By mid to late March we should know how soon TxC' will have his Rt. knee replacement surgery.He will have to have the left knee replaced as well... after the Rt. knee is healed.
We were in SLC,Utah[aprox. 3 hrs from our home], at the VA hospital, Feb.25th, they said they'd phone up w/ surgery date in 3 wks. and to figure four to 6 wks. from Feb.25th for a surgery date.
TxC is our driver,and he wont be driving for a while after the surgery...so we are working on getting rides back and fourth etc.
I am going to do a search here, about how Lyme and Co. may affect knee joints among other things... once TxC's disability checks start hopefully we can see if he has LD and Co's like I do.
VA suspicions strongly that TxC is diabetic, and has started him on some treatment,already.
We have the usual stresses w/ family,illness and aging etc.,and a strong suspicion that most of my family also has LD,but can't or wont get tested...
which always adds to the stresses,especially when angry or odd behaviors occur as can happen to those w/ Lyme and associated disorders who remain untreated.
Finances continue to be an issue, as for most everyone here too I'm sure. We are still waiting to hear if congress will extend the unemployment compensation.
If unemployment is not extended, things will get very interesting for us for **four weeks from the middle of this month to the middle of next month**.
Trying hard not to stress, but not doing as good as I'd like... If the surgery is scheduled during the **4 wks we have no income**...it may have to be shifted to after mid April...we'll see what happens...
I don't think that TxC will want to be cramped into a shuttle van for a three hour ride after knee surgery...shuttle is available,but its a long wait and ride...so we'll see...
Altho' I love our adopted state of Idaho... many of us fall between the cracks when it comes to getting *medical help,finances* etc.
We are still checking into what I can do ,altho SS says that I cannot qualify w/TxC receiving benefits starting next Mo. [I think they are trained to say that?!].
My dad and bro. were here for almost ten days... in Jan. glad to have a chance to visit w/ them...but it was difficult,in our small trailer...in snowy icy weather.
I am monitoring Blood sugars for a few weeks extra closely,and had to go to a higher dosage of Metformin... ,at least my Cholesterol has dropped 70 points...must be doing something right.
Well, just explaining why I haven't been on much lately...what w/ Drs. appts,free clinic and etc...still fighting weariness and acheyness...which seems to be constant w/ LD issues.
Just Silverwolfi...a bit stressed...
[ 03-02-2010, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Silverwolf ]
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Oh Dear <<<<< Lymer Family >>>>>,
No responses? Is all Okay?? Have I offended???
If I have, no offense was intended... Just trying hard not to stress w/ all that's been happening to TxC and myself...
??? ??? ???
Puzzled Silverwolf
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
OH no, Silver!! No offense at all... I read through what you wrote rather quickly. I'll have to come back later to comment... I gotta get my brakes checked!
This must have gotten lost at the bottom because I didn't see it yesterday at all!
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
<<<<< Lymetoo >>>>>,
Phew!!! Thanks for the reply... Stress is making me into a space case right now...so I'm not connecting the dots very well...
Hope your brakes are okay!!! Thanks again for the reply...
I know I've been sorta his and mit...[gees I mean *hit and miss* ] lately,when I am on-line...
* Asking questions and then not being on-line after a couple of responses *... migraine headaches/neck-pain ,sinus-allergy and dizziness have been giving me fits...
My foggy brain is burping alot...
I appreciate each person who has so patiently been answering my questions,when they have a moment...
TxC,is talking to his nephew right now...who had the knee replacements... it takes a few months to recover,and to be able to drive again too...[it'll be interesting w/o a driver for sure...].
Ah well...BBL hopefully... from
Silverwolfi
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Silverwolfi,
I didn't see your post yesterday either.
Sorry that you are feeling so stressed.
I am praying that TxC's knee replacement surgery goes very well and that unemployment is extended to ease your burdens.
I especially empathize with the part about family members with untreated Lyme and Co who have angry behavior!!
I am dealing with that BIG TIME right now and it is soooooooo stressful.
I hope only good things happen for you and TxC in the coming days, weeks and months!
I am praying for you both. It is my faith that is keeping me sane. Keep the faith and things will get better.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
One of the men on this site had knee replacement last year or year before. I can't remember who it was though???? Anyone else?
I'm sorry you both a having such hard times. They seem to come in bunches don't they?
Knee replacement and lyme question? If the bacteria is still around after replacing the knee, couldn't you still have pain around the tissue of the new knee? Wouldn't it become a weak area, playground for the bacteria?
Hope better days are coming your way.
Pam
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Hi Silverwolf, Sorry for all the stresses you and family having lately.
How come family won't get tested for Lyme and Co.? ((((HUGS)))
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
oh geez. hon, i'm sorry but i sent you a pm.
where is my mind!!! my mom had both knees replaced. i completely forgot about that.
hers was really bad. when they went in to operate her joint just dissolved!! the bones were so bad they couldn't umm, you know, screw the thingies in, the metal pieces.
her surgery took hours and hours cause they had to replace so many bones and all.
so her recovery was tough and she was, let's see, maybe in her 50's or so older. cna't remember.
eventually she never had anymore problems, but for while she had it tough, cause she lived alone.
i do know the doc told her never ever take i think it was aspirin. something about the joint.
i had to go vote today, get my car inspected, get new driver's license, mike cleaned his closet (thank heavens, he hasn't done it in years) so i had to go to goodwill too, then home depot, then mail, ended up at family video and then home. what a circus!!!!
i was going to go to wallie world but pooped out.
let me know how mario is doing will ya?
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
<<<<< Dekrator, Map', MDWOO',and Randi'b' >>>>>,
Thanks for the kind replies and comments/info'!!!
Dekrator, I'd feel totally lost,not just a bit spaced...w/o faith!!!
Map', I think you're right about the bacterial playground...and the knee...wish we could get a Dx on teh LD for TxC...most VA Drs. would prolly laugh us out of the office tho'.
Will be watching TxC closely ,trying to keep eye out for infections etc...curious to see if they find any cysts.
MDWOO, those who survive of my family didn't know about LD until after my Sero-negative Neuro-Lyme DX,and can't see how it may apply to them...
Dad will be 80 in a few wks [he thinks his issues are all age and cancer related]...we've taken to calling one of my siblings 'Blabs-a-lot-know-it-all'[ I don't mean to be unkind...it is how they act,]
Blabs has under the surface anger issues[but wow when it surfaces],and a recurring Myco' infection.
The other sibling ,The- *Royal-We-Psycho-Abrupt-Mood-Swings [again not meaning unkindness here]...well we'll just say it can be frightening to see/hear these things unravel...
None of us really has much in the way of finances... and '*Royal' is afraid of their shadow when not lashing out...
I don't see them often...just phone calls, except dad came w/ Blabber for over 9 days in January...
Those of you dealing w/ family that is/are prolly Lyme and Co' infected and can't/wont check it...I'm sure realize how TxC and I are feeling.
Randi'b' friend, I greatly appreciated your PM reply!!! We are wondering how they will fit the new knee joint in TxCs Right leg/knee area... the bones are a mess,and do not line up...
Perhaps we'll need to rename TxC... Bionic-TxC when all the nuts and bolts of the surgery are done and in place.
He,TxC, has a shoulder issue too,that is most probably going to require surgery and some trigger finger arthritis issues...gonna be intersting for 24 to 36 months around here.
Hopefully, we can get past the fall-de-rall w/ Soc.Sec. too for me...I've got a wrist/thumb tendon that needs surgery or a miracle too...
And no way that me,w/ the brain burps and not able to drive can hold down a job...
Thanks All'a'y'all so much for listening to my ventings... and jabbering on...
I'll check in again later...gotta get some laundry done...
Jus' Silverwolfi
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Hugs Silverwolf
Hopefully everything will work out with your finances so that you and TX can continue to get the care you need.
My mom had both her knees replaced. One about 10yrs ago, the other done about 2yrs ago. She was only in the hospital 3days. Needed lots of help at home and many trips to physical therapy. Took a couple months to heal but it was worth it. She's can walk easily now.
When TX has his surgery will he be going to a rehab facility after? If not, you may need to have a social worker arrange transportation to and from physical therapy or have a therapist come to the home.
By the way, how's your dog doing Silverwolfi? Has the diet change helped?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hey ... everything Dekrator said is what I would say if I had the brains!!
Hoping and praying that everything will go smoothly for you two. I know it has been VERY ROUGH. I'm so sorry that it is!
...PS...My brakes are going to cost me $140.. so I got lucky. Not sure we can do it this month...maybe. Still trying to figure out my bank account!! Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hey <<<<< Sammy, and Lymetoo >>>>>,
Thanks for the replies and good wishes,tho'ts and prayer !
We are still working out what will happen after the surgery, tho' VA has suggested for TxC to have the rehab PT in our hometown.
It will be interesting to get us back home from SLC VA hospital[aprox. 3 hrs from home,and as I cannot drive]... the surgery is usually a 3 day stay in hospital,if there are no complications.
We'll have to have them [VA]do some work on our porch too. The *three stairs to the porch and entry door,are difficult for me...
and much more than difficult for TxC,*dangerous on crutches impossible in a wheelchair.
Another concern is the local VA group, seems to be having trouble reading the test results from labs,and various medical reports too, ...some odd issues happening there.
As for Our *Sihayah-Woofli-Sweety-Dog , the food change has helped...she is allergic to just about everything...so we have to watch her closely.
*She has to be shampooed about once a week [tho' normally w/o the allergies we'd only do every 6 to 8 weeks]. And she's still on a low dose of prednisone every other day.
Still have concern that she could have been bitten by a tick at some point?...It may be causing some of this...as well as her grooming being mishandled...
cuts,nicks etc.,in fall of '06, and her having skin irritations since then.
*** Just had a phone call,if we aren't already in Salt lake for the surgery,TxC has to go again to Salt lake for a consult on a trigger finger/ and arthritis issue, the first week of April.
Lymetoo,I'm glad the brakes were not even more costly than they are...hope you get your banking account figured out... they can be a headache sometimes...
My stress levels are causing some sorta thick brain fog...forgot one of my blood tests yesterday,and the test strips are darn spendy...
... so I gotta poke my finger 2 times tomorrow and record my food intake all day too... ah well.
The waiting tends to get to me... so we are trying to just both relax, have to do some errands later...
And trying to get the 'Metformin flu' under control [a side effect...-need Immodium- ]... having to raise dosage is a problem at times...
Sometimes it feels like a bad Merry-go- round ride...maybe more like a Tilt-a-whirl gone out of control...
We are both hanging in here,and I thank the Lord for TxC's sense of humor..it helps... Laughter-a merry heart does good like medicine!
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] lately,when I am on-line...![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
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