Rust and More Rust

 

Plus:

• History of hypertension - w/ diastolic dysfunction 
• Gout with urate nephropathy - improved on Uloric 
• RLS 
• OSA on CPAP 
• arthritis multiple sites
• Depression     
• History of diabetes mellitus - 20+ yrs 
• osteopenia ~s/p bilateral TKR for OA ~s/p shoulder repair (left) 
• hypoventilation syndrome, ~mild restrictive lung disease (based on low FVC), reduced DLCO 
• PTCA Sept. 2015- dual antiplatelet regimen for 1 yr, complicated by aspiration pneumonia 
• HFpEF ~bilateral pulmonary embolisms - 10/2017 
• severe c spine DISH - s/p fusion C3-6, now severe disc space narrowing C2-3, C6-7 1/18 c spine MRI- 
• mental status change related to narcotics per Dr. P
• SIRS due to cellulitis 11/2018  ~persistent erysipelas 2019 - BMC ID- on Keflex 500 mg bid on-going

These are how my doctor sees me. I am showing you what I deal with daily, and my medication list is even longer.

• These diagnoses are my rust ... rust that has been accumulating for years. Although I am a retired nurse, the interactions of my rust and my medications are complex. Therefore, I have a nurse case manager to assist me, including advocating for me, as needed; and in-home caregivers four hours each day. 
• 
• Sorry, Maxine is having a crotchety moment ... as usual. 
• Until next time, when I continue on the subject of rust. Take care.
•                  Connie
• 
  

I've not posted in 18 months due to health issues. For over a year, I've had a skin infection similar to cellulitis complicated by edema (swelling due to excess fluid) of both lower legs. I remain on antibiotics for the remainder of my life. 

Over the months ahead I will share how I have dealt with chronic pain and chronic illnesses, learned to ask and to accept help, managed my caregivers, adjusted and focused on altered goals, found new ways to avoid depression and more.

I desire to help other seniors cope with their "golden years" including those she cares about. A very old Dutch granmama once told me, "Hoi, they forgot to mention the rust in the golden years."

Join me as we identify and control "the rust."

Pity Party P.S.

Pitiful Pearl

 

Illustrator William Steig was the creator of Pitiful Pearl. 

In the 1950s, Pitiful Pearl left the page and became a popular doll.

        For as long as I can remember, I associated her with this song from the 1940s:

I'M A LONELY LITTLE PETUNIA IN AN ONION PATCH 

Of all the saddest words 

That I have ever heard 

The saddest is the story 

Told me by a bird 

He had spent about an hour 

Chatting with a flower 

and here ís the tale the flower told

I'm a lonely little petunia in an onion patch, 

an onion patch, an onion patch 

I'm a lonely little petunia in an onion patch 

and all I do is cry all day 

Boo hoo, boo hoo.

Listen at :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p4u7ZcOWnA

I relate to poor Pearl for in the last year or so I have had quite a few lonely, boo hoo days. 

Since I have been dealing with multiple health issues, those days have increased. 

Chronic illness can take the stuffin' right out of you: little or no energy, no stamina, 

fatigue and whatever symptoms are causing your limitations, including pain.

I came up with a way that helps me get out of the onion patch. It allows me to be that

lovely petunia, who is able to say, "Be gone, Pitiful Pearl!"

The next post I'll share my Pity Party Bashers

Selah-

Connie

.

No t-shirt

Ended up with my right hand in a splint due to infection. Reminds me of a poem called "Shelf Life," It talks of those times when your confined- usually at home- and you're unable to do what was planned. Whatever the reason, we're put on the shelf for a reason.We need to be contend and rest, but that's not easy for most of us.

Well, this chipped cup called "me" is on the shelf & trying to rest. I have a tendency toward depression at times like this. My head and heart understand, but my emotions aren't matching up. I need to keep upbeat music on, keep my blinds open to the sunshine, read encouraging books, share my need with a close friend and, if it warms up, go for a walk.

I also need to keep my cup clean- no negative thoughts. Wash them right out!

When I look back, my shelf life times really weren't very long. It just seemed that way at the time. So I know I'll be filled and overflowing in no time.

How do you cope with your "shelf life" times?