| Off to the hospital |
[Oct. 11th, 2007|02:02 pm] |
I went to a physical therapy evaluation this morning (trying to get back into the system so to speak) and he didn't like the way my foot looked so it is off to the hospital ER. (Bayshore in Holmdel if anyone cares). I may be back, or I may be staying there a while and then to a rehab facility. We'll see. Wish me luck and uberthanks to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) popfiend for his presents that will be put to good use! |
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| This past weekend |
[Sep. 18th, 2007|04:50 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Coast to Coast with George Noory | ] |
This past weekend was probably the best weekend I have had since losing my leg. Thursday, as you recall, my sister & I took my Dad out for his 72nd birthday.
Om Friday, 2 of my friends came down to visit me and we went to Dinner. My friend John Langbein from college (He now lives in the South but came back for the Homecoming game at Rutgers on Saturday) and Madelyn Shoopak, sister of my friend Steve Shoopak (Who now lives in CT and couldn't make it), along with her father. John is staying at their house this weekend. Anyway, this was the first time I had seen any of my friends since losing my leg. Most of my friends are long distance, having scattered since college. I used to see a lot of them at Anime conventions but obviously no longer attend those. We had dinner at Chilli's, where I had really good fajitas. It was great just seeing them and catching up on things.
Saturday, my sister drove my Dad & I to West New York to visit my cousin Susan and her 4 year old son Sammy. I love my lil' cousin to death. He loves me back fiercely. For the past year he has been asking his Mom when I was going to visit. We really missed each other. When I play with him in his playroom he won't let anyone to come in and talk to me, he always yells at them to get out. Too cute! I had a wonderful time with him and was really glad he didn't forget me (The old "out of sight out of mind" syndrome worried me) It was if no time had past other than he was obviously older and much more articulate. I was careful to wear my prosthesis for the visit as we didn't want to upset him. He had no problems with the wheelchair though. I wish I could have danced with him like we used to do. (He loves to dance!)
Here is a picture of the 2 of us (with my headless Dad behind me) Yeah, I need to shave.
Dialysis today was rough and I wound up throwing up my dinner tonight and then again at 5am (right before posting this) |
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| Happy Birthday Dad |
[Sep. 13th, 2007|11:11 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  melancholy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Doctor Who - Arc of Infinity | ] |
Today was my Dad's 72nd birthday. My sister came down and we took him out for lunch at Fridays. It was really nice. My sister is also taking my car and using it for a while as it hasn't been driven in almost a year. It actually passed inspection. ^_^
Dad is still pretty weak and his back still hurts from when he fell.
I'm slowly getting rid of the excessive fluid weight, they are removing 6kg (13 pounds) of fluid each treatment at Dialysis but I am still pretty fluid overloaded. My old prosthesis will fit again (yay!) I need to get the new one refitted so I can use it even when I have fluid gains. (I have End-stage renal disease and no longer urinate.) |
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| Updates |
[Sep. 8th, 2007|10:33 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Air America | ] |
My sister came by the house on her way to visit Dad in the Hospital on Tuesday. She did some food shopping for me for which I am most grateful. When I spoke to Dad, he said he'd likely be in the Hospital for upwards of a week so imagine my surprise qhwn I got back from Dialysis on Wednesday night to find him home!
They started him on Coumadin (a blood thinner) and wanted to keep him in the hospital while they do blood work and make sure his lkevels of Coumadin was ok but he convinced them to let him go home (He was concerned about me) and do the blood work on an outpatient basis. He is very tired and weak and perhaps he should have stayed in the hos[ital because that night he fell in the bathroom and dislocated his shoulder. He didn't want me to call 911 but I insisted (we went back and forth on this) and the police came and helped him out. Man, if he had fallen before I got home, he would still be there when I got home. I'm glad it happened when I was able to call for help but I wish that I could have helped him myself.
I am now looking into getting those lifeline pendants for the 2 of us (you know, the "I've fallen and I can't get up" gadgets).
I finished "Strange New Worlds 8" and also finished 2 Dean Koontz books previously ("The Husband", and "Forever Odd".) I have difficulty reading as the lights in my house aren't bright enough (I have low vision) and I have trouble holding the books in my hands but read them in the Dialysis visiting room which is very bright.
By being home, I think Dad is missing out n Physical Therapy that he could have received in the hospital. I just hope he can continue to recover while at home. I am still very worried about him. |
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| My Dad |
[Aug. 31st, 2007|08:07 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | worried | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Air America- The Young Turks | ] |
My Dad started dropping things yesterday - He broke 2 glass bowls that he just couldn't keep a grip on. He went to the ER last night and they did tests including a CAT scan and diagnosed him having multiple TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attack also known as mini-strokes) They admitted him to a hospital room and my sister is going to go visit him today. (She is a teacher and school doesn't start until next week) Oh God, please let him be ok.
In other news, I lost my Home Health Aid, Physical Therapy and Home Nursing because they no longer consider me home bound. (And told medicare as much too) I don't know what to do about that, particularly with my Dad the way he is. |
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| New Update |
[Aug. 12th, 2007|07:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | melancholy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | none | ] |
Well, I fell yesterday while transferring to the wheelchair, I had to scream to wake up my Dad who was sleeping upstairs (7AM). He was unable to lift me and wound up going across the street to the cemetery where some men were working there clearing weeds and such. 2 of them lifted me up to my chair. How very embarrassing.
My heel blister is still there, in fact just when it gets better it reoccurs. Still seeing the Podiatrist for it. I can't afford to lose my other leg.
I got a transport wheelchair. My Dad has much difficulty loading my regular wheelchair in the car - this one weighs just 19 pounds but it isn't self-propelling. I need to be pushed everywhere which is also difficult for him.
I haven't vomited in nearly a week though I still have constipation problems. 2 weeks ago, it was so badly impacted that I had to go to the ER and have them manually um... er... disimpact me. I have never been in as much pain and be conscious before. I live on stool softener now.
Dialysis is rough. I am gaining too much fluid weight, my blood sugar has been high and it makes me thirsty plus I need to drink more to avoid constipation (The pain meds I take don't help - they cause constipation)
Saw Die Hard 4.0 last night on the computer, it was good but I can't believe I didn't recognize Justin Long as the Hacker. He looked familiar but it took me half the movie to realize that he is Mac (from the Apple Mac/PC Ads - "Hi, I'm a Mac" "and I'm a PC")
I actually bought some snacks from Amazon - $23 worth of Life Savers Jelly Beans, 14-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) and $20 worth of Shari Assorted Gumballs, 6-Ounce Bags (Pack of 24). Shipping would have been $20 but qualified for free, slow shipping. Now I don't need my Dad to pick them up for me every week. Should last me a good long time.
I promise to try and post more often in the future. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 8th, 2007|07:36 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Ring of Fire on Air America radio | ] |
Well, I was in the hospital for 3 days. They didn't cure me, but when I was able to hold down food, they released me. I srill have the problem with food, and throw up my food or meds 3-5 times a week. I'm also badly constipated which I am sure is contributing to the problem.
I have a bad blister on the heel of my good (only) foot and I have to stay off of it so no physical therapy for me at this time. I received my permanent prosthesis 2 weeks ago but haven't used it much, because I can't be on my feet. I use it twice a week when the home health aid comes and helps me take a shower.
I am in almost constant pain and wear a 75mcg Pain patch in addition to percocet for breakthrough pain.
It is difficult for me to go to my Dr. appointments as my Dad has real difficulty loading my wheelchair in and out of the car. (despite it only being about 30lbs, it is very light but he can't do it. He's 71 years old} In fact, with the exception of Dialysis and the occasional appointment, I don't really ever leave the house.
I am also having major problems with both my hands, My fingers are curling up on my hand I can't straighten them out. I can only type with one finger on each hand now, I have trouble even holding a book open, I can't twist open jars and bottles anymore.
I spend most of my time in front of the computer, Reading LJ and catching up on a whole lot of TV shows I missed while in the hospital. I caught up on Doctor Who, SJA, and Torchwood (love them all and am now a big John Barrowman fan - he is a national treasure!) Been watching the BSG repeats on SciFi and will probably be getting a few of this past season DVD sets of shows I missed. I just started watching Stargate Atlantis and I love it! I started on the season ender and am watching the reruns on SciFi and in syndication (previous season) Bittorrent has become my pasttime as I download books, music, TV shows and comics.
well, that's it for my stream of consciousness update, More later. |
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| Home & Back to theHospital |
[Jun. 12th, 2007|10:02 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Lionel Show | ] |
A quick update, I actually wanted to write a much longer update but it will have to wait.
I've been home for a few weeks. It is very difficult to get around, and do just about anything. Even getting dressed is hard.
I can't keep anything down, even a sip of water has me immediately throwing up. I haven't eaten since Sunday so I am off to the ER. I am also in incredible pain and can't even take anything for it. Heck, I couldn't take any of my meds at all, including my antibiotics.
Please send good thoughts my way |
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| I'm Back! (kind of...) |
[Mar. 27th, 2007|03:31 pm] |
Well, where I was, the acute facility at Riverview wouldn't let me post to LJ and I got cut off of the free WiFi access I wqqs enjoying, so I was offline for over a month or more. I am now in a subacute facility which is basically rehab at a wing of a nursing home. Very Depressing. The social worker here is letting me use her office and my laptop twice a week. (I have dialysis he other 3) I have a *ton* of email to delete and I need to figure out why my domains aren't working (I think the dns info is fubared) Anyway, my Dad just walked in for a visit, so I'll have to end it here.
Steve |
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| life in rehab |
[Jan. 27th, 2007|10:55 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | rehab | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | depressed | ] |
| [ | music |
| | none | ] |
Even now, over a month after the surgery, I look down where my leg should be and I get sick to my stomach. The phantom pain is still there but it is getting better as time goes on.
I'm able to use the computers in the library for a short period each day when the recreational therapist goes there to do some work of her own, she pushes me along. I am still cleaning out my Spam from almost 3 months of not reading mail, but I am at least current on new mail I get.
Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes. It really cheered me up to read your emails and LJ comments.
Rehab is going slowly, I have little upper body strength, I lost a lot of muscle mass in the weeks following the amputation and am also suffering from Gastrointestinal problems, but I'm trying to hang in there.
I developed a case of pneumonia and spent a week in the hospital side (different floor) before returning to rehab. I still have a terrible cough and am on IV antibiotics.
Not much else to report, it's time to go back to my room. |
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| Sorry for the long delay between posts.... |
[Jan. 12th, 2007|12:26 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Rehab | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | depressed | ] |
| [ | music |
| | none | ] |
After coming home from the Hospital , I spiked a fever during Dialysis and they had me sent back to the ER. Well, about a week later, they wound up amputating my leg (BTK) Below The Knee. The infection had spread to the bones, and was also causing my anemia. I am now undergoing physical therapy at Riverview Medical Center and hopefully will be able to survive in the outside world. I found a computer on the floor with net access though they block sites for no good reason. Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who sent me birthday and holiday cards, obviously I was unable to reciprocate this year.
I just wanted to reassure everyone that I am still alive, haven't dropped off the fade of the earth (though I sometimes wish I had) My book contact at Simon & Schuster no longer works there so I am unable to get the new Star Trek books from him :(
My time is just about up here, so I'll talk to y'all later1
steve |
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| Happy Birthday to Me |
[Nov. 29th, 2006|06:18 am] |
I just got sprung from the hospital where I was the past month, I am home now but have to go back to a different hospital for daily outpatient Hyperbaric treatment. I am in a world of hurt right now. |
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| No more panic attacks |
[Oct. 22nd, 2006|02:44 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | In Pain | ] |
| [ | music |
| | none | ] |
Sialysis, thankfully, went without a hitch this past week. No more panic attacks, though my sleeping at home has been erratic at best. And Medicare won't cover *any* of my sleeping pill rx's. sigh. So long as I manage some sleep the night before dialysis I seem to be ok. I want to thank everyone who lent words of support and encouragement. You guys are the best! |
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| I had a panic attack today |
[Oct. 12th, 2006|07:43 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Coast to Coast with George Noory | ] |
at Dialysis and they had to take me off 2 hours early. (Actually I insisted) It was very embarrasing and now I have to be very careful between now and Friday. In good news, I slept for the first time since leaving the Hospital (Literally hadn't been able to sleep. Maybe the two are related? |
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| They took my toe |
[Oct. 9th, 2006|11:02 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | depressed | ] |
| [ | music |
| | The Lionel Show | ] |
I just got back from another 8 days in the Hospital where they cut out the infection in my foot as well as my pinky toe. |
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| A visit to my podiatrist |
[Sep. 27th, 2006|10:33 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | depressed | ] |
| [ | music |
| | The Lionel Show | ] |
on Tuesday. He said that the foot is looking worse that when I was in the Hospital and that if it doesn't improrve with the IV antibiotics I am taking M-F, I may be re-hospitalized and may lose more of my foot. I'm not in a very good place right now.
I have to go to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick tomorrow for a re-evaluation for my return to the Transplant list. (I was taken off the list last year due to changes in my EKG) The foot will keep me off the list, but hopefully it will only be a temporary situation. The appointment is at 8am so it is rise and shine before 6am to get ready for it. I did most of the paperwork tonight that they sent me, mostly insurance info. |
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| Clay Aiken |
[Sep. 23rd, 2006|06:32 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Clay Aiken- WIthout You | ] |
Well, having never seen an episode of American Idol in my life, I "discovered" Clay Aiken yesterday while waiting in the Dialysis waiting room. The channel on the TV was set to ABC and "The View" was on. He performed the song "without you" which I had never heard before. After I got home I downloaded the song (thanks itunes music store) and have been singing it all night (a good way to get a song out of my head is to play Sing-along With Steve. Apparantly it is a cover to the original Air Supply song which 99 cents later, I discovered I liked Clay's version much better.
My Bro just got me into Celebrity Duets today, I might have to start watching American Idol. |
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