Health Issues and an Update

Kathy,
I don't know what to say except to tell you that I care an awful lot about
you and hope you have a better day today.
KathyH
"Kathy N-V" wrote in message
. giganews.com...
Note: Long and whiny and no reply is necessary. It just helps to vent
once
in a while.

----------------

Things aren't going very well here in Boston. I've been on a steep
downward
spiral since August, and my docs have been unable to do anything to slow
it
down. On my bad days, I cannot walk to the bathroom without assistance,
and
the bad days are getting much more frequent. Over this weekend, Bob is
installing a gate (a sturdy one) across the front stairwell, because I'm
so
unsteady on my feet that we're all afraid I'll fall, and with my
osteoporosis
(also markedly worse according to the latest bone density test), I'd break
my
hip or something. I've also asked that Bob install hand rails down our
hallway, and I wasn't kidding around.

My latest X-rays show that the spine never did much healing beyond the
original post-surgery X-rays. Happily, that also means I don't have to
have
the surgery again, since I won't heal and what's the point? I tease Bob
and
the kids that if someone tail ends the car, my head is going to fall off
and
roll down the street. (And that they should call one of those TV lawyers
and
collect some big bucks if it does) The spine, shoulder and arm are still
very painful, and I didn't regain the full range of motion. I can't carry
anything much in my left hand anymore, but I've worked out one handed bead
weaving. It's slow, but I manage.

Yesterday I had an arrhythmia episode that caused me to faint while I was
lying down. That leaves me in a bit of a quandary, since lying down is
what
I usually do to regain consciousness. The episode left me so wiped that I
slept from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., (after my night's sleep) with only a few
short wakings to get a drink, then I went to bed for my usual two hours at
a
stretch before the pain wakes me. I can still bead for short periods, as
long as I'm completely reclined in my chair.

My cardiologist and pulmonologist agree that I am not a candidate for any
kind of transplant - I used to be too well for one, and now I'm too sick.
The best we can hope for is to slow down the deterioration. At this
week's
appointment, my pulmonologist told me that my lungs were "semi-functional,
and that's a kind assessment."

On a good day, I can go for a ride with Bob and perhaps go out to lunch,
as
long as I take a good long nap before and after. I have to use a
wheelchair
about 75% of the time when we're out of the house, and I usually have DD,
Bob
or P/T D supporting me when I walk. If I'm volunteering at the school, I
sit
in my chair and the kids come to me. We're considering taking the Bug off
the road, since driving is now pretty much totally out of the question.
(It's insured through January, and I'll make a final decision then)

The kids and I were listening to Alanis Morrisette, and I commented that
her
definition of ironic was more than a little off. Naturally, they wanted
examples. I told them that I'm still gaining weight, even though I get
too
tired to eat (how whacked is that? eating exhausts me), but my heart is
too
weak to get rid of all the excess fluid. Gaining weight on fewer than 800
calories a day is definitely ironic. Becki - I'm drinking nutritional
drinks
(ugh) to make sure I get the vitamins/minerals/protein I need, as well as
taking Flax Seed oil, MSM, a multivitamin and calcium. (The doc okayed
that
regimen, but I was warned against any kind of herb. Ever since I went
into
anaphylactic shock from Tom's of Maine toothpaste, we're all very wary of
plant products)

BTW, the cardiologist and I are trying to find some kind of potassium
sparing
diuretic - if I get even a little low on potassium, I have arrhythmia
problems, and taking potassium tablets isn't helping. Bob checked every
brand of juice at the market, and I now drink the ones with the most
potassium per serving. I don't do bananas: they have to be green, but
not
too green, and I trust no one to pick them out for me.

If I owe anyone email, snail mail or phone calls, please forgive me. It's
just not happening right now, although I remain hopeful that things will
get
at least a little better sometime soon. Maybe when we get a frost, the
allergies will stop triggering the asthma and I'll feel a little better.

Thanks for listening to me gripe and moan. I'd get up for a little whine
with that, but it's too much of a PITA.

Kathy N-V

I will remember you in my prayers, Kathy. God Bless and hope you get well
soon.

Many warm hugs!

--
Amanda
http://mysite.freeserve.com/amanda_rose_designs
http://www.picturetrail.com/amandarose1

Ditto here.

"Diana Curtis" wrote in message
...
Same here.
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"mkahogan" wrote in message
...
Kathy,
I don't know what to say except to tell you that I care an awful lot
about
you and hope you have a better day today.
KathyH
"Kathy N-V" wrote in message
. giganews.com...
Note: Long and whiny and no reply is necessary. It just helps to
vent
once
in a while.

----------------

Things aren't going very well here in Boston. I've been on a steep
downward
spiral since August, and my docs have been unable to do anything to
slow
it
down. On my bad days, I cannot walk to the bathroom without
assistance,
and
the bad days are getting much more frequent. Over this weekend, Bob
is
installing a gate (a sturdy one) across the front stairwell, because
I'm
so
unsteady on my feet that we're all afraid I'll fall, and with my
osteoporosis
(also markedly worse according to the latest bone density test), I'd
break
my
hip or something. I've also asked that Bob install hand rails down
our
hallway, and I wasn't kidding around.

My latest X-rays show that the spine never did much healing beyond the
original post-surgery X-rays. Happily, that also means I don't have
to
have
the surgery again, since I won't heal and what's the point? I tease
Bob
and
the kids that if someone tail ends the car, my head is going to fall
off
and
roll down the street. (And that they should call one of those TV
lawyers
and
collect some big bucks if it does) The spine, shoulder and arm are
still
very painful, and I didn't regain the full range of motion. I can't
carry
anything much in my left hand anymore, but I've worked out one handed
bead
weaving. It's slow, but I manage.

Yesterday I had an arrhythmia episode that caused me to faint while I
was
lying down. That leaves me in a bit of a quandary, since lying down
is
what
I usually do to regain consciousness. The episode left me so wiped
that
I
slept from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., (after my night's sleep) with only a
few
short wakings to get a drink, then I went to bed for my usual two
hours
at
a
stretch before the pain wakes me. I can still bead for short periods,
as
long as I'm completely reclined in my chair.

My cardiologist and pulmonologist agree that I am not a candidate for
any
kind of transplant - I used to be too well for one, and now I'm too
sick.
The best we can hope for is to slow down the deterioration. At this
week's
appointment, my pulmonologist told me that my lungs were
"semi-functional,
and that's a kind assessment."

On a good day, I can go for a ride with Bob and perhaps go out to
lunch,
as
long as I take a good long nap before and after. I have to use a
wheelchair
about 75% of the time when we're out of the house, and I usually have
DD,
Bob
or P/T D supporting me when I walk. If I'm volunteering at the
school,
I
sit
in my chair and the kids come to me. We're considering taking the Bug
off
the road, since driving is now pretty much totally out of the
question.
(It's insured through January, and I'll make a final decision then)

The kids and I were listening to Alanis Morrisette, and I commented
that
her
definition of ironic was more than a little off. Naturally, they
wanted
examples. I told them that I'm still gaining weight, even though I
get
too
tired to eat (how whacked is that? eating exhausts me), but my heart
is
too
weak to get rid of all the excess fluid. Gaining weight on fewer than
800
calories a day is definitely ironic. Becki - I'm drinking nutritional
drinks
(ugh) to make sure I get the vitamins/minerals/protein I need, as well
as
taking Flax Seed oil, MSM, a multivitamin and calcium. (The doc okayed
that
regimen, but I was warned against any kind of herb. Ever since I went
into
anaphylactic shock from Tom's of Maine toothpaste, we're all very wary
of
plant products)

BTW, the cardiologist and I are trying to find some kind of potassium
sparing
diuretic - if I get even a little low on potassium, I have arrhythmia
problems, and taking potassium tablets isn't helping. Bob checked
every
brand of juice at the market, and I now drink the ones with the most
potassium per serving. I don't do bananas: they have to be green,
but
not
too green, and I trust no one to pick them out for me.

If I owe anyone email, snail mail or phone calls, please forgive me.
It's
just not happening right now, although I remain hopeful that things
will
get
at least a little better sometime soon. Maybe when we get a frost,
the
allergies will stop triggering the asthma and I'll feel a little
better.

Thanks for listening to me gripe and moan. I'd get up for a little
whine
with that, but it's too much of a PITA.

Kathy N-V

Prayers and good vibes --

Elise

--
This is a post-only address.
Send replies to e_lewis AT bellsouth DOT net
(with the obvious corrections)
"Kathy N-V" wrote in message
. giganews.com...
Note: Long and whiny and no reply is necessary. It just helps to vent
once
in a while.

----------------

Things aren't going very well here in Boston. I've been on a steep
downward
spiral since August, and my docs have been unable to do anything to slow
it
down. On my bad days, I cannot walk to the bathroom without assistance,
and
the bad days are getting much more frequent. Over this weekend, Bob is
installing a gate (a sturdy one) across the front stairwell, because I'm
so
unsteady on my feet that we're all afraid I'll fall, and with my
osteoporosis
(also markedly worse according to the latest bone density test), I'd break
my
hip or something. I've also asked that Bob install hand rails down our
hallway, and I wasn't kidding around.

My latest X-rays show that the spine never did much healing beyond the
original post-surgery X-rays. Happily, that also means I don't have to
have
the surgery again, since I won't heal and what's the point? I tease Bob
and
the kids that if someone tail ends the car, my head is going to fall off
and
roll down the street. (And that they should call one of those TV lawyers
and
collect some big bucks if it does) The spine, shoulder and arm are still
very painful, and I didn't regain the full range of motion. I can't carry
anything much in my left hand anymore, but I've worked out one handed bead
weaving. It's slow, but I manage.

Yesterday I had an arrhythmia episode that caused me to faint while I was
lying down. That leaves me in a bit of a quandary, since lying down is
what
I usually do to regain consciousness. The episode left me so wiped that I
slept from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., (after my night's sleep) with only a few
short wakings to get a drink, then I went to bed for my usual two hours at
a
stretch before the pain wakes me. I can still bead for short periods, as
long as I'm completely reclined in my chair.

My cardiologist and pulmonologist agree that I am not a candidate for any
kind of transplant - I used to be too well for one, and now I'm too sick.
The best we can hope for is to slow down the deterioration. At this
week's
appointment, my pulmonologist told me that my lungs were "semi-functional,
and that's a kind assessment."

On a good day, I can go for a ride with Bob and perhaps go out to lunch,
as
long as I take a good long nap before and after. I have to use a
wheelchair
about 75% of the time when we're out of the house, and I usually have DD,
Bob
or P/T D supporting me when I walk. If I'm volunteering at the school, I
sit
in my chair and the kids come to me. We're considering taking the Bug off
the road, since driving is now pretty much totally out of the question.
(It's insured through January, and I'll make a final decision then)

The kids and I were listening to Alanis Morrisette, and I commented that
her
definition of ironic was more than a little off. Naturally, they wanted
examples. I told them that I'm still gaining weight, even though I get
too
tired to eat (how whacked is that? eating exhausts me), but my heart is
too
weak to get rid of all the excess fluid. Gaining weight on fewer than 800
calories a day is definitely ironic. Becki - I'm drinking nutritional
drinks
(ugh) to make sure I get the vitamins/minerals/protein I need, as well as
taking Flax Seed oil, MSM, a multivitamin and calcium. (The doc okayed
that
regimen, but I was warned against any kind of herb. Ever since I went
into
anaphylactic shock from Tom's of Maine toothpaste, we're all very wary of
plant products)

BTW, the cardiologist and I are trying to find some kind of potassium
sparing
diuretic - if I get even a little low on potassium, I have arrhythmia
problems, and taking potassium tablets isn't helping. Bob checked every
brand of juice at the market, and I now drink the ones with the most
potassium per serving. I don't do bananas: they have to be green, but
not
too green, and I trust no one to pick them out for me.

If I owe anyone email, snail mail or phone calls, please forgive me. It's
just not happening right now, although I remain hopeful that things will
get
at least a little better sometime soon. Maybe when we get a frost, the
allergies will stop triggering the asthma and I'll feel a little better.

Thanks for listening to me gripe and moan. I'd get up for a little whine
with that, but it's too much of a PITA.

Kathy N-V

Don't know what else to say, except that if I were there, I'd give you a big
old hug and fetch Diet Coke for you on demand!

--

Barbara
www.penguintrax.com

eBay: pnguintrax
Justbeadsenguintrax

0
/O\


Need web hosting? Check out http://www.lyonshost.com

Well, hell, Kathy, what're we gonna do with you! hugshugshugs

Two possibly useful suggestions. I'm on Maxzide, which is pretty much only a
diuretic and is supposed to be potassium sparing. I'm a little doubtful
about this, though, but hey I'm in AZ where sweating is a way of life. I've
found a wonderful juice drink that's fairly natural and, depending on the
flavor, loaded with potassium (and low-ish in sodium). It's Kern's fruit
juice drinks, which come in soda-sized cans and usually lives in the juice
aisle. My favorites are apricot and peach, which have about 300 mg of
potassium each. They're not thick, like the "nectar" type juices, very
drinakble. If you don't have them near you, I'd be glad to send you some
flavors (not banana) for you to try out.

--
KarenK
Desert Dreamer Designs
http://members.cox.net/desertdreameraz/
Ebay Sto http://www.stores.ebay.com/desertdreamerdesigns
JustBeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=DesertDreamer

I was going to ask whether someplace like AZ, where the mold and humidity
aren't such issues, wouldn't be a better place for you to live. Maybe you
would have less athsma and allergies there. I never had any of it until I
move here to coastal Virginia.

I hope you will be miraculously healed! And whine all you like,we'll get you
some cheese to go with that and turn it into a party until you feel better!

--
It could work.

Live and be well,
Christy
"Karen_AZ" wrote in message
news:%WRjb.24059$hp5.5792@fed1read04...
Well, hell, Kathy, what're we gonna do with you! hugshugshugs

Two possibly useful suggestions. I'm on Maxzide, which is pretty much only
a
diuretic and is supposed to be potassium sparing. I'm a little doubtful
about this, though, but hey I'm in AZ where sweating is a way of life.
I've
found a wonderful juice drink that's fairly natural and, depending on the
flavor, loaded with potassium (and low-ish in sodium). It's Kern's fruit
juice drinks, which come in soda-sized cans and usually lives in the juice
aisle. My favorites are apricot and peach, which have about 300 mg of
potassium each. They're not thick, like the "nectar" type juices, very
drinakble. If you don't have them near you, I'd be glad to send you some
flavors (not banana) for you to try out.

--
KarenK
Desert Dreamer Designs
http://members.cox.net/desertdreameraz/
Ebay Sto http://www.stores.ebay.com/desertdreamerdesigns
JustBeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=DesertDreamer

Same here.
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"mkahogan" wrote in message
...
Kathy,
I don't know what to say except to tell you that I care an awful lot
about
you and hope you have a better day today.
KathyH
"Kathy N-V" wrote in message
. giganews.com...
Note: Long and whiny and no reply is necessary. It just helps to vent
once
in a while.

----------------

Things aren't going very well here in Boston. I've been on a steep
downward
spiral since August, and my docs have been unable to do anything to slow
it
down. On my bad days, I cannot walk to the bathroom without assistance,
and
the bad days are getting much more frequent. Over this weekend, Bob is
installing a gate (a sturdy one) across the front stairwell, because I'm
so
unsteady on my feet that we're all afraid I'll fall, and with my
osteoporosis
(also markedly worse according to the latest bone density test), I'd
break
my
hip or something. I've also asked that Bob install hand rails down our
hallway, and I wasn't kidding around.

My latest X-rays show that the spine never did much healing beyond the
original post-surgery X-rays. Happily, that also means I don't have to
have
the surgery again, since I won't heal and what's the point? I tease Bob
and
the kids that if someone tail ends the car, my head is going to fall off
and
roll down the street. (And that they should call one of those TV lawyers
and
collect some big bucks if it does) The spine, shoulder and arm are
still
very painful, and I didn't regain the full range of motion. I can't
carry
anything much in my left hand anymore, but I've worked out one handed
bead
weaving. It's slow, but I manage.

Yesterday I had an arrhythmia episode that caused me to faint while I
was
lying down. That leaves me in a bit of a quandary, since lying down is
what
I usually do to regain consciousness. The episode left me so wiped that
I
slept from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., (after my night's sleep) with only a few
short wakings to get a drink, then I went to bed for my usual two hours
at
a
stretch before the pain wakes me. I can still bead for short periods,
as
long as I'm completely reclined in my chair.

My cardiologist and pulmonologist agree that I am not a candidate for
any
kind of transplant - I used to be too well for one, and now I'm too
sick.
The best we can hope for is to slow down the deterioration. At this
week's
appointment, my pulmonologist told me that my lungs were
"semi-functional,
and that's a kind assessment."

On a good day, I can go for a ride with Bob and perhaps go out to lunch,
as
long as I take a good long nap before and after. I have to use a
wheelchair
about 75% of the time when we're out of the house, and I usually have
DD,
Bob
or P/T D supporting me when I walk. If I'm volunteering at the school,
I
sit
in my chair and the kids come to me. We're considering taking the Bug
off
the road, since driving is now pretty much totally out of the question.
(It's insured through January, and I'll make a final decision then)

The kids and I were listening to Alanis Morrisette, and I commented that
her
definition of ironic was more than a little off. Naturally, they wanted
examples. I told them that I'm still gaining weight, even though I get
too
tired to eat (how whacked is that? eating exhausts me), but my heart is
too
weak to get rid of all the excess fluid. Gaining weight on fewer than
800
calories a day is definitely ironic. Becki - I'm drinking nutritional
drinks
(ugh) to make sure I get the vitamins/minerals/protein I need, as well
as
taking Flax Seed oil, MSM, a multivitamin and calcium. (The doc okayed
that
regimen, but I was warned against any kind of herb. Ever since I went
into
anaphylactic shock from Tom's of Maine toothpaste, we're all very wary
of
plant products)

BTW, the cardiologist and I are trying to find some kind of potassium
sparing
diuretic - if I get even a little low on potassium, I have arrhythmia
problems, and taking potassium tablets isn't helping. Bob checked every
brand of juice at the market, and I now drink the ones with the most
potassium per serving. I don't do bananas: they have to be green, but
not
too green, and I trust no one to pick them out for me.

If I owe anyone email, snail mail or phone calls, please forgive me.
It's
just not happening right now, although I remain hopeful that things will
get
at least a little better sometime soon. Maybe when we get a frost, the
allergies will stop triggering the asthma and I'll feel a little better.

Thanks for listening to me gripe and moan. I'd get up for a little
whine
with that, but it's too much of a PITA.

Kathy N-V

I was going to ask whether someplace like AZ, where the mold and humidity
aren't such issues, wouldn't be a better place for you to live. Maybe you
would have less athsma and allergies there. I never had any of it until I
move here to coastal Virginia.

Um, think again! To quote Mike "too damn many easterners have moved in and
tried to turn the desert into Minnesota." G I still live on Clarinex,
though it's more seasonal here, instead of all the time. The humidity isn't
nearly as much of an issue, but there are plenty of pollens, and dust is
much worse. The mold thing baffles me, but I've been told homeowner's
insurance here has skyrocketed because of mold claims. Who knew????


--
KarenK
Desert Dreamer Designs
http://members.cox.net/desertdreameraz/
Ebay Sto http://www.stores.ebay.com/desertdreamerdesigns
JustBeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=DesertDreamer

Kathy, you are much loved here and everywhere! Your generosity,
your wonderful stories, your loving nature, your amazing one-handed
beadwork and for a million and one other things. Many prayers for
better days for you soon.
hugZ,
Linda

"Kathy N-V" wrote in message
. giganews.com...
: Note: Long and whiny and no reply is necessary. It just helps to
vent once
: in a while.
:
: ----------------
:
: Things aren't going very well here in Boston. I've been on a
steep downward
: spiral since August, and my docs have been unable to do anything
to slow it
: down. On my bad days, I cannot walk to the bathroom without
assistance, and
: the bad days are getting much more frequent. Over this weekend,
Bob is
: installing a gate (a sturdy one) across the front stairwell,
because I'm so
: unsteady on my feet that we're all afraid I'll fall, and with my
osteoporosis
: (also markedly worse according to the latest bone density test),
I'd break my
: hip or something. I've also asked that Bob install hand rails
down our
: hallway, and I wasn't kidding around.
:
: My latest X-rays show that the spine never did much healing beyond
the
: original post-surgery X-rays. Happily, that also means I don't
have to have
: the surgery again, since I won't heal and what's the point? I
tease Bob and
: the kids that if someone tail ends the car, my head is going to
fall off and
: roll down the street. (And that they should call one of those TV
lawyers and
: collect some big bucks if it does) The spine, shoulder and arm
are still
: very painful, and I didn't regain the full range of motion. I
can't carry
: anything much in my left hand anymore, but I've worked out one
handed bead
: weaving. It's slow, but I manage.
:
: Yesterday I had an arrhythmia episode that caused me to faint
while I was
: lying down. That leaves me in a bit of a quandary, since lying
down is what
: I usually do to regain consciousness. The episode left me so
wiped that I
: slept from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., (after my night's sleep) with only
a few
: short wakings to get a drink, then I went to bed for my usual two
hours at a
: stretch before the pain wakes me. I can still bead for short
periods, as
: long as I'm completely reclined in my chair.
:
: My cardiologist and pulmonologist agree that I am not a candidate
for any
: kind of transplant - I used to be too well for one, and now I'm
too sick.
: The best we can hope for is to slow down the deterioration. At
this week's
: appointment, my pulmonologist told me that my lungs were
"semi-functional,
: and that's a kind assessment."
:
: On a good day, I can go for a ride with Bob and perhaps go out to
lunch, as
: long as I take a good long nap before and after. I have to use a
wheelchair
: about 75% of the time when we're out of the house, and I usually
have DD, Bob
: or P/T D supporting me when I walk. If I'm volunteering at the
school, I sit
: in my chair and the kids come to me. We're considering taking the
Bug off
: the road, since driving is now pretty much totally out of the
question.
: (It's insured through January, and I'll make a final decision
then)
:
: The kids and I were listening to Alanis Morrisette, and I
commented that her
: definition of ironic was more than a little off. Naturally, they
wanted
: examples. I told them that I'm still gaining weight, even though
I get too
: tired to eat (how whacked is that? eating exhausts me), but my
heart is too
: weak to get rid of all the excess fluid. Gaining weight on fewer
than 800
: calories a day is definitely ironic. Becki - I'm drinking
nutritional drinks
: (ugh) to make sure I get the vitamins/minerals/protein I need, as
well as
: taking Flax Seed oil, MSM, a multivitamin and calcium. (The doc
okayed that
: regimen, but I was warned against any kind of herb. Ever since I
went into
: anaphylactic shock from Tom's of Maine toothpaste, we're all very
wary of
: plant products)
:
: BTW, the cardiologist and I are trying to find some kind of
potassium sparing
: diuretic - if I get even a little low on potassium, I have
arrhythmia
: problems, and taking potassium tablets isn't helping. Bob checked
every
: brand of juice at the market, and I now drink the ones with the
most
: potassium per serving. I don't do bananas: they have to be
green, but not
: too green, and I trust no one to pick them out for me.
:
: If I owe anyone email, snail mail or phone calls, please forgive
me. It's
: just not happening right now, although I remain hopeful that
things will get
: at least a little better sometime soon. Maybe when we get a
frost, the
: allergies will stop triggering the asthma and I'll feel a little
better.
:
: Thanks for listening to me gripe and moan. I'd get up for a
little whine
: with that, but it's too much of a PITA.
:
: Kathy N-V
:


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