Hi Everyone! New day and a new Insights thread.

I rested as much as possible today. Not sure if it was the shot they gave yesterday, the antibiotics, the inflammation/infection or a combination of all them, but I sure did not feel well today. My brain is in a fog. I'm going to spend the night with DDs tonight as things just aren't right. At least that way someone will be around.

Debbie - I'm glad you went to get your hair done today. What a great thing to do before surgery. Pampering yourself is always good.

Sadly, I can't remember everything I just read and since this is a new thread I can't scroll down to see everyone's posts. But I did read them and hope you all have a great day!

Spent my afternoon watching the Illinois State legislature debate and pass a pension reform bill that will cut my benefits by quite a bit over time. they have cut a 3% cola that is supposed to be compounded annually to about 1% that is not compounded. There were lots of other changes for current employees.

This was passed by a democratically controlled house and senate and is supported by our democratic governor. Once he signs the bill it will be immediately challenged in the courts. Many legislators (both those voting for and against) do not feel it will be upheld in the courts. Our state constitution says they cannot diminish pension benefits for current employees and retirees.

Thanks for starting a new one. I really enjoy this thread. Still having tummy issues. It will be the main topic of my physical in January. I have taken myself off my stool softener and taking fiber pills only now in addition to diet high in fiber and lots of water. I will also discuss it with my neuro at my next appointment with her. My husband has his appointment with his cardiologist tomorrow. After his stent was put in after his heart attack he had to go off his daily Aleve he took for his arthritis. Such a simple solution, just one Aleve a day. Now his left shoulder hurts him real bad and he is on Celebrex with some relief, not much. He also had a bad trembling in his left hand. So I am going to ask his doctor if it could be a side effect of any of his heart medicine.

When I started my diet I was very uncomfortably in size 20s refusing to go to a size 22. That was size 2X shirts. Now my 1X are to big and I had to go buy some more clothes tonight. Bad situation isn't it, that you have to go shopping because you have lost enough weight that you have gone from a 22 to a 14.

Congratulations on your weight loss, Doydie!

Since I have stopped eating meat I have lost a little bit of weight. Not really trying but I guess the added veggies I've been eating are doing some good. The last time I went to the doctor I had lost 11 pounds since the last weigh-in.

It's rainy/drizzly here and warm.....highs for the next couple of days in the 70's! My heating bill will enjoy the break. But back to cold weather by the weekend.

Both my boys and my DIL came over last night for my birthday. We had dinner (they brought) and watched silly AFV reruns. My oldest son was promoted to Sgt. so we celebrated that, too.

My cat Gracie is in the cat tree by the window behind me and she is snoring to beat the band! Makes me smile to know she's so content!

-----Just Saying------

Hi everyone!

Sal, that is awesome!!

Barb, when are we Illinoisans going to wake up and take these creeps' benefits away? You worked hard for those benefits; they were a part of your salary package. Because they couldn't keep their oily hands off of the pension fund, all of the state workers are going to lose. I am mad as a tasmanian devil!!

Trish, hope you're feeling a bit better today

Got the rest of my errands finished today…got some ugly nightgowns for after surgery, some shoes that I can get on easily, and bought some food and took it to the food pantry.

I have most of the laundry finished, food in the house, and the dog brushed. now I just have to keep calm.

Last night I asked DH what his biggest fear about the knee surgery is…he replied, "That you won't be able to handle the pain, or your MS will flare up and make it more difficult to do your exercises."

I reminded him that this is not MY ms-:roll eyes: I never call it that. I didn't ask for it. And my neuro exclaimed in the past that he feels I might not be emotionally strong enough to handle the pain.

thanks, guys...

Debbie- after that houseful of overnight company for your "Christgiving," I think you can handle what you need to.

ANN

Im using my phone to type this so please excuse the grammatical errors. these smartphones arent as smart as people think.

Doydie - thats awesome. congratulations. you made it to size 14. im sure you are ecstatic about it. im proud of you.

Kelly - Happy birthday! you snuck that in on us. haha. I hope you had a great day andim glad all the kids came over to celebrate.

Barb - im so sorry about them passing the bill. I hope that somehow all of it doesnt happen, like something changes. big hugs to you.

Sally - haha youre funny. I didnt know what day its on but thanks to your post I was able figure it out and now know. haha.

Debbie - I think you will do just fine. its amazing what ms and all the pans from it has taught us. chronic pain is just everyday life for us so whats another pain, right? haha. I know a couple of ladies that hadit done. one is a major complainer and has a low tolerance for pain and the other is kind of the opposite but does love attention. the complainer breezed through it with much pain at all. the other one had lots of pain. I guess it all depends. I do think you will do fine though.

Lucky me! After almost blacking out from the pain several times today and talking to my dr, im in the er waiting to see whats going to happen. I got some pain meds and they did another blood test and urine test. my wbc the other day was 13.4 which is borderline for admission for iv antibiotics and all other tests were fine, which is a relief. but the pain is getting to me. my brain now wont let me have a bm because it hurts way too much. Funny how the brain can control the bowel so much to do that but doesnt have the ability to do that with the bladder. haha. Ill let you all know what happens next.

Oh the sweet side, dd23s dog slept with me most of the night. he normally doesnt do that and hangs out in her and her bfs room. he stayed with me until about 3 but kept coming to check on me. this morning after the 1st time I almost passed out he wouldnt leave my side even when I went to the bathroom. It was so sweet. at one point he tried to wake dd22 up. I dont know if she was already awake or he actually woke her up by whining and scratching on her door but she took one look at me and knew I needed help and needed to come in. so dd23s dog gets the sweetest dog award. haha. animals always know.

Trish, I am praying that things will cool off in your abdomen and the pain will recede. I am sorry that you have to wait around.

That's a good comfort dog!

Let us know how things go when you can.
ANN

Trish, I hope they can get your pain under control. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this.

I wonder how many folks pass the time in the ER by texting or typing on their phones? It beats just sitting there.....because it seems like waiting is what you do the most of there. I must be the only person on earth without a smart phone. Maybe one day...........

I just fed the outside kitties. It's warm here....in the 60's. I'm thankful for their sake. It was so cold here last week. There was a little possum out there tonight and I put some food out for him, too. When I looked out there again he was eating, too!!