Topic : Living with Chronic Pain

Hi Becky,

Yes, the linguica is spicy but not hot. It is really good. Some people mix it in with green peppers and tomato sauce and onions and put it on hard rolls and others mix it in with soups etc. They have another type of linguica called chirico(isn't spelled correctly) and that one is hot. My husband prefers the hot one. If you ever come to the New England area you should try it or maybe your son can order some and make a dish for you..How are you feeling? Is your stomach calmed down some. That is the one virus that I can't stand to have. I would rather have a bad cold that deal with a stomach virus. It usually is so contagious too. Sounds like you had a very  busy weekend. I give you a lot of credit for doing all that you do. My husband was in the Marines and then in the reserves for over 24 years and we used to do the Toys for Tots program in our city. We had a road race at the beginning of Nov. and the proceeds would go to buying toys for the area children. One of the fondest memories I have and will always have was getting a last minute call on Christmas Eve for a family looking for toys. My husband and I went shopping and delivered the toys to the home and on that night I really felt like Santa Claus. It will be a memory I will always treasure because on that night we knew that some children that might not have had toys would wake up to find some nice things under the tree. You can't put a price to a feeling like that. So I know the work that goes on behind the scenes to try to raise money and get things off the ground so hats off to you for getting out there and doing the hard work required...At times it can be frustrating and very tiring but when you look back it makes you feel good that you did make a difference. anyways, have a great night and take care...~Carol~

carol!

 

i have it all figured out!

 

we are overanalyzing... and making something out of nothing.

 

i am sorry these past 10 years have been full of so much loss -- and pain.  being afraid of what the future might bring is not at all silly, and talking about it is hardly whining.  and everytime anyone writes here?  i automatically feel less alone, and appreciate being pulled away from the contemplation of my own navel.

 

smooches galore!

prof

Hi Prof,

I think you may be right. I think I have had to be in serious mode for so long watching over things for my mom and then having my husband have the heart attack and open heart surgery at the same time she was dying put me into overload and after ten years of being in caretaker mode I kind of forgot how to lighten up a little. Probably why I have such admiration for you and how you deal with things. You share the good and the bad and somehow keep a sort of balance which is a healthier way to be. I can learn from you and I appreciate your ability to open up about your fears while at the same time injecting humor into all of the drama that is your life right now. I do think that out of every experience that we have we learn more about ourselves and others and that in the end it is for the good. I do believe that when we walk the path of others it is then that the light bulb goes off and we realize that in the same situation we more than likely will do the same thing or if we don't we understand more why someone might have done or said what they did. It is a growing experience. I think I have a tendency to over analyze things and that because I tend to think at a deeper level rather than superficially that tends to lean me toward caring to the point that I may get frustrated when I feel helpless and can't make all of the bad stuff go away. I felt my mom's pain and she didn't realize that because to her it wasn't happening me me physically it was still happening to me emotionally..That is why when you said you saw the fear in Hank's eyes that I understood. When you love someone when they hurt you hurt also. I have just recently read some of your earlier posts and I know you have gone through a lot in your life. What you are going through now is physical and emotional and if knowing you feel less alone because we are out here and that we care then that means that this message board is doing its job. take care. ~Carol~ 

Good Morning Everyone..

 

Up and at them, at 3:45 A.M. Thanks to the dog, having a fit, because Hubby was leaving for work.. ugg.. she's so funny I can't get mad.. I think she has "separation anxiety".... she's a nut.. I guess that's why we get along so well... ha ha ha

 

So here I sit and there she is, in MY Chair.. sleeping....

 

Had a big shock last night.. Hubby came home and he was put on the "new program" at work, He is now on day shift only. He is not longer in the shop. He along with 7 others are now in the "big office" on the mine site for Four Months...

 

He will be learning everything from Complaint letters to spread sheets to new computer programs and ????? he is not sure.. the big downer for him is the one week he will work three days and the next week he will work 4 days.......... and this goes back and forth.....................

 

They think this new program will give everyone a huge in-site to their jobs... poor hubby, has never ever been in an office environment...  And of course, he's loosing two Holiday pay days which is triple time and he's most up-set about that.....

 

Oh... I have to laugh... as much as he can "talk" maybe they will decided to set him free and them.. ha ha ha... but, like I told him.. the computer and spread sheet and learning the paper work end of his job will be awesome.... So.. fingers crossed he does not fall asleep....

He's the first in his crew to do this... and it's not if.. it's you will do it..... So hubby's Elk trip is now a no go..

 

Horses did have a little more water yesterday..I am hoping he will leave before I do this morning, if not, will feed them this afternoon and check the water.....

 

No pain in my knee this morning.. just my fingers are like ICE and some throbbing in my wrist.. it's the cooler weather,, Ha.. heat wave here right now...  37 degree's.........

 

Think I'm going to pay 28.00 and get my flu shot this Thur at my Pharmacy.. decided to beat the crowed at the Public Health and also it will be another Month before we can get them.. So.. think I'm going to get a jump on it now....

 

Thinking of it.. not sure if it's Thur or Wed.. so will be on my list to call today and check......

 

Becky... Wow, Congrats to all on the pop corn sale.. that is going really good so far.. Yeah.....  What is oldest Son saying about his job??????

 

I was in Walmart looking for a heating pad and I saw your "tiger balm".. I had this big grin on my face and thought of YOU..... ahhhhhhhhhhh........

 

Hope the "gift of the crud" does not get to all of you... HUG HUG HUG.................

 

Susan... Enjoy your Son and know we are missing you..... HUG HUG HUG

 

Carol....  Thank You for sharing about the sausage.. the other one that is hotter.. I have seen Rachael Ray use that a lot on her show.. It's like... ha.. not in Wyoming will you find that.... ha ha ha.. but Yummy.............

 

I made london broil on the grill last night and baked potato's and peas.. tonight, frito pie... because it's EASY.....

 

One of my dear Friends, has a daughter under 30 that has had to have brain surgery and now she is dealing with thyroid cancer.. Daughter has this UNBELIEVABLE HIGH TOLERANCE TO PAIN MEDICATION.. I

 

So, I totally understand what you are saying about yourself and pain meds... The one thing they have found that works for her.. is muscle relaxers and Valiums..

 

So thought I would pass that info along to you.. if ever need be.. you might try it......

 

I love the program "toy for tots".. when I use to Manage a Convince Store, I was really into getting our box Full and Empty for two months... It was a huge deal every year and I loved it....

HUG HUG HUG...

 

Sims-Becca-Morgan-Lashy..... Missing all of you........

 

Prof...... I am so glad that You "got" what I was trying to say.... I had to laugh about the "mean " part.. I think my Hubby and Son called it... BITCH..... ha ha ha......

 

True Story.. Sunday, Hubby wanted to go to the Cell Phone place and just as we were pulling in.. I said.."Please, do not embrace me he was looking at a "sale" and I knew.. there was more to the story and sure enough.. it was a mail in rebate on these phones and he was mad because they did not "tell the truth"....

 

But how FUNNY.. that I worry about him  having a fit.... or as I use to call it... Standing up for what is RIGHT.......

 

And the "old" Diana would have made them pull this up on the Wed Site and SHOW ME were it said anything about a mail in rebate..... and then I would want to speak to a Manager and I would have walked out of there with a new phone......

 

Now the mouse I am... oh, it's okay.. they are just trying to make a buck.. pay it and shut up.................

 

And I really do not like this "new person" I am at "times"...... Like, the fact I would even worry about what the Dr would think.. it's what I know.. something is WRONG...... Then I have this miracle for three days and then I'm really wondering if I am NUTS.......

 

I have to think.. was the pain real?? YES... was the swelling real??? YES.. oh, I had wittiness's to this one.. okay,,, I'm not a Hypro or nuts...

 

So my point.. I'm glad I'm not "alone" in this, but in the same "breath".. I am not glad that others are suffering the same thing and this sucks....

And I really "happy" that you understood what I was saying... BINGO..........

 

Well, my alarm just went off.. I'm sure around Noon I will be feeling the effects of this 3:45 a.m. of getting up and going and drinking the coffee......

 

I'm just blown away by Hubby's new schedule... But, the good side is that it's happening now,, winter months and not our summer...

 

How is Sam I Am doing with the new cat box????? He's just been an only child and now he's in shell shock.... ha ha ha......

 

Okay... I think I missed something.. do you see the Dr this week??????? today maybe???? So, you know the routine here.. check in with us.....

 

Okay... HUG HUG HUG... NUTS NUTS NUTS....

 

OKAY.... I really hope that today will be a good day for all of us.. that we hang in there and hang on tight .

 

All my Love and Hope..............         Dianah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Dianah,

You make me laugh when I read your entries. I can visualize you doing what you are doing sneaking around feeding the horses and probably looking around as you are doing it not to get "caught" etc. I could picture you looking at your dog sleeping in "your" chair thinking to yourself "what is wrong with this picture".. thanks for the info about the med's...I will keep that in mind in the future. I remember when I told my doctor that the percocet didn't appear to be working he looked at me like I had two head and then gave me some sleeping med's that didn't work either but at the same time all of this was going on with me I still had to watch over my mom so I put my needs to the back-burner. Funny how I was good at fighting for her but I did  not have the energy to inquire more deeply into alternatives for me...thing is I knew percocet was suppose to be fairly strong so I thought that there wasn't much more he could give me so I just muddled through and eventually things got better. knowing you all will help me and guide me as things change for me along the way is comforting to me...now what is frito pie?? I have never heard of it. guess it will be a big adjustment for your husband if he isn't used to being in an office atmosphere. I believe things happen for a reason and somewhere down the line these new skills that he acquires will one day more than likely come in handy for him...they say its good to keep the brain learning new things so it will be good for him. keep him sharp. weather here is cool but not as cold as where you are...heat came on just a few minutes ago. well, going to try and workout...test out my ankle and hope that nerve pain was just a fluke...take care and have a great day....

good morning --

 

hank and i just waved at each other.  we're on opposite ends of the sleep spectrum.  i did my sleeping between midnight and 3, when he went to bed.  i will probably try for a nap this afternoon... he can nap at will -- i am so jealous.  when we go to the infusion center, he snuggles into one of their comfy recliners and snoozes away -- it's weird that he should be that comfortable there.

 

and that's where we are headed this morning -- they should be pulling my PICC line -- hooray!  it will make showering easier (no more saran wrap) and i will no longer have to be so conscious of where my left hand/arm is.

 

i don't know if they do CBCs on the final visit -- i would like to be able to track my white count, etc., until i see go-to-guy on the 14th -- but really, what difference will it make? 

 

my legs were so messed up yesterday that i gave in and increased my steroids -- lo and behold, the pain is better -- but i cannot keep doing that -- the steroids mask infections, as well as making it easier for infections to take hold in the first place.  i am just glad that i still have something that responds to medication.  i am going to taper down immediately -- starting tomorrow,  why not get a little relief today -- it is beautiful out, i have to ride in the car (*very*  painful), and well... why not get a little relief?  the other pains don't let up -- primarily the shoulders, my feet, the CRPS/RSD -- but when one aspect lets up, the rest doesn't seem so bad...

 

talk to me about that after we get home.

 

wow -- i am so negative.  ugh.

 

dianah -- i think you should at least wear some sort of disguise when you slip over to care for those poor horses -- a mask, at least.  maybe becky can find something for you out of her many costumes.  a cape?

i feel for your hubby -- he must feel like a fish out of water -- but he will get used to it and will surely pick up some useful skills.  too bad, though, about the overtime.  that smarts.

 

take your surgeon's word for it, kiddo!  if that knee starts to act up again, get thee to his office -- new self or old self, you owe yourself good care.  (again... do as i say, not as i do... my new motto)

 

gotta get dressed. 

 

have a great day, all -- becky, i hope you start to feel better.

 

i second dianah's "shout out" to our missing -- please check in! 

 

prof

Howdy...just a quick note...have to take youngest son to school in a few minutes...today is another appt with the psych doc for oldest son...it may seem weird to somebody on the outside that multiple family members all go to the same doc.  Actually, she is very professional and is able to keep our issues all separate.  She won't discuss oldest son's issues with me unless she has his written permission.  He did sign the medical info release form, but I'm not sure is he signed the psych issues release...doesn't matter...I don't want to pry...I want him to feel that he can tell her anything, without worrying that I might find out...and I respect  that...

 

Our family has a very open relationship (huge contrast to the way I was raised)...we discuss things that are pretty personal...but there is a limit...TMI is a common phrase around here (I don't really want to know if the underwear is riding up...etc.)...

 

Oldest son has joined the Dr. Phil community...but I'm sure he is visiting different boards than I do...he knows my icon and login name...but I don't know his...that's fine...this board is completely anonymous...or at least as anonymous as we want it to be...I don't post anything here that he doesn't already know...

 

But oldest son had better be spending LESS time on his computer...yesterday, I had asked him to do a couple of things for me while I was gone to middle son's conference...nope, they didn't get done...

 

However, kulinary kid did cook us a FANTASTIC dinner last night...Roasted "beer butt" chicken, cooked cabbage, and rice...yup, he even learned a new way to cook rice...but there's nothing wrong with the way I cook it...

 

Time for youngest son's school...gotta go...I'll be back later...(but not staying so long that I set a bad example for oldest son)...Becky

HI Prof,

By steroids do you mean something like prednisone? Hope that the ride in the car is not to hard on you. It must be good though to get out of the house and see something different its just to bad that it has to be the cause of physical pain. thinking good thoughts for you today. so glad that you are having the line taken out. a shower will more enjoyable with out the fear of contamination and getting it wet...take care. ~Carol~

Good Afternoon

 

It has warmed up some today, at least the sun is out.. it's 65 and I did put a load of cloths out on the line...

 

Feeling pretty good for being so tired...but going to do the nap thing before I get goofy--- er...

 

Frito pie is... Corn chips on the bottom of a pan, then add taco meat-onions-cheese-black olives and then more cheese.. put in the over to melt the cheese and serve with salsa-sour cream.. Easy.......... that's what I like.. easy easy easy.....

 

Percocet up-sets my tummy big time.. I use to take Oxycotin and I loved that, but Ins cut me off and had to switch to Morphine, time release... then I do vicodin for break threw pain and Phenegain for my tummy...

I also use to take Lyric.. but I gained 30 pounds on it.. I liked what Lyric did for my pain, but could not keep gaining wt on top of a wt problem...

Oh.. and I take Cymbalta also.. that's been a long-time medication just in different form.. And Zanex when my nerves are shot.....

 

Funny thing, as I say all of this.. I really have cut down on the meds....

 

I just was thinking about your situation and then duh.. this situation came to mind and thought I would pass it along to you.....

 

I do know, that it took a while and many different drugs to find the right combination for me....

It's work in progress that's for sure...

 

Okay.. going to have some lunch and then nap time...

 

Hope your Day is going good... HUG HUG HUG     Dianah

 

 

I've been having such a great time with my son.  He's only 26 y/o and has already become very established in his career.  It's quite an honor to work as a sound engineer at the Shubert Theater.  It has a grand history and it was his dream to work there.  Prior to working on Broadway, he did travel with Broadway shows.  Saw most of the U.S. 
Now I know that I'm a little biased, but he is so handsome, even more so than last time he was home about 10 months ago.  He's gotten more muscular, more mature looking, looks so much like his father. 
He's taking me shopping tomorrow for shoes that he thinks I need.  They're tennis shoes....okay, I'm old I call them tennis shoes...with cushion things along the sole.
We'll go out for lunch.  He can't get foods made with green chile in NYC, so we'll eat at a mom & pop cafe and have green chile enchiladas.  All homemade. mmmmmmmmmmm.

I must confess that I'm pushing myself a bit while he's here.  I'm sore & tired, but I'll rest up and recover when he goes home.
We're having Thanksgiving celebration on Saturday so I have to go shoppping tomorrow & thaw out the turkey.

Have a healing, positive week my friends.
Susan