PALS chat thread ( PALS only please)

[KimT]

Fiona,

When you move South, your blood thins and you become a weather wimp. I was raised in the Adirondack mountains where Summer highs were in the 60s and low 70s. Our lake never got above 68. I can't believe I went in nearly every day of Summer (which ran from July 4th until mid August LOL).

When I left for Florida in January 1978 it was 30 below zero. It took me a couple of days to get here because my transmission failed. When I arrived, it was 70 degrees. 100 degree difference. I didn't even bring shorts but I cut off a pair of jeans, put on a t-shirt, and went to the beach. Only the Canadians and I were in the water. It was 72 degrees and felt pretty warm.

Fast forward a couple of years and 85 is my entry water temperature and my preferred is 88-90 which is about what our outdoor pool is in June, July, and August....unless it rains.

 

[beauty4everyone]

SWIMMING: For the 8 rehab. sessions of water therapy, I used the typical swim suit I had, If I’d continue, I’d consider men’s swim trunks and matching T-shirt over a front- hook bra.

I put my suit on at home, covered it up with a white, terry cloth robe. It acted as a towel and kept me warm. I was ready when I got there. Afterwards, we put a blue, plastic tarp on the chair to keep the chlorine from damaging the fabric. One in the car served the same purpose.

Since my ability to balance is balance inaided, I’m holding on to something stable every minute, it was safer for me to shower and re-dress at home.

The local YWCA has a lift, but it’s “do it yourself”. I hear the water’s cold. Rehab. was warm. I enjoyed it and slightly improved balance and mobility. Being buoyant aids whatever exercise one is capable of. It’s too much of an effort for me now. I enjoyed it a lot while it lasted.

HAIR CUTTING: At first, I could get in their chair. Later she’d cut it while I was in the transport chair. She put their cape over the sheet I brought to cover myself and the chair with. Some beauticians will come to the house.

However, I’m going to let a family member have a go at it with electric clippers. With a long guard on the end, they should be able to re-shape it into the short style I usually wear. It may take a few tries to work it out, but what I’m still growing is a renewable resource. (At least for now! I wonder if the meds. are making it dryer and thinner?)

A suggested option for later is to use the short clippers for a “buzz cut” or "modified Harvard cut " and plop a wig on if anyone comes to visit. Will wait and see about the latter. Although I’ve never worn them, I have two gray wigs, so it’s doable.

With the renovations being so expensive, I don't have a transport van. Things are a bit easier to deal with when they come one-at-a-time. (Don’t I wish!).

Take care everyone and have a beautiful week. May blessings abound -B. 8)

 

[Idaho2790]

Have had a real interesting week! Started last Sunday with stomach pain and vomiting and ended up in the hospital for 5 days. Fortunately, my husband stayed with me and literally taught the staff how much to feed through the tube and when. Once they listened, I got to come home. Real nice staff, just needed help. By Saturday I spent two hours at Target with my daughter and was back on the mend. I have learned that things that would seem normal way back before I had this beast in my life, are almost panicky. It’s especislly hard when I can’t explain things and have to rely on my husband to speak for me. But, I’m learning as we go, The weather has improved and my mood has risen along with the temperature.

Happy Easter to all

 

[KimT]

Happy Easter, Idaho.

WOW. I'm so impressed you did a lengthy Target run after that hospital stay and very glad you're back home.

Speaking of mood, I was very depressed on Tuesday. It seemed to come out of nowhere. Yesterday, I went out in the sun and floated in the pool for about 30 minutes. My mood improved. It made me think a sun lamp might be a good tool for PALS who are in bed most of the time or live in Northern parts of the world.

 

[KimT]

Got ABG done today. pCO2 was 35.1 (35 - 45) and pO2 103 (80 - 100) Oxyhemoglobin 97.

Very happy with these results. It did take them three sticks to get it but no pain. I was doing self hypnosis during the procedure. As per my doctor, they gave me the results and even commented that everything looked perfect.

I had put it off for nearly a year but glad it's done.

Next, onto my eyes.

 

[blitzc]

So glad for this thread! I just want an opportunity to chat with folks who know what I am dealing with. It's been a little depressing and weepy for me lately.

So, has anyone ever thought of doing an online chat-like a group meeting using Google Hangout or something similar? Just a thought...

As for the hair issue, I cut my hair way back about a year and a half ago...getting shorter iin the back each time. I like it a lot. Razor short all the way up the back so I don't have to lift my arms for drying/styling. Longer in the bangs but short up the sides. I have very heavy, thick hair. This allows me to take care of it easily. I shower at night, wash every two or three days, wake up with just a little brushing or perhaps some water if it sticks up in the back. I can't use spray bottles at all, so no product is getting used. I do have a left-leaning hair dresser who plans to come to my house once it is needed.

I have a delightful left-dashing socialist (not leaning at all-Bernie Sanders supporter) daughter who takes great care of me but she doesn't cut hair!

I so understand the swimsuit issue...I can't do BRAS! I just had my husband order new ones that are much bigger than I need just to be able to get them on. They are the stretchy, no support type with wide straps similar to a sports bra. Hate them! But I can get it on and it doesn't wear down on my med-port when my needle is accessed. This is going on for 10-12 days a month for the Radicava infusions.

Kim, I haven't had an ABG done for over a year and am cringing when it's time. Hate it when the nurse/technician can't get it done right immediately.

Raining here today-yuck! But it is turning everything green, including the trees.

Cathy

 

[KarenNWendyn]

PALS chat thread — new topic for now: what’s your favorite thing about spring?

I always like hearing the tree frogs singing. I’m amazed at how such tiny creatures can create such a huge sound. We used to have a small pond in our backyard that attracted them, and there would be a huge resonant chorus every spring.

We no longer have the pond (it was too much work to maintain), but we still get a few frogs every spring. One little fellow seemed to find a spot in a potted plant right outside our bedroom window and woke us up last night with his croaking.

 

[Nikki J]

Probably being able to open the windows for an hour or so in the afternoon without freezing! This is still a not every day event. I was happy today was nice (60 plus wax the high) and not raining. I will be even more excited when I can have them open at night but it is too cold still.

I do love the nature sounds and I also love the train whistle. I have always lived within hearing of that. I can hear it with the windows shut so year round.

 

[KimT]

I'll have to contrast Spring in Upstate NY (where I grew up) with Spring in Daytona Beach Shores FL.

Since I moved right across the road from the beach (going on three years now), the North winds, which can make for a very chilly Winter, shift to SE. I can smell the salt air and know that it will be warm enough to sit in the sun and float in the pool. I like that we don't get a lot of rain this time of year and the town's population decreases quite a bit. Nothing is very crowded. Nights are still cool but days are sunny and warm.

My first 22 years were spent in a tiny village in upstate NY. Watching tulips push up through the snow was one of my favorite memories and Winter giving way to tiny green buds on all the trees meant the harsh, cold Winter was on its way out.

 

[ShiftKicker]

My favorite smell in the whole world is budding poplar trees. It means spring has arrived here and everything is lush, green and growing- the air is sweet and you can almost taste the scent of the trees it's so strong. That smell started up about 2 weeks ago just after the rains one night and it's been heavenly.

 

[KarenNWendyn]

Nikki, we have train tracks on the other side of the back yard fence. A freight train goes by twice a day. The sound is exciting, as long as I’m awake when it goes by.

When all the trees are in full foliage, the sound of the train is definitely muted. Our dog is so used to the train now that she no longer goes out to bark at it. We praise her for doing such an excellent job of keeping the train out of our back yard.

 

[KimT]

I live quite far from the train tracks but before I put the new windows in I could hear the train several times a night. It would wake me up. Now I can hear it if I'm awake and not listening to music or watching TV.

Karen, 7-pound Ace "protects" us from golfers who cut through the back to play a few holes. He also protects us from the answering machine when I don't answer the phone. When someone rings the doorbell, he runs to the door and silently wags his tail. The only other time he "talks" is when animals are on TV. He makes all kinds of noises.....even if the animal is a cartoon. I have no idea how he knows without hearing it but he does.

 

[Clamdigger]

Reviving the boat from its winter slumber. No more solo trips for me but looking forward to some lazy days crabbing in the river and fishing in the bay with family and friends.

 

[Nikki J]

That sounds awesome. Share some pictures when you go if possible.

We are in for a couple of rainy days. It was sunny the last few days so I was spoiled. Better than snow though!

 

[azgirl]

spring in the desert means the wildflowers explode with color all over the mountain. It is the best hiking season. Now the cactus are also showing off their beauty! Amazing colors. The quail families are running about with their tiny chick's,. So cute! One year my cat ate all the chick's before I could stop him. Horrible!

it's also rattlesnake season and spotting around here are quite common! We have to rattlesnake train our dogs and kids.!

the warm weather doesn't bother me anymore since I'm not trying to do outdoor activities, the one hundred degree days are not far off.