Good day

We met with the neurosurgeon and he told us that the first course of action dealing with the tumor on hubby's pituitary gland will be with meds and hormonal adjusting, that no surgery is appropriate at this time...so phew...and he addressed his back situation and it didn't sound as bad as we thought for all these months, will take time and therapy and babying it...so for now...breathing better. baby steps...another MRI in six months to recheck.

As for me...I read an article about taking thyroid meds before bed instead of in the morning and I began doing that along with some exercising in the morning and a walk in the afternoon and MAN I feel better already...this Hashimoto's disease is a stinker but I am not letting it beat me down...I am already married to diabetes...I don't need to let being a victim of hashimoto's drive me further into the victim (pathetic me)role...I AM STRONG! I AM ...AWESOME!LOVE YA!

Root of my problem

Tooth aching for weeks...another root canal...not my first...probably not my last. UGH! Why ARE they so expensive?

And hubby is seeing a neurosurgeon about the tumor on his pituitary gland. Might not need surgery but have to consult to see what the neurosurgeon thinks. The endocrinologist said depending on hormone levels and what the tumor is doing to the levels it might be taken care of with meds, as in shrinking it.

He has not been to physical therapy yet for his back situation...we have appts every day... But we get lunch out so it isnt' so bad. I am getting used to it.

The grandpup is snoozing, so is the grandlizard...I am the only human in the house at the moment...have a nice day, everyone!

New bedroom

The house we bought 7 years ago is a nice one, but the bedrooms are tiny,so when we had the bathroom renovated we eliminated the storage room next to it with the plan to knock the walls down and make the bedroom on the other side of it larger. Well, with the help of our sons and an Amish man named Mose we are closer and closer to moving in to the room. The one we are in is just that A BED ROOM a ROOM FOR A BED...I often feel claustrophobic...this will be so much nicer!...yahoo for us.

Hubby has all kinds of things going on with him that are being checked on in the coming weeks...tumor on the pituitary gland, back problems, soooo a visit to a neurologist, an endocrinologist, and a chiropractor are happening in the next couple weeks. All of these visits are with the VA. He is 80% disabled due to the neuropathy in his arms that is due to being diabetic and he was in Viet Nam and exposed to agent orange so that is why he was found disabled. We are even getting a handicap sticker for our car now. So it goes, a daily reminder...married to a diabetic.

BUT and it is a BIG BUT, his attitude has been amazing lately now that his pain is better managed with a narcotic and nerve medicine...so yes! Life is a lot better lately for both of us because when he is mellow...life is good.

Hear me, sisters? Can I have an AMEN? Manage that pain and keep them upbeat and our lives are a whole lot better...tolerable...nice.

HUGS

Back problems...hope

Spent the day at the VA with hubby. He has spinal stenosis and some bulging discs that are causing the sciatica and painful episodes...he was told it will take a long time but with physical therapy three times a week and nerve meds and pain meds he can get through the ordeal. Might need cortisone shots at some point and if the PT does not help, chiropratic consult will be next to try.

Next we start the process to do something about the tumor on the pituitary gland which will be accomplished with visits to a neurologist and an endocrinologist.

Healthcare is a daily routine. Daily daily daily.

He signed on to Health Buddies at the VA and will get a modem that connects to the computer and send his daily sugar readings to the VA and a nurse there along with his clinic PA will more closely monitor his diabetes and daily managing of it. After all these years he is eager to be connected and have the checks and balances...encouraging.

I had a rough time of it last week with an infection in my breast...the breast that had a hematoma surgically removed...on Keflex and it is clearing up so hurray!

As we age and take care of each other it is a strengthening bond...but nonetheless all encompassing.

Two sons are here for a while and it has been a blessing...hubby can talk business with one and son's dog has been a godsend for hubby to pet and love...both sons are great pals to Tom...win win. And having them around helps with the stress of coping with so much pain and limited quality of life.

PEACE ON EARTH...a state of mind. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Pain Pills and Power

Hubby is on another pain pill and it has him feeling no pain but loopy...so much so that he has me driving...that is (driving) something he still wants to do so...Pain or Power...Pain or Power. He is mellowing out to want NO pain and who cares about power over driving etc. zone out...painfree...more tests coming to see what is really going on...pain pills...temporary fix. We hope!

hope or hopeless

Seems hubby has one medical concern after another and they roll right into the next situation.
Been suffering with sciatica or what he thinks is sciatica for almost three months now. Tried some meds but nothing changes the fact that he can't get comfortable. He can sit behind the steering wheel and drive and not feel too bad, but trying to walk is painful and trying to sleep is often challenging so unless we plan to drive around all day...it is sucky for him...This month they are doing some testing finally.

He does watch what he eats and leaves food on the plate...he is trying. I am thankful for that. I love the guy and hate that he can't get comfortable. :(

Lately...

I see I have not posted anything since September. Why? Well, I think it is because things have been good for the most part. I was self absorbed with my own health concerns...I had surgery for thyroid disfunction and a quarter of my thyroid was removed. Hubby was by my side and a wonderful care giver to me during the ordeal.
I admit that since he has been on meds for depression he has been so mellow and relaxed and just plain happier...I truly think there is a connection and highly recommend to others who seem depressed while dealing with chronic diseases to check out the mental health. wow...it has made a huge difference in our daily lives, I am not always wondering if he is reacting negatively or strangely because of sugar high etc.
His sugar is still higher than it should be...he is still chewing tobacco...but he is in good moods all the time.
At the moment he is dealing with sciatica and is in pain a lot and trying to get comfortable. Poor guy, it's always something, but like I said...being retired and having a good handle on his eating...good good.
I was told that I have Hashimoto's disease and that is why my thyroid was not functioning properly and something a person with this disease can do to control the attacks on the thyroid is eliminate certain substances from their diet. I was already not doing gluten and alcohol, but they also suggest dairy,caffeine, and sugar. So now I am committed to no sugar...and that means I won't have sugary treats around the house that might tempt him...so it is win win. It is good for me...so it is like we are both diabetic and in fact I am more deprived if you want to look at it that way...but we are both feeling better and losing weight. Like I said WIN WIN.

For this week...it's all good. Stay tuned. And how are you all coping?