Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[flyingdumbo127]

Be careful dear Snowysmom! As I often tell our friend Lynn, please take care and don't over do it. Amen. When I get home if nothing else I will walk a couple blocks even daily. I have learned the very hard way how quickly muscle strength and general normal movement can be lost. I sure pray never again once I'm back to normal.

L and A are tag teaming for each other this morning so I have them both. I know at least L will also be here (and hopefully in my section) this afternoon. I do get concerned about her pulling these double shifts back to back. She usually has Monday at least off.

The same nurse just "borrowed," hot water for a second time this morning. She was friendly and said good morning. Better this happen now (which, of course, is ridiculous) than overnight.

Dad God willing will be here at lunchtime. As always I so look forward to seeing him. I will also go around the halls when he's here to get some feet and leg exercise in. No therapy until Monday.

Have a great rest of the morning and afternoon, friends.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My left hand is hurting and it had happened before and got better sort of on its own. I had gone to a Dr who basically said he had no idea. Now, this swelling and hurt began last night and has continued throughout the day. It’s a Saturday but I did send that Dr a message asking where I should go next. Still dealing with bowels, this pain has really gotten me down.

@flyingdumbo127 , I hope your visit with your dad went well, and you did walk around with him.

Our oldest Granddaughter has her college senior dance tonight! She sounds excited. She’s about a month away from graduating!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dear, dear Bobbi I liked your post for your grand daughter. Much congratulations to her. Huge hug my friend and always prayers. Does moist heat help your hand at all? If cold helps, for my tmj when it first became a huge problem what made a life bettering difference was Gebauer's Pain Ease. It is by Rx only but I think Biofreeze is similar and may not need a prescription. Both products are used as muscle relaxants and as topical anesthetics before routine needlework. Just trying to help, my friend. Extra prayers with love.

Dazed, Pea, and Taz, loving extra prayers for all of you, too.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have tried cold and warm, and Valtaren, in case I have arthritis that I haven’t known about, and a hot cold rub- on liquid that DH had.

Thank you for your suggestions, and caring!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Always dear friend. Voltaren caused me to have an awful burning reaction. I later found that years ago Voltaren caused longer term trouble for my cousin. Be careful of Voltaren everyone.

I'm disappointed that L is not my CNA right now. A told me that she will be working here tomorrow. I don't know if her mom also will be or what sections they will be assigned. I hope to see them tomorrow. On my last brief afternoon hallway exercise, I did get to say hi to E, a favorite this 3pm to 11pm CNA of mine. I don't have her anymore because she's not ever assigned over here. She and I share a strong faith. She said she's praying for me to be home by my birthday. That was very nice

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My left hand is hurting and it had happened before and got better sort of on its own. I had gone to a Dr who basically said he had no idea. Now, this swelling and hurt began last night and has continued throughout the day. It’s a Saturday but I did send that Dr a message asking where I should go next. Still dealing with bowels, this pain has really gotten me down.

@flyingdumbo127 , I hope your visit with your dad went well, and you did walk around with him.

Our oldest Granddaughter has her college senior dance tonight! She sounds excited. She’s about a month away from graduating!

Bobbi, if your hand and/or arm is swollen, that in and of itself can cause pain. I never realized how much until I had lymphedema in my arm after my previous lymph node removal surgery under my arm. I was surprised how much the swelling hurt. If that, then the question becomes, why is your arm swollen? Is it one arm, or both? (From your post it sounds like just the left.) The other things we think about are a cellulitis, ie infection of the skin in the arm, sometimes from an old IV site or even a small cut can do it when swollen and the healing cells can’t get to where they’re supposed to go. Another thing we think about is whether there could be a blood clot there. But I take it if you saw a doctor they checked for that. Sometimes they do an ultrasound to see if anything’s going on inside the vessels of the arm. You can try elevating your arm above your heart on a pillow or two while you sleep tonight. Be careful with salty foods. (I just had a problem myself with that last weekend when my BP was up after eating some salty popcorn!) Keep checking with your medical team if you continue to have swelling or pain that’s bothering you, or if you have redness, or weeping, etc. Go to the ED if you must (preferably where you had your surgery and they know you, if possible). PM me if you want about your bowels. I was in heck too and I might have some ideas for you. They must’ve given you instructions after your surgery, right? I got a big sheet about it myself and I had to re-read it a couple of times when I was in the thick of it, lol.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning, happy Palm Sunday

Have a lovely day everyone

 

[bobbiwoz]

@Pea-n-Me, thank you for your suggestions!

My surgeon said the very loose bowels could continue for 3 months and I am at 7 weeks tomorrow, so, I am still within an acceptable time frame apparently. I have also been gently warned that a new “normal” is possible.

I will definitely be calling my primary tomorrow to see if a visit is needed. I do not think I had intravenous lines in my left arm, just the right.

My surgery was performed over two hours away, and because of the loose bowels, I hesitate to go that far. We did travel there to see the hand surgeon, at around 4 weeks, but he said he didn’t know what was happening. That had been a very unacceptable visit! The swelling had gone down on its own. Now, this is the beginning of the third day.

I hope you all have a good day. I will be coming here to check on all of you!

Thank you @lynxstch, Palm Sunday blessings to everyone!

Bobbi

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Palm Sunday joy and a hug to all of my courageous and lovely Quacker family. Healing prayers to both of you dear Bobbi and dear Pea. Especially today, as I pray and give God thanks, I remember His Miracle that happened in just 3 days. Because of Him anything is possible. He is our healing Light.

Dear Lynn, thank you my friend for another cute M&M picture. Prayers you enjoy a peaceful day.

Love to all. I will check back later.

 

[Snowysmom]

Bobbiwoz Hope your hand gets better soon. As usual, Pea has some good suggestions.

Happy Palm Sunday to all.

Good Morning. It is another dreary day with temps in the 40s. I was at the gym early this morning. I have not been able to get in my usual walking with all the rain and snow. I feel like a slug. I am heading to Jeff's in a bit. The older 2 will be going to a Celtics game with Mom so I will be having time with Jeff and the 2 younger ones. We are going out for lunch. Yesterday I went to Kohls and of course found some things I had to have. But I had 30% off. I never pay full price at Kohls. I found a really nice hat that is so me. It will be good for the cruise. I made the pulled pork but haven't had it yet. I did take a taste and it seems good.

Have a nice Sunday.

 

[bobbiwoz]

@Snowysmom, how nice that you found just the right hat! Congratulations! Enjoy your pulled pork!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dear Snowysmom, Kohl's regular prices are sure often high out here. Hug, and how doubly great that you found a good deal on a nice hat for your trip. Have fun with your grandkids

Dear Bobbi, hug and prayers you are feeling better this morning.

One of three (that I have met) nice housekeepers just finished my room. Every morning she empties the trash, sweeps, mops, and does a quick bathroom clean too. She always does a great job. Cleanliness in this place sure is of utmost importance!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Sunday evening warm hugs to all. I did enjoy watching online worship this morning. Dad's visit, as always, meant so very much, too.I'm looking extra forward to pt tomorrow. God willing, my 1 month countdown to home begins!

Sweet dreams with love to all always.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@Pea-n-Me, thank you for your suggestions!

My surgeon said the very loose bowels could continue for 3 months and I am at 7 weeks tomorrow, so, I am still within an acceptable time frame apparently. I have also been gently warned that a new “normal” is possible.

I will definitely be calling my primary tomorrow to see if a visit is needed. I do not think I had intravenous lines in my left arm, just the right.

My surgery was performed over two hours away, and because of the loose bowels, I hesitate to go that far. We did travel there to see the hand surgeon, at around 4 weeks, but he said he didn’t know what was happening. That had been a very unacceptable visit! The swelling had gone down on its own. Now, this is the beginning of the third day.

I hope you all have a good day. I will be coming here to check on all of you!

Thank you @lynxstch, Palm Sunday blessings to everyone!

Bobbi

It’s good they told you that the issues could go on for some time. So at least you know you’re still in “normal” territory as far as post-op issues go. It doesn’t change that it’s uncomfortable, but you don’t have to worry too that it’s abnormal. Your bowels were put through a lot during your surgery. And diarrhea usually occurs because there is inflammation inside the bowel so it can’t absorb water correctly, which is one of the main functions of the bowel. So it comes out before that happens. It takes a while for the inflammation to go down. The bowel essentially has to rest and heal before bowel movements become normal again.

I can definitely relate as one or more of my chemo agents and/or the numerous meds they gave me with it caused the same issue with me for quite a while after the first round. I understand about not wanting to be too far from a ! (I’m not even sure I’ll be attending Easter this year for the same reason, depends how I feel after my next chemo this week. I certainly don’t want to spend the whole holiday sitting on someone else’s toilet! )

I made the mistake one night of eating chicken wings. I’d felt pretty good before that. Well, big mistake. I was in agony all night. (Stomach pain.) After that, when I re-read my aftercare instructions , I saw they recommended sticking with a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, the same thing you’d give to a child with diarrhea). After that I had a banana every day, and I enjoyed Campbell’s Chicken and Rice soup and some soup we made, and what I found really soothing was a little bit of toast or English muffin with just a smear of peanut butter on it. I kept plenty of applesauce on hand. And little puddings. And scrambled eggs and a frittata we made were also ok. I pretty much stuck with that.

The problem I had was that even that went right through me. So I was hesitant to eat. I took lomotil. And omeprazole first thing in the morning to protect my stomach and GI tract. If I didn’t eat at all, my stomach hurt. So I had to just have small meals or bites of food to keep the pain away. I learned what worked and what didn’t. Thinking long and hard about every morsel you eat, or whether you even can or should eat, is exhausting.

Even though I pushed fluids I felt like I got dehydrated at some point. I’d bought some electrolyte solution and had one of those one day. That one was high in sodium so I split it up, but a friend later pointed out an electrolyte solution that had less sodium and no sugar, etc. and I bought it through Amazon. So I’m ready. The fatigue on top of everything is just the icing on the cake, and I’m willing to be you are having that also. Post operatively that can also go on for a long time.

Idk if any of this helps but I hope it does, and hope you know that you have a kindred spirit out there somewhere experiencing similar woes, lol. Find what works for you. Remember to stay hydrated. Some people drink Gatorade, too. (I don’t like that very much.)

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Love extra dear Pea and Bobbi. Taz and Dazed, you, too.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Hi, all - sorry I never checked in yesterday. My Dad is in the hospital - fell and broke his hip. My brother and uncle live closest and are dealing with things for now, but I will be going down to Florida tomorrow to see him. I'm sure I will pop on and off the DIS on my phone, but don't worry if I'm absent more than usual.

Still thinking about all of you and hoping things get better for everyone!

 

[Snowysmom]

PollyannaMom So sorry about your Dad. I hope he does well and has a good recovery.

Pea Thinking of you this week. It is exhausting to have to watch everything you eat but it sounds like you have a good idea of what works and doesn't work this time around. That is half the battle.

Bobbiwoz Hoping your recovery continues to move along and your bowel issues get better. You are still in the recovery period so more time to take it easy and do self care.

to all who are going through challenges in life now.

Good morning. Yesterday was such a dreary cold chilly day. Jeff, the 2 younger DGKs and I went to lunch and had a nice time. Sam as always does not sit still and makes me laugh. Charlotte is so sweet and loves to sit with Nana. They wanted ice cream on the way home. It was so cold out but that is what they wanted so we stopped for ice cream and ate it inside. Today is supposed to be sunny and around 60. Looking forward to it. I hope to get to the lake to walk.

Off to work. Have a good day.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hi, all - sorry I never checked in yesterday. My Dad is in the hospital - fell and broke his hip. My brother and uncle live closest and are dealing with things for now, but I will be going down to Florida tomorrow to see him. I'm sure I will pop on and off the DIS on my phone, but don't worry if I'm absent more than usual.

Still thinking about all of you and hoping things get better for everyone!

So sorry to hear that @PollyannaMom. We went through it with my mom. (All she did was plop onto the toilet seat and it broke her hip, ugh.) It can be a tough process in the hospital. Sending prayers that he has a successful surgery and uneventful hospitalization and recovery.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning

First- Prayers for your Dad's recovery @PollyannaMom

It's going to be sunny and 75 today. Nice change from the cold temps we had last week. Got to 65 yesterday which was perfect for yard work. I think my age is starting to catch up with me as far as outdoor work. I used to be able to weedwack the whole yard and mow on the same day. I did that yesterday and I was so tired and sore when I came in that I could barely move.
Luckily, I'm not stiff and sore today.

I bartered a trade with my one 'good' neighbor. I have a tiller that I won't be using anymore. No more garden, and I won't be using it to plant any new lawn. He asked if he could buy it and I thought about it before getting back to him. I made a deal that I'll give him the tiller with the condition that he will do all of my weedwacking (yard, sloped sides of grass on either side of the driveway, and the bank going down to the street.) every 2 weeks. He'll do it all this summer, and if their new house isn't done by next summer, he'll do it then too. (They've been trying to get the elec co to tell them what they need to do to get power lines to the house. Don's parents lived out that way and they had the same issue years ago, and it took forever to get it resolved).

That will save my back and arms from having to do it. He's young and his Dad owned a landscape business, so he's well acquainted with yard work.

Summer was supposed to call me Friday to tell me more about her Dr appt, and it's now Monday and I'm still waiting for her to call, lol

Have a good day everyone.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dear PollyannaMom, Dad and you prayers bigtime.

Extra, extra loving prayer to each of you dear Quacker family.

I had a long night or rather wee hours of the morning. How blessed I am to have gotten some sleep. My roommate, the call light, and responding nurses. This cycle once it starts doesn't end any time soon. I will talk with someone later today, possibly an afternoon charge nurse. During the night in the midst of the back and forth is not the time for extra talking!

I am very grateful to God for this new day. God willing today begins my one month until my birthday when I want to be home countdown out of here! I extra look forward to pt this morning

Monday warm hug with love to all. Please take care and be kind to yourselves dear friends. I will check in later.