Today I.....

[DDayMBB]

Victoria... I only take 40mg (4- 10mg tabs) not playing doc or anything like that but but maybe by cutting back a bit on doseage would make you drowsey??? That the extra is settting your body in high gear... just a thought...ya know

Jo & Johanna... you guys just have way toooo musch energy to keep for your selves be kind and share some with others:D reaaly great how invovlved you are with your girls and Jo your hobbies sound simply painfully fun:eek:

Tam... it does sound like this move has done wonerful things to you, greta having you around !!!

Beth... not a real big BB fan, but so happy for you was over my parents and they are big PHILLIES fans and they were on the edge of their seats!

ginnybean... I do not know where the time goes my oldest will be getting his diving lic soon and he is talking cllege already and you and lin are there now can remember the first steps:rolleyes:

Dabbo... just wondering how things are going and if you are enjoying your time off??? It is unfortunate about the cost of health ins. (cobra) that you can not really have some time to your self!!!

Good day to all Mark

[LinJane]

I hope everyone had a good weekend. I am not a baseball fan but I feel badly for the Mets fans. I am sure they are crushed.

My daughter and I enjoyed our college search weekend. Mark and DiMarie I am sure you can appreciate the traffic we encountered on 380 and I81 around Scranton. The construction was unbelievable and it was around rush hour. It took us 6 hours from our house in NJ to the B&B in Cazenovia (just outside of Syracuse). It should have taken 4 1/2. It rained and was dark. We found out when we got there that we were under a tornado watch. My daughter was waiting for a cow to fly past the windshield! The school was nice and so was the town but I don't know if she will like being in an area where there are no malls or shopping centers. Her major is Fashion Merchandising. We'll keep looking.

Boys played football and then we had a pasta party for the Field Hockey team. Never a dull moment!

I had an mri today of the bracheal plexus. see if it shows anything.

also, caught my cleaning lady stealing pain pills. not the first time. confronted her. she is now back in aa. she's been a friend for 15 years. don't know what to do. big internal struggle to help or cut her loose. Her taking the pills has left me short. now i have to cut pills in half to hold me over till i can get more. I have mine timed, now i'm stuck.

[johannakat]

linda- that is a big problem. :(

you should find a locked place to keep your pills regardless of what you decide to do with your friend.

hope you had a good time getting some quality time with your daughter :)

[gibbrn]

Hi guys,

I had a major meltdown last night and I wish I hadn't. Poor DH is upset and so am I. I cried and wined about having no life and living in pain for five years. I was kvetching about what my goals are...none can't make any past tomorrow.....I had my ten year plan to get my two degrees and be a nurse practitioner or an advance practice nurse and keep nursing. I loved my job...but I guess I did define my person by my job.....so now need to find something to focus on....can't focus on anything but what I can't do.....I guess I am still going through the grieving process..............

I love my DH and he is everything and we had conversations about medical stuff that happened to both of us......I don't have a day to talk about now...except for what I couldn't do......

so I guess I am saying i am not up to my usual standards.........I am not me anymore....I guess I have to redefine myself and change my standards....

Lots of love,
Victoria

[tshadow]

:(sorry Victoria...I sure recognize what you wrote, though...

Big hugs to you...and to your DH...

[DDayMBB]

Isn't there days that the following seems true???

A lady new to TOS phoned her doctor's office. "Is it true," she wanted to know,
"that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?""
"Yes, I'm afraid so," the doctor told her.
There was a moment of silence before the lady replied,
"I'm wondering, then, just how serious is my condition because this prescription is marked 'NO REFILLS

Linda... sorry, do not go near that area if it can be helped I live a considerable distance north west of there in the ever growing boon docks!!! Glad to hear you had a safe trip and an enjoyable time!

[johannakat]

Victoria- give yourself a few days/weeks/months to grieve- whatever you think you need, but pick a time when you are going to start working out what you do next!!! Both things are very important- time to grieve and something to work towards. Every little goal, even if it is to get yourself one small bit better...is important and something to work towards. A focus is VERY important.

For me, well, I haven't given up my career yet, but even if I did it is a much lower priority to me than my kids, so i really focus on them. i also focus on my garden, and all the day to day tasks of running a house of 5. Lots to think about really, very little time to even worry about me...

You will find what you want to do with yourself...but it will take some time and self examination because your capabilities are so much different now. But rememebr...no TOS can take away your mind- your ability to think, share information, look up information, and decipher things like medical information. You do that often for people here and it is very helpful, especially for folks who have a harder time looking things up themselves due to pain or lack if internet savvy, or simply access to the right databases.

You know, you could still provide support to cancer or any other type of patients, even if it is very infrequently and on a volunteer basis...when i was in the hospital for my two surgeries, two very specific volunteers who did nothing more than come and talk to me for a few minutes and help me identify a problem I was having were two of the most helpful people i talked to. One helped me communicate with a nurse that I was not getting a long with and the other just brought me a book and some ice cream :) In both cases, though, they helped me feel TREMENDOUSLY better. I am not making that up or exagerating, either.

I am not saying you need to be able to go out and do just that...but it is a possible goal that might make you feel helpful and productive..if that is really what you are looking for. It could also put your current education and experience to work...

be easy on yourself, OK? It is OK to be frustrated sometimes... I think I remember someone else saying that not too long ago ;)

Give your DH a big hug and make sure you tell him how much you love him, because you obviously do...very much.

A last note...werent you playign with your A/D dose? Could this be causesing you unexpected emotional instability??? Just something to think about.

Big soft hugs...

Johanna

[johannakat]

A lady new to TOS phoned her doctor's office. "Is it true," she wanted to know,
"that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?""
"Yes, I'm afraid so," the doctor told her.
There was a moment of silence before the lady replied,
"I'm wondering, then, just how serious is my condition because this prescription is marked 'NO REFILLS



That is a laugh riot... thanks!!!

[Jo*mar]

Linda , with teens and their friends coming over, not to mention the cleaning lady - I think it would be for the best to have and use a med lock box, just for the safety and peace of mind.

Jkat said what i was going to say to you Victoria - plus she added more to it.

[LinJane]

First comment on the meds - this is not the first time this has happened with the cleaning lady, not with me but with her taking with other family members and other friends. Every thime she comes, I take anything that I feel would be of temptation and put it in a "safe" place. My husband is diabetic and has a bottle of mixed medication he keeps in our medicine cabinet so if he is upstairs (we have a split level, 5 levels) and he needs something in the middle of the night, he doesn't have to go downstairs. He did not tell me he had percocet in it. I never knew he had it in there. My cleaning lady came on Friday. Before she came, I went around and moved everything I knew needed to be moved. When I came home he asked if I had taken anything from the bottle in the cabinet, I didn't know what he was talking about. He showed me the bottle and I had no idea what it was. The date was 2000. When he showed me what was in it, it was about 4 different pills that he knew what they were but I did not. When I called her she said she would never take anything that she did not know what it was. Within 10 minutes she called me back and said she had lied. She got her phone book out and went to an aa meeting. I told her my husband is not sure if he wants her back or not. She has been with us for 15 years. We consider her part of our family. She cleans for every member of my family and many friends but it is difficult. She has a partner and they are foster parents and if she goes into rehab they may loose the baby. Her health is more important but her partner is an addiction counselor and doesn't want it known. Very sad.

Johanna and Victoria I understand the work issue. I have always wanted to be a photographer. That has been my dream. My husband and I have been running a heating and air conditioning business for 15 years which is very stressful. Plus raising 4 kids.

I recently bought a really nice camera. While my daughter and I were in NY I took alot of GREAT pictures. When we came home I transfered them to my computer. The computer acquired them and then I deleted them from the disc. Now I can't find them. I have been crying for two days.

[billy027]

Hi,

Linjane did you download tthe pictures onto the computer. They may still be on there.
I feel so bad for you. the cleaning lady situation sounds so very stressful.

I had an fce today so I am in some pain and took a darvocet. maybe it will help. Try to hang in there. The pictures may still be on the computer-can you explain how they are lost on it.

Bill

[johannakat]

Linda-
Search for files by the modified by date....or created date. Look for the time that you know you loaded them. they are probably there...microsoft does dumb things when it autoloads pictures. *i hope you can find them*

your cleaning lady...can she give them back to you, or did she take them all already...?

[tshadow]

First comment on the meds - this is not the first time this has happened with the cleaning lady, not with me but with her taking with other family members and other friends. Every thime she comes, I take anything that I feel would be of temptation and put it in a "safe" place. My husband is diabetic and has a bottle of mixed medication he keeps in our medicine cabinet so if he is upstairs (we have a split level, 5 levels) and he needs something in the middle of the night, he doesn't have to go downstairs. He did not tell me he had percocet in it. I never knew he had it in there. My cleaning lady came on Friday. Before she came, I went around and moved everything I knew needed to be moved. When I came home he asked if I had taken anything from the bottle in the cabinet, I didn't know what he was talking about. He showed me the bottle and I had no idea what it was. The date was 2000. When he showed me what was in it, it was about 4 different pills that he knew what they were but I did not. When I called her she said she would never take anything that she did not know what it was. Within 10 minutes she called me back and said she had lied. She got her phone book out and went to an aa meeting. I told her my husband is not sure if he wants her back or not. She has been with us for 15 years. We consider her part of our family. She cleans for every member of my family and many friends but it is difficult. She has a partner and they are foster parents and if she goes into rehab they may loose the baby. Her health is more important but her partner is an addiction counselor and doesn't want it known. Very sad.

Johanna and Victoria I understand the work issue. I have always wanted to be a photographer. That has been my dream. My husband and I have been running a heating and air conditioning business for 15 years which is very stressful. Plus raising 4 kids.

I recently bought a really nice camera. While my daughter and I were in NY I took alot of GREAT pictures. When we came home I transfered them to my computer. The computer acquired them and then I deleted them from the disc. Now I can't find them. I have been crying for two days.

If you do have her back, and now you know she's in AA and either an addict or alcoholic in recovery, to leave any meds in her path is like leaving diamonds in front of a thief. People will disagree, but I feel it isn't fair to the person to leave them avail. to them. In fact, no matter WHO the cleaner is, you put them out of reach, either locked in your car, or in a lockbox, etc. That's how we handle them, after having them taken from me while I slept. And the kids / teens - oh God!!! Yes, don't ever assume, just keep them locked up. All of 'em, cuz teens will TRY to see if it might get them high... Just more of the difficulties of good ol' TOS...

Add this: my statements here are about me - cuz my nurses keep taking my oxy, and I've tried so many things now - to the point of sleeping with my med bag under my pillow. I take my med bag into the bathroom with me...I am SICK to death of being responsible for these meds!!!

As far as your pictures, did you try your various "drives", as in C, A, E, D etc.? Sometimes they can get saved to an alternate drive, so you check somehow by doing an "open" and going into each drive - oh, someone help me explain this...

[LinJane]

First the meds, I ALWAYS Hide them. As I said, I put them in a plce she did not know of. My husband thought he had them in a place she would not have thought have looked mixed with something else.

the pictures, I have tried but my sister is very good with computers and I am going to ask her to come over. I am so heart broken. They were of horses and of landscapes, lakes and the college. Mountains. My daughter in a garden. I was so proud when I transfered them I coundn't wait to print them, and then, they were gone!! Most people would just think, oh well. But this is very important to me. They have to be somewhere.

[johannakat]

linda- i am an avid photographer and i totally understand
hope they turn up.
johanna

[tshadow]

First the meds, I ALWAYS Hide them. As I said, I put them in a plce she did not know of. My husband thought he had them in a place she would not have thought have looked mixed with something else.

the pictures, I have tried but my sister is very good with computers and I am going to ask her to come over. I am so heart broken. They were of horses and of landscapes, lakes and the college. Mountains. My daughter in a garden. I was so proud when I transfered them I coundn't wait to print them, and then, they were gone!! Most people would just think, oh well. But this is very important to me. They have to be somewhere.

I read your post quickly - I hope you know I wasn't pointing a finger at you, just doing my usual quick post which comes out differently than I had hoped...

I do hope you find those pics - they've got to be on there...:hug:

This is a GREAT illustration of my earlier post that postings can really get messed up by being hurried (I am in GREAT PAIN today, and on this computer too long) and by not being able to get one's feelings across as well as if we were talking...my bad...pretty common for me, though...so EVERYONE please note it...

[DDayMBB]

Left click on the Y and drag it to the G... it will cure all that bothers you just as it did me when I first received it!


You dumb ***. You'll believe anything :eek:

could you imagine that was from me:yikes:

[DDayMBB]

Sorry about that joke above with the Y and G you all know I am kidding and mean no harm, do not know what got into me, I finally do think I am getting some result out of my pump, unforunate to say the relief is with my RSD in my foot/leg which guess happens... hey some is better than none and tomorrow I go for another increase in dose. According to my pain doc, it is not that uncommon to have to take both oral and the spainal meds... today is the first day since I had it put in that I had hope of any sort that it is working. I really appreaciate everybody here sticking with me through all my ups and downs :Sorry:... heck take advantage of this one heaven knows what morning may bring :Dunno: all-in-all people thank you lots you are the greatest:grouphug:

Mark and you know who

[Sea Pines 50]

hi you guys,

i am in a flare from hell. an "anticipatory" flare as it were, haha. went to a big old birthday party sat. night for a girlfriend whom i had not seen in ages - you know, one of the 'fallen soldiers', the ones who just don't get it... and sorta tend to leave your life after you stay stuck in severe intractable pain for a few years, while they move merrily along with theirs? but it was a huge bash and she a much beloved friend at one time in my life... and i wanted to mark the occasion. saw a LOT of people there i hadn't seen hide nor hair of in a long, long time. danced the night away (nothing wrong with my legs!:cool:). so now, i am totally wiped out... 'course, it did not help that when i parked my car on the hill my feet flew out from under me and i almost immediately fell on my bad arm before i even got to the premises!:D but i am not sorry i went. 'twas interesting, to say the least!

a little sad, though. emotionally exhausting, for one thing. healthy, pain-free people with rich, full lives just take it out of me, i have to say. and they're just soooo dang curious about what i've been up to! am i working, what am i doing, am i married, dating anyone, been on any great trips lately, etc., etc., etc. you all know how difficult those questions can be --- well, try being asked them 100 different ways by 50 dear old friends you haven't seen in 10 or 15 years. who all tell you how FABULOUS you look! and somehow make it feel like such an insult - what the heck is up with that, anyhow?!? i guess it makes me think they don't believe a word i've just said about this pain thang i've got goin' on. oh, well look. i don't have to 'splain it to you people!! i think you've been in those dancin' shoez once or twice, right? i know they mean well... (mostly)

but the sad feeling is from some very bad news my daughter and i received about my last great love, michael... i used to refer to him jokingly as my future ex-husband, we came that close to marrying - but he just could NOT handle the TOS deal. broke chelsea's heart when we split, and to be honest with you i never completely got over this guy. he met and married his now wife within a few months of our breaking up, over 20 years ago now, and they have 3 kids together. well, we found out from some mutual friends the other night that he has been stricken with ALS.:(

i think i've always harbored some type of impossible fantasy that one day we would find each other again. very hard to explain, and obviously totally irrational. but we grew up in the same tiny town in CT (not how we met, by the way... just a weird coincidence), we look like brother and sister, are both the 2nd born in a family of 4, have so many other stiking similarities it's downright scary. in other words, i guess you could say he feels like my soulmate, if there is such a thing. but of course, we have not been a part of each other's lives for many years now - and with this turn of events i realize i must accept the finality that it was just not meant to ever be. which i logically should have done eons ago. matters of the heart - another thing TOS makes complex, for me at least. i have a hard time letting go.

chelsea wants to go and see michael; i don't know what i will do. out of respect for his wife and family i may do nothing. perhaps i will write to him. so sad. this guy is a very talented musician and a genuinely nice human being.

this has hit me very, very hard (i know it makes no sense, i've been alone for so long!) - i just wish there were some way for me to help michael now, to accept this horrible neuromuscular disease. his prognosis is fatal, as you know, and the reports are that he is already bedridden. i did speak to him about 2 years ago... to apologize for the way in which we parted (which was not pretty!:eek:) and to tell him that i always wished him well, which - gentleman that he is - he graciously accepted and acknowledged. so we are on good terms as far as that goes. his family must be going through hell.

talk about grief. i don't do it well. TOS brings so many losses, doesn't it? and it's easy to lose perspective. i hear what victoria is saying about the identity crisis... i am right with ya there, gibb, and it's been 5 years for me since i've been able to work at the career that i loved. (sorry, linda, about the lost photos, and i hope you get help retrieving them - but it's really not the same thing i don't think, my friend.) ah, we lose perspective so easily, forgetting that recovery is a process, not an event... and that it is SUCH a fine line between acceptance and just giving up.

then sometimes it takes a whammy like hearing that a friend has a fatal disease and is slowly but surely dying, to put things into proper perspective, leastaways it does, for me. god, i need to learn to comfort myself as well as at times i seem to be able to comfort those around me - i have such a hard time dealing with sorrow. i'm clueless, right now. survival skills, yes. coping skills, nope.

sorry, i know i'm rambling. tears are just running down my face. another TOS mess. lots of old songs running through my head... and lost pictures

alison
"Be Brave"

[johannakat]

:hug: Alison :hug:

i don't have a good speech prepared for ya, but I send you a large and gentle cyber hug...

[dawn3063]

Alison,
I am so sorry to hear about your dear friend. I can only imagine how heart broken you are at this time. It sounds like you were blessed with a wonderful friendship and you have some wonderful memories to hold within your heart.

:hug::hug:Many Gentle Hugs :hug::hug:

:hug:&:Heart:
Dawn

[Jo*mar]

wow, how things happen :( sometimes it just knocks the wind out of you.
Hug yourself and let the tears flow for your friend...

Be good to yourself too:grouphug:

[tshadow]

Alison, I am very sorry about your friend coming down with ALS And all that that includes...lost dreams...fears for him...not knowing what the right thing is to do for his family...

I'm also sorry about Sat. night!!!

I would take at face value that you "looked fabulous!!!" I bet you really did. And, at the same time, it does irk to be told that when you're screaming in pain on the inside...Having met you, I can say you look so together, so pretty, that my guess is you just looked beautiful and they felt compelled to say so, (and not that they didn't believe you...)

Gosh yes the questions HURT! Our disability impeded our success like we'll never know! And we DO know that - so the questions HURT...the new cars, big houses, job promotions perhaps even taking over in our own offices or areas of expertise...(that happened to me, someone got made partner while I'd been out sick that would've never happened - it was meant to be me in my plan the month I had to leave.)

It's hard to plant on that smile, be gracious, be generous and congratulate everyone else on their hard-earned successes when that's all I ever wanted - to earn more success using my own efforts...

You've had one hell of a week, girl...be easy on yourself.

Can Chelsea contact the wife or the exboyfriend you mention, and express your sympathies, and just ask if a visit would be welcomed or not? They could then just indicate which they prefer. Or send a card with your phone, and he can call if he wants. He may have some unsettled words he'd like to say, now. Just remember, he may need your strength, and so may she! And you have it, thanks to your years of fighting for life with TOS. Not to mention all of your experience with social security applications, medicare, and goodness knows what else...I don't know what I'm talking about here, I don't know him, what you're comfortable with, etc., I just know and can tell how much you love him as a human being and that is so touching.

[LinJane]

Alison Your friend may welcome a call or visit. Chelsea may be the key to finding out. Sorry for the rough time you are having.:hug:
Linda

[LinJane]

Thanks for the advice about searching the disc drives. I actually did find the pictures. You all probably think it's stupid that I was upset about it but we had such a good time together, and, knowing she's going away soon, I wanted to have them. Also, I'm always the one who is depended upon to take the pictures and videos and record whatever happens and if I don't, I feel like I've let everyone down. I'm going to transfer the pictures to another spot where I can find them a little easier.

Thanks for all your help! Linda:grouphug:

[gibbrn]

Hi Alison,

My condolences over these sad events. It is not difficult to deal with past loves especially ones that you still hold a flame for.

I hope that one way or another you can find a way to deal with this and have the strength to get through it.

Prays of hope and strength.

Linjane I hope that you find the pictures!

love and hugs,
Victoria:hug:

[fern]

Hi Alison, I feel for you. i hope that you can find ease and acceptance in dealing with your old flame. perhaps you and/or your daughter can be there in some way for him and his family. i had a family friend that survived for several years with ALS. there are so many things a person can use when they don't have use of their arms. even just a visit to give some time off to the caretakers might be welcoming if the past romance isn't an issue.

i too went to an event this weekend w people i hadn't seen in a long while. i think i'm going to start inventing tall tales in response to those dreaded questions. it's gotta be easier than trying to get people to understand the reality of the situation. and besides it doesn't make for fun party talk. i'm glad to hear that you could dance though. just standing around or sitting causes my body to flare. i think i would have to dance w/my arms glued to my waist.

btw-i got some comfort just reading on this board that a few people w/TOS were dating. somehow i thought that a person dealing with a big case of TOS wasn't date-able. so maybe we you can look forward to a new relationship in the future and the old flame can become fond memories of a good but past relationship or who knows, maybe transition into a new kind of friendship.

so Alison, glad to hear you're brave enough to cry when it's the only thing that seems possible.

[LinJane]

Anything is possible. My mother is 72 and in very good health. She is dating an old flame (actually from 7th grade!) and he has Parkinsons! He is in ok shape but not great. Luckily she is the caregiving type. Actually it is lucky for him! You just have to hook up with the right person. It is funny when my parents come to my kids sports events. It's usually my mom, her boyfriend along with my dad. They all grew up together! Actually, the three of them went away today for the week with a bunch of their high school friends to Maryland together! It makes for very interesting conversations!

Linda:hug:

[johannakat]

Quiet in here today- hope everyone is OK. I am resting my arms after such an active few days here and a few other online places.

hugs and sweet dreams to all...
Johanna

[DDayMBB]

Quiet in here today- hope everyone is OK. I am resting my arms after such an active few days here and a few other online places.

hugs and sweet dreams to all...
Johanna

SSShhhhh the natives are sleeping:D

[dabbo]

this native drove 160 miles to interview. and then drove back. owwwwww. i'm fairly sure my body doesn't like me now.

[Stardust]

especially since I try to limit my computer time.

Alison: Just wanted to say how sorry I am about your friend....A few years ago I suffered from a condition called "benign fasciculation syndrome" and was convinced that I had ALS. It scared the **** out of me, so I can really empathize with how difficult this must be. My heart goes out to you, Chelsea, and your friend and his family.

Victoria (and all those who responded to her "whine/wine" :) a few posts back): Boy, do I ever identify with what you're saying!

[Peg24]

Dabbo,

Where did you go for an interview and how did it go other than making your pain worse? :Good-Luck:


Peggy


Mark: :Funny-Post: Thanks for the smile.....we all need it sometimes!

[tshadow]

Today my diabetes went crazy cuz I ate a donut...

I passed out...

No more sugar...

:mad:

[mtnmom]

Today I shall - enjoy my day off from work, go for a mountain bike ride and enjoy the yellow aspens before the snow starts falling.

[LinJane]

Dabbo Be careful. If it bothered you to drive so far for the interview, think of how it would be to drive that far every day for the job. Don't over do it.

[johannakat]

aspens...ah i am jealous.

sunny day here, though, so I probly shouldn't complain. Also kept my kiddos home from daycare, so we're playing play doh in the backyard...

again trying to stay off the computer today, so brief visit then I am off....hugs to all

[LinJane]

Johanna I love playdoh. My sister never wanted her kids to play with it because of the mess. If you let it dry up it's easy to vacuum up. It keeps kids occupied for hours! I say go for it! We have special Sesame Street place mats we use for it and my daughter has a blast. Hope you have a great time. These special moments go bye in the blink of an eye. Enjoy them while you can. Who cares about the mess. In the winter, I bring in a big pot of snow and put it on the floor on a towel with spoons and cups and we play with it when it's too cold to play outside. If it melts on the floor, so what!

Have fun!

[johannakat]

we always play with play doh outside :) I had the kids play dish washing with all the paraphernalia afterwards...again outside...fun and useful at the same time- mess washes away with the hose!

it was fun, though!

[LinJane]

TAM I didn't know you were diabetic. My husband is type II. We're having a hard time keepinging in it under control.
I think everyones other medical issues affect our tos.

[Shelley]

Today I am just sad. Life is not fair sometimes. Its amazing which way luck goes in this world and how people who are not nice but are mean and lazy and a whole host of negative things seem to get all the breaks.

What comes around does not always go around.

There I said out loud. Not going to look back.

TIme to move on and pick myself up.

Thanks for listening. :(:mad:

[johannakat]

:hug:Sorry shell belle...whatever it is

[tshadow]

TAM I didn't know you were diabetic. My husband is type II. We're having a hard time keepinging in it under control.
I think everyones other medical issues affect our tos.

I got diabetes directly from the Lyrica I was prescribed for the TOS. It happened within three months of the Lyrica. I stopped the Lyrica as soon as I discovered my blood sugar was 500, but NONE of the w/c doctors noticed several months of this incredibly high blood sugar and I kept complaining I was blinded...the care level for work comp is so low...

I am at times bitter about it, as a side effect is clearly high blood sugar for Lyrica - and, then the doc prescribed Seroquel, which lists high blood sugar as an even more frequent-occurring side effect. (He must be deaf/dumb/blind...)

Does your H have it under relative control? I do hope so. It's a very bad illness, as it destroys the inside of our bodies...

[tshadow]

Today I am just sad. Life is not fair sometimes. Its amazing which way luck goes in this world and how people who are not nice but are mean and lazy and a whole host of negative things seem to get all the breaks.

What comes around does not always go around.

There I said out loud. Not going to look back.

TIme to move on and pick myself up.

Thanks for listening. :(:mad:

I am not a Bible-thumper here, but the New Testament has some sentences that basically say just that - creeps can get rich on Earth, while good people may suffer and die. Also, it says that people who are perceived as important on Earth, are not so in terms of the everlasting...we are not to be fooled by these temporary conditions.

For some reason, THAT gives me comfort.

I have been around celebrities, rich people, etc., and everyone goes ga-ga kissing their "cheeks", when they are just really rude, selfish and not particularly even intelligent people...so I pray that God will remove my resentment towards that, or them, and help me to keep my eyes on what is important, such as being as generous to others and "of service" as I can.

I know (I think) exactly how you feel Shelley!

P.S. It is ALWAYS ok to VENT to me! Get it OUT of your system! :grouphug:

[LinJane]

Tam alittle scary about the Lyrica. My husband's doctor just prescribed it for him for shoulder pain. His sugar has been ranging in the 150 - 200's. He hasn't started taking it yet because we had to wait for it to be approved by insurance. He has been monitoring his sugar closely so I'll tell him what you said so he knows to keep that in mind if it goes up. Thanks

Shelley I know what you mean about life not always being fair. I could go on and on about all the things that have happened to me in the past 9 years. I started keeping a journal when I was pregnant with my first daughter. The first movement, all my doctors appointments, everthing after she was born, etc.; until about 2000. Then it became to damn depressing. Now I do regret it because it would make one heck of a movie! No one would believe half of the crap I've gone through. I'm sure it's the same for most of you!

I just try to keep smiling. :)If it's something you can change, then do your damndest to change it. If you can't then make the best of it. And sometimes a good cry does help. :grouphug:

[DDayMBB]

Sorry guys Play Doh (as far as I am concerned)is just plain nasty stuff !!! It was after my divorce and it seemed everbody boght the guys PlayDoh machines of course they tried them out in the living room... whatever I did to that carpet I could not get it out after that and a new carpet we palyed with it in the dining room on the tile or table or kitchen linoleum... than again... they were more fascinated with pulling stuff out of the cupboards (pots,pans,etc) and making noise than playing with some of their more expensive toys when they were little "go figure".

Shell... I hope today is better for you than yesterday was and that the only blues you have are the blue skies above:hug:

Dabbo... I truly hope you would not have to commute that far every day, I can not imagine driving that far... I drive ten miles in one sitting and I have to get out for a bit before I can drive again, than I only do it around my meds

johanna... you are saying about the aspens, you should see the oaks and maples in our area turning fire red and bright orange such a bad sign that winter is close by...

Yesterday communicated via E-mail to Dr Sanders, think I am going to stop procrasintating and have him do some cutting early on in 2008!!!

Everybody have a good day and really mess with somebody that you do not know... smile at them and say Hello :D

Mark~n~Goober

[Peg24]

Ah Sorry Shelley,

Come here anytime.......we will be nice to you!!! :Heart:

Love Ya!!!

Peggy

[LinJane]

Mark I like that, messing with someone you don't know by saying hello. better then bitchin! It was amizing to be up in your neck of the woods to see all the changing colors of the trees. Ours here in NJ haven't changed yet. It really was beautiful. Once I can figure out how to attach my pictures, I'll send a couple. I can take pictures but not very computer savy. Oh, and Mark, Playdoh isn't so bad, it's just that you start out with about 7 colors in one day and by the end of the week they are all purple! Luckily they are cheap!:eek:

Shelly Hope you have a better day today.

[gibbrn]

I have a rule....honesty from me and I tell it like it is bad or good and if you like it great I am your friend....but if you are an A$% then you can (as I would say in Scottish) goan bile yer heed.......said as go and boil your head in your lang. so get lost and deal with it!!!

Sorry I am not trying to ruffle feathers but I have a feeling most of us are a bit the same way. I have lost friends to this monster TOS and it was devastating to me. I kept thinking what was wrong with me.....then relized it was her......so there goan bile yer head.........

I am sorry some have a rough time just now....

I hope that you get what is coming to you better things you have earned. My girlfriend's daughter is really ill and she asks what she did wrong(the daughter)for God to give her this problem and why she has been so bad and what did she do???/!!!!!

horrible poor little thing she has really gone through hell. Her doctor told my GF that all the kids he meets are amazing kids but they are all so sick....

We all have our crosses to bear so to speak.....you reap what you sow. If you are like us usually the caregiver with a huge heart I have found.......then we feel what did we do to get this......nothing no logic here I am afraid. I too question it....I have had many tearful days asking why....and there is just no answer just the real world and poop happens so to speak. I believe in something after this....not so sure what but I have a huge sense of hope for this......

sorry ranting again guys.....

love and hugs to you all,
Victoria

[dabbo]

Tam and Lin- I hope you both get/have the diabetes under control.... Don't need to add ONE more thing to the list of issues!

The interview went (I thought) very well. I like the company, the people, etc. We would have to move, but they would put me up in a hotel during the week, and I would commute monday am there and then back friday afternoon. They would do that (I think) for about a month. We shall see.... I have a couple of more things set up here in town over the next 2 days. Hopefully one of em works out, so I can get this behind me.

Speaking of behind *** TMI WARNING TOO MUCH INFORMATION ***
I had to have part of a pilonidal cyst lanced last friday - I had the major one removed 1.5yrs ago, but I forgot how much the freakin lancing hurt. I almost... unswallowed.

anywho! i hope everyone has a good day!!

[Jo*mar]

yikes Dabbo - had to look that one up - looks like not much fun:eek:.

[johannakat]

well, at least you DIDN'T unswallow on the doctor... my oldest did on the dentist once while having her teeth cleaned..they just pushed a little too hard and the gag reflex kicked in ...oops :)

[Edelweiss]

wish you all a good friday and a nice weekend.

I had a very bad headaches-week and therefore I didn`t write.

All the best to you all
Barbara

[LinJane]

Barbara I hope your headache goes away. There is nothing worse than a bad headache.

I got a note from my neuro that the mri showed that the muscles in the bracheal (?) plexus area shrunken due to lack of use from pain. He wants me to go back to Dr. Togut or Dr. Schwartzmann. Dr. Schawartzmann is very difficult to get an appointment with so I'm hoping he can call him. I know I can go back to Dr. Togut but I don't know what he is going to say. I am kind of lost. I need to do something. Anything! They said no therapy but I think I need to do some. There must be some type that won't aggravate it! I know Dr. T. know's what he's talking about but I can't just do nothing! I feel like I'm going to shrivel up and die.:(

[tshadow]

Barbara I hope your headache goes away. There is nothing worse than a bad headache.

I got a note from my neuro that the mri showed that the muscles in the bracheal (?) plexus area shrunken due to lack of use from pain. He wants me to go back to Dr. Togut or Dr. Schwartzmann. Dr. Schawartzmann is very difficult to get an appointment with so I'm hoping he can call him. I know I can go back to Dr. Togut but I don't know what he is going to say. I am kind of lost. I need to do something. Anything! They said no therapy but I think I need to do some. There must be some type that won't aggravate it! I know Dr. T. know's what he's talking about but I can't just do nothing! I feel like I'm going to shrivel up and die.:(

So they think you have some atrophy in the brachial plexus area - on both sides? A little, middle or lot? Are you really that inactive - I mean, I've been primariliy bedridden for four years and I have no atrophy in my physique, so I'm kinda shocked by this "note"...also, everyone, knowing MRIs as we do, can they really show atrophy - I mean, they can show tumors, bone abnormalities, vein locations, etc., I just never thought they could really outline atrophies that well...hhhhmmm.

Maybe start a new thread on this Linda, as this is an interesting turn of events worth a full discussion I think. Very important. And I also think you could reverse atrophy, somehow, without flaring up the TOS I would hope, SOMEHOW...(that's where all of our heads are so great!)

Hang in there sweet one, this is how we do our best work! :grouphug:

[Jo*mar]

I'll start a thread on atrophy, as I wonder if there are other causes besides lack of use.

[LinJane]

No, I'm definitely not inactive. and actually the word was not atrophy, I used the word shrunken when I believe he used the word thinning. Sorry, my mistake on the word. I did speak with him this afternoon and we discussed trying to use some gliding exercises. I am going to check some of the sites here to see what good exercises to do to SLOWLY work the shoulder. I have been told for so long not to do anything that I don't want to over do. Oh, and also, it's also just my right side. I have a tendency to favor it since that is my "bad" side.

Thanks! Linda

If anyone has any good sites for me to start out on for basic minor exercises that would be great!

[tshadow]

I believe he used the word thinning. Sorry, my mistake on the word. I did speak with him this afternoon and we discussed trying to use some gliding exercises. I am going to check some of the sites here to see what good exercises to do to SLOWLY work the shoulder. I have been told for so long not to do anything that I don't want to over do. Oh, and also, it's also just my right side. I have a tendency to favor it since that is my "bad" side.

Thanks! Linda

If anyone has any good sites for me to start out on for basic minor exercises that would be great!


oooh, ok, hhhm...Thinning muscle. Has anyone had that? I mean, on shoulders, the muscles can get thin and torn...would that have anything or any action to do with TOS? Not questioning you Linda at all - just thinking out loud about what this doc has found, this is what I do...let me know if it freaks you out...just never heard of it before for TOS!

[LinJane]

I haven't seen the report yet but from my understanding it is from non use. That's why when I saw him today I asked him what we could do. He said If I could forward some info from sites from here he would approve them for me to do. I have great faith in all of your knowledge. I appreciate all of your help. He knows Dr. Togut is a great TOS doctor and had sent me to Dr. Schwartzmann and then to Dr. Togut. I am confident in all three. I have put my life in all of them.

[Jo*mar]

wouldn't those words all mean pretty much the same thing??
thinning, shrunken, atrophy?

looked them up-
atrophy -<pathology> A wasting away, a diminution in the size of a cell, tissue, organ or part.

muscle thinning - also known as or related to muscular atrophy, muscle atrophy (disorder), muscle wasting disorder, amyotrophia, amyotrophy, muscle atrophy

[dorrie]

Today I......had a nice day just hanging out with hubby!!! We had a nice nap mid-afternoon and watched a movie tonight! Now he is watching CSI...I am listening to it and playing on here!:)

[DDayMBB]

Linda.... I do water therapy when able, should be getting back into it my sd seems to be comiing into check, a few more increses in mmy pump and I should be good to go! What I do is resistance underwater movements with my hands, no no weights, just someting that looks like a ping pong paddle is enough to do the job:rolleyes: and 200+ lbs. did I used to lift <umph>

Oh well take care all talk later Mark

[LinJane]

I went into some the the sticky's for some exercises and am just trying to do some basic stretches and movements I used to do. I am a normal active day to day person, laundry, shopping, dishes, etc., but not exercising. I just want to start adding a few things to try to get a little movement back and hope for the best. I have'nt been in the hot tub in a bit because I have been busy with work and the kids so I have to put it on my "to do" list. Hope everyone has a good day. I made arrangements for my daughter and I to go to Lasall College for Open House on November 4 in Mass now I just have to make Hotel arrangements. No more B&B. This time I'm going for a nice hotel. We'll stay in Boston!
Linda

[Peg24]

Mark,

I wish I could do underwater resistance movements. Any of that and I have a flare up the next day!

I hate that too, cause I have a pool and I love to swim. Don't do much of it anymore. Just sit in it and float on a raft.

Peggy

[dawn3063]

I just want to say HI and wish everyone a comfortable Oct weakend.
:hug: & :Heart:
Dawn

[Peg24]

Hi Dawn,

I hope your feelin better. We sure have missed seeing you around here.

You have a great weekend!!

Peggy

[tshadow]

Mark,

I wish I could do underwater resistance movements. Any of that and I have a flare up the next day!

I hate that too, cause I have a pool and I love to swim. Don't do much of it anymore. Just sit in it and float on a raft.

Peggy

Peg,

I'm with you on that one...and I used to be such a swimmer and used the water to keep my figure quite nice - I did all of these exercises in between laps so that I had really tight muscles without bulk. I was so healthy.

But now, my body after 5 years is changing just a little, and I am able to slowly, gently, sweep my legs up the sides to get some stretch and extension in the pool. If I do too much, I can barely walk out of the pool, and I can't get out of bed for a few days. But if I do it just right, I actually can have less pain the next day! And I notice some cellulite smoothing away...

This is giving me some HOPE. Much needed HOPE.

Peg, how long have you had TOS? Like I said, 5 years for me, and Merja promised me years ago that if I could just have hope that after years, my body would stop the relentless "suicide pain", that it would allow me to do some things, and that although I may never fully recover, that I would be able to regain some quality of life and see the blue sky again.

Has anyone heard from our dear, sweet Merja? Let's all find her, ok?

Bless you Peg.

And always, God bless Mark, the Godfather of this thread...

[Jo*mar]

It's good to hear that you are having some hope after all this time.
Those baby steps - they take time and patience, but hopefully they payoff in the long run.

Merja - I had forgotten about her, I wonder how she is doing?

[fern]

Peg and tshadow-
Mark described some great ideas for water therapy. in regards to the use of paddles he descibed please realize that you can do several things to vary the amount of water you are pushing. The least amt of force would be to do movements slowly w/your fingers open. One can add resistance by closing your fingers, by pushing harder, and later if you're not symptomatic by strapping a swim paddle onto your hand. Just because we cant necessarily use the dumbell style aqua aerobics devices doesn't mean we cant benefit from water therapy. On a really bad day or when getting started, just standing in the warm water up to the neck and letting it suspend the limbs can be plenty. There are many things the warm water does incl. allowing for increased ROM and promoting increased circulation. I enjoy it quite a bit even with my TOS limitations but like others have expressed I really miss the ability to do a real workout in the water. Now I mostly opt for very slow movements and very little force. But no matter what being in the water most always really lifts my spirits.

[HopeLivesHere]

Hi Everyone,

I know I am not around much but even if I'm not here I still think of you all with hopes that everyone is doing a little better each day.
We are having a beautiful fall so far. Since I got the IT Pump, the burning pain has decreased a lot. I've gotten a little bit of strength back, not much but it is better than the way I was headed :(
I've been to the pool a few times to walk around, swim a few strokes, when it was warmer. It feels so good while I am in there, but after, like tam, I'm sore for days. I'm really pleased with the Pump :Dancing-Chilli:, except I don't get much relief from TOS pain, muscle aches. I'd say the majority of the time, the 9-10 pain levels are down to 3-5 depending on whether or not I'm doing anything or if it is cold. I'm not sure if it would help to turn it up higher to see if I can get relief from TOS, hand, forearm & elbow pain, I'll have to ask at my next doctor appt. My hands still get cold and turn blue if they hang down at my side, but no pain unless the temps fall and then they (and my body) are stiff and arthritic feeling - can't make a fist. But majority of burning is gone :)
I think most of you know my lawyer passed away and I'm on to a new one now. Nothing happening with my case yet though. Most everything is denied still.
HAIRDRESSER, I want to thank you for all the smiles....you bring a lot of cheer to my life :Thats-Funneh: I hope you and everyone has a great weekend. And the northerners are staying nice & warm :grouphug: Hope

Happy Birthday Alison :Birthday:

[Peg24]

Tam,

I've been suffering with TOS for 3 1/2 years, but didn't get diagnosed until about 2 years ago and not long after the dx, had the surgery.

In regards to the swimming, I find it along with other strengthining excerises, no problems while I am doing them. I could just get in the pool today and swim laps and think at the moment, I feel great, but the next day, the pain in my chest and arm are terrible. It just makes me feel bad all over actually. Any TOS flare ups cause me to feel so tired and I just can't think straight.

Because of this, doing any restraints at all scare me because I can't seem to judge what I can really do or not do without causing problems.

Before surgery though, I could not do any swimming laps at all.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

Peggy

[dabbo]

Hi all! been lurking for a few days..... I hope everyone is having a good weekend.... Still job hunting. blaaaaaaaaaaah.

you're right Jo - that was uncomfortable! I hope the doc took care of it all now. We'll see.

[johannakat]

Nice to see you hope...!

[dabbo]

I've gotten to watch NASCAR AND baseball in HD! and, doesn't Ronan Tynan kick some serious tail? What a voice! anywho... take care all! oh... read this about him. I had no idea- what a guy!!
http://http://www.theirishtenors.com/ronan.html

[tshadow]

I went to the hospital again. 6 times since July 2? Thank goodness for Medicare!

Couldn't breathe. The muscles got too tight. My chest and abdomen went rock hard.

Nice ER out here.

I guess I was very dehydrated also. I don't know how that can be - I had a ton of water yesterday - is my body just not processing it? So they fixed me up with IV fluids and a slight relaxer - nothing noticeable, just doing ok now and sent on my way back to my misery...

The doc was shocked by my meds program. :eek: Shocked also by how my skin reacted to the IV:eek:...and a couple of other things that are de riguer for us TOSers... Doc said, "what is this neurogenic TOS - never heard of it.":eek: I appreciated the HONESTY rather than some smug lying.:o

New home aid starts today at some time - probably just when I feel like I can sleep a bit, she will come...yes, I am thankful I even have one coming, but it is ironic that they seem to come at just the times when I can finally fall asleep...the agency met with me and said they're sending over this "great gramma who just loves her grandkids." All I can think is, "great, now I'll get some sicknesses from her grandkids." Why would they match me to someone like that? Fiance said let's meet her first...and ask about the grandkids situation - I have basically NO immune system, so I try to avoid these kinds of contact - I don't think I can handle a real illness other than TOS right now.

OOoow, sounds like I've got a bad attitude today.

I think I am sick and tired of waiting for authorization of detox, as my right side (abdomen) is also actually hurting from the meds. I am really ready to go without these daily meds, to see if I can. Although, my pain is really high also.

Catch 22.

I'll try to work on being grateful today.

[LinJane]

I'm sorry your'e having such a bad day. I hope you can get some rest. Try to keep some purell or something around to keep the germs away. I remember when my first daughter was born. At 3 weeks she was hospitalized with viral meningitis. My sister-in-law came to visit with her 8 year old who had strep throat. How stupid is that! Just what I wanted. And at the time we didn't know if the meningitis was bacterial or viral. They tell us our baby might die and they bring their sick child to visit. They are the dumbest people I know. Not my favorite in-laws to say the least.

You have to take care of yourself.

My kids are off for Columbus day and I actually got to sleep in today. Hooray for Me!

Hope everyone has a good day, Linda

[Shelley]

Tam :hug::hug::hug:. I am so sorry that you had to go to the ER. I hope you have a better day today. :hug::hug:

Today I am under the weather. Caught a cold or flu and it is kicking my butt. :(

[Shelley]

Ugh voice gone and feel crappy. I hate cold and flu season :mad::mad::mad:

[HopeLivesHere]

Shelly, I am sorry you feel so poorly and have a cold - I hope it is not a flu. It's one more thing you didn't need ;)
I hope you feel well enough to get out and enjoy the nice weather we're having :hug:

Thanks for noticing Johanna, I think I owe you a response...check your PM's
I'm excited to see you & everyone again :hug:
Hope

[Jo*mar]

Hi Hope - it's great to see many that haven't posted for a while come back and join in- the more the merrier.

Tam, how is the aid person working out?

Shell, ever tried that EmerGen C Vitamin C {1000mg} that dissolves in water- plus it has other goodies too
tastes good and it really seems to work for us.
http://www.emergenc.com/

[johannakat]

Hugs for sickie shell belle...

and I did get your PM, hope!

i am feeling on top of the world today (well my own tiny one, anyhow!!!) after a great PT session and strong workouts all week, i can't believe i am FINALLY able to tolerate light strenghtening. wow.

feeling so strong because of it, even though normal people would look at my "weight" lifting and laugh their butts off.. :Thats-Funneh::p It felt awesome to go pick the 1 lb weights out of the bin....!

[HopeLivesHere]

good for you Johanna - you have come such a long way.
I'm really happy for all your successes in such a short time.
All that research paid off.
Did you write in your diary "today I lifted a pound" ? lol Good stuff tho ;)
It's wonderful you can do that without hurting yourself !!
I'm glad you continue to get stronger - I love success stories.
Hope

[Shelley]

Thanks guys,

Jo I had forgoten about Emergen C. Will send hubby for some. Jo I like your Thanksgiving ticker

Johanna YAY Hurrah for your weightlifting!!!!

Hope :hug::hug:. Will we get to see you at JOhannas at the end of the month?

Peg is that a new pic with your granchild I see? So cute

Tam you doing any better today?

Dabbo how is the search going?

Dawn you lurking?

ANyone else out there...(hang on need to blow nose)

:grouphug: for the room (cough cough blech :()...I better hug myself and not spread germs. My sinuses are so stuffy it hurts my teeth.

[Peg24]

Shelley,

Sorry your sick and feel so bad...:(

Love Ya

Peggy

[olecyn]

Tam - Geeze Louise, Tam. You ok? I know how it feels when the muscle freeze and the only ones that can help are the paramedics and the ER. Love that Morphine!

Shelly - YES emergen-c is one of my daIly probiotics. Somedays I take 2 packets. And the cold sx's...I was told by a fellow cancer patient THAT that when you feel cold/flu sx's coming on to go get yourself garlic and ginger root. Chopped up garlic, eat on bread or toat. And drink ginger root tea (the actual root) chpped up. Just fill a small pot or a cup at a time as it gets bitter if you steep too long. Steep for a couple of minutes and drink throughout the day. IT REALLY REALLY WORKS and keeps you healthy! The ginger was also good for my naseau which I rarely got.

I'm also taking Life Balance by Life Force at the moment. It is suppose to help with the fibro. Has been until today. It gives me energy too without caffeine. Now if I could find a sleep aid besides drugs and fat pill, grrr...

Johanna - WOW...you sound steller! Weights? Working that circulation, huh? You go girlfriend. Whatever makes you mentally and physically feel better. JUST DO IT!

[dabbo]

JKat- lifting weights!! way to go! good improvement!

Tam - I'm sorry you had to go to the ER (again). Least favorite place in the world. Were the paramedics cute at least?

Shel- I'm sorry you're feeling yucky. That doesn't help anything... I hope you're feeling better! The job search is kinda on cruise control - i had something lined up for today/tomorrow, but it had to be put off until next week. So that kinda throws some other things off, but at least I'm meeting with people.

Peg- I like the avatar!

Everyone else- have a good day and I hope pain levels are loooooow.

[dawn3063]

:Wave-Hello:HI Guys,

Yep, I have been lurking for the past few days... But I am still here :p

Shelley, Sorry to here that you have the Bug http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/Dawn3063/sick.jpg Rest up and get well soon.... :hug::hug:

Hi Hope, Johanna, Dabbo, Peg, Jo, Cyndy, Tam and everyone else...
BIG :grouphug:to everyone....

:hug:&:Heart:
Dawn

[Stardust]

Tam and Shelley--Hope you're both feeling better. Shelley, I must have caught your cold online. :) Guess I'm gonna have to head out for some EmerGen C myself.

Hope and Dawn, nice to see you again.

And to everyone else, wishing you all a pain-free, cold-free day!

[johannakat]

quiet day today, feeling a bit cold-like myself...:( the 2yo asthma baby had bad episode tuesday night, and everyone is still trying to get caught back up.:Sigh:

Just wanted to stop by to say hello to all, and hopefully everyone is having a relatively good day...



Johanna

[dawn3063]

Today was a good day.. I was able to get an appt to see Dr Jordan in LA in Nov... :D
BUT... Tomorrow, I have to go to the dentist... :eek: for my 6 month check up and cleaning... Oh, how I hate that.. The old nerves in my mouth just dislike that metal pick that the doc uses...:(
Wishing everyone a low pain and cold free day..
:hug:& :Heart:
Dawn

[tshadow]

Tam - I'm sorry you had to go to the ER (again). Least favorite place in the world. Were the paramedics cute at least?



Ok, not sure how to take that...and strange that you SHOULD MENTION...(hahaha)...ok, you got it out of me Dabbo, and I swear you could work for the FBI...the radiologist had to be about 20 years younger than me, and he is a prior Air Force man, and quite handsome, and well, when he poked my IV wrong and I screamed, he said, "I am so sorry Baby!" and he called me Baby from there on out...hahaha...so I guess I had a big flirt for a radiologist. And yes, he was cute. (But NO, I generally don't notice such things!) :p

I am still not feeling so great, part of the cycle of TOS since I had that GREAT day...

Hoping everyone else is feeling some improvement, or at least not worse...

I am getting EXCITED by the prospect of Johanna's PARTY!

[gibbrn]

Hi my TOS treasures!!

I have missed you all dearly and am suffeirng hellishly brutal flare due to planes trains and autos from Calgary to ottawa and ottawa to Toronto....that was the bad one.....really bad story there....(should I save it for the soooooon approaching P A R T Y ????) LOL......however the trip ended with a very turbulant trip back from TO to Calgary.....if I wasn't coming to LA soon I would not be traveling for a hell of a long time.......good thing I want to come to the land of the free.......and the home of the brave!!!!!

Oh yeah did I telll you all i was Scottish?? So when I say brave....it's almost a life goal for us Scots....being brave I mean....the saying goes Scotland the Brave....they mean the country but ask any Scottish stubborn person and you wlll know what I mean......

So I's back to pest ya'll again

much love and gentle hugs to all.....oh and by the way 1000mg of regular old Vitamin C will help keep the cold away (but if you read the studies Zinc is good too!! so such on an orange and then pop a zinc pill!!!!)

love ya'll nighty night
Victoria:hug::grouphug::grouphug:

[Jo*mar]

I hope LA will be nice and warm when you get there - that will help a lot. You might not want to go back home LOL:D

I'm missing some warm weather right now, icky foggy, damp and chilly here - I need to get my wood stove going this morning.

[johannakat]

i don't know, i am sure it SOUNDS toasty...but at 66 degrees i am feeling all kinds of chilly today!

[dawn3063]

I know what you are saying Johanna... 66 and overcast... Brrrrr for me and very achey.. I drank a cup of hot chocolate and am going to go bundle up on the couch and watch some TV now....
I guess I am just a wimpy So Cal girl....
Have a good day everyone....
:hug:&:Heart:
Dawn

[Shelley]

Hi guys,

Today I am back after the baby shower extravaganza weekend. :D

First we drove up to SF and went to a football game on Friday night in the rain. So I am just waiting for the pneumonia to kick in :p or bronchitis since I did it with a cold. But hubby was very happy to go to football game and I love him so it was worse the sickness to see him smile and cheer.

Then on Sat we went to friends baby shower. Hahahah payback for hubby.

Then spent 10 hours dricing back yesterday from what usually is 5-6 hours. That accident on the I5 really messed it up. Was terrible accident, God bless those involved.

Dawn....OUCH how was that dentist? Are you like that gum commercial with bright shiny teeth?

Tam I always check out the men at the ER !!!!

Vic...I am scottish too! Actually a descendant of William Wallace. I like to say that Mel Gibson owes me atleast 1/1000th os that academy award for Braveheart.

Bring a sweater Vic, its cold and misty here today.

(((((((Hugs)))))) for everyone.

[hairdresser]

Today I rushed into my Mom@Dad's home after getting a call from my mom that my dad had just dislocated his hip. Life sure has it's up's and down's. Honestly the last 4 years, I wish I could erase them. After being in Emerg. all day I'm pretty flared, both arms are on fire and my neck needs to be pulled out of my shoulders lol. He's ok, probably looking at a hip replacement, his health is poor @ 79. I the last 2 month's my poor father has had celulitis, gout flare, dislocated hip a tia and now another dislocated hip with another hipp replacement. Oh worries. Love keeps us going.:hug:

[dabbo]

Hairdresser- I'm sory to hear about your dad. I hope he pulls through ok.

Shelley - 10 hour drive?? owwwwwwwwwch.

So, today I... am job-hunting some more. Drove down to Birmingham for a meeting tomorrow. Only a 4 hour drive. Bleeech. Tired of driving. Also gotta get the COBRA paperwork sent in pronto. I had to self-pay for 2 doc's visits and this months scripts (OUCH :eek: ) Hopefully the ins. will pay me without too much hassle... riiight. The only upside is that I get frequent flier miles. Anyways.....

Di and Peg... long time no talk... I hope you are both doing well.

[Peg24]

Dabbo. I just went into the chat room and you were there. I said hello and you left. ???????

Where are all my old friends here??????? Nobody answers PM's, phone calls or comes to chat anymore!!

I miss you all! :(

Peggy

[Jo*mar]

he had the revolving door problem - we are in chat now peg

[dabbo]

sorry about that Peg... i needed some butt glue. I couldn't get back into chat... I had to close my browser and then re-login to NT.

[gibbrn]

Shelley,

WILLIAM WALLACE!!! Nice one!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:
I love the 'Wally' monument in Stirling.....I hope you have been to see it...if not time for a trip my dear!:D As for 66deg I would like that over our oh I just checked we are warmer than you I was going to say 16 cel, but it is 61 so pretty close but we got to 20 with lots of sun today (68---with the sun on you it feels more like 80 far.... oh well this time of year we should be around 12 cel or 54 far to 6cel which is 46......so go figure to me 66 sounds nice even without the sun but then when the cool mist hits my shoulder I'd likely cry like a little baby......oh poor me I am shivering and now my pain is so bad I can't move....booo hooo....soooooo not being sarcastic!!:eek:

hairdresser.....sorry to hear of your troubles....prayers your way from mine.....love and hugs to your pain and your family!


I want to thank God deeply for my MT who recently went to a conference to learn more about nerve stripping and tos and brachial plexus traction injuries......so she got me in today instead of wed and gave a good 1.5 hrs of working over....love that Woman!!!! hurting already.....

to all a good night and tomorrow a good day!

love and hugs, Victoria :hug:

[beth]

I'm Scots on my maternal grandfather's side (McCollum), though we were in Ireland by 1610 or shortly after, and to these shores before 1750 when my ancestor was born in Monongahela Valley, PA. In my paternal line we showed up in St Mary's Co,Maryland, likely via VA, before 1650, when my first proven ancestor in that line was born. No Mayflower passengers, but definitely early Yanks, and from the people England was glad to see go - Scots-Irish, and English Catholic "landed gentry", although even in the new world there was so much anti-Catholic feeling most males, at least, swore loyalty to the Church of England until the 3rd generation.

My dad's grandmother's father was also Scots-Irish, he came over as a boy of 12 in 1856 to join his grandparents, his parents we think had died.

Some day I plan to see Belfast, and little Ballymorran, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, to see where family long gone once walked. Some HOW I am gonna make it happen! ;)

[gibbrn]

How amazing to have all of that family history. I don't think I could go that far back....sort of pure bred....but then if u include the vikings, celts, romans, and any other rapers and pilligers who came to my wee island......I am all of those!!! not reallly pure bred is it!!!

Beth thanks for sharing your genes with us!!!!;)

love and hugs
Victoria:hug:

[gibbrn]

Hi guys,

just want to say what a nice very brisk day it is out here in Calgary...1deg and it is cool baby!! But the sky is blue and the sun shines it's eternal flame upon me today.

I take strength from this flame and work with diligence to move forward with my claims to comp and LTD so I work tirelessly on the paperwork yesterday and faced the wrath of migraine last night and then the oh so wonderful fight in bed to get space for my messed up right arm so no elbows were stuck into me....lol:p

How many of you yell at your spouses (not meaning harm just a vent of sorts) when you are in pain....M doubts my assertion that it is the pain.......:eek:

Much love to all
Victoria:hug:

[LinJane]

I fight for sleep with a 6'2" husband and 4 year old daughter. She started sleeping with us when she was 2 and said she will stay in our bed until she is 16. First, I know this not to be true, she is the last of 4 children. Also, I don't want to here from child experts, I know how to make her sleep in her own bed but the fight is not worth it. Actually, our evening ritual is fun. My husband is usually at football with older boys. We go up to bed and play cards and read books. She then falls asleep. I can't move her because it hurts my neck. I used to but she would wake up. When my older daughter goes to college next year we are going to redo her room for little one. Then we will try to make a big deal out of having her move in. My boys will then get their own rooms. Right now not worth it.

Today I am staying home. I think I broke my foot the other day. I banged it on our stairs. I don't have time to go to the hospital so I'm going to just put ice on it. I'll go to my podiatrist tomorrow. Unfortuanately, he and I are a on first name basis. My brother-in-law turned 50 yesterday so my sister had a nice party for him. We had a really nice time. It was nice to get out and be "normal".

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Linda

[dabbo]

Vic- I find myself yelling at times when the pain is on up there..... My short fuse gets a little shorter. One other thing I've noticed that I do is withdraw a little, and ignore other people, which "could" get me yelled at.

Peg- I hope your walk went well this weekend, and that the tents you were staying in weren't too smelly.

[tshadow]

Beth -

My GOD you know your ancestry.

How do you know all of that???

I know on all sides we started from Belfast, but I am told that many Scots and English also came to America from that location in the 1800s. It was sort of the sailing funnel to the US. Beth, do you also have your various "Coats of Arms" or even tartans (if that applies.)

In the last ten years, I have studied Hawaiian history, and some of the Polynesian peoples / islands, and they were very connected to the English monarchies of the 1800s and 1900s, as well as Tonga today. They all sailed into Scotland, I think...then on to London. Many died in London due to exposure to new illnesses. I love (for some reason) reading about history, as the people back whenever, were just as emotional, intellectual (perhaps more so) and motivated as we are now...just read their letters.

I also read and studied "Women Pioneers" and if anyone can get books of diaries or writings of women from the 1800s on this subject, it is really eye-opening to see how the West was laid by the blood of our ancestors. There was no antibiotics, so a simple miss of a hammer and bloody thumb could equal gangrene and death...and the American Indians did defend their areas by scalping entire families and babies, while some were extremely peaceful, helpful and very hungry due to lost lands. Lots of starvation by all peoples.

[dawn3063]

Ugh,
Today I... have a Depo with the Defense attorney. I think it has to do with Voc Rehab... I asked them to cash it out... They said No, So I then went to see the councilor and was unable to fulfill the voc rehab requirements due to weekly Dr appts and physical pain and after she found out the extent of my injuries she said I had no business going thru voc rehab at this time. So low and behold I was depo'd...
And today is the day....
No, problem as long as I can go in there and hold up emotionally and give clear answers being on "Heavy Narcotics" It will be ok...

I hope everyone has a good day and to those in So California... Stay inside if you can and I hope that everyone is out of the path of the fires...

:hug:&:Heart:
Dawn

[beth]

Tam,

The Internet has made genealogy much more convenient, by making it possible for people who are searching for the same surnames to find each other. Although there is a lot of faulty information on-line, if others have used sources such as church, census, military or shipping documents, you can follow your ancestors backwards if you don't run into any "brick walls", or until you hit that person for whom no parents, etc can be determined.

My Dad's great grandfather was one of those, came to IL from another state, some thought VA, married a widow with 4 kids and a farm, had 4 more kids, then skipped off to TX. My grandpa was visited years later by a man who was related via this ancestor's second marriage and family in TX, which had been unknown to the family in IL and was without sanction of divorce!

For decades my great-aunt and others tried to learn where this great grandfather was born and who his family was. They knew his date of birth, and names/dob of his brother and wife, who had briefly lived nearby in IL. And from the TX branch which they now were in contact with, they knew his second wife's name, date of marriage, date of death and where he was buried. They sent queries to VA courthouses and visited libraries and courthouses in VA on trips but never found what they were looking for.

Then in 1999 I volunteered to help my Dad by searching on the Internet. I posted queries and searched on every site that included people researching our surname. Within about six months a woman from KY replied, giving us not only our ancestor's parents and place of birth, but 8 siblings as well! They were part of a group of Catholics that came to Maryland very early, then moved to KY to establish the first parish on the frontier after the Revolutionary War. Marriage, death, census and baptismal records were all avaiable for KY, except for a few years lost when Confederate soldiers burnt the courthouse, and the earliest records of the "travelling" priest, who went from one parish to another by horseback through the hills and woods.

In Maryland, the records went back further, showing the first 3 generations worshipped in the Protestant church, held office in the town, and served in the military. My ancestor, b. 1650, is one of 3 brothers, but his father is not proven - there were 2 men of that surname that are possibilities, one a ship's captain, who didn't own land there, and one a planter. The ship's captain, Robert, was the oldest son of an englishman with estates in Derbyshire and Leistershire. The planter, Richard, MAY have been Robert's younger brother, as he had a younger brother by that name b. 1610.

It got pretty fascinating, I spent quite a bit of time digging out some this, and we went to Ky and to Maryland on different trips - before TOS. Met many distant Catholic relatives, who immediately embraced us. Found gravestones of ancestors born in the 1780's and 90's, and those of Civil War vets. Really cool.

Anyway, then I wanted to find out more about my other lines. A lot had been done on some of them already. The McCollum info was pieced from a Rev War land grant given to my ancestor for service as an Indian Scout in PA and Ohio (before it was a state). He was given land in KY, and there is a record trail from there to Indiana to IL. We think his family came from NJ before PA, and Ireland before that.

Many lowland Scots were brought to Ireland (no choice) by their English landlords circa 1610 and later . The English kicked the Irish off their lands and replaced them with Scots, many of whose sons promptly married Irish lasses, thus Scots-Irish. So many of the Scots in America came by way of Ireland.

McCollum is said to belong to/be a variant of Clan Malcolm. I don't have a tartan, but would love to!

Sadly, I don't have the concentration/focus to work on my genealogy now - just can't keep track of the pieces like I need to. :(

[johannakat]

just want to say a quick hi, having a rough week :(
premenstrual and all contributing to extra bad symptoms.
just wanted to let you all know I was still thinking 'bout you, though.

Johanna

[dabbo]

I hope all in SoCal are doing ok.......

Yesterday I had a cortisone shot in my right shoulder... the Ortho thinks I have Rotator Cuff Impingement/bursitis. Yipee. It was sore yesterday, but today it HURTS LIKE HE LL. I can't reach across my body, behind my back, etc etc. Doc told me I "would feel a little pressure and be a little sore" for a couple of days. This is NOT sore. This is pain. I guess the upside is that I haven't paid as much attention to my left side. Maybe for my next act I'll take a hammer to a toe! :eek:
just kidding.....

[Edelweiss]

say to dabbo that I am sooooo sorry to hear about your shoulder/rotator cuff problems. I know them so well. And I know how it hurts.
POOOOR DABBO!!!

To all others readers and writers from my dear "extended" family I say I am sorry that I didn`t write regulary.
At work there is a lot to do and after a long day on the computer I am totaly k.o. and don`t want to type anymore.
With my shoulder problem I am still in an unsatisfied situation - nevertheless I will spent the next week in France for holidays. Juhuuuu!!!

so I wish you all the best and hope that pain (all kind of pain) is as low as possible!

Very nice greetings and all the best,
Barbara

[tshadow]

Dabbo

lots of TOSers have operable shoulders - have you seen an MRI? I wonder if it's an operable ortho issue, or, TOS - another compression. Mixing in other ortho stuff is tricky, like elbow, carpal, etc. when we've already got TOS set in.

Just talkin'.

Take care. Don't push it.

:hug: ooops, did that hug hurt??? :eek:

[billy027]

I have just about completed all the therapy I have approved by owcp and I still cannot raise my arm above my head or behind my back. Beyond certain limits the pain is intense. Also, have cts, radial, ulnar, median nerve problems on that arm/ hand. My pinky sticks out and finger on next to thumb won't cross other one.
I wonder if this is going to be permanent?

[tshadow]

Billy, sweet heart, I am so sorry. That's a lot of ***** going on. I think you should post a new whole thread, and put that out there, and see what wisdom the group has for you. And support, too. I forget how long you've had these things goin' on. I'm kinda bossy, I guess, but I think everyone will want to post a bit on your stuff - because it's so important now.

God bless you Billy. :hug:

[billy027]

I will start new thread

[tshadow]

My pain is off the charts right now. I've blown past 10...

I moan, ache, roll around on the bed, cry...silent tears that just leak...

I sneak in my undies out to the jacuzzi at 4 am to get relief...u haven't the arm strength to pull on a latex bathing suit for X's sakes...

When I sit here, I play MTV playlists to get my head out of the pain. Lots of Timberlake and Linkinpark right now. I rediscovered NIN. The pain makes me choose some strange music cuz it hurts. In fact, Johnny Cash's Hurt sounds good right now to me.

I told you'all the pain is so high, so bad, that I am loosing it...this may be proof.

my days and nights are mixed up, they are little bricks of bits of pain, with my eyes open as little as possible...

Like a fever this pain will break. It has before. Then, the sun shines.

[gibbrn]

Hi all,
Just want to pass prayers of love and healing to all who need it right now and to say I feel your hurt and pain......

love and hugs to all,
Victoria:hug:

[johannakat]

well, feldenkrais PT guy told me today to stop stretching more than every 2 weeks. He said that i am so flexible that perhaps i am aggravating my nerves my stretching so much. He has put me on a new regimin of about 5 different feldenkrais things only plus gentle cardio. Everythign in teh "easy" zone, for those of us who can't fell easy from hard, do 1/2 of full range of motion.

interesting idea, going to try it out and see how it works. doubt it could make me feel worse-said myofascial release was OK cause you weren't stressng any joints, so I am going to continue with that.

Aslo, SuperJoyce has broken up with me again :confused: I am a bit sad over this, but just going to move forward with the feldenkrais guy and maybe some aqua therapy, not sure yet. I think she is frustrated at my lack of progress, and once again says she is only really providing maintenance. I was feeling bad at this last visit- I had clearly aggravated myself trying to do the little strenghtening I was doing, so I have totally stopped that, plus the thyroid was wacky again which makes everything bad....so, "i can't help you anymore" wasnt really helping me feel any better. BUT I am not letting it get to me, if she is done with me, then she is done with me, move on...!

(can anyone else hear the effexor in my attitude? wow!)

sooooo, no stretching for me, just gentle motions. such a change, i have been stretching 20-30 minutes a day 4-5 times a week for a long time.


ah well, still hot as ever here, lots to do as the little kids have a big halloween thing at school tomorrow, so I am off again...

gentle hugs to all and sweet dreams of sunny beaches with cool genlte breezes.

Johanna

[tshadow]

My flare finally "broke" a bit today. But it is so hard to go through this.

[Jo*mar]

I guess when we talk about stretching we should remember to mention that if hypermobility is an issue- not to overstretch those joints.
Because with hypermobility it's easy to go beyond the "normal" range and stretch too much and too far.

[beth]

to express how I feel right now. I met with the lawyer this morning for another phone conference. The other side says they will soon be making an offer, before our next conference on Nov 20. However, I already know this offer is not sincere, not even in reality-land. They have decided that with a bit more psych counseling I can return to work, and the offer wiill reflect that!?!

I KNEW the voc rehab interview last week was merely a way for them to justify this. I KNEW this was coming. He didn't ask about ANY of my restrictions. He didn't want to hear about how my pain and depression affect me. He didn't answer me when I asked if my Drs' opinions that I should not not return to work would be taken into account.

I told him I can't do laundry, most household tasks, grocery shopping and my husband does the cooking. I microwave or put together sandwiches. I told him my sleep is so disordered I don't fall asleep til 4-4:30 a.m., then sleep til noon, or get up earlier then take a long nap late in the day. I told him my legs and feet bother me and I can't be on them more than 30-45 mins tops.

But according to the lawyer, the voc rehab guy says I can teach still teach preschool, or I could work in children's retail since I had a children's consignment shop with a partner when my youngest was a baby. (She had ear infection one right after another for the first three winters and kept us both up at night, leaving me too TIRED to teach 3 and 4-yr olds during the day). I sold out my share when I got pregnant with daughter #2, returned to teaching once I got her off to kindergarten.

I would LOVE to teach again. But teaching young kids is a very hands-on, demanding job. You can't sit still. You don't get to sit much in retail either, and I can't exactly see how running a cash register all day ISN'T going to make me worse. How am I going to do my lesson plans - writing kills me, and I'm supposed to limit my computer time. I can lift a full gall jug of milk and pour it, barely - that's my max. How am I going to lift a 35-40 lb kid? :confused:

Seems like we're just wasting time, they don't want to make a real offer, so it will mean going to trial in February which I was hoping to avoid. :mad:

Just doesn't feel like this is ever gonna end. :(

[HopeLivesHere]

Beth :hug:
What else can I say except I'm sorry this is happening. You've been through so much and come so far just to be disappointed yet again.
I do know what you meant by it seeming like this is never going to end.
It's been 6 years and I haven't even started talking to the other side; we haven't even gone to court, not even once in over 6 years.
each of us is different & in a different situation. the ups and downs are so hard on us. Like I always say, never give up.....
Hope

[tshadow]

Beth,

I know they make ridiculous statements about what we COULD do.

Those words still bug me - because it's basically calling me a liar, in the face of losing my career that I fought tooth and nail to create.

MUST LET IT FALL OFF OUR BACKS...otherwise it adds to our stress...

Now, back to settlement. It's a game. PTG. Play the game. Let your attorney do it, let your instincts guide you in the process. They lob s low one over. Your attorney volleys one back...PTG Beth...it WILL end sweet heart.

Ok - here's the most important part. You have money involved here, and in my "money" cases I always had investigators following potential fraud actors (and yes, I am sorry, sometimes there were fraudulent filers but they were nothing like us people, they had side businesses, fake injuries, friendly doctors, ok?) anyways, you may be MICRO MICRO MICRO peeped at right now outside of your home. Keep that in mind, when you are laughing, but in pain, reach down to pick up that pesky piece of trash off of your neighbor's lawn, cuz you're a good neighbor...it can be used against you later!

In good faith sometimes we will do things in pain which later on are used against us. So just remember to adhere to your restrictions. Also, do not be overly afraid. The kind of stuff that would irk a judge was saying one person was 100% disabled and in a wheel chair, and then there is film of him setting of five $$$ taco stands alone in L.A., hefting big racks of produce...and the guy never disclosed it, which made it a big problem for him. It could have been handled properly...but major stuff like that, major illegal - just isn't here for us TOSers, but I still warn all of us about the DUMB stuff like going to casinos. For some reason, sitting on a casino stool for 10 hours seems to be a common blunder for work comp folks, which then wreaks havoc with what the doctors said we couldn't do...

So I'll pray Beth that for you, the legal process will come to an end as it sounds like you've had enough. Whether it be divorce, bankruptcy, or work comp, everyone does get to a point where they say, "uncle" - on both sides, believe it or not.

You've been a champ, girl. God will protect you and your family, I believe that. I guess this should have been a PM, but too late now.

[dabbo]

Beth - I'm sorry that they're throwing this crap back at you again. It'd be nice if they would "get it."

Today I.... had an interesting day. the rainy drizzle of the last week seems to be leaving, which is good. More job searching ahead. WOOOOOOO.
burning out on that, but i need a flippin job.

hope all in SoCal are doing ok, and I wish I/we could be there next week, but I don't think that'll happen.

[beth]

Tam, and all,

Thanks. I do, somehow, still believe I will in the end see a settlement amount that is acceptable. I almost said fair, but I don't think there is any amount that is "fair" for what has happened to me. Or to any of us. No amount of money can make any of us whole again, can it? I'd much rather, like all of you I know, have my former health and life back than ANY settlement.

The TIME that they are wasting, no STEALING, is the worst aspect. Time I can't get back, while my kids are growing and growing and soon one will leave the nest. We were never "wealthy", never spent extravagantly, but we used to take family vacations every summer, and spend spring break in Chicago or St Louis. We played ball, took picnics to the parks, my oldest daughter and I became shopping buddies. We went to museums, art fairs, renaissaince faires, plays. The girls took art classes, dance classes, acted in children's theater. They had friends over, and spent the night at their friends.

Most of this - not all, but a lot - came to a screeching halt when I got injured. Both for $$ reasons, but also because physically I couldn't handle it. Too much pain, way too much. The first couple years the only traveling that was done was flying to Denver and PA for Drs, treatments and surgery.
I'm managing some better thanks to the SCS. I can drive locally but try to keep the trips into town (30 mins away) to once or twice a week. Shopping still can only handle 30-45 mins or pay dearly later on and next day. Oldest is 16 now but is in no hurry to get her practice driving hours done that she needs before taking Driver's license test.

I try to stress to her the importance of keeping her grades high, class ranking, but not make her feel like she has this huge burden on her shoulders.
We always thought we'd be able to send our girls to college, probably with some financing, hopefully with some grants or aid, but we figured on being able to do it. Now Kelly's in her junior year, and it's all so unclear what is going to happen.

My consoling thought on going to trial over damages is this: Dr Togut is going to testify!!! ANd he will tell it like it is, no holds barred, that they are WRONG in saying I could return to work. He will be my champion in the courtroom, I feel sure of this, and hopefully that will be the END of this farce!

[dabbo]

Today I....
had a pretty good day! It was about 55 or 60 out, and sunny for the first time in a week. Spent 2 hours w/ my daughter outside. Washed the car, then grilled steaks and drank a (ONE) beer on the patio.
Hopefully I didn't overdo it. Tomorrow will tell.

All in SoCal - I hope that they get fires put out, and the winds move the cruddy smoky air OUT.

Cyn and Tam- I hope both of you are feeling better.........
:grouphug:

[LinJane]

Beth My case did not go to trial but Dr. Togut was going to testify and I know he will do a great job for you. Good luck and hang in there!

So Cal Gals Hope you are all ok and haven't suffered personally with any damage from the fires. Have a great time this week with your reunion.

Dabbo The weather here in NJ is great today. Yesterday was rain. I'm going to try to do some outside work. Hoping to get a picture of all 4 kids for Christmas card. I always wait too long and they get goofy. Make a goofy face, push each other, laugh, whatever to annoy me. Getting ready to sell 15 year old son if anyone is interested. He thinks he is hot sh** lately and I could smack him but he's bigger than me. All our football games were cancelled this weekend due to rain so kind of a weird weekend.

Hope everyone is well. Linda

[Dolfinz]

Beth I am sorry for all that you going thru and everyone else that is having a hard week...I hope this week ahead is better.

Dabbo .. Hi - hope things are going good.

I am having an alright day . The rain stopped so my hands are feeling a bit better.. been battling a right sided headache all day so far tho.. (got meds tho !:mad: meds for everything !)

Hope everyone has a great week ahead and for all in So. Cal.. Hope things are well. :hug:

[tshadow]

I am having a really hard time, my little dog Rocco has pancreatitis and is in the doggy ER right now. Anyone who knows me knows this little dog is my baby - and so I am beside myself with worry.

He runs to where the BBQs are by the pool, and he takes a lick on the ground, and probably picked up a little raw meat or something that didn't sit right, and now he's quite ill.

Folks who saw him at the last TOS party know he's a cross between an alien and a tree-bat. He weighs about 6 lbs., so there's not much gristle to lose there. My little guy.

So until he's better I won't be able to talk, etc. I am focusing on him. :hug:

[dawn3063]

Oh Tam,
I am so sorry to hear about Rocco... My little dog Cassie had bouts of pancreatitis a couple of years ago. She was so sick and had to stay at the vets for a couple of days. They started an IV on her and gave her medications and she pulled thru just fine.. Now she eats just her prescription brand dog food and is my healthiest gal...
I'll keep Rocco in my prayers those little dogs are our true companions and comfort...
Many Prayers and Hugs to you too...
:hug: Dawn

[Dolfinz]

Tam.. I hope things go o.k.... Your in my thoughts... stay strong..:hug:

[dabbo]

Tam- I'm sorry to hear about your doggy. When my wife was pregnant our puppy a 15lb doxie-jack russel mix decided to eat ALL of my wife's prenatal vitamins - the amount of iron in ONE pill could have killed the dog. I didn't realize this, but dogs don't have the ability to process iron to exrete it from their body in lg. quantites. SO, the vet had to give her some meds to bind to the iron, and she spent like 3 days in the doggie ER. :(

Lin- my old boss (a great guy!) was always trying to find someone to buy his 15yr old son. said he was a good kid, but a pain in the rear.

[gibbrn]

Oh I am soooo sorry to hear about your baby....I can relate to the pain...my poor old gal....10yr old part torty part siamese cat has had three bowel obstructions.....one with surgery the other two times....barium swallow xrays etc...she is the $5000.00 cat......

my heart and prayers are with you I know how important our 'babies' are and they always know when we hurt...so rest assured prayers are on the way from LA......
love and hugs,
Victoria:grouphug::Sob:

[DDayMBB]

Tam Hope I I c can can catch you on the as my dog is family to me!!!

[DDayMBB]

Today I welome a new member by the mame of name of Michelle C and should I have I post it incorrectly, I so do appologgize. As you all do all know my typinig is always is alwas quite bad.

[dawn3063]

Oh Boy, Today my mid back, left shoulder and arm are the worse they have been in a long time. My back feels like I am walking around with a large twisting butcher knife stuck in it.
I've maxed out the doses on my meds and they aren't working.. :Bawling:
I feel like I am slowly sinking... :Sinking: and not finding any solid ground...
Goodnight Guys...
Dawn

[Jo*mar]

Dawn,
can your hubby press on that sore knot area?
{manual triggerpoint work } or lay or lean on a tennis ball to press on it to see if it goes away.
It sounds like a triggerpoint. But if it's in the rhomboids {kind of under the scapula} you'll have to move arms forward to get to that muscle.

I found that when i do too much or really neglect my upper body posture I get sore spots in the rhomboids. While trying to figure it out I read that they are a pretty weak muscle and if the shoulders are forward too much it keeps the rhomboids stretched for too long of a time. The fatigue sets in and then causes the TrPs.

[Jo*mar]

found a video about rhomboids etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21f9YTBhS_U

[dawn3063]

Dawn,
can your hubby press on that sore knot area?
{manual triggerpoint work } or lay or lean on a tennis ball to press on it to see if it goes away.
It sounds like a triggerpoint. But if it's in the rhomboids {kind of under the scapula} you'll have to move arms forward to get to that muscle.

I found that when i do too much or really neglect my upper body posture I get sore spots in the rhomboids. While trying to figure it out I read that they are a pretty weak muscle and if the shoulders are forward too much it keeps the rhomboids stretched for too long of a time. The fatigue sets in and then causes the TrPs.

Thanks Jo,
I saw your post this morning... I had hubby try but I just had some really bad tingling in my hand so I had him stop.. I'll just wait it out, I see my PM doc in a week and then I see Dr Jordan the end of Nov. it's a long way away but I'll get thru it...
Hugs :hug:
Dawn

[Stardust]

Have just a minute to check in. As usual, it sounds as though so much is going on with everyone.

Dawn and Tam, hate to hear that you're feeling so bad. Hope things improve TODAY!!!

Beth, so sorry to hear about all the stuff going on with you. Have been following your story from the old forum, and remember how much you've been through. And now this....it all seems so incredibly unfair. Hope things are resolved to your satisfaction soon.

Hope everyone else is having a good day.

[gibbrn]

Well after the entire day (the part I was awake for...lol) at the pool of the Hilton and no extra meds.....I may be feeling better, but have done nothing to find out.....am afraid to exert myself lest it cause more damage......

My shoulder and back are still feeling like somebody has shoved rebar up inside me all the way through my back to my neck and I hang on the bar and it rips away at my muscles and nerves.......I like this description esp. when telling docs how I feel.......does it work??? feels like there are fishing hooks all over my back and shoulder under my scapula pulling at the muscles and not letting go especially if I do something....like shower or basic stuff......you all know the feeling?? yes??

hope you all have a great day! or are having......

take care, love and hugs,
Victoria

[tshadow]

Oh Boy, Today my mid back, left shoulder and arm are the worse they have been in a long time. My back feels like I am walking around with a large twisting butcher knife stuck in it.
I've maxed out the doses on my meds and they aren't working.. :Bawling:
I feel like I am slowly sinking... :Sinking: and not finding any solid ground...
Goodnight Guys...
Dawn


That's the knife in the back pain that we know so well!!!!

And I am very sorry that you're going through it - GOD I hate that pain, and yes, when I had that really good home care giver she would find those grape sized knots and very gently, in a very special way, she would ease them smooth and that particular pain would ease up...

no such home care giver now - she's wonderful in other ways - but that one CG was so good on those trigger knots-points.

OK EVERYBODY, LITTLE ROCCO IS BACK HOME, GETTING HOME MADE FOOD NOW, AND HIS LITTLE NECK HAS AN APPLE SIZED BLOOD CLOT WHERE IS IV WAS...my poor sweet boy...How I love that oversized rat boy.

The people who work at the animal ER don't make very much money, and they deal with the poo and other stuff of the animals, as well as the accident road-kill type stuff, and the crying owners (like me), and the sadness of it all (sometimes), like the day I was there, someone dropped off a cat who had a broken back and they had to eventually give up and euthanize it after trying to save it all day - those people, I felt, they work so really hard, 24 hours over the weekend, and they deserve a big thank you.

So I gave them thank you cards and gift cert. to get a nice dinner.

They said that no one had ever done that for them - not even bagels or flowers before. I mean, in law offices, we do that sort of thing constantly. So I thought there are some jobs that people just don't get the thanks they should. And animal veterinary workers / shelters / animal control definitely qualify for those unsung heroes.

God bless them this coming weekend, and I hope no animals are hurt on Halloween.

[DDayMBB]

Dawn... to bad there were not anything I could do to help out for you, thou maybay be sinking would would help you maybe a nice hot bath and long rest :(

Victororias' little one... is do well and Victoria is surely Dawn appreciated from those whom she heard about it

[ozzy14]

Hi everyone, Some good news regarding my health for once! Had a ugly mole removed from my back last week due to it growing quite large....got results today...all good! No cancer or any nasties. Just thought Id share my good news. Im currently on a high!!!

Ozzy

[gibbrn]

Ok getting worried about my cat back home....really glad the boarding place I have her is also a vet attached....very glad indeed.

The vet called to confirm what I had suspected for the last few weeks.....She has chronic renal failure and likely a urinary tract infection....oh how those dollars add up quickly.....and when you have no income.......

She will have to now be on as many meds as me and need constant attention for the rest of her life....she is only 10 and I made a deal with her when I got her...she lives till I am 40 ( 33 now) so she has lots of time left......

I am sad and worried .....i mean I can handle the illness but I hope she doesn't suffer or hurt....I am worried about that and knowing when the right time is.........and God bless you Tam for sending those vets a nice treat for Halloween!!!! How thoughtful....as a nurse we got flowers, cards, special hand made things from family as well as books pens and some lovely things people feel they would like to say thank you with....I have a drawer with some letters thank you's and gifts. so Thanks again for saying thanks it really means a lot as a care giver.....doesn't matter who is doing the careing and for whom they care for.......thanks is always apprciiated.

take care all tonignt with your wee ones and the big pumpkin night!!!!!
love and hugs to all,
Victoria:hug:

[tshadow]

Victoria,

When my female nurse kitty got sick in '06, they said that a bladder stone was blocking her and that they don't have urethras, so I had no choice but to have her put to sleep...she was in a lot of pain - a lOT - and I did nothing but cry for days...weeks...I am a sensitive person for these little animals.

So I am saying that i hope that you can help your little kitty and that I know you're a good mommy and part of that is making sure our little pets don't live in horrible pain, also.

I feel my kitty "Shadow" (hence my screen name) is always with me.

Ozzy - I am soooo glad that you got GREAT news, and also, that you had the mole removed. I have all of those things removed so that they don't even have a chance to go bad later. Good job there!

God bless everyone this day.

[Dolfinz]

Hi everyone and Happy NOvember... (winter's soon and oh the pain !)_

Victoria.. I know exactly how you feel.. everytime I have to go to Florida I left my babies: Marbles (cat) and Dakota (dog ) behind . I cry all the time when I am down there because I miss them so much !

I hope everything goes o.k. with your baby... :hug: Our animals are our lives at least for me they are. How's Cali ??

Hope everyone has a great rest of the day !:hug:

[DDayMBB]

Vic, to bad you can not find a vet that wii dsiepense sample medicaitions (free) that way save you a bit anyway .

Victoria, you are such a sweetheart anh always whe we speak twice so. My wife was saying how much abou fast we gone through during the conversation and was so late getting to bed for her... as for me my time is pretty much so limitless:hug:

I was wondering if anyone heard from Tonia (from Australia), Peggie (UK) Deborah, Edelweis and Di Marie and everyone else whom are hididing. Surely hope that all are well !!!!!!!!!!!!

think I will give my hands a bit of a rest before they get 2 bad
:thud:Mark~n~Goober:rain:

[DDayMBB]

Hi everyone and Happy NOvember... (winter's soon and oh the pain !)_

Victoria.. I know exactly how you feel.. everytime I have to go to Florida I left my babies: Marbles (cat) and Dakota (dog ) behind . I cry all the time when I am down there because I miss them so much !

I hope everything goes o.k. with your baby... :hug: Our animals are our lives at least for me they are. How's Cali ??

Hope everyone has a great rest of the day !:hug:

Finz they are the friends that give and never judge and are always there to give us love when we in are need !!!

[DDayMBB]

Today I pass along a hello to everyone and to the LA group must say looks like you had a wonderful time I do hope all are doing fine fine, I have fear of the on coming winter body is starting to assume a slug position and really am questioning a visit out to see Dr Sanders and his wonder knife... GOD BLESS ONE and ALL !!!!!!!!!

[dabbo]

I hope everyone is doing well! Last Friday I went for a 2nd interview with a company down in Alabama.... hoping to hear something positive back soon.

Downside of the trip is that I tweaked my arm/back unloading the car. I've had a pretty good 5-6wk stretch going (albeit medicated), and that totally screwed it up. Now I feel like I have a knife in my back (again) and that dang choking feeling is coming back. :( I suppose I should be thankful for the good long stretch of lower pain. Anywho.
take care all..........

[gibbrn]

Well after a wonderful day with the LA crew I want to thank all for such fun!!! I know I am not crazy now!!!!

Thank you Johanna so much for your hospitality. Your cooking was great!!!
Thanks to all who brought food....sorry I couldn't I would love to have made a nice focaccia for us all......

I know Marc got something out of it too. He woke up today and said I know you tos people are all the same....you all try to do too much!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok so I know he gets it now.....THANKS GUYS :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::circlelove::circlel ove:

I am now freezing in Calgary and there is SNOW on the ground! EEEKKKK from palms to dead grass...not my idea of fair! I do hope that things stay nice there for you guys.

much love and extra gentle hugs!!!
Victoria
ps I will check to see if my pics are ok then ok with all to post then post!

love V:D
ps I am flared all to hell and high heaven!!!!:eek:

[johannakat]

I have to tell you guys, my favorite part was when people just laid down on a couch or the floors cause it felt better....and it was all just totally comfy and OK. I was really pleased that you were comfortable enough in my house to do that- made me feel like it was all worth while.

It was completely my pleasure to have everyone here...and the bonus was that my hubby even stuck around for it. There is no way i could have gotten him to come with me somewhere...but when you all come to us it is much harder for him to hide. I think he really enjoyed talking with the guys outside, and YES he gained some appreciation for my situation by seeing all of us together. So thank you thank you all for making that happen for me.

Today was wonderful as I got to eat all the goodies that were left. I think my whole family ate dessert for breakfast lunch and dinner. I just sort of never cleaned it up till we ate it all :o It was perfect! :D

I do hope that those who were flared from travel make it through the next week or so OK and with pain that is as low as possible.

warm thoughts to you all,
Johanna

[Jo*mar]

Dabbo - how you doing today? any better?
I hope so.:grouphug:

[Dolfinz]

Today I.. Feel like a new person with all that stuff (SSI) off my shoulders ! (for now) Speaking of shoulders.. my left side is killing me ! DDay & dabbo.. I hope you guys are feeling better today.. Your right DDay.. winter is coming I feel it too !

Victoria - I'm glad you got home o.k. and I am glad that everyone had a good time in Cali ! Sounds like Johanna had a great time too !

If anyone in the Mass. area would like to maybe do something like that .. let me know. It would be great to get together..

I hope everyone has a great rest of the day and pain free.

Dolfinz :hug:

[gibbrn]

hey all

want to say that massage is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe what a difference it makes when you shoulder blade is not stuck into your muscles ahhhhhh to trigger points and pain

and ode to a massage therapist

I hate pain in the neck
for my day it does wreck

The joys of massage are numerous and many
I am glad mine is amazing worth every penny

love to all,
Victoria

[ginnybean32]

I have been in the hospital for severe depression due to pain and other reasons for most of the month of Oct and some of Sept....I am finally out of the woods on that I think and will stay home now....It is beautiful here in central al. All the leaves are changing and its cooling down and will freeze for the first time tonight....I hurt on the left side where I had surgery so much but it will get better...it always does...maybe one day I'll go up to Colorado...oh and I quit smoking for good:D:D:D

[mtnmom]

Ginnybean -
Its a great day here above 9,000 feet in the mountains of Colorado! Going to be a balmy 55 degrees today! Need snow however, to get the ski season up and running. Congratulations on quiting smoking - did you know that, by law, nobody can smoke indoors in any public building in the entire state of Colorado. You should be here!

[dawn3063]

:hug:I have been in the hospital for severe depression due to pain and other reasons for most of the month of Oct and some of Sept....I am finally out of the woods on that I think and will stay home now....It is beautiful here in central al. All the leaves are changing and its cooling down and will freeze for the first time tonight....I hurt on the left side where I had surgery so much but it will get better...it always does...maybe one day I'll go up to Colorado...oh and I quit smoking for good:D:D:D


Hi Ginney,
It's good to hear from you and it's good to hear that you are doing so much better.
Yea :Dancing-Chilli:... Congrandulation's on quitting smoking... That is a Great accomplishment...
Hang in there...
Big Gentle Hugs :hug:
Dawn

[gibbrn]

So nice to have you back with us. I can't imagine the road you have walked. I hope that things are behind you! So great that you have quit smoking!! Proud of you for that one is not easy!!!!

Take care love and hugs,
Victoria:hug:

[Jo*mar]

Congratulations on stopping smoking!

[tshadow]

Ginnybean - I am happy to see you here! I am very sorry to hear about the hospitalization and depression. That is a tough battle because of our TOS. It must have been very, very hard and uncomfortable, not being home. I am glad you're home now.

God bless you.

Today was not a good day. Sometimes they aren't.

Does anyone ever watch t.v. and just see some travel show or date show and think, "hey, I used to do that" ?

I am not a jealous person, but sometimes something on t.v. will remind me of how disabled I am now - how far I've changed from what I was - and it is shocking to me. I really can't believe how changed my life is from what it was, in five years.

How did I get here?

Where did my home go? Where is my career?

Who is that person (really shocked now) in the mirror?

I don't even look like me either. Well, I'm in a real "up" mood...

[gibbrn]

I too have changed considerably in the last five years....I don't think my symptoms are as bad as yours Tam, but I am not ME.

I can't have a career that I loved I can't travel well can't this and can't that!!!

The mirror is my gauge....how my face has changed. I have many wrinkles I didn't have even a year ago....stress and pain really smack you in the face don't they????

Thanks for the thought.....this was something we talked about at the meeting!!

Take care all
love and hugs,
Victoria:hug:

[johannakat]

send hugs to you who are feeling blue and remind you that the support you give to others on this board, adn through your new awareness in your everyday life, limited though it may be in some ways, is a new horizon that should be looked at as an opportunity.

Mazny times in my previous life i was simply unaware of how good i had it. this new turn of TOS has made me SOOOOO much more aware of others and their own problems. It has made me much more sensitive, kind and loving than i might otherwise have been. I am sure that everyone, to some extent, has had theis same turnaround.

Do not discount it, it is a very valuable awareness/ability to sympathize with others. Many many people never get it. Take that, embrace it, incorporate it into your new life and find some peace and fulfillment out of WHATEVER you can offer your fellow man, because it IS a VERY VALUABLE contribution to society.

I always liked the first president Bush's concept of the thousand points of light. We can all be one of those...

Love you all, off to PT now before I am late!!!

Johanna

[LinJane]

Hi from Linda. Just kind of funny because my sister's name is Ginny and my mom calls her Gingerbean!

I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well. I really haven't posted lately because too much going on. A little overwhelmed as well. But it is nice to share together. Best of luck and keep posting your feelings. Let everyone know you are OK.

Linda

[tshadow]

Daughter is visiting - YAY! Enjoying my time with her...although increased pain, quite worth it...it is still HOT here...dogs doing better with new home-made food...life goes on...

[dawn3063]

Tamara,
I was just thinking of Rocko (sp?) the other day and wondering how he was doing... I am so glad to hear he is doing better.. Those little one's of ours sure can stress us when they are sick... Hope you have a great time with your daughter too..

Here is wishing everyone else a great painfree day today....

:hug:&:Heart:
Dawn

[dabbo]

Today I...
Hope that all those feeling "blue" cheer up...JoKat was right, you DO add alot of support and insight for those in our group.
I wish I wish I could have gotten out to LA, but still no job :( Frustrating as hell.

On the positive side, we've had a great but slightly chilly week here in memphis.... great time to sit outside and enjoy the weather. I'm trying to teach myself the harmonica :D :eek:

Take care all..... talkto oiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii (thats me falling asleep on the keyboard......)

[mtnmom]

I got my blood work back and - I do NOT have to remain on Coumadin! My blood is normal, no genetic abnormailites or genetic 'mutations'. I simply clotted because of TOS. My blood is healthy! I knew this in my heart all along, however it is good to see it on paper, in black and white. I'm going to flush my remaining pills down the toilet, while I do a little happy dance around the bathroom!!!! :D

[Peg24]

Started having some serious flare ups with TOS this week.

I don't really know what is causing it, but it has been painful.

Hoping for a better day today!

Peggy

[dawn3063]

Today I am so Happy, Achy but Happy...
My Mom is flying in from Arizona to visit with me for a week... She had been sick for a while but is doing much better now... It's always good to have her around.. Not only because we have a good time togather but she can't get around too quickly due to a knee replacement, another bad knee and a bad back so we go at the same pace.. She is a great shopping partner..

Peg,
I hope that your flare settles down soon...
Dabbo,
I am sorry that your Job hunt isn't being cooperative... But I do hope your able to get a little rest while you can..
MtnMom,
Congradulations on the Blood work....

Here is wishing everyone else a low pain or most of all pain free weekend...
Many Hugs
:hug:&:Heart:
Dawn

[Jo*mar]

Hang in there dabbo - the right one will come along - i just know it!

Peg - I'm sitting here with my muscle stim on LOL - too much time on home repairs and winter organizing & no self care time to off set it.:(

foggy/damp weather is sneaking in on us too now -
had a nice streak of sunshine last couple weeks - that was nice

[DDayMBB]

Ginny-welcome back, have to say that is one heck of a way to kick the smoking habbit than again you were able to do it, I keep trying to no avail and to boot my wife's pressure at work got her smoking again so lame excuse as it may be quitting with her smoking around me:confused:

Victoria- I thought you were just off work temporarily, with the move... I did not realize, I am sorry:( at times I can be such a dunce in my own world and the first to admit it!!!

Johanna-Dabbo is right you do have a real positive outlook on things going bad... I think I was that way even with my my TOS it was when the RSD hit and started playing games throughout my body that I have been trying to rediscover me and most of the time do not like who I see in the mirror or hear in my head... though you guys certainly are a voice of rationale:grouphug:

TAM- my good bud, I am so sorry to hear about the elevation in the pain, I know you and know how much the visit ment and just how much you are over doing so all I can say is relax this weekend and get your body back in gear. ;)

Dabbo- sorry to hear about your job hunt... might I suggest an M1 Garand good solid weapon, well proven, reliable 30 cal. round tad extreme OK your theory on relaxing though, one thing I will tell you that you do need and that is a Neck Harmonica holder... I do play the mouth harp and TOS and playing do not go together that good !!! They cost about 15-20 for a good one and your arms will thank me later on:wink: as far as playing have fun with it!!! here is a site where you can pick one up at and may I also suggest Hohner Products they sound good ,long lasting, easy break-in http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hohner-Harmonica-Neck-Holder?sku=420677

Dawn- pets are a great stress buster, my little 185 pound lap dog would have no other way. Such a brave guard dog... you go look DADDY, is it OK oh I saved us ... BOOOM thunder, I need up on the couch or will you join me on the bathroom floor (SEE: thunder) but the house would not be the same with out a brave dog like Kita (Nakita) or Bear before her she was a light weight about 125

Oh well until later wish all well... Mark~n~Goober:cool:

P.S. as stated several times before has anybody heard from Barb Edelweiss just wondering how she is doing!?!

[tshadow]

Mark,

I LOVE this thread, it is so great to read what each person is up to each day. What a great idea this was / is...thank you sir!

Daughter left...it was a GREAT time. She arranged for a "gentle yoga" teacher to come tomorrow and perhaps help me out with the TOS...she's interested in Ayurveda healing, and as she says, "I'm going to heal you first!" My angel!

To each poster, thank you for sharing a bit of your day, your worries, your triumphs big and small...you're all my support. I think of each of you often.

Tonight when I was in the car, for a few minutes I had no pain, (numbness, tingling yes), but NO PAIN, and a few songs came on, and the wind was warm, and I thought, "ok, I'm glad to be alive...thanks God for helping me through...my time with daughter was so precious...I'm glad I've stuck around to experience these few minutes."

I HOPE you have a few pain free minutes tonight.

[gibbrn]

Hi,
don't flush down toilet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
find out how to deal with it at your local pharmacy it goes into our water supply!!! or yours in your case....so there is a way to get rid of it just call the pharmacy...

SOOOOO glad to hear that you don't need the coumadin!!
Love and hugs,
Victoria

[gibbrn]

hi Mark,

Now worries man!! life is complicated I can't remember my own name on most days!!!!:hug::hug:

:hug::hug::hug:

love and hugs,
Victoria

[mtnmom]

Good point, gibbrn! Thankfully I havent had my little 'ceremony' yet. The active ingredient in Coumadin is the same thing used in rat poison. Seriously... I could end up blowing up my septic tank! :eek:

I cant believe I had to actually consume that nasty stuff everyday for six months.

[gibbrn]

you can still do your ceremony ....light a candle say a prayer and dance like nobody is watchin....cause if you can dance and it's like my dancing then you really don't want anybody to see :eek: !!!!!! :D

Keep the smiles in your heart and on your face and pray to God not to erase them!!!

love and hugs,
Victoria:hug:

[LinJane]

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I am afraid to say it but I am starting to feel better. It always frightens me that it will get worse if I say it. On the east coast we are having a typical cold dreary November day. I have been laying down with my little one reading books. My oldest is shopping and hubby and boys are at a football game. My son's team won their last game of the season yesterday 6-0. They had and undefeated season. I am very proud. He is 15 and almost 6' tall. The dilema now is that wrestling starts and he weighs 194. He will have to drop some weight. I hate this time of year. He stops eating and that is very unhealthy.

I have a nasty cold, I'm going to lay down before they all come home.

Lin

[Bi-Coastal]

Hi Tam,

Glad to see you have been occupied in a 'good' way for a little while. I was starting to worry a bit with no posts to your name.

Victoria, MtnMom,

The 'flushing' thing is interesting. I told my doc I had some old meds, (controlled substances) and was not sure what to do with them. I was concerned about the water supply too. However, my Doc said they advise flushing the stuff away...that is what THEY do!!!

I guess the water supply is so massive and the filtration proceedures so through, that this is not a concern. I have not flushed them yet...just can't do it!! :confused:

Anne

[johannakat]

you can take unused meds to household hazardous waste collection sites.

That is what we are supposed to do in CA.

Good luck.

Johanna

[Bi-Coastal]

Hi Johanna,

I hate to sound cynical...that was my line of work in a way.

I do not feel comfortable handing over such medications to some minimun wage employee. I have no assurance that the meds will not be used or sold once they are out of my hands. :eek:

I am surprised, (being a Californian), that this is an approved proceedure for controlled substances. Maybe this calls for an investigation!!!!

Anne

[johannakat]

A few years ago, I was using some of the most hazardous chemicals at my 10,000 employee company site (arsine and phosphine). I have worked closely with local hazardous waste collection companies, sometimes working with them to help figure out how to dispose my waste, or along side them to decontaminate or service some of my equipment..

I guess I can see your point, but I still think if your hazardous waste collection facility or pharmacy will take them, it is the right place. I did find some suggestions for how to make them less desireable to theives, children and/or animals:

-Mix liquids with kitty litter

-Solids can be crushed and mixed with a liquid. I think water might not be enough to prevent a thief, maybe milk or orange juice? (i can't help but the image of my food processor comes to mind, here)
-Some medications, including many straight painkillers, can go down the toilet. Look on the written info that comes with your medicine for more information.

this is my first reference site:
http://arthritis.about.com/od/arthritismedications/ht/disposemeds.htm


:icon_exclaim: Another similar bulletin from the fish and wildlife commission
http://www.fws.gov/news/newsreleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=708A991D-F915-7BD0-085DE68425ABF68B

APhA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say just three small steps can make a huge difference:
1. DO NOT FLUSH unused medications. Consumers were once advised to flush their expired or unused medications; however, recent environmental impact studies report that this could be having an adverse impact on the environment. While the rule of thumb is not to flush, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that certain medications should be flushed due to their abuse potential. Read the instructions on your medication and talk to your pharmacist.
2. When tossing unused medications, protect children and pets from the potentially negative effects. APhA recommends that consumers:
- Crush solid medications or dissolve them in water (this applies for liquid medications as well) and mix with kitty litter or sawdust (or any material that absorbs the dissolved medication and makes it less appealing for pets or children to eat), then place in a sealed plastic bag BEFORE tossing in the trash.
- Remove and destroy ALL identifying personal information (prescription label) from the medication container.
- Check for approved state and local collection programs or with area hazardous waste facilities. In certain states, you may be able to take your unused medications to your community pharmacy.
3. Talk To Your Pharmacist. Research shows that pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals. As the medication experts on the healthcare team, pharmacists are available to guide you on how to properly dispose of your unused medications.


:icon_exclaim: Federal policy from Feb 2007:
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf



The FDA advises that the following drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash:
Actiq (fentanyl citrate)
Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)
Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)
OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)
Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)
Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)
Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)
Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin)
Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine)
Meperidine HCl TabletsPercocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate)
Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)



:icon_exclaim: Finally, the California policy:

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WPIE/HealthCare/PPCP.htm#WhereHGP
<H2>Where California Households Can Dispose Pharmaceuticals

Please do not put pharmaceuticals down the drain or down the toilet. This includes any prescription or nonprescription substance intended to be swallowed, inhaled, injected, applied to the skin or eyes, or otherwise absorbed by the body.
Chemotherapy Pharmaceuticals
Chemotherapy pharmaceuticals should be returned to the clinic that dispensed them.
All Other Pharmaceuticals
For all other pharmaceuticals there is no answer that applies to all people in all parts of California. In limited cases, unused or expired pharmaceuticals can be returned to pharmacies for "take-back." This may be your best option if it is available to you. The household hazardous waste collection facilities in your area might accept pharmaceuticals from households, it varies from municipality to municipality. Check with your local Household Hazardous Waste Program as described above.
There are no laws that forbid households from putting pharmaceuticals from the home into the trash if the pharmaceuticals would not be considered hazardous waste. Usually the pharmaceuticals in a home that are likely to be considered hazardous waste are only those prescribed for chemotherapy. If take-back programs are not available to you, and if your local household hazardous waste facility does not accept pharmaceuticals, then disposing nonchemotherapy pharmaceuticals in the trash is probably your best option. If you dispose pharmaceuticals in the trash, please secure them in some sort of durable packaging to ensure that they make it to the landfill. Almost any nonbreakable packaging that you devise would be better than nothing. Even just securing with tape the pry-off type lids of some pill containers could be helpful. It is obviously impossible to imagine all the possibilities for accidents, but if, for example, a pharmaceutical was dropped onto the ground from a garbage can as its contents was transferred into a dump truck, harm could come to a child or pet that later ate the pharmaceutical.


Hope this is helpful,
Johanna

[Peg24]

THis is so strange about not flushing meds down the toilet.

When my mother passed away back in April of cancer, the first thing Hospice did was come in and cease her meds and then took them and dumped them down the toilet.

Peg

[Bi-Coastal]

Thanks Johanna and Peg,

I could not pull up both the the web sites you provided, maybe later. I do not believe my 'stuff' is considered hazardous waste. Of course, when tossing empty containers, the labels really need to be removed, rolled inward on themselves...sticking sides together, and disposed of in a separate trashcan for our OWN protection.

One of my most interesting investigations (in Calif.), involved the improper disposing of hazardous waste. My Report of Investigation (ROI), became almost 'classic reading'...(names redacted)... on covering that topic.

The business owner was a real 'nut job', and his employees were openly recounting tales of horrific endangerment, both to themselves and to the public. They could not bring themselves to just report the dumping to the police, but when I started asking questions, the floodgates opened.

Now that stuff was highly toxic and even inhalation was a scary proposition. I was actually threatened, by the owner, with (accidental) exposure to that stuff, as he was NOT going to lose his license & Gov't contract....he DID on both counts.

Obviously, that sort of material required professional handling (and fees the owner did not want to pay). Chemotherapy drugs are also a much different category than my meds.

The fact that my Doc, who has a pharmacy in the building, suggested flushing, tells me that it should not be wrapped, mixed with juice, or in ANY WAY made available to another person, even acidentally. I am sorry, but I do not even trust the pharmacy staff to not 'pocket' the stuff. I have SEEN too much of those sorts of things,

I might consider the crushing and mixing with kitty litter or some such thing, but at the dump, some innocent critter (or search dog), might get a very unhealthy snoot full.

I shall have to find these web sites and determine if there is a specific remedy for 'controlled meds' vs hazardous waste vs non-controlled meds. in Maryland.

Thanks very much for the source information as procedures are always changing in this arena.

Regardless of the situation, we MUST be sure to remove the labels from our spent medicine containers...we are all potentially targeted for more than just identity theft.:cool:

Anne:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[johannakat]

since you can't see the link I edited above to include the list of drugs which can be safely flushed accoridng to the US gov't.

The hazardous disposal company I always worked with is still in business, so I'll assume it was not them that you investigated.

[tshadow]

I hate to put it this way, but I care way more about the environment, than someone criminal getting a hold of my old, unused meds. Pretty bad, huh?

But I really worry about the oceans, fish, and I just watched a documentary on PBS about the loss of species of turtles, and how almost no one is aware - so I think what I'll do is put them in a paper cup, add water until they've melted, and then put them in the trash. Or the hazadous waste method - I wonder if the local hospital(s) would allow me to turn in my oldies to their hazardous waste trash cans? I prefer a landfill, I guess, than these chemicals going to the ocean. (Out here, toilet water tends to get slightly processed and then drained to certain spots in our oceans.)

Thank you to all who posted about this subject, as I never even thought about it before, I've just kept putting the "no good" drugs into a sack, and have just let them build up. So now I know what I'll do. Great discussion and information.

Since I've moved I've had a weird issue of "caregiver jealousy." There are people who have caregiver needs, and who do a lot of comparing, and actually voice their complaints to my face that I seem to get a lot of care from my home aid or from the ex, and that they don't get that level of care. I think it's really a strange thing to covet! Jealous that I am so sick I need my food made for me?!

Today started out really painful, but then I went to the association jacuzzi, and actually got some relief from gentle stretching. I think I'll repeat it tonight before bed.

My great aunt has lived with lung cancer for five years. I remember when she was in surgery, and I rushed out of my office to her hospital bed, and the doctor said she had a couple of weeks' at most. He was very wrong - she got a new surgeon, had another surgery, chemo, radiation, and mostly, she put all of her faith on the line and attended so many classes...

She visited me today, and she suggested that I get some books on Christian healing and really immerse myself in the promises of that faith. I have not been very open to that idea before, for reasons mostly that I don't feel worthy I suppose, but I am going to go ahead and look for a few books that look worthwhile, and do what she said. (Not for everyone, I surely know that.) I will share if I find any books that I find particularly uplifting or helpful. If anyone has any favorites, I'd like to know.

[Bi-Coastal]

Hey Tam,

That last topic needs a separate post!! I am all for it.

Johanna,

I did not mean that haz. waste company was being investigated. I was working on a case of someone who did not want to pay for the proper handling of his chemicals. Some of the stuff seeped out of a dump truck while at a stop sign and several people, (waiting for a bus) had to be taken to the hospital. That is why I was assigned the case. That Guy was a real sicko, (in my opinion), his employees were treated like expendable property.

The waste water in CA actually goes through a very impressive filtration program before it is returned to the sea. It is considered drinkable in fact. I don't think I would go there!! CA., since the early 70's has actually been very proactive environmentally. Land fill seeps into the water table and may actually be more of a hazard to the sea...who knows?

I have a niece who spends her summers rescueing sea turtle eggs...as they are laid, if possible. There are many poachers of those eggs (A H*LES), in addition to the overwhelming number of natural predators. Thank God, there are those who can do those things, how I would love to be one of them!

The Chesapeake area is really hyper about the environment too. This is why I was SHOCKED when my Doc said they flushed! Does that mean the hospitals do too?? I cannot bring myself to do that. There is never a perfect answer, but liquifying and mixing with kitty litter sounds like a reasonable alternative. Remember, stuff 'falls out' of dump trucks!:eek:

Now and then we have great everyday stuff pop up here, that we don't really think about.

I recall, years ago, a discussion regarding the donation of blood....DON'T!! Can you imagine what the meds in our system might do to a transplant patient or someone allergic to opiates, etc.:eek: THAT was another good topic that surprisingly few members had really thought about.

Although most blood centers are good about asking screening questions. I once had to call and inform a center that I developed a cold a few days after donation. They were quite grateful and dumped my donation (sigh).

There are SO many ways the medicine we take can impact others.

I am so glad we have each other to bounce ideas off of.

Warmly,
Anne

[ocgirl]

Some expressed an interest, and for those this website has been so helpful to me.
__________________________________________________ _______

http://www.joniandfriends.org/resources.php


http://www.joniandfriends.org/index.php

[Bi-Coastal]

Johanna,

Thanks for distilling the information regarding the FDA's guidelines re: Flushing.

This is the thing...the potential for possible abuse, no matter who you hand those drugs to. There ARE some persons in a position of trust who will abuse that trust in a heartbeat if handed something like Oxycontin which has no official paper trail.

Anne

[mtnmom]

I did my 'homework' on disposing of pharmaceuticals - specifically Coumadin (otherwise known as Warfarin, its generic term). Again, the active ingredient in this drug is the same thing used in rat poison.


1) Called the pharmacy - they told me to crush it and put it in a zip lock baggie and thow it away with the rest of my household garage. I was assured that this would not harm landfills or animals. However, when I got off the phone and thought about it some more, I wouldnt feel comfortable crushing this medication and creating a 'dust cloud' in my home where others could inhale it. So that it out...

2) Called a local water treatment facility - they were unsure.

3) Called the local sewer district - anything that is put down the drain or flushed could indeed end up in the water system. Yikes!

4) Kind of off the subject , but I looked on the US Envoirnmental Protection Agency website in regard to medical waste in general, and it says:

"Health care facilities, including, but are not limited to hospitals, physician's offices, dental practices and veterinary hospitals, generate a variety of waste streams. Many of these waste streams are regulated at the state and local level while others may be governed by federal regulations. For example, states develop regulations for office and municipal type waste, whereas the federal government develops regulations for hazardous waste such as mercury or radioactive wastes. State regulations generally cover potentially infectious medical waste, sometimes referred to as regulated medical waste."

But basically, the really dangerous and infectious medical waste is incinerated - according to local air emmissions guidelines.

5) Looked on the governement OSHA website regarding Warfarin, which says:

"Warfarin is listed as a hazardous waste under RCRA and has been assigned EPA Hazardous Waste No. P001. This substance has been banned from land disposal and may be treated by fuel substitution or incineration. Warfarin also may be disposed of in an organometallic or organic lab pack that meets the requirements of 40 CFR 264.316 or 265.316."

This website also listed the effects of Warfarin on animal testing, when used as a pesticide - made the lab testing animals internally bleed to death...

So, I have recieved quite an 'education' on this. And am more disturbed now then ever, about this nasty drug.

Here is my conslusion, however keep in mind that I do not have a PHD in molecular biology or in chemical engineering. Although Im not particularly concerned about this getting into the 'wrong hands' since as far as I know, unlike Oxycontin, this is not used 'recreationally'. Flushing of any medication is not recommended! In my particular situation, and my location (I live right next to a river and the biggest lake in the state) it would indeed go into the local water system, which in turn could cause damage in a chemical reation with the chemicals they use in water treatment and/or harm or kill fish. And obviously if I just thow it out with the rest of my household trash, an innocent animal could be exposed and die. So, I am going to take my remaining Coumadin pills to my doctor tomarrow to see if he will be able to dispose of them safely, if not, I will take them back to the pharmacy and ask them to dispose of them properly.

[Jo*mar]

Wow amazing information here!
Some of this info should be copied to our medications forum-
I can do that if you all are OK with that - or I can remove names and just copy the info.

[tshadow]

Yes - GREAT posts guys, thank you so much!

What about taking them to the hospital to dispose? Wouldn't they sort of "have to" take our old meds?

[Bi-Coastal]

Yes Jo,
This is clearly an issue for many, if not most, of us on these forums. My posts were not very significant, but if it matters, you have my permission to share as is.

Hi Tam,
If I can get past my paranoia regarding abuse, the hospitals should be a good choice. But remember, there are frequently reports of doctors and other medical professionals becoming addicted to certain medications. I have seen this first hand. However, that is not the majority and I guess we have to draw the line somewhere.
I would be slightly more comfortable presenting my leftover Oxycontin, (for example), to a Doctor or Nurse I know personnally.

Mark,
Your research is FABULOUS!! Your post really exemplifies what a conundrum this situation presents everywhere. I would be freaked out about that 'rat poison' too. I don't understand the idea of just crushing the stuff and putting it in a baggie, then the trash. All of these baggies are biodegradable anyway..ugh. THAT stuff I would definately take to a medical hazmat site.:eek:

Topics like this are so interesting and important...love it!

Anne

[gibbrn]

Hi guys.....glad to hear that my suggestion has made such an uproar! I didn't realize this would be such a huge topic! Pleased that we have some answers now....Marc suggested having a fire if you have the ability! He said pharmacy or fire or cat litter then to garbage....read this great article!!!! http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/11/06/drugs-kittylitter.html

take care all
love and hugs,
Victoria :hug:

[Bi-Coastal]

Once again,

SORRY MtnMom!!!:o

I meant YOUR research was FABULOUS...I guess I am sleep deprived or some such thing. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!)

I apologize.
Anne

[Jo*mar]

I tried to return unopened liquid medication to the hospital in CA after my BIL passed- they wouldn't even take it- not even to dispose of for me. I didn't want to be carrying it around or responsible for it.
They suggested flushing so I did that right there in the hospital restroom.

[dabbo]

Today (well, yesteday, whatever) I.... went back to my PM doc. Had more botox in the shoulderblade area and neck/scalenes. last injections there lasted just over 3mo, which I gather is pretty much the goal. just WAY sore today, and I still have that *#!>@#? knife stabbing feeling in the back.

About flushing meds.... I read an article recently about a university studying the water in particular areas. They could tell what areas/neighborhoods were likely to be using different meds.

I hope all are doing well, and are having a low pain week....
-dabbo

[Jo*mar]

Just thinking of all the gunk that would get flushed into the sewers from a hospital alone- not even counting any meds.
and all the laundry for a hospital -with all the bodily fluids and the necessary detergents and disinfectants.
seems like they should have a pre treatment sewer system before it goes to the general system.:eek:

[tshadow]

Please be careful with any fires - ink that burns creates toxic fumes, and any type of petroleum product such as processed plastic creates the most toxic fume known to man, Dioxin...so be careful with any fire ideas...just fyi...

I've been interested in our garbage - what goes in it - where it goes - what happens to our world because of it - since I was a teenager. I think this subject alone could change the world if we all cared, all at once, (as we are raising our consciousness right now about what to do with our meds.) Things to consider would include, do I really want to buy another water in a plastic, nonbiodegradeable bottle that will be thrown away in ten minutes? How long does that bottle sit in a landfill? (Over 500 years.) Excess plastic packaging becomes noticeable to you.

I STILL don't have a clear cut way I am finding acceptable to throw away meds - EXCEPT I gotta tell you, around here, in the hospital, they have these patented medical waste disposal things all over the hospital, even in the bathrooms, where you put the object (needle?) in and the lid shuts closed so that people can't put their hands into it...those contents are dealt with differently than general landfill product, I am guessing. So I think I'm still headed to a hospital with mine.

But great posts, like I said. We are such a smart group of thinkers.

[dawn3063]

Tam,
You can buy the needle disposal units (red plastic bins) at drug stores or medical supply stores and take them to any fire dept. they then properly dispose of them. Just a Thought…

[gibbrn]

I know when I was working we were not allowed to anything but needles into the box with the lid as the company would not take them from the hospital if anything else was in there. We used to put our scissors in there when finished (sterile ones) and they wouldn't take the boxes so I think anything aside from needles in there is not good.

I know pharmacy's will take needles in a bleach type jug. The same type of plastic that is Canada though so I can't say what goes for you guys....but I have been out of nursing of five years now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn time flies!!!

just a thought I hope it has changed as this would be a good alternative.
I know when on fentanyl patch it says in the package to flush them when finished with them and I just couldn't do it.....garbage with them.

Lets hope we all take something from this.....the article I posted was most informative for me!! Both Canada and US law in disposal issues.

Take care guys
love and hugs,
Victoria:hug:

[mtnmom]

Gibbrn - Indeed you did open a big can of worms, and I thank you for that! This is an important subject and if you hadnt mentioned something to me I would have flushed these pills down the toilet. If my actions would have had an adverse effect on anyone or anything here in 'my little piece of heaven' here in the mountains, I would have never been able to forgive myself! Or at best you all would have been reading about me in the paper or watching me on CNN - "crazy woman disposes of Coumadin, does a stupid little dance and blows up her septic tank" with of photos of Haz-mat teams discending upon my evacuated neighborhood... :eek:

tshadow - I honestly dont think there is a clear cut, safe way to dispose of pharmacudicals or medical waste. It sounds to me like there are more laws in place to remove of hazardous household waste, such as motor oil or paint. All waste goes somewhere - in a landfill or in the air.

Jo55 - It IS mind blowing to think of all the horrible stuff that must be disposed of in hospitals, not including medication. Please do share what we all have come up with here! Im sure it would be of help to someone else.

[gibbrn]

hello,

I am a little concerned about some of the posts I have been reading. I think things are being taken the wrong way and want to assure people that we are here to help not harm or we wouldn't even post answers. Unless of course we are here to be malicious and in my experience there has been only one person here who took things too far and told me to oh so politely get lost......when I was posting facts. I post out of concern and love not with negative facts or misleading details. My heart is in all I post and I think we are all in the same boat with that one.

we take our energy and precious time (for some of us this is all we can manage to do) to be here and answer questions. clarity is sometimes lost due to medications or misinterpretation or just plain life. Our intentions are for good not bad. I hope this is remembered when we read what others have posted.

ok off my soapbox...not trying to be negative just bring up a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I would feel devastated if somebody told me not to post in answer to a question. I hope that we can all play like adults here and be respectful in our posts and responses.


love and hugs,
Victoria:hug:

[johannakat]

On waste disposal- the items that are incinerated do not let fumes just go up into the air, there are various filters that catch solvents and toxins in the exhausted gases. Once the toxins are separated out they can be treated in such a way to be made safe, solvents burned to be broken down, and acids titrated to neutral pH.

The incineration and treatment of the offgases is expensive which is why this is generally only used for hazardous wastes, but i wonder if someday it might become more practical for all waste. We could use the heat to boil water to make steam to turn generators or something, capture and treat the fumes. Not really sure how feasible that is, but I think eventually something on that order will happen, just like desalinization to get fresh water...but that is an aside.

I Ramble...really I just wanted to make sure anyone reading understands that when you send something to haz waste and they burn it, the fumes do NOT just go into the sky. They are treated.

As for posting-I don't know why people come here and get all argumentative...we are all here to help and post how we feel. We are all in just as much pain and misery as the next guy, so PLEASE put on your "that person might not be having a great day" filter!!!! If it keeps up with the same person, then maybe there is an issue, but generally we are all here to HELP and SHARE KINDNESS.

I'd be so lonely w/o this board.

Johanna

[gibbrn]

On waste disposal- the items that are incinerated do not let fumes just go up into the air, there are various filters that catch solvents and toxins in the exhausted gases. Once the toxins are separated out they can be treated in such a way to be made safe, solvents burned to be broken down, and acids titrated to neutral pH.

The incineration and treatment of the offgases is expensive which is why this is generally only used for hazardous wastes, but i wonder if someday it might become more practical for all waste. We could use the heat to boil water to make steam to turn generators or something, capture and treat the fumes. Not really sure how feasible that is, but I think eventually something on that order will happen, just like desalinization to get fresh water...but that is an aside.

I Ramble...really I just wanted to make sure anyone reading understands that when you send something to haz waste and they burn it, the fumes do NOT just go into the sky. They are treated.

As for posting-I don't know why people come here and get all argumentative...we are all here to help and post how we feel. We are all in just as much pain and misery as the next guy, so PLEASE put on your "that person might not be having a great day" filter!!!! If it keeps up with the same person, then maybe there is an issue, but generally we are all here to HELP and SHARE KINDNESS.

I'd be so lonely w/o this board.

Johanna

Well Jo you hit the nail on the head with the lonely part....me too my kind friend!!!

love and hugs,
Victoria

[Bi-Coastal]

Johanna,

That is a great concept! Energy is energy, wouldn't it be a dream to take something potentially negative and create and affordable, practical means to desalinize water. I know exactly where you are coming from there.

As far as the idea of burning something, my guess is that Tam was referring to an individual trying to burn stuff, not a professional incinerator...nothing more.

Anyway, this forum has stumbled upon an amazing topic...wish I had thought of it!

Anne

[dabbo]

Today I.... hope that we CAN all play nicely together. I think some of the problem arises from the fact that you lose alot of nuance and tone to something when you type it as opposed to saying it.
I too would be bored (and lonely and heartbroken) without this board (pun totally intented, even tho its bad :) )

[tshadow]

Actually, I really was talking about people who do their own backyard fires, not professional incineration plants, so thanks Anne for seeing that...we have a lot of problems with Mexico individuals burning their waste and then the toxic clouds sometimes come up past the border to southern So. Cal. But I thank Johanna for all of that info. on professional incineration, because it is so interesting.

I've been interested in trash and waste since about 1982, and what we throw away has never been a simple or easy situation. This new consideration (in my mind) of what to do with old meds has been an interesting thought.

I love the interchange of ideas, as well as all of the support I get here.

Well, off to the jacuzzi, to try to point those jets at my legs, feet, spine and neck - hoping to help this pain to go to a more liveable level...

God bless everyone tonight, and I hope each is safe and secure.

[gibbrn]

can I come??? It is really getting cold out here!!! 0deg celcius 32 faren.
And flurries.....brrrrrrrrrrrrr oh well we will be getting a chinook wind tomorrow for 10 degrees celcius and 50deg farenh. so I will enjoy that and the sun...for the little time that we have it!! Oh well life goes on

God bless all is right Tam......ditto and to you too!!!

love and hugs,
Victoria:hug:

[johannakat]

.... All waste goes somewhere - in a landfill or in the air.
.....



This is what i was responding to Re: incineration.

I know Tam was referring to backyard fires.

arms hurting today, looking forward to neuromuscular massage this afternoon. Other than arms/wrists, pain levels generally down this week- yay me!

BUT, for my own good i am not goign to be on the computer more than absolutely neccessary next fwe days, so I'll see you all next week...

Johanna

[tshadow]

Everyone needs breaks...

Sometimes I need a month, and last year I needed a whole year!

I think my jacuzzi, stretch, yogurt, Ambien, etc., method is working...although I still have horrible pain during the day, by nighttime, I'm actually getting some sleep.

The pain comes on me like a fever. I moan and groan. And then the pain leaves almost like when a fever breaks. I can talk again. I feel human again.

This is the anniversary of the 5th year of TOS. No celebration, though...

[Bi-Coastal]

Hi Tam,

Ironically, my tenth anniversary of my (TOS) injury is Nov. 22. If I were working for a company, I would get a little Pin or something!!!

Perhaps I shall print myself a certificate of survival....

Glad to hear your perspective about your pain is evolving a bit in a positive direction. That is a good thing.

Thank you for the information re: your methods of self-help.

Anne

[Shelley]

:D:D:D

You all know my avatar is a cupcake and well they are my fave food.

TOday I found....Cupcake pajamas! Hahahahahaha...I just had to have em so I bought em and they are YUMMY!

So picture me sitting here in cupcake pj's....that ought to make ya laugh, I did!

[LinJane]

Yesterday I got a phone call at 9 am that my 15 year old son had been injured at football practice. They had called an ambulance and I was to meet them at the hospital. My daughter and I drove over and got there before the ambulance. During a scrimage, another player fell on my son's leg and it is broken in two places.

It is an open segmented fracture, which means it is broken in two places and it punctured through the skin. My husband met us at the hospital. Due to the severity of the fracture they had to operate right away to prevent infection and re-align the bone. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the bone to align and now he has to have more surgery tomorrow. Needless to say, it was a very long day. My husband spent the night in the hospital and I came home. I slept from 2 am until 5 am. The surgery tomorrow entails fitting an exterior fixation device on his legs with pins going in his leg to hold the bone together. It is almost like a cage on the outside of his leg. Very long recovery. He is devastated that he will miss wrestling season as a freshman at his school. His coach had named him the up and coming athete. I just pray this next surgery works. It is horrible to wait while your child is having surgery. You almost stop breathing. Please keep us in your prayers.
Linda

[hairdresser]

Today I am thinking of LinJane and her family. Prayers for a sucessful surgery for your son and a speedy recovery. :hug:

[mtnmom]

LinJane - Please know that you and your son are in our thoughts and prayers. Hang in there and keep us posted as to how everything goes.

[Jo*mar]

Oh gosh...:grouphug:
was it the thigh or shin bone?

[tshadow]

Oh, Sweet Linda -

I am so sorry! When you posted about your son's athletic ability and endeavors, I did also worry when you talked about him having to lose weight...I never thought that maybe he'd have this major injury to contend with.

Of course I will pray for his behalf, and your comfort, and your husband's strength to get through all of this.

I don't know what it all entails - how many surgeries or more - rehab and stuff? God I pray he has no nerve damage and that this all heals well. How long will this take him for recovery? Can he keep up with school and maybe be home tutored so he can return to his same spot?

Lastly, is he safe now you feel? I hope he doesn't have a lot of pain...please let us know if cards or balloons or magazines (male cartoons) would be of any cheer at all, as I am willing to send anything to distract him and make it less horrible. I hope his school and classmates also are able to distract him, when it is time to do so.

Well I am so sorry you are going through this, and I'll also pray that the TOS gives you a break right now.

He's lucky to have the BEST mom in the world.

[gibbrn]

Hi Linda,

Prayers and blessing to all your family. This is not an easy thing to deal with. I have seen this and it was on a car accident patient. It is not easy to look at or deal with. I hope all goes well today with the surgery and that there is no infection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My prayers are for you to heal and your family to heal and for your Son to heal and feel better.

much love and many prayers
love Victoria:hug::hug:

[johannakat]

(((((Linda))))))

my thoughts are with you and your family hoping that your son comes throguh AOK today.

:grouphug:

Johanna

[LinJane]

Thank you everyone for your posts. Right now he is doing ok. The cast is from the upper thigh all the way down to toes. Surgery will be tomorrow at 11 am. He is in pain but being given morphine and percocet. He is dealing very well. His coach has been in twice to see him. Actually, David had been upset he wouldn't be home to watch the Dallas game as we have Direct TV and hospital doesn't. One of his coaches works for a tv station and is going to get him a copy of the game. He didn't want to watch any other games today in fear of seeing highlights! He is a very strong boy. Both physically and mentally. We are not leaving him alone at all. If I'm not there, my husband is. They have a bed in the room for my husband to sleep.

It's going to be a long haul but we'll get there. He has alot of people at his school, coaches, trainers, etc. who will help him. One has asked to help coach with him on the wrestling team since he will be unable to wrestle. Now it is making sure no infections and keeping his spirits up.

Thanks again, I needed to let this out. It has become a new direction in our lives for now. I know he can do it. Thanks, Linda

[LinJane]

oh Johanna, it is the tibia bone which is the shin bone, the largest one in the lower leg. Of course it had to be that one!

[DDayMBB]

Linda...pray all goes well and that everthing mends right!!! You are right about wrestling having young bodies on a roller-coaster with their weight..., until there is a body count laws will not be in place, than people still will whine!!!

[olecyn]

I beg off for a couple of weeks to rest and I miss so much with everyone
All I could think of was, O GEEZE :eek:
Yep, thats me.
Your son must be one meat head to stand the pain
I hope you r taking care of yourself
Stress compiles on the nervous system and sends us flaring.
Mucho healing thoughts being sent your way.
Cyndy

[LinJane]

Once again thanks. Last night I only slept 3 hours. Too much coffee during the day plus adrenaline! When I am faced with stress and difficult situations I go into survival mode. My husband, who is a tough big kind of man, gets extremely upset when something happens to the kids. I happen to deal well. I don't know if it is a mom thing or just me. My son is SUCH a sports freak that we have to keep him in the positive mode. Plus the nurse said kids are more likely to wait too long to ask for pain meds, trying to be tough. We have told him not to worry and make sure he is comfortable. It is just so hard to watch. My 5 year old daughter drew him a picture of the two of them walking to school. I am hoping I can bring her in tomorrow to see him. It will do them both good.

Thanks again! I'll let you know how surgery goes tomorrow! Lin

[DDayMBB]

Cynd... take the time you need and remember you are in our thoughts and prayers !!!! Mark~n~Goober

[jesp]

Linda,

Wishing your son a speedy recovery. Good luck tomorrow with the surgery.
Jeanne

[ocgirl]

{{Linda}}

I'm so sorry to hear about your son's injury and the stress he and your family are going through.

My son during a football game (right in front of me) got hit and the injury that resulted was torn ligaments(acl,mcl), torn cartilage,torn hamstring along with a break in the knee. They had to do a total knee reconstruction.

Kids are amazing how they can bounce back. It is so very hard on those who love them to watch.

Right now you are focusing on the surgery which is the thing to do now.

In a short time there will be the challenges of how to shower, we had to take the shower doors off and get a shower chair. Be very careful if he is on crutches if it is raining.

Be sure to get him a temporary handicapped placard for when he gets back to school to save his energy. If there are stairs he may be able to have access to a key to use an elevator. The campus' are large and the kids have a very short time to get to class.

In our school district if a student misses 3 weeks of school they are eligible for home tutoring. The tutor they sent out couldn't do the math my son was doing so it was helpful in ways, not so helpful in others.

It might help if you went to a medical supply store and picked up a male urinal. Don't mean to offend anyone but if he is hurting and has to urinate it will be helpful.

He will most likely need physical therapy after and our best resource was the trainer on the team. The football team probably has a physical therapy clinic(with a sports injury emphasis) that they use when the kids have injuries and they could give you a good referral to.

Our orthopedic surgeon was a real jerk about pain medication. After the extensive surgery my son had outpatient he was sent home to take Vicoden 2 every 6 hours. He weighs 220 lbs. so the dose was way to small. I did my best to get him a stronger dose, but they just said ,"lets wait and see."
If I had it to do over again I would demand to see the anesthesiologist and ask them if the pain med dose is adequate for the injury and following surgery,in their opinion.

My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.
Martha

[LinJane]

Thanks again to everyone. Martha David's football and wrestling coaches have been great. He also has a personal trainer he goes to three times a week and he is ready to help with upper body now and to help with training after. All of his trainers and coaches are very knowledgable with this type of injury. We have already been thinking of when he comes home of where to sleep. We have a split level with a bathroom on three of the floors so we have to decide where is best. Also he is a big kid. He's 5'10" and 195 lbs. There is so much to think about right now that I'm trying just to concentrate on the next two days. Once I know when he is coming home we'll have to make arrangements. His school does have an elevator but the doctor is concerned about infection. I have to see what the doctor says and when he should go back. This week I'm not concerned about since it is a short week. If he's out long term I want him to have home instruction which would be provided by the school. Thanks again for all information. I'm going to go to the hospital now. His surgery is around 11. Linda

[Dolfinz]

Hi Lin..


Just wanted to let ya know my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. It will take time, but he is young and obviously in good health so he will heal better.. Like someone said they are resilient...

My son (21 now) had a knee injury 2 years ago also. He was at work and slipped and fell on some ice outside the building putting the trash out and he tore the ligament , muscle , everything and now has 4 screws in his knee. But just 4 weeks ago AGAIN, fell down the stairs at work..... he cracked the Tibia..... has been in a cast for 3 weeks now.... needless to say.. I've come to conclusion that he doesn't want to work !!!!

Keeping him occupied is the best thing.. and if he loves sports now he can watch ESPN all day now !

Hang in there and again .... my thoughts are with you and your son.

[HopeLivesHere]

Sorry I've been MIA - so i just saw this today

Hi Lin,
Your whole family are in my thoughts & prayers.
This is such a difficult situation.
Kinda the same thing happened to my "oh so athletic" son only he was playing baseball when someone came crashing into his leg with their helmet.
His bones were pushed out the back of his leg. The front looked like the pillsbury dough-boy.
Initially they made him sit up on the er stretcher and try to make gravity
pull the bones into place. It didn't work and neither did surgery really.
They made him wait a week before setting the bones and putting on a cast.
He has a lump on the bones that you can feel as they never set quite right.
Happy to announce all is OK though and he made it through just fine.

i sure hope your son's surgery is successful and pray there will be no infection to delay healing. It's just such a rough time & when you look back, you'll wonder how you all made it through this...but w/God's help you wil.

I'll be looking to see how surgery goes today.
Pleez tke care of yourself too :hug:
hope

[Stardust]

I've been MIA too....Just wanted to say how sorry I am about your son's injury and that I'll be thinking of you and your son as well. There's hardly anything more stressful than seeing our children suffer, is there....Best of luck to you.

[Jo*mar]

Oh and don't forget extra vitamins/minerals and the nutritional aspect of healing. :grouphug:

[dawn3063]

Hi Lin,
I am also so sorry to hear that your son has gone thru such a terrible accident. My thoughts are with you, your son and your family today during his surgery that they are able to repair his leg and that his recovery is smooth and uneventful.
Many Hugs :hug:
:hug:&:Heart:Dawn

[Dolfinz]

Today is the first day of snow for us here in Mass. ! I think it is time for me to head south ward ! The weather is really playing havac with my left shoulder.. I can't even lift it now ! I hate having TOS........

Hope everyone has a pain free day ! :hug:

[dabbo]

I hope all have a good happy, and safe Thanksgiving with low pain levels.

Today I.... am convince that my body hates me (or this is payback for college!). Went to the doc monday because my right knee was killing me. I remember bending it to the outside, but I don't know when or where. The x-rays showed NO bone damage. It was somewhat swollen, so i'm ANOTHER med for inflammation. If it still hurts next week, I'll probably go to the orthopedic doc to see if there are any soft tissue injuries. Problem is, if I walk too much, which is hardly any, it feels like someone is stabbing a knife into my knee. That, and the pain goes from my quads to my knee to my calf on the outside of my knee. Yipee!!!! :( oh well....

ANYWHO.

[DDayMBB]

Dabbo... was ready to put out an ALL POINT BULLETIN out on you hows it going with the harp... did you see what I said about needing the neck holder??? What really stinks about them is when you go to bend a note W/echo.

HOPE & STARDUST ... Great seeing you guys around also, there are so many people out there that just can not bring themselves to the point to be able to type or sit at the computer for any amout of time. There is such a list of people who I have not seen around and just seeing guys pop in is nice, but updates are even better!!!

[Edelweiss]

say that I missed my extended tos-family and I am sorry for my absence here.

I am sorry to read about Linda`s son and his foot/knee problems and I wish him all the best.

What happened in my life since my last "visit" in the forum?
I am still occupied with my shoulder problems. Recently, I was in Salzburg because there is a very very good specialist - it costs a fortune, by the way-and he said, I have to have an other surgery, there is no other possibility, but I can wait until spring. I am happy about this because having the arm in a sling in winter with all the jackets, handgloves,.....I will not imagine it.

With my TOS problems I had experienced some good therapies and I feel better. I still know, what TOS is, but the extreme crises are rare.
Mainly, it is the Alexandertechnique and the osteopahty that helped me and I go there very regulary since some time.

I keep my fingers crossed, that it will hold on - I know that sometimes the well-beeing is only temporary....but better than nothing.

To all readers and writers I wish a very good and stressless and painless day.
All the best!
Barbara

[dabbo]

Barb- glad to see you back, and sorry about the continued shoulder problems!

No snow here in memphis, but the high on Wed was like 75, and tonight its going to be about 35. BRRRRRR.

Mark- i did read your post... i mean to reply - i like the neck holder! I was wondering if the made anything like that, since holding the harp up for too long hurts. Not practicing as much as I would like, and I may look into lessons. We will see.... I also LOVE the suggestion of the M1 Garand, but that may put me into a "bit" of a flare!!

Again, happy Thanksgiving to all here, and thank you for your support and for lending an ear over the last year. It means more than words can express.
:grouphug:

[Horizontal One]

On Sunday it snowed here in the UK. It was sleeting to start off with but by Sunday night we had between 2 and 4 inches settle. Early start for us. Brrrrr. Anyway the forecast is for more so I think we are in for a cold white winter. Has been quite mild last couple of winters really for us but think with the wet very very wet summer we are in for a cold blast.

Have not been around, not too clever. Pain in neck, shoulders, both arms, up round throat and chin, axillae and feels like someone pressing in my clavicles. All nauseating as well. Pain has increased as have meds. Tried heat which makes nausea worse and pain. Cold is painful as well. So in all feel yuk. Trying to keep laughing but getting tough.



Anyway Today I want to send best wishes to everyone. I have not forgotten about you.


H:grouphug:

[LinJane]

Horizontal One I hate to say it but I can't wait for some snow. Wathcing it fall and listening to the silence is somehow comforting to me. I love the smell of fresh snow. I know it isn't always good for pain. Especially if you have to shovel! The snow shovelers in my home are dwindling! I don't especially like winter but there are a few things that I like. My family spends alot of time together around Christmas. My sister's birthday is Christmas Eve and my father's is the day after. Mine is a week later. We spend alot of time together and enjoy it. Once we can get my son situated with his leg hopefully everything will fall in place.

Enjoy your weekend! Linda

[tshadow]

I am fighting high, high pain, coupled with the rather newish symptom of the severe hardening of rib muscles, down to top of abdomen, which cuts off my ability to breathe comfortably...anyone gotten this one yet? Even top of the abdomen gets really hard. The muscles don't spasm - just feels so tight!

My phones batteries all went out simultaneously, so for those I talk to regularly, (there are only a couple of you now), please know that I am here, missing our talks very much, and waiting for the phones to get a full charge...

About this time fiance and I always (before TOS) went somewhere exotic for his birthday...I was reminiscing about the hotels...so much fun.

I am dying to go up to Mammoth Lakes area, to see the snow, (they don't have any right now), and smell the clean air. Anyone have Mammoth memories? Cabin memories? Pine memories???

All of my "life" is still in storage in OC, and so there will be no Christmas decorations this year. Seems like I can get someone to get them "up", but then, it's so hard to get them "down" and put away! So this maybe is a good thing!

I miss my hands doing Christmas Mexican wedding cookies, home-made English toffee! Home-made Christmas cards of the two Italian greyhounds or vacation pics with wax stamps to close them, and even remembered making those old-time bread dough ornaments that were popular in the '70s. Does anyone remember making those? And dressing up. (I live in PJs.)

I am viewing my memories in a positive fashion, rather than being negative - thankful that I had those great times, and may again...

[dawn3063]

Tam,
I find that I have trouble taking that deep breath that I use to be able to take. I don't have problems breathing but I can tell a difference with the deep breath. It had started after the second surgery my guess is it is from the scar tissue building.
I Love Christmas too... We are going to go to my Mom's this year so I won't be doing any decorations. It's sad too since we have a quarter of the garage taken up with boxes of decorations. It seems I managed to go out and hit the "BIG" after Christmas markdowns and piled more and more stuff... I know Hubby would like his garage space back... :D

Dabbo, I thought about you the other day when my brother called me and told me that he was laid off from his job too... My heart sank for him as it did for you... Oh, how I hate these corporations and there timing on the holidays...

Many Hugs and wishing all a low pain or most of all a pain free week ahead...

:hug:&:Heart: Dawn

[LinJane]

Dabbo and Dawn I love the new pictures. Dabbo, your daughter is beautiful. Dawn, the dogs have a nice Christmas picture. Some day I will take the time and put some of mine on. Today, my daughter had her final 5 year old party. It was a gymnastics party and she had a great time. My husband stayed with my son who is already getting obstinant and ornary. Yelling for food alittle too much. I feel like I am feeding the lion in the zoo. Just throw it at him.

Did college applications today also. I am starting to feel the excitment of the holidays, or I am trying. As we all know, you have to make the best of any situation. My son wants me to attach the Christmas lights to his hardware on his leg and put him in the yard as a decoration. I think this comment was made after his dose of percocet. At least there is alittle humur in the situation. We were told at the hospital if you attatch the tv cable to his leg you can receive HBO on tv. Maybe we'll try it!! Have a good night! Linda

[johannakat]

Today I narrowly missed seeing Cyn at Dr J's...was the appt right after but we passed like ships in the night...

so Cyn-just wanted you to know I was thinking a Hello and a hug to you through the closed door as I walked into the other office to wait for Dr J.

Johanna

[Edelweiss]

Good morning!
I think I was too euphoric the last time when I told you, I am going better. I had some tickling and trembling sensations in the arm yesterday and today my arms (both!!! so I think it is a TOS problem!) feel as if I played volleyball all night.
I am tired and without energy today. This diagnosis is like a "hurdy-gurdy" and there is always repetition...

I hope you are feeling better today - I really wish it to you.
Nice day
Barbara

[dabbo]

Linda- thank you... she is gorgeous. Cutting 10 teeth now, and I think getting a touch of the terrible 2's. whoooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

ok, so like 5 weeks ago I tweaked my knee, and now it hurts like all h#*l. I can walk, but that makes it hurt more. The anti-inflammatory my doc put me on for it hasn't really done anything. Lying down doesn't relieve any of the pain. It kept me up from ~1:30-3:30 am. I'm tired of my body falling apart and these stupid random pains. Now, my MORE of my leg is starting to hurt, and its kinda freakin me out. Maybe its because I've been walking differently. arggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Sorry for ranting.