Gerry, I think you were due for some check ups mid August? How did they go and are you in less pain than a few weeks ago? You have so much to endure and it seems as we more often speak on other threads you have a turtle husbands like me. I hope you are feeling somewhat better after the disastrous patio plant watering episode, where his pain will no doubt recover quickly, yours will remain. DB complains of his elbow recently, I think he has tennis elbow, what can I say, I'm doing more than anyone else in my shoes would be doing, but I've noticed these past few mornings he has begun to thank me for my help so I know he is grateful.

Pam,
The GI doctor's office called; wanted me to see doctor; then schedule Colonoscopy. I have a Sept 27th office visit with GI doctor whom performed my first colonoscopy 5 years ago and discovered cancerous rectum. Removal of rectum surgery followed, remaining colon attached to a...l area.

Unfortunately the incision from that surgery resulted in 3 incisional abdominal hernias which were repaired almost 2 years ago. Am now dealing with the separation of middle abdominal muscle after the hernia surgery causing pressure/pain abdomen and groin areas.

Not looking forward to colonoscopy. My last one was 3 years ago. I have difficulty keeping down the "stuff" needed to clean out for colonoscopy. Last colonoscopy; just finished my last drink of the "stuff" heaved everything up across the table Also being on opioid pain medication calls for extra cleaning plus daily Miralax. Abdominal issues seems to be more painful than my spinal issues, along with PN leg pain, feet/ankles burning. Just one big mess. Not sure what I am dealing with abdominally. Almost don't want to know.

Hubby's dislocated finger is being held with buddy bands for a few more weeks then sees orthopedic doctor again. His head bruises healing pretty good. After removing bandages from the ER visit a few days later, I needed to clean coagulated blood with proxide to prevent infection. Along with rebandaging when going out or in public.

Unfortunately, less then a week after his fall, I went to hang robe on back of the door hook; which moved. Me, with my numb unbalanced legs titled backwards and hit the back of my head on the pointed tip of dresser, then went down. Felt back of head; blood......Had to call hubby to help me stand back up. He advised how I should hold on to couch to lift myself up in the future. My legs are so weak; can't put pressure on my knees. Impossible to lift myself. Never asked, including next morning "how's your head doing".... Back of Head is healing but very tender if I forget and apply any pressure.

Well; that's about goings on here. I will visit GI doctor Sept. 27 and schedule for colonoscopy.
As you mentioned about DB becoming more grateful....after my getting a bit upset about lack of any compassion and letting hubby know how I felt; he has been a bit more supportive as well. Hope it continues.

Pam....onward and upward we keep on going........


Gerry

When I was younger in work as a quirky gift given once by some company we had these foam things, shaped like a large cardboard carton of eggs but just the one if you can envisage it. All the management team were given one, the idea was you out it over your mouth and you could scream and no sound escaped it. I wish, I wish I had held onto it, like you there are times I could scream but I don't want to scare the neighbours. I think you need one Gerry, your DB is just seemingly beyond empathy or compassion. It's as if he's missing a sensitivity Chip!!! Argh. How jolly uncaring advising use the couch to stand up. MY DB would have had an earful as well.

I can understand your not wanting to know, denial is a wonderful thing, with hope it's just adhesions which nothing can be done for and nothing more serious. You are in my prayers regularly but I'll add an extra verse. I think people believe I'm loopy as I go through my prayer ritual, light a candle, say my words to God and then thank him. Some days I light 12 candles, some days only a few. These are separate to the candles I have for my deceased ones. I only light candles for them on birthdays, or the day of passing. But I don't care what anyone else thinks, it's what I do and have done for many years. It works for me. Because of our climate in summer candles lit are extinguished after a minute or less, in winter, I will enjoy the aroma of the wax for a little longer, but never more than 30 minutes. Am I nuts, maybe...

I hate the colonic pre procedure, it's horrid. Do you get the sore legs as well? As I become more and more dehydrated as I pass more and more my legs pain me like nothing I can describe. It's deep within the bone as if the marrow itself is giving up any moisture it may have to send to the intestine...

Is there anything they can do for the muscle separation? Seems like you could have sued the surgeon who used the mesh given it was widely acknowledged to not use it 12 months prior to your op. But I guess you're like me, we could sue, but the heartache of reliving it too overwhelming.

Thinking of you and hoping you have done no damage to your body in addition to your head in the fall xxx

Pam,
I started thinking about what August check up had I mentioned to you....It dawned on me it probably was my Diagnostic Mammogram/Ultrasound for the left breast.
In 2016 my mammogram showed an image that needed further investigating so I was given an UltraSound which indicated what appeared to be a benign tumor so I had to go back in 6 month, last February 2017,for another Diagnostic Mammogram/Ultra Sound, which I did; the results were still the same. Then needed to return again 6 month in August, which was last month.

The Diagnostic Mammogram/Ultra Sound appears to still show what looks like a benign tumor on the back wall of the left breast. The technician said it is still pretty small; but need another followup in 6 months for Diagnostic testing. It is something that needs continued monitoring.

Having had rectum removed 5 years ago due to rectal cancer has me a bit concerned. Hope the Diagnostic testing continues to show a benign (non-cancerous) tumor.

As far as your prayers and lighting candles ; I think it is something beautiful.
:
I pray daily; even throughout the day. I have a prayer list for all those I pray for daily, as well as a list of the poor souls that have passed; especially close individuals.

I begin each day with "The Morning Offering".....which goes something like.....
"O Jesus, I offer you this day my joys ,prayers, works, suffering, sorrows in atonement for my sins and those of the whole world, as well as for all those on my prayer list and the departed souls I pray for daily.

As you have experienced; these prayers gives purpose to each day; whatever comes our way is not wasted.

Hope & pray you soon get all in order for your upcoming surgery.

Gerry

Incisional hernias cut through on 25.09.17 for Retroperitoneal Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. To aid healing Agrade mesh which will apparently eventually breakdown - its interlaced with my blood cells & stitched in place. The idea being my blood cells aid healing??? Now clue on what this mesh is, I was not expecting mesh to be inserted, it wasn't discussed. Allegedly and I'm told repeatedly it has nothing to do with my continuing presenting problems.

Dr Gong today said I must make a weekly follow check up with Harsha post discharge and see Narula 2 weeks post discharge. Which wil by then be 6 weeks post spine surgery....

I'm home - finally , took some talking and convincing on my behalf to influence them to release me but after we discuss all options and with my infection markers still being high (although better) too much risk to inject abdominal wall, the new Agrade mesh(!) & the 3 or 4 fusion cages -(I'm still not sure how many he did- I can't remember) DB thinks 3 & they couldn't do the 4th) wait 2 weeks & see if improvements otherwise return and have procedure, or wait in hospital another 2 weeks. ...no way.

Picc line removed, they wanted to leave it in and me attend hospital every morning for injections, I said you can give me the Antibiotics & Pantoprazole for me to take orally. I can't go home with 3 labs & this hanging out my arm with a 40.3 cm leading direct to my heart. Finally they saw sense (2.5hrs) I even have to keep the dressing on now for 7 days & wear a shower sleeve over it to wash as I have been in hospital.