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Posted 7/31/2010 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Denise,
These 11 things are very noticable to everyone.
I'm trying to rest today. I woke up with my back in spasms this morning. I feel like bone is rubbing bone in my lower back and I feel very knotted.
I wish when I was in that car accident years ago I went on to the hospital and got checked out, instead of waiting. My back might not have given me so much trouble over the years. The last time I had it MRI the doctor told me I had developed OA in my last two joints in my spine, there was deteriating bone and disks, and I had a bulging disk.
Most days I'm just very stiff and can't bend over very well. Some days, like today, I throb. To even touch my lower back brings on pain like I've been wacked with a bat. The pain will run down to the back of my heels making me feel like I walking on stones. My hip is prone to "locking up" on these kind of days making it hard for my left leg to move without pain. I know it's siatica (sp?). One attack was so bad I had to creep across the floor on my hands and knees to answer the door (no one was home but me). I cried the whole way to the door.
I think I hurt so much today because it's going to rain here and I sat for most of the day yesterday at my desk typing. Both are bad for me. I either have to sit with my feet propped up or get up and move every 30 minutes. I didn't do that yesterday so I'm paying for it now. >:(
Before the accident I could get down on the floor with my nieces and nephews and get back up with no trouble. Now if I get down they have to help me back up.
Sorry for the gripe- fest. I'm just feeling down.

Bill, I hope your game goes well.

Barb, I love cook outs! Can I come, too? I'd love some BBQ ribs.
Posted 8/1/2010 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Joy you sound as bad as me with my back from my accident. Bending over is the worse thing for mine. As well as standing, sitting or laying for too long. I have no idea how bad it is going to get with the injections and the chiropractor. I can't do any of the things with my grand children that a young grandma like should be able to do. Oh well there is always pain pills again if need be. Hope you get all your stuff done in time and you get to feeling better. We only do brats, hot dogs and hamburgers at our cookouts. Sorry no ribs! Not sure how we did today because I didn't have time to count up the money. We went to the outdoor tonight and saw Karate Kid and Grownups. Both really good.

Bill sounds like you are in all your glory in the thick of things. I hope you have lots of wins in the next week. I hope your feeling well enough to enjoy every bit of it too. We miss you around here so hurry back.

Denise, I'm sure it will help when I get the insurance figured out to take some of the stress off. The crying thing doesn't really have anything to do with attitude. I just am hurt when I run into one of my former coworkers I am really sad and the tears just come. It doesn't help that they keep asking how I'm doing and the ones that ask that are the ones that truly care. It's hard to explain. After reading Kitt's post earlier today I thought about one of my favorite songs by Rodney Atkins(If your going through hell keep on going and just might get before the devil even knows your there). Things like that just help to push you along no matter what. Sorry you are having troubles with the reflux again. I sleep on a wedge. My stomach doc was the only one that didn't like it. But the bed thing didn't work for me I slid down. Now that i sleep on an air mattress that wouldn't work anyway. Did your doc say why he didn't like the wedge? Mine said that it bends you at the wrong place therefore putting more pressure on the stomach and more reflux. I am better with mine than with out so I will continue to sleep on mine. I have since 1986. Have to get to bed for now. Barb
Posted 8/1/2010 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Barb,
Time heals all wounds. That's a saying that has been around for a long time. There will be scars that will always be there, but with time you'll feel lots better. The song you shared is definitely a good one to remember. We had a secretary who left suddenly this year and nobody knew why. In the beginning she couldn't see anyone without getting teary eyed. She still avoids people, and is afraid people will talk about what happened. We still have no idea. She was a great secretary and friend. I had her youngest daughter in my class.

The asthma doc doesn't like the wedge because if you aren't in good position it forces things up and out. My asthma doc thinks he can get things into control with meds, but I have my doubts. I'm having bile reflux, and that is not controllable with meds (except Carafate, that helps coat). I'm not in any rush for a re-do because it could cause me other problems (in many ways I've enjoyed the loose wrap). If I need it, I'll gladly get it, because I don't want to get back into bad lung issues.

My asthma/allergy doc is great, but he is blaming almost all my problems on reflux. My allergies are causing me lots of problems, and I'm still feeling like I'm limited in how much I can get out and enjoy the great outdoors. I'm in good hands, though, so I'm confident that he can help me.

Joy,
Good luck getting all those last minute things done. It makes sense that your back is kicking up after all that work putting in the floor. Do you have exercises to do that can help you? I have a herniated disk and it gives me trouble quite often. It will make your work harder. Ice works or me. I always ice my back, whenever I sit. Try not to sit any more than you absolutely have to. Good luck with your open house! Do you usually get a good turnout? I'll be interested in hearing how it goes!

Bill,
Good luck with all those games! I'm sure its great fun and very exciting.

Kitt,
Hi there...hope you're having a good day. Thinking of you!

Take care, everyone!
Denise
Posted 8/1/2010 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi y'all-
quick update.... we won 7-4 against an LA. California area team today in a practice game. Last year they took 5th place at nationals. Looks like we might have a good tourney.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 8/1/2010 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I usually have a pretty good turn out. There's always a few who don't show up until the first day and I have to rush around finding out how they are getting home that day.

I usually use heat on my back. My sister swears by ice, too. I might try it out. I have one of those deep muscle massagers that you sit on and lean back on. It hurts at first when it touches me, but as the muscle relaxes it feels better.
Posted 8/1/2010 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Joy hope all goes well with your school opening. I use heat on my back every day and night. that seems to work much better than ice for me. My tailbone does better with ice though.

Bill, glad to hear your team is doing so well. Hope things keep going your way.

Denise, I know from past things time does heal. Sometimes it takes a long time though. As I discovered a few weeks ago when a car full of kids ran a stop sign and I barely missed slamming into the side of them. Thank goodness my brakes worked good. I ended up in tears and hyper ventilating it upset me so much. That's all thanks to my accident I had a few years back. I thought I had gotten better with that but I guess not yet. Might have to look into some more treatment for that maybe. It would have to be some one other than the guy I had because he didn't help at all.

Glad to hear you have a doctor you like and trust. I have a separate asthma and allergy docs. I like them both and trust them. The asthma doc is the one who insisted I see the allergist/ENT. He really wanted the doctor to do the sinus surgery on me because he thinks that is aggravating my asthma. At least the shots seem to be working though. I don't think I will be going to the asthma one any more though because I have to pay so much now and he doesn't seem to be on the PPO list for my new insurance. I have to get that mess taken care of tomorrow. I'm going to try to do as much as I can through my general doc. to keep costs down. Still not sure how I am going to cover the cost of my surgery on the 26th that is not covered. Well time to go make dinner and my pasta salad for tomorrow. We have our summer picnic for our TOPS group we belong too.

Kitt, hope you had fun with your family up north. Barb
Posted 8/2/2010 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning All,

Just a Quick note to let you know I am home and trying to catch up on the forums as well as other chores etc.

I did get a good chuckle over the "Booger Ants" comment Joy ~  I have that warped sense of humor you know so those kind of comments tickle my funny bone.

I have been having issues that I have not yet wrote about but I had an emergency CT Brain Scan on 7/16 followed by an MRI brain scan on 7/19 only to find out after paying $4,000.00 that I have a brain.  smhair I have an appointment on Wednesday this week with a Neurologist ~~ trying to stay in the moment and will fill you all in after the Drs. appointment.

I am always amazed at the never ending support by the members in this forum extended to each other.  Fantastic job by all.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 8/2/2010 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt, so sorry to hear about your troubles. I will put you on the internet prayer chain right away. I went through the same thing in May and June. They thought I had a tumor and few other awful diseases. They didn't find any thing(thank goodness). That is an awful lot of money just to tell you that you have a brain. And may I add a very smart one too! Well have to get ready for our summer picnic for TOPS. Talk to you later. Hang in there and know that we are all thinking of you and miss you. Barb
Posted 8/2/2010 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt, you could of gave me the money and I'd told you the same thing. :))
I hope everything goes well in the other tests and that you still have your brain. ;))

We're still getting many of the "little boogers" invading on a daily bases. It's something about August heat that makes them come inside for food and water.

I've got the largest number of students this year I've ever had in 10 years: 21 kids!
Many of them seem to be live wires. :(
I met all of them but 5 tonight at open house.
Posted 8/3/2010 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Joy,
How nice that you meet your kids before the first day of school! We only met them randomly if their parents wanted to bring them by while we worked in our classrooms. It helped those kids who were worried about their class. We did start something new the last ten years I worked there--the kids we had the following year came to us for about 20 minutes the last day of school. That way we met each other and everyone was less worried about the first day of school. Sorry to hear you have 21 kids. In some schools that's a small class, but you and I know that it's hard to give individual attention when you're overloaded with needy first graders! Good luck...have a wonderful year with them! I'll look forward to hearing all about it!

Barb,
I'm sure you're exhausted after all those cookouts! I'm having some of my BUNKO friends up to see our new place and have lunch. They're all teachers from my school. We have an "Over 50" group that got together once a month. It'll be nice to see everyone.

Kitt,
Sorry to hear that you're having enough trouble to warrant brain scans. Glad to hear they found one, but as Joy said, I could have told you that! I hope that you have nothing but good news when you talk to your doctor. Be sure to keep us posted. Hope you're enjoying the summer sun.

Bill,
You're so lucky to be able to be such an important part of your young teenage daughter's life. Do you know how rare that is? You'll remember these wonderful days with the travel team your whole life, and treasure them. Your daughter will as well. I'm sure she loves having you with her, and a part of the team. It's a big commitment to travel with the team, and you'll never regret that you made that commitment. Your daughter is at an age when she needs you and your influence. I'm sure her interest in softball keeps her away from some less positive influences!
Have a wonderful time with your family and hold them close. Have a great time on your trip, and good luck with the games! Keep us posted.

I've continued to have some bile reflux, which is pretty frustrating. I really think my wrap has come partially undone...maybe a stitch or two came out with all my coughing. It's tight and loose, depending on the moment. I don't have trouble eating, but I do retain liquid in my esophagus (and probably other foods, so I drink water after eating.)

I have a new asthma doc (since we moved) and he's extremely knowledgeable. He thinks a lot of my problems (hoarse voice, etc.) are from the reflux, so he's got me on more PPI's again, and even Zantac at night. He wants to get my voice healed. He doesn't want me to cough, which is a challenge, since I have allergic postnasal drip, and it's hard not to cough when I need to. I'm sure the coughing interferes with my vocal chords healing.

Anyway, I don't see how he can help me with more PPI's since what's probably refluxing is bile, which isn't touched by them. He has zero respect for GI docs and their ability to be of any use for asthma/GERD patients. It'll be interesting to see if he can help me. It's so hard to get to know a doctor. I really think this one is amazing, and if anyone can help he can. (I don't know if you saw the post that he spent two hours with me on my first visit.) He said that all the best GI docs he has known have moved south and are working part time. I may end up traveling to one of them that he recommends. Since I'm retired, I could go for a visit/vacation at the same time.

Hope you all have a nice week!
Take care of yourselves.
Denise
Posted 8/3/2010 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Denise, that is so neat that you can still get together with old friends. I sounds like your doc has a handle on things. I need to see a stomach doc as it is getting hard to swallow even pill. It hurts too when i swallow food, pills or water.Will have to give in and go to the stomach doc one of these days. Time for bed. Barb
Posted 8/4/2010 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Barb,
Yes, it'll be fun to see everyone. I'll start cleaning and cooking tomorrow! I changed my tutoring job to today, so I don't have to worry about getting there on Thursday. Everyone would probably already be long gone, but I didn't want to take the chance.

You'd better get that swallowing/stomach issue checked out. It never ends, does it? I was disappointed to hear from my allergy/asthma doc that there isn't a single GI doc he trusts and admires in the area. He said all they want to do is "test, test, test", but they don't understand the connection between reflux and asthma the way they should.

He thinks they need to do a 24 hr PH monitor with three probes...one at the top of the esophagus (probably vocal chord level) one in the middle, and one at the 5cm level where they typically place them. He doesn't care if it's a wired probe or BRAVO, but thinks it is incomplete information with just one probe. He also said that it takes very little reflux to create lung and vocal chord problems. The "numbers" that the PH monitor/BRAVO tests provide are meaningless, since a lot or a little can cause a problem. He wants to know where the reflux is going.

It was interesting to hear his perspective. The great GI docs he has worked with in the past have semi-retired and moved south, but my husband said we'd go there if necessary to be seen by someone who is especially skilled. We shall see.

Right now I'm struggling with very uncomfortable, dry eyes. I'm being treated for them, but at the moment I'm having a flare-up and they're not very comfortable.

Oh well...tomorrow is another day!
Have a great one!
Denise
Posted 8/4/2010 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Denise, what a smart doc you have. Stick with him. I agree with the very little reflux causing problems. The bravo probe I had done was incorrect. My doc said I didn't have reflux any more and I could eat and drink any thing. Yeah right when I do that my throat gets fried with the acid that comes up. I was also told by another doc that the bravo probe can be wrong if not placed in the exact spot and my doc had just started doing them. I don't know what I will be doing about that problem as I was told today that I can't get insurance through my new employer until after September 1st so they lied to me. Then I was also told today that the new insurance won't cover any all ready existing health problems. And the HR person told me this only after I went to her office unannounced because she wouldn't return any of my calls. She was really shocked to see me. I suppose I would be too if I lied to someone and told them they would have insurance the 1st of August and it was a lie. My former employer also lied to me and told me the same thing and on top of that encouraged me not to get Cobra until after the new insurance kicked in. Wow what a load of bull. Cobra is the only thing that will serve any purpose for me to have. I am going to pay the monthly copay for that of $500 just for me and my hubby is going to go back on medicare part B as he only has A right now. I am going to go over and insist they take my payment tomorrow for the cobra and start me on it right away. I think I know who is filling in for the HR person that is on vacation. Not that I would want to talk to her any way since she lied to me. I hate being lied to more than any thing else. Well time to go take my bedtime meds. Barb
Posted 8/4/2010 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Barb,
I think Cobra is your best bet right now. Unfortunately, the health care reform bill gives insurance companies until 2014 before they have to accept pre-existing conditions. Before 2014, though, they've established "high risk pools" for those people who have been denied coverage for their pre-existing conditions.

You can check out the information online. The program was just started on July 1 this year, so I'm sure it'll take some time to get it going. It might be more affordable than Cobra--I'm not sure. Just something to think about. If you can hang in there, nobody can deny coverage of pre-existing conditions starting in 2014. It's too bad they allowed it to be such a long wait. It is effective immediately for children, though.

I can't believe what a mess insurance is. I'm very fortunate to have fantastic insurance from my school for 10 more years. After that, I'm not sure what I'll do...I'll be eligible for medicare, and will probably get some co-insurance to go with it. We'll see...

I hope things get figured out for you soon.
I can't believe how hard it is to time meds when you're trying to take Carafate. It's almost impossible...especially if you're not on a rigid meal schedule. It's so frustrating to me! And now my asthma doc has me taking PPI's and Zantac to see if he can get my voice better. I wish him luck! he cut my inhaled steroid in half, so we'll see how that goes this time of year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Have a good night's rest and a good day tomorrow!
Denise
Posted 8/4/2010 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Everyone,

Just popping in for some good vibes as I will be seeing the neurologist this morning.  Yesterday my anxiety kicked in major but now I am just trying to remember by this afternoon this appointment will be behind me. 

I promise to catch up with all and know you are my rock as this is the only place I have posted re my appointment today.  I have so much faith in each of you as you are always right here to help each other and myself.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 8/4/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt, how did the doctor's visit go?

Tomorrow my mother is getting a bone marrow test. :(
She was told she had lukocytopiena (sp?). They can't figure out why though. ???
She has low kidney function and low red and white blood cells.

Today our principal informed us that we had a record number of kids enrolled this year (283). The most we ever had was 247. Most classrooms are bursting at the seams. Our third grade broke the record for the county with 25 in each classroom! Ten years ago when I first started there, my class size was 13 and I felt overwhelmed. This year I have 21 and I'm frazzled.
Posted 8/4/2010 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Well,  I am home and it was an interesting day.  The neurologists feels what I had back on 7/16 was most likely a TIA ( A transient ischemic attack  is like a stroke, producing similar symptoms, but usually lasting only a few minutes and causing no permanent damage. Often called a ministroke, a transient ischemic attack may be a warning. about one in three people who have a transient ischemic attack eventually has a stroke, with about half occurring within a year after the transient ischemic attack. )  He wants to know where the clot came from so he sent me uptown to the hospital right from his clinic for an MRA of the brain and and MRA of the vessels in my neck with contrast.   These tests  use a strong magnetic field, similar to MRI.

He also started me on the infamous 81 mg of Aspirin. There is one other test he may order if he does not find anything of the two done today. 

I think my brain glows now.  smhair

Tomorrow I will address each of you but for now I must run and make some dinner.

Love and hugs,

Kitt

Posted 8/4/2010 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Is that the bright light I've seen coming from the north? ;)

Be careful of those TIAs my aunt had them for years and is partially paralyzed now.

((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))
Posted 8/5/2010 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Joy, oh my that is a lot of kids for a teacher to deal with. I will pray that you have all well behaved ones and that you have a fantastic teaching assistant. I'll also keep your mom in my prayers too.

Kitt, I was thinking of you today and praying all went well. I hope they can find the cause and take care of it. Can they put you on plavix? That's what I take for my heart. It's very easy on the stomach too.

Denise, I couldn't talk to the HR person for my former job today but some one told me to talk to the lawyer there. She told me I am covered by the Cobra as long as I get the papers in to her. My new boss was sitting there when I talked to the lawyer with her mouth hanging open. She was very upset that the HR person had lied to me about the insurance coverage date and the preexisting clause. That's all nice and everything that she is on my side but she can't really do anything about it. She did say she would be talking to the HR rep tomorrow about it. This is exactly why I didn't want to work for that entity ever again. I didn't like them or the way they treated me and my family when we worked for them before and I swore I would never work for them again. I guess you should never say never! I will be going with the cobra for myself and my hubby will be stuck with the medicare part A that he has with the disability he is on and will also be talking to the county benefit specialist tomorrow to see if there are any other options for him. Well at least I had a reminder at the end of the day that God is still watching out for us and meeting our needs. After 3 months of not having a dryer a person my sister knows found out about our situation and offered us a free dryer with delivery. And I also got to talk to my precious little granddaughter on this her first day of school. She wanted to call and tell us all about it. What a wonderful reminder to stop and say thanks for all the wonderful blessings in our lives even in the shadow of all this negative stuff. Well on that note I am off to bed. I slept straight through last night and that is a rare thing even with the sleeping pill. Talk to you all tomorrow. Barb
Posted 8/5/2010 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Everyone :-)

Joy,  yes that glow you see when looking north is not the aurora borealis - tis I shocked

I will keep your Mom in my prayers as I know this is one test that is painful and I do hope the outcome is a good one.

You have a lot of munchkins in your class but I am sure they will all be much better off for having the opportunity to have you as their teacher.

Denise,

Great input re the insurance issues in today's world.  I also am lucky to have good insurance through my husband's retirement plan.  I cannot believe that I will receive Medicare the 1st of November but I did not have to opt for Plan B as I talked with our provider (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and we can continue with our current plan which cover all.

I have found with my husband's medical problems and now my recent tests that without insurance we would  quickly be in poverty.  My hubbies hospital bill alone for his surgery in February was over $100,000.

Barb,

My heart goes out to you when I read of your problems with the new job and the insurance snafu.  I know this adds more stress to your turmoil already and please know we are all here for you.

You are an amazing person and I am always in awe of you as even when your whole world is topsy turvy you still have the time to support and care for all of us here in this forum.

Please know I am keeping you in my prayers daily and I wish you peace.

Bill,  Sure sounds like that team is doing you proud and what fantastic memories you are making for you and for your whole team.

We were up to the cabin over this past weekend and when it was time for my youngest son and his beautiful daughter ( 6 years ole)  to leave they jumped in the new bass boat and headed off to the boat landing to load the boat.  As they throttled away from the dock I watched them until they were out of sight.  I was commiting to memory that vision of the 2 of them as they were so happy and I am so fortunate to have them in my life.  This is what makes life worth living,  the little things that mean so much.

As for me,  I am not afraid of my test results when they are ready as I do not feel they will give us any answers and perhaps this isolate incident was just that and I will never know what caused it.  So I move on.

Gentle Hugs to all and Happy Thursday.

Posted 8/5/2010 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kitt, You're a sweet heart. That is so cool you got to spend time with your family. I didn't know you had a grand daughter that age. My little one will be six in October. They are so much fun at this age. We are so lucky to have such a blessing like that in our lives. I'm praying all is well with your tests.

Today my boss told me the CO was really upset about this insurance thing and was going to see that it gotten taken care of. The HR person was supposed to call me today to call me today and come talk to me about the insurance but of course nothing happened. I am going to tell them I don't want their insurance because there is no point to paying out money for insurance that pays nothing. I told my boss I am just going to go with cobra for my self because it is all I can afford. She asked what I was going to do when that ran out and I said I would probably have to look for a different job with insurance that covers preexisting stuff. She asked if I understood how the cobra and the other insurance worked if any one had explained it all and of course I had to say no because both HR people have avoided me or are on vacation. It's all a big fat ridiculous mess. It all makes me want to scream thanks for nothing at them! I am off until Monday now from that job anyway. Too bad I don't have off from my part time job. Oh well will give me time to work on the paper work for my court case. Yuck!!!! Talk to you later. Barb
Posted 8/5/2010 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
The good news ~ my tests from yesterday were all fine.  The bad news is the Dr. still wants to know where the clot came from so I am in the same boat as many of you have been for a different reason. 

The next test is Transesophageal echocardiogram. In this procedure, a flexible tube containing a transducer is guided down your throat and into your esophagus, which connects your mouth to your stomach.  smilewinkgrin From there, the transducer can obtain more-detailed images of your heart. Your throat will be numbed, and you'll have medications to help you relax during a transesophageal echocardiogram.

Please help me keep my sense of humor. 

Hugs !

Posted 8/6/2010 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm good news and bad news at the same time. Seems you just can't have good with out the bad. Well we all know what it's like to have a tube down the throat. Hey at least their going down and not up! I'll be thinking of you and praying for you. Barb
Posted 8/6/2010 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm, sounds like manometry with sedatives.
Atleast they give you sedatives.
I hope they don't take long to do it. :)
Posted 8/6/2010 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
That is one awful test to have done. Sedatives would have made it more pleasant. Lol. How is school going Joy? My granddaughter just started school in TN and had to call us and tell us about it last night. She had a really good first day. I hope she has an awesome teacher like you. The children are really lucky to have you. I still can't believe my granddaughter is that old already. I noticed she is starting to get a southern accent. It's really cute. She didn't have that when she was with her dad because he doesn't have that and neither does her step mom. Well time to get ready for bed. Talk to you later. Barb
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