OK, so maybe not so much with the marching...more like shuffling gingerly...but we'll get there either way I suppose.
To answer the several dozen questions I've received about Buzzy...he has several problems, not the least of which is a big aneurysm/bump right in the area that they need to stick me. The surgeon requested that we not do that anymore and go above it, but that means having to go very deep. And unfortunately, the closer you get to the shoulder, the more tender it gets, so it's pretty much like having surgery while awake.
The do make lidocaine cream that you can apply to the skin, but I was told that it will eventually break the tissue down, and I figured a few minutes of pain would be easier than a lifetime if wound care. But after yesterday...I might reconsider that decision. I have developed an extremely high tolerance for pain and usually go to my Happy Chair in my head and stitch and pet Stewey while they're working away, but yesterday I passed right out and came to on my head with blood all over the floor, a team of people standing around me, and wanting to be anywhere else but there.
But the good news is that I apparently muttered "mother of pearl, jimminy crickets, and fudge and fiddlesticks" rather than the OTHER alternatives in my head, so I've got that going for me.
(The funniest thing is that my poor tech Miss Lorie was swearing more than I was and got yelled at by one of my pod mates to calm down already.)
But today is Saturday and we don't need to think about needles or Buzzy screaming bloody murder for another few days. The sun is shining and I am seriously considering a walk once the hangover lifts. Then I might try to tackle some laundry and cleaning, but if I don't...I don't. Nobody is coming to visit and if I want to live like a frat boy on the top floor of Animal House, I shall.
(I know...who are we kidding? This place is driving me nuts and I will figure out how to get it spitspot if it's the last thing I do.)
(Note to self...figure this out next year and either get in a routine or hire somebody with a hazmat suit and a snow shovel once and for all.)
(I wonder if insurance would pay for a housekeeper/butler combo? If so, I want Alice and Mr. French, please.)
(For all of you young 'uns reading...Alice is from the Brady Bunch and Mr. French is from A Family Affair.)
(Raise your hand if you wore Buffy tails and had a Mrs. Beasley doll!)
OK, we're back.
On the stitchy front, I don't really have any plans/goals other than to do some. I'm still really enjoying all of the pieces in my basket, but wouldn't be totally against starting something new this afternoon or tomorrow. We'll see.
Time for my second cup of damn good and a little breakfast, Dearies. I hope you have a wonderful day and get to spend some time with needle and thread! Come tell me all about it!
Take a look at FlyLady.com. She's been a life-saver for me. She's got a system where she breaks the house into zones, and chores into 15 minute routines - that for me on bad days may be 5 or 10 minutes - that let me stay on top of things so I don't wind up needing to do an all-day clean up. Which would put me in bed for 2 days. I don't follow her stuff religiously - and that is a big part of her appeal for me. You can take her big lessons, like the zones, routines and timers, and adapt them to fit your situation.
ReplyDeleteI tried that and spent more time on the computer than cleaning,LOL!
ReplyDeleteI recommend Jeeves from the P.G. Wodehouse books. He would even be able to snap Buzzy into place! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of the Bradley method of childbirth? It involves relaxing your body and using abdominal breathing. I know Buzzy is not a baby but pain is pain-when you're in pain you tend to tense up and that makes it worse. I still use it today- and I aint havin no more babies-like when i hit my shin or stub my toe I use the breathing and relaxing techniques and I find it helpful. Hope this helps you get through Buzzy (I am tensing up now just thinking about Buzzy) Anyway not a doc and don't even play one on tv but maybe this can help.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I learned how to use breathing techniques for dealing with Crohn's disease! I literally relax my entire body, close my eyes, stay dead calm, and breathe during cannulation (needle insertion). I honestly think that's what has saved me, but the pain was intense enough to knock me right out last time...I think they call is a vaso-vegal reaction?
DeleteI got the Alice reference - I'm older than you are. But didn't get the Mr French one as I've never watched A Family Affair. Have a happy day.
ReplyDeleteMegan
Sydney, Australia (on a borrowed device)
Oh, if you get the chance...if I remember correctly, it's about a bachelor uncle who raises his neice and nephew (Buffy and Jodie). Mr. French is their butler...played by Sebastian Cabbott. Buffy always wore her hair in two pony tails and had a doll named Mrs. Beasley.
DeleteI got both references; what good shows they were! I had to laugh about the hazmat suit and snow shovel comment, Coni! Thank you for making me smile! Enjoy your Saturday!
ReplyDeleteGo for the lidocaine cream, at least until you get Buzzy fixed. It's not going to cause a lot of damage in that time. My friend used it on her port area before her chemo infusions and felt it was worthwhile. She had a very high tolerance to pain. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteYup! Using it tomorrow for sure!
DeleteMy heart is with you...I am a nurse who has done dialysis, as a nurse...many hugs!!
ReplyDeleteYou, my dear JulieQ are my hero!
DeleteConi, I watched my late husband endure dialysis for several years (he eventually went on peritoneal dialysis and then the Lord healed his kidneys enough that he didn't need dialysis, but that's another story) so I know some of what you're going through. He had problems with his fistula, too, although of a different sort: he developed steal syndrome, had a revision, and not long after he started peritoneal dialysis, his fistula completely failed; we were thankful he didn't need it anymore. I'm not familiar with the lidocaine cream, but he had a numbing spray. I can't remember what it's called, but when I would get my knee injected the PA would use it. Perhaps you could inquire about it?
ReplyDeleteDialysis is brutal, but it's keeping you alive right now. I think you are enduring it well, and you have a positive/can do attitude, which makes quite a difference. Hang in there, ok?
BTW, the dialysis center you go to looks so much nicer than the one we went to, even though it was brand new. At least you get a great view sometimes!
I also recommend Flylady.net. I may not actually do it but her approach is kind and successful. Remember babysteps and shine your sink!
ReplyDeleteI still have my Mrs. Beasley from childhood!! I loved Mr. French. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that is rough! I think I have a high pain tolerance but needles make me woozy if there is much pain involved. I was donating blood one time and luckily had the sense to flag a nurse to let her know I wasn't feeling 100% before I went unconscious. It is not a nice feeling at all!
ReplyDelete