Thursday, July 8, 2021

Lord Willing & Creeks Don't Rise I have my Left Eye Cataract Surgery next Tuesday 7/13/21

 I am praying, along with even my ow PCP praying (he is an awesome physician) that I get through the cataract surgeries, quickly since it is Laser, 2 weeks after the 1st one I should be able to have the 2nd one done. Then if things are as they should be, I may ONLY NEED reading glasses!!! Astigmatism GONE! along with Cataracts!

Then the other issue... that is about to pull me into the nut house is my Right Shoulder. It's been 10 years since it was replaced as a "reverse total shoulder replacement" which at the time I knew the possibility of me having to have another surgery on it. At that time a reverse shoulder surgery was fairly new, and not all Orthopedic Surgeons could do them.

In fact it took me several  months to even find one near me that could do the procedure. So, at the time, I had to take the chance. It was in such bad shape, with already 3 arthroscopic surgeries, & then not a 100% chance of it being somewhat better. Yet, I was fortunate. I had the surgery & for 9 years...  THINGS WERE OKAY... REALLY ABOUT 8 YEARS. THEN I NEEDED A 2ND CERVICAL NECK SURGERY. When I had it done, I know although I probably could not prove it, when they had me asleep and in the operating room putting me in position, somehow they wrenched, twisted, let that shoulder twist or SOMETHING.   When I awoke from the neck surgery my shoulder was killing me!    I even asked my doctor, and he said they had to lay me kind of with my head in a "downward"   position. He said they may have "bruised it" or allowed it to hang a bit down further than they should have and made that muscle pull down. So, I took it as a probably OR something, that it would  get better in a few days. Yet, honestly, that shoulder has never been the same since. I have had major pain issues, weakness, not able to hold much of anything & it is my "dominant" arm. So, I went on with my life, all of the stuff I had done for years, yard work, house work, putting up ceiling fans... and felt I would just go on using it and live my life. Well, a couple of things after, I almost "dropped" a new air conditioner and also putting up a ceiling fan, not having quite tall enough ladder & that really messed me up. After that trying to hold the Weed eater, or get a bowl down with one hand all out of the question. I need to do so much, from bathing my pups, to trimming trees and cutting up the larger pieces into smaller ones. So, I really need to use the chainsaw, which I usually do, but now I fear I can't hold it like I need to. Even ding laundry or getting groceries bought, get them home & putting them up is a nightmare.


It seems to be never ending as to things wrong or need fixing or testing... I am a mess.                      



Sunday, July 4, 2021

Have You Been Labeled a 'Difficult' Patient? — Pain News Network

Have You Been Labeled a 'Difficult' Patient? — Pain News Network: By Ann Marie Gaudon, PNN Columnist   We’re all aware of doctors labeling a patient as “difficult” or some other derogatory term. There are even entire categories set up for these “ heartsink ” patients, who behave in ways that doctors consider dependent, entitled, manipulative... 


...
 Pat Anson
 Founder and Editor
 Pain News Network

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Time to Celebrate and look forward to WEGO Health 10th Annual Awards Campaign!

 WOW! Ten years! seems like just yesterday to many I am sure.


Nominations are open for the#WEGOHealthAwards! Nominate the patient & caregivers who are change-makers, artists, and advocates in your communities.


Winner's will be honored on healthcare's biggest stage.







Friday, June 11, 2021

Incredible News On The Lupus Home Front - 2 NEW Medications FDA Approved

 

TWO NEW DRUGS RECEIVE FDA APPROVAL

May 1, 2021

“This is a historic moment in lupus with two new drug approvals for lupus nephritis in just over a month,” enthused Kenneth M. Farber, LRA President and CEO.  ... please continue to read this incredible news from the Lupus Research Alliance at the URL....



https://www.lupusresearch.org/two-new-drugs-receive-fda-approval/?fbclid=IwAR26FxWrGAltOeo3hZ7uv8Agwl2psGDZOX4jDpPXysvX33eZzlWKXop54LI



I was so elated to see this and be able to share it! It has been a very long time coming for a new Lupus medication(s) to arrive & be approved by the FDA.


Saturday, May 29, 2021

Renewal Ways to Celebrate Our Day to Remember those who Protect and did Protect Our Nation!

 As we begin a very different kind of celebration. One that we had to "hope" & pray would happen: I am sure many are still very nervous about not wearing a mask or being out in a larger public place, or all of the other events and things we will do that we have not gotten to do in well over a year.


Like myself, I am sure even just going to a store, if they are leaving the masks "up to the shoppers" I feel you will still see many wearing them. Even those like myself, I have gotten both vaccines so I am good till this "booster" one comes along. 

Which I hav felt all along a BOOSTER would come even quicker than the flu vaccine. We are still NOT WELL by a long shot. Not everyone has full protection if they have not had a vaccine or vaccines if you need 2, and could still either spread it to get it from someone else who maybe ll and not know it. 


Also, our researchers are are a long way from "knowing" for SURE the science behind this vaccine will work, and will will work over and over again. It may only last 3 months, or you need a booster once a month.. or whose to say that whoever "attacked us" I feel someone got it here on purpose won'r turn around & knowingly send something more destructive. So yes we cannot live like the "Bubble Boy" that has NO IMMUNITY and would die within months if he was expose to all of the deadly viruses that are out there. So, we must be smart as to what feel we is best. And we can't trust everything, but "gut-Instinct" to me seems to work fro meA my own health, as to whether to ha a Lumbar surgery or not...some things "like COVID" delayed it but other we me "not being sure, feeling eery" & still waiting before I go allowing even the of best doctors go cutting into my lower back.  Sure enough my decisions to check on something else may be best for now & put off the Lumbar Lower Fusion till a bit later". ONCE HE does that 1ST INCISION THERE IS NO TURNING BACK FROM THERE. If I have further test to see what is really gong on if possible about my bones, the osteoporosis, my right shoulder that I did read they  ted to "wear out" at about 10 YEARS! Which it has been a bit over 10 years... So this is NOT just nervous" HOLDING ME BACK, IT IS some thing telling me to waiting just a bit then have it done. By the way   , THE ORTH DOCTOR TOLD HIS NURSE TO IVE ME THE BACK BRACE TOAKE TAKE HOME FOR THAT LOWER LUMBER SURGERY EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL A BIT OFF ABOUT IT ALL, SHE GAVE IT TO ME, AND YESTERDAY I GET A BILL FROM 256$ FOR MY CO-INSURANCE  they knew if the hospital did it thy would just have it in their total co-insurance of which mine whole thing is about 352.00 and he knew if he did tit hid way they would collet that high -co-pay which is insane anyway!!~  ROGHT NOW IAM NOT PAYING  DIME ON IT UNTU WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS THE THEY CAN HAVE IT BACK!!A