My Aunt Angie called me today to ask about my husband. They all know he has neuropathy but they DO NOT UNDERSTAND FULLY WHAT THIS IS. I've tried many times, but forget it, they don't get it.

So now that I also have diabetic neuropathy, I also know what Alan has been through. So I'm explaining to my Aunt Angie about neuropathy.,

She goes, "exactly what is this neuropathy thing". So I gently explained in layman's terms (she's 83) about the myelin sheath on the nerves and the mixed signals between the nerves and the brain.

Believe me, I put it as simply as I can. Then I got to the part about the feet buzzing and pins and needles and burning. And she said and I quote: "Oh, neuropathy is not painful then??" I replied "where on earth did you get that idea??" She said 'but you just said it's buzzing, like the sound bees make".

So I said "yes, your feet buzz". And she replied 'but you are only hearing the buzzing, you are not feeling anything, you are hearing your feet buzz, right, that's what neuropathy is, right?? you hear your feet buzz"???

I just looked at the phone in my hand and said "Aunt Angie, you feel it, you don't hear the buzz, you feel the buzz", and she said 'what do you mean, your feet buzz???" and I just went BZZZZZZZZ into the phone and said 'Imagine your feet having a bunch of bees crawling all over it??" and she said "Oh my god, I had no idea". Then I said 'yeah, well, at the same time, imagine stabbing, and burning". And she said "oh my god".

She was going OH My God, until she hung up. Finally, somebody learned about neuropathy.

One at a time people!!!!!

I wouldn't 'bet the farm' on it!
Here today.....gone tomorrow,
83..... or 23 !!
Believe me, they ....... Just Don't Get It !

Bob, I was in the hospital couple weeks back for a procedure, and the NURSE was giving me a bad time - "how can you have numb feet" and at the same time say they hurt and buzz - (I wanted to say, go read your nursing manual-grrr) but yea, sometimes they never get it - unless it happens to them!

Cathie,
My father-in-law lives in "Big Sandy, Tx" .
I've never been to his place (my wife goes, with her son, sometimes),
but I have been told its "kinda warm" (over 100 degrees) in the summer.
I'll come on down to your place and see if the 5 second rule applies...
(on the floor for less than 5 secs- its still OK to eat) as long as we
can bend over to pick it up..(ohh, my back !).. without it falling
out of our fingers 3 x, before finally getting hold of ....whatever it is.

Cathie,
My father-in-law lives in "Big Sandy, Tx" .
I've never been to his place (my wife goes, with her son, sometimes),
but I have been told its "kinda warm" (over 100 degrees) in the summer.
I'll come on down to your place and see if the 5 second rule applies...
(on the floor for less than 5 secs- its still OK to eat) as long as we
can bend over to pick it up..(ohh, my back !).. without it falling
out of our fingers 3 x, before finally getting hold of ....whatever it is.

Aaahaa... You and my husband will get along just fine... He also instructed me in the 5 second rule, though I have had a little difficulty adjusting to this. Unfortunately, it is kind of hard to wash off brownies, but you can swear away if you drop half the kitchen, and no one will complain.

Keep hanging in there, Bob.

Cathie

You can say that again. My gramps is 84 and my friends are in the 20's both have no clue. I wish if people had no idea they would just listen then give advice or stupid remarks. I'm a big card person I send them to everyone. I love too and when I get one just even saying hang in there it makes me feel so warm. I wish people who are "normal" you know what I mean would just stick to that rather then add sadness or aggrevation to the pain. Like almost I can just will myself to make the pain go away or get better. Sure I love living like I got shot in the legs. I guess for me I try to focus on the people who do support me like my mom and you guys but the bad seeds do stick out. Hugs to all.