Geriatric mm warriors (12/30/09)

[mmponygirl]

just trying to post! this site is driving me crazy!

 

[mmponygirl]

OMG, I have not been able to post the 24 hours! kept telling me Im not logged in, but would not let me under my old user name...so I tried changing it! LOL, going to go back and try the old one now! forgive me while I post a few "test posts"!

 

[Wisteria1956]

OMG, I have not been able to post the 24 hours! kept telling me Im not logged in, but would not let me under my old user name...so I tried changing it! LOL, going to go back and try the old one now! forgive me while I post a few "test posts"!

Good to see you, Robin!

 

[Daniele]

Hi everyone. I'm praying for Michael, and for all of you. It's got to make it so much harder with the snowy cold.

Pony, I'm glad the site is working for you again.

Sudafed is the most effective medication for me also when I get stuffed. I just get it when I'm at the pharmacy counter anyway.

I saw the doctor today. She's willing to work with me in finding the lowest possible doses of medication while I try to come back from being depressed. I'm thinking maybe forcing myself to do some exercise would be helpful.

All I've had is peanuts today. I'm on step one, but I still need to eat some more. I've got two cornish hens defrosted for dinner, so I'm going to start them and maybe make some broccoli soup to go with it. I'm got one of those chills to the bone. It's 61 degrees here, but it's supposed to drop tonight.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Nell: Take a hot bath and put on your fuzzy socks and have a cup of tea before you make dinner. Hope you get all snuggly and warmed up. Don't forget your Vitamin D. Those of us that get depressed need several thousand units per day - at least 2,000. Dr. Oz said if you have any extra fat on your body, the fat cells 'eat up' your Vitamin D. How nervy of them! Love you! Dont' worry, be happy.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Here's a great article on snacking, including carbs:

http://naturalhealth.msn.com/?secti...7&source=msn/?gt1=25067#/articles/4/23167057/

 

[kater]

OMG, I have not been able to post the 24 hours! kept telling me Im not logged in, but would not let me under my old user name...so I tried changing it! LOL, going to go back and try the old one now! forgive me while I post a few "test posts"!

OMG - come back, Robin! Come back!

 

[kater]

Below is an update from my sister about my niece:



Saturday - Feb 13
Just left Kristi - we had a fun dinner and then watched the olympics. We were looking forward to the Mens Downhill but unfortunately that was canceled.

She is kind of in an interesting place as she gets ready to come home. (about 10 days from now) She is trying to work really hard to maximize all of her therapies and get as strong as she can but she has been experiencing acute physical pain in her legs and feet the last few days . It is best described as that pain you get when you pull your feet out of your ski boots and they start to defrost only much more intense. The only good news about this is that possibly, the nerves are waking up. She is concerned that she won't regain use of her right hand and she is anxious about going home as she doesn't feel that she is strong enough or independent enough. She would like to be walking and is very close. She is also worried about her lack of short-term memeory and her ability to concentrate for periods of time. (Basically - she is afraid that she won't get all of herself back)

She is working to put all that she has gone through into prospective and try to figure out where to start rebuilding her young life. The isolation in the San Jose Hospital has also been hard - most of her friends are in San Luis Obispo and I know that she misses thier visits. If any of you happen to be driving through San Jose on your way north (maybe to Tahoe or back) I know that she would be cheered by a quick stop. She has been amazingly positive through all of this but now she dealing with a deep sadness and is well enough to be missing her "old life". Her goals remain the same - walk, ride her horse and go back to school and I know that she will get there.


The docs are still trying to figure out this liver issue - she is afraid that they still don't know what is making her sick. (valid point) Kristi has come so so far and as critically ill as she was, all of this angst is understandable. One day at a time!!!

A few high spots - they pulled out her last PIC line - no more tubes anywhere - now she can go swimming. Also - broke 100 pounds today. And...she get stronger every day.

 

[Daniele]

Nell: Take a hot bath and put on your fuzzy socks and have a cup of tea before you make dinner. Hope you get all snuggly and warmed up. Don't forget your Vitamin D. Those of us that get depressed need several thousand units per day - at least 2,000. Dr. Oz said if you have any extra fat on your body, the fat cells 'eat up' your Vitamin D. How nervy of them! Love you! Dont' worry, be happy.

Hi Lisa! I'm taking the energy revitalization system, so I think that has D in it. Fuzzy socks sounds awesome, as does a hot bath! I hope you have a wonderful cozy night too. Are you still hurting?

Kate, I'm so sorry about your neice. What an awful thing.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kate: It's so nice of you to keep us informed about Kristi's progress. I am praying for her and know that she will grow stronger every day. She has amazing strength and resilience. I hope she can keep up her spirits and that her friends will visit her as she recovers. Maybe they can get a webcam or sign up for Skype so they can video chat until she can return to her life at school. Sending you all love and blessings.

Nell: I hope you stayed cozy today! I think there is only a tota of 400 units of D in the energy vitamins. I'll look again, but I can only tell you - I felt much better immediately upon increasing the D by another 2000. My aunt had hit a place where there were many days she didn't feel like getting up and doing anything. Her doc tested her and her D was very low. He put her on a big dose once a week and she is back to her former self with a zest for life once again.

Kathy: I hope you and Mike are resting tonight.

 

[Wisteria1956]

We made reservations today for our first family vacation since college started in 2004! We've only gone to beach houses for a few days in either CA or OR or visited in Portland. We've decided to meet each other in Tucson, AZ for 6 days in April for all of our birthdays and the best weather season there. We splurged on a casita with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen in the Catalina foothills on a resort with 34 acres. There are hiking trails and horseback riding and all kinds of fun things to do, but my major thrill is going to be finally getting to see Karchner Caverns. I've wanted to go there for about 10 years or more. Oh, I sure hope this comes true for us! It's a risk with J-P's work, etc. but we're hopeful he can keep the dates. This is a reward for that Thanksgiving plane when he gave up his seat, LOL! He got a free ticket. OMG! I have to get serious about wearing shorts sooner than I thought.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi guys. 2 hour delay for Carrie this morning. Haven't looked out to see how much snow we got last night.
Not too sure where we are standing with Michael. I went to the hospital when I got off work. Mike was there from 11-about 2:30, then came home and just "chilled" until about 4. Michael called him in a hysterical state. He has manic episodes at times. We rushed over there as fast as we could with the slow drivers afraid of the snow. When we got there, the nurse was in the room and they had security outside his door. They have him on the pediatric unit. Figure that one out
Anyway, he has just realized what he did. He thought that Mike was telling him no stealing and what not and that he thought Mike knew he would continue taking his Robitussin. After about 2 hours there, and Michael talking to the psychiatrist doctor that was there (she was awesome!) I came into the room and Mike is telling Michael he would give him one more chance! I couldn't believe I was hearing this! After about 1/2 an hour, I managed to get Mike into the hallway and spoke to him about it. I told him he needs to be thinking with his head and not his heart. The biggest argument Michael has is that they put him into treatment facilities, and he always comes out worse than when he went in. That is true. Every time he goes in, they take him off all meds (even the ones that were working) and start completely over. He voiced his concerns to this psychiatrist. And when he gets released, part of his recovery is to go to a mental health out patient facility. They then take him off all meds too and begin all over. But he will be calling his PO this morning, so it is really up to him. He may go to jail, he may go to treatment. I also told Mike that if Michael comes home, we would have to watch him like a hawk. Be at his side 24/7 to make sure he doesn't get any stuff. He will need to be babysat to say the least.
Ok, sorry to talk your head off.
Kate, that is great news about your niece!! I will continue to pray for you!
Lisa, I'm so glad you're getting to go on vacation. Sounds like a really nice place!!
Ok, off to read email for a while. No milk today. I still can't believe I did that!! Michael left soy milk here, but it is vanilla flavored I may get some soy milk and put my vanilla syrup in it and try that in my coffee. I am drinking my green tea now. Hoping I can go to the Y today.
Have a great day everyone!!

 

[kater]

Hi guys. 2 hour delay for Carrie this morning. Haven't looked out to see how much snow we got last night.
Not too sure where we are standing with Michael. I went to the hospital when I got off work. Mike was there from 11-about 2:30, then came home and just "chilled" until about 4. Michael called him in a hysterical state. He has manic episodes at times. We rushed over there as fast as we could with the slow drivers afraid of the snow. When we got there, the nurse was in the room and they had security outside his door. They have him on the pediatric unit. Figure that one out
Anyway, he has just realized what he did. He thought that Mike was telling him no stealing and what not and that he thought Mike knew he would continue taking his Robitussin. After about 2 hours there, and Michael talking to the psychiatrist doctor that was there (she was awesome!) I came into the room and Mike is telling Michael he would give him one more chance! I couldn't believe I was hearing this! After about 1/2 an hour, I managed to get Mike into the hallway and spoke to him about it. I told him he needs to be thinking with his head and not his heart. The biggest argument Michael has is that they put him into treatment facilities, and he always comes out worse than when he went in. That is true. Every time he goes in, they take him off all meds (even the ones that were working) and start completely over. He voiced his concerns to this psychiatrist. And when he gets released, part of his recovery is to go to a mental health out patient facility. They then take him off all meds too and begin all over. But he will be calling his PO this morning, so it is really up to him. He may go to jail, he may go to treatment. I also told Mike that if Michael comes home, we would have to watch him like a hawk. Be at his side 24/7 to make sure he doesn't get any stuff. He will need to be babysat to say the least.
Ok, sorry to talk your head off.
Kate, that is great news about your niece!! I will continue to pray for you!
Lisa, I'm so glad you're getting to go on vacation. Sounds like a really nice place!!
Ok, off to read email for a while. No milk today. I still can't believe I did that!! Michael left soy milk here, but it is vanilla flavored I may get some soy milk and put my vanilla syrup in it and try that in my coffee. I am drinking my green tea now. Hoping I can go to the Y today.
Have a great day everyone!!

Kathy - not to butt in or anything, but I am sure that Mike knows about Alanon? It sounds like he good ol' Alanon kick-in-the-but! Is Michael saying that he thought it was okay to drink the Robitussin so long as he didn't steal?

 

[kater]

We made reservations today for our first family vacation since college started in 2004! We've only gone to beach houses for a few days in either CA or OR or visited in Portland. We've decided to meet each other in Tucson, AZ for 6 days in April for all of our birthdays and the best weather season there. We splurged on a casita with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen in the Catalina foothills on a resort with 34 acres. There are hiking trails and horseback riding and all kinds of fun things to do, but my major thrill is going to be finally getting to see Karchner Caverns. I've wanted to go there for about 10 years or more. Oh, I sure hope this comes true for us! It's a risk with J-P's work, etc. but we're hopeful he can keep the dates. This is a reward for that Thanksgiving plane when he gave up his seat, LOL! He got a free ticket. OMG! I have to get serious about wearing shorts sooner than I thought.

Lisa - this sounds like a wonderful trip! I will keep my fingers crossed for J-P being able to join you. What happens to Bonnie? Brad and I are talking about taking a road trip this summer (which means that Halle can come). Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, etc. Of course, we may reconsider when we realize how hot it will be in all of those places? It is fun to talk about though.... Brad has to go to LA in April for 4 days - a managers meeting for Ross. I might go down at the end and spend a weekend. What he really wants to do is jump on one of those four day cruises down to Cabo San Lucas. He loves cruises. I am a little skeptical because it doesn't really go anywhere that I want to go. He says it doesn't matter - he loves the cruise ship and doesn't care about the destination? I have never been on a cruise.... We will see????

 

[kater]

Come back, Robin! Come back. I hope you can get on today! We miss you.

Nell - are you settled in?

Hi Jocelyn, Diane, Barb, Carol. Who did I miss? Yikes!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Kathy - not to butt in or anything, but I am sure that Mike knows about Alanon? It sounds like he good ol' Alanon kick-in-the-but! Is Michael saying that he thought it was okay to drink the Robitussin so long as he didn't steal?

Hi Kate. Yes, he was going to alnon as well as narnon (narcotic addiction) as this was part of his probation agreement. He "thought" Mike meant he couldn't steal and to not get into trouble "law wise". I have to agree that he needs a bit of old fashioned kick butt. He just doesn't think of the consequences of his actions. The kids have never been held responsible for what they do. Mike has always been there to bail them out no matter what it was or who was at fault. In essence, they have never been allowed to grow up. They depend on him for everything. It really is sad if you think about it. Makes me all the more glad my girls were brought up to be independent and to learn how to handle life's struggles and what not.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Come back, Robin! Come back. I hope you can get on today! We miss you.

Robin sent me an email asking me to let you all know she's still trying to log on here. Hope she makes it back soon. Maybe pop in on FB MM and talk to her a bit too. Just an idea.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kate: Bonnie goes to a cage-less ‘kennel’ that is really a big farm for dogs to run around and be silly. They love her there. It’s called Aunt Cynthia’s Bed and Biscuit Inn and it’s in Loomis not far from the freeway, in case you ever vacation in this direction. You have to go there for about a 30-minute interview to see if your dog socializes well with the other dogs. They have some they separate – like the really big ones from the really little ones, but Bonnie falls right in the middle and runs around with Labs, etc. She made best friends with a puppy her first time there and they held opposite ends of a rope toy full time out in the play yard, much like best friends on the playground at recess holding hands! Wish I could have seen that! Aunt Cynthia always takes a snap shot of your dog playing for you to keep. It’s a bit pricier than a kennel, but Bonnie gets plenty of exercise and that’s important for a dog like her. We take a lot of beach vacations because of Bonnie. It’s traumatic for Tom to leave her, but Aunt Cynthia’s is the only place she doesn’t give us a backward glance! Again, like a kid wanting to go to school and play, lol! In the summer, they have kiddie pools for the dogs.

We’ve been on several cruises. I used to win a trip every year in my other profession. They are really awesome; you’ll love it. Western Mexico isn’t our favorite, but it’s a good way for you to test it out. We had a very bad experience with a snorkeling ship in Cabo so we don’t trust them. The cruise itself is very romantic, though. We usually find out what beaches the locals love and we take our own taxi rather than sign up for excursions the ship books for you. They cost more, you are not in control and you don’t get the ‘real’ experience. Just a tip.

I can’t imagine what’s keeping Robin off the site! Hope she gets it straightened out soon!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: I am so sorry you and Mike are going through this with Michael. He really needs professional help. There is no way you can be in charge of keeping him off that drug. I hope there is another choice, because he isn't likely to succeed at home. We are praying for all of you.

Soy milk has quite a bit of carbs, so make sure you figure out to stay at less than 5 per 5 hour period. That's why I use almond milk; it's freebie at one cup, if it's unsweetened. You can get unsweetened almond, too. Same - 1 carb.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Jocelyn, Diane, Barb, Carol. Who did I miss? Yikes!

Hi Kate! I've always wanted to go on a cruise. They sound like a lot of fun.

Kathy - I just saw a commercial for World News Tonight (6:30 pm here) with Diane Sawyer - they are doing a piece on 'tough love' for families dealing with addiction. I think your husband should go to Al-Anon - isn't that the one for the family members of addicts? They talk about how not to be enablers.

Lisa - Your family vacation sounds great! I hope it works out.

We are getting more snow today. It's supposed to be around 5 inches by tonight. I wanted to go to TJ Maxx today, but it's kind of far and I don't want to drive in this mess.