Health Updates

[sKePTiKal]

Hops, see if you have a close National Pain & Spine center near you. It's kind of a combo pain management & solution/diagnosis practice. They'll get to the bottom of the cause of the spasms/pain and starting with the least invasive and onerous treatments, get you functional again. Including alternative/complimentary therapies.

That's been Buck's saving grace, but there are LOTS of things they will suggest and try to provide relief before getting close to the device implant stage. That is their protocol: start with the easy things, fewest risks... and see if relief is obtained. I like that approach a lot, versus what one normally sees on offer.

If you can't stand long enough to cook, then there is SOMETHING causing this spasm situation and it should be addressed. For your quality of life, ya know? 

[lighter]

I don't understand what symptoms are attached to which activities.  I don't know if it's muscular or skeletal or nerve pain. 

The skeleton needs to line up, from head to toe, or things go sideways is all I know for sure.

I hope you're fing better, ((Hops.))]

Lighter

[Hopalong]

Thanks (Amber))).
Years ago when I was hauling my dad out of the bathrub and, later, my hefty Nmom off the floor...my previously-blown-by-heavy-lifting two slipped disks at the bottom of my spine got so bad I went to a pain clinic, and five times had spinal injections to build scarring to protect the crazed nerves. The blessing was, it worked! For 2 months.

I'm nowhere near as bad as that now. In more recent years I just learned my limits and when I mind them (unlike in extended food prep or repetitive bending, iow gardening)...I'm mostly comfortable. Nowwhere near ready for any more drastic interventions such as an implant, and once I re-start a baby-step fitness thing, it WILL (and does) improve. I miss my judo days but I'm 73!

And ((((Lighter)))) Thanks to you too for caring. And you've aso given me some excellent tips and ideas. I'm grateful! The simple version is just that FOR NOW, anything involving standing (chopping or stirring or fetching) for more than 10-15 minutes isn't on the physical menu. But that's okay, I'm not starving.

Imo, it's nothing to despair about. Back to the baby steps and I truly do believe in renewal, physically as well as mentally. Got a new referral to start again w/PT. BTW, the pain you're asking about isn't spinal misalignment, it's muscle spasms that kick in when the compressed disks object to me standing for long. A lot of that is due to me spending too much time horizontal, which will change as/when I get fitter.

Thanks for the inspiration, botha youse.

big hugs,
Hops

[Hopalong]

Ugh. We're at 169 AQI and the smoke blocks the horizon view of mountains. Never seen this level of haze before.

So, hunkering home with Pooch, changed my AC filter, and an trying not to think too hard. Masking in car and outdoors on way to mammogram. Such a strange time.

hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

We were 180 on this side of the mountain, Hops.

It's noticeable, but we're all still functioning. Maybe at a lower intensity. Hol noticed a "hot asphalt" smell, I only caught a suggestivle whiff of it.

[Hopalong]

Well, spit.

Had another episode of aphasia last night (not as bad as it was during the wee stroke) but though I could speak well, writing was gibberish. Drove myself to the ER after a friend offered and told her, hey listen, I'm talking fine! She was the one who drove me 4 years ago when I couldn't talk right, so she got the difference.

Waited 3 hours (they were jammed) and by midnight took myself home. I was writing again on my phone and able to chat to seat mate, so I figured it was an aphasia episode but not a stroke. Got home and wrote a detailed description and sent to the cardiologist, neurology and my PCP. First two responded right away (neurology wants me to have next available appt, cardiology wants an extra unscheduled reading of the implant recorder, and I see PCP for a routine followup early next month anyway).

Having two responses this morning already made me feel well cared for and I feel normal again. Look, I'm writing! But have to admit it's a scary thing whenever it happens. Mom's big stroke haunts me and my wee one does too at times. Makes me appreciate a lovely day and funny pooch more, though.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

I am so sorry that you had to go through that, Hops, and I'm glad it passed.  Please don't ever drive in that situation again though, especially if you have someone else willing to take you.  I'm glad the docs got back to you quickly and hope they are able to give you some useful information when you see them.  I bet Pooch was glad to see you home I hope you're feeling alright today, does it make you feel very tired?  I'm imagining it's a lot for the body and mind to process.  I hope your appointments come through quickly xx

[sKePTiKal]

((((((Hugs Hopsie)))))

[Hopalong]

Thanks, ((((Tupp)))). I was tired the next day, slept right through the morning. Pooch was indeed pleased to see me and cuddling her cures all. Went out and about and took Board minutes at our meeting yesterday afternoon, this morning cranked out a draft for review. Words worked. I feel pretty good. I just never know when aphasia will kick off and medicos always say, Go to ER! (And wait 8 hours...sigh--though that's unfair because when I had the Real Stroke they zipped me back.)

Thanks to you too, Amber. I am learning to live with the Ticking Clock of Doom in my head. Best shortcut is reminding myself that we all have one, I'm just one of the zillions who get irregular reminders. Probably the universe is trying to get my ohlookasquirrel! attention.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

I'm glad normal service was resumed quickly, with the aid of Pooch and her super cuddles.  It is hard when you know that 'it might happen' risk is always there, it can be hard to focus on other things.  I'm glad you've got your projects going on, that's when I think being involved in things can really help.  It's a sort of external focus and I find that helpful.  I do get what you say about going to ER, it's very difficult in those situations but no-one wants to sit there for eight hours, most of which they no longer have the issue that took them there in the first place!  Frustrating.  Let us know what the docs come back with when you see them, when is next appointment? xx

[Hopalong]

I see PCP (primary care provider) and cardiologist in early November and am still waiting for word on neurology clinic.

I'm really not worrying much. I feel basically peaceful and pretty content. It's just a thing that helps to think about -- we all have The Clock and that's nature fer ya.

I'm doing fine, had a long talk w/friend B that was very nurturing and will be Zooming with poet friend later today.

Thanks for checking.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

Good, I'm glad appointments are coming up quickly and that friends are about (face to face or any way!  Lol). xx

[Hopalong]

Welp, did quite the whoopsie-do in the bathroom around 5am (after 2 hours' sleep) and SLAMMED my back down on the tilted top edge of the lid. You can see the indentation of its shape on my back! Slipped on a bath rug. I've definitely bruised back ribs but if it's not better enough tomorrow after my mini-speech (program for the Village and other orgs) I'll go to the ER for an xray. Just in case there's fracture. (They seldom offer much other than drugs but if it hurts when you breathe they pay close attn because it can risk pneumonia. Mine does hurt but only in one position.)

Should have done that this morning but had maneuvered myself back onto the bed and did get some more sleep. Could've gone I suppose but last time I was there the wait time was between 4 and 12 hours (after they checked me out to rule out active stroke) and the chairs absolutely messed with my back and I wasn't capable of the wait with the pain. They were jammed; not their fault.

Just a whiiiiiine. All will be well. Old zombie woman + bunched-up bath rug = stupid stuff happens.

hugs
Hops

I'll go tomorrow in the early afternoon, which is possibly a less-busy time.

[sKePTiKal]

 Maybe an urgent care would be less wait, Hopsie.

[Hopalong]

Thanks, hon. I don't know if they accept Medicare though. I could go to the nearby community hospital ER for this, as it's smaller and normally less jammed.

May do that later today -- have to give a little talk about the Village at 11am. The one concern with ribs, if broken (I believe the bottom one may be) is that if it interferes with breathing deeply (one is), that can encourage pneumonia in olderies. I should suck it up and get the image.

Hugs, gingerly,
Hops