General topics.

Thanks all -

to answer questions:

no, my foot isn't bothering me, so it's not sciatica, though that nerve is starting to scream a bit from having to lie in one position at night to relieve the pain in the shoulder. Lower back is starting to complain too, because of that.

Current course of treatment until insurance kicks in is: heating pad alternated with ice packs,depending on which works at the time, slowly using the pain pills given by the hospital ER until they're gone, then tylenol extra strength & motrin. Nothing seems to be completely relieving the pain at this point, only dulling it a little. Daughter has been a big help getting me set up in bed so I can work, but I'm hating being confined and unable to move much without severe pain.

Susan: Voltaren was the only thing that worked for my lower back, which hurts frequently if I do too much lifting, cleaning -- ie, anything even remotely useful. Also a heating pad. I plan to go to physio (PT?) in January to have traction for my neck and back and some acupuncture. Oh, and I use a wee TENS machine. They cost abt $40? at Amazon (I got mine thru a Groupon deal -- abt $10/$15, I think). I'm quite happy with that purchase. Used together, they provide a good deal of relief.

I hobble like an old woman now (don't you dare go there!) -- the strokes plus broken hip really did me in and I'm all bent over. So I'm going to try to escape this hobbledom and go on a river cruise next Christmas if I am able and if I can afford it. (I think the latter will be waaay harder than the former. Or maybe not -- dunno!)

It's quite windy out here by the lake, altho' I'm abt a mile from it. Gusts up to 50 mph and it's the gustiness that just about knocks me over. On Friday, it took abt 20 minutes to get from my porch to the car -- a distance of abt 15ft; when I opened my front door it *slammed* back into the hallway, my grocery bags acted like little parachutes as I lurched to the car, my journey to the porch stairs was a nightmare ... the fact that I am off balance anyway + carry a cane + the two shopping bags and their parachute-ness + the cold = a potentially *devastating* fall. (I know, I should have folded the bags and I *will* next time!)

And then the return trip -- two heavily laden shopping bags that I had to drag along the driveway + cane + major wind gusts + cold + getting flung against the car every now and then + my lack of balance -- I collapsed when I closed the front door behind me -- literally.

This winter promises to be quite cold thanks to "la nina" (la NEEN-ya). I thought there was only one -- el nino, which makes our summers so hot now. I didn't reckon on la nina. Two years ago, the polar vortex made our winter very cold.

Ah life!

You know what's really yuck? Yankee dressing. People north of the Mason-Dixon line really like sage. Below the line we use poultry seasoning that has just the right Southern amount of sage in it.

When it comes to food one person's gross is another's "yum", I can think of a thousand examples. Sushi, gross. Sauerkraut, yum. Liverwurst, gross. Limburger cheese, yum. Grits and collard greens... I think you have to have been born in the south ;)
LOL

Some people love biscuits and gravy. I like biscuits, but hold the gravy. To me gravy is just something that packs on lots of calories devoid of anything that is good for you. If we were eskimos or real skinny, gravy would be fine.

Cooking a meat in gravy or sauce is another thing altogether, though. It keeps the meat moist.

What are 'biscuits & gravy'? sounds gross not a treat - is it as bad as it sounds?

Yes, try the Curcumin!

Susan, is your foot bothering you too?

Susan try curcumin. It's a natural inflammatory. I've taken it for my knees and neck and it has helped a lot. So sorry you are having problems.

What's kind of funny (in an ironic way) is that I said my kids were never going to be my caregivers. Guess who is sitting in bed and being waited on by one of her kids.....and not liking it.

thanks....yes, think I'm going to head to the store and pick up some extra meds - they gave me just a few pain pills at the ER, definitely not enough to get me through to January, so I have to make this work somehow until then. Looking at the health plans available, I'm going to be paying over $350 a month just for me to be covered at a level that I need...affordable care, my foot.

Oh gee Susan, you just can't seem to get any breaks :( Perhaps one of the topical pain relieving ointments will help a little too.

Susan, oh my gosh, I can feel your pain. My orthopedic doctor said it is ok to take Extra Strength Tylenol total of 4,000 mg every day but no more than that, but check with your doctor first. I know it sounds like a lot. It helped somewhat.

I remember the days when I was accessorizing my wardrobe with ice packs.

Hope you are able to sleep. Trying to find a comfy position isn't easy.

Spraying my can of TROLL-BE-GONE here.....darn spammers.

I haven't been around much....about 5 days ago, my shoulder started to ache. Then my tendonitis started up, which made my forearm ache too (same arm). It increased to the point where I couldn't sit upright at my desk to work. Bad news for a small business owner. Went to the chiropractor twice - by the night after the 2nd treatment, I was in so much pain I couldn't move. Finally went to the ER to at least try to get some pain relief, and xrays showed severe disc problems in my neck, and the compression is pinching the nerves in my shoulder and arm. They have given me a few pills for pain, but I need to get in to see my regular doc and can't do that until January when my insurance will kick in.
Sooo....for now I will work propped up in my bed with alternating heating pad/ice packs (depending on what works that particular day) and try to work on my laptop (which needs replacing) so that I don't lose too much income from this. Lost almost 1/2 a week's pay last week until I was able to get some pain relief so I could at least work again. I guess we'll see what the new year brings as to whether I need to have surgery or not. :-(

Oh those commercials with Tom Selleck and Henry Winkler selling Reverse Mortgages... the script they read makes it sound so easy. I have to chuckle, The Fonz is trying to convince me to get a Reverse Mortgage????

All the pitch men for RM have been men, like Robert Wagner, Fred Thompson, James Gardner, Jerry Orbach. Why no women pitching these products? Or like my late Mom would say "what would they know about finance".... [sigh]

Gershun: Yes! Yes yes yes!! I hate those commercials -- they're so pretentious! I too feel like kicking the TV set all to hell ... I personally pronounce his name Matthew Mcconaug-HEY!! (or -HAY!!!) b/c he's so ... I dunno ... artificial? (And I had to look up how to spell his name too).

The other one I can't stand is the one about the Pacific North-West (Seattle??) and Swiffer. Esp. the version with the woman with the screechy voice. If I don't mute the sound in time, my ears ring for an hour. Blargh.

What about bisquits and gravy?

Chicken n dumplings sound pretty good

Send you win 4 chocolate chip cookies or heart shaped pink jellies. You can find them in the hug collection. And the chicken dinner............:)

Chicken dinner...


Like every other winner...

Happy weekend, all!

Oh, will you look at that! I have just become poster number 200 on Gershun's new thread! What did I win?????

Soon as I can walk better, without so much pain, will go shopping! Because, 'they say', whoever 'they' is, "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.

Dh took his bike into the shop for repair after his bicycle accident. It will cost $30 but he tells me after I bought his usual $50 Amazon card. Seems now the money will be endless, so I am going to be smarter and get me some! Lol with an attitude.

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Ms Madge maybe if you put mom on wacky weed your brother would visit more often..sorry you feel bad

But where else can you see a kitteh riding on a tortoise? "They see me rollin'. They hatin'..."

I tell myself I profoundly disapprove of the trivia and tripe on YouTube.

Have you seen the pig eating crisps? Oh all right then I do love the internet!

Sometimes I'll search through youtube looking for funny videos, but unless you already know what you are looking for that is often just a bust. Too much of the content there is sexist, racist drivel and not really funny, and youtube itself keeps "recommending" more of the same. I was never much into slapstick or gags that make the victim look like a fool.... oh everyone look, I jumped out of the closet wearing a fright mask and my daughter peed herself, har dee har.
Well, there are always the cute animals videos.

MsMadge, I hope you are feeling better soon. I see too many siblings that don't make any sense. Please take care of yourself and get your strength back.

Mom2Mom, Sounds like things are under control. Take a deep breath and go enjoy that trip to Dallas. We caregivers all need a break no matter if that break is big or small.

I hope everyone has a good and peaceful weekend. Yesterday it began to get dark here at 3:30 and stayed gloomy...now it is supposed to get even colder and maybe rain. Yuck.
I watched the "I Love Lucy Christmas Special" last night. I had never seen it before and it brought back great memories of watching that show as a kid. It really helped to cozy up in my warm robe and laugh at something.

It's been a Sh&*tty week only to end with my brother calling me tonight suggesting I take mom off her Risperdal and give her marijuana instead - WTF?

Never mind we've both been sick for weeks and the hotel California was hit with an intestinal flu bug over thanksgiving weekend and so he says well doesn't sound like she can go out to eat so no sense in his coming up to see her - grrrrr

Where the heck is everybody? Did Santa abduct you all and stick you in his sack of toys? I've never seen the threads so quiet.

Mom came home today. She is refusing to eat and being very needy and helpless. Some of which is expected but I suspect some is her usual game. I am so glad to be getting away this weekend. I feel guilty dumping her on Carol (world's best caregiver/companion). Not out of guilt for leaving Mom but out of guilt for the weekend that Carol has in front of her. I'm going to have to bring her back something real nice from Dallas.

M to M go and enjoy yourself without any guilt. You will be refreshed and happier when you get back and everyone will benefit.