Re: Update from Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

Debs,

You do not know me very well, and I cannot pretend to be any type of medical

expert. When I was 16 my father had his leg amputated- this was 40 years

ago. He had a disease due to TB called polycythemia- and it caused blood to

clot

on his whole leg! The Dr's used Heparin as a blood thinner (brand new

treatment) and did a roto rooter type of surgery. This saved his leg to below

the

knee. BUT he obtained a staph infection, although the knee drained and

appeared to heal on the outside, it never did on the inside (the bones)- He was

allergic to Penicillan and that was the only drug the the cultures showed to

kill

the infection. We spent 2 years in medical hell ( sounds like a place you know

all about). He needed moist hot packs on his leg 4 times per day. We did

not have insurance - so as the daughter it was my job to come home between

school & work to nurse my Father. We had to be extremely careful for infection

control, and burn all things he came into contact with. I love my Dad - but

this is when I decided I did not want to be a nurse - They eventually had to

amputate the knee and everything healed - he was fitted for an artificial leg

and

he lived a normal life (considering basic aging health issues). We used to

dance at weddings and family events, and he did pony rides on his knee with all

4 of his grand children! I know this sounds gruelling, but Debs - this is

beating up your body and it must stop! I am praying that the Dr's and all

involved will fix everything for you. I am actually praying the a band of

angels

will lift you up and surround you and only allow those that can help you will

enter.

Gentle Hugs,

Carol in CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 15/03/2004 16:50:59 Central Standard Time,

Matsumura_Clan@... writes:

> Please also don't rule out making a trip to s

> Hopkins or Mayo for another opinion.

>

I agree with the amazing ...2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions.....serious infections

need serious amounts of MDs putting their heads together, or at least using

many of them separately! Cary

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on finally getting your disability, Debs! Sorry it's

been such a hassle. One less big thing to worry about now.

I'm sure the decision about whether to amputate weighs heavily on you.

If there is anything specific you want me to try to help you research,

do let me know. Please also don't rule out making a trip to s

Hopkins or Mayo for another opinion.

Wish you could take an antibiotic that didn't make you so sick.

And it's very good news that you seem to be healing very well this time.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Update from Debs in FL

> Hi Dear Friends!

>

> Just a few words of update from me. I thought I would be able to keep

up

> better once I got home, but I am in a terrible flair especially in my

hands. I

> am only taking the Placquenil and Prednisone at this time for my RA

and I fear

> they are not working as well as they could be. The Rheumy said that I

could

> start MTX again after the surgery, but with the complications I have

> encountered, I am a little weary. I see the Rheumy at the end of the

month, so

> hopefully I will have some good changes.

>

> Let's see, I am still receiving the Zivox antibiotic at home with

severe

> nausea and at times vomiting. I have a NICE home health nurse who

seems very

> knowledgeable and comfortable. The incisions are healing very clean

and almost

> all drainage has stopped! I see the ortho once a week for mainly

wound checks.

> We are seriously discussing the possibility of an amputation as the

infection

> that I have contracted seems to live in my body, lies dormant and then

flairs

> whenever there is a weak spot. This is really no way to live. At

this

> point, I am afraid that I will go to surgery and not wake up. Well,

it is a very

> big decision, so we will continue to discuss and research.

>

> Well, the big news is that I got approved for SS Disability. The

attorney

> called on Friday and told me the results that the Judge had sent back

to them:

> Fully Favorable. I had to repeat it back to him about 4 times and he

repeated

> it to me about 3 times and then I got the letter. Of course, it will

take

> another 60 days before I receive any amounts. But I guess I am that

much

> closer. Such a long and stressful process.

>

> Hope everyone is ready for SPRING, we are all ready for some of

Mother

> Nature's bouquet of new flowers.

>

> Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

>

>

> Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

Great news for the ss disability! So glad to hear it finally went through!

Becky

[ ] Update from Debs in FL

Hi Dear Friends!

Just a few words of update from me. I thought I would be able to keep up

better once I got home, but I am in a terrible flair especially in my hands.

I

am only taking the Placquenil and Prednisone at this time for my RA and I fear

they are not working as well as they could be. The Rheumy said that I could

start MTX again after the surgery, but with the complications I have

encountered, I am a little weary. I see the Rheumy at the end of the month,

so

hopefully I will have some good changes.

Let's see, I am still receiving the Zivox antibiotic at home with severe

nausea and at times vomiting. I have a NICE home health nurse who seems very

knowledgeable and comfortable. The incisions are healing very clean and

almost

all drainage has stopped! I see the ortho once a week for mainly wound

checks.

We are seriously discussing the possibility of an amputation as the infection

that I have contracted seems to live in my body, lies dormant and then flairs

whenever there is a weak spot. This is really no way to live. At this

point, I am afraid that I will go to surgery and not wake up. Well, it is a

very

big decision, so we will continue to discuss and research.

Well, the big news is that I got approved for SS Disability. The attorney

called on Friday and told me the results that the Judge had sent back to them:

Fully Favorable. I had to repeat it back to him about 4 times and he repeated

it to me about 3 times and then I got the letter. Of course, it will take

another 60 days before I receive any amounts. But I guess I am that much

closer. Such a long and stressful process.

Hope everyone is ready for SPRING, we are all ready for some of Mother

Nature's bouquet of new flowers.

Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

Hi Debs,...I'm so glad to hear that your finally going to get

disability, I know that's a load off your mind. I'm sorry that your

in a flare right now, the meds aren't working. I hate to hear your

on that antibiotic, and it makes you so sick. I'm glad that you have

a good health nurse that is nice, and know what their doing. I'm

glad that your incisions are healing. I will keep praying for you

Debs, and hope that things will get better for you. hugs Tawny

> Hi Dear Friends!

>

> Just a few words of update from me. I thought I would be able to

keep up

> better once I got home, but I am in a terrible flair especially in

my hands. I

> am only taking the Placquenil and Prednisone at this time for my RA

and I fear

> they are not working as well as they could be. The Rheumy said

that I could

> start MTX again after the surgery, but with the complications I

have

> encountered, I am a little weary. I see the Rheumy at the end of

the month, so

> hopefully I will have some good changes.

>

> Let's see, I am still receiving the Zivox antibiotic at home with

severe

> nausea and at times vomiting. I have a NICE home health nurse who

seems very

> knowledgeable and comfortable. The incisions are healing very

clean and almost

> all drainage has stopped! I see the ortho once a week for mainly

wound checks.

> We are seriously discussing the possibility of an amputation as the

infection

> that I have contracted seems to live in my body, lies dormant and

then flairs

> whenever there is a weak spot. This is really no way to live. At

this

> point, I am afraid that I will go to surgery and not wake up.

Well, it is a very

> big decision, so we will continue to discuss and research.

>

> Well, the big news is that I got approved for SS Disability. The

attorney

> called on Friday and told me the results that the Judge had sent

back to them:

> Fully Favorable. I had to repeat it back to him about 4 times and

he repeated

> it to me about 3 times and then I got the letter. Of course, it

will take

> another 60 days before I receive any amounts. But I guess I am

that much

> closer. Such a long and stressful process.

>

> Hope everyone is ready for SPRING, we are all ready for some of

Mother

> Nature's bouquet of new flowers.

>

> Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

>

>

> Debs in FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Debs:YIPEE, I am glad to hear you finally got it....I know what a

pain it can be....it was like a big wall had been lifted at the end

of my four years....I can understand why you would be leary of the

MTX, especially after everything. You will remain in my

prayers...Kathi in OK

> Hi Dear Friends!

>

> Just a few words of update from me. I thought I would be able to

keep up

> better once I got home, but I am in a terrible flair especially in

my hands. I

> am only taking the Placquenil and Prednisone at this time for my

RA and I fear

> they are not working as well as they could be. The Rheumy said

that I could

> start MTX again after the surgery, but with the complications I

have

> encountered, I am a little weary. I see the Rheumy at the end of

the month, so

> hopefully I will have some good changes.

>

> Let's see, I am still receiving the Zivox antibiotic at home with

severe

> nausea and at times vomiting. I have a NICE home health nurse who

seems very

> knowledgeable and comfortable. The incisions are healing very

clean and almost

> all drainage has stopped! I see the ortho once a week for mainly

wound checks.

> We are seriously discussing the possibility of an amputation as

the infection

> that I have contracted seems to live in my body, lies dormant and

then flairs

> whenever there is a weak spot. This is really no way to live. At

this

> point, I am afraid that I will go to surgery and not wake up.

Well, it is a very

> big decision, so we will continue to discuss and research.

>

> Well, the big news is that I got approved for SS Disability. The

attorney

> called on Friday and told me the results that the Judge had sent

back to them:

> Fully Favorable. I had to repeat it back to him about 4 times and

he repeated

> it to me about 3 times and then I got the letter. Of course, it

will take

> another 60 days before I receive any amounts. But I guess I am

that much

> closer. Such a long and stressful process.

>

> Hope everyone is ready for SPRING, we are all ready for some of

Mother

> Nature's bouquet of new flowers.

>

> Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

>

>

> Debs in FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Debs,

I'm glad that you finally got approved for SS Disability. Sorry that it

took so long.

I do hope that the infection will finally abate and that you will not

have to have an amputation. I know that that thought must be worrisome.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Sue

[Guest guest]

Dearest Debs....I am so grateful your SS worries are over. Please be

extra sweet to yourself...you're in my heart & in my prayers.

I'll love you til the cows come home, then shoo then away again.....

Tess ((((((((((((((Debs)))))))))))))

[Guest guest]

Debs,

I am so glad you got your ssd. I know what a battle that can be. I

hope this lets you rest a little. Feel better my friend.

Lynn (MeMom)

Kathi wrote:

> Debs:YIPEE, I am glad to hear you finally got it....I know what a

> pain it can be....it was like a big wall had been lifted at the end

> of my four years....I can understand why you would be leary of the

> MTX, especially after everything. You will remain in my

> prayers...Kathi in OK

>

>

> > Hi Dear Friends!

> >

> > Just a few words of update from me. I thought I would be able to

> keep up

> > better once I got home, but I am in a terrible flair especially in

> my hands. I

> > am only taking the Placquenil and Prednisone at this time for my

> RA and I fear

> > they are not working as well as they could be. The Rheumy said

> that I could

> > start MTX again after the surgery, but with the complications I

> have

> > encountered, I am a little weary. I see the Rheumy at the end of

> the month, so

> > hopefully I will have some good changes.

> >

> > Let's see, I am still receiving the Zivox antibiotic at home with

> severe

> > nausea and at times vomiting. I have a NICE home health nurse who

> seems very

> > knowledgeable and comfortable. The incisions are healing very

> clean and almost

> > all drainage has stopped! I see the ortho once a week for mainly

> wound checks.

> > We are seriously discussing the possibility of an amputation as

> the infection

> > that I have contracted seems to live in my body, lies dormant and

> then flairs

> > whenever there is a weak spot. This is really no way to live. At

> this

> > point, I am afraid that I will go to surgery and not wake up.

> Well, it is a very

> > big decision, so we will continue to discuss and research.

> >

> > Well, the big news is that I got approved for SS Disability. The

> attorney

> > called on Friday and told me the results that the Judge had sent

> back to them:

> > Fully Favorable. I had to repeat it back to him about 4 times and

> he repeated

> > it to me about 3 times and then I got the letter. Of course, it

> will take

> > another 60 days before I receive any amounts. But I guess I am

> that much

> > closer. Such a long and stressful process.

> >

> > Hope everyone is ready for SPRING, we are all ready for some of

> Mother

> > Nature's bouquet of new flowers.

> >

> > Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

> >

> >

> > Debs in FL

> >

> >

> >