November 4

Feeding Tube


When I fed myself I had to do it off an IV pole with this canned formula that I put in an IV bag and dripped into the tube -- no taste.
I had to crush my meds and put them in a big scringe with some water and inject it into tube with some force.  I slowly added baby food and ice chips.
At work I would buy a Jamba Juice - 12 oz the little size.  It would take me all day to suck that down, then moved up to a pint.
Went to the family reunion believe it or not (drove with the IV bag hanging off the thingy you hold onto to get out of the car over the upper door frame when it was time to eat).
When everyone was having feast after feast I was sliding into a spare bed room to my set up or trying to spoon down some apple sauce.  (BUT I thought he couldn’t swallow???)
WIFE was a complete heartless bitch when I was in the hospital and then RIC ... I mean I freaking cried my eyes out when I failed my third shallow test.
As much as her bitterness hurt me it was the vehicle to make me want to defy her and to be functional on my own.  I wanted to prove her wrong & I have.

Oh the memories ........................................

RE: Feeding Tube


Had the tube though my nose from day one ... it came out once and the asshole took about 20 tries to reinstall - hurt like freaking hell each time he failed.  I had it through the nose until I came out of **** or a little over a month.
I could not swallow --- I had one of those suction things in my mouth like the dentist to remove my salva.  I was a mess - lost over 30 pounds.  After I got out of **** I asked for the tube through my stomach; they installed that so I could walk around in public, work, etc. as opposed to having this tube hanging from my nose that my grandosn wanted to hank out. (wouldn't they have made this decision themselves BEFORE he was released from the hospital? Doesn’t this contradict previous statement where he mentioned eating food with an IV pole attachment post relase from the hospital when he went driving with it hanging in the car ??)  I had the tube in my stomach until early December when I passed my fifth swallow test and was eating essentually baby food that I made and then put in a processor ... when I went in to have the stomach tube removed they told me to lay down on the table on my back, relax - the dude left the room for a while - nurse says Mr SANFORD just relax - breathe normal - so I chilled.  Dude came back in - put his fingers on my skin around the tube and with the other hand just hanked the baby out - Knocked the wind right out of me!!!!!!!!!!!!   I have a big puncture wound in my tummy from it, like a second deep innie navel..  Good Times!
I couldn't chew something like steak and swallow for a good year ... my diet has changed a great deal since then - eat much more healthy now so a positive from a big negative.


New Meds????


Surprised with your comment on FB site re feeling off base ... this is my daily state of mind & body.  When my Lyrica got jacked up recently it was Wooooooooooooo ... but I got used to the difference in a few days.  Any more though and I would be using a cane/stick.   Are you on new meds?  What happened to your "natural" medicine that you were taking?  .... you are puzzling me but I am one to be puzzled somewhat easily.

RE: New Meds????


I find taking the "spasm" meds in my case baclofen after I get into my office in the AM and after I am settled in at night ... seems to work.
On the weekends I worship a pot of coffee and newspaper so I take it with my first cup ... works good.
It's all about timing for me.

I am incredibly buzzy today .. crazy buzzy -- look forward to laying down for a bit once I get home and before I head out tonight.  I will be rejuvenated.  I have always recovered quickly - hope this trait never changes.

I am done with therapy, no massages, no chiro - self at home & gym exercise & therapy until my cervical spine collapses sometime in the future and they go in and perform a surgery similar to yours (postpone as long as possible as I don't need any more hardware in my neck).

At the same time I am always in a "float" mode as if walking on egg shells especially with new dosage ... If I pushed it more I would need a cane for balance issues.  I'm not ready for this.  I work hard keeping my legs strong, there is a great deal more for me to see and do before I camp out on my roof top, order from PeaPod, have Binny's deliver my beer, etc.  That part of my life can be postponed for another say 30 years at the minimum :)

Don't....


Don't you think it was really freaky on the Day before Halloween my scar along my jawline just opened right up!!!!   Things never amaze me any more ... every day a new day, another fun adventure :)

Hypersensitivity


I find things like massage, exercise actually promotes hypersensitivity - it takes a while to drop down to baseline and some therapy downs me below baseline only to bring me back within minutes - scripts Lyrica takes edge off Baclofen for spasms
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One learns more each day


WIFE totally stressed out due to work and starts talking about this guy who won't come off a ventilator ... so I say "Was I on a ventilator?"  Christ yes you were for your surgery and they kept you on it over night and into the next day ... I had known I was in intensive care twice, once after the accident and again after my surgery .... maybe one day I will have the full story .... yet I doubt it.  (Those are called Medical records and if he is truly involved in a lawsuit…those would be in there)

Oh


How I wish you were here A dream come true :)
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***By now I am increasingly agitated and skeptical***