tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post2446487086391606745..comments2024-03-12T02:16:30.251-07:00Comments on Robert's Sister: Another Caregiving HatTrish Hughes Kreishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-84586050991161411872012-01-02T18:50:55.132-08:002012-01-02T18:50:55.132-08:00June, Hubby will be making it up to me for a long...June, Hubby will be making it up to me for a long time if I have any say in the matter. LOL! Replacing it every few years is fine, I just wish it took away all of his pain. It takes away most but it's still tough to see him in pain or not sleeping well because of the pain (although I don't usually see that part because I am a very sound sleeper). :-) One of my goals for 2012 is to have lunch with you since you are not that far away!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-31750792223504673242012-01-02T18:47:47.167-08:002012-01-02T18:47:47.167-08:00Heidi, Great to have you back! Hubby is recuperati...Heidi, Great to have you back! Hubby is recuperating from the surgery pretty quickly. The day after surgery was tough because the doctor started the pump meds off on a super low dose so he had to bump them up to get the back pain to come down. Right now, the main pain is from the incisions. Once that goes away, we'll be able to see if this new pump helps his back pain even more than the old pump. It is great being in the same city and being able to meet for lunch! We'll do more of that for sure this year.Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-78971237626036240092012-01-02T17:29:59.704-08:002012-01-02T17:29:59.704-08:00I'm just so happy that they had a cancellation...I'm just so happy that they had a cancellation Trish! I know from our conversations that you were anxiously waiting for the replacement. Sorry it had to fall on our birthday though... since my birthday was sucky, maybe we should celebrate our Cap bdays again soon --- this time with wine!! :)<br /><br />Hope hubby is feeling some relief. Hugs to you and thank you again for just being you!! & how fortunate that we're in the same city & get to see each other -- yeah!<br /><br />Heidi<br />http://www.atticusuncensored.com<br />"commentary to give you paws..."Heidi Alberti & Atticus Uncensoredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05235433621038051444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-8942770328194742282012-01-01T13:45:23.152-08:002012-01-01T13:45:23.152-08:00I can't imagine the kind of pain your hubby ha...I can't imagine the kind of pain your hubby had to go through all these years. I'm glad they found something that works for him but it must still be frustrating to have surgery every few years to replace the pump.<br /><br />Hopefully in a few days (or weeks) once he's recovered he'll take you out to make it up to you for your birthday! :)June Sockolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06227772055403044113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-31102622646415538082012-01-01T07:46:40.758-08:002012-01-01T07:46:40.758-08:00Sherryl, I was hoping Hubby would still be groggy ...Sherryl, I was hoping Hubby would still be groggy when he woke up to see me with those ears on, but he was too awake when for him to think he was having strange hallucinations. :-) He is recovering and feeling better each day which is a good bday present. I'm happy to have met you on FB, too, and look forward to learning more about technology from you in 2012! Have a wonderful New Year!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-23466051385836290812011-12-30T18:19:12.943-08:002011-12-30T18:19:12.943-08:00Trish, I had no idea that your husband dealt with ...Trish, I had no idea that your husband dealt with so much pain. You have an amazingly positive outlook on life and I'm grateful to have met you on Facebook. I can just picture you at the hospital wearing your Mickey Mouse ears. I'm sure it brought a smile to more than just your hubby.<br /><br />Happy Belated Birthday!keepupwebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11384920788165524049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-73653439255114552862011-12-30T07:26:49.768-08:002011-12-30T07:26:49.768-08:00Franziska, Pain can permeate every part of your be...Franziska, Pain can permeate every part of your being. It affects everything and is always there. This device has allowed my husband to have his life back and be the person he really is (because pain robs you of that too!). The surgery went well but we had to return to the doctor yesterday for an increase in the dosage (they started out super low to test a theory about the catheter). He was in way too much pain so they increased the dosage and things are better now. I so appreciate your kind thoughts and hope you and your own hubby have a wonderful & happy New Year!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-52075695019834449992011-12-29T06:59:39.075-08:002011-12-29T06:59:39.075-08:00Hi Trish,
I hope you had a good birthday and the ...Hi Trish,<br /><br />I hope you had a good birthday and the surgery went well! What a birthday gift..<br />Oh my, what pain can do! It's good that you found something that makes your hubby's life easier and with less pain. <br /><br />I am hoping that he will recover quickly.<br />You are the most wonderful wife he could ask for, what a lucky guy he is that he doesn't have to go through this by himself. You carry a tonload with you by being there for him -I so adore you!<br />Much love,<br /><br />FranziskaFranziska San Pedrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321842935665484251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-13534317426547245172011-12-28T19:23:28.343-08:002011-12-28T19:23:28.343-08:00Oh, Bill, I'm no hero -- I always say people s...Oh, Bill, I'm no hero -- I always say people should do what they're good at and, hey, I'm pretty good at caregiving. :-) Thank you for the birthday wishes! I got a great gift of a successful surgery (and a few more Christmas decorations). haha!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-8994511449370648752011-12-28T17:18:59.546-08:002011-12-28T17:18:59.546-08:00Is there no end to the ammount of caregiving one p...Is there no end to the ammount of caregiving one person can give? Evidently not. Trish, you are my hero! Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, I think of you. Then I realize how easy I have it. Happy Birthday my friend.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16650716511828167784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-80328044030511947872011-12-28T07:51:18.318-08:002011-12-28T07:51:18.318-08:00Trish, here's some information on the large-sc...Trish, here's some information on the large-scale study on the Alexander Technique for back pain relief that was published by the British Medical Journal: http://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a884.full It's a bit technical, but if you scroll down the page a little way there's a nice video which helps explain more about it.Imogen Ragonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11632650987331173672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-27656957054186917122011-12-28T07:48:56.557-08:002011-12-28T07:48:56.557-08:00Judy, Thank you for sharing about your own pain. I...Judy, Thank you for sharing about your own pain. It is interesting (and not uncommon) for the pain to show up in a place other than where the injury is and you're so right - it's from compensating for the original problem. My husband has a certain way of walking because of trying to compensate for the pain and then that causes pain in other areas. It sounds like you understand how pain can overwhelm a person. My brief description of how it really can take over and affect a person's life doesn't do it justice. Thanks for the bday wishes -- wishing you a belated happy birthday and hope your year is full of wonderful surprises!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-16503844505303145692011-12-28T07:43:59.350-08:002011-12-28T07:43:59.350-08:00Leslie, It must be frustrating to work towards rel...Leslie, It must be frustrating to work towards relieving pain for people and not always have 100% success. I'm happy we've been able to greatly reduce the pain but, like with so many health situations, I secretly hope the pain will someday be completely gone. Thanks for telling me about your experience at the pain clinic - it's good to know that even at a respected clinic like Stanford, there are these same frustrations and hopes for relief. Thanks for your support, Leslie.Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-11700292705687304302011-12-28T07:39:54.528-08:002011-12-28T07:39:54.528-08:00Dennis, You exactly understand what all this has m...Dennis, You exactly understand what all this has meant for my husband. His entire self-worth was tied up in his working image and that was very difficult for him to deal with. I am sorry you had to experience that growing up - I know the kids have had to deal with a lot but I'm hoping it helps them in their relationships as adults. You are a very empathetic person and your dad's experience with disability may have helped make you that kind and empathetic person. Thank you for sharing your experience and I'll keep everyone posted on the surgery.Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-25608344128969954522011-12-28T07:35:19.863-08:002011-12-28T07:35:19.863-08:00Imogen, Thank you for telling me about the Alexand...Imogen, Thank you for telling me about the Alexander Technique. I haven't heard of it and will certainly research it more. We're open to anything giving him relief from his pain. It's always amazing to me how our blogging community helps each other! Welcome to the CD, Imogen. I look forward to reading your blog too. Thanks for the bday wishes too!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-21075394676971573282011-12-28T06:07:36.603-08:002011-12-28T06:07:36.603-08:00What a journey you have been on - and your husband...What a journey you have been on - and your husband! Chronic pain is such a difficult thing to deal with, as it totally takes over your life. I'm so glad your husband has found something that works for him to give him significant relief. I had chronic neck pain and tension for years and the Alexander Technique was the thing that really turned things around for me (so much so, that I trained to teach it to others). The different thing about the Alexander approach is that it teaches you to identify the ways you tense and tighten your body that are either causing or aggravating your pain so you can learn how not to do that anymore. So - rather than learning something new, you are learning to let go of what you don't need. And rather than exercises, it is something you apply to all your daily activities so you are doing them with less tension and more ease. I felt like I really got some control back in my life, rather than just being subject to the neck pain.<br /><br />It sounds like your husband tried a lot of things, but if he hasn't already he might be interested in looking into the Alexander Technique too. It's been shown to have great results for long-term relief of back pain, and maybe it could help him get even more relief than with the pump alone.<br /><br />I agree - relief from pain for your husband is a great gift. It sounds like you are a wonderful support to him. I wish you a very happy birthday!Imogen Ragonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11632650987331173672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-49145945406016410492011-12-28T00:11:16.227-08:002011-12-28T00:11:16.227-08:00This brings back memories of my Father. He also ha...This brings back memories of my Father. He also had to go on disability and that messed with his head to no end. As a man it's difficult to not be the provider you want to be. Being a small business owner, I can relate to struggling financially. I think it's great that you were able to endure that time in your lives, because I know how terrible it can get. I'm wishing your husband some full healing and a speedy recovery! Thanks for sharing!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07878218624824766034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-86450775385945207652011-12-27T21:17:24.956-08:002011-12-27T21:17:24.956-08:00Chronic pain, IMHO, is worse than anything else, b...Chronic pain, IMHO, is worse than anything else, because you simply cannot forget it, not for a moment. I used to work for the Pain Management Center at Stanford, and controlling intractible pain was one of the most frustrating problems the doctors faced. The punps are wonderful things. So is family who doesn't take things personally. Thinking good thoughts of your hubby. Happy Birthday, Trish.<br /><br />LeslieLeslienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-1983534910634896482011-12-27T21:06:23.839-08:002011-12-27T21:06:23.839-08:00Trish,
Oh pain, it is such a life destroyer! I ha...Trish,<br /><br />Oh pain, it is such a life destroyer! I had a ruptured disc, and I did not have significant pain with it - more sensory disturbance and difficulty walking - but about 6 weeks after the surgery I had excruciating pain in my upper body (which I learned was from inappropriate compensation to my weakness). The pain was unbelievable and I could think of little else. So I understand how pain takes over a life.<br /><br />I am so pleased that you found a solution that didn't involve the strongest narcotics. You and your husband have certainly been through a lot! And to think he has also opened himself to helping with Robert's needs...really speaks to the kind of man he is.<br /><br />I agree that something that makes your husband feel better is a pretty good birthday gift! Hope everything goes smoothly and you still have some time for a little birthday celebration.<br /><br />Judy Stone-Goldman<br />The Reflective Writer<br />http://www.thereflectivewriter.com<br />Personal-Professional Balance Through WritingJudy, The Reflective Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12155041904319269319noreply@blogger.com