Chronic Pain

GOOD MORNING PAIN FRIENDS

IT'S A NEW MONTH AND IN CELEBRATION OF THE COMING OF OCTOBER, WE HAVE BEGUN A NEW DAILY GRIND!

EVERYONE IS WELCOME, EVERYONE IS SAFE AND WE ALL WOULD LOVE TO HELP SUPPORT YOU THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH PAIN. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH, AS WE ALL LIVE WITH CHRONIC PAIN TOO.
SO COME ON IN AND SAY HELLO OR TELL US YOUR STORY, SO WE CAN GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER.

WE CARE ABOUT YOUR PAIN AND WOULD LIKE TO BE YOUR FRIENDS
GENTLE HUGS AND LOVE
BETTY

Good Very early Morning to you all!

It's just after midnight here and I've been logged in for a little while, but I had some posts to answer and then wanted to get our new Grind created and send you all a message to make sure you all knew about it, so I'm finally here today and boy am I warn out but doing quite well. Pain stuck around a 5 most of the day, but it creeped up a few times with our activities and errands, but we got a whole lot accomplished and I'm really happy about it and now have the $$ in Helen's account to pay all her bills and take care of making sure her neice gets paid. The neices divorce was settled in court yesterday and she only gets one more check from the ex and she's on her own. She's doing well emotionally and even when I spoke with her tonight, she still sounded sober so I was really proud of her.

I spoke with Mattie tonight and he told me that my friend Janette (the one who went back to rehab) came back home, could not even stay sober for one day and she's been bombed for the last week since she got back. Matt's friends with her son and they talk on the phone every day and her son told Matt that he left and drove back to California where he lives and goes to college, because he was having to sit up all day and night with his mom to try and keep her out of booze and she was still hiding it around the house and drinking and hiding and he could not keep her out of it, so he said he's washed his hands of the entire thing. I'm really sad about it, but Matt was glad when I told him what eveyone here said and I was going to follow his & the grind groups suggestions and keep out of it. He appreciated you all for leading his mom in the right direction. Thank you all. I just don't know what has to be done with someone that has this type of a problem. I've actually never seen anyone this bad and I'm afraid she's going to kill her self. All I can do is pray for her and I'm helpless to do anything else. I just have to except that and go from here.

Adrian; I'm glad you've thought everything over very well and your going with your orignal plan. I was not aware that the plan for CA was only for a year and that is just too short to have to move again. We will both have to struggle through another cold winter, I have a feeling that most our friends here will be struggling too, so we will all have oneanother to survive the isolation. Doggone, I was hoping you just be one state away and if I made it to California, I could stop by and see you. Florida's nice though too. lol

Scooter:
I'm proud of you for trying to quit smoking. I'm a very bad girl and have not faced that one yet. It's such a horrible habit and I did just fine the last time I quit, was completely over the craving and even stopped thinking about them. Then my father got very ill and passed away, my son died, my pain started, doctors apts, no one knew what was wrong, pain meds, more pain.................. And my doctor even told me that I had waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too much on my plate and we were not going to worry about it right now. I'm lucky to still have a fraction of my sanity, so someday, I gotta go to that plan and stop this non-sense. Like A said, please don't be too hard on your self if you slip. We all have alot to deal with and trying to live with pain 24x7 is NO CUP OF TEA!

Chuck; You've done so good friend. You sound better today and I'm glad to hear from you again. Your leg craps sound so aweful and I just cannot imagine having them as badly as you do. I get them, but not nearly as often. You would think that all of us would somehow get used to atleast part of this pain issue, but we just don't. I think it's because pain tells our brain that something is wrong and we need to do something about it. Since we can't, we are all on a constant search to find the solution. Chronic Pain is backwards for our brains and our bodies. Just my theory. LOL Hope your weather stays nice so you can take your constitutional walks. Hows Heidi doing?? all grown up? finshed chewing up your stuff??? LOL Take Care Buddy

Dockside: You sound like your very busy hon. I agree, I think your doc has something on his comments. smart guy. I'm glad you have a therapist/phyc to talk to. It's so hard to sort all this stuff out on our own. I would like to begin some therapy too.
Glad you stopped by today and talked with us. hope you pain has come down and your doing better than the 9.5 after your apt. Talk to you tomorrow hon.

Deborama; It is such a thrill to find you've made it. I'm so sorry for not giving you the proper insturctions. What a jerk I feel like. You've made it now and I can't wait to visit more tomorrow. have a good night.

Well, My Rod got called into work this am, so he called and had to bring our heard of pooches back down here for me & Helen to watch. He'll be getting home early at 7am to pick them up and take back to our house, so they just spent the evening and since they were already here, they just walked in and acted like they do at home. I was glad we did not have to deal with their excitement again and when I came in the bedroom, they all just layed all over my bed and went right to sleep. 2 are in the bed time kennels and 2 our here in the bed with me.
I gave Rod Helen's garage opener and will get woken up by my honey in the am. YEAH! I miss my husband I need to snoodle with him. I think that's what Danielle called it. LOL

I had better get myself tucked in. Helen is snoozing soundly and I set another pain pill on her night stand, so when she wakes in the wee hours in pain, she can take her pill and go back to sleep hopefully. She said she slept well for several hours last night, but then turnd around and said as soon as we get her chair fixed, she's going to sleep back in the chair. UGH! makes me not want to fix the dumb thing so she give it a few more days in the bed. The PT told us that her first few times back in bed would be more painful, because her muscles in her upper thighs had shrunk from being in the recliner for too long. 2 months of sleeping in the recliner is way too long. Day & night in the same position is not good.
I'm hoping she will stay in there all night, instead of going out in the chair to smoke again. When she's in that dumb chair she sits awake all night and she has been sleeping sound for atleast 5 hours in bed. I think she just has to get used to it again. Hopefully they cannot come to fis her chair until she is back to comfortable in her bed. I just don't want to go directly back to the chair and making a bad choice. We will seee.

Well, Good night friends, I'll see you all in the am and hopefully can get my post done when everyone is still up to read it. lol Adrian will be rolling in soon... Just teasing you honey lol

Love you all
Big hugs
Betty

Good morning people - what a night .. a few late nighters ... we had new tennents move in above .. they were pretty good , and they seem nice , Mercedes and Crystal .. 8 p.m. and their friends moved the couches in, the girls were back and forth bringing two car loads of things at a time ..

Ahh, to be young and excited about a new place like that ... all in all , they were respectful of the others in our building ... nice ...

Been waking at 5 a.m. , too much on my mind I guess , I took a BT before bedtime and actually slept pretty good , the coller nights are here so my pain elevated some, so I figured preventative strike may help .. it did , and I decided that I would take my meds like I always do , instead of stretching it to 6 I took them at 5:30 ... which was normal ...

So, I am waiting for them to kick in , before I get the shaky , pain ... you know the drill ...

I see 11 posts mentioned here , but only two from Betty , thanks Betty for staying up so late and getting this done ... if you tell me how , I would do it since you are busier now than ever before ...

While having dinner , a nice young man stopped by .. at first it startled me as he tried to enter my gate , which is complicated as when my bro lived here , he kept the SCooter on the patio, so he had welded a second bolt so we could lock it up at night ...

The poor guy was struggling, but I asked if I could help him, and who he was and he ended up being form the Democratic Haedquarters here .. as I am listed as a Dem ...

He had a list of people who applied for mail-in voting , I being one , so he came by to make sure I sent my application in , and I hadn't , so he sat on the patio and I gave him the application ..

He then asked if I would be interested in helping the party by making calls from home , and like a lightening bolt , since I have been looking to do something , said sure ...

So, I now am a volunteer for the party ... also was more at peace as I gave my worries to Jesus and God , instead of keeping them to myself .. what made me do this , a friend sent an email , the email mentioned that this is what you do .. give it to God , all your worries and burdens and so I did ...

Wierd how I don't write these people whenever I have a situation, and one or two just seem to know .. and that makes me feel good ...

So, today I have to get out .. as food is running low , must go food shopping ... giggle .. most people I hear from are like the opposite of me .. when feeling low , they eat, me , I gotta force it down .. and I do .. not going to starve myself ...

anywho ... hello Deborah .. I don't see your posts , but welcome , hope to meet you also ...

Danielle, Chuck, Gimpy , Scooter and Zoe ... hope you all are faring well .. will see you later ... A

Hi - good afternoon - woke up achy and with a headache .. neither has relly subsided .. but I think it is just the weather, like may of you ...

My body feels the changes .. it always did .. but it just is worse now .. anyway, met the girls upstairs , we other people in the building , gave hem a nice welcome card and note , telling a little about who we are, what we do and some of our routines here ..

We talked about unity as a building and community .. and we wanted them to know we all would like for them to be comfortable with us , and visa verse .. well they loved it .. and plan to write about themselves .. jobs, school and their routines so we can all feel comfortable as a united building ..

After the past few tenants we all decided , since two of us are owners and one is a tenant w/children , that we would share , and hope that mutual respect for others , the property and condo rules is the same ...

So, I , for am glad , since they are above me, but they also can be heard by all .. so I guess this idea just may work out for us .. as the past people have had disturbances , or made disturbances and had very little respect for us and continually just broke the rules ..

Makes it less stressful for everyone .. so it is still haging around 80 here, but the breeze is cooler .. the nights are shifting to be mid - high 40's , and so socks have been added .. giggle ..

I have placed all my burdens on God , and asked that He take them ... that my heart and mind have His lve replace the saddness I have been feeling .. that He take them and lift me up and over this situation .. I feel better about myself , feel better about life and am feeling good about the direction I am taking ...

so often we can succumb to the petty thoughts of our own anger, frustration and grief , that we lose sight of our very being .. I am hopeful now ... just have a headache ... but went out finally and did the grocery shopping ..

Well, hope you all are well, taking care and will be okay , and remain in touch .. it does help ... would miss it too much as you guys are now my only good morning , afternoon and night people in my life now ... and I wouldn't trade any of you for anything ...

Be back later .. Adrian

Good Afternoon Pain Gang

I had some trouble logging in this am, I thought maybe this could have something to do with why no one has checked in yet. If this happens to any of you, I suggest you close out explorer/your browser window then reopen it and go back into the pain connection forums and resign in. Sometimes this happens because they are updating the site or doing some maintenance and sometimes it happens with no rymm or reason.

It's a cloudy cool day here in the PNW. Rod came and picked up the boys early and my pain was high and I was just too tired to get up, so he gave me a smooch and said, I'll call you later. I went back to sleep and then woke up at 9am, oops an hour late for Helen, but oh well. She did not mind, she knows I'm about drained & fatigued too. All I have to do today is bookwork and pay her bills, then I'm just going to put away one load of clothes and be done for the rest of the day. Ahhhhhhh! I've got a few phone calls to make and 2 apts for Helen, then that will be it on the phone.
I'm going home tomorrow and I will be very relieved. If you don't hear from me for several hours, it's because my brain is in that Fibro fatigue mode and sometimes I just cannot even think hard enough to to even say Hello. I do read through you alls posts though and know whats going on. lol Just a lurker in those days. lol

Adrian; I hope your new neighbors get along nicely with everyone. I think it's cool of you to volunteer for your party. You might enjoy it and it will get you thinking and involved a bit more in the election. I think it would be kind of fun myself. Don't let the crankys or the hang ups get you down though.

I hope the others are doing alright today. Gimpy has not been back since she was going on errands with one of her sons. I just hope she did not drive her pain over the edge.

I better get Helen's bills paid and her laundry done. The PT will be here any minute and he will want to talk to me.

I'll talk at ya all afterbit
Hugs & love
Betty

PS A, Deborama typed her first message on the last of the sept Daily Grind. Gotcha huh? LOL

luv to all

Hi everyone I am Deb. I have been living with chronic pain for 6 months. Multiple tests and no answer. The pain is primarily in my groin (left), because I limp.. pain is refered to my back. I also have degenerative disc in my back but at this age (44) and being a RN for 21 years, I think at this stage we all do. I work in ER, and it is my passion. I love the variety, the intensity and yes the adrenalin rush.
THe past 3 weeks have been the worst for my pain. It has been so intense, the burning in the groin going down my leg is so awful. I was in ER 3x in one week, was admitted for one night and had a very bad experience with one Doc. My regular GP (canada) was on holidays which seems to always be the case for her. This other admitting doc whom doesn't know me from a hole in the head accused me of being a drug addict. I was using too many meds but his methos of delivery left something to be desired, I totally suffer from lack of continuity and a plan. I was devistated. I wanted help and was reaching out. He even insinuated it was all in my head. The pain is very real. I am glad he brought it to my attention I was using too many meds, but the way that he did it was demeaning and not addressing my problem. THe GP that discharged me (yes, yet a different one) was very gentle and helped me develop a plan! I still have to wait until OCt 14th for my regular doc to be back. I had a call yesterday from the office stating they wanted to talk about my abd CT, but have to wait until the 14th. I had a MRI of my left hip last night..... we will see.
AT this very moment my pain is about a 4.... pretty good, I couldn't sleep last night until 3:30am, and then slept today until 1:30 pm. Not good. I am waiting for my LTD to be approved and I am so worried it is keeping me awake!
I am on my second marriage, and have 3 children and 4 step children. My step son at 18, died which has been very very difficult. My youngest is 14, living with us, ant then all the other ages: 16, 19 20x2(twins), and 22. My son 16 lives with his Dad which I HATE, but it is what it is.
Thank-you for listening. I look forward to knowing everyone and will get into the groove of responding to everyone.
I also smoke too many cigarettes and haven't even thought of quittting. They are so expensive in Canada too which doesn't help.
Here's a good day to all. Talk soon.
Deb.

Welcome Deborama .. lol .. did I get that right ? Seems like you are suffering .. sorry for that .. do hope you can find some solace here .. our Betty is a earthbound angel , and likes to get people together and here we can be just us .. no fronts or having to hold back .. whatever you feel is okay ..

This is why it is a chronic pain forum .. disc issues are a problem of mine for years .. and I am sure others here will tell you of their issues too ..

Just glad you are here , and rest assured , you will get support from this group ..

Betty, love ya' kiddo .. yes, I was going to volunteer for something , just never got motivated for one reason or another , my health took precedent over doing paperwork ..

This I can do on my time, from my home and that is good .. I am looking forward to it ... well, hope you get Helens' things done and get rest when you do get home .. it'll be great to be home ... hugs a bunch .. Adrian

PS - Betty I din't recall that you smoke .. and Deb, as a smoker , well, part time now .. it is something that stress only makes more difficult to quit ... hang in there kiddo ... A

Greetings All,
Another fine day in southern ky, nice weather anyway. Had a nice evening walk.
Deb, welcome to the grind. I also have DDD and bulging discs, I know it's hard being on your feet in the Er. My sis has been an er nurse for many years, you have my respect it's a job i couldn't do. What was the ltd you were speaking of getting approved?? Just curious??
Adrian, you're stayin in NM?? Hope your new neighbors woek out quietly.
my daughter just took some muffins out of the oven so I'll be back
chuck

Hi, guys!
I've been on the outs for a bit for a bunch of reasons! But I have missed you all. Thanks, Betty for noticing I wasn't around. You really are the best and very amazing!

Chuck! Muffins? Dude, you really should share with all of us. Seriously, when you said that, I could almost smell them!

Ok, Monday, I finally got out to do my errands, with my 14yr.old's help. He was somewhat nice about it and I bought him a slurpy. Then I was dead by the time we got home.

Tuesday I was about a 9.5 pain wise and had to pull it together for psych eval appointment. Before I can get the spinal cord stimulator, I have to be approved psychologically, uh-oh!!

My pain doc's assistant gave me the wrong address so we ended up somewhere else from where we were supposed to be, in a city I don't know very well. Finally, ended up at the psych place.

Then yesterday, I went with my friend to go to her epidural steroid injection. After her injection, she got a severe headache and went numb from the waist down. Has this ever happened to any of you from an ESI? I spoke up ad said if she had a spinal headache that she would need a blood patch or it wouldn't go away. I've been through that! It was horrendous. Anyway, the people there were just treating her like garbage! I was really mad and was glad to be there to be an advocate for her. I went hobbling out with my walker and found someone to get her a warm blanket because she was just sitting there shivering. So...I ended up spending all day with her because she was unable to leave the facility until she could at least walk a little with my walker. Anyway, we went through a drive-through to get some grub because we were starving by then! I was driving so unable to take extra meds. Then I stayed with her until 6PM until my husband came and got me. Long day!! Needless to say, I came home and lay on my heating pad!

Today, I went and ate lunch at my other friend's house who recently had a mastectomy from breast cancer. It was good to spend time with her and she looks great. But another day of sitting has made me hurt again. Well, such is life.

Deborama, so glad you found us!! Sounds like your life is crazy! I can relate, we all can. Ask Scooter about docs thinking she is on too many drugs. Grrr...

Dockside, I am also applying for ltr. Have no word yet and am starting to stress out about it. But like Adrian says, I need to trust God to provide.

Oh, that is the other thing, I found out today that my 18yr.old son needs knee surgery. He went to the knee doc this am and the surgery is scheduled for Oct. 15th. Nice to have two gimpy people in the house! He will be on crutches for 4 months. Means he will also be off work. Hmmm... Hope we don't fight over who gets to use my wheel chair. Maybe have to get another one. Then we could have races!!

Hey, the psych guy I saw for the eval said I might want to try Cymbalta, too! So I might think about it. Let me know how it goes for you. Or if I start first, we can compare notes, okay?

Ok, Chuck, Betty, Adrian, Scooter, Dockside, Danielle, Deborama, and everyone else I'm forgetting, have a wonderful evening. I may check in later, too!

Hey - just taking a break and see two of you were here .. muffins sound good to me (just ate some oreos - ) ... Gimpy , glad you are back and glad you got a second referal on the drug thing ..

Chuck - I am staying as to be out by November just put too much stress on myself right now .. I am investing in myself , detoxing is beginning to be easier and my therapy is going well .. still have bloodworkup to do and I began to stress ..

I think I will be okay , I believe I made the right choice and as I mentioned .. my mom and I have reconnected, this time with boundries .. I don't call her everyday with everything .. as therapy is going so well, I have learned that I do need to get stable and believe in myself more ..

Well, break is over , back to the debate .. lol .. I am a glutton for punishment .. Adrian

hi guys,

i'm really having a hard time with deep sadness. my long trip to Davis (a whole day in the car), staying overnight in a hotel and all was not really worth it, except to show that i followed through and that my bladder is significantly retaining urine. it takes me usually months to recover emotionally from these ridiculous efforts at getting help- and a wave of rememberance of the whole 20 years of seeking help and not finding it rolls over my heart and soul.

the neurosurgeon was a complete wash- didn't want to even spend 5 minutes with me, didn't have any answers to any of my questions, (which are in large part paid for by my dad- i have this medical advocacy group to help me- just no doctors who will respond) The ns. didn't even have any suggestions for me- nada.
just that i should see someone else.

he verified that it is a cyst on the back of my head and i guess said that my md. should deal with my cysts- noted herniations in cervical and lumbar spine, stenosis, narrowing, yadayada- but said he thought the Chiari institute is misdiagnosing people.

my altar- came out to help me -who speaks with an accent- (actually had to learn english) - she is more assertive- i learned that he has only treated one person besides me with EDS in his whole practice and never dx. tethered cord in any one - the type i have that cannot be seen on an MRI. yet he has the gall to say TCI is misdiagnosising ppl- and they see hundreds and hundreds of ppl with EDS and CMI, TC, CCI~ constantly.

i've been putting off writing for charity to a couple of places... TCI does charity surgery, a few a year- but i have to update my neurosurgeon there and don't know what to say.


anyway,i can't believe i bothered to write that much. i don't even bother to take a shower most days now.
i'm without my pain patch- one of my pain meds- so i'm in more pain, but more disconcerting is that my loss of feeling has gotten worse lately in my arms and hands and i'm losing more usage of them. typing is hard today. it's hard to watch your body fail one organ, one limb at a time- but harder still not knowing if i should even try to seek medical help as far as surgeries go- EDS is just not readily understood- and surgeries don't go over well.
i'm proof enough of that- wish i never had that open heart surgery-

btw. i smoke too- believe it or not- i have read all your posts for today, just don't have anything useful to say- it's nice to hear about someone else's life- wish i could be watching the debates and all- oh well.
i think i'll try to do some art. cheer my soul Lord- i have nowhere to look but to you-

welcome deb~ i'm kind of new too.
sorry to be such a downer.

Hello all, thank-you so much for the warm welcome!! I got the best news today, my LTD was just accepted, and the payment is alot more than I thought or dreamed. I have been floating on a cloud ever since. My son and I got fancy coffees at a shop after his DR apt. He has a fractured left wrist... hockey injury. it is killing him because he plays guitar and drums, and can't play hockey for 6 weeks.
Now I just feel tired but so relaxed. A big weight has been taken off my shoulders, I can once again participate and contribute to the family.
Zoe nice to meet you and so sorry you are having a bad day....... sending hugs.
Adrian good luck with your detox........ that takes alot of courage. Stay strong.
Hi gimpy, thank-you for the warm welcome. I am going to try cymbalta I hope, as it is supposed to help with nerve pain.
Hey chuck may I have a muffin please?? YES LTD approved as of 1545 today. Now I feel like I can move forward!
Betty thank-you for the warm welcome and all you do. A kind and gentle soul, nice to meet you.
Hello to all I have missed. Dockside you live in Quebec? I am on the other side Vancouver Island. Looking forward to getting to know you.
Well dinner dishes await. I haven't even told hubby about the LTD. He is working afternoons. I am bursting with the news!!
Have a wonderful night all. Tonight I am going to have just that!!!

Good Late Evenining Pain Grind Gang

It's been a pretty good day here. I'm glad my week is nearly over and I'm going home tomorrow at noon. It's been a very long week, but I've gotten alot taken care of for Helen and all her bills are paid and her banking is taken care of too.
*****Woo Hoo! Home Sweet Home, just cannot wait***

Adrian; Thank you for volunteering to help me with beginning the new monthly discussions, I thought about that yesterday and in the future, I may take you up on that. LOL Thanks!
Your appetite comment is just like me. When I'm stressed or in pain, the first thing that goes is my appetite. I have to consciencly sp make myself eat. I've just never aquired the comfort in food that some might find.
I hope you get some rest tonight and I'll see you tomorrow. By the way, I don't have your new phone number or address. If you don't mind

Deborama: It's such a pleasure to have you here with us. I'm really happy you decided to come. I'm really sorry about how you've been treated by some doctors and completely understand your frustration with it. They're disrespect, disconcern and rudeness can cut a person clear to their core and it is painful. I'm hoping you can get some better help her soon and can catch your GP in the office too. I bet the last 6 months have been the longest six months of your life. I remember my first six months, stuck in the recliner and unable to walk. depression, bordom, frustration, fear and all the emotions I'm sure you've been having were just dreadful. The unknowing what was the future going to bring was the worst. Take care and we will be here for you and hopfully can offer you some helpful advice, unconditional love and support.

Hey Chuck; Glad you had a nice day. I sure would like to see your neck of the woods too. The pictures look really nice and country style. MMMM Muffins? What kind? Enjoy friend
Hope you can get a good nights rest buddy.

Gimpy honey; you've sure had a busy and tough week. Wow girl. No wonder your pain has been high.
I hope your friend is getting better, really sounded like a rough day for her too. She was very blessed to have a good friend like you along with her.
I've had to have those blood patches after a spinal tap. The first two did not work and I was in bed for over a month. The third one finally patched the spinal fluid from leaking and wow, what a horrible headache. I'm very blessed and don't suffer with headaches very often, but I remember how bad that was having a headache for a month. OH Boy, I could not even pick my head up off the pillow and had to crawl to the BR to potty. If I wanted to read something I had to hang my head over the edge of the bed, so It was lower than my spine. I had forgotten all about that happening, until you just mentioned the blood patch. Ouch!
I hope you get to rest tomorrow and I hope to get some too. lol
Hugs honey, rest well tonight and I'll see you when you can stop in.

Well guys, I better go for now, I'll try to stop back in after I put Helen to bed. Gotta help her get her jammies on and tuck my little lady into bed. She's been tired today and dozed most of the day. But she's going to sleep in her bed again and I hope to get her to stay.

All of you that I missed, it was not intentional. I miss you all and hope to come back and see some more of you have stopped in.
Hugs to you all and much love. Take Care of yourselves. My love & prayers are with you and I'm thinking about you all.

Hugs
Betty

Hey, everybody!
Zoe! I'm so sorry about your horrible time! It has got to be so horrendous to need to figure all of this out all over again. You need some hugs! Hang in there, girl. Keep a clear head, ask for wisdom, you will find what to do. I hope you can get the financial sponsorship you need as well. Ok? Peace to your soul, girl.

Betty, I'm glad Helen is trying to sleep in her bed. It is so important to change position, as we all know. And I hope that will help her. How old did you say she is?

Chuck, the Muffin Man! How were they?

Deborama! Congratulations on your LTD! I'm still waiting on mine. Hearing yours was approved gives me some hope. You and I can relate on some physical issues as well as having teenagers floating around. It takes a different kind of energy to deal with them. So sorry to hear about your son's fractured wrist! Will he need surgery? Is it casted? Yeah, my son was expressing his concern over his upcoming knee surgery. It is hard enough to go through stuff when you are our age, let alone young like them. I feel for both of them; your son and mine.

Adrian, I'm so proud of you with your continued detox. You have really pursued and persevered. Hang in there and you are going to make it!

Betty, yeah tell me about that blood patch thing! I tried to go to work with a spinal headache and in a wheel chair. My principal took one look at me and said, "Nope, you are going to the doctor." I was a mess, couldn't even talk straight! Kept trying to say things and the wrong words were coming out. And the pain! Oh my, never had a headache like that before! After the blood patch, I had to lie flat for 48 hours so it wouldn't come loose like yours did (I can't believe that happened to you!) He said that by the time I got in there, I had given myself a concussion from not enough spinal fluid in my head. So you probably did too! Yikes.

Well, I'm going to try the therapy pool tomorrow. Only going to stay in for about 45 minutes this time and not overdo it like I did last time. Easy to overdo because the warm water feels soooo good! Then you get out and it is like, "Ouch, oh yeah, gravity, oh I did more than I thought!" So, I'm going to be careful. Any of you have a therapy pool near?

Ok, I'm finally going to bed. Take care, you guys! So nice to come here and have people who listen, care, and truly understand!!

Love ya!

Hello Zoe

I've been thinking of you every day this week hon. I'm so glad to hear from you. But also so sorry for your crummy trip. I really hate those defeated exhausting trips.
I think I would take what that doc has to say with a grain of salt and move on to your other docs sweetie. I don't think it's really very professional for him to speak ill of the other doctors and just say they have misdiagnosed you, when he has nothing to offer, but go to someone else. He sounds like your health issues are way above his head to me.

I really hope you get to feeling better tomorrow. When do you get your pain patches again? Don't you get a monthly supply or was this doc supposed to renew your rx? I hope you get them soon dear and please keep in touch as your able sweetie.
You'll be in my prayers. Love & Hugs

Deborama: Hey GREAT NEWS! Congratualations honey. I'm very happy for you. It is nice to be able to contribute to the family income. I find it very distressing to not be able to get a real job and do what I'm trained to do.

Good night to all
I've got my Helen in bed and it's time for Better to snuggle with her doodle doo doggie. She's already snoozing with out me. She's worked hard this week caring for Helen and sitting on Helen's lap. lol

Take care all and sweet dreams
My Love & Prayers to you all
Betty