Hi, everybody!
#274045 - 07/14/06 11:38 AM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing. It seems like all I do anymore is see doctors!
I am scheduled for surgery Wednesday morning on my right foot---for both the plantar fascitiis and the tarsal tunnel release. But I am getting a little scared. Not only has my foot pain increased, but I'm having unexplained blurred vision, swelling in my knees and ankles, and difficulty going from a sitting to a standing position. The other day I didn't think I was going to be able to get out of the car! It's embarrassing! It's like my brain tells me to do one thing, and my body doesn't act! I sat on the steps last night, and I couldn't get up.
I saw a new internist yesterday who was wonderful. She spent almost an hour with me, and she said I should not be having this much trouble at my age. She said it sounds like weakness of the major muscles. I had 4 vials of blood drawn, and she is running lots of tests. This is all probably just related to my back/foot problems, but I'm just wanting to reassure myself that it isn't something else before I have the surgery. I should get the results back on Monday.
I'm dreading the surgery because it's a long recovery period (can take up to 9 mo-1 year), and often times, the nerve pain is not resolved and can, in fact, increase after the surgery. But I need to do something! I cannot continue like this!
I had to fight back tears yesterday at the doctor's office, while I tried to explain to her that I never in a million years expected my life to be like this. To have gone from an extremely active lifestyle to days where I can hardly walk/stand has been very difficult.
I'm trying to hang in there! I know I'm not going through anything compared to my neighbor who's battling Stage IV breast cancer which has now spread to her lungs and bones. She and I are quite a pair----as we sit on the porch together and discuss our medical problems over hot tea. We both laugh about it.... It's either that or cry. We know that all we can do is hang in there!
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Sorry to hear your about your health problems. Lets hope the surgery takes care of most of it for you! I know what its like to not be able to stand up on your own and its pretty awful! I have a lot of muscle weakness right now as well from the RA treatments. I'm beginning to wonder, whats worse-the illnesses we get or the "cures" the dr's give us!!  Hugs and Love!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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You are such and incredible person, ya know that... the way you speak of your situation the pain you are in and your still thinking of your neighbor... you both are so lucky to have each other. Good luck with your surgery and fill us in as soon as you are able.... we will be thinkin of ya!! {{hugs}}
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Michele
#274070 - 07/14/06 02:09 PM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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I'm glad to know you found a doctor you feel comfortable with and that the new treatment is helping you. I cannot imagine (oh, yes, I think I can), the helplessness you feel! You have been through so much. I hope you will continue to improve.
By the way, the new puppy is so cute! He is lucky you adopted him! You will enjoy watching the relationship between the two dogs. Sometimes I am jealous of my two because they seem so close. They don't seem to need me anymore---just each other! They don't get out of each other's sight!
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BL,
Good luck with your surgery next week. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
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Janey
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I don't really know what to say. I hope that things get better and I'm blown away that you are able to laugh about this with your neighbor. Most people would just opt for the crying. You must be a strong person. Both of you must be.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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Update
#274724 - 07/19/06 08:27 AM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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Well, my doctor postponed my foot surgery that was planned for today. He wants me to take this new medicine for nerve pain, Lyrica, for 1 month and then see him again. He is trying to determine how much of the pain is nerve-related.
He said that is not easy to fix with surgery.
I started the med yesterday, and it's making me so sleepy and dizzy. I feel spaced out!
But I got the results of my bloodwork back, and everything turned out ok. The doctor was surprised. She thought it might show that I have arthritis or something else, but I guess all of my problems are just related to my back and foot issues.
Oh yeah, this new med is supposed to cause blurred vision---which I was already having a problem with.
Oh well, I'm hanging in there!
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Quote:
Well, my doctor postponed my foot surgery that was planned for today. He wants me to take this new medicine for nerve pain, Lyrica, for 1 month and then see him again. He is trying to determine how much of the pain is nerve-related.
He said that is not easy to fix with surgery.
I started the med yesterday, and it's making me so sleepy and dizzy. I feel spaced out!
But I got the results of my bloodwork back, and everything turned out ok. The doctor was surprised. She thought it might show that I have arthritis or something else, but I guess all of my problems are just related to my back and foot issues.
Oh yeah, this new med is supposed to cause blurred vision---which I was already having a problem with.
Oh well, I'm hanging in there!
I was just gonna post asking for an update on the surgery when you were not so medicated you could handle sitting at the computer.... I guess your post answered all that!!
I sure hope the new meds help....
Are you glad the surgery was postponed?
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Re: Update
#274738 - 07/19/06 09:46 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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Maybe this new drug will help and you won't need the surgery after all!! 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Good to hear from you BL! I am sorry about your foot surgery but have been thinking about you and hope you are doing well overall!!
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