Update on Grannyhotwheels

[grannyhotwheels]

Hi all, Once again I'm going to apologize for being such a slacker. I do read a lot of the post but I just haven't felt up to posting.  This Oklahoma 100 - 103 temp. days are getting me down. Actually it's getting my whole family down. One up side is that after almost a year I am finally able to put my braces back on. We could never get the swelling under control so finally my doctor took me off Lyrica and Dicyclomine. Then I had to get the ole' catheter back in and load up on the lasix. Not really load up but one a day plus lots of potassium. This seems to have done the trick. I'm not sure if I'll ever walk again but with the braces I can at least try a little each day. Using my walker I walked in the house for about 15 minutes today. So not all is bad.

My husband, Rob, on the other hand is not doing well at all. His RA has almost taken his ability to walk right out the door. I feel so bad for him. He also is in a lot of pain. On top of all that now we are dealing with COPD. Of course whats Oklahoma weather without humidity? It makes him unable to breath. He has 3 different inhalers but nothing seems to help much. The doctor said the next step would be oxygen. This all struck him in November of 2008 and here it is 8 months later and you would think this 49 year old, never sat down, workaholic, of a man was 90 years old. He is all stooped over when trying to walk and that right there makes it harder to get his breath. Those of you that pray I would so appreciate that you sent a few his way.

One more to go. My 15 year old son and I just spent the last 6 days in the hospital. He developed a migraine on Saturday and it was Thursday before they got it stopped. They finally sedated him for 48 hours and hoped it would be gone when they woke him up, and it was, praise the Lord. He also has Helicobacter Pylori. I can't believe this has happened to him. He is a straight A student, plays basketball, football, baseball, and runs the hurdles in track. He plays the drums in band and at church. He is also captain of the debate team and will be on the golf team next school year. As you can see, he's not a puny little weiner. He's in better shape than most professionals. This has really taken it's toll on him. We are home now but he is so week. At least the pain is gone and I don't think I could have stood to watch him like that for 1 more minute. I was begging them to knock him out.

All of you with younger children beware. Take warning from me. Read the last paragraph again and then you will see just what putting too much on our children can do. Zach is our home health nurse, lawn mower, house cleaner, laundry man, etc.... but not any more. It's time for Zach to be a kid. We never sat down and realized just how much pressure was on him until all of this happened. The thing is he never complains about doing things, heck most of the time we don't even ask he just does it.

A friend of mine told me that just setting back and watching us work together amazes her. She said that I don't even have to say a word and Zach knows when I need help and he knows when to back down and let me do it. She said we where like a fiddle and a bow moving in one accord. I liked that. He's my precious baby boy.

Enough bad news. Right? I'll try to do a better job on updates but my hands, fingers, and arms just don't work like they used to. It's great to talk to you all again even if it is an occasional update asking for prayers,

I'll be praying,
Carol

[Lulu54]

Dear Granny Carol,

That is some update - I'm sorry to read that your family continues to struggle.  It is certainly a touch of good news that the braces have you up on your own two legs again.  Keep moving a bit at a time and see how far you can progress - you never know.  15 minutes todya might turn into a marathon by next year!  LOL   At least keep trying to keep tht muscle tone and the legs moving.

Your husbands COPD sounds treacherous - my DH had a bout last year but fortunately it has cleared up some.  I once spent 6 weeks in the summer in OK - I remember how miserably hot it was all the time with no relief.  I will hope that some cooling breezes will come your way and keep it in the 90's instead of the 100's.

Your son must be such a source of joy and pride for you and your husband.  You are wise to know that its time for him to be a kid and not a caregiver, but I'm betting he will still want to help his mom and dad.  Good luck in helping him to find a happy balance between the two.  I hope his migraines resolve and stay away.

Stay in touch when you feel up to it - we always want to know how everyone is doing whether its good news or not.

take care,
Lulu

[michelleric]

I am sad to hear that you are all having a hard time. I am glad they got your sons migraine more under control. I do hope and pray that your husband's condition will get easier for him. Sounds awful. I am sorry.

I will give thought to giving my children too much responsibility.  They do need to "just be kids". I have lots to learn, thanks for sharing your update with us,

Michelle

[LLWB]

Glad you can be on your feet, it must be a good morale boost, just when you need it most. I'm sad to hear about your husband, I can sympathise, as my husband had it too. Your son sounds great. Trying to slow him down will probably be a problem, but better that begging for help.

Hugs & lots of prayers
Maggie

[grannyhotwheels]

Lulu, you may be on to something, 15 min.on Monday led to an 30 min. on Tues. and 45 min. on Wednesday. Thursday is my 27th anniversary, if my husband feels up to it we will try and go out to dinner, and I'm going to try to walk with my walker. Please say a few prayers for us that both of these feats may be achieved.

As for my precious boy, he has not had a headache since getting out of the hospital, YEAH, and he has went swimming with friends the last 2 days. Thursday he starts baseball practice with his all-star team. He is also going to Teen Camp, which is sponsored through our church, at the end of July. He was hesitant about being away for a week so I made the decision for him and signed him up. He is very excited.

He still has a lot of responsibility but it's the normal things that 15 year old boys should do. He even got a couple of new PlayStation games out of the deal.

Robs, disability process is going well and this week I got us both signed up for medicaid.  Loosing his $4,000.00 a month income helped me make that decision. In fact we should have our numbers by Friday. That will definetely take a load off of us.

Thanks to all of you who are praying for us and thanks to Lulu, Michelle, and Maggie for their words of encouragement.

I'll  be praying,
Carol