Posts: 5,267
8/22/10 9:00 A

You are very welcome and remember I am always here for what ever you may need

current weight: 102.0

102 100.25 98.5 96.75

95

Posts: 6
8/21/10 1:32 P

Thank you and happy to meet you!
Carole

Posts: 5,267
8/21/10 10:02 A

I thought my history was bad but yours is much worse from what I read you are a stong women. And I would like to welcome you this team. You will find many friends here and the support you need to meet your goals. Always rember that God is looking over you and will help you in your journey as well, I am glad to have you on the team and if there is anything you need as your leader I am always here for you. Keep the faith and we all can get you through this as a team.

current weight: 102.0

102 100.25 98.5 96.75

95

Posts: 8,167
8/21/10 2:12 A

current weight: 166.0

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Posts: 819
8/20/10 6:48 P

Small world, as I always find people who have had or know someone who had polio. Life has been a challenge but that's what makes life interesting sometimes ~ lol

I came down with polio the same year the vaccine came out but sadly, there were still quite a few who came down with it after me and now, it's starting to crop up in some areas of the world and may hit the US again since many parents are choosing not to give their kids the vaccine. I hope and pray the kids don't end up on a respirator for the rest of their lives because of their parent's choices for them.

I have had 13 surgeries, not all polio related, since I was 3 years old and still have at least 2 more to go but I don't complain and am thankful I can still walk and get around, although a bit slower, with a cane and my husband's strong hand helping to support me :)

I have a gr-nephew who was born with spina bifuda and he just turned 12 last May...he just had his 21st surgery in July and may have to have another one this month. He also has severe scoliosis so the surgery they did in July was to fuse some rods to his spine and now he has headaches and the doctors said he is losing spinal fluid but they aren't sure where. He has to lie flat for several days while they do tests and try to determine where the problem is so they can hopefully fix the problem. Thankfully, he has a good disposition most of the time and always has a smile for family and church friends who come to visit and stay with him while mom takes a break.

So I may have problems but when I think of Max and I hear what you have gone through, I realize my problems aren't all that bad. With the help of everyone here on SP, we'll make it through :)

Have a good weekend. Catch you later

Posts: 6
8/20/10 6:04 P

Thank you too Carol for the warm welcome. I hate the fact that you contracted polio in '54. You must have been one of the last cases which seems so unfair to me. My grandfather had polio and was confined to a wheelchair from the age of 33 so I know the kind of struggle you've faced. You sound so spiritual in your response and I greatly appreciate your thoughts. God helped me through a lot of the pain. Without him/her to lean on I don't think I would have made it. By the way, we also share a name- I am Carol with an e!
Best wishes to you,
Carole

Posts: 6
8/20/10 5:46 P

Hi Sandy, Thanks for the welcome. I hope the intro wasn't too much info! I too am at home most days so look forward to chatting with you. I read you SparkPage before replying and certainly have some things in common with you, i.e. can't believe I reached age 54 in such bad shape! I also read that you have kidney disease and wouldn't mind some advice. In various blood tests my creatinine and filtration levels have been off. Last year the urologist told me not to worry about it, that it was from all the CT studies I've had. This year my rheumatologist is telling me to stay away from a variety of arthritis meds because he's concerned about my "kidney disease". Would you see a nephrologist? I am concerned that I might need to worry about diet more than I Know!

Posts: 819
8/20/10 5:23 P

Dear heart

You have really been put through the mill but the main thing is you are a fighter and a survivor !! My SILs brother was diagnosed with anal cancer and after several surgeries, is now on a permanent colostomy and has dealt with some infections. He is cancer free but still has other problems at times but like you, he is a fighter and won't give up :)

I'm so glad you found SP to help you get healthier so you can feel better. I don't get on the site as much as I once did because of some post polio problems and swelling in my polio foot but I do come in to check on things as I can. I need the knee replaced on the polio leg but inactivity and medications have made it extremely hard to get it off and to get it to stay off. My doctor wants me to contact a place in Mesquite TX called Nu Beginnings where they will work with me on a diet for my special needs, along with someone to work with me on the few exercises I can do, so I can get the weight off and get this surgery over and done...then I can start walking a bit more and burn more calories.

I and am so glad to meet you, although I wish it were under better circumstances but God has a reason for all things in life so we need to learn to use our wisdom to get through them, learn from them and teach others.. Do post when you can and let us know how you are getting along. There are some really great folks on here who will be there in a heart beat to help you stay strong and positive through the hard times. God be with you and help you get through each day... keeping you in prayer

Stay positive

~Carol

Posts: 343
8/20/10 4:51 P

Oh My...that is quite a history. You sound ready to make changes and I hope SparkPeople will help. I'm home a lot and use SparkPeople most days, so if you like you can add me as a friend and I'm a good listener.

I wish you the best!! Go for it!
Sandy in CA

Posts: 6
8/20/10 4:36 P

My story is similar to that of many other cancer survivors. I was diagnosed with anal cancer (who knew!) in April 2005, underwent surgery and chemo-radiation and was declared cancer free. My real problems started a year later. I was suffering adverse side effects from radiation therapy-it burned the heck out of my insides.

Five years and twelve surgeries later I have a body that looks like Frankenstein's wife. I have a colostomy, need a urostomy, had to have my abdominal wall rebuilt due to radionecrosis, have massive scarring and lymphedema on and in my right leg. I spent all of 2009 watching body parts rot and die, experienced incredible pain, and lost the ability to walk.

I was depressed, feeling lost and hopeless and turned to food as a coping and comfort mechanism. After reconstructive surgery, I was able to regain mobility and just as I started to feel human again, contracted a staph infection this past April.

After weeks in the hospital, I was weak and again in pain. The staph had traveled to every area involved in the reconstructive surgery including the abdomen, pelvis and legs, hardening and contracting all the scar tissue. I still have a hard time walking and use a wheel chair when any distance is involved. I am hoping to regain strength, lose the 60 pounds that I gained due to out of control eating and get back to a semblance of my old self. If I could get through all that, I can get through this!