I met with my surgeon yesterday. We were there for 3 hours and had X-rays. All looks good, yet it will take many months to know if the bone grafting is working. There was one area where they could not get the grafting material(calcium combo) into which will be a dead hole (around sciatic nerve) but that is OK because it will not affect, hopefully, the strength of the good bone holding the ball and socket in place. But not out of the woods yet. For the next month I am to lay low and use the walker and brace at home with little PT except for the very light range of motion and isometrics I do laying on my bed a few times a day. Everything is very fragile, easily dislocated and the pain is still pretty high, like me. Home nursing will continue to come. In a month I go back for next check up. I have to wear the brace at least 6 more weeks so I can use it as a costume Saturday and scare the kids (Robo Babe). For two months I have to use the walker. I can only put so much weight on the new hip. Lots or restrictions of movement. So I move from sitting (as long as I can) to walking around the house to the guest/TV room bed to the chaise in the dining/family room then to my bed for sleep and naps. All well equipped with reachers, grabbers, pillows to prop me up and all the other stuff I need at hand. It will be like a home hospital until the first of the year. I have to say I was expecting only two weeks of this and then back to PT and my life, but we will do as the Dr. ordered and err on the side of caution so we can make this one work and last. I am asking everyone to visualize the bone growing and the hip back to life with full use. The other replaced and necrotic joints are picking up the slack and they are hurting too, so I am laying low. I am grateful that Douglas is home to care for me even though we could use the money if he was working on a project. He has to stay home with me. I need help with much for next two months and no driving for me.
All in all I have to remain positive and laugh at times. Many times.
Miss Jennifer out did herself again. She made stew for a gathering at her house and dropped off some for dinner Tuesday eve. It was "amazing". When I am better we are having a cooking club !!! Kitty and Steven thank you for the meatloaf and chicken drop off and your visiting Kitty !!! You always make me smile.
We will stay home for holidays, obviously. Very low key !!!!
One of my friends whose name I will not mention is in need of some good vibes. Send healing thoughts out to everyone in need and this will help her heal too.
Be well and enjoy the fall colors while they last.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Recipe from Capella Farm's Momma-Farmer-Cook
Jennifer is my friend-neighbor who is amazing and raises all kinds of animals, 3 very smart and sweet kids, gardens and she, along with her husband Dave, have a CSA farm to boot. They, like us, would like to be self sufficient and make money at farming. They are light years ahead of us so we share secrets and stories and I get to enjoy their fantastic eggs. She sent some pea soup over that was amazing. Here is her recipe she said I could share. In her words:
I cooked 3 - 4 cloves of whole garlic, 2 or 3 small onions, a bunch (maybe 6) carrot tops, fresh pork bone (the left over from a pork shoulder that I had cut the chops off of), 2 smoked shanks, and 2 bay leaves (fresh off the plant). I probably cooked this for 3 - 4 hours (in about 3 or 4 gallons of water?) after that, I strain all through colander, retain all the broth and bay leaves, and scavenge as much meat as possible. I eat the grizzle (maybe that's gross to some but I think it's good for the bones and cartilage), chop up the meat then add the peas (about 3 cups or so) and some thickly chopped carrots and cook for another couple of hours. Then I put it in the cold garage or fridge. The next day I heat it up again and eat it. It's better the second day.
My Dad makes a great pea soup vegetarian style and his is great but the pork in this melted in my mouth and I love big chunky soups. I gave her a kale pesto recipe a nurse shared with me while in hospital so will try that next. Just like regular pesto with no cheese. We have a ton of kale I thought was eaten by bugs or frost bitten, but it's growing strong again.
Douglas and I worked together a bit on The Freakin Universe. Not quite ready yet but we will send an invitation to the online venture he has been working on for over ten years. It is amazing how geeky he has become. I remember showing how to email back in 1997. Funny. Now he has all the gadgets and programs for his work. Funny guy.
A local store wants him to make some artwork for their store. Holidays are coming and leaves are falling. Lots of leaves !!!!! Such a feast for the eyes is fall. This year seems so much brighter than last.
My body is healing nicely. I finally got the long lasting pain med Saturday eve which has been a huge help. The shorter lasting really is just for breakthrough pain. I have many bruises popping up in strange places but I remember that from before. The swelling moves around too which is fun to watch. Like a roving goiter.
I taped up and took a shower with Doug's assistance. My hair was a little greasy but now I feel fresh and waiting for the nurse to call with her schedule. Would like to know sooner than later so we can plan around it. Urggggg. My friend Renee is bringing her massage table over and leaving it so I can get body work. We trade for food from garden. It has worked out nice for me and I feel she loved the fresh food.
Last night was a rough night. Doug has a sinus thingy again and his back has been acting up after three days in hospital chairs and sitting at computer. He was tossing, I was cramping in legs-feet, could not get comfy and had the strangest ongoing dreams.It really does make a huge difference to us as humans when we get a good nights sleep. If we can get our mind to shut down usually the body follows but these days it's hard to shut down. I keep a pad of paper and pen by bedside. When I wake up in am I decipher the notes written that night.Those who know my handwriting, well lets just say, my Dr. complained about it and my pharmacist said it is worse than a Dr.'s. I can use the excuse I have arthritis or a shoulder replacement. It's been bad my whole life.Oh well I have other talents and gifts.......
Let me know how you all are doing. I had three friends who had surgical procedures last week and everyone has something going on in their lives which is challenging or exciting. I am here if you want to chat or brag. If I do not answer I am napping, on the pot, with a nurse or a visitor. Leave a message with time of call and I will get back to you soon.
Love
A
I cooked 3 - 4 cloves of whole garlic, 2 or 3 small onions, a bunch (maybe 6) carrot tops, fresh pork bone (the left over from a pork shoulder that I had cut the chops off of), 2 smoked shanks, and 2 bay leaves (fresh off the plant). I probably cooked this for 3 - 4 hours (in about 3 or 4 gallons of water?) after that, I strain all through colander, retain all the broth and bay leaves, and scavenge as much meat as possible. I eat the grizzle (maybe that's gross to some but I think it's good for the bones and cartilage), chop up the meat then add the peas (about 3 cups or so) and some thickly chopped carrots and cook for another couple of hours. Then I put it in the cold garage or fridge. The next day I heat it up again and eat it. It's better the second day.
My Dad makes a great pea soup vegetarian style and his is great but the pork in this melted in my mouth and I love big chunky soups. I gave her a kale pesto recipe a nurse shared with me while in hospital so will try that next. Just like regular pesto with no cheese. We have a ton of kale I thought was eaten by bugs or frost bitten, but it's growing strong again.
Douglas and I worked together a bit on The Freakin Universe. Not quite ready yet but we will send an invitation to the online venture he has been working on for over ten years. It is amazing how geeky he has become. I remember showing how to email back in 1997. Funny. Now he has all the gadgets and programs for his work. Funny guy.
A local store wants him to make some artwork for their store. Holidays are coming and leaves are falling. Lots of leaves !!!!! Such a feast for the eyes is fall. This year seems so much brighter than last.
My body is healing nicely. I finally got the long lasting pain med Saturday eve which has been a huge help. The shorter lasting really is just for breakthrough pain. I have many bruises popping up in strange places but I remember that from before. The swelling moves around too which is fun to watch. Like a roving goiter.
I taped up and took a shower with Doug's assistance. My hair was a little greasy but now I feel fresh and waiting for the nurse to call with her schedule. Would like to know sooner than later so we can plan around it. Urggggg. My friend Renee is bringing her massage table over and leaving it so I can get body work. We trade for food from garden. It has worked out nice for me and I feel she loved the fresh food.
Last night was a rough night. Doug has a sinus thingy again and his back has been acting up after three days in hospital chairs and sitting at computer. He was tossing, I was cramping in legs-feet, could not get comfy and had the strangest ongoing dreams.It really does make a huge difference to us as humans when we get a good nights sleep. If we can get our mind to shut down usually the body follows but these days it's hard to shut down. I keep a pad of paper and pen by bedside. When I wake up in am I decipher the notes written that night.Those who know my handwriting, well lets just say, my Dr. complained about it and my pharmacist said it is worse than a Dr.'s. I can use the excuse I have arthritis or a shoulder replacement. It's been bad my whole life.Oh well I have other talents and gifts.......
Let me know how you all are doing. I had three friends who had surgical procedures last week and everyone has something going on in their lives which is challenging or exciting. I am here if you want to chat or brag. If I do not answer I am napping, on the pot, with a nurse or a visitor. Leave a message with time of call and I will get back to you soon.
Love
A
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Short and sweet
I am sorry for the short blog reports last few days. Hard to sit and type for too long. Douglas is back at work on the computer and in office and lots to do around casa and taking care of me. I am low maintenance............right? Right!?
It is Sunday afternoon and yesterday was a little busy here.Great to see loved ones and an old nurse I have not seen in a while. I am so grateful for those who cooked for me last few days !!! OMG the food has been fabulous and nurturing and your efforts do not go unnoticed. I will be there for you when you need it in return. Douglas cranked out a gourmet brunch today; Salmon with eggs and potatoes with Zingerman's 8 grain bread and chopped liver. Have to get my iron back up there. So I ate way too much. The leaves continue to stun me and I feel entranced in the beauty.
I see the surgeon wed. I am hoping to be able to start PT away from home in a week !!! It might be too adventurous. I am OK with being indoors and lounging at this point. Pain is under control and lots to read and watch the food channel lessons and movies. I am reading a book called "The Brief Wondrous Life if Oscar Wao" Constance sent it to me. Very interesting novel about an American Dominican immigrant. Rough language and reality but an intriguing read with real history added in here and there. The author, Junot Diaz" won a Pulitzer Prize. I will have to finish Chesapeake later. I tend to fall asleep after a few pages.
For those of you who have been confused as to what they actually did in surgery I will attempt to go back in time and bring you up to snuff: Back in 1990 when I first learned the steroids had caused osteo necrosis, also known as avascular necrosis or AVN(death of bone),the surgeon in NC where I lived at the time decided to do a left femur core decompression which was a pencil size drill into the center-anterior femur about mid thigh. The idea is that bone would grow back due to blood flowing to that area. It was unsuccessful due to the amount of loss and blood vessels-arteries were clogged or too swollen from steroids to reach the femur(thigh bone) femoral head and acetabulum (ball and socket)of hip joint. The femur is the longest bone in the body and it takes strong-healthy femoral arty-vein to get blood to the tip of it. Any swelling or calcification will impede blood flow thus causing death(necrosis). That summer I came back to Ann Arbor and had the left hip totally replaced by a sports orthopedic surgeon.I was not impressed by his work(not at UM). I later returned to Asheville where six months later I had my right hip replaced by a fabulous surgeon who no longer practices. I had no insurance and he paid for it himself. I am forever in Dr. Smith's debt. This was a total success.I have since had the left one revised two more times. This last one was a right revision but only the plastic lining at socket needed to be replaced due to a large crack allowing synovial-joint fluid and debris to collect in the posterior region behind the metal ball and plastic sicket where bone should have been. No wonder they could not find synovial fluid when they did a biopsy a few months back. This is what we fixed with a filling compound made of two types of calcium to stimulate growth. It will take while to know if it is working and really we may never know. If it hurts down the road we will know it needs further repair-revision. I could keep it for life? So that is the scoop. It was my 6th joint replacement to date. There are necrotic areas in other parts of my body, knees being the worst. We will try the drilling in the right knee later next year. I have about one year of healing-rehab to get both hips up to snuff. For the next 8 weeks I wear a very uncomfortable brace. If you see me on a cane, walker or in a wheelchair just know I am taking care of myself. Lupus is doing great shhhhhh.................Hopeful !!!!I hope none of you Lupies ever have to experience this.
As many of you know I am writing a book of sorts and this blog is a journal from which I will extract much of the personal information. Sometimes I write exactly what I am feeling or doing. It is my way of sharing with my loved ones, and eventually the world, what it is like to thrive with lupus. If you know someone who has lupus I encourage you to get them a journal or blog and inspire them to write. It really is a great tool for many reasons.
Make it a great day for you and all around you !!! Love and blessings.......Angela
It is Sunday afternoon and yesterday was a little busy here.Great to see loved ones and an old nurse I have not seen in a while. I am so grateful for those who cooked for me last few days !!! OMG the food has been fabulous and nurturing and your efforts do not go unnoticed. I will be there for you when you need it in return. Douglas cranked out a gourmet brunch today; Salmon with eggs and potatoes with Zingerman's 8 grain bread and chopped liver. Have to get my iron back up there. So I ate way too much. The leaves continue to stun me and I feel entranced in the beauty.
I see the surgeon wed. I am hoping to be able to start PT away from home in a week !!! It might be too adventurous. I am OK with being indoors and lounging at this point. Pain is under control and lots to read and watch the food channel lessons and movies. I am reading a book called "The Brief Wondrous Life if Oscar Wao" Constance sent it to me. Very interesting novel about an American Dominican immigrant. Rough language and reality but an intriguing read with real history added in here and there. The author, Junot Diaz" won a Pulitzer Prize. I will have to finish Chesapeake later. I tend to fall asleep after a few pages.
For those of you who have been confused as to what they actually did in surgery I will attempt to go back in time and bring you up to snuff: Back in 1990 when I first learned the steroids had caused osteo necrosis, also known as avascular necrosis or AVN(death of bone),the surgeon in NC where I lived at the time decided to do a left femur core decompression which was a pencil size drill into the center-anterior femur about mid thigh. The idea is that bone would grow back due to blood flowing to that area. It was unsuccessful due to the amount of loss and blood vessels-arteries were clogged or too swollen from steroids to reach the femur(thigh bone) femoral head and acetabulum (ball and socket)of hip joint. The femur is the longest bone in the body and it takes strong-healthy femoral arty-vein to get blood to the tip of it. Any swelling or calcification will impede blood flow thus causing death(necrosis). That summer I came back to Ann Arbor and had the left hip totally replaced by a sports orthopedic surgeon.I was not impressed by his work(not at UM). I later returned to Asheville where six months later I had my right hip replaced by a fabulous surgeon who no longer practices. I had no insurance and he paid for it himself. I am forever in Dr. Smith's debt. This was a total success.I have since had the left one revised two more times. This last one was a right revision but only the plastic lining at socket needed to be replaced due to a large crack allowing synovial-joint fluid and debris to collect in the posterior region behind the metal ball and plastic sicket where bone should have been. No wonder they could not find synovial fluid when they did a biopsy a few months back. This is what we fixed with a filling compound made of two types of calcium to stimulate growth. It will take while to know if it is working and really we may never know. If it hurts down the road we will know it needs further repair-revision. I could keep it for life? So that is the scoop. It was my 6th joint replacement to date. There are necrotic areas in other parts of my body, knees being the worst. We will try the drilling in the right knee later next year. I have about one year of healing-rehab to get both hips up to snuff. For the next 8 weeks I wear a very uncomfortable brace. If you see me on a cane, walker or in a wheelchair just know I am taking care of myself. Lupus is doing great shhhhhh.................Hopeful !!!!I hope none of you Lupies ever have to experience this.
As many of you know I am writing a book of sorts and this blog is a journal from which I will extract much of the personal information. Sometimes I write exactly what I am feeling or doing. It is my way of sharing with my loved ones, and eventually the world, what it is like to thrive with lupus. If you know someone who has lupus I encourage you to get them a journal or blog and inspire them to write. It really is a great tool for many reasons.
Make it a great day for you and all around you !!! Love and blessings.......Angela
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Saturday October 24
Rainy fall day but so beautiful with all the colors of fall's glory. It will be a very busy day. We have Ling Ling, Nina's Shitzu, for the day and she loves to snuggle with me(I love to snuggle with her). She fits in my hand or pocket. The nurse will be here between 2-4 pm and Douglas will use that time to run errands. Then my neighbor friend Jennifer made soup and maybe kale and will enjoy that for dinner ! Douglas will be happy to have prepared food with out me trying to direct him. Mary Mandeville will come by too with soup so that is fabulous ! Thank you so much everyone !!!!
I am still slow and sore. My home PT Sally Richardson and I decided that with all my experience and restrictions I can do on my own and save time and money. Then next Wed. I see the surgeon and tell me when I can go to land PT, move about and maybe drive. I have to wear the brace for 8 weeks. Hard to move about with this on. I know I will have itchy feet to get out and about. Good thing I have an electric chair and dad bought me a ramp for the van and it works.
Tell me how you are doing. Love to everyone !!!!! Angela
I am still slow and sore. My home PT Sally Richardson and I decided that with all my experience and restrictions I can do on my own and save time and money. Then next Wed. I see the surgeon and tell me when I can go to land PT, move about and maybe drive. I have to wear the brace for 8 weeks. Hard to move about with this on. I know I will have itchy feet to get out and about. Good thing I have an electric chair and dad bought me a ramp for the van and it works.
Tell me how you are doing. Love to everyone !!!!! Angela
Friday, October 23, 2009
Still in a Daze..............
Hi !
I am home and trying to catch up on sleep and rest.The leaves have started turning all spectrum of fall leafage color from vibrant green to yellow to orange to purple and then brown. It is lovely !
I will write more tomorrow. resting.........Love and Blessings to all. Angela
I am home and trying to catch up on sleep and rest.The leaves have started turning all spectrum of fall leafage color from vibrant green to yellow to orange to purple and then brown. It is lovely !
I will write more tomorrow. resting.........Love and Blessings to all. Angela
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Partial moon rising
Oh boy.........trying to be fitted for a leg brace is quite interesting in a hospital gown with no panties. I was mooning everyone. Now that the catheter is out I actually can wear real people clothes !!!!! Whoo Whoo !! The brace has been fixed and fitted so I did PT a few times today walking about with the walker. It is the small steps that feel so good. I am feeling ready to go home. I get out of the brink tomorrow !!!! My bed is waiting.
Doogie is staying with me tonight in the room. A very sweet nurse assistant found a recliner for him. I have to have his assistance to get to the bathroom and other stuff. We are both looking forward to getting back home and yet feel blessed this stay has been really good and I had a private room with really good nurses and all is good except what they call food? Really?
Thank you for all the emails. Love to all. One of us will update tomorrow. Hugs !!!! Angela-Robo Babe.
Doogie is staying with me tonight in the room. A very sweet nurse assistant found a recliner for him. I have to have his assistance to get to the bathroom and other stuff. We are both looking forward to getting back home and yet feel blessed this stay has been really good and I had a private room with really good nurses and all is good except what they call food? Really?
Thank you for all the emails. Love to all. One of us will update tomorrow. Hugs !!!! Angela-Robo Babe.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
care and feeding of me.....angela (under the influence-d)
hi! ya'll. thank you for the light, prayers, good vibes,calls,emails and cards sent our way. i am doing great and waiting for a brace to be made for me to wear 8 weeks while moving about and then tonight i can start mild pt. still have a "port of sorts for IV steroids and antibiotics until the blood culture comes back. i am still with pe-pe catheter but bathed, sheets cleaned and well fed and watered. doug slept at the med-inn here at the hospital which is convenient and one step up from motel 8 yet just down the hall so he attempts to sleep and geek.
all is good in the slammer.
my surgeon, dr. blaha, said the bone which died(disappeared) behind the prosthetic acetabulum was filled with calcium fluoride and calcium phosphate.better than the old cadaver bone they have used in past surgeries. he said the only way to know if it grows bone is in 6 months doing a CT scan but we both agreed not to do one due to too much radiation....the old glow in the dark trick. if it starts to loosen or hurt we will know it did not work, in which case they would redo the ball or i could keep the whole kit and kabuttle for years.
i asked if we could inject that into the knees, left shoulder and other necrotic areas where bone has died. he said there is one surgeon at St.Jude children hospital down south and they have only tried it in 100 people, two who he sent there from here. he said the results may not have been worth the cost and effort. he still wants to hold off until it hurts so much it is debilitating (some days they do) but we decided no more surgery until the hips have fully healed and then we would try a more conservative approach called drilling which can stimulate growth naturally by making holes in bone where osteometabolism would naturally do it's thing. i have one before but it was for the hip and i was too far gone. the knees still have a fighting chance (all good). the various spots on other bones do not seem to be of concern and i have actually started bone growth even "they" said it would not happen. these times they are a changing.
doogie will keep you posted as i go in and out of lala land and a knows at the door by some hospital staffers every fifteen minutes while beepers are going off. please do not call unitl i get home. crazy little room and doogie has computer-phone in some zones. plus it seems like the dr.'salways come in when the phone is ringing. this is the best from of comunication unless you want to visit then call ahead. my room number phone is 734-936-5409.
nina you said you wanted to bring food-juice? i do have some cravings......so you can call me. zingermans chopped liver-matza ball soup,co-op kale,salad,mashed sweet or regular potatoes, winter squash, plain baked tofu or savory with miso giner/garlic and roast chicken and anything home cooked from produce station is on radar for anytime. maybe when i get home..........or here too. carrot-ginger-green apple-lemon-beet juice always great ! i will remburse. but do call first as meals are strange here and never know when they come or what to expect. thank you for the book. i know i am a butt head.........but i am your butt head !Private joke.inspirational stories.
much love to everyone and know you are all in my prayers and heart.
love
angela ( aka robobabe ) i love my hubbies humor and is wonderful !
all is good in the slammer.
my surgeon, dr. blaha, said the bone which died(disappeared) behind the prosthetic acetabulum was filled with calcium fluoride and calcium phosphate.better than the old cadaver bone they have used in past surgeries. he said the only way to know if it grows bone is in 6 months doing a CT scan but we both agreed not to do one due to too much radiation....the old glow in the dark trick. if it starts to loosen or hurt we will know it did not work, in which case they would redo the ball or i could keep the whole kit and kabuttle for years.
i asked if we could inject that into the knees, left shoulder and other necrotic areas where bone has died. he said there is one surgeon at St.Jude children hospital down south and they have only tried it in 100 people, two who he sent there from here. he said the results may not have been worth the cost and effort. he still wants to hold off until it hurts so much it is debilitating (some days they do) but we decided no more surgery until the hips have fully healed and then we would try a more conservative approach called drilling which can stimulate growth naturally by making holes in bone where osteometabolism would naturally do it's thing. i have one before but it was for the hip and i was too far gone. the knees still have a fighting chance (all good). the various spots on other bones do not seem to be of concern and i have actually started bone growth even "they" said it would not happen. these times they are a changing.
doogie will keep you posted as i go in and out of lala land and a knows at the door by some hospital staffers every fifteen minutes while beepers are going off. please do not call unitl i get home. crazy little room and doogie has computer-phone in some zones. plus it seems like the dr.'salways come in when the phone is ringing. this is the best from of comunication unless you want to visit then call ahead. my room number phone is 734-936-5409.
nina you said you wanted to bring food-juice? i do have some cravings......so you can call me. zingermans chopped liver-matza ball soup,co-op kale,salad,mashed sweet or regular potatoes, winter squash, plain baked tofu or savory with miso giner/garlic and roast chicken and anything home cooked from produce station is on radar for anytime. maybe when i get home..........or here too. carrot-ginger-green apple-lemon-beet juice always great ! i will remburse. but do call first as meals are strange here and never know when they come or what to expect. thank you for the book. i know i am a butt head.........but i am your butt head !Private joke.inspirational stories.
much love to everyone and know you are all in my prayers and heart.
love
angela ( aka robobabe ) i love my hubbies humor and is wonderful !
Monday, October 19, 2009
hubby report.2
Out of surgery - on way to recovery.
The liner to the hip socket was cracked and replaced.
Ball/fixture is anchored well into the femur with no loosening. No need to replace.
Cup in good shape, still anchored well into the 'perimeter' of the socket.
Significant bone loss 'behind' cup, loss of socket mass . The void was 'liquid filled' with debris which acted as an abrasive wearing down the interior space...pain factor.
Doc- "Data shows best to not remove and replace 'cup' so to not disturb that bone which is holding the existing cup in place". They drained the liquid and packed the void (through holes in the cup) with 'plaster' type bone growth material which stimulates bone growth exceptionally well in animals... 'humans, a significant increase, yet to be fully determined.
Her mobility will be just as good as before surgery with a decrease of pain.
If bone additive/growth stimulant does not 'take' her existing socket/ball attachment will stay in place for as long as it does.... various complications from there on.
He's siding with the data showing positive bone growth, the strength of the existing bone supporting the prosthesis's, Angela's age and "outlook". Diet, exercise and one heck of a positive attitude.
I side with the Doc.
We are so lucky......
The liner to the hip socket was cracked and replaced.
Ball/fixture is anchored well into the femur with no loosening. No need to replace.
Cup in good shape, still anchored well into the 'perimeter' of the socket.
Significant bone loss 'behind' cup, loss of socket mass . The void was 'liquid filled' with debris which acted as an abrasive wearing down the interior space...pain factor.
Doc- "Data shows best to not remove and replace 'cup' so to not disturb that bone which is holding the existing cup in place". They drained the liquid and packed the void (through holes in the cup) with 'plaster' type bone growth material which stimulates bone growth exceptionally well in animals... 'humans, a significant increase, yet to be fully determined.
Her mobility will be just as good as before surgery with a decrease of pain.
If bone additive/growth stimulant does not 'take' her existing socket/ball attachment will stay in place for as long as it does.... various complications from there on.
He's siding with the data showing positive bone growth, the strength of the existing bone supporting the prosthesis's, Angela's age and "outlook". Diet, exercise and one heck of a positive attitude.
I side with the Doc.
We are so lucky......
hubby reporting:
Angela went in at 3:30 pm. Looks like she may be getting a revision, not a full replacement... great news! Glad they have spare parts for 20 yr old equipment. I was concerned I'd have to weld something together from my studio... 2+hours to go....
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The summer that never happened..............harvest time
Wow it is cold and we are running the hot pad on our bed at night. Even had a fire in the fireplace Saturday. I am bundled up like a Christmas package sent by fed Ex, all layered up in scarves, pulse warmers, leg warmers and whatever I can find to keep my extremities warm. Lupus does that. The circulation down to the lower legs and arms plus head leaves a lot to be desired.
Two weeks from surgery. I am counting the days. Feel good about it though. Especially after a grueling weak of PT doing deep tissue work and realizing that until I get this operation my sacrum and pelvis continue to go out. This causes all kinds of issues. Hard to do a whole lot without throwing it out of alignment.
The Lupus Education program is going well. I am happy to see the same faces return and concerned about the faces who don't. We are all fighting colds and getting over allergies. Now the flu has all in a tizzy. I am not a vaccination kind of gal. The last one I got was for pneumonia and not a live virus. Benign yet i cringed to get it. I have never had a flu vaccination. Never will either. I see people get sicker from that than the flu. To each her own. I take all precautions, use sanitizer like crazy, do not touch or get near sick people, wear a mask if I feel vulnerable, wash my hands often and long and keep tissue with me at all times. If you do get the vaccination make sure you are getting the one which is dead and not live. Oregano oil is also an agent which can help you recover from HINI. The regular American flu is best treated with fresh ginger tea, chicken or Matzo Ball Soup, warmth, rest, lots of fluids(water), some sort of inhaling essential oils like eucalyptus, camphor or peppermint, vit. C, Zinc and if you do not have an auto-immune disorder you can take lots of echinacea tincture. Tylenol cold or some pain relive does not hurt. But time is what is needed so buckle up and enjoy the rest. If your fever gets above 102 go to the emergency room after you have tried ice baths and lots of cooling fluids.
Remember though to wear a mask so you do not get others sick.
Douglas and I went out to a local diner for breakfast. 3.99 plus coffee and juice. It is amazing how many people are still eating out but ordering the least expensive item on the menu. I bet the dollar menu at McDonalds is on over load. Would be interesting to do a poll on this. I put a lot of thought into food. I feel such a pull to continue my commitment to support local farmers, growers, food purveyors, neighbors with mom and pop operations etc. My neighbor and I spoke of this yesterday while she was making a time consuming chutney. I tasted the Ketchup she made which was fabulous and a quickie recipe from her grandma which I will attempt to make this weekend. I am making the chutney tonight with green tomatoes from our garden. Tomato season for us is over but farmers who have green houses still selling at the market tomorrow and Saturday. I am also going to attempt mustard green-cabbage kraut. I made a cabbage-tomato chow chow this weekend which was fabulous. But my friend and i agree,Jennifer the neighbor who has a CSA and eggs, decided it takes a tremendous amount of work and is very much a commitment to not just growing and preserving your food but buying local and from farmers directly. It costs more in the short term but in the long run it is much less than you expect. Take peppers for instance. In the winter you pay 4.99 lb for a red pepper(un-organic from Mexico. If you buy a bushel of peppers from a local farmer and freeze them or you grow your own and preserve somehow you save money because in peak season your paying a quarter of the price. Same with apples, tomatoes etc. But who has the time? Plenty of people take the time or they pay someone to do it if they can afford it. Once you make the commitment it all falls into place in about 3-4 years. You realize you have a network of growers, farmers and others who are into trading and sharing, they might buy something you grow or make, your community is thriving because you are keeping your money local and small businesses can survive with little shipping costs. It all makes sense. I call it bio dynamic living some call it permaculture or sustainable farming. Even in Detroit groups and urban gardens are growing raised beds on toxic land while cleaning the land for larger plots down the road. people are making food form these gardens for the poor, sick and elderly while teaching urban kids all about food. They learn a trade too. How cool is that? I realize it is not feasible for most families yet every bit helps. Take a drive in the country near your home and stop at a couple produce stands or farms. Pick apples with your kids them make applesauce. In this way the kids have a fun day in the country, learn about where their food comes from, supports local economy, they learn how hard it is to make real applesauce and how very good it is and have fun. My sister does this with her girls and they understand. Maybe instead of a lemon-aide stand next summer you have a produce stand?
Happy harvest
Two weeks from surgery. I am counting the days. Feel good about it though. Especially after a grueling weak of PT doing deep tissue work and realizing that until I get this operation my sacrum and pelvis continue to go out. This causes all kinds of issues. Hard to do a whole lot without throwing it out of alignment.
The Lupus Education program is going well. I am happy to see the same faces return and concerned about the faces who don't. We are all fighting colds and getting over allergies. Now the flu has all in a tizzy. I am not a vaccination kind of gal. The last one I got was for pneumonia and not a live virus. Benign yet i cringed to get it. I have never had a flu vaccination. Never will either. I see people get sicker from that than the flu. To each her own. I take all precautions, use sanitizer like crazy, do not touch or get near sick people, wear a mask if I feel vulnerable, wash my hands often and long and keep tissue with me at all times. If you do get the vaccination make sure you are getting the one which is dead and not live. Oregano oil is also an agent which can help you recover from HINI. The regular American flu is best treated with fresh ginger tea, chicken or Matzo Ball Soup, warmth, rest, lots of fluids(water), some sort of inhaling essential oils like eucalyptus, camphor or peppermint, vit. C, Zinc and if you do not have an auto-immune disorder you can take lots of echinacea tincture. Tylenol cold or some pain relive does not hurt. But time is what is needed so buckle up and enjoy the rest. If your fever gets above 102 go to the emergency room after you have tried ice baths and lots of cooling fluids.
Remember though to wear a mask so you do not get others sick.
Douglas and I went out to a local diner for breakfast. 3.99 plus coffee and juice. It is amazing how many people are still eating out but ordering the least expensive item on the menu. I bet the dollar menu at McDonalds is on over load. Would be interesting to do a poll on this. I put a lot of thought into food. I feel such a pull to continue my commitment to support local farmers, growers, food purveyors, neighbors with mom and pop operations etc. My neighbor and I spoke of this yesterday while she was making a time consuming chutney. I tasted the Ketchup she made which was fabulous and a quickie recipe from her grandma which I will attempt to make this weekend. I am making the chutney tonight with green tomatoes from our garden. Tomato season for us is over but farmers who have green houses still selling at the market tomorrow and Saturday. I am also going to attempt mustard green-cabbage kraut. I made a cabbage-tomato chow chow this weekend which was fabulous. But my friend and i agree,Jennifer the neighbor who has a CSA and eggs, decided it takes a tremendous amount of work and is very much a commitment to not just growing and preserving your food but buying local and from farmers directly. It costs more in the short term but in the long run it is much less than you expect. Take peppers for instance. In the winter you pay 4.99 lb for a red pepper(un-organic from Mexico. If you buy a bushel of peppers from a local farmer and freeze them or you grow your own and preserve somehow you save money because in peak season your paying a quarter of the price. Same with apples, tomatoes etc. But who has the time? Plenty of people take the time or they pay someone to do it if they can afford it. Once you make the commitment it all falls into place in about 3-4 years. You realize you have a network of growers, farmers and others who are into trading and sharing, they might buy something you grow or make, your community is thriving because you are keeping your money local and small businesses can survive with little shipping costs. It all makes sense. I call it bio dynamic living some call it permaculture or sustainable farming. Even in Detroit groups and urban gardens are growing raised beds on toxic land while cleaning the land for larger plots down the road. people are making food form these gardens for the poor, sick and elderly while teaching urban kids all about food. They learn a trade too. How cool is that? I realize it is not feasible for most families yet every bit helps. Take a drive in the country near your home and stop at a couple produce stands or farms. Pick apples with your kids them make applesauce. In this way the kids have a fun day in the country, learn about where their food comes from, supports local economy, they learn how hard it is to make real applesauce and how very good it is and have fun. My sister does this with her girls and they understand. Maybe instead of a lemon-aide stand next summer you have a produce stand?
Happy harvest
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
forgot to share recipes.."So Freakin Good"
Squash soup:
Cut up butternut squash into two inch chunks skin on-de-seeded, with one large onion quartered and a cup of mushrooms with one clove or two of garlic. Roast in oven with olive oil, salt and cracked pepper for 30 minutes at 400. Then heat up a quart of chicken or veggie stock on the stove and add the veggies to simmer with 1-2 Tbs. chopped parsley or cilantro and let meld. Put all into a blender or use your self blender handle to make soft. Serve with great bread and butter. I also made a salad of mixed bitter greens(mustard, parsley, Chinese cabbage etc.) Added to the top was a can of black eyed peas, Tbs. Dijon, Tbs. red wine vinegar, 2 Tbs. olive oil and salt-pepper to taste. I also added a little maple syrup to cut the acidity and small chopped red onion and a clove of chopped garlic. This combined tossed with the greens was a fabulous way to mix it up with the squash soup. A total fall meal. Martha Stewart's food magazine was to blame. So Freakin Good !!!!!!! I forgot to mention the butter was from Vermont Creamery I think? I was gifted the butter bu a friend who bought it at "The Produce Station" in Ann Arbor. The freakin best butter ever, and I am not a dairy person !!!!!! But this is fabulous. Thank you Steven and Kitty.
Cut up butternut squash into two inch chunks skin on-de-seeded, with one large onion quartered and a cup of mushrooms with one clove or two of garlic. Roast in oven with olive oil, salt and cracked pepper for 30 minutes at 400. Then heat up a quart of chicken or veggie stock on the stove and add the veggies to simmer with 1-2 Tbs. chopped parsley or cilantro and let meld. Put all into a blender or use your self blender handle to make soft. Serve with great bread and butter. I also made a salad of mixed bitter greens(mustard, parsley, Chinese cabbage etc.) Added to the top was a can of black eyed peas, Tbs. Dijon, Tbs. red wine vinegar, 2 Tbs. olive oil and salt-pepper to taste. I also added a little maple syrup to cut the acidity and small chopped red onion and a clove of chopped garlic. This combined tossed with the greens was a fabulous way to mix it up with the squash soup. A total fall meal. Martha Stewart's food magazine was to blame. So Freakin Good !!!!!!! I forgot to mention the butter was from Vermont Creamery I think? I was gifted the butter bu a friend who bought it at "The Produce Station" in Ann Arbor. The freakin best butter ever, and I am not a dairy person !!!!!! But this is fabulous. Thank you Steven and Kitty.
Old Jack Frost??????
Yes we are having a frost tonight with temps around 30 degrees F. Can you believe this? The cold summer has brought a cold fall. I felt a chill yesterday in my neck and head and woke up thinking allergies but I fear a cold is trying to settle in my bones. I am taking precautions. The 90% full moon does not help. I never sleep the two days prior to full moon???? Have you experienced this? Most emergency rooms do and police departments as well. Good thing we know to plan. Halloween will be interesting this year as it will have full moon.
So I covered the gardens tender crops and let the rest do their thing. Tomorrow will be sunny and mild with 55-65 temps. Hopefully I saved the lettuce and greens plus peppers still trying to produce. I do not worry about winter squash as they are tough and winter greens. We will at least have green tomatoes for frying?
Tomorrow is a class night for lupus education. Many people have responded this week so it will be interesting. I will be on my good game hopefully. Lots of preparation and rest.
Douglas finished a video comprised of many peoples photographs and video images of the UM Lupus Butterfly Walk. Go to www.lupusadvocacy.org to see. I cry every time I watch it. Hormones perhaps yet touching non the less.
Started two books. I have one medical, of course, and one fun. The medical is called " The High Blood Pressure Hoax". Very interesting and informative. The other is "The Time travelers Wife". I had to pay the library 2 bucks for two weeks because so many people want to read it. So that is my reading aside from other publications, local and abroad, I read for special interest. I am always looking for a good read so pass along any books which are riveting.
Happy fall Yall...........................
So I covered the gardens tender crops and let the rest do their thing. Tomorrow will be sunny and mild with 55-65 temps. Hopefully I saved the lettuce and greens plus peppers still trying to produce. I do not worry about winter squash as they are tough and winter greens. We will at least have green tomatoes for frying?
Tomorrow is a class night for lupus education. Many people have responded this week so it will be interesting. I will be on my good game hopefully. Lots of preparation and rest.
Douglas finished a video comprised of many peoples photographs and video images of the UM Lupus Butterfly Walk. Go to www.lupusadvocacy.org to see. I cry every time I watch it. Hormones perhaps yet touching non the less.
Started two books. I have one medical, of course, and one fun. The medical is called " The High Blood Pressure Hoax". Very interesting and informative. The other is "The Time travelers Wife". I had to pay the library 2 bucks for two weeks because so many people want to read it. So that is my reading aside from other publications, local and abroad, I read for special interest. I am always looking for a good read so pass along any books which are riveting.
Happy fall Yall...........................
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
"LSD"......Lupus takes a Beatle icon................
Lucy Vodden, who provided the backdrop for the Beatles iconic song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," has died after a long battle with lupus at the ripe young age of 46.
Her death was announced Monday September 28, 2009 by St. Thomas' Hospital in London, where she had been treated for the chronic disease for more than five years, and by her husband, Ross Vodden. Time of death unknown.
Lucy's connection to the Beatles dates back to when she was 4 years old went to school with Julian Lennon, John Lennon's eldest son. Julian came home with an image of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" Hence the song. Child's play turned fame song.
John Lennon, along with other Beatles members, were collecting material for the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." John took the image and created "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (IE.. "LSD") referencing Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Amazing how people want to assume the worst. As ironic as it is, I now refer to the song as "Lupus In the Sky with Diamonds." In honor of Lucy.
Lucy and Julian lost touch, but they reconnected when he tried to help her cope with the disease through gardening and other means of joy, by emailing uplifting emails, sending her flowers and gardening vouchers as she was an avid gardener which brought her great joy they both shared as a hobby.
I would like to honor her and all those who have lost their lives to this sometimes debilitating and life threatening disease which is treatable and not curable. The odds are in our favor as patients but it takes this kinds of awareness, unfortunately, to bring people to the point of caring. Some speculate if Michael Jackson had Lupus???? Even other stars I will not mention. If one does have Lupus and has the ability to reach the masses it is your calling and opportunity to help find a cure and raise awareness.
Our blessings and prayers go out to Lucy's family and all who suffered this great loss. Up above they are watching and know we will fight and find a cure !!!!!
Angela
Her death was announced Monday September 28, 2009 by St. Thomas' Hospital in London, where she had been treated for the chronic disease for more than five years, and by her husband, Ross Vodden. Time of death unknown.
Lucy's connection to the Beatles dates back to when she was 4 years old went to school with Julian Lennon, John Lennon's eldest son. Julian came home with an image of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" Hence the song. Child's play turned fame song.
John Lennon, along with other Beatles members, were collecting material for the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." John took the image and created "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (IE.. "LSD") referencing Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Amazing how people want to assume the worst. As ironic as it is, I now refer to the song as "Lupus In the Sky with Diamonds." In honor of Lucy.
Lucy and Julian lost touch, but they reconnected when he tried to help her cope with the disease through gardening and other means of joy, by emailing uplifting emails, sending her flowers and gardening vouchers as she was an avid gardener which brought her great joy they both shared as a hobby.
I would like to honor her and all those who have lost their lives to this sometimes debilitating and life threatening disease which is treatable and not curable. The odds are in our favor as patients but it takes this kinds of awareness, unfortunately, to bring people to the point of caring. Some speculate if Michael Jackson had Lupus???? Even other stars I will not mention. If one does have Lupus and has the ability to reach the masses it is your calling and opportunity to help find a cure and raise awareness.
Our blessings and prayers go out to Lucy's family and all who suffered this great loss. Up above they are watching and know we will fight and find a cure !!!!!
Angela
Thursday, September 24, 2009
playing catchup............
Hi all. I have been spending fall with my hubby getting things done around the casa and yard-garden. Had a bumper crop of tomatoes late in season and new fall garden is coming in strong. I have been canning and putting up food for winter and holidays. I can not tell you how rewarding it is. I am watching our new front garden walk way of grasses, lavender and flowers growing like crazy. So much so we may have to move some. Hostas need a new home too in the shade. They are huge but getting too much sun and we have decided to move them to the side of the house by our driveway where nothing grows under the large maple. Douglas and our neighbor cut and split wood while his son Nathan kept a nice bon fire going in the metal pit. Then the whole family(neighbors two doors down) came over for a pot luck and fire. It was a great way to end the weekend. It is wonderful having such great neighbors. They heat with wood too so they got two loads.
The lupus education-support program is going well. we had our second session last week. Next week we are having one on avoiding flares and sending people home with homework. The last session I teach will be on what to do when you are in a flare. Part of preparing for this is helping patients get their affairs in order. Emergency plans so to speak. Who to call on, what can folks do to help, advance directives etc. All the stuff we like to put off. So I am hoping this will be a good home work assignment with max benefits.
Which leads me to the next thing. I am having surgery on right hip (2nd replacement) October 19th. I will be in longer this time. Feel free to visit as the blog will direct you when is good time and where I am etc. Doug will keep you abreast, as you know, with his humor. You have his cell and can reach him if needed. The hospital also will tell you where I am. We are going for a private room but I may not get one??? It depends on the day. Mondays are usually pretty good days to get private rooms. Many patients leave on Sundays or over the weekend. So I am hanging pretty well. People have asked if they can help or visit? Douglas will be here. He can always use help in the food department grocery shopping, soups and comfort food while I am in and after I get home. Easy things to heat up and fruit, nuts etc. Beer. Just kidding, well, not really, It takes the edge off I am sure. I will be well cared for with home nursing and Douglas. If I need anything I will let you know. There may be garden work and food to harvest for those of you who like that type of work and healthy food to take home. I am always up for a good book to read-borrow too and relaxing music especially cello. Movies are always good too.
I would like to share a quote my friend Chris sent me by Sir William Osler (1849-1919) when asked the secret to a long and full life? "Contract a chronic, terminal disease and take care of it". Odd quote but you get the point. In class last week a nurse made an observation and commented on how some patients seem to see lupus as a gift and I totally agreed. It forces one to take stock in their lives a bit more than healthy folk. One has to live healthier more vibrant lives to survive. It is a strange gift with many miracles and to "Take care of it" means to heal the deeper parts of ourselves. In this way we leave the earth with a little more wisdom had we not been forced to take care of it. Good Karma !!!!
The lupus education-support program is going well. we had our second session last week. Next week we are having one on avoiding flares and sending people home with homework. The last session I teach will be on what to do when you are in a flare. Part of preparing for this is helping patients get their affairs in order. Emergency plans so to speak. Who to call on, what can folks do to help, advance directives etc. All the stuff we like to put off. So I am hoping this will be a good home work assignment with max benefits.
Which leads me to the next thing. I am having surgery on right hip (2nd replacement) October 19th. I will be in longer this time. Feel free to visit as the blog will direct you when is good time and where I am etc. Doug will keep you abreast, as you know, with his humor. You have his cell and can reach him if needed. The hospital also will tell you where I am. We are going for a private room but I may not get one??? It depends on the day. Mondays are usually pretty good days to get private rooms. Many patients leave on Sundays or over the weekend. So I am hanging pretty well. People have asked if they can help or visit? Douglas will be here. He can always use help in the food department grocery shopping, soups and comfort food while I am in and after I get home. Easy things to heat up and fruit, nuts etc. Beer. Just kidding, well, not really, It takes the edge off I am sure. I will be well cared for with home nursing and Douglas. If I need anything I will let you know. There may be garden work and food to harvest for those of you who like that type of work and healthy food to take home. I am always up for a good book to read-borrow too and relaxing music especially cello. Movies are always good too.
I would like to share a quote my friend Chris sent me by Sir William Osler (1849-1919) when asked the secret to a long and full life? "Contract a chronic, terminal disease and take care of it". Odd quote but you get the point. In class last week a nurse made an observation and commented on how some patients seem to see lupus as a gift and I totally agreed. It forces one to take stock in their lives a bit more than healthy folk. One has to live healthier more vibrant lives to survive. It is a strange gift with many miracles and to "Take care of it" means to heal the deeper parts of ourselves. In this way we leave the earth with a little more wisdom had we not been forced to take care of it. Good Karma !!!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Time has come
The UM Lupus Education-Support Program was a success. I feel we had just the right amount of patients and "educators". It was a night which may end up being the first of many or it will be it's "Fall Series" as it it is and that is all? In any direction I am feeling very fulfilled by the looks on the people's faces as they heard words of hope ans support. I saw people feel a kin-ship to one another and an exchange of numbers. This is all good. I also spoke with two women who are focused on the areas of health disparities or the under served in health care. The fact is that people of color, especially African Americans, have a higher prevalence of lupus than white Euros, YET, they often do not get diagnosed due to lack of medical care within inner cities and rural areas. When I say "Those" it makes me cringe like you can not imagine. It makes me sick to say that if you are black in a large city with little income or poor in a rural area you may not have insurance or the ability to find a Dr. to help you find a diagnoses, which is very, very , very expensive !!! That word is in and of itself a fear mechanism to tell people who do not have insurance an opportunity to NOT get that health check up or labs to see why they may feel sick. It is well known that education and health care is at a low spot when it comes to people of lower income, single mothers, single fathers, rural farmers, youth who are in school with young children, elderly who do not have helpers, Blacks, Native Americans, The poor and Homeless, Latinos and all those "Others" who have no insurance or the ability to get health care for whatever the reason. Many middle income whites in the "Burbs" are feeling the same issues. it is a problem we all face. I saw this more so than ever and I want to do something yet feel helpless. Some folks will fall through the cracks and that Su__s. I feel hope because we touched a few and they will touch a few and so it goes. It seems to me the way to health-well being and peace is through offering it to others while staying true to our own highest health and well being. We all do our part!
On that note my honey is home (happily) and I am cooking and plucking from the garden and getting ready to embark on a canning experience from the harvests. Lord let me not poison. I have been very fearful of canning and so I have done pickling and other forms of preserving.........But now I venture into what I knew as a child. Canning. The freezer has been our friend and now I must put up cans of food in the cellar. I feel a need to know and accomplish this as an adult. As a child I only did the "work" not the actual cleaning, preparing,sanitizing etc.
I promise not to give Christmas-Solstice presents if they are not totally safe. You probably will get something with alcohol or vinegar. SAFE!!
Be Well !!!!
On that note my honey is home (happily) and I am cooking and plucking from the garden and getting ready to embark on a canning experience from the harvests. Lord let me not poison. I have been very fearful of canning and so I have done pickling and other forms of preserving.........But now I venture into what I knew as a child. Canning. The freezer has been our friend and now I must put up cans of food in the cellar. I feel a need to know and accomplish this as an adult. As a child I only did the "work" not the actual cleaning, preparing,sanitizing etc.
I promise not to give Christmas-Solstice presents if they are not totally safe. You probably will get something with alcohol or vinegar. SAFE!!
Be Well !!!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The sun also rises
Today is the first in a six series lupus education-support program at UM Hospital coordinated by me and retired Dr. Dale Dedrick who also has lupus. I cried last night because I was so moved by the phone calls and emails from patients and parents of youth who have been diagnosed who are not only coming, but 6 from Flint! This warms my heart. All it takes is helping one person and paying that forward. Three of the Dr;s-researchers will speak about advances, research, our clinic and more. The next three will be taught by Dale and I. The last two by a PT, Beth Wiggert and Nurse Claudia Ogden. Attached is a flyer for those of you desiring to come. I am so happy years of hard work paid off and people kept saying I would never get into the UM hospital system with out a medical degree. Showed them.
Still in small flare and laying low. I am a bit weak, fatigued and shaky. Doug busy too but well.
University of Michigan
Still in small flare and laying low. I am a bit weak, fatigued and shaky. Doug busy too but well.
The Fall Series of the
This series will be on the first and third Thursdays from September 3rd to November 19th intended to provide educational information and support to patients and families with Lupus.
Some of the topics included during this program include:
- Sept. 3rd: "Lupus 101-The Basics" Dr. Dale Dedrick and Angela Madaras, Lupus Program Coordinators: Speakers include: Dr." Joseph McCune, Patricia Cagnoli and Wendy Marder from The U-M Lupus Program-Clinic.
- Sept. 17th "Best Daily Life" Dr. Dale Dedrick and Angela Madaras, Lupus Program Coordinators. Positive tools for living a full-balanced life.
- Oct. 1st "Avoiding Flares" Angela Madaras and Dr. Dedrick.
- Oct. 15th "Living With a Flare" Dr. Dedrick and Angela Madaras.
- Nov. 5th "Exercise for All Levels of Activity" Physical therapist from the U-M Spine Clinic, Beth Wiggert.
- Nov. 19th "Stress Management" U-M Holistic Nurse, Claudia Ogden with UM Lupus Clinic. Dress comfortably.
Registration Fee:
There is no registration or fee for participating in this program. Snacks and drinks will be provided at the first and last meeting; however, participants can bring food or drink with them to the program. A peer-support meeting is encouraged for participants who want to continue the meeting at the U-M Cafeteria after the sessions or on their own.
Parking:
Parking is available in Taubman Center Lot A at the U-M Health System where participants can enter through the elevators to third floor or through the main entrance with signs directing to the room. Valet parking is available at main entrance for $5.00. Wheel chairs are also available at main entrance.
For more information please contact Angela Madaras at (734) 761-9267, by email at angelamadaras@gmail.com, or on the web at www.med.umich.edu/lupus.
Please sign the attendance list before you leave and include contact information and your address-email if you wish to be on our mailing list. In the event the classes get too large and need to move to another room we need a way to reach you by phone or email.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The world seems upside down
My dear friend Chris who has two lovely daughters of adult age just informed me(actually his spouse Brigid) just informed me that his daughter Nora is very sick on life support and dialysis with acute pancreatic and high fevers. Unknown cause. Please hold her and her loved ones in your prayers and heart. Her cousin recently died as well and they lived together in DC area? I am speechless.
As for my health I am feeling quite blessed in this moment. Tired and fatigued beyond belief but pain level dropped, inflammation mostly gone and flare seems to be leaving as my labs looked good. I can begin reducing meds now. Kidneys are doing great and that is wonderful. I just got too much sun and resting is all I can do to feel better. Which is good because the fall Lupus education program I am co-teaching at the UM Hospital starts Thursday.
Doug is well. Garden full. I am making Christmas present from the harvest. No more buying gifts.
Nora, hang in there darling you are a strong and powerful woman with an incredible heart and soul. We need you here! Your family needs you.
As for my health I am feeling quite blessed in this moment. Tired and fatigued beyond belief but pain level dropped, inflammation mostly gone and flare seems to be leaving as my labs looked good. I can begin reducing meds now. Kidneys are doing great and that is wonderful. I just got too much sun and resting is all I can do to feel better. Which is good because the fall Lupus education program I am co-teaching at the UM Hospital starts Thursday.
Doug is well. Garden full. I am making Christmas present from the harvest. No more buying gifts.
Nora, hang in there darling you are a strong and powerful woman with an incredible heart and soul. We need you here! Your family needs you.
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