In Search of My Body vol. 10 - taking it one paper towel at at time

[AKASnowWhite]

Two words described my day today : spa day!

After the past few days of work hell it was just what I needed.

Lisa - I am in awe of you. Truly. Get better soon.

Nice Paula. You definitely needed a day for yourself!

 

[HockeyKat]

Jo, I will let the others chime in too, but my advice would be no long run, and perhaps even to rest completely until race day. You are trained and ready.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Jo--I'm with Kat. The most important thing at this point is getting to the starting line healthy! And if you have time, get to the running store and have them check your shoes. If your shoes a truly fit properly, they shouldn't need "breaking in." Just a short run of 2 miles before would be all you need to make sure they are right.

I'm feeling like life is a bit more manageable now. Got through the laundry and picked up the house. The goes a long way mentally, kwim? Then I got caught up (mostly) with work stuff. Tomorrow I will finish with getting caught up at work and also finish trip stuff. I'll be there for 10 days remember, so I have a LOT to make sure is taken care of.

Jeff is over the ocean now. Heading from Hong Kong to Cali. He'll be there for a day or two and then home.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Paula, YAY for Spa day!! I am happy for you.

Kat, E, I did go to the run store. That is where I got the inserts, I may try to go back again this weekend and just get a new pair, but Alaina has her surgery on Friday so I don't know if I will be able to get out of the house.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Morning everyone!

The weather here has been so amazing, I've been outside constantly, trying to enjoy it b/c I'm sure there will be more cold before spring arrives. The birds seem to think it's actually arrived, but I know better!

Paula, spa day sounds wonderful!

Nancy, cute names! Do we get to see pics?

Today we're having a belated Valentines Day party for our homeschool group. Last week we got snowed out, so it should be fun, especially since the kids can run around outside and get all the sugar out of their systems! None for me, thank you, the scale budged just a tiny bit this morning and I'm not about to mess with it!

One week for most of you girls! Have you packed yet? I would have already been packed with my bags at the door!!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Kat, E, I did go to the run store. That is where I got the inserts, I may try to go back again this weekend and just get a new pair, but Alaina has her surgery on Friday so I don't know if I will be able to get out of the house.

I'm in agreement on the "get there healthy" philosophy. Do only what feels good. Short runs/walks, elliptical, rest? Whatever it takes at this point. You may want to keep ahead of any inflammation with preventative advil and ice! Hopefully you can get back to the store for a final shoe check.

One week for most of you girls! Have you packed yet? I would have already been packed with my bags at the door!!

No, no packing yet for me. I did start a list though! Enjoy your Valentines party today!

I think I'm going to schedule a massage. My body is so insanely tight right now.

 

[HockeyKat]

One week for most of you girls! Have you packed yet? I would have already been packed with my bags at the door!!

I am not going to pack until Monday or so when the weather forecast is more reliable. If it seems like it's going to be shorts weather, then I have to run out and buy shorts that fit my fat behind.

I am definitely getting lists together, though.

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Packing yes. Suitcase out, clothes in. Not the small things but the stuff I know I won't use or need.

I am wearing yoga pants and more yoga pants!

Also, sick. I took zinc but man it's hitting me. I just hope I can rest up the next few days and then get better. I have to do 10 this weekend. Was supposed to do a short one today but I am going home and to bed I think. Soup for dinner. I'm beat.

I'm jealous of the spa days! I should get a massage!

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Liz sorry ur sick,.im still trying to fight it to

Have a fun party Karen,

Yes. I started to pack , I have shorts but no shirts.
I do have to get running shorts this weekend, I was going to run in capris,.
but i think its to warm for that.

its 60* here today, yay !

 

[SeptemberGirl]

I just threw this homeopathic stuff in my water bottle. Helps fight infections. Hope it works. Ugh.

No real shorts for me. I'll run in capris. If it gets too hot, like if it is supposed to be in the 80's at 9am, then I will just sweat more.

I have my yoga pants, my Disney tshirts, my fleece, and a hoodie all ready to go!

 

[3DisneyKids]

OMG, yoga pants, yes. That's it. Yoga pants, yoga capris, and running shorts. That is 100% of what I am packing for my legs. Multiples of each. Tops==drinking t-shirts and tech shirts and fleece. That's it.

Heading out for a run now...IN SHORTS! It's in the 40s and sunny! I'm so excited!

 

[Ronda93]

Nancy - I didn't realize goats - back to goats, right? - had multiples so frequently. I grew up with cattle and it was an event to have twins and usually meant bottle feeding for someone.

Jo - stop running. The hay is in the barn. You are trained and pushing training right now only risks the chance of injury. Don't change too much at once...

Looking up thread for your symptoms, I realize I overlooked you asking about my foot pain. Mine is at the end of the muscle that goes from the shin to the inside of the foot right in front of the ankle. When you lift your foot off the accelerator in the car, it's the one doing the lifting. If I really lift hard, I can make it hurt, but it's getting better. The pain has always been on the top or side, never around to the bottom. When it was worse it seemed to involve the whole achy ankle bone pile. The last five weeks or so for me have been a mess and I realized I was changing too many things at once. Long runs on the TM meant legs started to ache. Then the feet started to hurt and the hurt lasted after the run. I flipped out and bought some Superfeet inserts. Feet felt about the same, then some better. Long run, more pain, but different. More to the side of the foot. Sharper and lasting longer. Last weekend I removed the inserts and reverted to the setup that served me well and everything is settling down. The feet are feeling better every day. I think long runs and surface changes were to blame for me.

Rest. Walk. Light stretching. RICE!

Paula - yeah spa day!

E - enjoy the warm run. It was really windy for me this morning, but balmy in the mid-50s!

Ronda

 

[3DisneyKids]

It was so lovely out! I decided that since it was so nice and I was in no rush, I would do a walk today. It is in my training plan to do a least a few all-walks. I figure I may double-back after the race and walk someone in, so I wanted to get is some good walking miles. Bliss.

Mostly have soccer stuff sorted out now. Phew. It's been a crazy few days, but Riley signed his Letter of Intent last night, and once that is done, the rest gets a lot easier. Getting that signed is the biggest hurdle. He got his full uniform, which is an incredible amount of equipment. They have practice uniforms...different colors for different days. So he has 3 practice uniforms, 3 game day uniforms (home colors, away colors, and out of state colors), and warm ups. So, yeah, we came home with a whole new wardrobe! Of course, he wore the warm-up jacket to school today. It's a total badge of honor. Only 3 kids in his entire school (grades 6-8) made a state team. So he was SO excited to go to school this morning.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Ronda, thanks for the post my pain is the inside left arch
Up to my ankle. I think u r right, I am going to take the insert out
What will be will be next sunday, hopeing Disney magic will help.
E, that will be me u have to double back for, u and Nancy need to work on ur story now to get back across the.finish line ha ha

Ok enough of that, tonight and tomorrow its all about alaina.

 

[lisaviolet]

Nancy - I didn't realize goats - back to goats, right? - had multiples so frequently. I grew up with cattle and it was an event to have twins and usually meant bottle feeding for someone.

Jo - stop running. The hay is in the barn. You are trained and pushing training right now only risks the chance of injury. Don't change too much at once...

Looking up thread for your symptoms, I realize I overlooked you asking about my foot pain. Mine is at the end of the muscle that goes from the shin to the inside of the foot right in front of the ankle. When you lift your foot off the accelerator in the car, it's the one doing the lifting. If I really lift hard, I can make it hurt, but it's getting better. The pain has always been on the top or side, never around to the bottom. When it was worse it seemed to involve the whole achy ankle bone pile. The last five weeks or so for me have been a mess and I realized I was changing too many things at once. Long runs on the TM meant legs started to ache. Then the feet started to hurt and the hurt lasted after the run. I flipped out and bought some Superfeet inserts. Feet felt about the same, then some better. Long run, more pain, but different. More to the side of the foot. Sharper and lasting longer. Last weekend I removed the inserts and reverted to the setup that served me well and everything is settling down. The feet are feeling better every day. I think long runs and surface changes were to blame for me.

Rest. Walk. Light stretching. RICE!

Paula - yeah spa day!

E - enjoy the warm run. It was really windy for me this morning, but balmy in the mid-50s!

Ronda

LOVED the bold. Loved it. Don't make me laugh Ronda - it hurts.

Okay, let me address something. The "awe of you" "amazed by you". I get it and thank you BUT PLEASE KNOW that every single one of you would do the same thing if you watched someone you love suffer. You see them change - physicallly and mentally - you see them struggle and you see how dialysis is no one's answer for a fun and free life. And add children to the mix - children who could lose their daddies (both T and Nathan) well it's very easy. Trust me. I'm not belittling how draining and frustrating this has been for me at times but seriously - if it was in front of you you would do it in an instant.

Okay, done.

So the first day. I was blessed. Jean wasn't. No one did what they were supposed to and she suffered emotionally with "NO INFORMATION" on me and she knew I was out. At the same time I was lucid enough to beg my nurse to find her.

The first doctor that had to cancel would have found her at an exact time in the waiting room. This doctor - pompous and I don't how to describe him. But it was awful for her. She watched everyone in the waiting room get word by phone or in person about their loved ones.

 

[lisaviolet]

So oh no I must go back.

In the reovery I felt quite nauseous and my nurse God love her put in Gravol and when that didn't work got a doctor to okay a heavier version that worked like magic.

It's da#n scary to feel like you're going to be sick with stomach muscles recently cut. REALLY SCARY so lucky me.

So drama. A nurse really close to me but not mine pulls out her cell and starts to argue with her ex husband. Can we say unprofessional and irritating when you've just come to.

Yes we can.

Did she stop when she hung up?

Nope.

She then tried to tell another nurse the entire drama over and over and over. The other nurse was being good - saying nada thinking that might shut her up.

Did it?

Nope.

She continued and it made things awful.

I told my nurse not to get her in big trouble (meaning potentially fired or anything - I'm sure they're union and that would never happen) but she must talk to her or someone about her. That she can't think that is okay and do it again. My nurse just went into defending herself how she didn't engage her. But hopefully something is done.

At this point they didn't have a bed for me. And then one came up on the tenth and I got moved from one bed to another and wheeled away. So excited to be out of there!!!!!

 

[lisaviolet]

My floor that day was heaven.

Lovely nurses - male and female. The male was wonderful. Totally loving and caring. He told me right away - within hours - that they were going to move me. Crap. I tried all kinds of pressure to stop this from happening.

This floor had no TVs to rent - no phones - was modern - glass walls - was by myself in my space. Heaven. Peaceful. Restful.

They got me walking around learly afternoon. As Erika says ROCK STAR - wait is that Erika?

Really, they were shocked . And I did it again just before they moved me. Two or three laps or more. My memory is fuzzy.

I saw Nathan during this period. SHOCKING. You see he lost almost 20 pounds just from my kidney doing the job.Fluids gone. Instantly there were differences in his face. It was unreal. You could suddenly see cheekbones again. SHOCKING. None of us had any idea this would all come instantly. SHOCKING. You see he got puffy over the years. His face began to have no defintion. He had a stomach. He was an athlete in university so this was very hard for him. People thought he was a boxer because his face was so swollen - his eyes had almost disappeared and now they were back!

Absolutely amazing.

 

[lisaviolet]

So when they moved me they told me it was between me and another patient and I won because I was doing so incredibly well.

Don't you hate when you get bad things for doing well?

My nurse tried so hard to keep me and even visited me in my new home.

My new home was he!!. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to go back there in my mind.

I was right at the nurses station - the main one. No sleep. Couldn't close the door - no air. No sleep and no peace.

My night nurses that night - wonderful.

My day the next day - defensive and nasty. I had confrontations with two. Jean had a semi fight with one. They couldn't find a doctor/area to take responsibilty for me. The computer wouldn't let me surgeon in (because the original doctor was still attached) and he didn't do anything about it re: telling his area I was theirs. So the poor nurse was getting "not ours" over and over.

This affected everything. I had on oxygen for too long (they have you breathing by machine in surgery) - leg compressors (socks and this squeezing machine) - IV - catheter. All too long - the nurses wouldn't do anytbhing because they needed doctor's instructions.

Once he came things came off.

During these days I was only allowed ice. NOt even water because I wasn't passing gas (huge deal - funny, eh? ). So ice for days. Even Nathan was on food.

But the nurses that were awful were only one shift - it felt like YEARS. Really.

And my next switchover was wonderful.

 

[lisaviolet]

I'm going to make this part SHORT. (What a surprise I FAILED!!!!!!!!)

One night I almost broke emotionally. Seriously. And it was he!!. It's so scary to think you're going to cry with the staples. I can't even explain to you all the things that start with stomach muscles.

Jean had left. Tash and Nathan's Best F and I were ready to do Jersey Shore.

I had many many calls from friends and many of them were very emotional. It brought out a lot in people. And it really drained me. Unfortunately. Loved it but drained me.

So I start to get words - whispering that my surgeon wants to release me. This is Thursday night yes Jersey Shore night. Surgery was Wednesday.

I was doing worse instead of better because of the nurses that day.

My surgeon was telling Nathan I was going home. A beautiful night nurse came to me in panic about it. She was against it. I'm not eating. Still hooked up to everything. Not sleeping. No bowel movements. Etc.

A helplessness and anger and fear came over me. I was angry that no one was telling me. Helpless because every movement needed assistance.

So I saw him the next day and asked him "did you tell MY recipient I was going home today". He said no - of course you're not. Whatever. Liar. It came from two places and the nurse told me he wrote it out. Whatever.

So I wanted to go but was not quite ready.

The next day I was. Saturday. I wasn''t ready b/c it came by surprise again but so ready because I was going CRAZY in there. Not being dramatic - CRAZY. THey said they would not kick me out - I could stay but I decided - my intution said hotel. And I did that. Did Priceline's NAMe your own price and finally slept.

Finally slept - as soon as I got there. Head down and slept for hours after no sleep in the hospital. Heaven.

Just had to feel okay for the drive up here. I made the right choice. Tons of vistors - Jean's family - nathan's kids - Nathan's mom brought me homemade food twice. But despite being tired - lovely.

And last note - Jean became obsessed with the Cutie. Obsessed. I can't even tell you how many times I heard "I must go write Lyz" - "no it's time for Lyz" "I wonder if Lyz wrote". Too flppin' funny. We actually had a fight one night because I wanted to leave an area and she only wanted to stay and write the Cutie.

So much so Liz - you must stake out your spot as "your Liz" for Jean! A love affair has begun and it's very very threatening.

 

[3DisneyKids]

AH! Cutie Wars! LOVE IT!

By the way, the Cutie is sick right now. Wish her well. Nothing major...just a vile winter bug.

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