heathber

yep self massage on the leg is very hard. Have you done the pillow under the foot of the bed trick? That was one the physio recommended when I had fluid build up around my ankle after surgery. You put a pillow or cushion under the corners of the mattress at the foot of the bed. It lifts the foot of the bed relative to the head by a few centimeters only, almost unnoticeable when you lie in the bed, but it's enough to mean the fluid drains out of the leg each night. It made a huge difference for me.

lymphatic draining massage certainly helps my immobile arm. when massaging a lympheadema affected limb work towards the heart. It doesn't stop the fluid coming back of course.

Yep what everyone already told you and you already know in your heart. This was a "little" thing to them but it hurt you big time. And when we are hurt we react. The main thing is you were able to put it aside and be rational after the fact which helps a bit. Hang in there and remember "this too shall pass".

Tracy you could/would do it again if you decided it was necessary. Hot weather certainly doesn't help, neither does cold. There's no pleasing some of us . Here, we are just getting to the coldest part of the year. Winter solstice is only a week away. In the last week the cold has finally hit. Not that it's what you would call cold we only get snow in exceptional winters. But in the last week the wind has turned bitter, and cuts right through you. So far not much rain, which is a problem for the farmers, many of this years crops have been dry sown and everyone is crossing their fingers the rain comes before the seeds and soil blow away. Fingers crossed we do get some real rain so that the dams fill up for next summer,

It sounds like you are just about ready to kick yourself in the ass and decide to make a change. It's not easy to do and there's not much point until you are ready to do it. Remember start small and make a little change each day, and find ways to reward "good behaviour". Maybe use that expansive driveway to practice your walking and build your confidence. 1 lap of the driveway allows you 15 minutes on the verandah doing nothing. and then build it up a little each day as you feel up to it. The more exercise you do the easier it becomes and the better your mood will be, both because you are actually moving and because you are taking charge again. Also if you can get yourself moving again the insomnia should be less of an issue. Hoping you can find the mental strength to make the changes that are necessary for getting on with life after it's kicked you in the guts. -Heather

Hang in there Tracy it is actually getting better, even though some days are still too much. Fingers crossed for your Dad both for quitting the smokes and the biopsy.

Oh Dear I've heard it does this to some people! I have the opposite problem. nearly 8 years post and I'll still sleep 14 hours a day if I don't stop myself. I used to be a morning person now I'm doing well if I'm up and about before 10am. Try not to worry about it (both the sleep and the appointment). I know easier said than done but try.

So good that you chose to laugh. We've all been there. You feel like a real duffer when it happens but as you say there's no point getting mad that just makes a hard day harder.

I love the sound of that polish. I haven't had polish on my nails since my stroke. With how my left hand sits (fingers curled in) getting it on is too tricky and getting it to dry without major smudging impossible. I make do with a simple buff after the salon cuts and files my nails. The nasal rinse will help to unblock the entrance to the facial sinuses but if you can't do that eucalyptus and/or menthol oil in hot water under a towel so you breath in the scented steam is worth a try. I hope you enjoy your pamper session.

The salt water up the nose certainly helps me! either from the atomiser/spray pump or using the pot/squeezie bottle. you can buy the squeeze bottles from the chemist here, you fill them with warm normal saline solution. it's messy but it really does help. https://melbentgroup.com.au/nasal-irrigation/ I hope you are feeling better soon.

Hang in there Pam. We can't always be nice especially when someone pushes our buttons. Sometimes all you can do is appologise afterwards. Saying "sorry I lost my temper, but what you said hurt too" can be helpful in both mending bridges and asking people to see your side as well. Even in ordinary hospital where you know you are only there short term there are some nurses/carers who don't see you as a person, I'm sure that happens even more in a long term care environment. Just because we had a stroke does not automatically mean we also lost all our marbles, but so many nurses and care staff can't seem to get past that stereotype. Hugs and try not to let the turkeys get you down.

If the AFO is causing pain then he won't "trust" the leg to hold him and is probably not putting any weight through it so then it buckles as he's subconsciously not turning on the muscles. His body is probably trying to limp, but he doesn't have the control to do so. A PT assessment and/or an orthotist review are needed. Good luck with getting the Home to do what is needed.

Fingers crossed you get off the merry-go-round soon. Keep your chin up Virtual Hugs -Heather

So many times they need more information and they say no rather than explaining what the problem is. At least you got some response. I had a request for funding for special controls in my car that sat at the disability support office for over 6 months because 1 piece of information was missing and they didn't bother to let me or the OT who did the application for me know. It was only when I asked what's happening that we found out. I hadn't pushed before as I'd been told it takes 6 months for you to get to the top of the queue for funding. Luckily once we found out and the missing info was provided my OT was able to get them to recognise the wait time already done so I went pretty much to the top of the queue. And my new car controls are wonderful! Fingers crossed this all gets sorted out for you soon. How about a photo with your new hair cut? You won't know yourself if you've had it long for a long time.

Precisely Jay, although my walking is now getting more automatic, I spent years thinking lift, bend, weight shift and I still have to revert to that if I'm tired.

That does make it tricky in the short term, hopefully the scar site will get less irritable over time although if the nerves are doing silly things that's going to take a long time. On the bright side winter is here now so beach time will be limited for the next 8 months at least.

Hi Sue, is there a reason your compression stocking would need to be changed if it got wet? If it's tight enough to be effective you shouldn't have to worry about getting sand inside it at the beach. So why not just go swimming with it on if you want to be spontaneous. Be like the football players who wear their compression shorts under their normal shorts. Also if you are getting the white ones why not dye them to make a fashion statement. I know leggings are probably not part of your current wardrobe but if you can think of the stockings as leggings it may be less of a blow to your fashion sense. Also lycra leggings should slide easily over the stocking, and you can get lots of different colours and patterns in those. and wear dresses or tunics over them, treat them like fancy tights. I know this is hard as it is not what you were expecting. You now need to start thinking outside the box and work out how to adapt to the change. If life gives you lemons etc. Given this is about your self image it's probably not going to be quick or easy, but you CAN do this. -Heather

Someone's on the good stuff and I don't think it's you Pam.

Oh Tracy, HUGS Having to fight for basic health needs sucks, its not like you don't have enough problems already. It makes me so glad I live here where basic medical services are mostly government funded, we might have to wait for things that are not considered urgent and make some co payments, but mostly we do OK. I do hope you find a way out of the depressive cycle, the sleepiness could so easily just be a depression symptom. But when you are already feeling a bit down, something like that is such a kick in the guts. Been there a few times lately myself because a new medication was stopping my lexapro from fully metabolising. Was a relatively simply fix once I worked out what was going on, but small things can be so overwhelming and hurtful when you're already running close to the edge. Take care and I hope you find the energy to keep on fighting. YOU CAN DO THIS

Nancy as Asha said I'm sure this is a positive experience for Dan but I also agree with you that not making it a daily thing is wise. Your work needs to be a place were you have the power, at least when it comes to Dan's activities. He can't live with you because of his controlling behaviour, you must not let him take the power in your work place too. You need the money and the "me" space. Hugs

When the doc or physio asks to see the soles of your shoes you know you've been caught!

At least you now know what it is! Often that's half the battle. Once you know what and hopefully why you know what to do when it's bad. Pain can wear you down so easily. a hot or cold pack may help for short term relief.

Hang in there Sue ((HUGS)). There's nothing wrong with a bit of an emotional wallow occasionally it's when it becomes the norm that you need to make the effort to kick it.

Asha, I do hope you find a solution for the pain in your good leg. Remember your "good" leg has been doing more than it's share for a long time now so its not that surprising that its letting you know about it. Its probably a good idea to discuss it with your physio. My physio, often does tune up work on my "good" arm when it gets overuse issues.

Pam I so understand this although I don't have the pain (thank goodness). Nearly 8 years later and I still haven't internalised how much longer it takes me to do the ordinary things. So I'm constantly running late and I hate it. I was always the early/organised one but not any more. When you work out how to get your head to understand the limits of the new you please share the secret. In the mean time hugs and congratulations to us both for still getting out of bed each day and getting on with life. -Heather