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Post by jeffn on Aug 17, 2014 8:10:14 GMT -5
Are you behaving in there? Nurses are the worst patients. I wish/hope they find some answers for you SOON. Thinking about your low red count, how does your stomach feel? Hang tough Christel!
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Post by christel on Aug 17, 2014 18:57:55 GMT -5
Wow. I didn't know I had it in me to pull an all-nighter at my ripe old age of 54, but I did.. Looking at the clock every 10-15 minutes, thinking surely it must be morning. IV narcotics are not working, so now the dr. has me on Percocet two tablets every 6 hours, with iv narcs in between as needed. The plan is to get my pain under control with all oral meds so I can go home. I am still in the observation area of hospital. I have also been running a low grade temperature. I sure am special! I am so foggy from everything going on, I can't even think straight anymore. Wait til they send me home on pain medications... More later. I've not much more to do while sitting here than keeping my buddies up to date!
Christel
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Post by jeffn on Aug 18, 2014 18:07:08 GMT -5
Appreciate the update. Your typing is perfect and considering the drug induced haze that is quite an accomplishment . Nice going. When do you think they will cut you loose? Do they have any thoughts about what is causing the wound on the leg? The low grade temp is vexing they have you on any antibiotics? Hope you sleep better tonight Christel.
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Post by nhnancy on Aug 18, 2014 20:16:44 GMT -5
Christel, I am following your updates, geesch..I am .sorry....you are having hard time! Hoping they find something to give you relief!
get better....
Nancy in NH
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Post by jeffn on Aug 19, 2014 6:36:54 GMT -5
Good morning Christel, Hope you had a better rest last night and that they give you some answers today.
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Post by christel on Aug 19, 2014 9:55:26 GMT -5
'Good' morning, I got home yesterday afternoon, when they decided I did not meet criteria for a full admission for pain control. I was not using the IV pain meds as they weren't really working, so I guess that meant that I was fine to be discharged. Hmm. In the meantime, I was on an increased dose of oral meds, so much so that I maxed out on the pain medicine I am allowed to have (acetaminophen) in the med formula, so they essentially cut me off..now, doesn't that sound like a drug-seeking person? The whole thing just is an ill-managed mess, IMHO. The wound care drs. gave me a prescription for a new (acetaminophen-free) medicine, which we dropped off at the pharmacy on our way home. Wellllll, the medicine needs prior authorization to be filled as the formula ordered (an extended release) is more expensive. So, when we got home, I tracked down the doctor and he very graciously carried out the proper phone calling and faxing of info to obtain the authorization. So, I took a dose of medicine I had at home (with acetaminophen!!) last night in order to sleep. I feel terrible this morning, am in a lot of leg pain, and am kind of queasy, too. I go to the wound clinic tomorrow for a dressing change. That makes me a little nervous as I know there is dried blood on there and I cringe to think of how it is going to feel. I know: stop being such a baby!
Have a good day. I hope to have better news next time around!
Christel
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Post by nhnancy on Aug 20, 2014 11:46:47 GMT -5
Christel, hi, jeeze...I hope your dressing change went ok! did you get the new pain med, did it wok?
thinking of you! Nancy...
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Post by christel on Aug 20, 2014 21:17:03 GMT -5
Good evening, Dressing change couldn't come soon enough. Last week in surgery, they pulled muscle across base of wound after debriding down to that level. The muscle looks nice and pink and healthy. However, along the one side of the wound is an area of infection and gangrenous tissue-- pretty nasty smelling and I knew that a couple of days ago before the dressing was ever removed. The new plan is to put a special medicated dressing in the ulcer bed and cover it with gauze. I am on two new oral antibiotics. The pain med authorization never went through after my dr. spent 45 minutes on the phone and faxing the documents the other night!! I couldn't believe it. So I called the insurance company again and had them fax the necessary documents again...how obnoxious I felt asking my dr. to fill out that stuff again.. I really hate to give up at this point, though, after so much time and effort have already been invested. If nothing else, it is the principal I am after at this time! Good night. Send positive vibes my way to hope this moves in the right direction and that my pain is relieved soon! Christel
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Post by jeffn on Aug 21, 2014 6:21:49 GMT -5
Good vibes headed your way! Hope the antibiotics do the trick for you. Get those antibiotics in there and I hope they approve your painkillers. Hang in there Christel.
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Post by nhnancy on Aug 21, 2014 15:24:01 GMT -5
Hi Christel, sending you positive vibes! Hoping you are able to get the pain under. control....jeeze the red tape...is awful!
Get better, hon! Nancy
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Post by christel on Aug 21, 2014 17:03:45 GMT -5
Another low-lying, boring day. Got my shower chair today, still using cane til I get my walker, and hubby going to Home Depot tonight for bars for the shower and alongside toilet...what's left to look forward to in my true senior years?!
The pain is being better managed with paying closer attention to not letting last dose wear off before taking another one. Oh, and about that med they don't want to approve? They still haven't, and the pharmacy tech said she's seen it take as long as 30 days!!
Just a little baloney going on here.
C.
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Post by jeffn on Aug 21, 2014 19:50:46 GMT -5
Hey you will get better and this "senior hardware" will just sit unused for years. Glad you have figured out the pain management or improved upon it anyway. 30 days for a pain med you need? Sort of silly. Are you able to get out on the deck or something to veg a bit and catch some sun? Have the family move you out there and keep you supplied with books, fluids, and painkillers. When is your next dressing change? Do you have home health or something similar to come by and check out the wound or do you always have to go to the wound care center? When my dad broke his ankle and ended up with an infection I had the job of going by every day to change the dressing. A couple times a week a home health person would come by and check things out. I was glad someone with more knowledge than I was looking at it. I can bandage an ankle like nobody's business by the way.
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Post by nhnancy on Aug 21, 2014 21:08:54 GMT -5
Hey Christel, Maybe we can play a game, do you play words with friends? or. have you tried 2048, drives you crazy, but it passes the time... I am glad your pain is less,. I have a cane with feet on it for when my back gives me a hard time, I am glad I have it! I really would like to help out somehow! Maybe I could buy you a take out dinner, what restaurants are near you? I just wanna cheer you up, keep a positive out look, it helps...put a horn on the walker, keep ur chin up, this is temporary...your hubster is a good one! :-)
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Post by christel on Aug 21, 2014 22:19:07 GMT -5
Aw. You guys are so sweet! It is so cool to have friends I have never met in person make me feel so cared about! I had a friend of mine stop by with her husband this afternoon and bring us a dinner--it's the second time she's done this, and she brings enough to feed a small army! I do feel a bit awkward being on this end of the caregiving thing, and I do admit I am not good at it. I constantly want to refill containers to return to these folks (and forget why I can't do it right now)! I am going to be busy returning these favors. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends!
Nancy, I do not play games with friends--what is 2048? I am playing a lot of solitaire and crosswords online, as well as on paper. I have always loved puzzles. Oh yes, I also got onto this site where you can do jigsaws online, and no worries about lost pieces or finding a surface large enough that can be designated for this purpose. It's also not as hard on the neck and back to do jigsaws online!
I did get outside onto the deck today and so enjoyed the fresh air. It was quite warm and humid here, but you won't catch me complaining about the weather when it is like this!
I hope to become a pro with the 'senior hardware' and then retire it for a good long time. Guess we have to be thankful that there are devices out there to help make our lives a little safer, as well as manageable.
I do my own dressing changes daily. I see the wound clinic once a week. The way this wound looks to me, it will be taking TWO months of Sundays to heal. Good thing I like Sundays, eh?
Well, enough nonsense from me. I think I am getting a little punchy from not enough sleep, or something... Hope you are all doing well and having summer fun to make up for what I am missing out on!
C.
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Post by grammie on Aug 22, 2014 14:13:30 GMT -5
Wow! What a tough time you have been having. May it be better now and each new day!
As to those "senior stuff", they do end up just taking space but there when one needs them again. As to walker, I learned that Social Security will pay for one every 5 years so if you can borrow a walker...vets, local churches,senior center, town hall sometimes has them to borrow...than get a wheely walker as we call it, one with the big wheels and seat and basket and brakes....they are very helpful for walking on grass or in crowds where one doesn't want folks too close. Just pass this along.
I do pray you heal quickly and can get going once again.
grammie
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