I Am Just Bummed . . . .

[tiredofdoctors]

I am telling you what . . . sometimes I think I have a dark cloud over my Medical conditions!

I am so bummed . . . for those of you who don't know, I had another bad fall last week in my back yard. This one sent me to the ER. I knew something was wrong. I never cry when I fall, because I have this weird "don't feel pain the right way" thing. I INSTANTLY knew something was wrong, and it HURT. I was lying on the ground crying . . . my dad had brought me home from PT for my gargantuan ankles . . . luckily he was still here. He brought me into the house, and I convinced him that I was O.K. so he could go back to work. Then, called my mom, it was really bad, and started swelling before I could roll over in the grass.

The X-rays in the ER were negative, so they basically sent me home with pain pills and said, "good luck." Which was appropriate, under the circumstances. I have had a really tough time putting weight on my leg (for my friends who are going to lecture me . . . I know, I know . . . I'm not even supposed to walk -- whatever) Anyway, it has been kind of painful. Also, when my leg gets jostled . . . putting my foot on the floor in the morning off the bed, if we're in the car and hit a bump . . things like that. So, I call the ortho doctor because the ER doc said if it's not better in a week, call your doctor.

My doc is out of town, so they asked one of the others about when I should come in . . . this was yesterday afternoon, and he said 8:30 this morning. THAT should have sent red flags. I wake up this morning, and this LITTLE scratch that I've had for awhile, I think (don't THINK it was from the fall . . . ), because I remember telling the PT that it won't heal, has a silver-dollar sized raised red bump, is hot and is kind of hard . . . of course, I'm knowing in the back of my head what it is, but thinking it will go away before the doctor's visit!

So, the doctor wants to do a bone scan on me to see WHAT fractures in my body are still active . . . and tells me to be NON WEIGHT BEARING until he gets the results . . . he thinks I may have a stress fracture in my right shin. He tells me that I should do transfers from my wheelchair only and no walking at all. I grabbed his hands and said, "You don't understand. My daughter is getting married Saturday and I am walking down the aisle. I have practiced." I must have sounded like a little kid . . . talking to a doctor who looks to be my son's age!! He said, "Well, I guess we need to come up with plan B" . . . so I'm having an MRI tomorrow on my leg. Here's the rub . . . if it's just soft tissue injury -- no problem, go on with things as planned. If it's a stress fracture, depending upon the severity, I will have to have either a) a boot b- a short-leg cast or c) a long-leg cast. I told him I jinxed myself. I said in rachelville, "Keep your fingers crossed that I don't have to have a long-leg cast." Man . . .

Then I told him about the scratch, and that he may not even want to look at it, I may need to go to my primary care doctor, but he says, "No, let me take a look . . . " Well, I have cellulitis in my left ankle. He put me on Keflex and told me that if it isn't better in three days we will need to explore "other options" . . .

I go to my PT session -- had the wrong time, but she saw me anyway because she is the BEST, and lo and behold, which I knew, she can't remove all this humongous fluid from my legs because of the infection. If you do the technique to clear the fluid back into the lymph system, you risk sending the infection throughout your entire body. SOOOOOO . . . .. . my autonomic nervous system isn't working for the past two days . . . I haven't been sweating at all, my heart rate is low, my blood pressure is low . . . so I have all this fluid building up in my body that isn't getting out. My legs are huge, I may have a stress fracture, I have this growing in size red lump on my ankle and I can't weight bear on my right leg. Can't use crutches, because I don't have the coordination to make them work!!! Have to walk on the leg to at least go to the bathroom. Got really ugly old lady support (actually medical compression pre-fab hose) to wear to TRY not to have cankles at the wedding, but may not be able to wear even those if I have a compression fracture. Oh, I forgot to tell him, too . . . I have phlebitis in the leg that may have the fracture . . . oops.

I would really like for this continuum of medical disasters to end . . . I am getting very grouchy!!!

[debmidge]

Lynne, I am so sorry to hear about this latest addition to your health problems. I hope you heal up very fast and get by this one without too much trouble.

D.

[Guest nini]

Lynne, no lectures from me, only {{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}

[CarlaB]

I'm sorry it's going so bad for you right now! You'll forget it all at the beautiful wedding! It will not bother anyone if you go down the aisle in your wheelchair!!!!

[tarnalberry]

That sucks! I hope the meds kick in quickly, and the MRI goes well.

[Guest BERNESES]

Oh sweets....wishing for the best possible outcome and that you will be able to walk down the aisle at Ashley's wedding like the elegant and charming Southern beauty you are! Big hugs, Beverly

[queenofhearts]

Hang in there, Lynne, I hope all goes well, but if not... I can just see a wheelchair, bedecked with flowers & ribbons, like a royal chariot...

Leah

[jerseyangel]

Oh Lynne, I'm so sorry to hear of all this. I will say a prayer for you--sending a big hug your way

[tiredofdoctors]

Oh, and here's the rub I didn't mention . . . the aisle at the church???? too narrow for my wheelchair . . . .

[jerseyangel]

Oh, and here's the rub I didn't mention . . . the aisle at the church???? too narrow for my wheelchair . . . .

[CarlaB]

Well, is there another option to get your down the aisle? A narrower wheelchair? Something else?

[tiredofdoctors]

If I have to "commando crawl" down that aisle, I'm goin down it -- if I have a long-leg cast, I'll just drag that leg behind me!!!!!

[evie]

If I have to "commando crawl" down that aisle, I'm goin down it -- if I have a long-leg cast, I'll just drag that leg behind me!!!!!

I like your grit and determination!! Best of luck with the wedding! I know you will manage something. "where there is a will there is a way". Prayers for you and daughter. evie

[CarlaB]

If I have to "commando crawl" down that aisle, I'm goin down it -- if I have a long-leg cast, I'll just drag that leg behind me!!!!!

All my bridesmaids came in from out of town. When it was time to put on the dresses, we realized that the seamstress had made a mistake, they took them in twice, so none of them fit. So we were switching them all around and it looked as if my sister wouldn't have a dress. I told her she could wear the jeans she came in, I really didn't care, the important thing was she was there. Fortunately, my grandfather had brought along the sewing kit, so we ended up ripping out seams and tacking them back together. Everyone had a dress, and some returned them for their money back. The point is, the most important thing is that you're there and you get to bring your daughter in, how it ends up being done will be a story that makes her wedding unique and will show the extra mile you went to be there.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

If I have to "commando crawl" down that aisle, I'm goin down it -- if I have a long-leg cast, I'll just drag that leg behind me!!!!!

Luckily for you, In Vegas, the casinos have people that will carry you to each slot machine and bar...quality service!

Its so much easier to sit down at a slot machine, sip on your special sippy cup and point to your mouth every time a cocktail waitress comes over...5 minutes later, a drink arrives...No reason to think or talk. Just play and drink...for free!

Just remember to tip the girls in the casino and they don't care if you're playing penny slots or the $20 ones.

[angel-jd1]

*hug* You are one tuff cookie (gluten-free of course). You CAN and WILL make it through all this. I'm sure you will even have a smile on your face. If you have to barrel roll down the isle I will pay $5 for pictures Things have a way of working themselves out. Be patient

-Jessica

[penguin]

Sorry for all your trouble When it rains, it pours!!!

Might I suggest a skateboard?

Or perhaps a razor scooter

Infinite hugs!!!

This won't help, but at my wedding, I was walked down the aisle by my mother who had had both knees replaced in December, and my 88 year old grandfather with a hip problem. I, of course, was on 4" stillettos on brick. I don't know who was walking who anywhere, we were all holding eachother up

And then my uncle the minister with the recently amputated foot presided...it was a comedy of orthopedic disaster

[Judyin Philly]

Penguin--I don't know you but am going to have to watch for your posts now cause your a 'hoot' just what our lynnie needs right now...

Lynne. thanks for your chat today..it helped tremeniously...or how ever you spell it.

My prayers will be with you at 6:00am in the 'tube' god i pray you get a break from this rough spell but NOT A BREAK IN THE LEG.

LOVE YOU TONS AND BIGGGG HUGGGGS. HANG IN THERE AND FOCUS ON VEGAS!!!!

JUDY IN PHILLY

ps WHEN I 'YELPED' THAT MY BACK HURT...IT WENT OUT..HASN'T DONE THAT IN YEARS..SO JIM IS 'LISTING' TO THE RIGHT AND I'M 'LISTING' TO THE LEFT...WHAT A TEAM WE MAKE...OH WELL AFTER 41 YEARS..WHAT THE HELL CAN WE EXPECT

[rinne]

Wow, you have my admiration, what a great spirit you have. I'm sorry you are being hit with all of this just when more than anything you would wish to be well, I hope you heal quickly.

[DingoGirl]

Lynnie, I am so sorry! You must simply hire some minions to carry you down the aisle, on a cleopatra-esque throne thing, you know, the strong men carrying the poles, and you reclining luxuriously......

I hope this passes and you can get down that aisle any way you choose! Sending hugs and hope you feel better very, very soon.

(penguin - )

[tiredofdoctors]

Chelsea -- I HAVE a razor scooter!!!!! My nephews don't understand why I don't ride it with them anymore!! My nephew, Trey still laughs at me because I got "busted" at Toys R Us trying out the scooters with him!! Then, to show Dave how fun they are, I got "busted" again at Target . . . Now, if I tried one, the only thing that would get "busted" is my a**!!!!! Also, your wedding was like the annual convention of the orthopedically challenged!!!!!

Broncobux: I like the idea of that sippy-cup thing!!! That could work . . . you know, they have those things that hang onto the arm bar of your wheelchair that pivot so that your drink doesn't spill . . . may have to invest!!!!!

Susie -- Cleopatra-esque . . . Hmmmm . . . . Think I could pull something like that off? I'm pretty plain . . . Although a lot of hunky men carrying me in wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened to me!!!

Carla -- Ash has already had the wedding dress thing happen . . . her future sister in law, who has the attitude of a cobra with PMS -- refused to try on her dress . . until two days ago -- and can't get it zipped past her mid-back, if that. Ashley was going to get her a wrap, so that she can just keep it covered all day, but then realized that it wouldn't work . . . so then, Ash had to go to Bridal shops and find her another one. . . and did, thank goodness.

Thanks for making me laugh guys . . . spent a portion of the day crying -- as you can imagine, and another portion just bellyaching!!!!!

[Canadian Karen]

Well....... we are just going to have to think this through.......

First, the plus side: If you don't get to walk her down the aisle, then at least you won't do a bonehead move that my dad did when he gave away my sister. Walked her up the aisle, raised her veil, kissed her cheek, gave her over to Andy, turned to sit down, got his feet caught up in her dress, and did a total face plant in the middle of the aisle! And the best part is my sister married a Greek, so their wedding was huge - 450 people. So we had lots and lots of witnesses to Dad's shining moment!!!!!

The negative side: There is none. Your daughter is getting married this weekend, and God has blessed you with the gift of being able to be there! God has blessed Ashley with the gift of having her mom present at the most important day of her life. Does it matter to God or to Ashley whether you actually take those steps to walk her down the aisle? Nope. Does it disappoint you? Of course it does, but nothing, AND I MEAN NOTHING, is going to take away the fact that the girl walking down the aisle was raised by one hell of a great mother who did one hell of a great job. You own that right to be proud - nothing will take that away.

Wuv you,

Karen

[Ursa Major]

Lynne, you have my prayers as well. I just read through this whole thread, and by the time I read Karen's reply I was crying. She is right. Really, you shouldn't even try to walk down that isle. But it isn't important whether you manage to do that or not (even though it's disappointing if you can't), it is important that you're there with and for your daughter. I am sure the wedding will be beautiful, no matter what.

[tiredofdoctors]

Okay, guys, I think I have given y'all the wrong impression:

My goal was to walk down the aisle. NOT walk Ashley down the aisle. As you know, it has been quite the bone of contention between Ashley and me. She decided that her father ONLY is walking her down the aisle. She wasn't going to let me be at the alter to give her away, but decided last night that I could do that. She told me that I was going to light the Unity Candle and that was the most important part because it represented the family . . . . yeah, right. ALL mother's light the Unity Candle . . . I have yet to see a father escorted by a daughter walk up and light the Unity Candle.

I simply wanted to WALK down the aisle. My son was -- no IS -- going to escort me in. I even bought shoes (really pretty) with a heel -- not a tall, pointy heel, but a pretty heel -- to wear. If my son holds his arm out to help me stabilize, I can put both hands on his arm and walk pretty well. Okay, not pretty well, but I can walk without falling. AND, Dave is going to be behind us, so if I start to fall backward, he can just give me input on my back with his hand, which usually helps remind me to pull forward.

So -- yeah, I was going to BE there anyway -- I just wanted to WALK in. My family (I have a bajillion cousins and we're ALL pretty -- no very -- close) has been so sad and worried, and I wanted to show them that I am working so hard to beat this. It was a goal that I have worked toward for about four months or more . . . That's a LOT of practice! I practiced going up and down our hallway -- I used the walls for stability, or to catch myself if I thought I was going to fall. I was getting to where I didn't fall backwards NEAR as much as in the beginning . . . .

So, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear . . . I should have been a little more definitive in my explanation.

Thanks for all the help!!!

Love & Hugs,

Lynne

BTW: Thank you, Karen. Although you made me cry at the end. Wuv you, too, Lynne

[evie]

Okay, guys, I think I have given y'all the wrong impression:

I simply wanted to WALK down the aisle. My son was -- no IS -- going to escort me in. I even bought shoes (really pretty) with a heel -- not a tall, pointy heel, but a pretty heel -- to wear. If my son holds his arm out to help me stabilize, I can put both hands on his arm and walk pretty well. Okay, not pretty well, but I can walk without falling. AND, Dave is going to be behind us, so if I start to fall backward, he can just give me input on my back with his hand, which usually helps remind me to pull forward.

So -- yeah, I was going to BE there anyway -- I just wanted to WALK in. My family (I have a bajillion cousins and we're ALL pretty -- no very -- close) has been so sad and worried, and I wanted to show them that I am working so hard to beat this. It was a goal that I have worked toward for about four months or more . . . That's a LOT of practice! I practiced going up and down our hallway -- I used the walls for

stability, or to catch myself if I thought I was going to fall. I was getting to where I didn't fall backwards NEAR as much as in the beginning . . . .

So, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear . . . I should have been a little more definitive in my explanation.

Thanks for all the help!!! quote

Frustration!!! Good for you!! got things worked out, sounds good. We just wanted to help!! .

I had message all typed & ready to go & lost whole thing!!?? I am sleepless tonight?? too much stimulation from overeating junk food while traveling thurs. we went special food shopping which included traveling many miles, I seem to snak then, ate too amny corn chips, walnuts & dk choclate so hav e been paying for it/ urpiness, headche & non sleeping. Just took 1/2 zantac, 2 charcola tabs, 2 Benadryl + much water, now that should get me back to sleep if anything will.?? Also am getting my list of questions ready for my local Dr. who helps me ?/ fibrmylagia & bone aches, Also have read 2 more chapters of Dana Korns book I just bought and plan to tell my doc about it. Do a little teaching!!

Now back to bed, need some sleep. Will not have time for a nap in pm. Good morning all!! evie A new day dawning soon.