Jeanniebean

Fred good for you. Are you not getting 5 in each knee? My good knee needed the shot first after two more shots I'm going to start the shots on my right. Both knees will get 5 shots. These are working. I'm exercising using my knees and I'm not in pain at all. Hallelujah:happydance:!

I've received my third shot of Hyalgan in left knee. I have two more shots left in the left knee. Next week I'm changing to my right knee. It is hurting pretty bad. I am really glad I found this Pain Clinic and the Hyalgan product. I am still doing my lap swimming, either 5am or 5pm. I do like mornings much better and it seams to start my day on a better tone. I am using flippers to strengthen my ankles and keeping my legs straight is working my upper thighs and stomach mussels. Doing laps also get my cardio in . I received a call from my Part D provider. Reviewing my medication by name and dose. The lady also wanted to know if I knew what is was for and how to I take it. That was a nice service they provided. After all I am know down to 13 medication, out of 23. I have not had to be taking my pain medication for my knees. But this neuropathy (numbness in feet, hands) still taking pain medication. Good news is my A1C is 5.7. I have been watching what I consume.

How true Fred, The only one I trust is God. God is the only one who knows what you can handle. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean:cocktail:

Ruth, You need to take time to rest. You have a full agenda with work, and Williams care. You and William are a great team. When I read your blog and Sue blog as caregivers you both rate at the top of caregivers. Both of you are so attentive to your spouses. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Ditto to Sue advice. Please let him keep talking non stop cuz if he ended with aphasia you would have to figure out what he was trying to say. take small steps in change for the brain is damaged and need time to make new connections. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Sue, you and Ray are a great team. You are a great caregiver. You have compassion for Ray. You are making him as comfortable as possible. As for others, they are not being rude they do not know better. Until it occurs to them will they really understand. Sue I do understand you when you get to the point to say "I'm out of here" I am unable to pick up and leave for I get lost. Even in my own back yard. You must not miss getting into the ocean even it you only get you toes in. Remember doing your regular things keeps you sane. Ray would want you to as his caregiver to still live a vital life. See those grand kids, they grow up too fast.remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Time lines are talked about with caretakers. For survivors really have not concept of time. When we are stroked our brains our short circuited. So, for me time is not a quantity amount of minutes. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Dean, I am not a flicked with this deficit so is sounds very scientific. I hope it was a helpful therapy, and others that have this deficit find this very helpful. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail::cocktail:

Kimmie, Glad your back to blogging. I'm not in Texas but you need something don't hesitate to get in touch and ask. Sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you in you new journey of life. It's great your able to be back with family. Your stroke family is hear to support you in what ever you require. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail::cocktail:

Thank you Sue. It was a long cold winter. For spring we are getting sufficient rain for the buds to open. Today is a very pleasant sunny day. I put my Night Blooming Cerius inside plant went outside today, this plant only blooms 1 time, in the night, by morning the bloom deflates. It's a sight to see.

Lydia, Monster, Love it!:Clap-Hands: what a great name. I wouldn't even think of changing his name either. Sam and Monster are going to be a faithful pair for you to deal with. It's great the trainer will come to your house and for that low fee:goodjob:. Your blesses. Monster is one lucky dog to end up in your house and have the love you and Sam have to share. The love that is pouring out of you when you talk about Monster is so beautiful. I wish I was Monster.:happydance:

Mike & Bernie, You truly are an amazing couple. My prayers go out to both of you. I miss my Bingo since I moved down south.lol!remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Debbie and Asha are right so ditto. My two cents, Miracles are your right. God only gives us what he know we can handle. So, take those negatives and turn them into positives. Lessons to be learned. If you are seeing some of the old negatives repairing take a second look to find the lesson in it. You are a child of God, born in his image. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Wow! You had a fun filled day. I wish I was their. I'm Czech Ruth. As far as I known Pigs in the Blanket are Pigs in the Blanket - Cut the core of the cabbage and boil the head in salted water, when the leaves start coming off the stalk take a leaf cut the hard part out, in the mean time put together the filling. ground chuck, instant rice, salt, pepper, can of crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic. Mix that up and in each cabbage leaf you will put a tablespoon on and roll like rolling a egg role. Place them in a roaster take another can of crushed tomatoes ad some sugar and water, pour over the rolls. Bake covered for 1hr. Make mashed potatoes, and wa la! Pigs in the blankets for dinner. They make a great Entree', add a veggie, potatoes. Oh! I forgot, take the triangle you cut out of each leaf and chop them up and lay on top of the layer of sauce. You've used 1 whole head of cabbage. Need more info pm me. The kolache' we make dozens of them at Christmas time, and for weddings and baby showers. Smart move to plan to go to the Y and miss the traffic. That's what I would of done Ruth. Sounds like William was a good boy and you enjoyed yourself as well. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Finally March 2011 went out like a lamb for Atlanta, GA. I know some of you got snow but spring is on it's way for you.:chat:The flower garden is all planted,:gym: (I did all the digging myself this year) just in time for the rain we got at the end of the month. (anytime I don't have to use city water makes me happy). :cheer: Went for my 2nd shot in left knee,:sword: had stimulate therapy and leg motion. Now my knee is not locking up when I stand in one spot. I'll roll out some pasta, which entails me standing at the pasta machine for ½ hour. I was pain free for the duration. Carl just got stimulate therapy and on the decompression :yikes:(that's the machine you lay flat on the table and a harness is put on which you get stretched, adjusting your spine. Carl is staring to feel better, and not in pain. My landlord installed the second light on the house in front of the driveway.:bow: So now my car is no longer parked in the dark. Now with that done and us locking the gate, anyone (thief) would have to jump over the gate to break into the car and do it in the light. I know nothing really stops thieves, if they want they get. I just try to make it harder for them at the house. The other protective thing for the car was a car alarm sensor. Best Buy installs these. How does it work you ask yourself, when someone or something get too close the the body of the car your horn starts honking. Price is anywhere from $40 to $200 plus installation. Still undecided :uhm:, I'm asking around people who have it and their opinion. Those that are reading this and have an opinion please leave it.:secret: April 2011 is here. April showers bring May flowers. March flowers tho are blooming, :happydance:My Iris's are just about to open. The Trumpet vines leafs are popping out. Next post I'll have pictures.:pic:remembertolaugh!!!

MJ, Very good that you found some where close to home so you can visit at any moment. We are here to help each other in chat, or on the boards. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Fred, Honest opion - getting a dog for an only child, six years old is way too young. For their are no brothers or sisters to fill except for you. I noticed you asked yourself the question about who takes the dog out if the child is in school 5 days a week, you. Your asking the correct questions and your answers always come back to YOU. Fred I'm sure you love animals(dogs) but your mobility is probable not feasible. Your on the right track to put it on HOLD for a few years. Remember, your dealing with a kid that wants something from Grandpa. How about changing her mind to a kitty or cat. Cats pretty much take care of themselves. she is able to have something to hold. If you are so incline to get her a pet. Good luck in the pet endeavor. I would love a dog again but I know for me it's too much work, taking care of myself is enough for me and I'm an adult.lol remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Ruth, Good for you planning your plan and sticking to it. I can tell you had a accomplished feel:Clap-Hands: and William has tuckered out:cloud9:. One of these days I will get in for a cleaning. Carl had gone and has had some other work that need being done, so when I get his work paid off I'm next.:big_grin: remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean:cocktail::cocktail:

Lydia, The tests were good and tiring not only for your eyes but your brain. ha! I've been going for those eye test now for 10 years. I still drive around town but, never was told I had to stop driving. Your eyes sound like their in worse shape than mine. You have my sympathy. Loss of vision has lead me to seeing threw my spirit. For spirit has no judgment upon others. As for Independence I look at it now that my hubby can always be part of my recovery I don't have to do it alone. Hubby gives me my time by going someplace where he gets his time. Then I have the whole house to myself. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Dean, In this time of rehabbing which is not a specific block of time, continues daily for the rest of your life. Everything I do is therapy for me. Which before I was stroked I was a work alcoholic. Sitting at a computer day in day out, not ever taking a walk around the building on breaks or lunch time. I find blogging to be therapeutic and it sounds like you do also. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Thank you Asha and Sue. Asha their is nothing like homemade pasta out of your own kitchen. Sue I take my rest breaks, after all I'm a survivor first and caregiver second. Having experienced both sides of stroke I take rest breaks automatically.

I have to start at the end of the week. When I was ready to post an update I received an Fox Fire update. So I downloaded and installed the update, by the time it was done I was finished for the night. I was too tired, my eyes could not keep open even with toothpicks holding them open. I started today planning to post a updated blog. That blew the coop. My browser Fox Fire would not open. I worked on that for most of the day. Took a break and went to the Farmers Market, picked up cabbage and red potatoes. This was a fun trip cuz before we left I scrounge for every coin in the house. Being five weeks in March, we are out of money till next month. It's a long month. I came up with $10.00 in change. I threw it in a old Free-to-Lay container. Entered the Market and they stopped me and said “you can't go in with that container, I answered but it's my money in change for my groceries”. She replied”Can't you put it in your pocket, or don't you have a purse or wallet”. I use a small credit card size change purse, to hard to carry a purse and walk with a cane. The lady finally put a certain kind of tape across the container and let me do my shopping. The market was congested, I took a basket instead of a shopping cart for I was only getting three things. Making my way to the veggie area I was pushed, shoved, literally run over. I got to the red potatoes, $1.28/lb. I picked around 2 dozen, got to a scale and it weighed a little over 2 lbs. One down one left to get. I made my way to the cabbage table. I just wanted plain ordinary green cabbage. I looked for marked prepackaged reduced cabbage, but their was none. So, the next best and cheapest was the $.38/lb. I picked out two smallish ones, bagged and weighted them. Each cabbage weighted 2lbs, give or take a little. Now I have my items I have to figure if I have enough money before I get to the register. I find a uncrowded place in order for me to count out my change. $10 dollars, on my way to the registers. There is nothing so embarrassing not having enough money. I move to the 15 items or less register. It's a short line. When I got to the front of the line the cashier rung me up. $4.72 Yea!!! I apologized to the cashier for all change. But, change is money just like paper money. You may be asking ourselves why buy cabbage and potatoes. Carl had bought-en chicken on Wednesday and plan to make it Thursday and forgot it was St. Patrick's Day, and we were going to have Corn-beef, cabbage and potatoes for dinner. But the chicken needed to be cooked. So, Sunday we are having our St. Patrick's Day dinner. Now to the beginning of the week. Monday Carl had 2 doctors appointments, Speech at 11am, Primary care at 1pm, I had Cardiology at 9am. After my appointment we went to speech after that we had lunch in the hospital cafeteria. It's not worth leaving the hospital/Clinic, pay for parking drive either home for lunch or some fast food place. Lunch was good, I had salad and soup, Carl had chicken wrap. Both had water. Got to get my quota of water in for the day. Done with doctors by 3pm. Carl's hip is bothering him and we take off for the chiropractor, Carl's hip is out and needs an adjustment. Tuesday, Carl was still not feeling good. I left him sleeping and I took myself to the pain doc. I got my foot detox and stimulation on both knees. Fred our friend showed up to cut the grass(weeds) front and back yard. The yard is looking pretty good. Wednesday morning 5am I awoke and took off to the YMCA. I did my 36 laps of swimming. Which BTW = 1 mile. When I returned back home Carl was hungry, made him a sandwich and I went for a nap. After a couple of hours I woke and decided to make pasta dough for pasta and pesto for dinner. While the pasta dough is resting we decided to go to the YMCA. Carl did exercises to loosen up his hip joint. Thursday, I have an appointment at the pain clinic with the doctor for my first shot and therapy. I left Carl in bed for he did not sleep well. Carl had a 5pm docs appointment to take care of his hip. I arrive home in time to take off for Emery's Stroke Club meeting 11am. Great meeting, guest speaker was a nurse who had been stroked. And,she had returned back to work nursing. She opened the floor and we shared our individual experiences. We also attended the Aphasia group at 1pm. I decided in the afternoon to feed all the plants that I just had planted. 5Pm rolled around and we were back at the pain docs. I did not go in with Carl. Carl came out from the docs office and he felt wonderful. Carl was given a shot in the hip joint. Were both too tired to go to the YMCA. Friday, was a stay at home day. After all the running around this week. I did the laundry and Carl was playing cards on the computer. Saturday, has been a cool day for we had thunderstorms most of the day. Well I finally got this written and just in time for I'm ready for bed now.

Ken, I had it at the beginning. My doctor said most stroke victims end up with it.My doctor referred me to a Orthopedic clinic. That doctor ordered me to get x-rayed of my shoulders. Orthopedic doctor read the xrays and said my shoulder socket was out, inflamed. He gave me cortisone shots. Right then and I only had to go back one more time for shots and the pain was gone. :Clap-Hands: remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean :cocktail:

Ruth, Great post. Yes your right, the pool is really a great rehabilitation tool. I encourage anyone I meet with a disability of stroke, joint pain to join a YMCA for improvement. remembertolaugh, Jeanniebean:cocktail: