ALL KINDS OF THINGS HAPPENING! From Moving, Clearing out the house, Dealing with Extreme Heat, needing a new Rheumy (mine went into full time research) & more

 I realize I have not updated here in a long while. Between the extreme weather, I bought a RV to move into full time and getting rid of too much to take care of. 

From my lawn the 1/2 acre behind my home, my home needs a COMPLETE RENOVATION FROM ROOF TO GROUND, fighting a LUPUS FLARE and Lupus MIGRAINES, MY RA IS MUCH WORSE AND I AM BASICALLY OFF MY RA MEDS due to my long time (15 years) with my Rheumatologist. I believe he went in to full time teaching and/or research. 

My Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis is worse. My hands are in terrible shape. I went to a NEW PAIN SPECIALIST! He began to be great at first.Then he "got busy" and went on overload. Last month he really peeved me off. The pain meds he put men on caused me to lose down to 97 POUNDS! I had to find out on my own WHY I WAS LOSING WIEGHT SO QUICKLY AND SO MUCH! I researched it and found out severe and quick weight loss is ONE side effect of this medication. He basically CALL ME A LIAR last month in his office! Even my pharmacist and my PCP was on my side and said it was the medication causing it or much of it. 

So, I have had to adjust the way I eat, what I eat, drink 3 or more of the Nutritional drinks (such as "Boost" but I buy the "Equate" brand at Wally World" daily.nIt costs a small fortune but buying it online now at Wally World (free delivery) with the new Wal-Mart + I got 2.00 OFF OF EACH 6 PACK!

This "downsizing" and throwing away, giving away, and selling of so much after 18 years in the house has been and still is a daunting task to say the least. PLUS, I knew very little about RV'S! Inhave had to learn every little thing and plan to move to a nice RV park mid September or so. I am taking my time ckearing out the house, So many have been doing the same as myself; "minimizing" their items. We are either chronically ill, or tired of cleaning around things, having closets full or drawers full of things we do not use do not need or are just plain in the way and no longer necessary.

My PAIN LEVEL IS THROUGH THE ROOF WITH ALL OF THE MOVING THINGS AROUND, PLUS THE WEATHER CHANGING, NOW LOOKING AT THUNDERSTORMS TODAY and TOO MANY "IRONS IN THE FIRE".

I CAN PROUDLY SAY I HAVE DONE ALL OF THIS MYSELF..NO HELP, NO ADVISE... from RESEARCHING RV'S to looking at them, DECIDING TO PURCHASE ONE, CONTRACTS AND SO FORTH, I have done it all ALONE!

PLUS I AM SELLING MY HOME BY OWNER. I have already had 5 or 6 people interested. 

I even gave thought tonbuying a truck, getting a smaller RV (mine is 37 foot long)! Then towing it around Texas at times sonI can get out meet new people, go to Winstar, visit my daughter and family down by Corpus etc. I USED TO LOVE ROAD TRIPS! I HAD A GREAT DEAL OF REMINCING OVER MY TRIPS SNOW SKIING IN PAGOSA SPRINGS CO..AT WOLF CREEK SO MANY YEARS FOR MY BIRTHDAY EVERY FEBRUARY!

I no longer could snow ski, but traveling sounds very appealing. Taking my Doxie Bella on a few road trips; enjoying time away from the same old stuff and HOPEFULLY WRITING YET ANOTHER BOOK TO PUBLISH!    

Which I already have one "PRACTICALLY FINISHED" AND NEAR READY TO PUBLISH. I now see there is a desperate need for everyday people to know it is okay not to have all of the stuff we tend to have! How to be a "novice", someone with health problems, especially a woman and how to go about getting the house downsized, possibly get a "differejt or alternte type of living space). From Rv's to Tiny Houses, Container houses and more; we HVE MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE!    

Whether remodeling, renovating, moving, getting into a new type of living space, making changes are difficult. When you are akone and chronically ill and in chronic oain it is MORE THAN A JOB FOR SURE!

I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM WATCHING "STORAGE WARS", RENOVATIONS DONE CHEAPLY, RV'S AND WHAT THEY OFFER, ALTERNATIVE LIVING SPACES, TRAVELING AND SEEING NEW THINGS.. I  HAVE LEARED KOADS OF THINGS TO HELP MAKE A MOVE, A CHANGE, DOWNSIZING SOMETHING FUN AND EXCITING!

WHEN YOU GET TO BE 55 PLUS INTO YOUR 60'S YOU LEARN THE MAJORITY of things YOU CAN DO, WANT TO DO, AND DO NOT NEED MUCH HELP ...

SO, KEEP AN EYE OUT ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE AD HERE FOR MORE UPDATES!

Chaos, Life, Love, Chronic Illnesses, and Chronic Pain...

Unless you have never used a computer; the internet, IP address... you couldn’t possibly not know how much people GAIN online. Friendships, long lasting relationships, new friends ...yes there are the "rotten ones" who try and screw things you do for people enjoying here or wherever life takes you.

It’s been nothing but, chaos, still in wars, spending budget of a TRILLION DOLLARS Ridiculous! THEN WE allow them to pull these stunts that are driving our good doctors to retire or not see certain Patients.

Due to the DEA and all on FDA, ALL of Congress & House of Reps, for legitimate chronic pain patients of all kinds. Ruining our lives, having no close person who has gone through this.THIS HORRIBLE, at times out of control pain is causing people with extreme pain, to find another opportunity or mode to help with the chronic pain.

I am so totally disgusted with ALL of our supposedly voted officials. They sure haven’t

HEARD THE PEOPLE! We are supposed to have many FREEDOMS!  Yet the government has a say over it one way or the other .I feel the ENTIRE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT need to removed ad we need SMART AND HONEST in D.C.

We; as a nation with all of these highly intelligent people in our 50 states; we could have the best…of the best. PEOPLE NEED THEIR FREEDOMS BACK!

It’s asinine what goes on in the Medical Community. What is so much more disturbing is just HOW deep along are just the the governments untold stories, the lies, the corruption, taking rights away of the people…..

It’s like an earthquake not showing at 1st. It’s the RUMBLINGS we Hear. THIS is ALL of our governmental  bodies. They are rumbling and soon huge fractures will divide many of us. I almost fear (not in my lifetime) another “civil war”…people are getting fed up. 

I’ve seen it, walked through it, bogged down in it, done it, regretted it, been there …literally wrote two published books and I’m working on a couple of new ones. If I look I probably have a T-shirt with it, journals full are filled and over flowing..I’ve been so bowled over; with you & it’s like the rushing water pouring over a waterfall….. fresh, pure, true.

I’ve not touched in this writing piece about my health issues, nor any other personal issues. I DO  and WILL share my journey…

It is long and tedious. It’s time taken away, surgeries, doctors, medications, side effects,  and everything in between.

Chronically Ill people generally have some type of “chronic pain issue” also. They tend to work hand in hand. It began for me when I was about 14 years old. I had my right knee torn up playing baseball with some friends. One kid used me instead of 2nd base. He slid into my leg and tore the cartilage in my knee. I had already had a tonsillectomy when I was about 11 years old.

As I work on finishing my “autobiography” it includes ILLNESS, HEALTH and so forth. It also WILL POUR out what else has happened to me even before the health issues. I have a “hole” in me…I have “scars” I can talk about now…

I’ve been so frightened at 14 years old that I couldn’t even tell my Dad. In fact, I couldn’t go to my Mom at first. I went to our next door neighbor. She was a nurse and like a “2nd Mom” to me.

I won’t go into details here; but I am sure although we didn’t have the term “PTSD”; that is certainly what I had.

Life has ebbed and flowed; it has almost drowned me, tormented me and ‘brings me down to my knees” …sobbing inconsolably. I have stood upon the top of one of the highest peaks in Colorado. I jumped what seemed like “STRAIGHT DOWN” from atop that mountain into snow over head deep if you ever lost a ski or lost your footing.  Those ‘double black diamonds” slopes were THE best! What a rush!

I never had one thought about packing up and moving to Austin, to California… I loved driving trips! I would get in my car, and drive half way from Seattle to Lancaster CA. I have a dear friend there. In fact I lived there about 4 months.

I drove from Phoenix AZ to Nebraska! I thought the drive from Nebraska to just South of Dallas Texas would be endless. There was literally nothing for miles and miles to see. Flat land, no houses, no place to buy anything. I felt like the world just maybe flat and I missed Texas somewhere the drive was so long.

Anyone who has never been to Texas…or you have not driven through Texas, it is one HUGE state. From North to South down to Brownsville and at the Mexico border is a days drive!

Already had 2 major knee surgeries before I was 22 years old. I also already had “signs” of osteoarthritis. Back then the doctors said it was an “old” person’s illness; young people don’t have arthritis. LITTLE did they know then.

I lived my life “bass ackwards” When I was a teenager I was at home, with my music, my writing, dancing, piano and I didn’t do what “normal” teenagers did. My Dad was extremely overprotective. When I was single; in my early twenties, I acted like a teenager. It really continued throughout my entire life. At times I do stuff most grown ups would be what the hell is she thinking? I have to laugh.   ahh…I shall continue……

I have a “soft spot” for others hurting. Whether it is a physical pain, emotional, mental anguish, or someone just needing to “vent” I am always “listening”, “watching” and paying close attention. After some of the things I waded through; my whole purpose I feel is to help others. 

I understand how it feels to NEED someone to just ”listen” let me ramble..and I am over it. You shall see me REALLY get a bit (more than a bit)  peeved when I feel there is an injustice happening to a person or a group of people.

It RIPS my soul to see someone mistreated. As many wonderful people there still are in this world; there are also MANY that have total disregard for others. You will see me come unglued at times; because I just cannot stand the thought of anyone being harmed in any form. 

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I cry much more than I admit. I am so soft hearted; I sometimes “forget” how cruel some people can be. That includes some Doctors and others working in the Medical field. I’ve certainly went through my share of doctors that should remember their “code”.. DO NO HARM! 

I have one that is who did my cervical neck surgery and he did my reverse shoulder replacement well before anyone else in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. He is an incredible surgeon. But he lacks having a good bedside manner. He also does not like an “educated” patient. He and I got into it over a CT Scan of my neck before my 2nd cervical neck surgery. 

I said something about the CT Scan NOT showing as much damage as was in my cervical spine. He asked me if I was a “Radiologist”! I said “NO” but I know my body. Plus, every time I have ever had a CT Scan before a surgery, when they do surgery the doctors come out and say things were much worse than the CT Scans. He upset me so badly I got up, walked out sobbing. 

After he did the surgery, he came after I woke up and apologized to me. He admitted I was correct. I know he really did NOT want to admit I was right. But, he did. Of course, I am not an expert. I realize that many of us with “chronic health issues and/or chronic pain KNOW how we feel. We also have educated ourselves. We must watch out for ourselves the way things are now.

Everything is so much different than even 10 years ago. I used to go to one doctor who took care of most anything. I am fortunate to have an incredible Primary Care Physician.  I became his patient (one of the first) when he first arrived here. He is brilliant. He knows more about Lupus, RA, and ALL of my other health issues. I can send him a message through the portal and if he is in the office, I have an answer that day. 

Pain Pump Surgery April 11th & Clavicle May 16th

 So far my left leg looks completely well.. no infection, nothing to indicate the places are not healing... they still are tender but the top skin is taking a while to cover over completely.

So they have cleared me for both surgeries, the pain pump n April 11th and 6 weeks later the clavicle repair on May 16th.

I will be THRILLED TO HOPEFULLY GET OVER ALL OF THIS AND HAVE SOME KIND OF LIFE!!

I DO HAVE SEVERE OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE BASA PART OF MY LEFT THUMB, SO BAD THE OSTEOPHYTES AND ALL OF THE ARTHRITIS SHOWS CLEARLY ON AN X-RAY... SO IT COULD BE IF WE CAN'T CONTROL THE SEVERE PAIN AND SWELLING WITH CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS, I MAY FACE BASAL THUMB SURGERY DOWN THE ROAD!

UPDATE... Could be I have developed "Lupus Colitis" since C. Diff ,Parasites, other Bacteria all negative...

 Had a visit with my PCP on Friday. I have developed probable "High "TSH" thus I may be having to add yet another medication for High Thyroid issues. My "Parathyroid" is still getting higher, which I am concerned about a possible "tumor" on the pituitary gland. He and I have not mentioned that, and he tends to think it is due to my Vitamin D  and Calcium being "off" now. they both had been normal for a long while, but after all of the colon issues, such weight loss, etc.. my body has really been through hell especially with minerals, vitamins and such loss through the severity of the probable Lupus Colitis. 

It comes and goes... and I have been having to keep a carful eye out for my diet, what I eat, what is in it, when I eat it etc. I have always been a sweet lover, but have used either Splenda or Stevia ever since they came out.. and quit any "man made sugar substitutes." 

But, I love cookies.. and MANY of the bought ones have "high fructose corn syrup, which is 1 thing that I to keep away from. I was not a big chocolate eater, but a couple of years ago, I began eating a bit of dark chocolate.. but I notice that tends to bring on the colitis symptoms, and as much as I used to LOVE peanut butter, now I think anything type of "nuts" even in peanut butter may also bring on the symptoms, even all natural with NO sugar etc. So, I have to really watch what type of "sweets" I either make or buy. Of course I had quit making homemade especially after the horrid HEAT we had this summer..plus it is hard to buy what I need and make something sweet for just ME... so I had been buying especially cookies... but many of them do contain high fructose corn syrup!!! or NUTS, or chocolate & chocolate chips. 

I wanted to post this much and will post more tomorrow. Had a really rough week, lots of errands, doctor appt, lab work, got my 2nd Shingrix vaccine, so I am exhausted, and ate something that really hit me hard with the darned Colitis again. In fact my Daughter came up unexpectedly last night.. but I had such bad symptoms with my colon I was not even able to see her & my son in law & grandsons... they leave in the morning so I felt badly missing to see them.  But, I could not even walk this morning or step out on my porch.. the colitis had me bound to the house since last night late...    

In process of opening up (older blog for music, and other items) & do blogging HERE in the lines of staying with CHRONIC PAIN/AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES (NEW)

 In process of opening up (older blog for music, and other items) & do blogging HERE in the lines of staying with CHRONIC PAIN/AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES (NEW)

I have so much of "both" more personal things such as music, and the link, that really does not pertain to "Autoimmune & Chronic Pain Illnesses, or Advocacy such as WEGO Health (now also Social Media Awards & a part of the Social Media Network)... and all that goes along with illnesses, medical items, from new biologics to the latest in using your own body's immune system.

I have been hearing about a technique that uses your own immune cells that are injected into painful, arthritic joints which heals your own self so it is more of a "personalized medication plan". Rather than antibiotics, NSAIDS, or other items, even surgery to "fix" the problems; especially involving your larger joints this was already and is being used to fight COVID. 

Eczema Contact Dermatitis - Recently worsening so I a asking questions & researching... Feel free to post !

 Eczema Contact Dermatitis - Recently worsening so I a asking questions & researching... Feel free to post !

https://www.myeczemateam.com/resources?utm_campaign=welcome-4-day-8-resources_20220516&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid

Through many prayers,Thankfully I am (extremely slowly) beginning to get my strength & hopefully heal

I've been so ill, for so long, I have lost track of how mainly weeks, months? I am much too weak still to do much...so I have to try to pace myself, rest often, & try to remember all of the things that my hoe is in need of, can be done once I am able to have more strength..even just trying to type wers me down & causes my hands to swell.. and that is why I am not online much. Honestly, I'm not even sure "what all" physically wrong... I know the bacterial infection of my intestinal tract (c Difficile) seemed to have started all of this off, and kept coming back... it is highly contagious, & once you have it, then you can be more suseptible to getting it again. AsI hope to heal & regain my strength back, I will tell the entire story from when I believe it all started...

I've had to learn if I need a "hand up" or a word of faith and hope, someone who understands your momentary set back in life, or someone who tells you they care understand and give you a prayer.. I had to come to where my true friends are and tell my sadness, hurt, or difficulty.. 

For without me asking I shall never receive, that persons saying they understand, they lift you up, pray for you and say there shall be better days. Some of of tend to have MORE problems, from illness, trauma, or just what someone might call a "run of bad luck". That is when lying that cross down and asking for others to pray for them, or needing need to hear from others that have been through that same thing.. through the "tsunami" of the times in life when you feel just just can't take another set back, face another illness or surgery, or get bombarded with the junk of life, a friend can lift you up by just a few wonderful words, or prayers, that puts you back in your own drivers seat and takes the gloom out of your life.

 Anyone who claims to have never have had difficult times, to have never been struck down by loss, grief, to have felt the harsh time of depression, or felt worthless are not facing life as it comes to them. I often think back upon my years in life, & see that a weight, a cloud, a mystery of of the unknown tend to fall my way. If I share it with others then they can feel lifted up and not so alone & I get the thoughts & prayers back.Ah, but you must "ask before you will ever receive"...

So Much to Do, to Say, To want to do, NEED to DO!!! Yet, the battle of it All goes on.. from COVID-& Variants to pseudo-gout, to THIS HOUSE falling Apart! Where are the plumbers, electricians, Handy Men & everyone when you REALLY NEED THEM!HELP!!

 So Much to Do, to Say, To want to do, NEED to DO!!! Yet, the battle of it All goes on.. from COVID-& Variants to pseudo-gout, to THIS HOUSE falling Apart! Where are the plumbers, electricians, Handy Men & everyone when you REALLY NEED THEM! HELP!!

This is a couple of posts from Facebook I have posted & due to all of my own health issues especially with my Hands, Wrists, fingers - the RA Flares, the Pseudo-Gout and as it goes on.. I wanted to play catch up here a bit..

Oh Yes and INSANITY IN TEXAS WITH OUR WEATHER (and as it seems every place else in the Nation)

thy said on the news that ALL 50 TATES HAVE SOME FORM OF COVID - EXCEPT ANARTICA?? AND WE WONDER WHY...

Back to the house needing to be repaired! In am no good at making dumplings. They tend to be like "rubbery balls of mush" LOL! Honestly, after baking a small hen for Christmas rather than turkey or ham. Then having more chicken left over than I thought, all 3 of us I think are "tired of chicken"... I decided yesterday to go to something completely different. I did some fish portions, which were good, some regular fries, and a couple of onion rings. Then I made "Ranch dip/dressing" of my own, had yogurt, small orange jello with the cool whip inn it & Voila' something different... Even the fur-babies Bella and Peanut were thrilled... LOL!!! Well, the holidays are past, which seems crazy. The temps went from 80 degrees night before last to 25 degrees up in the day yesterday.. of course my poor plants on the front porch are beyond "freezer burned"... & that wind and wind chill plus the temps yesterday kept me from barely walking on the porch, it was SO BONE CHILLING COLD! Typical TX - 80 and shorts and in less than 3 hours 330 and headed down to 25. Thank goodness, I DID get bth the inside and outside of my A/C window unit covered up, got the water loose from the outside spickets, got the hummingbird feeder and my new bird feeder cleaned up, washed & put up for the winter. I am still working on the research for which "Tankless Water Heater to buy for the house QUICKLY!!!" Getting research and which "walk in shower" (WITHOUT DOORS JUST A SHOWER CURTAIN) that has to be done. I have got to get at least 1 set of rails for my front porch up. I just cannot carry things up and down even as "not steep" as those steps are in the front, they are danger to me and everyone. I thought at 1st I would do metal BUT, that would be HOT in the summer and freezing in the winter. Plus between rain and humidity that metal would be useless. SO, I thought I would use treated SMOOTH lumber and just stain it. The steps are concrete so those rails can be anchored into the concrete steps. I really only need ONE set. I use only the right hand side coming up and going down, so for now 1 set would be fine. I had forgotten but those ROTTEN WINDOWS IN MY LAST "BEDROOM" in the back have to go! No repair, they just need to be removed & I am going to put a couple of windows like my neighbors. Theirs are a bit wider, but shorter. Plus they are perfect in that area for where plants sit, and they will get the sun they need. I have a total of SIX big of the old windows that were "weighted" like most of the homes that are especially wooden are around here built in the 50's. But. the people that owned the house I bought it from must have not had good renters, the windows just were not propel managed, ... they have breaks in some of them, they tend to stay wet, where that part of the house is more shady and so forth. Plus, my neighbor and I are talking about letting him do the work (which is most of it) he can do. He has been doing all kinds of hand-man things from showers, to light fixtures, doors, and you name it for people here in town. So, he is good, he is very TALL! LOL! Actually most of the time he can stand on the floor and put a ceiling in without needing a ladder. By the way, I am STILL GOING TO SELL THIS HUGE SAUNA/TUB/JACUZZI/WATERFALL, RAINFALL, & YOU CAN EVEN ADD ANSWERING YOURB PHONE, IT HAS A STERO BUILT IN, TWO SHOWER HEADS AND THE RAINWATER FROM THE TOP.It can be taken apart all glass doors, and then set up again wherever someone may want to set it back up. I supposed you could take it and put it into the wall. I left mine on the legs, put tile under it so I could move it if I ever need needed to. A "walk in shower" will be PERFECT" for the pups and me. They can't climb into and out of the tub either. Not with their hips and legs. I am going to buy one of the already ones with all of the surround walls, get the bottom one, which will fit where my drain is, & will have PLENTY of room left for either adding more shelves in the bathroom, or adding more onto one side that goes into the closet of the bedroom, so I have ore walk in & storage space.

Glynda Cooke not yet. The issue with ALL of them s they are still either swamped from the blizzard last year OR some of them with COVID and other went to doing "contractor" type jobs, SO many of them don't do a "residential type job" like mine. I've called all of them that I used before and were very good and just about everyone went to doing contract work. I think with the housing boom they feel thy are making more money doing the larger jobs, like apartments, or a new residential section with more than one or two homes. Of course we have also had lots of new buildings & the downtown stuff, so no one is wanting to take on a job, which mine is NOT small! I intended to do the toilet of course, but i was going to do the walk-in shower, the tankless water heater, and a couple of other things so it is not like it is s tiny job. This COVID issue along with last years horrible blizzard really made a mess of things in this county. I would try someone like Lowe's or Home Depot. I know thy DO have some things they get professionals to come in and install things such as the water heaters, walk in showers etc. I think my best bet is to actually make a trip to those and look at the water heaters, showers etc... and ask questions. Plus find out what thy do, where they have installation that can be done. Calling won't work, not when I really need for them to HE TANKLESS WATER HEATER, AND THE WALK IN SHOWER, AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH THEM. I got to thinking when I bought my kitchen appliances my fridge, stove etc. I went & picked them out and they brought them and took off the old ons and put in new ones... same way with my washer and dryer. They took the old ones away, and brought the new ones to put in, and that included some new piping that had to go in. Also, I have a separate breaker, it is still just a 125 not like the dryer 250, but it is with this huge tub I have now. So, I have a separate breaker the shower can be wired to, along with all of the lights, bath fan etc in the bathroom. I was wondering rather than have the new water heater put back in the old spot, it may be better to put it where the shower will be. I will have lots of room once this HUGE TUB of mine is gone! That reminds me and I will post more pics of it BUT IT IS FOR SALE!!!! And I paid almost 3,000.00 for it. And other than a couple of pieces that need to be ordered to replace where some "flaky" spots are on some of that looks like chrome, it is in perfect shape. But, I am going to ask GREAT GREAT DEAL LESS HONESTLY THAN IT IS WORTH.Now one like mine with everything are way over 4,000.00 almost 5,000.00. It comes apart easily, the glass is heavy but the bottom of the tub with all the jets, jacuzzi etc is also. Yet, we installed it ourselves back then. When it is gone I will have loads of room for the walk in shower and probably either cabinets or another closet.

Disability filing

I REALIZE DUE TO COVID, THE FURTHER ISSUES OF THE PANDEMIC, THEN EVEN WORSE, THE DIFFERENT VARIANTS that are following, I haven't been able to keep up with a couple of my groups that are extremely important! One of them is this one on Medicare, Medicaid & all that goes with these vital parts of our nation and people! years from now our kids, grandkids, and great great great grandkids, will not be able to have a "retirement" because all of the money for these have been wasted.... SO ANY OF YOU THAT HAVE INFORMATION, ARTICLES, HAVE AN OPINIONS, or know things that are coming through crucial to especially Social Security and MEDICARE!!!... Send me a message with the information so I can "vet" it & get the word out to so many... more ad more I continue to see people trying to file and get their total disability and it is taking not months but YEARS LIKE 2, 3 YARS TO GET IT APPROVED! that is after doctors and doctors, medical records sometimes even needing to be 12 r more years old,, hospital records and so forth.. things we may have to even "pay for" (not so much anymore they are in most hospital , clinics etc allowing people one copy of their medical record without having to pay for it. A HUGE PLUS IS NOW MANY OF OUR HOSPiTAL, CLINIC ETC HAVE "PATIENT PORTALS" where all of your information on visits, medications, dates, times. vaccines, are in that portal. f you sign up, you can get your records, see them even print them, make changes to your phone numbers and so forth without having to go through red tape to get it done... I WENT THROUGH 1 FILINF, WAS DENIED, WHICH MOST ARE the 1st TIME, I filed again MYSELF, the 2nd time, and was denied, so that is when I went to the Dept. of Human Services in the state I was living in at that time, and my caseworker there had a list of GOOD "lawyers who specialized" in nothing but "Disability cases"... he took mybcase after I talked wth him on the phone for a bit, and since I already had MOUNDS OD PAPERWORK where I had been filing, I sent all of it to his Assistant. Boy did she ever appreciate seeing how much of the "leg work" I had already done for her... doctors notes, letter, medical records, operative reports, ER records, times, dates, everything I could get my ads on, I had copies of also and sent it all to her. It took months for her to sort through and then she would call me and ask me about certain things that I could answer... and ALL THEY ASKED ME FOR WAS, a $200.00 case file money that went into an escrow acct for me. they used it i they had to pay for further records, phone calls, or anything they may get to help my case. I was to go through the disability judge once all of my paperwork, and my lawyers and paperwork was all ready. I filed myself the 1st time in 2003. Then I filed a 2nd time in late 2004. By the time we heard that my case was ready to goin front of the judge, it was 2005. I went in front of the judge with my lawyers assistant, and 3 other people, a physician who had been in charge of going through my medical records, a "psychologist" whi went through all of the mental evaluations they did on me during all of this & a gentleman who was there to make sure both sides were impartial & all was in order. I did not get an answer that day, which was disappointing.. I thought I would get a determination that day BUT it was about 6 weeks later I got an official letter from the judge telling me I WAS APPROVED!, why he judged my case approved etc. He gave details of what I would get etc, and also how far back my disability started. They began mine back in 2004.

And more about COVID, Illnesses and the list goes on..

Back to the house needing to be repaired! In am no good at making dumplings. They tend to be like "rubbery balls of mush" LOL! Honestly, after baking a small hen for Christmas rather than turkey or ham. Then having more chicken left over than I thought, all 3 of us I think are "tired of chicken"... I decided yesterday to go to something completely different. I did some fish portions, which were good, some regular fries, and a couple of onion rings. Then I made "Ranch dip/dressing" of my own, had yogurt, small orange jello with the cool whip inn it & Voila' something different... Even the fur-babies Bella and Peanut were thrilled... LOL!!! Well, the holidays are past, which seems crazy. The temps went from 80 degrees night before last to 25 degrees up in the day yesterday.. of course my poor plants on the front porch are beyond "freezer burned"... & that wind and wind chill plus the temps yesterday kept me from barely walking on the porch, it was SO BONE CHILLING COLD! Typical TX - 80 and shorts and in less than 3 hours 330 and headed down to 25. Thank goodness, I DID get bth the inside and outside of my A/C window unit covered up, got the water loose from the outside spickets, got the hummingbird feeder and my new bird feeder cleaned up, washed & put up for the winter. I am still working on the research for which "Tankless Water Heater to buy for the house QUICKLY!!!" Getting research and which "walk in shower" (WITHOUT DOORS JUST A SHOWER CURTAIN) that has to be done. I have got to get at least 1 set of rails for my front porch up. I just cannot carry things up and down even as "not steep" as those steps are in the front, they are danger to me and everyone. I thought at 1st I would do metal BUT, that would be HOT in the summer and freezing in the winter. Plus between rain and humidity that metal would be useless. SO, I thought I would use treated SMOOTH lumber and just stain it. The steps are concrete so those rails can be anchored into the concrete steps. I really only need ONE set. I use only the right hand side coming up and going down, so for now 1 set would be fine. I had forgotten but those ROTTEN WINDOWS IN MY LAST "BEDROOM" in the back have to go! No repair, they just need to be removed & I am going to put a couple of windows like my neighbors. Theirs are a bit wider, but shorter. Plus they are perfect in that area for where plants sit, and they will get the sun they need. I have a total of SIX big of the old windows that were "weighted" like most of the homes that are especially wooden are around here built in the 50's. But. the people that owned the house I bought it from must have not had good renters, the windows just were not propel managed, ... they have breaks in some of them, they tend to stay wet, where that part of the house is more shady and so forth. Plus, my neighbor and I are talking about letting him do the work (which is most of it) he can do. He has been doing all kinds of hand-man things from showers, to light fixtures, doors, and you name it for people here in town. So, he is good, he is very TALL! LOL! Actually most of the time he can stand on the floor and put a ceiling in without needing a ladder. By the way, I am STILL GOING TO SELL THIS HUGE SAUNA/TUB/JACUZZI/WATERFALL, RAINFALL, & YOU CAN EVEN ADD ANSWERING YOUR PHONE, IT HAS A STERO BUILT IN, TWO SHOWER HEADS AND THE RAINWATER FROM THE TOP.It can be taken apart all glass doors, and then set up again wherever someone may want to set it back up. I supposed you could take it and put it into the wall. I left mine on the legs, put tile under it so I could move it if I ever need needed to. A "walk in shower" will be PERFECT" for the pups and me. They can't climb into and out of the tub either. Not with their hips and legs. I am going to buy one of the already ones with all of the surround walls, get the bottom one, which will fit where my drain is, & will have PLENTY of room left for either adding more shelves in the bathroom, or adding more onto one side that goes into the closet of the bedroom, so I have ore walk in & storage space.

Glynda Cooke not yet. The issue with ALL of them s they are still either swamped from the blizzard last year OR some of them with COVID and other went to doing "contractor" type jobs, SO many of them don't do a "residential type job" like mine. I've called all of them that I used before and were very good and just about everyone went to doing contract work. I think with the housing boom they feel thy are making more money doing the larger jobs, like apartments, or a new residential section with more than one or two homes. Of course we have also had lots of new buildings & the downtown stuff, so no one is wanting to take on a job, which mine is NOT small! I intended to do the toilet of course, but i was going to do the walk-in shower, the tankless water heater, and a couple of other things so it is not like it is s tiny job. This COVID issue along with last years horrible blizzard really made a mess of things in this county. I would try someone like Lowe's or Home Depot. I know thy DO have some things they get professionals to come in and install things such as the water heaters, walk in showers etc. I think my best bet is to actually make a trip to those and look at the water heaters, showers etc... and ask questions. Plus find out what thy do, where they have installation that can be done. Calling won't work, not when I really need for them to HE TANKLESS WATER HEATER, AND THE WALK IN SHOWER, AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH THEM. I got to thinking when I bought my kitchen appliances mu fridge, stove etc. I went & picked them out and they brought them and took off the old ons and put in new ones... same way with my washer and dryer. They took the old ones away, and brought the new ones to put in, and that included some new piping that had to go in. Also, I have a separate breaker, it is still just a 125 not like the dryer 250, but it is with this huge tub I have now. So, I have a separate breaker the shower can be wired to, along with all of the lights, bath fan etc in the bathroom. I was wondering rather than have the nw water heater put back in the old spot, it may be better to put it where the shower will be. I will have lots of room once this HUGE TUB of mine is gone! That reminds me and I will post more pics of it BUT IT IS FOR SALE!!!! And I paid almost 3,000.00 for it. And other than a couple of pieces that need to be ordered to replace where some "flaky" spots are on some of that looks like chrome, it is in perfect shape. But, I am going to ask GREAT GREAT DEAL LESS HONESTLY THAN IT IS WORTH.Now one like mine with everything are way over 4,000.00 almost 5,000.00. It comes apart easily, the glass is heavy but the bottom of the tub with all the jets, jacuzzi etc is also. Yet, we installed it ourselves back then. When it is gone I will have loads of room for the walk in shower and probably either cabinets or another closet.

• 
  

  I think this pseudo-gout is here to stay. I knew 2 days ago it was coming. My wrists and hands have NEVER swelled and hurt, ached, burned, like they have been. It's been about 5 weeks of this. I have not said anything BUT I think I told everyone that my Rheumy put me on a new biologic.... it was one I knew little about. I only take an injection once very 2 weeks. Well they finally got the insurance to approve it, and it was supposed to be one with" less" side effects, work quicker, & so forth. I took the 1st one about 5 weeks ago I think now. And I didn't have any thing I would consider a side effect BUT I also saw no change .. if anything my hands got worse. BUT, the medication is more for RA and not so much for the pseudo-gout. Well, the 2nd Thursday came, I took the 2nd injection, and about 2 or 3 days later, I began to notice that my legs almost looked "sunburned, just from the top of my ankle up to about mid-calf and more in the back part of my leg. Then the next day I noticed I had what looked like the clear blisters you get from a sunburn, and they have water in them. First of all my thought was the new medication had caused a "bad reaction" Made sense since 2nd dose, it had time to really get into my blood stream. Then I thought "shingles".... which was ironic since my PCP and i JUST TAKED ABOUT ME GETTING THE NEW SHINGLES VACCINE as soon as I had been off the step down dose of prednisone I had been on. So, about "today" would be 14 days since I took the last prednisone pill. Then I thought maybe between two rounds of higher prednisone AND THE NEW MEDICATION may have also been a factor about these watery blisters. I also thought about 3 or 4 days before they started one night I thought something had "stung" pr bit me. I had woke up to my right foot n the top itching so badly I was going to scratch it bloody. But it made no sense why one and nor the other BUT the right calk and foot is worse than the left. Well, I've just been watching them keeping the "dipping" lightly touched up with some light gauze and NOT covering it, because that would make it worse... I knew it needed to dry out...also oddly enough, I "think" it is excema on my right HAND, it is splitting not like usual with the weather, but more peeling, and cracks on several fingers. So, that I have been using cream for that on that. Well, my left leg is slowly (cross my fingers) seems to be getting better. And the right leg, although slowly is also looking better than it had been. This last round with my left hand, wrist and this pseudo-gout now feels as if at times if iI move it a certain way, like electric shock going through it. OF COURSE THEN THERE IS ALL THE HOUSE CRAP, BETWEEN PLUMBING, THE WATER HEATER, THE WALK IN SHOWER AND EVERYTHING ELSE I DESPERATELY NEED FIXED, REPAIRED, THROWN AWAY, GET RID OF AND SO FORTH...But until the weather and my legs are better I don't dare get out and go to Home Depot or Lowes yet.. I think my answer for all of this mess to be done around the house, is to go to Lowe's or Home depot, physically LOOK ask questions etc about the water heater, the walk in shower and so forth, I THEN can find out "which" I need, and they usually have their own company's that are licensed and bonded to do certain things... I realize the labor will be HIGH, but so are all of the PARTS etc now. And of course I still have the laundry room and those windows and the back bedroom to tackle as soon as I can get the other stuff done... AND NOT INCLUDING MY SHOULDER THAT GETS WORE BY THE WEEK, MY ELBOW & EVERYTHING ELSE...So HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME! AND NOT INCLUDING, I think he messed up my cataract surgery on my left eye and my eyes are not right either....

A/C Tear, Possible replacement of reverse shoulder replacement from 10 years ago, more & better information on Lumbar/Sacral Surgery. Osteoporotic wonders and more

 Several things I am touching on, since things have been upside down and inside out with me, my Lumbar/Sacral spine needing surgery, 10 years later after my 1st "total Right reverse shoulder replacement and it goes on and on...

I know it has been awhile since I've been able to post here, I plan to begin getting more done especially after the shoulder and hopefully Lumbar/Sacral Spine is fixed... I need to continue on my book. I do have well over 600 PAGES "want written" out since COVID-19 began so those I do not have on the computer yet. But, will be a portion of the "book or books" I shall continue to write...

http://revistadeosteoporosisymetabolismomineral.com/2018/04/12/osteoporosis-and-spinal-surgery-strategies-for-medical-and-surgical-treatment/

Great Article for osteoporotic women and men that must have spinal surgery especially Lumbar and Sacral. It really helped to understand how much they have hanged in 10 years! I could no believe it had been 10 YEARS since I had the "reverse shoulder replacement surgery"! So, "if" the "Bone scan"" (done with the special dye) shows a greater thinning of bone, then I "may" have to have e new replacement put in that is totally different than the one 10 years ago. Much improved for those with "osteoporotic" bones issues. This one talks about the spine, and he told me this information last Friday when I went in to discuss both the shudder and the Lumbar/Sacral spine surgeries. I was told 10 years ago, with the shoulder replacement it would probably "wear out" in about ten years or so... with new types o screws, equipment, and placement they last a great deal longer. Also, it may be that with the new ways they would do my Lumbar surgery, with smaller screws, and cemented hardware, and other new parts, my chances are much better for them to hod up without me having problems with the L-4,3,2,1 etc above the L-5/S1... I am still very nervous about the  Lumbar spine BUT  did finally get more information from my specialist on the surgery and how they have made dramatic changes. As far as the shoulder, I DO NOT really want a "2nd replacement: and hope t s more about the A/C being torn in several placements...those could be fixed without replacing the entire shoulder. I HAVE to get this shoulder fixed either way. It gets worse every day it feels like and I get to where I can do less and less with the arm...plus with the RA effecting m knuckles, fingers, thumbs so badly now, that makes it ever worse.

Shower/jacuzzi,rainfall,waterfall,sauna tub... trading for needing a walk in one seat shower, new wood under my toilet & it seated plus a few other things...

 Here is the tub/jacuzzi/steam/radio/phone/two shower heads, rainfall /waterfall, foot massager that I have now. It is in perfect shape other than a couple of pieces that are more for "looks" and nothing to do with how it works. It works perfectly... a couple of the hand holders need changing out, just because they are looking dingy... and the little rails that are where the shampoo etc hold, also need to be replaced, they also look kind of dingy and the waterfall, has some peeling on it.. but really none of those are expensive...and you can order them online... this tub now goes for almost 4,000.00 but they have it on sale in some places for about 2,800.00. I bought mine and it was shipped from overseas crated up and it was in perfect shape, beautiful glass doors and all. That was about 2007 I believe when I ordered it and took 6 weeks or so for it to arrive.We put it together ourselves - they are relatively easy to put together. We had a separate electric connection for it, and it has it's own electric box and it's a 120 just wanted it to be separate from our other breakers. I think I paid about 2,000.00 for it or so back then. Here is a URL and a photo of it... and the ONLY reason I am going to have to get rid of it is that for 1 - now with me being alone, having both knees replaced, and that hip fracture repaired, i can't really climb over to get into it. It is not hard and it has a step up into it, but with my other chronic health issues, even the pacemaker, I can't use the sauna or the jacuzzi due to the heat and even on my pain pump, I am not supposed to sit in a whirlpool, jacuzzi bath etc. - Now that I have had the cervical neck surgeries (2 of them a couple of years ago) and now I face a Posterior Lumbar Fusion in April at L-5/S-1, that fusion is really going to make it almost impossible for me to be alone climbing into that tub... so I just need a walk in shower, with one set, and a nook for shampoo, shower gel etc... It would also give me a great deal more space in my bathroom, since we enlarged it when we added that tub... if I have just a smaller, walk in shower, be easier to keep clean and clean...& I won't have to worry so much about falling, trying to get over into a tub. If anyone knows about anyone that maybe interested in buying it from me, or maybe even doing some trading... I need my toilet with new lumber and it reseated, plus I need flooring in my bathroom, and my lights and fan are up but they are not hooked up in the electrical box in my attic... I also need a new light fixture (I already bought it) hung at my back steps, and really could use some kind o a rail on one side of my back step to hold onto , and even on the front step, it's only 2 steps but a rail on one side would be great. Plus I had replaced a ceiling fan (did it myself) but something happened to it about a year later. So, I have a brand new one sitting here in a box, to be hung, which I could do "maybe" if I had an 8 foot ladder. Mine is 6 foot and it's not tall enough, plus I really don't need to be putting my arms over my head anymore... or I would have had it and those light up in the back by the back steps... If anyone knows of someone like I said that may want to do some trading along with cash, and since I have most of the parts, mainly is labor... I've got some tree limbs that I began cutting down myself, but I can tell I really don't need to be doing that myself... it's putting a strain on my neck and shoulders arms... It irks me, I have all the tools, and the "knowledge" to do most of it and used to do most would do it myself, until my body decided to "fall apart"... anyone with questions etc jus message me and I will answer...

https://www.ambienthomeus.com/products/mesa-ws-608a-walk-in-steam-shower-with-jacuzzi?currency=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping

Wednesday's Edition of My Autoimmune/Chronic Pain Daily Newspaper & more...

 Wednesday's Edition of My Autoimmune/Chronic Pain Daily Newspaper & more...

COVID-19 Updates, Chronic Pain, Lupus, RA, other Autoimmune Illnesses at the tip of your fingers....

WEGO HEALTH - Following Fridays And I was Thrilled to Be Sponsored! Thank you WEGO Health for Acknowledging Us Patient Leaders!

I am so proud to be a part of WEGO Health!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIGU0BZj6n9/WEGO Health _Patient Leader Recognition

Our Nation Out of Control, So much for a Hope filled and Happy 2021! It's almost a night terror

 It is to the point of being unbearable, and just not even fathomable to believe what is happening in this nation....

Thoughts....

As I Said below "SO MUCH FOR A HAPPY, HOPEFUL & BRIGHT 2021! and if I said what I "think" I would probably have my home burned & be shot! Sorry folks I cannot fathom some of the things I've seen posted in places.... insanity, and now again rather than the focus on "COVUD-19" and the new strain that is already in TX, and all of those who have lost their lives or loved ones & now after that many people so elbow to elbow fighting, bleeding, breathing on one another... what about even worse than the pandemic than we already have! We don't have enough hospitals, beds, nurses, doctors, medications already and it just grows worse by the moment. What about all of us who are trying to "fight to keep well"? We are doing everything we can to avoid getting sick ourselves or making others sick??? We masks use curbside maintain distances, try and stay home, order online, sanitize, & I don't know about others but although I need a couple of things from the market today before the bad weather hits tomorrow, I FEAR going into any store..I am sure many will be in the stores not following guidelines and I am someone who really "should" have a vaccine... due to Lupus, RA. Heart conditions after 2 heart attacks, pseudo-gout plus the medications that cause me to be prone to getting sick & facing possible back surgery, but I have to wait, although even at a surgery center I still fear the virus, I have not started my new RA medication yet and should have 2 months ago, but feared changing it in the midst of all of this might cause me issues.. even my Rheumatologist does not know I have not changed. I am supposed to go to see him next Friday, but under what has happened I am going to ask for another virtual visit. even though he is in one of the doctor's buildings, they still are probably the largest medical facility with many hospitals... then I have to go to Dallas to have my pain pump refilled by the 18th. that one I can't miss, it has to be filled and the doctor has to do it. Then I was already hurting badly enough, and i guess due to this weather change coming, I could barely walk when I got up... I probably am in a Lupus/RA flare... BUT so many do not consider their consequinces of actions to what they can do to others, their families, friends & those out trying to help us daily. It is just almost unbearable and like some night terror in this country.

I am just completely frustrated with LIFE! People (it seems MANY have gone NUTS) I could not believe my eyes last night on the television! I completely turned off the news and watched other things... most channels were showing that horrid, terrible, insane scene in D.C.! To think I WALKED THRU THOSE VERY HALLWAYS in 2014!!!! When I went as an Ambassador with the Arthritis Foundation... and knowing how HUGE ND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET AROUND IN THERE - HOW THE HECK THAT MANY PEOPLE COULD BREAK INTO CONGRESS IS BEYOND ME!!!! I HAVE ONE QUESTION??? IF "HOMELAND SECURITY" COULD NOT "NOW THIS AHEAD OF TIME" AND KEEP IT ROM HAPPENING HOW CAN WE FEEL SAFE FROM "OTHER TERRORISTS?" WE surely have ENOUGH "home grown ones right here!"