Dearest Sjogren's Angels,
Surgery is tentatively set for October 11. Of course, that may change. Just ONE more month on my back before I start on recovery and find out if the surgery stops the pain in the long run.
So many variables, so many uncertainties, like all of life.
But this is a relief to be moving forward, no matter how uncertainly.
My older son will be visiting from Paris at that time, so that will be 'nice'. For me, any way.
Hugs, Elaine
I pray that all goes well for you.
Dear Elaine,
I haven't been on the site for a while, so I just saw that you needed surgery.
Wishing you all the best for the operation and a quick and stress free recovery.
Sending many positive vibes from Oz.
Aussie Mum
Elaine,
I hope the outcome of all of this is good for you. So sorry for your pain and immobility! I can't imagine how tired you must be from all of this.
You have such a great attitude considering everything you have been through. Thinking about you and praying for you.
Kathy
I feel confident the doctors know what's best, and that this is the best decision for you. You have always trusted your doctors before (you have a great team) so look at this as a new beginning for you with less pain and more mobility. You have a great attitude, so will likely bounce back much faster than you think. Just take it one day at a time.
Hope all will go well and that you'll get some relief.
Good luck Elaine. I hope it relieves your pain. In the meantime, try to get out of bed some if possible. Otherwise your muscles will atrophy and your recovery will be more difficult. Maybe there are some light bed exercises you can do too.
Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Jenny, I see again that you've had a shoulder replacement......so you've really had surgery!
My legs are severely atrophied, but I do get out of bed and walk around with my walker wearing my leg braces. I can be upright for about 3-5 minutes before the pain drives me back to my back.
I know I could be OK in the pool, but getting there would require walking and getting ready for the pool. I think I'll ask my husband to take me on Wednesday, just as a trial.
I am discovering and watching some fabulous TV series (Amazon and Netflix), reading, listening to the radio, and generally OK.
I just find the clutter, the confusion and lack of control to be my biggest frustration. That shows you that I'm doing rather well if that's the hardest part!
I've been pretty immobilized since my profound PN developed, and I haven't been able to drive since July 10, so I'm very dependent.
But all is well, and as it should be! Control is truly an illusion.
Hugs, Elaine
Wonderful news, really.
How great that your son will be able to be there during this time.
That you are moving forward.
Enjoying Netflex etc. while you rest.
I know it is very difficult in many ways, but it's good that you have and see the positives and are doing your best to push forward.
Wishing you all good things. Sending LOTS and LOTS of encouragement and wishes for pain relief / much success.
Blessings! :)
Hope the surgery goes brilliantly and you get back at least some mobility soon. Great that your son will be visiting from Paris just then too.
news Elaine, You do deserve some good news
Wishing you much success. roll on Oct, 11th
Hugs Dolly x
Blessings to you as you prepare Carolina. May all go as well as possible!!
Wishing you the very best outcome from your surgery.
Hugs, Nancy
Dearest Elaine, sounds like your team has your back! Wishing you a quick, uneventful recovery.
Dear Elaine, Sending thoughts, prayers, and positive vibes, everything I've got, to an amazing lady. :)
Hey sweet lady. While you are waiting just do as many nice things for yourself you can think of. Reading something you love while relaxing. Eating some special desert you want. Call some friend you can laugh with. Buy something pretty over the top that you wouldn't normally buy. You get the idea. :)
We all love and care about you.
Hugs,
susanep :)
Hi susanep,
I'm doing my best...but even reading, watching great TV series, eating eating eating, friends, and shopping (my fav activity) get old after a while.
I do get to the pool for exercise a bit. I am managing my pain pretty well.
I do think the steroid is giving me an ulcer, or at least heartburn. I take Omeprazole and still I have pain.......
Really this does get old, doesn't it. I have this feeling that if I live long enough I will get 'one of each' of the conditions!
I do think I am focussing far too much on my own health these days..trapped as I am.
Well, you are all THE VERY BEST!
Hugs, Elaine
Hope all goes well and you heal fast Elaine!
Yes, thanking god for having TV and now Netflix!!!! my best friend!!!!!
Gursie
Dear Elaine,
Praying for a smooth surgery and successful outcome for you. I haev not been here and was unaware that you had become so unwell. I'm so sorry for all that you have been through and hoping for brighter days ahead.
Love and hugs,
Nicole
October 11 is almost here. Pretty soon you'll be able to count the number of days left on two hands, and then one.
Being in bed for an extended period of time can be tedious even though you have things to do, read and watch. I'm glad you have been able to get out for some exercise.
Wishing you all the best and hoping post-surgery will bring mobility and comfort.
Elaine, I sure hope your surgery went well. I've been thinking about you and your recovery. Wishing you well.
Dearest Sjogren's Angels,
SURGERY, The surgery went very well on Tuesday. i did stay that night, which was good because I needed a little oxygen or so they thought. I don't even remember going in to surgery (and the dreaded "slide over onto the operating table")
PAIN MANAGEMENT: I had a Fentanyl pump for the first 12 hours or so. They were completely on top of my pain. I was sent home with Flexeril, Demerol, and a Fentanyl patch which will last for three days, some antihistamine, and Senokot.
THE HOSPITAL: Being in the hospital is so different since the last time I was in overnight, in 2000. The nurse was always there the minute I called. I was given a large menu for all meals, and could pick and choose what I wanted. I could call and order room service any time, but an employee with an iPad came and meal time to take your order. Food was good and served quickly and all at the right temperature.
There were aways crackers, sodas, and ice cream at the nurses station, as well.
There were more gadgets and I had many wires and lines, and monitors than I've ever had...the leg pumps are so much quieter. My bed was wired so it beeped if I got out of bed! I just put my feet on the floor so I could get something off the bedside table without twist and the beeping started! I called to see what the beep ing was.
I could check out any time, and my doctor kept checking in on me. Everyone was so attractive bright and helpful. I set up PT and OT for AT HOME. All in all it was a great experience.
Part of this amazing service by amazing and attractive people is that Duke is very prestigious, and the area is attracting so many young people, so that combination is very good for me as a patient.
I can't Bend, Lift or Twist, so I have had to call in my husband a great deal.
Did the surgery solve my sciatica problem? I don't know for sure yet because I haven't been standing and walking for 10 minutes, that's when the sciatica starts.
But I should know soon. And my ''sense' is that it did work.
The one thing I really want is to wash my hair!
Hugs, Elaine
Awesome news! Glad to hear it wasn't as bad as you feared. I remember not being able to wash my hair was one of the worst parts. I usually wash every day or two. Also the BLT (bending, lifting, twisting). Always reminded me of my favorite sandwich. Keep up the good work!
Great news, Elaine. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
Anna
Elaine,
I'm wondering how your surgery went? I hope all went well and that this surgery will get you back on your feet without all that pain.
I fell in the locker room yesterday on hard concrete floor and boy did that hurt my lower back! I was hurting and in pain but all I could think of was that, "I hope nobody saw this and I hope I didn't do any serious injury!"
Actually I was putting my bathing suit on and went to sit back on the bench ( except there was no bench there!). I bet it was hilarious for anyone who saw me😂😱. Anyway, I realize how lucky I am to be able to get up and hobble away. I've been using ice, Tylenol and ibuprophen.
Anyway, I have been wondering how everything went for you. Isn't it funny how or why we think of each other? If you don't laugh then you cry, my mother used to say.
Hugs, prayers, and good thoughts coming your way!
Kathy
Very glad the surgery went well, you are in a fabulous place and are on the mend!!!!!
Blessings!
Elaine,
I see you did post that your surgery went well. Sorry, I must have missed the second page cause I didn't see that at first.
So glad it all went well and you are at home. Sounds like you had fabulous care. That's great!
Hope all continues to go well. Thanks for keeping us posted👌😃.
Kathy
Glad that your surgery went well and that your are home and in good shape. And, yes, hospitals have changed a lot and all that change has kicked the cost up a notch. Hopefully you will be up and walking without pain in no time at all. Good luck. Irish
Elaine, many thoughts and prayers that your surgery was successful and you will feel much better with no pain!!!!
Elaine, I just got back on and read about your surgery. I pray all is well. I pray that your pain gets alleviated and you are able to move around. I pray for your peace of mind that everything will be ok. I pray for your future that something each day will bring you a smile. That smile will help with the pain. I pray for you as the wonderful person you are and that healing happens.
Angel dancer
Hi Angels, the surgery is healing very well, and I'm much stronger.
I did however develop ulcers in my mouth, that I think are infected. At first I thought they were just irritations from the tubes. And perhaps they started that way.
Probably related to my super-dry mouth. Seeing my primary care doctor at 11 am for (I hope) an RX for an antibiotic.
I'm exhausted from this entire process.
But hey, it went well....and that's important.
All your caring messages are wonderful.
Hugs, Elaine
So good to hear you are doing better after your recent surgery. I know you are glad to be home. Some hospitals are pretty good, but it's hard to get rested at a hospital. Hope you can get rested and recouped quickly.
Nancy
Glad to hear surgery and your hospital stay went well, Elaine. I hope your recovery goes just as well and you are mobile every day.
Hopefully your mouth sores have an easy fix. Maybe something as simple as Magic Mouthwash will do.