MONKEY MUSINGS DAILY OPEN DISCUSSION #53 11/24/09 - 1/21/10

[MuffyBee]

[theboyzmom]

CBB - dont worry about venting - we all do it - it is healthy. I understand your worry for your son - I hate watching my kid go through surgery and tests. I would like to say I have gotten used to it but not so much. He has colitis so I see him go through scopes every year. Breaks my heart. When he had surgery I was a basket case.

your son's story is why there is no football in my house - of the 6 boys only one played football and that was before me!  My hubby was a state champ wrestler and he pays for it every day with pain in his neck. Another sport I would not recommend.

Prayers to all of you! 

[BooMonkey]

Oh CBB, I'm so sorry about your stressful situation. People just don't understand what a Mother goes through when one of her children are hurting. It's all personal b/c your job as a Mom never stops, no matter how old they are. Please take care of yourself too and get some sleep. I know you are worried but you have all of us praying for your son and a quick recovery. I'm worried about you too. Come here anytime to vent. We love you and want you to know you are supported in every way.

If there is anything I can do, you have my email addy.

Hugs,

Boo

[can]

Greeneyes.  Congratulations on your walking regime.  How long have you been doing this?  I think in time you will feel some benefits.

I began walking in August after a diabetes and high cholesteral result from a physical.  After a while I felt better for it.

Have been avoiding it lately, due to the cold and snow but have made it my New Years resolution to get back to it.  First resolution I've ever made.

Your post has served as a reminder, thank you!  I think it's lovely that you share this time with your brother.    ::MonkeySkate::l

Morning Can,

I love your avi CBB made you.

My brother came for a visit. He needs to lose some weight so we walked to help him. It was nice to have that time to talk just him & I without hubs or grand kids around etc.  I know I feel better after our walks. The big test will be if I continue after he leaves. 

Thanks Green Eyes - CBB does a great job.

Glad you enjoyed your special time with your brother.

Keep walking   

[Green Eyes]

Hi Can,

It was wonderful spending time with my brother. I was teasing him. When he went to sisters they went out to eat three times a day. When he gets here we walked three times a day. To get rid of the weight he gained at her house. 

I only walked once today. I don't like going by myself. So we will see. 

[can]

Hi Can,

It was wonderful spending time with my brother. I was teasing him. When he went to sisters they went out to eat three times a day. When he gets here we walked three times a day. To get rid of the weight he gained at her house. 

I only walked once today. I don't like going by myself. So we will see. 

Good morning Green Eyes.  You walked once today...that's great!!!
I have to get back into a routine.  My husband walks with me and it makes a difference to have company.  We have lots of giggles.  Particularly in the beginning when I was huffin' and a puffin'!!! 

Two sisters each looking after their brother in their own special way - 

[Green Eyes]

Hi Can,

It was wonderful spending time with my brother. I was teasing him. When he went to sisters they went out to eat three times a day. When he gets here we walked three times a day. To get rid of the weight he gained at her house. 

I only walked once today. I don't like going by myself. So we will see. 

Good morning Green Eyes.  You walked once today...that's great!!!
I have to get back into a routine.  My husband walks with me and it makes a difference to have company.  We have lots of giggles.  Particularly in the beginning when I was huffin' and a puffin'!!! 

Two sisters each looking after their brother in their own special way - 

Morning Can,

Hope you get back to your routine. It's hard some times in winter when it is so cold, with rain & snow. It reallly does help to have someone to go with you. 

[Monken]

Hey Everybody!! Just checking in, i will have a new pic of Harley as soon as I can get it  from my granddaughter's phone!  He's doing great & has learned to move himself around using his front legs(his pelvis was broken too!  ) BBl, Love you all! 



KLAAS, i really don't want to be mean but: MONASUZY is using my avatar!!! 
i know he's cute but, He's mine, all mine!! Please help her find another  Thank you, Klaas!!  Oh & in the latest Petey video, is that your backyard with the huge drop-off? And what if Petey tries to jump  It skeered me!
http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?topic=6940.msg1055875#msg1055875 (MONASUZY)

[Green Eyes]

Hey Monken

What good news Harley is doing okay. He is a cutie. 

[Bearlyhere]

Hi Monken!  I am waiting for Harley pictures!  I feel so badly for that poor guy!

 

[klaasend]

Hey Everybody!! Just checking in, i will have a new pic of Harley as soon as I can get it  from my granddaughter's phone!  He's doing great & has learned to move himself around using his front legs(his pelvis was broken too!  ) BBl, Love you all! 



KLAAS, i really don't want to be mean but: MONASUZY is using my avatar!!! 
i know he's cute but, He's mine, all mine!! Please help her find another  Thank you, Klaas!!  Oh & in the latest Petey video, is that your backyard with the huge drop-off? And what if Petey tries to jump  It skeered me!
http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?topic=6940.msg1055875#msg1055875 (MONASUZY)

I've taken care of Monasuzy and now she has her own avatar.  I'm sure she didn't realize that yours was already taken. 

Where Petey could jump it's really only about 4ft down onto ice plant.  He actually did jump down and I had to retrieve him.  I don't think he'd hurt himself but he could actually take off and then I'd probably have to drive to chase him down, LOL 

[Monken]

Hey Everybody!! Just checking in, i will have a new pic of Harley as soon as I can get it  from my granddaughter's phone!  He's doing great & has learned to move himself around using his front legs(his pelvis was broken too!  ) BBl, Love you all! 



KLAAS, i really don't want to be mean but: MONASUZY is using my avatar!!! 
i know he's cute but, He's mine, all mine!! Please help her find another  Thank you, Klaas!!  Oh & in the latest Petey video, is that your backyard with the huge drop-off? And what if Petey tries to jump  It skeered me!
http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?topic=6940.msg1055875#msg1055875 (MONASUZY)

I've taken care of Monasuzy and now she has her own avatar.  I'm sure she didn't realize that yours was already taken. 

Where Petey could jump it's really only about 4ft down onto ice plant.  He actually did jump down and I had to retrieve him.  I don't think he'd hurt himself but he could actually take off and then I'd probably have to drive to chase him down, LOL 

Thank you, Klaas! My sister has 2 yorkies & she has to stay right there with them when they go out. The younger one will bolt, out of the blue, & she's had to chase him down the street 

My neighbors are going to the NFC Championship in New Orleans this weekend(GO SAINTS)!!
The tickets are outrageous but I guess they can afford it  Brett Favre is great(and a MS boy) but the Saints need a Championship & a Superbowl win!!!!!     

[Green Eyes]

Morning Monken

Hows Harley doing?

[texasmom]

Goood Morning GreenEyes.   

Bearly,that story makes me   

CBB,Bud'sGirl looks beautiful!   

Good Afternoon Trimm

Bearly I am speechless. 

CBB  Hope your sons surgery goes well. Hope your ex visit is fast

BG  Love your Valentine avi.  My grandson told me" That one is so cool grandma why don't you have on that cool"

Thank you GE!    I'm quirky about things I dread but are inevitable. I just ignore them until I HAVE to face it, and then get through it one step at a time. His ACL is completely torn in two in both legs and his knee caps need cleaning up from prior surgeries. They can only do one at a time and the recovery is a year long ordeal for each. He had a choice to use a cadaver tendon for the repair, or his own. He chose his own even though the level of pain is higher. The ultimate outcome is somewhat better with that choice.

He's having the surgery in Oak Ridge (about 100 miles Soutwest of me) next week. Right now I couldn't even tell you what day (Tuesday, I think, but when I say I ignore stuff like this, I mean I IGNORE it!) He'll remind me the day before, and we'll head out early the next morning. I started reading an article about the procedure, and got so far as to read about the groove in the bone they'd drill to lay the tendon in and stopped. I know everything I need to know. I know he's in constant pain now and really limited in what he can do daily. He needs to have it done. I know that there isn't anything possible that can help him get through it, that I won't get for him or do. I know that beyond that, it's out of my hands, and I've put it in God's.

I hope he and his Father relish those football memories the rest of their lives, because he's sure paying a price for it now.
 

I'm praying for you both CBB.  My oldest had the same procedure his senior year in HS.  He chose to use part of his patella tendon to replace the acl rather than the cadaver.  He'd already been through a lot during his HS years with football injuries.  To sum it up, it was rough.      I hope your son's experience will be better, and he will be willing to go through it again with the other leg in a year.

One thing that really helped right after the surgery was a unit similar to the one shown in these links:

http://www.dme-direct.com/donjoy-iceman-ice-man-cold-therapy-cryotherapy-1100-don-joy/

http://www.dme-direct.com/polar-care-300-cold-therapy-breg-unit-system-polarcare/

We brought it home with us after the surgery, the pump circulates the ice cold water through tubing around the knee for several hours before you need to fill it with ice again.  It helps with the pain and/or swelling.  We didn't have to buy it, we just rented it (cheap) and returned it to the doctor's office at one of his check ups.  If they don't offer one to your son through the hospital or doctor's office, I think you can rent them at medical supply stores.

TM..................... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! This is the first tangible thing I know I can do and come Monday, I'll be on it like white on rice! The surgery is on Thursday......... Michael mentioned it at dinner so I now know the day..... (I knew it was one of those "T" days   ). I'll call and see if they'll send one with him and if not, I'll have one waiting. I was planning on cleaning his house the day before we left, just because I wanted things as comfortable as possible for him when he got home, and because I just have this need to DO SOMETHING!

TM? If you've been through this, could you tell me if a recliner might be useful? I've wondered about that. From what we've been told by the surgeon, I'm anticipating it's going to be a really rough time. How long is it really bad? I'm worried about getting him home. It's a one and a half to 2 hour drive. I'm worried about follow up with the surgeon that far away, but this guy is supposed to be really good. I was pulling for John Hopkins, but he's a grown up and I left the final decision to him.

Years ago, (at age 30), I was told by a hand specialist that in order to address a severe arthritis problem at the base of my thumbs, I needed to have a bone removed in each hand and replaced by a tendon from my inner forearm. They would do one at a time, a year apart. I had the right hand done.............   ................ and swore afterward that the other hand would fall off before I ever had it done again. I've kept to that oath, too. They say you don't really remember the pain of birth. Maybe not, but I'll never, ever forget the pain of that procedure!

I dread this so, so much for him. I'm upbeat with him, but I'm jelly inside. He simply cannot go on like he is though. His knees swell unbelievably from just standing or sitting any length of time. Stairs are killers. Bending is the worst. I've seen him go as white as a sheet and break into a sweat from trying to file stuff for 30 minutes. He walks like he's 90 years old.

It's irrational, but I cannot tell you how I hate HS football. He got a full college scholorship as tight end at Western Ky and re-injured during summer practice. They began to worry they had committed to a player that was going to be plagued with injuries so they pushed him physically way beyond what should ever have done with that injury. They put him playing offense and defense so that he was taking hits the entire practice, every day, all day. He was literally on the field without a break for every play and drill all day long. His dad and I were at each other's throats............ I was worried about him and he was worried he'd never see his son's winning catch pictures splashed in the paper again. The tilt for me was that my son wanted to be there....... he desperately wanted to give it his all. It ended abruptly when he couldn't get up from a play during practice, and couldn't manage to even crawl off the field. He's had surgery to attempt to repair his knees, but they were only marginally successful, resulting in the ACL total tears.

Hopefully, this surgery will give him the repair he needs. The surgeon told him that it can put off the knee replacements he's sure to require for 10 to 15 years. I just want him to be pain free........... 23 year olds should be pain free!

I'm venting................ sorry! Thank you so much, TM! If you can share anything at all with me, I'd so very much appreciate it! 

CBB, I'm so sorry I didn't even check in here yesterday!  You poor thing...I know how you feel believe me I do!  We had many of the same issues that you're worried about so I've got a lot to say...just can't do it right now!  I'll be back later to let you know how we dealt with some of the things you mentioned.  I'm praying for you and your son.  It's going to be o.k., I just know it!  wubs ya!  tm

[crazybabyborg]

Thanks, TM! 

I've ordered the ice/cooling apparatus and it should be here tomorrow. I spoke with the surgeon yesterday, and he thought it was a great idea and said he'd write a perscription for it on Thursday.

[no rose colored glasses]

Thanks, TM! 

I've ordered the ice/cooling apparatus and it should be here tomorrow. I spoke with the surgeon yesterday, and he thought it was a great idea and said he'd write a perscription for it on Thursday.

My thoughts and prayers are with your son, and you and your entire family 

[SunnyinTX]

Hi Monks! 

CBB, my DIL's mother used something like the cooling thing when she had her knee replacement....it helped a lot.

Monken: How is Harley doing?

Klaas: Need a Petey update. When I saw the video this weekend I thought OH HELL he might fall....

Hope our CA Monks are all safe from the rains and mud slides!!

[Bearlyhere]

Thanks, TM! 

I've ordered the ice/cooling apparatus and it should be here tomorrow. I spoke with the surgeon yesterday, and he thought it was a great idea and said he'd write a perscription for it on Thursday.

Good.  You and your baby are still in our prayers, CBB.

 

[darla]

Good Afternoon Monkeys...
Just wanted to stop in and let CBB know I would be praying for her son and her also. I pray it all goes well and the pain is manageable .

My niece just had the exact same surgery on Dec. 9 and did really well. She was out of her brace by Christmas and walking with no problem. Course it would take a herd of elephants to slow her down.

[texasmom]

Thanks, TM! 

I've ordered the ice/cooling apparatus and it should be here tomorrow. I spoke with the surgeon yesterday, and he thought it was a great idea and said he'd write a perscription for it on Thursday.

Great news CBB!  I don't think you'll be disappointed!  We'd never seen one before my son's surgery and we thought it was great!  My son said it worked better than the pain meds.  They gave him oxycontin but he said it didn't really help the pain, it just made you not care!     I can't remember right now what other pain med they gave him besides the few oxycontin, but it worked better.  I'm thinking maybe Vicodin but I'm not sure. 

My son said he thought the recliner was a good idea.  A lot easier to get in and out of plus it will keep the leg elevated in the first days.

We were two hours away from the hospital too.  We knew he wouldn't be comfortable riding normal, so we took my Escort Station Wagon and put a lot of cushions in the back and that's how he came home.    We just prayed in Dallas traffic since he wasn't buckled in!  Keep some tylenol on hand in case he runs fever, my son did the first week, and that made him feel miserable.  We also came home with a drain tube, but didn't have to do anything with that, they checked it once at the rehab before it was removed.

Gotta run.  If I can think of anything else I'll post it later!