I'm here to help...

[phyllser 3]

Thanks Phyl, glad to know the weird sensations aren't abnormal. Sometimes they bother me more than the knee pain. I have some type of stitches, I could hardly see them and they were underneath the scar and disolve on their own. Don't have to have anything removed and never had a dressing really. It's been bare since I've been home, I put some gauze pads over it when I put my TED hose on so it doesn't rub. the scabs are about all gone. I did start putting some lotion around it today thinking maybe that would help but not really. I'm also frustrated as I thought I'd be noticing more and more movement each day in my therapy exercises and it doesn't seem to be that way, but my therapist measures that each time and I see him tomorrow and will see what he says I am at now. Guess I am done with this and want it to be over and done now. Been taking it real easy this weekend. Mom is bored, but oh well. I can't do much shopping or anything yet. They are going to my sisters for dinner tonight so will have a quiet evening.

Don't get discouraged, Lori... it's only two weeks tomorrow. I remember that I had a dramatic improvement at about that point. And it was steady progress after that... getting a little bit better each day. What was your flexion measurement last time he measured? I started at about 67, then went to 72, gradual increase up towards 100 and finally got to 115 the last week of home PT. When I did the outpt PT, that therapist said the doctors don't want you to go past 125 because the hardware isn't designed to do that. If you WANT to go shopping... I'd go somewhere that has in store electric scooters and use one. It's a little humiliating the first time, but DO IT! That's what they're there for.

I think they used staples on my incision because I am still carrying so much weight in my thighs and the doctor was very concerned about that. He had my whole thigh down past my knee wrapped tight in stuff that was like cotton batting that you'd use on a quilt or something, and then ace wrapped over that. He kept that on for 48 hours and wouldn't let me bend my leg for 48 hours.

I don't remember that at all. I remember when he took the dressing off, but the rest my husband told me because I have very little memory of the days in the hospital. This is SICK... but my most vivid memory is that I ordered baked salmon with a side of mac and cheese and it was SO good and I couldn't eat it! I was kind of sick to my stomach from pain meds and band kind of tight and I couldn't manage more than a few bites. Just enough to recognize that the salmon was perfectly cooked..nice and moist, and the mac and cheese was delicious. LOL! I was so frustrated!

:confused:

[1day at a time 2]

OK..finally got the guts to do this...the "afters" were taken today after a day in the wind and rain...excuse the hair, please. The b/4 was at my highest weight of 249#:confused:

Apples - Love your pictures you look fabulous.

Janet - That would have drove me crazy with the head games but I am glad it turned out great and they recognized you for all your hard work and dedication.

So I went shopping yesterday and got measured for some new bras I went from a 40DDD to a 38DDD I could not believe it I was like no way.

Then I went to Lane Bryant for shirts and most were to big. OMG where do I shop now? I am in between stores. I tried Khoals and Dress Barn but could not find anything what a fun problem to have.

[Apples2 19]

Hope everyone is having a good Sunday. I know the Sunday is to be a day of rest but it's not at our house today. The sun shone for the first time in awhile and needed to take care of my flower beds. Was going to do it earlier in the week but was not going to do it in the freezing rain. Also have my fall pumkins, etc. to put outside. Have my entry decorated for fall.

We sure get on all kinds of subjects on this thread, don't we? I think with the diverse group we have, we could all put our heads together and figure out all the problems of the world!

Just got back from running the (driving) 65 miles to our local Walmart. I do actually save money by driving that far. We pay almost double on some things in our small town. I do it about once a month. I do like to support our local stores but sometimes you just have to look out for the money in your own pocket. Got things to make up Halloween bags for my special neighbor tykes. I don't to too many treats. Mostly books, stickers, fruit Snacks, 100 cal crackers, etc.

No social events this weekend. I think this is the first weekend in six months that we did not have something going on. Feels good.

Better hit it and finish my work outside so I can plant my butt on the couch for some TV and some DH time after supper.

Hey...just love you guys!

[Apples2 19]

Apples - Love your pictures you look fabulous.

Janet - That would have drove me crazy with the head games but I am glad it turned out great and they recognized you for all your hard work and dedication.

So I went shopping yesterday and got measured for some new bras I went from a 40DDD to a 38DDD I could not believe it I was like no way.

Then I went to Lane Bryant for shirts and most were to big. OMG where do I shop now? I am in between stores. I tried Khoals and Dress Barn but could not find anything what a fun problem to have.

Hey 1Day...congrats on the problem! and thanks for the compliment. I am getting better at taking compliments. Takes a bit to learn to accept them. But, worked really hard to get to where I am at, just like everybody else so I will take them as genuine comments. Thank you.

The only advice I can give you on the clothing size thing is to hit some consignment stores, Salvation Army shops, Goodwill. You will be going down more sizes and why waste the $$$$. I did. I was like Janet. Got to a 12 and thought that was it. Got to an 8 and thought that was it. I donated some really nice, hardly worn clothes. It's OK with me though. We have some pretty needy people in our area.

[phyllser 3]

So I went shopping yesterday and got measured for some new bras I went from a 40DDD to a 38DDD I could not believe it I was like no way. Then I went to Lane Bryant for shirts and most were to big. OMG where do I shop now? I am in between stores. I tried Khoals and Dress Barn but could not find anything what a fun problem to have.

I am at that same frustrating place! Most plus size tops, too big. Women's... most of the XLs fit. But I wanted a Halloween top at Walmart last week and had to go with a 2X! Go figure! Pants are a HUGE frustration... 20's too big, 18's too small. I found a couple of 18's that fit, but have to be "relaxed fit", low rise waist, petite, or cropped pants even better. Cropped are usually ankle length on me and even some capris! Short fat legs... hard to fit. Waist has gone from 53" to 39". If I can get pants that fit in the legs, need belt to pull in the waist! Me... who didn't even own a belt for many years. Anything I ever bought that had a belt... I would throw it away! Now I am buying belts to keep my jeans up! Still trying to find a pair of black dress pants! Did find two nice jackets in Dress Barn last weekend. One is denim but kind of tailored and a little dressy. The other is mandarin style.. peacock blue. Both are 14/16, so I probably bragged about that last week on this thread!

[phyllser 3]

Hey 1Day...congrats on the problem! and thanks for the compliment. I am getting better at taking compliments. Takes a bit to learn to accept them. But, worked really hard to get to where I am at, just like everybody else so I will take them as genuine comments. Thank you.

The only advice I can give you on the clothing size thing is to hit some consignment stores, Salvation Army shops, Goodwill. You will be going down more sizes and why waste the $$$$. I did. I was like Janet. Got to a 12 and thought that was it. Got to an 8 and thought that was it. I donated some really nice, hardly worn clothes. It's OK with me though. We have some pretty needy people in our area.

That is great advice. I can hardly wait to hit the Salvation Army store in Gilroy CA tomorrow! Go there twice a year when we are going back and forth from our winter hideaway! It's only 45 miles south of our son's, which is where we are now, but that's where we'll stay tomorrow night so I can shop there and hopefully go to Garlic World store! DH is balking at that saying we still have some stuff left from when we stopped there in the spring! Yeah, but there was stuff that he wouldn't let me buy! So I have to go again!

Kinda funny story... last year at this time when we stopped there we went to a little winery close to the garlic store. We tasted some wines including one called Garlic Red, I think. It was tasty and I thought would be great for cooking... like put it in spaghetti, etc. So we bought a bottle an a couple of others. So we're having a "patio party" at the neighbors' a few weeks later. I sent DH over to our RV to get me a bottle of wine. And when I took my first drink... I wasn't quite prepared for the garlic red!! Uh... it's really better for cooking than for drinking!

[Apples2 19]

That is great advice. I can hardly wait to hit the Salvation Army store in Gilroy CA tomorrow! Go there twice a year when we are going back and forth from our winter hideaway! It's only 45 miles south of our son's, which is where we are now, but that's where we'll stay tomorrow night so I can shop there and hopefully go to Garlic World store! DH is balking at that saying we still have some stuff left from when we stopped there in the spring! Yeah, but there was stuff that he wouldn't let me buy! So I have to go again!

Kinda funny story... last year at this time when we stopped there we went to a little winery close to the garlic store. We tasted some wines including one called Garlic Red, I think. It was tasty and I thought would be great for cooking... like put it in spaghetti, etc. So we bought a bottle an a couple of others. So we're having a "patio party" at the neighbors' a few weeks later. I sent DH over to our RV to get me a bottle of wine. And when I took my first drink... I wasn't quite prepared for the garlic red!! Uh... it's really better for cooking than for drinking!

Too funny, Phyll...I LOVE garlic anything...except for on DH's breathe and I am sure he would say the same for me. I can about imagine how far you spewed that garlic wine!:confused:

[1day at a time 2]

You know at Walmart and Target there sizes are way off I usually have to go way up on shirts for them to fit. It is crazy that every company has a different idea on what size should be. I swear if everyone can make a 16 the same it would be easy for us but NOOOOOOOO that is not how it works LOL

My mom said she had some pants that were a size 12 when I was much much younger that are smaller than a size 12 today what the heck is that. No wonder we will ever be the same like we were in High school.

[Great2BThin 5]

Good afternoon. My deer hunters hath returned with no deer. Safe for another year, or at least until we go to SD they will hunt there again. There's some talk of next weekend, but not sure. Parents are gone for the evening, hubby is home, just the 2 of us, ahhh!!!!

Phyl, I had 75 degree flexion after surgery, I am at 85 now. I hope it is higher tomorrow at PT, I can full straighten it. My surgeon usually closes with the surgical glue but couldn't with me due to my allergy to it and super glue, he rarely uses stitches and staples they said. So that's how they remember me as the stitches girl. I guess I thought I would be done with pain pills and stuff by now, guess I need to learn patience. Maybe that's why all this family stuff is going on right now too, to teach me more patience. LOL

I loved to go to Gilroy when we lived in Sacramento, it was a few hour drive. We found a winery there we liked too. Garlic wine sounds like a good cooking wine.

Oneday, that's a great problem to have. I got most of my summer wardrobe at Goodwill and most of it was even name brand too. You will soon find some brands and cuts that fit you best and it will get easier to shop.

Apples, Nothing wrong with Walmart, they take great care of my son. He is an overnight manager at a Super Walmart, he started with them when we lived in CA and they have always been so good to him when he was in school, when he got hurt at work. And their benefits are great too. I know they get a bad rap a lot, but I've been a supporter, I do like the local businesses too, but sometimes you just don't get the price or variety you need at them either.

Janet, hope you are having a nice weekend.

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

Hi~~~just wanted to pop on a say a quick hi. I am doing ok. Just mentally exhausted. By the time I come to my room, I usually just sit down and have a good old cry. I spend the whole day trying to be strong. Even with all my strength, I have my moments of crying with my mom and once with my dad today. I was talking about DH feeling bad that b/c I am here and he is with Nelson, that he hasn't spoken to my dad as much as he usually does and that he felt guilty. This sparked a whole conversation about "guilt" by my dad. He was explaining that he feels so guilty right now. He feels guilty that b/c he is sick that everyone is upset and sad and worried... and b/c he is sick that everyone is rearranging their schedules to be here for them. He said that he hates people feeling sorry for him. He got watery eyes while he was telling me this. He hasn't cried in front of me yet. Mom said he has cried twice with here since the diagnosis. And she can count on one hand the times he has cried in 55 years since they met. Just so tough.

Today dad wanted to go for a ride in the country. So I drove one of his nice cars, a 700 series BMW and we just drove and drove. The leaves are changing and it was cool (40s) today. He wished he could walk around a field, but with the urine bag and feeling weak, he just couldn't do it. We had a good time though. Then when we got back I got to work. The leaves had collected in front of their garage and the yard guys didn't show up on Friday. Dad's leaf blower is at his airport hangar, so I had to clean them the old fashioned way! Rake and broom and wheel barrel. Then I sweeped and mopped the garage. My folks garage floor is kept cleaner than most people's houses! I then cleaned the fridge and freezer in the garage. Threw out stuff that hadn't been labeled and couldn't be identified. Each day (when there is time) I am attacking something for my mom. She said closets were too stressful for her right now. Did the pantry yesterday. This is what I do when I am stressed.

Tomorrow we meet with oncologist #1 that they like. I didn't meet him, as they went the day I was coming up here. We need to set up the port placement procedure and get the ball rolling. I hope things can be done quickly. Everyone, most importantly dad, is ready.

Cancer sucks.

Thanks guys for being such great friends.

peasout....Laura

[phyllser 3]

Phyl, I had 75 degree flexion after surgery, I am at 85 now. I hope it is higher tomorrow at PT, I can full straighten it. My surgeon usually closes with the surgical glue but couldn't with me due to my allergy to it and super glue, he rarely uses stitches and staples they said. So that's how they remember me as the stitches girl. I guess I thought I would be done with pain pills and stuff by now, guess I need to learn patience. Maybe that's why all this family stuff is going on right now too, to teach me more patience. LOL

I loved to go to Gilroy when we lived in Sacramento, it was a few hour drive. We found a winery there we liked too. Garlic wine sounds like a good cooking wine.

Oneday, that's a great problem to have. I got most of my summer wardrobe at Goodwill and most of it was even name brand too. You will soon find some brands and cuts that fit you best and it will get easier to shop.

Apples, Nothing wrong with Walmart, they take great care of my son. He is an overnight manager at a Super Walmart, he started with them when we lived in CA and they have always been so good to him when he was in school, when he got hurt at work. And their benefits are great too. I know they get a bad rap a lot, but I've been a supporter, I do like the local businesses too, but sometimes you just don't get the price or variety you need at them either.

Janet, hope you are having a nice weekend.

Don't stress over the pain pills. I still take one every now and then. I hadn't had any for over a week, but the other night when i was having some discomfort, I decided it was better to take one rather than to toss and turn half the night because I couldn't get comfortable. I have resorted to 3 ibuprofen on occassion, even though we're really not supposed to take it. There are times when I have some aching rather than pain.... pain is rare by now. So I take a few ibuprofens and a lot of fluids so hopefully it's not doing any harm.

Hope your flexion measurement is great tomorrow. It will come little by little. Does your PT guy make you do those "butt slides" I told you about?? LOL! I hated those, but now I can do them with no pain at all.

We LOVE WalMart! Shop there for most of our groceries when we are in CA. In WA, store isn't any further than the one in CA, but the traffic is AWFUL and we don't go as often as when we're down south. Besides, we have Albertson's across the street, Safeway 1/4 mile away and another store a block away. Buy lots of stuff locally when we're at home. Haven't ever dry docked there with the RV, but I think it's great how they are so good to RVers.

[Great2BThin 5]

Laura,

What a special time that drive must've been with your dad. Cherish these moments. I can just feel the love that you feel for him in your posts. I am glad they have picked the oncologist they feel most comfortable with and that treatment is going to begin. It's okay to break down and cry, you've been so strong for them. Just let it out and post here when you can.

[Great2BThin 5]

Don't stress over the pain pills. I still take one every now and then. I hadn't had any for over a week, but the other night when i was having some discomfort, I decided it was better to take one rather than to toss and turn half the night because I couldn't get comfortable. I have resorted to 3 ibuprofen on occassion, even though we're really not supposed to take it. There are times when I have some aching rather than pain.... pain is rare by now. So I take a few ibuprofens and a lot of fluids so hopefully it's not doing any harm.

Hope your flexion measurement is great tomorrow. It will come little by little. Does your PT guy make you do those "butt slides" I told you about?? LOL! I hated those, but now I can do them with no pain at all.

We LOVE WalMart! Shop there for most of our groceries when we are in CA. In WA, store isn't any further than the one in CA, but the traffic is AWFUL and we don't go as often as when we're down south. Besides, we have Albertson's across the street, Safeway 1/4 mile away and another store a block away. Buy lots of stuff locally when we're at home. Haven't ever dry docked there with the RV, but I think it's great how they are so good to RVers.

No I don't remember the butt slides. I have to raise my leg, pull it to a flex with a strap, lie on my belly with my legs hanging off the bed and then bend it, and do squats, standing on one leg and raise on my toes mostly. I'll see what the pt guy has tomorrow. The pain is becoming more of an achy pain than a pain pain.

[phyllser 3]

Laura,

Thanks for keeping us up to date. So glad the treatment is going to be getting started soon. So sorry for all that you and your family are going through right now! Hugs to all of you!

Sounds like you had some special time with your dad and mom this weekend. That's good.

Family is so important. We are very much enjoying this weekend with our son and his family! Football game Friday night, soccer Saturday, DH got to go flying with our son yesterday. Watching football all day today. Good times with family!!

[Apples2 19]

Yep, Laura, cancer does suck and I'm sorry you and your family have had to hit this head on. What I get from you is that you have a very close relationship with your parents/family and that is something so important at a time like this.

Take care and thanks for the update. Sending love your way!