Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
'23 - The Adventure Continues ;)
sKePTiKal:
Well, I'm leaning toward tan walls - it's tan with enough pink shade to read "warm", not blah. Ceiling will be a soft white and trim/doors will go sort of grayed down burnt sienna or mahoghany color. But I have time to change my mind - need to get drywall on site for the walls under/around the windows and pegboard downstairs for B. We're going to raise & box in a section of ceiling to mount a ceiling fan. Ceilings are too low to just surface mount. Originally, I was thinking white walls & ceiling - to give the most neutral "tint" for painting... but I then realized, I'm not planning on doing much painting. Sewing and perhaps some images in pencil or watercolor. But mostly sewing. I've got 3 projects waiting on non-dusty conditions in there.
Then, the old very cheap kitchen cabinets need to come down & go buh-bye. That will open up a big chunk of wall & floor space. There is a corner next to the bathroom that'll become a functional "tiny kitchen" and big broom closet. Open shelves for the glassware I keep; some mwable fiesta ware... have been looking at looking at invection burners and convection/air fryer ovens. We don't really cook out there - but we DO indulge in snacks!
Gigantic chocolate lab brown sectional sleep sofa is gonna go away and Hol's more mid-century black sofa will come in. Pub table is either getting cut down to coffe table height (Hol wants to keep the poor scarred up thing, because of the "history" of all the marks... :rolleyes: ) And I have at least 2 (for now) big cozy leather chairs for the bi-weekly "connection" & "catch-up" meetings we have around here.
All that is going to only be 1/3 of the space - the rest is actual studio. I may have room for some kind of sleeping arrangement, but I already have a double sleep sofa that might get added, opening up more space in the office. Decorating around here is constant "tetris".
B is still here. He finally had his PT range of motion test. Took 2 hrs, but lots of good news out of it. Even with his back issues, he's kept himself in good enough shape that his body is younger than his chronological age. But we STILL can't find the sweet spot on the stimulator. Because the leads are attached at S1 and S2 - the last 2 nerves on the spine, in him it's spawned some unwelcome and uncomfortable - and potentially dangerous - side effects. In that, he's so nauseous he can't keep anything down, and his sensory urge to empty his bladder & empty his bowels is gone. He can't even concentrate and "will" it to work.
Only the very first post-op program for the stimulator provides some relief without generating those side effects. Manufacturer's rep doesn't really believe us that within 12 -24 hrs after initiating any other program, the side effects return. So currently, the stimulator is off for a week. She asked for a month - and I negotiated it down because as of this morning, his pain level is way up again. Charging up the TENS unit, for use during this "time out". The side effects began after she programmed a different section of the lead to the nerves. We weren't even out of the parking lot - and he got zapped in the testicles. And it was a big zap. I pulled over and immedicately turned the controller down.
She is ignoring my suggestions - and our first-hand testing - that it's the stimulator causing these side effects but any quick search on the bodily sensations controlled by S1 & 2, quickly LISTS precisely those symptoms. Yeah, they're rare - but we already know his brain is wired differently. At least, I do. So, this rep is getting a taste of just who the "shield maiden" is and what her role is, in the patient - med provider relationship. I am not hostile or unreasonable, but I don't take not being believed sitting down, either.
He sure isn't one of those people who whines over every ache & pain; but within the constraints of placement at the time of surgery - and the type of stimulator - there should be a decent amount of pain relief without the side effects. And better education of these reps, wouldn't hurt either. It is not acceptable for any quality of life expectations to have to choose between even MORE Rx/life limiting "treatments" for the side effects or a high level of pain. He did have the NP (who I like very much) bump up the pain pump a smidgeon, while we try to figure the stimulator situation out.
I don't think it's too much to expect that he feels well enough, on a usual daily basis, to do the things he enjoys doing. And of course, these issues affect his mood. He's frustrated and not persuaded that he just HAS to become a recliner wart for the rest of his life. And he will push through and endure the pain to live his life.
There IS one more possibility, which involves another surgery - and the regular kind of stimulator. But that requires an orthopedic surgeon this time, due to the scar tissue around his spine. I don't think he'd consider that until after he finishes moving here. But at this rate - he can't clear the appt. schedule to get back and get another load.
So, there are good days - and no so good days. Some nights he can't sleep because of the pain. And we keep looking for those "simple things" that bring pleasure, laughter & joy. I'm right here, going thru all of it with him... so yeah, it's affecting me some days too. I'm reading and falling asleep early; trying to keep my energy levels up. We're watching favorite movies & series - right now, into Deadwood again.
Looks like the contractors might be done before Halloween. Starting on the 2nd set of steps (1st & back deck is complete) and siding the 2nd story.
Hopalong:
My old friend B who's coming to visit has an implanted stimulator too. I wish B's was working as well as his. Makes me sad to realize your B is still suffering.
Hang in there, you two.
Hugs,
Hops
lighter:
Tetris decorating is exactly our style too, Amber, lol.
Exactly.
I'm always surprised at B's ability to persevere through so much pain and medical incompetence/stupidity/obstructionists. His mood would fluctuate.... how could it not? I don't know whether to pray for another surgery or not. I'll focus on relief and more good days than bad.
Hope your contractors finish up in October.
Cool weather has arrived, YES!!
sKePTiKal:
Well, last night contractor said they will likely finish next week. But we're getting rain from a nor'easter this weekend and into Tuesday - so we'll see. West side (tall side) is completely sided. 2nd new deck is mostly done; it still needs roof over stairs. That's to keep it cleaner in the snow.
I've spent my time this week exploring ideas/options for the interior remodel. I still need to insulate downstairs in garage where a french door was removed. Pegboard for there, and drywall for studio will be here Sat. I also ordered enough beadboard to set up my back door mudroom & finish the walls in the laundry room. Next spring, we'll take out one of the garage doors under the house and close it in - that becomes my big storage pantry/root cellar type storage.
B hit a hurry up & wait on the backhoe refurbish, so he's cutting up & splitting the trees we had taken down this spring. Grrrrrrrr.... stimulator rep convinced him to leave it turned off till Monday, when he shows up for a knee exam. I guess MAYBE she took the time to look up the functionality affected by nerves S1 & S2. I hope so... or shield maiden is gonna reveal her berserker lineage... LOL.
Hol has finally realized that even when S is home - she is the only one doing EVERYTHING. This morning, she's assembling/customizing what stovepipe pieces she has to get her woodstove ready for another fire season after the chimney fire. If she doesn't call my sweep - I'll do it for her. She's ordered a high wind resistant chimney cap to cope with the wind tunnel effect of being almost at the bottom of the hollar. Next weekend, she's paying a buddy of hers and one of his workers to FINALLY get the greenhouse put up. I've suggested S might should pay have of the agreed price... since he's the one who kept promising to help her and didn't. If he doesn't want to do the work, it's just as reasonable to pay someone else to do it, n'est-ce pas?
B's mood is about what you'd expect. going without the extra pain relief of the stimulator. But it isn't bothering me. When I get tired of the grumpasaurus, I've got the studio planning & interior work to do. And that's a FUN exercise. I've had the basic idea for years now. And as I start to refine/measure/map out and think about surfaces & finishes for this "tiny kitchen/bar area" - and how that further impacts the REST of the multi-purpose space - more & more new things are occuring to me. Just like with the paint colors... that room is less about the stringent "rules of thumb" for image creation and more about my new inspiration for sewing & fabric stuff. I might even revisit the wish to get a loom, and start some weaving. Don't know yet. There is going to be some serious furniture swapping going on, to provide accommodation for overflow guests. Plumbing changes too. But all of that can happen in it's own time with no pressure.
Well, we have some errands to run this morning. So, I need to check my stock & see if I have enough sour cream & a can of chopped chili peppers for the batch of chili I'm making this weekend. Then, we're gonna hibernate this weekend.
Twoapenny:
Skep, 'shield maiden is gonna reveal her beserker lineage' is now my current favourite phase :) Lol. I do hope that B gets to a point where this constant pain and the endless back and forth to doctors and insurance people is at least manageable. It's so tiring trying to find a way through it all. I'm glad you've got plenty of projects and home work going on to give you other things to focus on (although it must be exhausting at times). Be good if H shoves S up that chimney from time to time :) Might perk him up a bit lol x
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