First, I am sorry that this is your current state of health. Second, I pray for your health to improve and for the doctors to have wisdom in dealing with your regimen of medications. Next, I am thankful that your school year is concluded in the sense that they were not a good fit for you, and they were not helping your health. Moving forward, I pray that all of your needs will be supplied, and that before we know it, you will feel much better. What can we do in addition to prayer to be of help?
[QUOTE=" Did the other lady who yelled at you realize that her statement wasn't on the script either? ARGH![/QUOTE] That is too funny! I wish you could have told that woman that yelling was not on the script. Rain, I'd get out of there. You don't need to be talked to that way. Your health is suffering and you're in pain. I hope you can sell your older house soon and relax a bit.
Today (Sunday) is a really rough day. I'm in so much pain today. It hurts to even move. A lady I used to work with (she was a fellow grade level teacher and also new to the school) was kind enough to come by to pick up my school keys and security card. She walked my dogs while she was here. It was very nice of her. But I saw the look in her eyes -- she feels sorry for me. Along with the pain, it was a lot to deal with.
Well, I had 2 doctor's appointments today -- the podiatrist and x-rays. One in the morning. One late afternoon in a neighboring city. Driving was pretty hard, but I did okay. The podiatrist did some tests and said I indeed have no feeling in my feet or ankles, which my general doctor had already realized. This is not good. I come back in 2 weeks to get fitted for special shoes, and they gave me a couple of meds to help out in the meantime. The foot doctor noticed my swollen hands (and boy were they swollen today) and he asked if they were painful. I said oh yes, very much. He said we can't leave it like that, and he prescribed something for the swelling. Thank goodness. And he's a foot doctor! This afternoon, I went to have my hands x-rayed. The technician (who was the same one who did my spine last week) commented on how swollen my hands were. She had a hard time getting my fingers spread apart for the x-ray, but she was very gentle and eventually we got them done. I can't tell you how exhausted I am right now. I think a nap is in my future! Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers. They do help.
Thanks for sharing this with us. It lets me know how you are doing, and it also provides a way for all of us to do better when dealing with friends who have serious health concerns. Thanks. Prayers continue.
Today a nice man came to my house to give me a quote on putting in a fence. I have two small dogs and need a fence. He saw I had a shower chair still in a box in my living room. He asked me if I needed help putting it together! I said yes, I couldn't do it myself. He said he'd be back on his lunch break and he'd put it together then. Sure enough, at lunch time, he knocked on the door, came in and put it together. It was so kind of him. There are such kind people in the world. I have to remember to focus on that when I'm in pain. There is kindness all around us!
That was so nice of him. That's the type of thing my husband would do. When he has a day off from work he provides handyman services in our town and sometimes he says he will be gone an hour but is gone 3 hours because he ends up just helping out in additional areas of their house or their neighbor's house, etc. He doesn't mind doing it and if he thinks they really need help he won't charge them if it's a minor task.
I am reminded almost every weekend that there are good people out there. I live far from where I work. It is so nice when guys like that take the time to notice and help. I hope you are feeling better soon and that the swelling has gone down! <3
Thanks for asking! Yes, the swelling in my hands is going down thanks to the meds. My back is still very painful, but I'm so grateful for the relief in my hands.
I am glad the swelling has gone down in your hands. I can't get on here except for wkends. Are things getting any better at school? I was ready to quit for you a few weeks ago!
I had to resign for medical reasons. I really didn't have a choice. I'm currently homebound except for going to doctor's appointments.
Rain, I am glad you were able to resign. I could not have taught there unless I had to feed starving children at home. Still I'd have pulled my hair out. I am sorry that you are homebound though. That school reminded me a bit of the old movie called "Stepford Wives." I hope you take some time for yourself, relax, heal, have some fun,and meet some new friends. <3
Thanks, Tired. I have my moments -- sometimes I feel great that I'm not longer there, and then other times I feel bad because I am in so much pain, and since I don't really know anybody yet, I just sit home alone every day -- day in and day out. It gets quite lonely. My treatment plan includes over a dozen meds, and at times, I get so sick to my stomach from all the meds (not good for the GI system, either.) But other times, I feel hopeful. I'm trying to hold on to that. When I finally do get a bit better and can go out, I have a bunch of things I want to do. I keep thinking about how much fun that will be.
Glad to hear this update. Sounds like progress, slow, painful, but forward is being made. Keep the faith! We are praying for you.
I am glad you are feeling hopeful despite what you are going through. My mom used to tell me that it is good to have at least 1 thing a week you are looking forward to when times are tough and then 1 longer term thing to look forward to...also. What kind of things do you want to do? My list would be endless in Florida. I love warm weather.
Well, my community has a nice (accessible) pool and hot tub, and I've never even been there yet -- so I keep thinking I want to do that, even if its just for a few minutes. A very nice neighbor I met the day I moved in came over and put my desk together, so I really want to take the computer apart and move it from the kitchen counters to the desk. I think that would be wonderful, but I know I"m not up to the lifting and bending. Soon. It will happen soon, I keep telling myself. Long run? Get my house "back home" on the market and sold, and then I'll have the money to ship my furniture and stuff down here, so I won't be living in a nice house, with only a chair, an bed, a computer (and now, a desk.) It's keeping me going!
Oh, you do have some major stuff to look forward to!!!! That is great your house can get sold and you will get your stuff shipped down. I am also glad you met a new neighbor. Hopefully, you'll be able to develop that relationship. It makes all of the difference in the world meeting new friends. Oh, man the pool/ hot tub will feel so good when you can get to it . If I was there, I'd be dragging you down there daily. It is good for ailments and I am freezing right now too! I hope you are feeling better. <3
Hi folks. I've had some good news over the past few weeks, and some not so good news. I'm trying to stay positive. The good news is that I'm responding to many of the medications. (and there are so many of them now!) I've regained use of my left hand. My right hand is still numb and doesn't work very well, but at least it isn't so painful anymore. There is a specialist I need to see for my hands, but I'm still on the waiting list to get in. I've been told it will probably take about 6 months to get in on an emergency referral. The bad news is that I probably will have to have back surgery. I'm holding out until we exhaust all the other options first. I really don't want to have back surgery, but if I've tried everything else and it is the only option, I will. I've been homebound for over a month now. It gets really boring. It gets lonely, but I'm making the best of it. I only go out for doctor's visits. I've found a place that delivers groceries, and I order stuff from amazon and Walmart.com a lot. I've ordered a lot of basic things -- like a set of dishes, and some pots and pans, and a small set of glasses. Its nice to not being eating off of paper plates all the time. I started here with a chair, a bed, and my computer. for the first two weeks. Now I have two chairs (I ordered a lift chair), basic kitchen items, and a desk (so eventually I can get the computer off my kitchen counters.) Last week, my air conditioning suddenly broke down in the evening. I didn't know what to do! But my new neighborhood has a facebook page, so I took a chance and posted that my a/c had stopped working and that I needed help. Some neighbors I've never met were on my doorstep within a few minutes, and one of them worked for a a/c repair company. They got it back up and running. Since I live in Florida and it is very hot here, I was so grateful. I couldn't have stayed here without the a/c. One of the neighbors noticed how much I was struggling that night, and she showed up on my doorstep the next day to "help out." She did things like vacuum and mop the floors -- stuff I certainly couldn't do with my back like this. She's going to come back in a few days and move my computer from the counter to the desk for me. I think that will lift my spirits a lot. The finally the best good news -- after all these weeks of "rest" -- I'm ready to start physical therapy in two weeks. I know it will be hard work, but at least I'll feel like I'm doing something. So that's where I'm at right now.
Rain, sorry for the bad spots, but glad to hear like you seem to have great neighbors - that can mean a lot! Finding the right medicines/combos for RA can be tricky, but it sounds like you are headed down the right road in that department. You have to love that if you have a computer these days, almost anything is available with a few key strokes. Thinking about you - you're in my prayers and thoughts daily.
I am so happy you had such wonderful neighbors and your meds are starting to help. I admire how you keep focusing on the positives. It is a wonderful trait to have and very helpful. Thinking of you.
Rain, I feel bad about your medical struggles, but always seem to feel uplifted reading what you post on the goodness in some people. Like the kind neighbor helping you clean up... Every day everyone of us has the ability to be kind and I love to hear about it! Oh, I know that kind of hot from before. I don't ever deal w/ it anymore. I am always cold here! That is awesome you have an a/c man nearby. I think you are right about the back surgery. I've known 2 people who avoided it by doing specific exercises that build muscles in just the right spots. I am glad you get to see the PT soon.You have my thoughts and prayers.
I have not read all the posts. RainStorm I am so sorry you landed in this position. I remember reading your story last spring/summer concerning your personal situation, the move, the new job, etc. You were so excited for this new chapter. This school sounds like a place no child could like or learn from. No wonder you are miserable. Is this a charter school? Are you part of a union? If so, are there enough union members willing to speak up about what is going on? This whole situation is crazy. It sounds like a group of people needs to advocate for themselves and what is best for children. Who is in charge of this school? What admin farther up the ladder than the P can you talk to? Is there a board? Keep in mind that numbers speak volumes. Do research, gather scores, etc. to show that this kind of teaching is not impactful. Good luck to you. I'll be watching this thread to see how it all plays out.
You should probably go back to read the whole thread for an update. RainStorm has already provided one, as much as changed for her since the initial post.
I'm so happy that people did for you what I would like to have done for you if we lived near one another. We continue in prayer for you and your health and recovery. Back surgery is scary, for sure. I hope your doctors can help you mend. Please know that we care and are thinking of you!
I am so glad to hear there have been some good moments. Neighbors can be lifesavers. Hoping you don’t need surgery.
