Went to Arizmendi because my calfs were hot, swollen and painful. Had a Doppler done Wed. Afternoon that I thought was going to kill me. My inner thighs are black and blue and painful.
Thank God, no clots found but even with antibiotics and a second diuretic (Bumex) my ankles are still swelled. Fever on and off all week and now wicked pain across my back. It feels like the flu with no runny nose or more congestion than usual. Slept on and off for three days now. Ann has brought the kids by and they have been so great. They want to go swimming and I just can't get my act in gear.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
I'm mobile!
After weeks and weeks of trying to get approval for a decent scooter or wheelchair we finally caved in and bought a used one on Craigslist. After the mess of tring to find a used POC. I was really nervous about spending the money and having an unusable item but I think all is well. If not we're out $450.
The couple that sold it to us said they'd bought it used, in Sept. for a niece who had a soccor injury. They put it in Chris' car for us and when we got home Chris backed up to the block wall in front of the apt and the height was perfect.
I took it for an intial spin, out to Huebner, almost to Bandera but a pole blocked me from continuing but I may be able to get past it if Chris moves the right arm in a bit.
Met Tina, the other "baby" of the Villa's. She is also 56. Says there is a new guy who is 55 so we aren't the youngest here anymore.
Also met Liz, I think was her name. Tall beautiful woman who has a 7 lb.teacup chihuahua that has a wicked deep bark. Adorable.
Sat outside most of the day while Brye and Tope cooked. I made German Potato Salad this morning and now I'm tapped out even though I probably slept 16 hours last night ~ on and off, of course.
Facetimed with Bran and Megs. Talked to Miz for a bit. Read a bunch and almost ready to sleep yet again.
The couple that sold it to us said they'd bought it used, in Sept. for a niece who had a soccor injury. They put it in Chris' car for us and when we got home Chris backed up to the block wall in front of the apt and the height was perfect.
I took it for an intial spin, out to Huebner, almost to Bandera but a pole blocked me from continuing but I may be able to get past it if Chris moves the right arm in a bit.
Met Tina, the other "baby" of the Villa's. She is also 56. Says there is a new guy who is 55 so we aren't the youngest here anymore.
Also met Liz, I think was her name. Tall beautiful woman who has a 7 lb.teacup chihuahua that has a wicked deep bark. Adorable.
Sat outside most of the day while Brye and Tope cooked. I made German Potato Salad this morning and now I'm tapped out even though I probably slept 16 hours last night ~ on and off, of course.
Facetimed with Bran and Megs. Talked to Miz for a bit. Read a bunch and almost ready to sleep yet again.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
No scooter yet. Supposedly I need to pay $600 if I want one, which is half the cost of a cheapie model. I don't have $600.
Chris borrowed an electric wheelchair from Janine at work but it needs a charging cord.
That will cost $350 (non-returnable) and no guarantee the chair will work if we get it.
Looks like I'll have to look for a used one on Craigslist or at a pawn shop. I just can't walk more than a few feet without wanting to pass out.
Dr. appointments this week with Garcia and Saigal plus two acupuncture appointments.
Christa, Avery and MaryEllen came for the weekend and Brianna and Anthony are coming on Tuesday. Margo and the boys are also supposed to stop in.
Chris borrowed an electric wheelchair from Janine at work but it needs a charging cord.
That will cost $350 (non-returnable) and no guarantee the chair will work if we get it.
Looks like I'll have to look for a used one on Craigslist or at a pawn shop. I just can't walk more than a few feet without wanting to pass out.
Dr. appointments this week with Garcia and Saigal plus two acupuncture appointments.
Christa, Avery and MaryEllen came for the weekend and Brianna and Anthony are coming on Tuesday. Margo and the boys are also supposed to stop in.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
My new normal sucks
No other way to put it.
I got the new, larger concentrator last week. I really believed the being able to turn it up to 8 liters to walk around would help but it doesn't. I no longer feel like I want to pass out if I stand up but it hasn't helped nearly as much as I'd hoped.
SAT rate falls to the low 70's if I move at more than a crawl.
I should be getting a scooter this week. Hopefully insurance won't drag it out too long.
I got the new, larger concentrator last week. I really believed the being able to turn it up to 8 liters to walk around would help but it doesn't. I no longer feel like I want to pass out if I stand up but it hasn't helped nearly as much as I'd hoped.
SAT rate falls to the low 70's if I move at more than a crawl.
I should be getting a scooter this week. Hopefully insurance won't drag it out too long.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Went to the movies! BIG mistake!
On Thursday Sally picked me up and we went over to the Regal Theaters on Vance Jackson & DeZavala to see Saving Mr. Banks. I left my second canister in the car assuming I'd need just the one as long as I sat still after recovering from the stroll in. Wrong!
From the minute we sat down I had to keep turning it back up from 3 to 5 lpm (and I wasn't saying a word or moving at all) Sally had to go out and retrieve my other bottle. Wicked time getting to the car and then at least a half hour to recover once I got home and had the continuous flow set as high as possible. for the past few days I use the big unit and a canister also when I have to move around. Good temp. solution.
Called Providacare again and they said they didn't have the orders for a bigger concentrator. Called Susan at Dr. M's. Her comment was a very droll "They Lied." Today I called everyone again and as of noon Jerry is on his way to deliver the larger concentrator. Still not sure how the getting out of the house thing will work but we'll deal with that later.
Seeing Marks later this afternoon. I don't think I'm "sick" right now. I just think this is my new low.
On Thursday Sally picked me up and we went over to the Regal Theaters on Vance Jackson & DeZavala to see Saving Mr. Banks. I left my second canister in the car assuming I'd need just the one as long as I sat still after recovering from the stroll in. Wrong!
From the minute we sat down I had to keep turning it back up from 3 to 5 lpm (and I wasn't saying a word or moving at all) Sally had to go out and retrieve my other bottle. Wicked time getting to the car and then at least a half hour to recover once I got home and had the continuous flow set as high as possible. for the past few days I use the big unit and a canister also when I have to move around. Good temp. solution.
Called Providacare again and they said they didn't have the orders for a bigger concentrator. Called Susan at Dr. M's. Her comment was a very droll "They Lied." Today I called everyone again and as of noon Jerry is on his way to deliver the larger concentrator. Still not sure how the getting out of the house thing will work but we'll deal with that later.
Seeing Marks later this afternoon. I don't think I'm "sick" right now. I just think this is my new low.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Been in the cottage for 4 months now and I'm adjusting to my new normal.
Can't walk 5 feet without getting out of breathe. Dr Marks ordered me a concentrator that will go up to 10 lpm. I'm currently on 5 all the time now except when filling canisters. My car wouldn't start last week so i walked to the office slowly. Coming back I saw "glitter" of white light as I practically crawled home. No more walks for me. Dr. Ordered a scooter but insurance reimburses almost nothing.
We are so in debt it is killing us. Finally got approval for the Adcirca so that is a $2000 headache taken care of but The Vest is going back because they've decided not to approve it for home use. I can get 7 treatments a month. vs twice a day. Chris had to have a tooth pulled. Borrowed $500 from Sharon. I've cut down on dr. Appts because of the $35 co-pays.
Met Fanny who moved in behind us. (Chris is still here and probably not going to Alburqueque) she checks on me often. Brought over some great cabbage and potatoes last week.
Stan is here visiting Ann this week. She and the kids stayed over Tues night then they took me to Balance to get pinned. Chris is in Corpus for the week.
Yard sale on Sat. Sally & Jason will set up so they can move easier next year.
Can't walk 5 feet without getting out of breathe. Dr Marks ordered me a concentrator that will go up to 10 lpm. I'm currently on 5 all the time now except when filling canisters. My car wouldn't start last week so i walked to the office slowly. Coming back I saw "glitter" of white light as I practically crawled home. No more walks for me. Dr. Ordered a scooter but insurance reimburses almost nothing.
We are so in debt it is killing us. Finally got approval for the Adcirca so that is a $2000 headache taken care of but The Vest is going back because they've decided not to approve it for home use. I can get 7 treatments a month. vs twice a day. Chris had to have a tooth pulled. Borrowed $500 from Sharon. I've cut down on dr. Appts because of the $35 co-pays.
Met Fanny who moved in behind us. (Chris is still here and probably not going to Alburqueque) she checks on me often. Brought over some great cabbage and potatoes last week.
Stan is here visiting Ann this week. She and the kids stayed over Tues night then they took me to Balance to get pinned. Chris is in Corpus for the week.
Yard sale on Sat. Sally & Jason will set up so they can move easier next year.
Monday, January 13, 2014
An Eventful Few Months
Sick all of Sept and Oct. Finally, after two courses of antibiotics I agreed to go into the hospital for testing. Oh yeah, had a second right heart cath the week or two before I ended up in the hospital.
Was put on Adcirca, which the insurance company spent months denying payment on. My heart is finally damaged from the lack of oxygen. Still no approval but we have new insurance so who knows...
Last PT session on Oct 24. When Ann had strep and I was finally convinced to go see Marks again. Saw Heather instead.
I also saw Dr Saigal, a renal specialist, for the edema and he put me on Lasix up to three times a day.
Back to the hospital stay...
I went in on Monday Nov. 11th Had a lung scope done on the 12th. Met Dr Zajac, an infectious disease dr after they found three different infections and thought I may have aspirated something. (Ya think?!? With the way I cough and gag I don't doubt it!)
Then they sent in a gastric guy; Margo's cousin Dr Garcia. He ordered a stomach emptying test to be done on Wed night then again Thurs morning, if I remember correctly.
Almost forgot; I had a cracked rib, from coughing. Tests showed my stomach isn't working at all. The juice I drank at 7 on Wed night was still in my stomach at 9 the next day.
Susequent testing in Dec showed wickedly bad GERD and Barrets Esophagus (mom took me for that testing at NC Baptist). Garcia also diagnosed me, after a cpepcide test, with dysmetabolic syndrom. Put me on Metformin and I dropped almost 20 lbs in two weeks.
While I was in he hospital Ann and her friends moved a bunch of stuff into our new cottage at Leon Valley. Three garage sales in Oct and Nov grossed almost $3000. We sold the pool table, fridge, Chris's tools, some dressers, the coffee table, shelves, the treadmill, camping and Christmas stuff, the patio set, rugs, tons of kitchen stuff, car stuff, the A/C we never opened and lots of little junk. AND we STILL have a full storage unit.
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