The Sick Room
- Thread starter Cooking Goddess
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The friendliest place on the web for anyone that enjoys cooking.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Thanks, cd. I think I got this, but then again I just might dig myself a deeper hole...
Stop right there, Addie. Did you NOT SEE thein my post? The
As far as criticizing you about posting in a wrong thread, I don't remember it and can't find a post like that. All I remember is that there was a post that looked lost, and I posted the link to this Sick Room thread because you have mentioned once before that you didn't have the link to the thread. I thought I was helping, but if you took it as criticism, I'm sorry. I guess I won't help anymore...
No, I didn't notice the winking eye. If I had I most likely would have taken what you said with the humor that was intended. I certainly apologize to you for spouting off like I did. I guess I am not always in a good mood. And I am not only taking it out on Pirate who is doing his dangest to care for me, but to everyone who comes in contact with me. I am not the best person to be around these days. I will be sitting here reading my gmail, and all of a sudden let out a scream that wakes up Pirate out of a sound sleep. My pain meds have worn off, then they let me know it. It is the dang Ghost Pains. And that pain is just as real as the pain from the incision. And other amputees tell me they still have Ghost Pains even two or three years later. Am I going to be on these dang narcotics forever? They are the only thing that will work on the pain.
I apologize to you and any other person I may or have offended. I am trying so hard to learn to get around in my wheel chair, get to the commode as quickly as i can, learning to spin on one foot and everything else rehab wants me doing. And I can't do it. I can spin on one foot. But only when I am going from my chair to my bed.
Addie, I am sure I speak for all of us when I say I wish there was something I could do to ease the pain, and make your life easier. But, all I can do is try to make you laugh, or at least smile for a few minutes.
Ghost pains must be very frustrating, since they are not caused by something "real." So, I'm okay if you sometimes get in a bad mood.
CD
Ghost pains must be very frustrating, since they are not caused by something "real." So, I'm okay if you sometimes get in a bad mood.
CD
OP
OP
Cooking Goddess
Chef Extraordinaire
Addie, I figured that was the problem - hence, my comment about the Devil. Even if we don't jump in and say something after your posts, you know we're thinking good thoughts for you and wishing you well. You just do what you need to do to get back to being cheerful Addie instead of this stressed out version. We'll wait...and cheer you on.
Even if we don't jump in and say something after your posts, you know we're thinking good thoughts for you and wishing you well. You just do what you need to do to get back to being cheerful Addie instead of this stressed out version. We'll wait...and cheer you on.
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Addie, I figured that was the problem - hence, my comment about the Devil.
Everyone keeps saying what a cheerful person I am normally. Even Pirate. But sometimes he wants out of here also. I seem to be making it as difficult as possible for him to take care of me.
I finally managed to get enough meds into me so that I had a full night of sleep. Am I going to have to live on these meds for years to come?
I am firing my PCP this morning. He has no knowledge of how to care for an amputee. And I don't want to be his guinea pig. He gave me six pills to take one every four hours. This was last week. And they were supposed to last until Tuesday. I am going to call the surgeon who did my surgery and ask him to recommend a PCP that is familiar with treating amputees. And I want one that works out of the Boston Medical Center at the hospital.
I will try to find cheerful Addie this morning. I know she is hiding somewhere.
Tell your doctor you need a referral to Pain Management, folks who know how to deal with pain issues.
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Thank you PF. I will discuss it with my surgeon tomorrow. I have to get out of this program I am in. I have been in this medical program for more than ten years. But they recently joined another program, took on more than a couple of hundred new patients without the staff and facilities to take care of them.
I loved the program before all this happened, Rides to all my appointments, all meds free, all everything free. But now I feel like I am fighting for my life with them. I recently changed my primary care from Greg who lives in Vermont to Pirate who lives right here with me and sees everything I try to do for myself. So the new order is for Pirate and Spike who live a block away to make all medical decisions if I am unable to. I am making sure every doctor I see will get a copy of it. My present PCP is up in arms because I am finally sticking up for myself and making a lot of the decisions. And he doesn't like it. He doesn't know it, but he is on his way out of my life.
+1
Pain management is a specialty. Get a good PCP who will refer you to a pain management specialist.
CD
I have chewed out my PCP a couple of times. She actually took it well.
I expect my doctors to treat me as CUSTOMERS, which is what I am. When a doctor tells me to do something, I ask "Why?" The biggest confrontations are over tests, and in particular, CATscans.
First, the doctor wants me to go to a hospital for a CATscan, which costs WAY more than an independent imaging facility. Probably because the doctor is benefiting financially, in some way. Second, I went through radiation therapy for cancer, and I've had way too many CATscans, so I have been bombarded with more than enough radiation for one lifetime. I will flat-out tell the doctor that an ultrasound is safer, and cheaper. Why should an Art Major be having to tell an MD something as obvious as that.
Okay, Rant off.
CD
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Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
I will bring it up tomorrow with my surgeon. I am about to fire my present PCP. He is one step below useless right now and thinks he knows everything he needs to know about my pain.
Primary Care Physicians can't possibly know everything, and the good ones know that. That's why specialists exist. My PCP at the time diagnosed my testicular cancer as an infection, and prescribed antibiotics. Since I did my homework, I asked for a referral to a specialist, who immediately knew it wasn't an infection, and made the correct diagnosis.
My PCP wasn't a bad doctor... he just didn't have the specialized training to make the right diagnosis.
Get a referral to a pain management specialist.
CD
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Ok, I am having a senior moment. I know there is a thread for "just stuff". But I can't remember it. So I came here with my query.
My surgeon's last name is Syracuse. I associate his name with Greece and for the life of me I can't remember why. (And most of the time I can't remember even that. It is all the pain meds I have in me right now.)
So those of you who still have a memory or two left, what is it about this name and it association with Greece, that I can't remember or even recall. I know I studied Greece in school. I can even remember what row and seat I sat in. But this information totally escapes me.
Anyone out there that can help me?
My surgeon's last name is Syracuse. I associate his name with Greece and for the life of me I can't remember why. (And most of the time I can't remember even that. It is all the pain meds I have in me right now.)
So those of you who still have a memory or two left, what is it about this name and it association with Greece, that I can't remember or even recall. I know I studied Greece in school. I can even remember what row and seat I sat in. But this information totally escapes me.
Anyone out there that can help me?
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
There was an ancient city of Syracusa (Syracuse) but it was/is in Sicily.
Phantom Pain...it's real. Those poor nerve cells at the new end are freaking out because the next one in line is GONE, they may be primitive but they recognize each other and their buddy from forever is GONE! Danger, fright and it had to have hurt. Takes them a while to realize they are the new normal, sometimes weeks, sometimes years. Phantom Pain...just like pain from any loss is very real, it's a double whammy. It's physical and mental, hard to overcome.
Mad Cook
Master Chef
Syracuse is Italian now but was part of the ancient Greek empire. Archimedes came from there. Can't remember any more about it & I can't be bothered "Googling" as it's late and I should be getting my beauty sleep.
I knew all that History teaching would come in useful eventually
.
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Thank you Andy and Mad Cook. Just knowing how far off on the map of Europe I place the name, will help me remember my doctor's name now.
Cheryl J
Chef Extraordinaire
When I hear "Syracuse", my mind immediately goes to New York.
Mad Cook
Master Chef
We were told that when they started them over here - one jab was for life. I shall investigate.
...........................
I investigated and the current NHS (Britain's National Health Service) site says this:-
"People over 65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination, which will protect for life. It's not given annually like the flu jab.
People with a long-term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination, depending on their underlying health problem."
Either ours are penny-pinching or yours are trying to make money - unless, of course, the second paragraph applies to you.
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Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
After being in unbelievable pain since last Thursday morning, my meds arrived around six tonight. So far I have a gabapentin, two Tramadols, one Oxycodone and two Tylynol in me and the pain is still throbbing. Sometimes it gets so intense, it knocks the breath right out of me. Last night the pain was so bad that I was trying to hold my breath. Wrong move! When I went to take a breath, I couldn't take in enough oxygen. So the next thing was chest pains. Oh, oh! I took a hit of my nitro spray, laid down (more like sitting up), and a hit on my inhaler. Calmed myself down as much as I could, and in about five or so minutes I was fine, but still in a lot of pain. Poor Pirate. There was absolutely nothing he could do to make the situation better. He was so upset, he started to cry. Once I got myself under control, I had to calm him down.
You are so right. Those nerve endings got a good grip and wanted all their buddies back. They weren't and haven't quit with the pain. So right now I am waiting for that fourth hour and then I can take another Oxycodone. Hopefully it will find its mate and they can work together to rid me of pain. Even if it for just a little while.
I am usually very tolerant of pain. But not like I have had these past few days. But I am still alive and I am sure I will be the winner in the end.
Thanks for the support PF. It means a lot to me. So many folks in the building have stopped me and told me that every night I am in their prayers. I just wish I wouldn't burst into tears every time I try to say "thank you" to them. I guess it is just part of the 'mourning process.'
Mad Cook
Master Chef
Or "The Boys from Syracuse" (musical based on the Shakespeare play)When I hear "Syracuse", my mind immediately goes to New York.
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