Beefy Or Peachy

I am still deciding what to do about Levaquin ruining my knees. I have contacted 3 attorneys thus far and not one has taken the case so far. I can't believe the pain and suffering that drug has caused me and how it has ruined our lives since last September. I am still walking with pain and most likely looking at having to have at least one knee replaced. I can't believe this drug is on the market without a huge warning about the fact that it can rupture tendons!!! Had I known this or been informed of this possibility I would have insisted on a different drug for my infection.

I guess I will continue looking for an attorney who cares about us, the people and consumers, who are prescribed this drug for an infection but who are then left with debilitating side effects and or injuries. I am so furious about this I can't put it into words!!!!

Furious in Phoenix,
Aly

Well since I got past the nausea using Tigan I thought I was going to make it through the night without any awful side effects from my injection. Well how wrong I was as around 11 pm I started in with bouts of increased anxiety, crying jags, and ended up with the restless leg syndrome. My body just does not handle these drugs well at all. So I was up until 4 am this morning and couldn't get up until 1 pm and then we had errands to run. Now again, I feel like a limp noodle with absolutely no energy left to do anything :(.

I have one more shot to go next week the day after the holiday. I know my sister wants us to go down there but I'm not sure we can with all I go through with this shot and the after effects. It is also her birthday on the 1st of July and we may have to delay her celebration which is not fun.

Well I guess we have more errands to do if I can muster the strength to do them. I just want to sleep.

Drive safely over this upcoming Holiday.
Aly

Mood: what a rare mood I'm in

Well little did I know how terrible a day I was going to have. Not long after having my morning protein drink I started to experience shortness of breath. I took all my daily meds and used a heating pad but nothing helped. I called hubby as he knows how to adjust my back when I have trouble but he just couldn't leave the office then. I called my friend to come over (woke her up :( ) as I was getting so uncomfortable I thought she would have to knuckle my back for me. By the time she got here I was so exhausted I had fallen asleep. Hubby came home at his lunch break and worked on me and said I had a rib protruding on my left side! I knew I was suffering I just couldn't move right to get it to move back into place.

So all afternoon I was in bed. She came in and we watched the marathow showing of "Project Runway" something I don't usually watch but she was enjoying it. Some of it was interesting although most of the clothes the 'normal' person would never wear, lol.

Tomorrow afternoon is the 2nd gel injection so I hope my back is in better shape before that happens, sigh. Not a great day for my health.

Hoping tomorrow is better. Hubby is going with me so that will be helpful to me :)

Hugs,
Aly

My son has just recently moved back to Arizona to work and then bring his family out here. He called a little while ago and said he almost collapsed and his kidneys hurt. I am worried he is suffering from heat stroke and he can't leave the job site until the other guy who is scheduled to work arrives at 4 pm. Although he has been drinking water and gatorade apparently it isn't enough for him.

It doesn't matter how old our kids are when they are sick, as a parent we worry. He has some other health conditions as well so it makes it doubly hard to hear him feeling so poorly. He will have to bring kerchiefs or something like it to wet and wrap around his neck etc if he is so bothered by the heat even while drinking fluids. He has been working since 5 this morning and I guess he won't be done until 4 or 5 tonight. After living in Connecticut this is a drastic change for him even though he use to live here years ago.

I am looking up information and going to put on some soothing music to try and calm myself. I can go thru all kinds of physical problems but when it comes to my sons I worry or flat out panic.

So now I have to deal with calming myself until he gets home safely.

Later all,
Aly

Well I just felt so miserable last night and had the chills this morning when I woke up that hubby had to take the car to Jim Click Ford without me. He is there now waiting to hear what is wrong with it. I sure hope it doesn't take long as it is his day off and our day together, or should be. At any rate as long as it isn't anything too bad they are going to take care of the repair at no charge to us since we just bought it which is a good thing for sure.

My son turned the AC up so I wouldn't be so cold and I turned off the fan in my room and he brought me so weak but warm coffee to drink which was nice. He's off running errands so it is just me and our cat hanging out here with me propped up on pillows. He was sacked out in here earlier with me but now he's probably looking out some window somewhere being tortured by the birdies, lol.

My sister sounded disappointed to hear that we weren't going to stop in today but I told her perhaps next weekend as it is her birthday on the 1st of July.

Well I wish you all a healthy and safe weekend coming up and remember to tell those you love, that you love them. Never take them for granted....
Aly

Well as we were on the way to my doctor's office I wasnt really too nervous about it as I thought it can't be as bad as having the fluid taken off my knee..... HOW WRONG I WAS!!! I don't know if was because it was in the same area of all the cortisone injections and where the fluid was drawn out but I know I stopped breathing as the nurse reminded to keep breathing. I am sure I turned colors right before their eyes. I was told to move my leg right after he injected me which I did.

I was so glad to leave his office but sad to say I have 2 more of these injections to look for. On the way home we called my son and he came to meet us for lunch which was nice. We ate at a Black Angus Restaurant and then went directly to Fry's market to pick up a few groceries... well $91 smackers later we left and came home. Shortly after that I started to feel a bit nauseous and so very tired. I came in our bedroom and laid down and took all kinds of stomach medicine. When my hubby came home I asked if he could rub my shoulders and my legs to try and help soothe me. Being the sweetheart he is he did and then I cuddled up to him and fell asleep. I still feel abit funky. I don't think this is a reaction to the injectionn but maybe a reaction to the sharp pain and the experience, or, it may not be related at all and I have a touch of a virus, I am not sure.

Well tomorrow we are suppose to go to Tuscon with our car for repair but if I still feel this funky I am not sure I will be able to go. I hope I can so hubby won't have to drive all that way alone and I would miss spending time with him.

Well I will sign off now. I hope you all have health and love in your life,
Aly

2. Thyme It makes it into grilled poultry, fish, and meat marinades by virtue of its minty, lemony flavor; it makes it onto the RealAge list of healthy herbs by virtue of its anti-cancer potency. It's also long been used as an antiseptic -- yep, that could be thyme oil in your mouthwash. If you've got a fresh bunch, mince some into your vinaigrette. Yum.

3. Cumin Concealed in your humble chili powder is one of the world's most popular spices (it's a key ingredient in Indian curries too) and another anti-cancer soldier. Go exotic and add cumin to rice and grain salads and marinades, or try this heart-healthy Ultimate Beef Chili made with chunks of fat-trimmed meat.

4. Oregano Thank our GIs for bringing oregano home from Italy after WWII. A food world superpower, leaves of the herb boast 42 times more antioxidants than apples. Wow. Use oregano to add a delicate flavor to salad dressings, garlic bread, and omelets, as well as your favorite pastas.

5. Turmeric Called the "Queen of the Kitchen" by Indian cooks, turmeric (and its active ingredient, curcumin) has earned its crown. Studies show promise in fighting cystic fibrosis, colon cancer, arthritis, and even Alzheimer's -- is there anything this golden gal can't do? For an earthy flavor and yellow coloring, add a pinch of turmeric to rice, stew, or lentils -- hey, it might even help you remember where you left your keys last night."

I absolutely love cimmanon and I had no idea it could help so many problems. I will be using it every day since I have some of those health issues!!

Sweet Dreams,
Aly

Well this Thursday I get the 1st of 3 gel injections and I am not sure what to expect. I have had cortisone injections, fluid removed which was very painful, and now these are my next step. All trying to avoid knee surgery at this point in time. I sure hope they work.

My friend came over to visit as I was having a rough day today just to add some moral support. It helps not to be alone when you are struggling or are in pain.

Hope you are all having a good day :)
Aly

Well hubby pushed me to go the surgeon this morning and begrudgingly I went. I am glad now that I did as he explained in more detail to me what is wrong with my gallbladder. I thought it was an inflamed gallbladder but after looking at my results from the scan he said I don't have an inflamed gallbladder nor do I have stones I have a gallbladder that ejects at a slower rate then most people do. I guess the normal range is 30 % and up and mine is 19%. He sais as long as I am not very symptomatic I don't need to worry about sepsis or an infection. He said it may have flared up a bit after surgery as the anesthesia and pain meds would slow it down even more. He said for now there is no need for gallbladder surgery and that was music to my ears!

We are also waiting to hear if we can get the car into Jim Click Ford for diagnosing why it is sometimes grinding when starting or hesitating. It is not the battery as we had that checked. So maybe the timing, the ignition, or the fuel injection, we don't know for sure. It runs and drives like a dream but this problem needs resolution.

Well off to relax abit after all the walking this morning. My knee is abit cranky...

Have a good day all,
Aly

Well today has been very difficult for me from the moment I woke up today. Every area that I have a problem with hurt me even before I got out of bed. I had to change my bed and while doing that I felt a twinge in my knee and that scared me but I managed to finish the job. Next I wheeled my laundry basket to the washing machine and got some clothes washing and folded the ones in there from last night. With just that effort I was tired and out of breath. I am so exasperated with my body today that it has caused an emotional meltdown for the last hour.

I called my hubby, my son, and my brother just to hear the voices of those I love. I know it is too dangerous for a person in such a low frame of spirituality to stay alone with it and not reach out for help so I did as much contacting as I could. I am so tired of feeling like my body is failing me. I have tried so hard to get walking without the crutches at least in the house that perhaps it is just tiring me in more ways then I realize. I just haven't had the stamina I use to have since I had the knee arthroscopy.

Emotionally worn down in Phoenix....
Aly

Well for the first time in about a year I finally got to go swimming! I had to be careful with my knee but with hubby's help I got to go swimming and sit in the jacuzzi for a little while this afternoon. It was a few moments in heaven for sure with the warm sun sparkling off the cool crisp refreshing water, the palm trees around the pool and no one else there but us.

Then we went to get a key made for my son, my bangs cut, and a few things we needed at CVS drug store. I am trying to walk a little more each day without using the crutches and did some easy exercises with it while in the pool since there is no impact in the pool.

Now we are relaxing while my son studies for all the tests he has to take this upcoming week. It is wonderful to have him here. He got up this morning and cleaned up the patio, cleaned out the refrigerator and was out on the patio that overlooks the golf course and studying. He seems relaxed and contented.

Well that's it for now. Keep hope in your hearts :)
Aly

We already knew that there were videos and classes dedicated to pole dancing as exercise.  Now there is an Exotic Dance Workout DVD where you will learn the moves of the exotic dance industry while losing weight! The video teaches classic stripper walk moves like the “model turn” and the “profile wave”. It also includes a section on floor work where exercisers learn to slink around on the floor with moves like the classic “black cat”. As a bonus the video includes chair prop work that can be performed with any regular chair you have in your home to give your exotic dancing a boost as well as deepening and strengthening the worked muscles. Yes folks, this one is a real product! So put on your pasties and power up that exotic dance DVD and learn to shake some stripper booty!

Well I know I need to add exercise to quicken the weight loss but this new trend won't work for me with a busted up knee! I'm sure hubby wouldn't mind it though, lol

Make it a good day folks!

Hugs,
Aly

Well since I know I am facing two surgeries in the not to distant future hubby and I just started drinking the Adkins Advantage protein drinks for two meals supplemented with sugar free pudding and or popsicles in between. Dinner time will be meat and salads and if we need a dessert it will be another pudding or popsicle. We will be looking up other drinks to make so we don't get too tired of it but this is one of the drinks recommended to drink for two weeks prior to the lap band surgery. My knees are really suffering today and I can only hope with less weight will be less pain!

I managed to clean the bathroom minus washing the floor or doing the tub, and continued the laundry and started up the dishes and I am now wasted and packed on ice.

Our friend is coming over tonight to have hubby help her with some personal letters that need to be written and to visit abit. I am sure she must be abit lonely too as in the hospital at least  you hear people all around you even if they aren't in your room.

Off to rest awhile. May courage and love fill your days and nights.
Aly

Well as we were driiving to my surgeon's appt our friend Dar called to say they were taking her into surgery at 5pm and my appt on the other side of town was at 3:30. I called my sister and aunt and they hightailed it over to the hospital to be with her before the surgery. They could feel her nervous energy and I guess almost all of them got sick to their stomachs. By the time we got back down there my sister and aunt looked bedraggled and she was still in her surgery. Not one family member there during her time of need! I pass on their behavior at this point in time. I guess they are discussing letting her go home (to her brother's) tomorrow. She is already brushing off their negligent, hurtful behavior because she is afraid of losing them. She's never had them in my opinion.

My surgeon reexamined my latest xrays and my knee and said he wanted to remove some fluid to make sure there wasn't any infection and to drain some it off my knee. He said a knee replacement is inevitable but that in the meantime we could try the gel shots to try and buy some time. He also knows I need a gallbladder surgery done. Now we wait on the insurance to hear about that. It doesn't feel quite as painful today. I am just tired out.

I expect we'll also be hearing more from my son about his plans soon. That is some really good news for sure. We can all use some of that.

Well I'm gonna do some resting up. My aunt and sister left for Tucson so the house is unusually quiet as they have been with us since last Sunday. We needed and appreciated their help.

Live in Harmony and Health,
Aly

Well I am a nervous wreck tonight as Dar is going to have the gallbladder surgery done tomorrow afternoon. Then when I saw my doctor today we discussed the fact that I need both a gallbladder surgery and a knee replacement and my concern was which I should get done first. I don't want any complications during the knee replacement from my gallbladder. She thinks I have held my own thus far with the gallbladder and she thinks I would have to put off the knee surgery for too long if I do it that way so she said it was her opinion that I get the knee replacement done first. We are doing some blood work and she said to discuss this with my surgeon as well. There are just too damned many hard decisions to make at once.

Well I am very tired so I'll end this post here.

May you find love and harmony in your life,
Aly

Well by the time I got ready to go last night I was doubled over in pain and cramping so badly all I could do was go to bed. After taking the meds for it I woke up at 8:30 pm. I called Darleen this morning but they have her too sedated to make any sense of what she is saying. Perhaps they are doing this until tomorrow to get the gallbladder out, I don't know. I called my sister last night when I had the melt down and asked if she would come up today and help me and to get me to see Darleen since hubby has to work today.

I am waiting a little while to call Dar's sister in law since her brother doesn't seem to use the phone much..... sigh.

My gallbladder is also acting up so now I am faced with the dilemma of which surgery should happen first. I guess my PCP will have to tell me what to do. I am so overwhelmed at this very moment I have to stop typing.

Well it seems clear that  the positions that will be filled at hubby's work will be announced some time next week. In the interim my knee pain has gotten so severe that I am havely difficulty even getting to the bathroom and back without my knee thobbing in terrible pain. Late this afternoon I called my surgeon's office and left the message that I need a presription for a wheelchair until I can get in to see the dr and we can decide which surgery needs to be done. Hubby will have to measure the doorways to determine what size wheelchair will fit so that I can get around. I certainly hope they don't drag their feet on this as I can't manage like this much longer.

I'm so tired tonight, I simply can't stay awake again.

Peace and Good Health to You All,
Aly

Well I am currently looking to find a Medical Injury Atty who will take my case regarding Levaquin that was prescribed for me by an ER doctor who knew I had a history of fibromyalgia but did not tell me about the warning signs to look out for regarding muscle weakness and to stop the medicine immediately should I experience this. Not only did I experiece muscle weakness but I was only able to stand by 'willing myself mentally' to stand up as I had no strength left in my knees to stand up. Consequently I have had one arthroscopy where 2 tears were found and repaired and I did not heal well enough before I suffered another tear to the left menisus just sitting down on my bed. Now my surgeon is talking about the possibility of having to replace my knee! This was all brought on with the 7 days of taking the Levaquin which was prescribed for me to take due to a UTI.

This all started late last September and I am still suffering now and facing a possible knee replacement because of this. If anyone knows of an Atty who would take my case, please let me know.

Thank you!

Well at this point nothing is managing the amount of pain I am experiencing not even the cortisone injection I had last Thursday. At least the prior 3 helped me deal with the pain a few days but not this one. I don't know how I will continue to deal with this amount of pain for another month. Just taking a shower puts me in severe pain for a long time. Today I feel like I can't stand the pain mentally anymore either. My nerves are shot and I had to cancel a denta appt for a second time as I couldn't stand the thought of the drive there and back plus any work done so I had to cancel again. I am hoping our dentist understands as he has been so wonderful to us!

We are looking for a shower transfer seat so I won't have to put my weight on my leg while getting in and out of the shower. Our initial search has yielded very high prices for them and ground shipping. I need something quickly and for less then a $100.00.

I requested an all chocolate brunch to try and help my mood as I can't stand myself. I don't know why hubby doesn't just shoot me or tell me off royally except he can see how much pain I am in and feels helpless to help me.

Hope things are better for all my visitors!

Cranky Aly