in your path! I hope your foot is feeling better tonight.


I went to the surgeon yesterday. His office is in the hospital. After I was in the office, I was greeted by a nurse who took my vitals/weight, etc., then a resident who took my history. She took the information and discussed what I'd told her with the surgeon, then he came in with his resident.

I was very impressed with his credentials and experience. He is a thorasic surgeon and his specialty is esophogeal surgery, and he has done over 1000 fundoplications, and over 200 revisions, along with many other upper GI surgeries. The hospital is a regional facility, that pulls patients from fairly large cities in the area, as well as many more rural areas. This hospital is where patients are sent when they have difficult issues.

He is going to order some testing. A video barium swallow, so he can see the movement, and he will do an endoscopy to see what he can figure out. While he's doing that he's going to place a wired 24hr PH probe that has two sensors...one higher than the other.

Once he has that information, he will decide whether or not I am a candidate for a redo.

Hopefully the tests will be illustrative. I tend to be someone who has no clear-cut indications for anything that is going on. Let's hope that the testing is conclusive one way or the other. If I'm not getting reflux, then we'll be back to square one with my asthma issues. We shall see.

I hope everyone is doing well tonight. I'm really tired, so I'm going to try to get out of here and get a little R&R on the couch!
Take care,
Denise
Posted 11/11/2010 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
I think I found out why my foot was spasming. It's the oddest thing...
I had my arch supports in backwards! LOL!!!!!!!!
I told you...I'm a klutz! :)

Denise, I hope you find answers with all these new tests.
Posted 11/11/2010 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Brilliant, Joy! That could do it! I just got a new pair of multi-density orthotics (my feet are horrible) and I'm getting used to them. I already had them adjusted once.

We went on a two and a half hour hike today. The weather was beautiful! Unfortunately we got a bit lost, (a passer-by gave us the wrong directions) but we met up with the same person, who apologized profusely, and offered to have us follow her to a closer entrance, then drove us to our car. It was great fun.

Baby news...
I talked to my son and DIL...they're going for induce labor because of her continued high blood pressure on meds. If the hospital has a bed, they're going in on Friday night to do some prepping. Then Saturday morning the induction begins. She's in her 39th week, so it's not too early. I wish they would be able to wait until things progress naturally, I guess that's not in the cards.
I'll keep you posted!

Almost a grandma,
Denise
Posted 11/13/2010 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Friends,

Barb...so sorry to hear your stomach is kicking up, although it's good to hear your asthma has taken a turn for the better. I feel your stomach pain...steroids are so rough on stomachs, among other things. They do help lungs and sinuses, though...but at a cost.

I hope you're getting yourself healthy and ready to enjoy your little granddaughter's visit at Thanksgiving time!

I've got some baby news...
My daughter in law continued with high blood pressure (no other symptoms of preeclampsia, though) and she talked to her OB regarding the advantages of inducing, rather than waiting until the birth date.

Their discussion ended up with the OB agreeing that it would be reasonable to induce her earlier. She went in to the hospital last night, and had some procedure to soften her cervix in preparation for the pitocin drip. Whatever they used last night didn't do the trick, so they're using something else this morning. Once she's fully effaced (she was 60% before she started) they'll start the drip, and hang on...the wild ride begins. We're home, since it'll be a long time before the action starts. Once she's 5-6cm dialated they'll call and we'll go in to await the blessed event. Wish us luck!

I got a call from the surgeon I consulted with.
I'm scheduled for a video esophagram next Tuesday--movies of my swallowing! Very fancy. Maybe I've got a future in silent movies!

Then on December 7th (I go in at noon, which sucks. No food all day...not fun) I get the trifecta--manometry (12:45), then endoscopy(1:45), and they're putting in a special PH probe at that time--it has two points of measure...one higher than the other, to check for reflux that could reach lungs and vocal chords. It is supposed to measure movement, so supposedly that will check for bile reflux. We shall see. I go back the next day at 3PM to get the probe out.

As I said,this is a thoracic surgeon who specializes in esophageal procedures. He is very experienced, with over 1000 fundos. I was wondering...does anyone have a take on his redo experience? It's 200+. What do you think, Bill?

Well, better get going and get some things done before baby time!
Have a great weekend.
Denise
Posted 11/13/2010 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I woke up this morning feeling kind of ill. I had a heavy feeling in my stomach. Lot's of pressure like trapped gas. I wonder if I've got some type of virus?

Stomach is pure yellow water! This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time I contributed it to eating too much fried squash, but I've hadn't ate squash since then.
I looked it up on the web the symtoms and one thing it said it could be something to do with my bile and not digesting food properly??? I hope my gall bladder is not going bad.
Posted 11/13/2010 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,
Sorry you're experiencing problems again. Did you vomit or have diarrhea? You can get diarrhea for absolutely no good reason when you've had a wrap done. I'm sure there's a reason, but never one I can figure...except possible irritation of the wrap. I've decided it's likely to happen when I haven't chewed my food thoroughly enough.

Bile is yellow, so yes, it could be somewhat gallbladder related. However don't jump to conclusions. Just watch it and report to the GI doc!

Enjoy your weekend.
Denise
Posted 11/13/2010 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
No vomiting, just diarrhea. :(
Do feel a little nausea. I guess I need to take some phrenagan. :P
I'll wind up sleeping the day away. >:(
Posted 11/13/2010 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you feel better soon. Get lots of rest.nono
We're on baby watch...our son just sent a text...mom's water just broke. No active labor.
Since the water broke, that means it's coming one way or another within 24 hours.
It's a tough wait!
Denise
Posted 11/14/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Janice-
I haven't any idea how you can stay off an anti biotic long enough with that many infections my dear. I sure feel for you. I have had like 7 kidney stones and dealing with what may end up being ulcerative colitis or something to that effect when they figure it out. I am hoping for a better 2011....seems I said that last year too. LOL!

Bill
Posted 11/14/2010 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
My day has been filled with a very grumpy stomach.
Cramping, rolling, nausea, tons of gas and a low grade fever.
It seems to be moving downward so maybe it will be gone by morning.
Posted 11/15/2010 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Okay to liven up and turn this conversation more positive...

MY BABY GRANDCHILD WAS BORN LAST NIGHT!!! Yup, I'm hollering! It was a wonderful night. We are the proud grandparents of a tiny baby boy. His parents named him Ryan John. His first name is after his two uncles--both named Ryan, and his middle name is after my husband's father...a beloved grandpa.
He was 7 lbs, 1 oz. and 20 and a half inches long.

What a sweetie! He was a couple weeks early, as his mom had high blood pressure, so they induced labor. Oh, I'm going to have fun with that little cutie patootie!turn

Just thought I should share my happy news!
Have a great week everyone!
Denise yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
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