First injection done

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Well, I had my first steroid injection done this morning. Not the most pleasant experience, but I'm sure it could have been worse. They say it will take about 3 days till I really know how well it's going to work. Injection site is pretty tender right now and bending over to tie my shoes does not feel very good right now. Glad I took the day off and if I need to go into work tomorrow in sweats, they're going to look the other way for now. Don't think slacks or uniform pants with a stiff waist band would feel very good. We'll see what tomorrow brings and hope that this lasts for several months before I have to do it again.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

L*I*T*A* 2/29/2012 4:23PM

hoping and praying this will be an effective treatment for you..... hope you get relief soon... blessings and hugs......lita Comment edited on: 2/29/2012 4:24:51 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

MRI done... Next up, steroid injections

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Well, I had an MRI done on my back Feb 17th. That showed "age related" shrinking of the disk between the L5 and S1 vertebrae. The disk is pushed out to the left and that, they say is whats causing the pain in my left side (hip, thigh, knee, etc.) I am scheduled for my first epidural steroid injection in my back this coming Wednesday. I'm not real excited about the thought of someone injecting steroids into my body, but if this is what needs to be done and it works, well I guess I can handle it. Not being able to sleep at night and not being able to walk very far or exercise at all is getting really old. Hopefully this will be the answer and I can get back on track with everything else in my life and start losing some weight again.

  

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L*I*T*A* 2/26/2012 11:33AM

wishing you all the best with this treatment... hoping and praying you will feel much better.. blessings and hugs...........lita Report Inappropriate Comment

Doctor visit

Friday, January 06, 2012

Well, the doctor appointment went pretty well. Blood pressure was 116 over 71. Weight the same as it was 3 months ago... at least I didn't gain anything over the holidays. We finally took some x-rays of my lower back and hips. It appears I have some "arthritic changes" in my lower back. Without an MRI, he can't tell for sure how much nerve inflammation/irritation is being caused by that but it's the likely culprit. We are going to start with an anti-inflammatory drug for a month or so and see how much that helps. For now, no more physical therapy, just do some exercises at home and some walking on the treadmill when I get it. Also did blood work to see how my cholestoral levels are. Happy for now. He didn't tell me I had bone cancer or needed a hip replacement. Arthritis isn't good, but I'll take it over other options.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BBAMMOM 1/8/2012 12:16AM

Sounds like great news to me!! Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 1/6/2012 9:57PM

what great news! Report Inappropriate Comment

Lessons learned

Saturday, November 05, 2011

As mom's/parents, a lot of us seem to think that it's the right thing to do by ignoring our own needs and our own health to take care of our family. For some of us, that might work for a while. After raising my son by myself for the past 15 years and after some firm but gentle coaxing by my sister I made some appointments and set out to catch up on some very important health issues. With a history of all kinds of cancer in my family, I suppose I knew I was really gambling by not taking care of certain tests like mammograms and colonoscopy's. I got lucky.... really lucky. Only one polyp found and removed. Next screening in 3 years due to family history. The mammogram, the test I was least worried about turned out to be the scary one. After 2 additional mammograms and surgical removal of breast calcification's and other tissue and several sleepless nights, I got lucky and everything came back benign. After talking to the surgeon and realizing that the mass that was removed was roughly the size of an Oreo cookie, I got lucky......... really lucky.
Lesson learned.......... make sure you do your self exams and get your mammograms yearly. Get your colonoscopy done as suggested. The prep for that is not fun at all, but much better than getting cancer. Fortunately, my insurance will cover most of this. Regardless on the insurance, that's life and there will always be bills to pay and I am worth it. It's almost noon on November 5th in Omaha Nebraska and I'm just happy to be here.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BBAMMOM 11/6/2011 10:06AM

I'm glad everything ended well! Continue to spread the word on getting tests! No, they're not fun but, like you said, they are far better than battling cancer!! I have my first colonoscopy on Dec 1. I dread the prep but there's no way I'm avoiding it! Thanks for the reminder! Report Inappropriate Comment

THISISPRIVATE 11/5/2011 1:07PM

I definitely need to book a mammogram. It has been two years since I have had one. It is stupid of me not to have had one last year. Breast cancer runs in my family. My mother and all four of her sisters have had breast cancer as well as numerous cousins. Thank you for this! Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 11/5/2011 12:53PM

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BONDMANUS2002 11/5/2011 12:50PM

yes yes yes Report Inappropriate Comment

Back home, trying to rest. Praying for friends and family.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

WEll, the procedure went fine today. Getting the wire placed in the boob before the actual biopsy was probably the worse part. Have a nice 2 inch incision and a supply of Lortab to help with pain. Should have the biopsy results in 48 hours. I have three other friends though who need some prayers right now. First off, my sister and her husband. His brother was recently moved to Hospice house and even though they knew this was coming, it's been very hard for them. I have two other friends who are also battling cancer. One just found out today that her lung cancer has returned. She had part of her lung removed 2 years ago and scans showed today that it has returned. The other had a double mastectomy a year ago and is hoping to have breast reconstruction surgery next week. Her recent CT body scan was all clear but they found a small lump in her breast tissue. They will biopsy it next week and if it's clear, they can take out the tissue expander's and do the surgery. If not, I'm guessing that will mean another round of chemo.
So, that's all the news for now. Home from work tomorrow and possibly the next day resting up, taking pain meds and waiting for the phone to ring. Saying my prayers for strength and hope for my friends.

Barb

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IMNAHA 11/4/2011 11:59AM

Tou your family and friends will remain in my prayers. Comment edited on: 11/4/2011 12:00:39 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

THISISPRIVATE 11/2/2011 2:40PM

Praying for you and your friends and family. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 11/2/2011 11:33AM

sending positive thoughts and prayers for you,friends and family... keep us posted...blessings and hugs.......lita Comment edited on: 11/2/2011 11:33:41 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

MRE1956 11/2/2011 6:46AM

Wishing all the best.... Report Inappropriate Comment