Even tho I live in a 'ranch' house, there are steps and doorways that aren't quite compatable with our current and maybe [hope not?] future needs.

After spending a couple of months last year in a wheelchair, I really found that I detested going into the kitchen! Why? Because everything was pretty much at NOSE-height! Really, I was in no mood to see my counter that up-close and personal at such a time for sure.

I can understand about stairs as well, I've not been down to our washer/dryer in the year plus since that 'chair' incident. Honestly? I am more than chicken! [I've a dear husband tho!] There is a step into each entry door to the house and put a 'capper short handle' in-between the door and storm door so's I can hold onto it going in and out of the house. Even with hands full toting things? I now automatically grab that handle and I believe it's kept me from doing the OOOF COLLAPSE 'event' more than once! Worth a shot? Railings are another essential in the interim?

I understand about missing your studio....That is a key part of your life and being limited as you are now is a rough thing to deal with. I know, as I used to do cloisonne, and fabricate, forge and cast various metals. To do so now would be well? Insane! Rite now? Safe is stifling, but let your mind run with the ideas until you can put some of them into reality! Hugs and hope always to you dear person! - j 's

You are talking a lot of money, especially if we don't stay here. All the things KMEB mentioned are wrong with this hose. The only place I will be able to roll into and out of the house is our garage entrance. And our driveway is white rock. So I will be stuck in the house.

DAhlek,
What is a capper short handle? I've been thinking of just putting a handhold in the doorways except it hurts to step up even if I hold on to the doorway to pull myself in and out. The physical step hurts.

Billye

Hi Billye:

So sorry to hear about your pain being so bad. I hope this doctor will be able to help you with this, but I haven't had a chance to check out the site posted so I can see what this procedure is about.

I don't know how housing is going around your area, but around Dallas, people can get GREAT buys on new houses. I would imagine you can get some deals in your area too.

We drove through two areas today and were shocked to see that they look like ghost towns. Beautiful neighborhoods, but it looks like the construction people all went home in the middle of jobs and I have read in the paper that the buys are very good from builders who are unable to finish homes and who are having difficulty selling existing inventory...

I have been working on my husband to consider moving also, considering the above, but I would have to describe his enthusiasm as almost zero... After all of the crap that happens every time he leaves on one of his summer trips, I think I deserve to have another house, since we have lived in this one 30 years.

Cathie

Yeah, I kind of thought it might be expensive. I've seen so many movies where the lady of the house steps into this elevator and it rises up and then she's on the second floor.

I always thought "wow, how cool is that", you don't have to climb those 300 steps to get to the second floor (these were in mansions).

Anyway, I wish you luck if you decide to move.

All the best my dear Silverlady.

Melody

Hugs I am sorry you are going through so much. I know moving is ruff and especially if you like your place in many ways. If you decide too maybe though if it helps with your pain and you are more able to get around it will make it easier. I know my old boss was going to have an elevator installed in his home. I am sure it costs a lot and I am not sure your resorces. I wonder if insurance which I doubht would cover something like that. I do remember I think you saying you were far from many things and if you moved being close to a lot may be nice. I know when I feel like crap but want to get out not having to drive far is nice. Hang in there.

maybe a bad name for it? It's a 9" capper bar. But here it is:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90043+502748
The bottom of the bar is 44" from the interior, and the step is 8" down. [I'm 5'6"] It JUST fits between the door and the storm/screen door and is easy to grab and help haul yourself up or to steady going down or up. The only thing I've noticed tho? IS that I still tend to try and carry too much to and fro - in and out in BOTH hands... So that part requires some 'stopping' and 'thinking' before 'doing'. Or else it's all pointless. On especially what I call 'creaky' days it really IS a blessing! [Not to mention the frequent fractured knees, broken feet, etc.] I'll see if I can take a pic and figure out how to get that to you...so you and others can see it in 'real life'. It REALLY IS better than gripping onto the door frame...Truly!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melody? As for stairway lifts? I looked into them for a friend a couple of years ago and the starting price for a one-flight lift [no turns] was $5-9,000. [Depends on the # of steps] Would your apt building do that for you and/or Alan, or any other tenant if needed? I seriously doubt it. For most single family homes, it can be a negative in the selling markets as well. It's a great idea, but too rich for most of the world.

Hugs and good things to all and SOON! - j

This was recommended for me by my pain doc, also an anesthesiologist, but it turns out that it's not as useful in people who have had back surgery, as it's done assuming the nerve to the facet will be where it was when you were born, and not moved around by a surgeon's hand.

I read lots about it at the time, and it seems like a good procedure when the doctor can identify the source of the pain. A firend of a friend who had a bookbag dropped on her head by a student, and has severe chronic pain, gets them every 6 months, or year, and it's working for her.

(((Billye))) I just kinda stumbled in here looking for DejaVu and read with interest, and great empathy, your sacro/lower back pain. I've had problems with that for I don't know how many years. Chiropractors make me cringe, but someone suggested one and I went to him. I was pain free (shocked me) for a couple of months, and now the pain has returned. *sigh

I'm fed up with the ONE pain management doctor we have at our hospital here. Been to him for years and I just don't feel like he stays on top of things, I dunno.

So anyway, been reading this with great interest and I do hope you have huge success with it.

I wasn't sure which treatment you were talking about, but on the website you linked to I also found this. I may have to try to work through the system again to figure out how to deal with this pain. Low Back and Pelvic Pain

Good luck! Good luck! Good Luck!

(and I love the picture of your sweet little furbaby )

Billye, you love where you are so much, I'm wondering if you've considered adapting it for your requirements. I've just looked into chairlifts for my mom, and they're not very expensive, and are partly covered by medicare. You could ramp your front steps, and even doors can be widened, if you need that.

I know that doing that would be an expense, and moving you'd hopefully get a profit, but you might be able to finance it from the house itself, and get some reimbursed by the government.

I know you don't want to move and at the same time consider it the right decision. I do hope you find a house that works and gives you studio space on one floor.

Doody,
I believe this is the procedure the doctor is talking about. I have rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's(connective tissue diseases) so the slippery surface isn't there to let those joints slide. As I understand the doctor (may be wrong but I'll find out for sure) they will position the needles and run an electric current between the needles. This will "fry" the nerves there. Everybody pray for me. This is scary to me but I've read a lot about it. I'm waiting on my insurance now to approve the procedure. 6-8 week wait it usually takes. I wouldn't use a chiro due to the fragile bones. Can't have a massage for the same reason.

dahlek,
the link won't open anything and I tried a search for the item and came up empty.

Liza Jane, I'm not old enough yet for Medicare and too much money for anything else. And the Texas heat is making the airconditioner work overtime in a huge vaulted room. We had trees closer to the house when we built that area. Three of those trees died this past year due to the drought. We had to cut them down. It's also a bad place for my little dogs because of the stairs.

I'm leaving my furbaby for the time being. I hope to be able to work on a new jewelry photo for the avatar.

Thanks for all your concern.

Billye