Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 29 Sep 22 - 02:03 PM

I have 20 reading glasses scattered about ranging from 2.5 to 4 power.
Variable eye pressure makes each one the solution for that hour.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 22 - 11:11 AM

A friend of mine has just had his second cataract surgery and is now discovering the joy/tyranny of "readers." I've offered to send him a three-pack from Costco, because the best approach seems to be to leave them scattered around the house, with one pair living permanently at the computer. He's also loving his 20/20 non-blurry vision.

My cataract surgery last year was preceded by the usual doctor's approval for the surgery, and with blood work she found that my thyroid was low, so while I was glad to have the vision corrected, I was really glad to have my energy level restored once the synthroid kicked in.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 29 Sep 22 - 09:14 AM

I have an eye syndrome that causes me to see rainbows around a light source. A salty gel removes them in the morning. If this ever becomes worse there is a new surgery called decementation that would be a cure.
If I ever start seeing rainbows and unicorns, that would be a different problem.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Sep 22 - 04:29 PM

People have different kinds of scar tissue that can make a big difference. There is a type of an abundance of scar tissue which complicates matters or makes ugly built up scars.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 22 - 02:56 PM

I finished my PT and the doctor was happy with my results at 6 weeks; it takes a while longer to get the full range of motion (stretch out both legs and see how straight you can make the leg, and bend the knee and see if you can make the bend as sharp as the other knee). I was back at the gym six weeks after the surgery, working on that. The scar tissue is "sticky" - it adheres the wound area to the bony area beneath and you have to work it loose also. I still have kind of a dimple above my knee from the scar tissue; YMMV.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Sep 22 - 10:21 AM

This week I met a lady bounding about who had a knee replacement one month ago.
I asked, "doesn't it take 3 months to regain stability"?
She said she was the poster child for quick recuperation.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 22 - 11:27 PM

I'm going to the gym three times a week now, and my gait when I'm walking distances is getting closer to normal. I do have to exercise every day to stretch out the knees, if I'm not at the gym (where I stick pretty exclusively to the recumbent bike; my next move will be to add laps in the pool.)

I watch others workout from my position on the bike up on the balcony overlooking the central equipment area. Every so often I see someone coming in for a rehab kind of workout; that was me for the first few times I was in. Now it's just for the exercise.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 10:52 AM

I didn't share my knee surgery saga because it was an elective procedure (X2), but here goes. It's uncomfortable and you're wearing pressure cuffs for a couple of weeks and wearing ice packs for a whole bunch of weeks; a good night's sleep is hard to come by. I'd say it took about two months this summer before I could just roll over in bed and go to sleep without special positioning with a spare pillow or retrieving ice packs for the large Velcro holder thing they send home to support the packs. The first surgery was right at the beginning of COVID, about three weeks before hospitals were shut down for elective surgery.

It does mean prosthetic knees that set off metal detectors and need special care - I lost 40 pounds this summer to get to my normal weight so these things last as long as possible before needing any surgical adjustments. Knee surgery is tough, harder than hips, and not to be taken lightly. That said, it is wonderful that I have a full range of motion and don't find myself suddenly with the grind of bone-on-bone and wondering if I'm going to stay upright or fall over.

I'm entering my bionic phase.

Subject: RE: word to the wise
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 07:46 AM

Dehydration bad. Water good.
No salt or alcohol.
As older tissues become twice as thin, allowances must be made to support good health.

My pain de jour is hip, knee and lower back. The seasonal change is saying " hello I'm back ".

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Sep 22 - 05:20 PM

I've always regarded myself as a resilient sort of chap. Generally, I never worry about my health and I tend to avoid doctors. I had covid a few months ago and shrugged it off. I've had a struggle with my back for many years and have had surgery, which didn't stop the backache but which did stop the searing pain in both legs. But since May 2020 I've been afflicted four times with cellulitis in my legs, one leg at a time, but both legs this last time. I've just finished the most recent course of high-dosage antibiotics, including three days'-worth of intravenous ones. It makes a mess of my lower legs every time and I have to be vigilant in case the infection spreads further, as sepsis is a serious risk. This time, a blood test revealed that my kidney function had nosedived to a critically low level, my kidneys damaged by dehydration, by the infection, by the tablets I've taken for years for back pain, or by one, two or all three of these.

The cellulitis has gone though I'm shedding skin from both legs. My kidneys are rapidly recovering. But I picked up a really bad chest infection in the hospital and this has knocked me for six on top of everything else.

The weather is lovely and I went up the lane with my shears this afternoon to snip the invading brambles that threaten to scratch everybody's cars. That's the only gardening I've done. My garden has gone to pot as I've been out of action for over two weeks. The grass is growing out of the chimney pots!

I can shrug stuff off, but I'm 71 and I've found it very tough this time. I might get the mower out tomorrow and see if I can do a bit at a time.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Sep 22 - 10:36 AM

10 years ago scans revealed that my knee and back should be painful but they they felt fine. Now I have to strap up for any physical work.
I haven't tried those new pressure bandages.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Sep 22 - 12:31 AM

Interesting reading, going back through earlier posts here. And I think WYSIWYG's whole episode with the most recent stroke is only mentioned in passing. Here is the thread her husband Greg started in November 2019. I didn't think to link it when I remarked on the event back then.

Susan does come back to Mudcat on occasion, so maybe she'll catch us up on her progress. I'd be willing to bet she has "traced" this thread.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Sep 22 - 11:42 AM

This thread would be perfect for anyone with long COVID to share ongoing progress. I know we have a couple of members with family who have the condition.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 01:07 PM

Mental health is a rising issue.

Remember Alani Morrisette? If she is not a catter she should be.
She claims she is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and that she is part of the 20% of the population that is the polar opposite of the 20% narcicist population. HSP's have too much empathy, creativity, self consciousness and feel they don't belong. They feel different than other folks. I think she has a point and science agrees. Brain scans reveal some real differences in the amygdala and reasoning centers.

Move over Carl Jung there is a new personality type in town.
The highly sensitive person is normal but feels things more deeply and thinks about things more/too deeply. This is not a disorder but is confused with autism, Aspergers and anxiety. There are advantages to this personality but has drawbacks as well. Alani says people love the   good part of her trait but don't want to deal with the bad side.

I hope this rings a bell.

As for pandemics, opioid deaths are almost equal to Covid deaths over here.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 22 - 12:52 PM

I was reminded of the purpose of this thread in a back-channel conversation this morning. We seem to have lost track of it during COVID, but there are people with individual struggles who might like the company of this thread. It was started when Nigel Patterson's daughter was diagnosed with a bad cancer and has followed a lot of people through health issues. So here's a big "Refresh" for this trusty old thread.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Dec 20 - 11:44 AM

We're all keeping our fingers crossed that our COVID-19 precautions are adequate to the challenge. Every member of this family has pre-existing conditions regarding age or previous health conditions that required surgery. There is absolutely nothing remarkable about this family, every family out there, when they stop to think about it, probably has factors that make this a dangerous time.

It was heartwarming to see that in the UK the first woman to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is a 90-year-old from Coventry who went down to her local hospital for the immunization shot. All eyes are on the UK now, to see how this unrolls.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 08 Dec 20 - 11:08 AM

Heartwarming to hear some good news for a change, Pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Dec 20 - 04:41 PM

excellent news

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 06 Dec 20 - 07:53 AM

Hi all . Just to update , Daniel did have a liver transplant and has been doing pretty well . Blessings all

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 05:52 PM

well done, stilly

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 09:59 AM

Someone posted today asking for good thoughts and I realized I hadn't seen this thread for a while. And if ever there was a time this thread would be helpful, it's now.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 May 20 - 08:50 PM

sending love & hugs to you & your family

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 12 May 20 - 06:14 PM

Our little Daniel was out of hospital for two weeks , but has had to be re admitted with severe bleeds from his stoma site . Op planned for tomorrow ,and is on the list for a liver transplant . We are hoping and praying for his safety through all this , and it's tough on Becky , there with him.             Blessings all

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Mysha
Date: 10 May 20 - 10:26 PM

Had so much fair weather lately that I'm cursing the weather girl (f/m) for announcing that tomorrow we'll have only a few drop of rain. I want to hear: "The rest of the month we'll have plenty of rain, with streams of water in the streets." That way it would be more real. At the moment I self-isolate and when I look outside it'll be a sunny day. I could almost bank on that at the moment. Not much to do; just like it's all a fake. Like the lady they caught on the news who hadn't thought it was actually going to be a lock-down for months; she had just expected maybe a week of being closed, and then they would be up and running again. But we're in the doldrums it seems. Hm, I wonder if there's a doldrum shanty. (Sorry, that should have been above the line, but I just now thought of it.) Anyway, set the stunsls out and fly the water sails, and hope that we'll get at least some wind, until we get some honest foul weather to make the world see normal again. (Well, my kind of normal, I guess.)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 06 Apr 20 - 05:16 AM

Senoufou, thank you for clarifying your situation. We live in a world where privacy has all but evaporated. Indeed, aspects of our privacy have become commodities. I trust that your sister is being well cared for & she makes a speedy, complete recovery.
    Keberoxu, I apologise for jumping the gun somewhat. I hadn't read your post of 5th April carefully enough.
    Nevertheless, I assiduously guard what elements of my own privacy I can, whilst, at the same time, adopting a 'moderator-like' rôle on 'Jane's Rainbow'. Looks like I've re-taken the tiller of this fine ship.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Senoufou
Date: 06 Apr 20 - 04:33 AM

Nigel, I posted all those details myself on the community spirit thread, and I don't mind at all that people know. But thank you for your concern about it.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 06 Apr 20 - 04:01 AM

Keberoxu, please refrain from disclosing so many personal details of folk about whom you post. Alerting us to someone in need or distress is one thing, but the extent to which you often disclose additional, personal information is, in my opinion, inappropriate.
                                        Please desist.
                                                               Nigel Paterson.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 05 Apr 20 - 07:00 PM

The thread Pandemic: a sense of community has details.

The hospital which admitted Eliza/Senoufou's sister
is the hospital where the sister worked, before retirement,
and it seems that she trained most of the ICU people herself.
If the people she trained are still there,
they will be wanting her, in particular, to pull through and recover.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Apr 20 - 08:00 PM

Oh my God! I hope all goes well.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 04 Apr 20 - 07:06 PM

okay, your Imperial Rapness, I apologize ...
(anesthesia? is that how it might have happened?)

Have a thought, everyone, for
Eliza/Senoufou.
Her sister has been rushed to hospital
and is on a ventilator.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 03:37 PM

whose tooth was it, Rapparee?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 01:23 PM

Apparently they chipped a tooth in OR. The hospital just called to see how I was doing and I told them. The person who called said she'd let the department know about it. Naturally, my dentist is closed until April 16.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 01 Apr 20 - 10:53 AM

Thinking of Rapparee during his surgery today.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 10:48 AM

"Sulking, lurking, sorry & sad". That doesn't sound like the Donuel I respected & looked up to. What's up, shipmate?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 07:46 AM

Sulking lurking sorry and sad.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 06:17 AM

Janie, it will always be a matter of regret to me that we were unable to meet when I was in NC some years ago. Very good to hear from you now. Keep well, stay safe.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 03:15 PM

It has been a long time since I visited the thread as I rarely come to Mudcat anymore. I've never stopped sailing along with the rest of you, sending good thoughts into the waves and the ether.

Rap, I sure do wish you, as well as your better half, would stop with needing the surgeries already. You hear me boy?

The rest of you - please fare well.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 11:13 AM

Not the virus! She had a series of strokes, he said on FB.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 11:13 AM

Bee-Dubya-Ell's wife Susan died yesterday.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 11:08 AM

Stilly RS, you've been with this thread since day one. Your wisdom & life experiences could prove to be very valuable assets. Stay well, keep safe.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 11:00 AM

There is heartbreak all around today. Alas, this thread is bound to grow much longer.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Mar 20 - 10:37 PM

I applied but my immigration was denied by the Galactic Overlord.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Mar 20 - 08:33 PM

maybe you need to move to somewhere more healthy - the moon, or another planet?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 09:18 PM

It's not a big deal, but the surgeon is "fusing" my left thumb on April 1. (It's a big deal for me, of course, with general anesthesia and being cut open. I moved to Idaho and have lots of surgeries ever since.)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 10:04 PM

cakes aren't naughty! they are perfect.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 09:19 PM

So off we go looking for calm waters,but maybe stormy clouds are threatening.
Now the Rainbow offers a safe berth, to share our thoughts and fears, some of the crew may be on their own without someone to share the wee small hours of the morning when it is difficalt to calm the mind.
Be safe and keep well,share your thoughts, I am putting coffee on the stove in the galley,and have made a naughty coffee cake, come and share,
Sending love
Wendy xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 12:32 PM

My Dear Wendy, I missed our rendezvous aboard The Rainbow last night. When I tried to logon, the site was down. After that, an ageing brain, coupled with increasingly heavy eyelids, put paid to the rest of my evening. You still retain your optimistic, glass half full attitude, despite everything that has happened & continues to happen in your life. It is your positivity that has endeared you to so many, here on Jane's Rainbow. Like you, Ann & I are in isolation for three months & like you, we rely on friends & a neighbour for our supplies. Having spent a day with you & Bill the other year, I look forward to the time when we can meet again, freely & cheerfully, with nothing more to bother us than removing some sand from between our toes.
                     Much Love to you, Bill & your family,
                     Keep well, stay safe,
                                                      Nigel & Ann xxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 26 Mar 20 - 08:21 PM

Oh and all my love to Nigel and Ann, without them the Rainbow would have never set sail.
Love, love ,love xxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Mar 20 - 08:17 PM

wishing you & your family all the best, Wendy

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 26 Mar 20 - 08:15 PM

So here we are, all aboard the Rainbow, in such troubled waters such as we have never known before.
7 years since Jane left us and since then her boat has given so much love and help to so many.
All our troubles have been supported and lessened by so much love by this wonderful crew.
I have had so much support, while my husband had treatmdnt for leukaemia and the support I had lookimg after my mother for 5 years when she had dementia.The love from you all kept me going whem the situation was so very difficalt.
Now we all face very frightening times, here in the UK we are confined in our house for who knows how long? Although Billy is in remission it is un wise for us to go out, we rely on others to buy food and essentials. Our daughter who is on chemotherapy for Crohns has been told to stay indoors for 3 months and is in isolation with her 2 daughters and we cannot help or see them.Our step grandaughter is a nurse in London nursing coronavirus patients.She is working 100 hours a week and is exausted.
But we know others have more desperate situations, so all my prayers and loving thoughts go out to everyone who is trouble ,frightened and may be alone with no support. So sail on Rainbow bring us all into safe harbour as soon as you can.
Fondest love
Wendy xxxxx