FREAP CHAT Part 2 ~ Everyone Welcome to our new digs

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Guess what freaps??? BTW I HATE THE REARRANGED SMILIES TOO!!!! anywho-- guess what?

My friend got me in today to see one of the Orthos in her doc group!

She called me about 12pm and said- can you get there by 1:45??? eeeek! I didn't even take a shower yet! And I have to pick up my films at work! eeeeek!

I quickly cal my office to see if my boss brought my films there- from our facility. No one could find them eeeeek! Time is ticking away! I call my boss- where are my films! She forgets! oh no- I can get into the docs in an hour and half!

What does she do!!!? She prints another set- and DRIVES 45 MINUTES from our facility down to where I live with the films so I can make the appt today!!!!! I thanked her up and down!

I made it to my appt on time. I had to wait anyway b/c they really squeezed me in!! No complaints here- I was very appreciative!

The doc was SO nice! He was an older gentleman- my friend actually used to work in his Dept. I believe she sd he used to be a surgeon but now just sees patients.

He was very attentive- most docs now a days rush in and rush out and do not hear a word you say- he was explaining the films to me and he let me explain my pain time line etc.

He came right out and said- DO NOT get any chiro treatment- IT CAN BE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO ME!!!! OMG!!

He was joking around a bit but then got very serious- he said I have 2 herniated discs that can cause me some serious problems at any time. He said I have these options:

PT with the epidural steroid shot OR

Surgery! great. (fusion, discectomy or a replacement)


I thought he would say PT would get me good to go. No. I told him how scared I was of the shot and I heard it was very painful. (My BIL was just telling us yesterday that one of his friends has had 2 of them in his L spine already- the first one hurt so bad- that he insisted on being OUT for the 2nd one! ) The doc said it was not that bad.

He was serious and said that right now "you are being your worse enemy" "I am telling you this is serious" He said- let me ask you- IF this was happening to your best friend WHAT would you tell them? He really wants me to get this shot- I told him if it was my friend........I would tell her to GET the shot....but get put out first! Well! I was serious!

He then tested my reflexes- my right leg shot right out when he hit my knee- my left??? Just sat there, nothing. Nothing happened. I was so freaked out I forgot to ask him if I would ever get the reflex back!! I told him about the time I was walking down the steps and when I got to the bottom- I fell to my knees, he said that is another thing that happens- loss of muscle control in my leg. I was actually LIFTING my leg to get in and out of the the car!!! I did not have to today.

He also mentioned some fa-reaky, scary things about herniated discs causing some really messed up things to happen to "bodily functions" that I DO NOT want to even think about!!!

He told me he WISHES I would just do this. So he wrote me out a rx for the PT and the shot.

I told him I WILL make the appt and I really had NO idea how serious a herniated disc can really be.

I called my friend who got me the appt and she yelled at me that I better go in for a consult with the woman who does the shots. I said FINE I will call you tomorrow (she is in scheduling) and make an appt for a consult- BUT I want to be put to sleep- so if she will not do it- I will find someone who will.

HA! 2 funny doc sidenotes---

I told him I was putting heat on my back- but then I started using the IcyHot- he said- just use a hot water bottle- but please, do not burn yourself IF HE ONLY KNEW!!!

And- when I was in Mexico- I bought these pills at the pharmacIA in the airport when we were flying back home- I was in so much pain- I needed something to get me through the flight- the little guy told me they were the "Mexican version" of Vicodin- I paid 65.00US for them. I took one- they did not make me loopy or anything-

I took them to the Ortho doc today to see what they were- he said, they are......... Tylenol I said......BHAAAAAA! I WAS SCA-REWED AT THE PHARMACIA! He was laughing. When I was leaving, he says to me, "Hey gringo, I have some Tylenol for you.....65 bucks!" I was cracking up!!!


Suz???? What would your DH say about this???

I am so glad you got in to see a DR. I guy I work with did the shots and he said they are not that bad. He is a guy who is a big boy and is also afaid of shots. But what he said from the pain he was in the shot was well worth it. It worked very well and he went to PT and is doing great.
Okay now my DH John said for your woodpecker issue to get decoy owl and put it in the tree. Woodpeckers are afraid of them. Just so you know I will sell you Tylenol for 30 bucks.
They so need to put the smileys back where they should be

 

[maddhatir]

HEY THE SMILIES ARE BACK IN PLACE!!!!






We found her! We found her!

It's A Happy Day has the back problem! Glad to hear you are doing better.

I have a herniated disc in my lower back.

Hey y'all...I seem to have caught that lovely "creeping crud" as you guys call it.

Ugh- feel better soon- MY SIL and BIL just stopped over and HE has it- great, he infested my home- now the germs are creeping all over everything.

I do have an appointment this afternoon and I almost feel like going in there now and just sitting there, staring at them, until my appointed time.

Give us an update Missy!

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

WE WANT THE LINK, WE WANT THE LINK, WE WANT THE LINK

WE WANT THE LINK .WE NEED THE LINK. WE ARE BEGGING FOR THE LINK.

 

[maddhatir]

Okay now my DH John said for your woodpecker issue to get decoy owl and put it in the tree. Woodpeckers are afraid of them.

Look at this- Will you JUST look at this! Litte pecker head- he made the hole and now he is MIA!

WHAT am I going to DO with a holey Bat House The bats with fly UP and right out the darn hole!

Just so you know I will sell you Tylenol for 30 bucks.

WOW!!!!- Are you SURE?- 50% off of the price of Mexican Tylenol- now THAT'S a steal!!!

BTW- the check's in the mail!

 

[maddhatir]

DH tells me it is probably only the bat house that wasn't "healthy". Then, he started asking me when I thought I would be "healthy" enough to clean house around here.

So, great sounds like you are ALL trying to tell me I have UNHEALTHY bug infested bats and STUPID woodpeckers just b/c I live in Jersey!

That is just..... .RUDE.....

 

[maddhatir]

Todayyyyyys Back update: *news music*

TODAY/THIS MORNING:- I am still thinking about the shot, I know I said I would call my friend to make the appt for the consult but- I do not know this woman in the practice. So I start doing my Google searches and crap and being neurotic again, and find a doc from the city- Dr So and SO who does give the shots and - this is what I found out about him:

He is the Director of the **** Spine Center, Director of the Interventional ***** program, Chief of the Division of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, and an Associate Professor.

I thought- good luck Madd, trying to get in with this guy- I call and I got an appt for tomorrow morning! I almost fell on the floor when the girl said....Wednesday- I said, wait, what is today? She said....Tuesday....I said AND HE CAN SEE ME.....TOMORROW- NOT 2 MONTHS FROM NOW???

So- I told my boss I am taking off and I will driving into the city with my films in hand. I am not getting my shot tomorrow- I am sure this will be a consult only. If I decide to have sedation for the shot- DH can take me, no big deal. He can be back in work with in 2 hours from start to finish.

I am so happy! And IF for some reason the shots and the PT do not work out- and say I DO have to end up with the surgery - at least I will already be an established patient @ **** and may not have a hard time getting in to see an Ortho surgeon with a referral from this guy.

It's weird, but I am excited!...and relieved.

I will keep you updated

**** to protect the innocent...me!

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Todayyyyyys Back update: *news music*

TODAY/THIS MORNING:- I am still thinking about the shot, I know I said I would call my friend to make the appt for the consult but- I do not know this woman in the practice. So I start doing my Google searches and crap and being neurotic again, and find a doc from the city- Dr So and SO who does give the shots and - this is what I found out about him:

He is the Director of the **** Spine Center, Director of the Interventional ***** program, Chief of the Division of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, and an Associate Professor.

I thought- good luck Madd, trying to get in with this guy- I call and I got an appt for tomorrow morning! I almost fell on the floor when the girl said....Wednesday- I said, wait, what is today? She said....Tuesday....I said AND HE CAN SEE ME.....TOMORROW- NOT 2 MONTHS FROM NOW???

So- I told my boss I am taking off and I will driving into the city with my films in hand. I am not getting my shot tomorrow- I am sure this will be a consult only. If I decide to have sedation for the shot- DH can take me, no big deal. He can be back in work with in 2 hours from start to finish.

I am so happy! And IF for some reason the shots and the PT do not work out- and say I DO have to end up with the surgery - at least I will already be an established patient @ **** and may not have a hard time getting in to see an Ortho surgeon with a referral from this guy.

It's weird, but I am excited!...and relieved.

I will keep you updated

**** to protect the innocent...me!

Good girl. You need to do this. Them taking you so fast means it was to be.

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Tinkerbean,
I am sorry you have the bug that is going around.

I just found out DD Shaunna is going to be home from college for break on March 8th. I swear we just brought her back but what ever.
So I think I will start looking into our run away trip.

 

[mtblujeans]

Well, it looks to me like that woodpecker just had a social problem with not being allowed to enter the bat box! He is one bad bird that will not be left out.....apparently!

Madd, you and your friends are pretty impressive in getting some major medical stuff set up in a matter of days! I hope that the shots and PT do the trick and make you much more comfortable.

I'll give you guys an update but I will warn you right now that there will be a measure of whining involved!

The stitches on each side of my knee, although very small, were really bothering me. The skin had grown over them everywhere except where the knots were. Yesterday and today, it was painful to walk around with them in there.

The appointment was with a PA, not the surgeon that performed the surgery. He tells me that the meniscus was not torn after all. I don't understand everything he told me but I think this is the story....

Under the kneecap, there is a big band of muscle that holds the two leg bones together and makes them act as a hinge. Under that muscle, there is a sheath across the ends of the two bones. That sheath must have gotten stretched out (somehow) and was getting caught repeatedly between the two ends of the bones that move at the knee and it had become inflamed by that action. I was told that some of that sheath was shaved off so it would not get caught in the bones any more.

I told him that a couple of days after the surgery, I stood up and there was a loud pop and I could feel something in there snap behind the knee cap. He thought it was that same sheath over the bones. He said it may have torn some scar tissue or "taken care of itself" and I have no idea what that means! But, either way, he said that since my pain is subsiding, everything is progressing normally. He said the remaining pain and swelling is normal from the "controlled trauma" of surgery and I would be fine in a few weeks.

So, the meniscus is healthy and intact, the muscles that work behind the kneecap are fine and intact. It sounds like there is still some inflammation in there that will work its way out in time. I told him I could not straighten out my knee nor bend it very far and he referred me to some physical therapy sessions.

I don't understand everything about what has happened in my knee but it is now done and he said I would be healing very quickly.

After the appointment, I went shopping! I walked around at a comfortable pace for about 2 hours. Now that I am sitting down, my knee is throbbing but I think most of that is from the stitches being cut and pulled out of there. I expect that will smart until tomorrow.

The first PT appointment is Thursday afternoon and, frankly, I am curious as to what they are going to do. My knee is still swollen and bruised and, if it could be moved around more, I would have done it by now. So, I am interested to see what exactly they plan to do to make this knee more flexible!

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Well, it looks to me like that woodpecker just had a social problem with not being allowed to enter the bat box! He is one bad bird that will not be left out.....apparently!

Madd, you and your friends are pretty impressive in getting some major medical stuff set up in a matter of days! I hope that the shots and PT do the trick and make you much more comfortable.

I'll give you guys an update but I will warn you right now that there will be a measure of whining involved!

The stitches on each side of my knee, although very small, were really bothering me. The skin had grown over them everywhere except where the knots were. Yesterday and today, it was painful to walk around with them in there.

The appointment was with a PA, not the surgeon that performed the surgery. He tells me that the meniscus was not torn after all. I don't understand everything he told me but I think this is the story....

Under the kneecap, there is a big band of muscle that holds the two leg bones together and makes them act as a hinge. Under that muscle, there is a sheath across the ends of the two bones. That sheath must have gotten stretched out (somehow) and was getting caught repeatedly between the two ends of the bones that move at the knee and it had become inflamed by that action. I was told that some of that sheath was shaved off so it would not get caught in the bones any more.

I told him that a couple of days after the surgery, I stood up and there was a loud pop and I could feel something in there snap behind the knee cap. He thought it was that same sheath over the bones. He said it may have torn some scar tissue or "taken care of itself" and I have no idea what that means! But, either way, he said that since my pain is subsiding, everything is progressing normally. He said the remaining pain and swelling is normal from the "controlled trauma" of surgery and I would be fine in a few weeks.

So, the meniscus is healthy and intact, the muscles that work behind the kneecap are fine and intact. It sounds like there is still some inflammation in there that will work its way out in time. I told him I could not straighten out my knee nor bend it very far and he referred me to some physical therapy sessions.

I don't understand everything about what has happened in my knee but it is now done and he said I would be healing very quickly.

After the appointment, I went shopping! I walked around at a comfortable pace for about 2 hours. Now that I am sitting down, my knee is throbbing but I think most of that is from the stitches being cut and pulled out of there. I expect that will smart until tomorrow.

The first PT appointment is Thursday afternoon and, frankly, I am curious as to what they are going to do. My knee is still swollen and bruised and, if it could be moved around more, I would have done it by now. So, I am interested to see what exactly they plan to do to make this knee more flexible!

Well I am glad it went well for you. I do not think there was any whining involed in that. I wonder what the will do for you at PT. I can see it now ice and heat. So you will give them your copay and they will hand you a bag of ice and a heating pad.
Just make sure you take it easy. Do not try to do to much until they tell you at PT what to do and not to do.

 

[maddhatir]

After the appointment, I went shopping! I walked around at a comfortable pace for about 2 hours. Now that I am sitting down, my knee is throbbing but I think most of that is from the stitches being cut and pulled out of there. I expect that will smart until tomorrow.

NOW you are talking! You must feel a tiny bit better

I have to start walking at a comfortable pace and get my butt over to Pac Sun to try on those little dresses!

So did they take out the stitches??

Pretty soon we can compare PT adventures!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Madd, what's gonna happen when you walk in the dr.s office and he says "ready for that shot?"

PT was so NOT was I thought it would be For some reason I thought stretching, massage, etc. that type of things. For the 1st visit she evaluated me - had me stand, bend over touch my toes (or as far as I could), stand on one leg, the other leg, flex my foot up towards my head, down to the floor, stupid stuff that made me feel kind of silly. Then on the 2nd visit she had me lie on a table - like the massage tables - I had a pillow and everything to lie my little head on. Then she put her hands on my lower back, my right calf, and my thigh. Not alot of pressure was applied but more like she was holding the muscle in place. This went on for about 1/2 hour. Then she would have me do a sorta push up - my hands even with my head, bent at the elbow and push straight up arching my back as much as I could. I was told NO EXERCISES until she told me to!!! They want you to recover some BEFORE you start doing things on your own at home!!! LISTEN TO THEM!!! Most PT work is working the muscles in regular motions and extended both the range of motion & times you can do them without causing pain. I wouldn't have thought that working on my calf would help my back but it did! Keep us posted ladies and here's hoping you'll be better soon!

 

[mtblujeans]

Well I am glad it went well for you. I do not think there was any whining involed in that. I wonder what the will do for you at PT. I can see it now ice and heat. So you will give them your copay and they will hand you a bag of ice and a heating pad.
Just make sure you take it easy. Do not try to do to much until they tell you at PT what to do and not to do.

My thoughts exactly! He said "my head" was keeping me from bending my leg. He said I was anticipating pain with my mind and it was keeping me from bending my leg. Interesting....I thought it was the swelling, bruising, and embedded stitches. But, what do I know?

NOW you are talking! You must feel a tiny bit better

I have to start walking at a comfortable pace and get my butt over to Pac Sun to try on those little dresses!

So did they take out the stitches??

Pretty soon we can compare PT adventures!

Actually, my leg is holding out (today) much better than I expected. In trying to walk around the house, these last four days, my knee would give out if I tried to stay on my feet too long. That was making me real nervous. I have never been through anything like this and I haven't enjoyed the feeling of body parts that don't work right.

Stitches are gone and those spots should heal up in the next few days. I'll compare PT with 'ya but I can guarantee you that your sessions will be more exciting than mine.

What little Pac Sun dresses are you referring to? Got a link?

THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE AND PATIENT WITH ME! ​

 

[TinkerBean]

morning freaps... Still feeling pretty crappy, but at least I'm up - (not for long though I think...)

Here is a cute story...

My DD (8) has been *very* patient lately. As many of you know my DS (10) has Asperger's and many of our friends have children on the spectrum. Often DD ends up being the token NT (neurotypical) in some therapeudic play excersices, (floortime, ABA ect), and is now a "junior buddy" at "hockey" on Sundays.

So I have a discussion with her about her doing such a good job and how important it is for the other kids that she is helping. I ask her, is there anything that you have been really wanting that you would like? I am thinking American Girl doll stuff, toys, video games...She looks right at me and without blinking an eye says "Rat, I want a rat mommy".

Whoa! Where in the world did this come from? So, Guess What? We now have 2 new little creatures sharing our house. Aphrodite and Peanut. DS named Peanut. DD is into Greek Goddess and Gods. Apperantly Aphrodite was very pretty, but could be mischevieous and get herself into trouble.

I have to say that they are pretty cute, very tame (they are babies 9 weeks old)and very smart and inquisitive.

So now we have 2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 guinea pig and 2 rats...

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

She looks right at me and without blinking an eye says "Rat, I want a rat mommy".

This is the Year of The Rat.

So, what colors did you go with?


Hope you feeling better soon. If it was I have, yes-still have, it lasts forever.

 

[TinkerBean]

This is the Year of The Rat.

So, what colors did you go with?


Hope you feeling better soon. If it was I have, yes-still have, it lasts forever.

Ick...I am feeling very green this morning...

colours, Aphrodite is black with white cuffs and a spotted white tummy, peanut is pretty much black. They are sisters...

 

[It's A Happy Day]

To Be 6 Again...

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her Birthday.

'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day!

He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down

He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well dear, what was it like being six again??'

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. 'I meant my dress size, you idiot!'

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he's gonna get it wrong.

 

[jeankeri]

TinkerBean- I LOVE the smilies in your siggy!! Just looking at them has made my day... (and hippie chick is back; life is good!)

 

[mtblujeans]

TinkerBean....you constantly amaze.....!

This flu makes the Moms fall back and take care of themselves. Understandably, I am hearing of more women struggling with it than men. I hope you guys can get some rest so it passes as quickly as possible.

 

[mtblujeans]

To Be 6 Again...

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her Birthday.

'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day!

He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down

He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well dear, what was it like being six again??'

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. 'I meant my dress size, you idiot!'

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he's gonna get it wrong.