Thursday, August 25, 2011

Arthroscopic Synovetomy with Video:)

This is what they will be doing to me on September 9th 2011, as long as my ekg looks good. My ekg is on Aug 31st. I'm super excited but getting a little nervous. So please pray or send happy thoughts or just some extra loving my way. All is greatly appreciated and always welcome:)
The surgeon will also be looking at a possible meniscus tear and a baker's cyst.
I'm wondering if I will get a video of my surgery?!?!?

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Finally an Update

Now, I'm really updating. First off, I'm bored. And tired. And tired of being bored. Just sayin.


The man-child, aka Michael, aka the monster, is doing quite well. Though he is bored too. He's super excited to start school again and that he gets to eat lunch at school now. I'm obviously nervous about him eating lunch at school because of his eating habits, or the fact that he doesn't enjoy eating, whatever you choose.


For those of you who don't know.....He got a formal diagnoses of ADHD in January and then a formal diagnoses of Asperger's in April. We've spent the last eight months getting used to a little different way of doing things. Since we've known about the Sensory Modulation Disorder for years now, we really haven't changed all that much. We're all adapting. It really helps that he is such a loving, giving child. He is sooooooo smart. he really cracks people up with how he phrases things. He said yesterday to his babysitter " this doesn't work well on rough surfaces". She got a real kick out of that. It's just not how a six year old would phrase things.

He's doing great with his reading, although he does get frustrated. He wants to do everything right the first time. When that doesn't happen, he gets mad at himself. but we're working on that:)



We've had a pretty good summer, all things considered. No camping this year though, which kinda sucks. Next year. Next year we will camp. Even if I have to spend ALL my time at the camp site and not see anything else. But we've gone to the beach alot and we've visited with friends, so it's been good. We've had to hold off on trips to St. Louis and Little Rock because of threat of surgery for me. But more about that in a moment. Here are some pics of visits and such:)

Maw Maw and Paw Paw will be coming up next week to go to the fair with us and visit the monster. They'll be here for a week and we always have a great time with them:)



Geoff is still loving his job, though summer is a very busy time for him. Lots of late nights, but we know that's temporary. He still likes being up here in the great North. We haven't sold our condo yet, but we do have an amazing renter in it, so lots of it is paid for, we're very thankful for that.


We've found a church that we like that has a great program for kids and offers buddies for kids with special needs. So we're really liking that:)


I am having an arthroscopic synovectomy on Sept. 9th at 8:45am. The doc will go in and shave the lining of my joint out. he will also be looking at a slight tear in the meniscus and a bakers cyst while he's in there, so those might get fixed too. I would much rather get a total replacement. it's been a year and a half since this right knee has worked to my normal ability. Not yours, mine. Mom will be coming up for a while after the surgery to help around the house and drive us to appointments and to play with Michael while I'm laid up. I LOVE my in-laws!!!!!!!


So, there's the scoop....Maybe I will actually write more. If I had a lap top it would be easier...

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

For RAWarrior and Everyone Else Who Requested That I Update Again

Ok. So I may have lied a little when I said I would start posting again. I've had a crappy year and a half and have had very little good to write about, so I chose not to write. In retrospect we also had quite a few blessings as well, but you know how it is when you're going through the crappy stuff. This here blog post is gonna be about Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and pain relief. A blogger that I greatly respect posted this blog http://http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-pain-relief-what-do-you-know/ to ask about doctors and pain relief for people with RA. Since above stated crappy year was due, largely in part, to pain problems associated with my RA, I thought I should jump back on the horse, or bicycle, or whatever. I will be posting more about my wonderful boys later. Promise. Again.
RAWarrior asked a few questions about RA and pain relief in her blog. So I'm just gonna copy those questions the answer them. Sounds simple, let's see if I can do this.

1. Do people have sufficient pain relief? Are medications sufficiently prescribed? Do they work?

Those of you who know what I've been going through already know the answer to this. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. In HUGE CAPS and many exclamation points. I am in pain throughout the day and night and yet have been told I'm not in an RA flare, but a fibromyalgia flare. However, feels like both to me. I am on pain meds would feel like without anything. Have SERIOUSLY considered within the past six months, quitting everything, infusions, prednisone, methotrexate.......everything but the vitamins. But once again, if I feel this crummy on stuff, how am I gonna feel off stuff?

2. Which doctors prescribe medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis pain relief? Pain management specialists? Rheumatologist practices? General practitioners?

My Rheumatologist prescribes pain relief meds, though I'm trying to find a RELIABLE pain management specialist. The one I saw for my arm that has been numb for 4 months said the same thing I've been getting from alot of specialists lately. I shouldn't be feeling this way. The drugs and therapy I'm on should be helping, but she gave no indication as to why I am and why they're not.

3. Which methods of Rheumatoid Arthritis pain relief work? Eastern medicine like acupuncture? Spiritual techniques like meditation? Traditional physical methods like heat, ice, or rest?

I have have not tried acupuncture, but am currently doing some research on it. Something has to work, right? Meditation and prayer helps my mindset about the pain, but doesn't help the pain. So, it does do something, I guess. I've been told no Heat, but heat makes it feel better for a while, but then it hurts worse. Ice actually causes me great pain (am I the only one??). Rest helps the fibromyalgia, but since I still have severe morning stiffness and soreness (yes, even after an afternoon nap), I don't think it helps with the RA. Plus, since I have a 6 yr old with special needs, rest is kinda hard to come by during the day when he's home..

OK. That's about all folks:) I have an infusion on Thursday and my arthroscopic synovectomy on my right knee will probably be on the 10th of September (waiting for Michael's first week of school).