Get Over It

 I know it's been a long time since I've blogged.  It feels like a whirlwind.  This is just a rant. 

If it pertains to you, well you know my sister and I feel. We don't care what you think at this point. That's what happens when people we thought would support us and trust failed us.

Let me start by saying my sister and I love our parents.  They did everything they could for us. They made hard decisions concerning me with surgeries, etc as well as situations with my sister.

Life is a circle. You are born, usually taken care of by loving parents who have to make numerous hard decisions. Then as you get older, your parents age and you, the child has to make the decisions for them when it is time. It came time for my sister and me to do something for their safety and health. They're getting older and need extra help. I won't divulge some private things I know they wouldn't want me to tell the world. They probably wouldn't want me to write this.

But I. Need. To. Get. This. Out. And they would understand.

Understand me, we've had enough. We have enough of people questioning us why we did this or that. Or why we didn't do this or that. I couldn't believe the ones we knew well actually questioned us. We were shocked and so disappointed. It is like they didn't trust what we were doing. Do you really think one day my sister and I woke up and decided to take care of our parents as we saw fit? If you do,you are wrong! We both researched and asked their doctor what the best solution was. We talked about it over and over again. It was the hardest thing to do.

You weren't there. You weren't seeing what we saw. Did you ever visit them before?

When we asked a few people to help, they said they weren't comfortable with doing it the way we wanted to do it. I respect their decision and I've come to the point that the way it happened, it was supposed to happen. So I have no ill will against them. Whatsoever. If we ever need help, I would call upon them again.

I hear people are upset because they weren't informed before or after we tended to our parents. Let me explain it to you. It was a delicate situation and there was a transitional period. My sister and I were stressed enough. We didn't need to be bombarded with opinions and questions which did happen after everyone started to find out. 

.Putting it bluntly it is none of your business. You can be angry all you want and for as long as you want. We have more important stuff to worry about and do.

By the way, after the transition, we decided to give visitation privileges to some. Whoever would like to go visit them, and is not on the list, contact my sister or I. Remember the privilege can be easily taken away if need be.

We knew the rumors would go around and everyone would find out. 

My sister and I know we did the right thing. Our parents are adjusting well now. They're socializing,  eating well, and being taken care of. We tried and couldn't take care of them like this.

We just ask you to trust us. Trust that we did the best we could like they did for us.  Quit questioning us. It's done. Move on.

Will It Be Hernia Surgery or Back Surgery First?

 This week, I went to the general surgeon. He looked at it and said it was a hernia. (I knew that already!) He did touch it.

We discussed the pros and cons of having hernia surgery before the back surgery. 

I could tell he did not want to sway me one way or another. He did say the hernia will need to be tended to eventually.

I asked him about the recovery time. I know a normal person's recovery time and my recovery time can be very different.

After talking about it, as much as I want/need this back surgery, I've decided to get the hernia repair done first. Hubby and I are hoping that by the summer I will be able to do my back surgery.

Yes, I'm a little bummed but it is what it is.

On another note, here is exciting news. When Hubby and I walked from the parking garage to the doctor's office which was way down the hall on fourth floor, I realized I was not gasping for breath. When we got back in the car I asked Hubby if he noticed that I was able to walk without stopping. Yea, I was short of breath when I got to the office and car but nothing like it's been. I think it would be much better if I didn't have to wear the mask but it is what it is.

I've been also been cooking and I do get tired and some shortness of breath but there's an improvement!

I hope ya'll are warm who live in the North. Here in the South we complain of the cold (lower than 55 LOL). I wouldn't want the snow either. It's been raining and making everything blah.

Anyway, until next time...

Say hello to a stranger

Update on Being a Long Hauler and Disc Surgery

A long hauler is a person who had the Coronavirus and continues to have symptoms. I am improving slowly but surely. I still have shortness of breath with exertion and I sometimes wake up gasping for breath. I am cooking now with my awesome hubby helping me clean up. He still has to do the laundry and other chores because I get short of breath easily. It's confusing to me because I can cook but folding clothes causes shortness of breath. Who knows??

I have been cleared to have my disc surgery. I was so excited. I've been using a pregnancy pillow (picture below) to prevent me from rolling on my back while I am asleep. Sometimes it works.

When I went to my doctor to get the final clearance.  I showed her a bump in my groin area thinking it is nothing serious. She exclaimed, "Oh Ms. Landry, you have an inguinal hernia!" I asked her what the treatment would be. She answered surgical removal. Panicking,  I asked, "But it can wait until my disc surgery, right?!"She paused and said," Hmm, I would think this would take precedence." 

I just blurted "What else can go wrong!? Screw my life." Tears flowed in frustration and disappointment.😢

She said, "I am going to refer you to a general surgeon who does this kind of surgery. He is great and will not do surgery until he really has to." I have an appointment Tuesday.

Ironically, the day after, my orthopedic surgeon called to schedule my back surgery. I told her what was going on. She said, "Boo, you've been through so much. I'm so sorry. Call me after you go to the surgeon and I wish you luck."

So that's my life for now. 

Until next time....

MY Experience with COVID19

Hello My Friends,

I hope is well with you. I hope you are staying safe. Not sure what is worse the COVID 19 or the chaos in our country. I pray none of you or people you know have experienced COVID19. I did and let me tell you, the last time I went into the hospital I thought I wasn't coming out.

From the week after I ended Physical Therapy(End of March) to April 5th I went to ER 4 times and was admitted twice.

The first time they admitted me was with a diagnosis of  "Community-acquired pneumonia." They did a COVID 19 test. They treated me with antibiotics and prednisone and IV fluids. I had my pulmonologist and a hospitalist as my physicians. Day 2 of my hospitalization they both told me adamantly at separate times that I would be safer to go home because they JUST KNEW I didn't have COVID and being on a COVID floor I was safer home. 

I checked my O2 level, pulse and temperature throughout the day when I was home. About a couple days later I was called by the doctor saying I was indeed COVID 19 positive. (So much for the doctors being confident that I DID NOT have it!). They told me to quarantine and all the CDC recommendations. CDC called me and asked if I lived with someone. They ended up telling my husband to go get checked. He only had a slight sore throat and felt a little rundown. He grudgingly went and sure enough, he was also positive.

I was getting worse. My O2 was up and down. I was gasping for breath. My temperature was 102.1. The doctor told me to go to the ER AGAIN!. Twice before I went to ER they sent me back. So Hubby once again brought me. On the way to the hospital, we both said I love you. Although, we didn't say it then, both of us thought I wasn't coming back home. 

Note: The worse of it all was they wouldn't allow my Hubby to help me in the ER. No one helped me. I almost fell on my face. I could hardly walk. There was the receptionist I saw for the 4th time and I wanted to slap her each time. Such a rude person. AND there were 2 'security guards' who didn't even try to help me.

They admitted me and treated me with the controversial Hydroxychloroquine, Zithromax and Remdesivir. I felt better the next day. They kept me for 5 days.

My diagnosis was: Pneumonia due to COVID 19, Viral gastroenteritis, acute respiratory failure, hypo osmolality-hyponatremia. They put me on oxygen by nasal cannula.

Thankfully, my husband had many friends and family to support him while I was in the hospital. Thanks to everyone! You know who you are. Thanks for the prayers and concern. The Nurses were awesome. I felt for them, having to put the PPE on every time they walked in. I think they had a good system although I know it was a pain in the you know what.

Before entering my room they would call my room and asked if I needed anything. Dietary would call 3 times daily to get my order for the meal. They had a menu according to my diet. 

Let me tell you their chicken and sausage gumbo was one of the best. All of their food was good but that gumbo.Mmmmm Mmmmm good.

As of May 13, 2020 I was tested negative for COVID-19. I continue to have shortness of breath with activity, which is improving day by day. I get tired easily. My taste and smell are off sometimes. I sometimes hard a time pronouncing a word, now I can't even remember the word.

I was supposed to have surgery on my disc in April. That was canceled. Then my knee started locking at night. Let me tell you.that is one excruciating pain as I slowly unlock it. So I am back in PT.

This was my COVID experience. I know some people think wearing a mask is politically motivated or taking away our freedom. Let me tell you. Maybe it is politically motivated in a way but if you never had COVID or had a loved one I hope you don't ever catch this. I am paranoid. It is hard for me to wear my mask but I do it to protect myself and others. It's a simple gesture to protect others and yourself.

Until I show up again..Please be safe. Wear Your mask. Pray.

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Awesome Physical Therapy

I am so tired of my body, seriously.

I had two spinal injections and they didn't work on my leg. Today, I finished my approximately 7th week of  Physical therapy. I went to a different physical therapist because the other two I've gone in the last 2 years I didn't feel they were right for me.

Summit Therapy is the best. My out of pocket is a little more expensive but I feel its worth it. My back is better but my leg continues to give me problems.

I have never been in a public place much less a medical office that has religious wall decor and every morning the staff goes in the back and says a quick prayer. How often do you see this nowadays?

The staff knows every patient's name although they are not working with them. I still don't know all of their names.

My main PT is Stefan. It's a small world because we both grew up in the same town. Our parents know each other. He gives the best back 'massages".  He is awesome. He listens. He cares. I think the whole office has a gift of compassion.

I know I am in good hands there. I highly recommend them if you are in this area and need a PT.

Then last week, I woke up with pain in my neck radiating to my shoulder. It wasn't too bad. I had hit my shoulder against the door the previous day so I figured I aggravated it.

Thursday it got worse. Friday, I went to PT and it was excruciating. They applied a hot moist compress, did some exercises and Stefan suggested I call my orthopedist. It didn't go so well because they were saying I was not an "ACTIVE PATIENT." We argued and then they told me to call my primary doctor who was off that day.

I went to Urgent Care who is awesome. I'm actually considering just going there except my Primary doctor for acute medical problems. The P.A. diagnosed it as a cervical sprain. I was given some anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and shot of steroids and told me to put moist heat compresses. 

I have to take the meds with food and one is three times a day. I hate taking meds that way. But you do what you gotta do. My neck and shoulder are better. My back is better except when I sleep on it most of the night. I wish they could figure out my leg pain. The orthopedist said  I have a lower back disc herniation that is squeezing the nerve. I have an appointment middle of March to discuss possible surgery. He will need to do a lot of convincing because I heard too many nightmares with back surgery.

So this has been my life. Nice start of 2020. Not!!! It could be worse though.

Until next time..count your blessings if you do not have any chronic medical condition.

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it!