CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.
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Best friend now has flu--her DH just got sprung from the hospital yesterday with flu & pneumonia. There's a lot of crud going around.
Meanwhile, my "TfCC" inflammation in the L wrist is waxing more often than it's waning--I need a coat hanger to scratch my back, and the wrist keeps "snapping." X-ray results are in--besides the "4mm ulnar variance" the sports orthopod saw, the radiologist (the same one who broke the news to me in 2015 that the "focal assymetry" in my breast was going to need a biopsy) noted "degenerative changes, reduced intra-articular space at the first metacarpal, and osteophyte formation at the ulnar head." In other words, osteoarthritis (so what else is new?) on top of injury. So I have an appt. with my hand surgeon 6 weeks from now, for possible MRI & cortisone shot if my wrist doesn't get better--and if that doesn't work, then on to ultrasound and PT/OT and as a last resort, surgery (either smoothing the ulnar head down to its proper length or even joint replacement--either way, I'd be in a cast for 6 wks, so there'd go my gigs). But I'm hoping that conservative therapies will do the trick.
If I'm not better in two weeks, I'm going to move up the appt. and at least get an MRI to see what's going on with the soft tissue.
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Went to see Mom last night. She didn't look so good. They had her sedated as at one point she was really combative with the hospital staff.
I did call my brother and left a message on his voicemail.
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Well, no phone call yezterday so that is confirmation, i think, that as of now, things are stable.it means i wiill continue on with my med , they have me set for a pet scan next month. Yesterday the urse practitioner said i looked tired? Gees, i sleep close to 12 hours each night and it is not like i run around a lot during the day. Course last week i had way too many appts and they stress me out
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Iris, I hate it when they tell me I looked tired: all of a sudden I feel more tired after that! and of course the stress will take up energy! Still, I am really glad that you got no phone call and that all is stable.
Mommy, calling your bro was probably the right move, I think. He will want to know that she is having problems even if their relationship is difficult. How is your stepdad doing?
Cubbie, I love it when I see you here! I have to say that your mammo description doesn't sound comfortable: it would put me in CT for sure! Glad all is good per MO and that you are working on the anxiety. We all get it. Sending hugs.
Lucy and all who asked: just checking in on the knee replacement: it is going very, very well 1.5 weeks post surgery, thanks!...the PT has been great (as it was with first knee) and I've got the pain under control. Going to wean myself off of the pain drugs starting today, will go to just OTC during day and hopefully just OTC at all times by end of week. I'd like to be able to start driving soon (and doc says I can once I am off the opioids since it is my left knee). I've had more swelling than they would like in the leg, so am forcing myself to elevate and ice for thirty minutes at least five times a day....I get bored, I will admit, but it does help keep me from doing too much, although I did do dishes yesterday and make dinner last night. Shepard's pie, yum! But I am taking the rest of the weekend off from any housework whatsoever! Besides, tomorrow is my birthday....I really want a birthday cake and I am not sure hubby will take the hints. I have a LOT of lemons from my tree: should I make a lemon pound cake?
Thinking of all of you and sending hugs...
Octogirl
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iris, woo hoo for good news! M0mmy, sorry about your step granddad and your mom. Calling your brother was a good idea. Cubbie, wow that sounds really uncomfortable. I don't have any surveillance except physical exam every 6 months. Octogirl, happy birthday!
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molly, do like the cat!
Well chilling so hope to look less tired next week.
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Mommy: thinking of you. ( I'm an exceedingly bad patient. I suspect the local hospital will want to sedate me just as a matter of course, should I need to be admitted again.....)
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Love from me and Hubby xx
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Hi everyone,
I have a endo ultrasound / biopsy coming up and I just want to know how bad did it hurt for the biopsy. I have heard horror stories. Just want to prepare myself.
Thank you! My best to all
Jen
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Rjmjt...welcome ...sorry you have an endo biopsy to deal with ..I haven't had one so can't help you , but I'm sure someone who has will come on soon ..
Cubbie ..great news the mammogram was all clear :-)
Iris ..I ALWAYS look tired !!!!!!
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Welcome to CT, Jen. Sorry no experience with endo biopsy, just hysterectomy.
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Lucy, i did a few errands today, bank and junk, now home and tired! I swear i am continually tired!
One would a nurse prac would get it!
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I had an endo biopsy, but it was 20 yrs ago so they may have better techniques now. Mine did hurt, but it was over fast. Didn't hurt even 1/4 as much as that #$%^&*( tracer shot through the nipple before my lumpectomy. Truth to tell, the transvaginal ultrasound was much more uncomfortable than the endo biopsy and took longer.
Happy birthday, Octo, and happy Purim (remember, though, no drinking if still on opioids). Was able to find yeast-raised hamantaschen like those from my Brooklyn childhood--but they are HUGE!
Don't wean off opioids abruptly--do it gradually, either lowering the dosage or extending the interval between doses, a few days at a time before the next step down. If you try to be too stoic, the pain will get ahead of you again. Easy does it. I know you want to drive, but with the availability of rideshares these days it's not as urgent as it was when I was rehabbing back in 2012 & 2013. (I spent quite a lot on regular taxis back then when I couldn't get someone to drive me). There are other interim pain relievers (tramadol, prescription-strength NSAIDs, gabapentin or Lyrica) that can pick up the slack and help you wean off the hard stuff. I was able to ditch the tramadol pretty quickly, then the gabapentin, and eventually do the "Bonesmart Cocktail" (2 OTC ibuprofen + 2 Extra strength acetaminophen) alone. If you have GERD issues, you might be safer with a daily dose of celecoxib--still an NSAID but far easier on the gut.
As a gauge for when I needed to elevate my knee (and for when I could stop), I would look at my toes: if they looked like little sausages, it was time to elevate: when the toes lengthened and slimmed down I could sit up again.
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Just a quick fly by to say Hi !!!
Only 4.30 am ..but have had "one of those nights " when I can't sleep :-(...and then terrible anxiety sets in ..
Iris ..hope you are feeling better !
Ducky ..I miss you !
Molly ..how is Wyatt ?
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Thanks Lucy, got my new toy, my rollator thingie. One of my pals stopped over who is better on figuring assembly stuff so is all working. Think it will save my hands from using the canes all the time.
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Miss you too Lucy.........hugs
Molly...Hope our boy Wyatt is doing well...give him a Nannie hug for me!
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Iris, make sure all the screws, bolts & knobs are good & tight. I bought my first Rollator back when I had two badly arthritic knees and wanted to go to the 2008 Election Night celebration in Grant Park (as an Obama volunteer I had an invitation). I knew it'd be a long walk from Jackson & State St. to the part of the park for invitees, and a long night to boot, so I figured it'd make my walk easier and be comfier & more stable than my folding seat-cane. Halfway down my block, I decided the handlebars were too low so I stopped to adjust them. Continued to the CTA train station, and saw there was a train pulling in. Instead of waiting for the elevator, I "popped a wheelie" (leaned on the back wheels to raise the front) to get on the escalator and reached the train just before the doors closed. Popped another wheelie, sat down, and as I folded up the Rollator for the ride, one of the legs fell off...and the screw-knob was nowhere to be found. (Probably on the escalator or fallen through "the gap"--as they say in London--on to the tracks). Put the loose leg into the "saddlebag." Balancing on three wheels wasn't hard at all for the walk, but I had to shift my weight a lot once I found a spot on the lawn and sat. Right after I was interviewed by a reporter from Germany (!), a security guard came over and escorted me up a ramp to the wheelchair viewing platform so I could steady myself by holding on to the guardrail.
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sandy, i get it. I realized this morning that one side is higher than the other! So guess i will call in a neighbor to adjust. It is very helpful and makes it easier pon my hands. Think i may be getting the side effect that my doc warned me about, drying an pealing of skin on hands. Anyway it is a help. I think it is a hoot that you poped a wheelie! Can't keep you down!
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Hi Lucy, thank you for asking about Wyatt. I tell you I just cannot EVER count that boys spirit or determination out! He is doing GREAT! I will take this reprieve from the stress of worrying constantly. Love and hugs to all of you crazies especially the quiet ones.
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ducky, rainny and any other NE coasters, thinking of you!! I hope you are okay.
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well wet weather is gone, sunshine on the east coast
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That's great news about Wyatt!
I am back in the Crazytown B&B this weekend with mystery back pain. It started on Friday morning, woke me up, but actually wasn't that bad. Maybe a 3 on the scale? Sharp, intermittent pains lasting less than a second. I rolled over, it stopped, I figured it was something about my position, and went back to sleep. I was fine all day Friday until evening, when it started again, and has been going on ever since. Sometimes the pains are 10 minutes apart, sometimes an hour or more. They are super quick, over as soon as they start. Always in the same spot on the right side of my back, right near the bottom of the rib cage.
I went to convenient care this morning, where they said I didn't have a rash, UTI, or blood in the urine, so they think it's muscular. It doesn't feel muscular to me, it feels kind of like a bad gas pain, except it's in my back.
Of course I'm worried about cancer. I guess I'll call my doctor on Monday and see what he thinks.
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So I had another clear ultrasound Friday (yay) but the head doc said she would suggest to my onc that I request an MRI 12 - 18 months after my last surgical procedure as scar tissue will not light up then (I had an implant replaced for capsular contracture last summer a year and a half after rads for recurrence).
Anyone hear similar? Kinda scared to go on the hunt for anything bad, but I just don't buy into the bullsh!! that waiting for symptoms is the standard of care and then react. No way Jose. My son is still only 8. I keep telling myself I'm doing it for him but I wonder sometimes if a few clear ultra sounds has emboldened me (which she said btw were not the best way to go about looking for recurrences even though that's how it was confirmed last time). wth!?!
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7of9, yay for a clear ultrasound! Maybe ultrasound isn't the best way for followup, but it seems to work in your case. It's definitely scary to go looking for something bad, but with an 8 year old, I don't blame you for wanting to stay ahead of the game any way you can.
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Cubbie ..sorry about your back ...when my back is stirred up ( which is lots of the time :-( ) I get spasms ..They arrive suddenly , are excruciating, then pass ..then return again at any given time ! Or maybe you have a pinched nerve ? I try and avoid pushing , pulling and lifting until it improves.Hope yours is better soon .(( Hugs ))
7of9 ....Any testing turns me into a nervous wreck , so I fully understand how you would be feeling over the MRI ..but it is great news that your ultrasound is all clear !!!
Molly ..great news about Wyatt :-)
Iris ..did you get the hieght issue with your rollator sorted ???
Hugs to all
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Thanks, Lucy. I always think of back pain as being something that's pretty much continuous until it's resolved. Not "ouch, wait it's already gone". I have had some similar pains in my lower back when I had a ligament injury, but I had soreness in that case to go with the intermittent pains. Took me a while to figure out in that case that I needed a better office chair (my feet didn't touch the floor).
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lucy, got my rollator fixec and gee it is a help to me. My med seems to cause pain in my hands and feet so the rollator helps relieve pressure on my hands
Back from getting my taxes worked on, not done yet
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Hello, I met my MO today, he ordered Oncotype DX testing, follow up with him in 2 weeks. The waiting for everything is the longest.
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rgoossen..Welcome to Crazy Town..though sorry you have to join us ! As everyone will tell you , the early stages are by far the worst ...Once your plan is in place you will start to feel more in control again ..Waiting is awful ..we all totally understand ...so pull up a comfy chair and come chat with us (( hugs ))
Iris ..so glad your rollator is fixed and helping you so much !
Rain here today ..such a relief as it's breaking the heat up a bit ..this has been a VERY long ,hot summer !!!
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(((Cubbie))) I am sorry about your back. 7of9, great news on your ultrasound! Well, it happened again! Wyatt's not even sick and he got a mucous plug and rapidly declined and passed out while we were working on him. My oldest called 911. By the time the fire department arrived (about 3 minutes!) he was pink and awake. I don't think I can take the roller coaster!
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