[Judy2]

As they tell us, MS won't kill us.......but the "off-shoots" just might! Last week I felt as though I was coming down with the flu, achier than usual, lots of chills, etc. My temperature got up to 103 degrees so called the home nurses who come here for my legs. They strongly advised I go to the ER. That is one of the hardest decisions for me to make as I hate to leave my home and have to make arrangements for Tasha, my Bichon.

Called my two trusty friends and thankfully they were home. They came up to give me moral support and one of them offered to take Tasha to her house. I was having horrible bladder spasms all the time too so alot of extra pain. Anyway..........went to the new ER at the local hospital, big improvement. Not the flu, but some kind of infection. They weren't sure if it was a bad UTI or a kidney infection since they found some stones in my right kidney with the CAT scan. Also my white blood count was extremely elevated. All the bad thoughts rushed in then seeing as my mother passed from cancer way back in '69 at age 56. Thankfully not that.

So after five days of IV Cipro antibiotic, the infection is gone along with the pain in my back that I'd had for months. Hopefully those "stones" rolled on out! I think having that catheter put in was the final straw.

While there I slept on an air mattress on top of the regular one since I'm so stiff/sore and don't usually lie down in bed......use recliner. A different doctor put me on lasix and it's true....I peed like a racehorse. It wasn't fun being I can't move much so the nurses had to "change things" like a baby....talk about humiliating. My legs were wrapped daily and wonder of wonders, at the end of the five days my lower legs looked like chicken legs!!! Haven't seen them that skinny in years!

But they were really, really sore so when the nurses grabbed them to help turn me on my side...........OUCH!!!! The skin actually was black. Now I'm home, less pain, but still weak. Supposed to set up aides to help me out, do my legs, etc. Haven't done a thing......know it's depression because between this latest "episode" and trying to recover from it, plus my friend passing away, all I do is cry and sleep.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.....

Thanks for reading this l-o-n-g whine

[jprinz99]

awww Judy!!! I feel so bad to hear you have had such a rough time lately. I truly hope things start getting better for you!

take care sweetheart

[Jules A]

I hope you feel better soon!

Personally I think those who feel comforted by the tired mantra "MS isn't a death sentence" are either unaware of what MS can actually do or are unable to deal with the fact that not only do we have this horrid disease but it can very definitely lead to conditions that could kill us. Splitting hairs doesn't make that any less real.

[ANNagain]

Judy, OMG, so sorry this happened. It does sound like you needed to go and that they were responsive to your needs. OK, the did forget that you hurt when they turned you- that sounds bad.

Also sorry about your friend dying. I understand being depressed about that.

The best line: "having that catheter put in was the final straw."

Have a better day,
ANN

[SallyC]

Judy Honey awwwwww, why does this disease keep torchering us.. It's supposed to mellow out as we age, not jump up and bite us in the butt, whenever.

I can't believe they let you go home with legs in that condition. Did they wrap them with peanut butter?

I'm glad you are over the infection and back home though. Did doggy miss you? He/she is sooooo cute..how old?

It sure is nice to have friend like that,, that you can count on to help. Do you have any family around also?

I'll have you on my mind and in my prayers,

Love and hugs,

[Judy2]

Thank you all once again for your support.....there really isn't anyone else that understands. My legs have begun to swell again even though I've been keeping them elevated. The discoloration is gradually going away so it doesn't look like I have gangreen(sp?)!!!

A nurse from Care Givers of America is supposed to call this evening to arrange a consultation for me to let them care for my legs this time. Maybe I'll even find an aide to help me out a few hours a week. My doctor's office made the arrangements so I don't have to do it. I'm thankful for small things.

Ann.....I didn't make the connection when I was typing about the catheter! Have to find humor wherever we can....... Thanks for pointing it out. Anyway, it's definitely staying out for now and I'm going to think long and hard about the supra-pubic "variety".

I agree Sally, at this stage of our lives, why can't we catch a break once-in-awhile???? Guess this "thing" has no respect for age seeing that we as well as kids are a target. Hopefully there will be a good stretch for awhile after all the bad lately. My son and his family are a little over an hour away. They're the ones I see the most often....he's a bio-medical technician at a hospital and his wife works in the lab. She's a sweetie. One daughter lives about the same distance away, but since she's married to a "questionable" guy, they can't seem to be able to keep a car running for long so I don't see her very much. My youngest, another daughter, lives in Mesa, AZ so it's mostly emails for us. She tries to visit once a year.

Oh yeah, my dog, Tasha, is six years old. She was two when I got her as a gift after my first Bichon had to go to the Rainbow Bridge at 15-1/2. Tasha was glad to get home and be back with her "Mommy", but she loves most people and had a fun time on her vacation. She got to go outside alot more than here since there were three adults to take her for walks.

Thanks so much one more time for your love and support.......it really does help.

[Sparky10]

Oh my, Judy...how scary! What a time you've had. Hope the home care nurse is helpful, and you feel better soon!

[NurseNancy]

i'm sorry you've been thru so much.
i hope all the home care you're getting will help you feel better and get your strength back.

having your little dog helps i'm sure.

[tkrik]

Judy - I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope you start feeling better soon.