Hellooooooooo.....Oluwa? You there?

mnjodette · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:18 am Post subject:

Hugs back at ya', Oluwa. Company this weekend. Did a bit much to get ready yesterday, so am paying today. But, not bad...just some limping, gimping - my neuropathy and Fibro seems to have kicked in this time, and of course my hands ache. I don't have any good alternative for pain, unfortunately, so I'll just pop some advil. Keep worrying about what I'm doing to my tummy, though.....

How about you? Did you start filling those canvasses yet? Any special inspirations for your art?

Jody
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"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Oluwa · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:35 am Post subject:

Hey Jody...Head hug.

Half hour ago I just pattered with my wet feet in to the house after a 25 minute swim. The pool is shaded till 10:30 now....so , it is an early or an evening swim. I am really enjoying myself and without worrying about showing my fat off. Just me...my husband says I'm not. But I am.

Just a limbing, hobbling? That sounds awful...me I drag the foot, slide it along when it is too pooped to walk with me. I do the shuffle in my slippers. When I was at the neurosurgeon he said I hardly have any reflexes in either legs. I knew I had the one...short circuit.

Have you tried B-Complex.. B1, B6 or B12 for nerve pain?

Getting ready for company is a workout..I could tell you to slow down, rest, take it easy as an anecdote, but I like you, whats that? I am learning. Don't forgot to eat with the Advil...

Do you take any acid inhibitors yet? What did your former... sorry...RhuemBA say about it? Gut pain can ruin a whole day and ruin a lot of things on the inside. You don't want to bore a hole in there..

Canvas 22" x 28"... I started to paint the black red poppies... a field of up close wildflowers for my dining room. When the house was finished, I started to add personal touches, then I went kaput and IT took me for the ride of my life. Slowly I add, slowly I painted a room...this year I haven't done hardly a thing. Plant, that is about it. It doesn't have my Oluwa, personal touch yet.

I have a vision for a back splash but as for now we have a painted wall with a 4" granite slab. I envision stainless steel carved tiles amongst hand colored ones and glass ones. When the house was being built we asked that some of the standard items be kept in a box, light fixtures, ceiling fans, cabinet pulls, wall tiling and we had them install our own faucets and etc.... so I could make it personal...well, it is still impersonal...ugh... working on it. I am two years behind...

My husband is still sleeping..I think I will shake his sheets and see if he feels like an early lunch out. I am into this eating out lately..cooking is no longer a way of life it is becoming a now and then event. I used to love to cook....but the cleaning, being ill... well, it has been easy to say bye bye dirty dishes. I even thought to buy paper and plastic. Not so green of me.

Grocery shopped the other day...fruits, fruits, bread, juices and vegetable...my finger food. Fresh cherries are great now...Ah, I might toss a bird into the pot or roast or BBQ some pig or a bit of cow next week.

Enjoy your company...family, friends they are nice to be around, have around. I miss that.

Tata..
Love,
Oluwa
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mnjodette · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:42 pm Post subject:

Good (early) morning, Oluwa. I can't sleep - again. (Even on new meds...I think there's something wrong with my brain....)

My soon-to-be-ex Rheumy has made a referral to a gastro guy - it'll take me a while to get in, I'm sure. She said I need to get my esophageal stuff checked out. And, if need be, lower GI as well. IBS is an easy answer for some things, but she's a bit suspicious. I had some trouble swallowing a while back and she had me do a swallow test. My esophagus (is that spelled right?.....) moves a bit slow; has some spasms - a bit of a hietal hernia, too. She's a little worried that IT has begun some inflammation in there. I can't seem to live without the Prilosec - the pain and pressure is not good - right up to my throat.

I'm just at a loss on what to do about pain. Shouldn't be taking a lot of ibuprofen (or other NSAIDs) with my tummy troubles. Don't have anything else - except Lortab, and I hate those things (make me nauseous.) She didn't prescribe anything else. Just the valium-like stuff to help me sleep - which is not working. I've only taken it twice - I have to give it a chance I guess.

I love the idea of 'personalizing' your home. I'd love to see your artwork; your photos. A home is so much more interesting with things that reflect who lives there. I've done a bit of that in some rooms, with collections of a few things that matter to us. No 'creativity' of my own involved there - but, still interesting. I have a nice collection of baskets in lots of places in our house. Art baskets, baskets from Panama, Africa, very old baskets, sweet grass indian baskets....kind of fun. We've accumulated some interesting art pieces from travels. A silk woven rug from Egypt, a framed papyrus, colorful needlework from an island off the coast of Panama, an acrylic sculpture from Hawaii, some small prints of a village we were in on Cape Cod, iron wood from Jamaica All remind me of our travels. Sometimes I walk around the house and just look at those things, remembing the pleasure in finding them and then placing them around the house. It's all good memories.

I like to cook, but have been much less creative. Simple meals, simple sauces, a little good ice cream for dessert. We eat out a LOT. In recent years, there have been a few very good restaurants open here (not 'chain' restaurants, but excellent local places) so we enjoy that. We have our favorites. We enjoy meeting friends sometimes, but mostly just enjoy being out together. THat's a good thing!

I'm so glad you have a pool to enjoy. It sounds wonderful - if it wasn't so cool here much of the time, that would be something we would both enjoy. We talked about it when we first built this place, but there's just too much cold weather to make it worthwhile. A spa (outdoor hot tub) was a much more practical investment, so that's what we did. It's not as much fun in the summer except on very cool nights. But in the winter, as long as it's not below zero, it's fun to sit in 104 degree water with snow falling on your head, or when the stars are glittering in the icy air, steam rising, trees cracking in the cold, ice forming on the edges of your hair. And when it's a full moon, shining on fresh snow...., sihouettes of bare maples in the background, and the wind sighing through the cedars...my goodness....it's indescribably beautiful. Maybe that's the Scandinavian in me - or just years of living in Minnesota. HOWEVER....that may be the ONLY time I enjoy winter! Brrrrrrr

I'm rattiling on again....sorry. It's late (or early.....) and I tend to do that when I'm tired. Time to try to get some sleep again. Hubby is snoring up there - I can hear him. Maybe some sleep in my favorite chair down here.....

Yawwwnnnn. G'night.

Jody
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"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Oluwa · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:31 am Post subject:

Jody ...

It is 8:35 AM EST and I hadn't slept a wink. Humm, maybe the scaryroids. I should have come on and we could have chatted up.

I spent the wee hours watching movies...Notebook on a Scandal...is that the name with Kate Blanchett. I am amazed I can even type this morning with my brittle head. Then Babel..and then Godsend. All kind of weird in their own way...

Babel..one could take aways many emotions after watching the flick, or I should say work up and roll around in the head, heart. Thoughts of miscommunication, communication, language barriers as in the Tower of Babel..or you could pull emotions from each character, all so different...or how other countries evolve around one..

Probably being tired my mind takes it to a different level than what the movie intended to convey..

Times I think too much..like...

While zipping along I-26 my husband pointed out the new V shape army humvees, that distribute impact blast...with little to no fatalities. Seeing three being towed on flat beds, three semis in a row. The only emotion I felt was tears swelling up in my eyes...sniveling, the inhaling all the goobers and balling..weird.

My husband..My God, what happening. I balled, you know the stutter, staggered cry.. not sob, then I began to laugh at me between the sucking up the running nose.

I couldn't grasp the protection of it, except the pain, death..lives that have to be protect from what, war, murderers. Thousand of people trying to murder one man..For what..my mind could not make sense of war...and today it still can't...ah...babbling like a sausage... Imagining 1000 strong hunting me down...scared they must feel.

My mind is so filled with words I can't type them out clearly...a full head. A head full of fog?

Fog head, sleepy head..it is still all good. I am feeling pretty painless or do you think my brain is numb. Either way..I am going to enjoy my floating day...

Humm..I think I need a nap...will pop in later to properly reply to your post when my airhead dissipates.

Tata..hugs,
Oluwa Shocked

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Oluwa · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject:

It is almost 3:30am EST....This is me... Shocked

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Saysusie · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

It is 2:17 AM California time.....this is me Sad

No sleep at all!

Saysusie
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Look For The Good and Praise It!

mnjodette · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Well, that's just no good, Oluwa and Saysusie....this not sleeping just has to stop! It's just wicked-hard on a person. I look and feel like I've been on a 3 day bender when I don't sleep well....without the benefit of the 'good time!'

My new med for sleep seemed to help last night (at last, at last!) and I slept nearly 8 hours. So THAT's what a full night's sleep feels like, huh? It's been soooo long.

Hope you both rest well tonight...me too!

Jody
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"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Oluwa · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject:

Jody, JOdy..now where are you?

How goes life...?

All those baskets sound so beautiful. The sweet grass baskets they make here are gorgeous and also very, very expensive. And all the culture about your house, I bet it is a trip for anyone who hadn't been to those countries to see them about your house...

I put the paint brush down...it was killing my spine..crazy. Finished my steroid pack..oh that reminds me, have you been weaned of the scaryroids completely now...?

I started PT yesterday..well an interview I conduct with them...I decided to try this other one out tomorrow and see how it goes. I should be in a full PT schedule by week's end.

We found a great place for eats. Auntie Maes....good places to dine are far and few. We've dined at the most expensive and the cheapest..same, same. The expensive places seem more pretentious than good..and the cheap ones...you get what you pay for.

How was your 4th?

How was you visit with your company? Resting now that the holiday past?

Still hobbling about?

I am sleeping better, how about you?

I think I had mentioned I had my esophagus dilated the end of April because my food was getting stuck, and too my digestive system wasn't in sync..the swallowing, the movement of the esophagus squeezing it down and the stomach contracting to mash it up and out...

Too, they prescribed a daily meal tablet, Reglan to move my food out of my stomach faster. I get hungry quicker...

Happy Wednesday tomorrow...I hope you are doing well, Jody.

Love..hugs,
Oluwa
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mnjodette · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject:

Hello! I'm here Oluwa - sorry to be so absent...I DO miss you all. Lots of family drama. Adult son, his ex, his current, his daughter...so much pain there. Can't distance yourself from those you love - so stress has been not-so-good. Not sleeping much.

Not off the 'scaryoids' quite yet - by end of August, God willing. My medicine box is getting emptier. I'm off colchicine, off atenolol - only tiny 1mg prednisone tablets - and just 4 of those a day (down to 3 in a couple of days.) Just a 'puny' dose - not really doing anything...but must taper sloooooooooowwwwwwwwly. I'm really hoping this means remission - although, I'm still on cellcept and plaquenil, so I'm not managing all of this without drugs yet. Someday?

No referral to a gastro doc yet - they were supposed to call - guess I'll have to follow up.

Is the PT intended to help your back? Have you had PT before? Like all else, there are good PTs and not such good PTs. I've had both. I hope you find a winner first time.

Have you ever used a chiropractor? There is one here I've been considered seeing. He's known to do some good work with people who have Fibro. I've had 3 different people recommend him in the past month or two.

Had a nice 4th of July weekend, but did too much. Lots of company and it was very, very hot (for Minnesota!) - 90 degrees. But, still, fun.

What did you do on the 4th, Oluwa?
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"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Oluwa · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject:

Jody,

Did you do the follow up call?

Off colchine and atenol too...woohoo...such great news.

The PT is for my spine and yes, it is helping. Today I've spent a bit time on the PC typing, and that aggravates it..but as whole I think I am on my way to an improved posture...

I've tried a chiropractor once...and never went back. Horrible experience for me. My previous neurosurgeon said no to chiropractors...probably because mine isn't an alignment problem per se. I have disc degenerative disease. DDD The triple D cup...lol.

My 4th, domestic...not much to write about, ribs on the grill, snap pop at home and took a cruise about the hood with my husband.

Weekend is coming to a close, hope you had an enjoyable one...and a great week to look forward too...

Hugs,
Oluwa
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mnjodette · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject:

Hello! Finally got call from gastro office today - they left message for me to call them....which I'll do tomorrow.

I'm soooo glad PT is helping! You're on a roll! Let's hope all things go in that same direction for a while!

Me...I did too much this weekend (granddaughter's birthday.) But, it's more than that. I'm puzzled what to do - not sleeping; headaches; joint pain; general not-so-hot feeling. Feeling truly lousy today. Been having this off and on for a couple of weeks (well....not sleeping is an on-going thing.) I have about 4 different things that I've been prescribed to help me sleep - nothing works well. The only thing I have for pain is Lortab and that makes me sick to my stomach. I've been taking Ibuprofen, but I'm sure that's a no-no for my stomach. I get very puffy; eyes feel like they're swollen. Headaches get bad enough to almost close my left eye; make my head 'buzz.' I'm getting suspicious that IT is taking me for a new turn around the block - and I'm not liking the neighborhood. I'm not scheduled to see my new rheumy until the 1st of October. I suppose if I whined loudly, someone else would see me.

How has the heat been there? Are you still enjoying your dips in the pool? Sounds soooo lovely!

Off to bed for me - and with luck and prayers - to sleep!

Jody
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"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Oluwa · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:18 am Post subject:

Jody.. head hugs...

October 1, good heavens...that is so crazy when they schedule new patients so far out. I guess al the ones in between the time frame are the regulars. Soon, you will be a regular, on the two month schedule. I hope s/he is easy to break in. I know you were concerned about that.

I think maybe you should whine..three months is too long gurl.

When's the Gastro appointment, I know once we resolved my stomach issues a lot of my discomfort and pain went away. My chest pain, gut pain, tube pain..gone. I just get a bit of burn now and then. He suggest I come bback in 4 weeks from my last appointment but I feel I am doing fine...no reason to.

I think too, maybe you are in a flare....can you try a different combo of drugs when you are completely off the steroids? Cellcept and etc. I have no experience with those.

Can you go to your doctor and be treated for possible migraines? It is just awful that you have to be feeling like this...When I use to get migraines, where I would throw-up. I put ice packs all over my head..it hurt more at first, till it numb my head and then I fell asleep with ice pack still on me...

Or fold a scarf into a inch band, tight tightly around the forehead and knot in the back. It the pain is at eye level, but the scarf just above your eyebrows. You want the scarf tight but not to cut the blood circulation off. The purpose, and it does work for some headache types is to spread the blood evenly over the head. To draw it from pooling and dilating in the one spot where the ache is. A Finnish trick my MooMoo taught my Momma and she taught me...try it...

Have you tried filling your basin with ice water and splashing your face for the swollen eyes...

I wish I knew what to do, to say to help with the sleeping. Are you able to take naps during the day? Have you tried a bit of stretching before retiring? Warm milk? Turkey dinner?

Still warm in the south..hoovering mid 90's. After the rain falls it drops temporary to mid 70's. Haven't dip for a while. I have this rash I am tending to. A minor inconvenience. Clipped my nails to the quick and treating with care. If not better by tomorrow I plan to do a walk it at my Primary after my PT appointment..

PT is doing wonders...who knew...

Head hugs...asking God to help.
Love,
Oluwa
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mnjodette · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:33 am Post subject:

Good morning! I was just going to post or PM you to see how your rash is doing? Any better? Do you plan to do a walk-in with your primary doc? I itch just thinking about it! Hope you're better.

My days are up and down. Yesterday, a bit better; this morning, not so good (no sleep again.) Headache down to dull-roar yesterday, and seems to be OK this morning. Keep my fingers crossed. I'm going to try your headache ideas next time. I used to get migraines years ago; took atenolol to prevent; then they went away; stopped atenolol on rheumy's advice. Now they are back - but different. I'm thinking this is something else maybe?

I keep trading calls with the gastro scheduling desk. 5 calls so far. Sighhh.... at this rate, it'll be 2009 before I get in there.

Got to go to work. Wishing I didn't have to, but just too much going on. Hubby is going to teach almost full time this fall - so much for retirement! I might as well keep working, too!

Rain coming here...joints feel it. We rented a cabin for a long weekend - but rain in the forecast. Lots of games; it has a fireplace and a very nice view - we'll cozy up and still have fun.

Hope your rash is on the mend, Oluwa.

J.
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"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Oluwa · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:47 am Post subject:

Still itching, well trying to refrain from...

Love,
Oluwa
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Oluwa · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:58 am Post subject:

Hey Jody,

How was the weekend at the cabin? Any full nights sleep yet? Did you get a hold of th Gastro yet, or still playing phone tag?

I did do a walk-in/appointment. Rash is all gone, I don't think it was Asteatotic eczema as diagnosed. It didn't look like it compared to the Internet snaps, and after I dabbed the Licoid cream on it, it disappeared...but last night my skin itched everywhere...but no rash. Maybe I just need more lube for this recent itch...

Always something, eh?

Love,
Oluwa
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