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[Some Schmo]

Sometimes, if you are logged on, it's good to have a good long Jersey Girl thread.

Great stuff, Jersey Girl. I agree with so much of what you've said.

[Doctor Steuss]

Steuss would Toradol help you? I got that shot up with that this year, too. Takes a while to kick in but it helped. Put me at ease, didn't mess with my head, and no nausea.

Yeah, I’ve had Toradol shots before. Right now, I’m on a max dose of Naproxen (have been for a few weeks), so I don’t imagine the Toradol would be able to inhibit much more of the COX-1/2 enzymatic activity (the primary mechanism of action for NSAIDs like Toradol). In the past though, they have been magical. Just wish the half-life was longer.

Thank you so much for the added advice and information. My main concern right now is that by the time insurance, MRI, etc. all come together, the nerve damage will be permanent. Just trying to keep focusing on “make it through today.”

ETA:
Epidural fun cancelled. Pain Managment told me it was going to be $0, which is why I went ahead with it (even had them double-check, and they confirmed $0). Got a call from the facility to go over "my costs" before the appointment tomorrow, and was told $1,716 was due from me prior to the injections. Back to pills, and prayer.

[Jersey Girl]

Coming up for air! Surgery was yesterday. We had help from one of our kids who did the whole hospital gig in my place, took him up there the night before. Discharged about 6 hours post op, walking with a walker no problem. Pain meds injected into the surgical site are the bomb! First night home was difficult to go through all the discharge notes with a guy high on dope , pick up meds, sort meds, set up meds, get the compression squeezers going, ice gizmo going. Long slog to get it all done.

This guy is tough as nails.

Today was peace on earth good will to us. Meds squared away and routine in place. He's up and moving, doing most things for himself , incision looks good to me (TMI*), first PT is Monday. Nothing bad pain-wise. They gave him lidocaine patches to use if a 5 alarm pain fire breaks out. Good communication with all resources and there's a new knee in town!

Whatever surgery you have...see if it's possible to inject pain meds into the surgical site that last 2-3 days. Amazing grace!

Get your meds delivered to the house if at all possible--we didn't do that.

More to say in a separate post while I've got a moment over here with regard to to the topic. Doubt I'll be able to reply to any posts after I do these two.

*I've seen so many incisions and changed surgical dressings by now that I surprised myself today when I said, "Oh that looks good!" Who am I even?

[canpakes]

Jersey Girl, this is a good report. Keeping my fingers crossed for an ‘uneventful’ and speedy recovery for JB.

[Jersey Girl]

Back to topic...For the most part I've remained offline.

About the same results as before:

Decompressing effect
Centered
Focused
Peaceful
Few post op issues
More fully present in my own life
More time for self care
I was never bored

I've been using The Examen Prayer for about 2 months now. I go through it by candlelight each night. It's basically a review of your day and then I go into regular prayer requests for people...mainly for suffering folks that sort of thing. Found a website that has specialized Examen for various needs and interests.

This dipping my toes in the water of increased time offline and living in my real life on the ground has made a believer out of me. It's obviously better for me in every way possible.

Story time! Feel free to skip it if you're reading this at all.

I mentioned in a previous post that I decided the day I posted that I was leaving the art organization I have membership in. I want to say what triggered that. So before the surgery thing I made a run for it to my paper crafting store to pick up 2 small orders I put in about a month ago. It's one of my happy places. A great place to get away, no one cares what you're wearing, everyone is there for the same reason...we like to create. Beautiful papers, some imported, mixed media offerings, adhesives, equipment, whatever you want for projects.

I knew that one of my favorite paper companies has a Christmas class "bundle" where you get all the papers and embellishments that you need (at a discount) and you get a code to watch several classes (56 projects!) and the code is essentially good for life. Oh and they also have a special tote bag designed to match the paper bundle. It's a bag that holds 12 x 12 papers for those who travel or visit and craft! I think it's just so pretty! (insert puffy hearts forever)

I wandered around the store picked up 2 papers, a paint, and went to the register to check out and pick up my order. I stood there looking at the Christmas class bundle display already feeling rushed to get product finished for delivery.

Do I need the projects from the class? No.
Do I want to learn new mixed media and construction techniques? Yes.
Do I want to be able to check in and out of a class and do it at my own speed in total peace with beautiful papers and embellishments? YES!

And I knew I was done.

It's interesting how you can be mulling over something on and off for a long time and all it takes is that one defining moment when you suddenly know what the answer is.

I can still register for the class (already messaged the owner) and do the C'mas projects through Nov and part of December.

I want my life back and I want this pretty bag, too.

[Jersey Girl]

Post op day 7 I think.

Not doing a good job of logging off but steering away from political as much as possible. I know some things that are happening not pursuing any of it. Putting pleasant things in my face on breaks.

New vocab words:

Icee
Cooling machine
Squeezers
Leg lifter



There's no point getting bent out of shape with things political. They'll change within minutes. The chaos is intentional. Forget about it.