Urgh seriously.

tastyfish

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Hey Sarah,

I haven't been on R2R for a while and completely missed this thread. I can't imagine what you've been through or the challenges you are facing, but I just wanted to say that you are doing so brilliantly and your progress and outlook is inspirational.

Wishing you a speedy and full recovery, after which I'm sure you'll be straight back into residency where you left off.

All the best

Rob

PS: Have your nephews been looking after your nitrate levels for you? :)
 
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Sarah24!

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Hello friends,

Hope everyone has had a nice turkey day and still full. I can’t say lol it was the most relaxing day but I did get to have some turkey and Devine food. As I heal I can’t say how or even describe into words what it’s like having rods and screws in my legs. They are designed for one to not feel or notice but I definitely notice when I add weight to my legs.

The home care is like you need to go outside and get some air. Sure but are you gonna help me into that wheel chair or sit on my couch? Because, I can’t walk on my own and and need help. It’s also confusing because I still don’t get a set team of home care specialist or occupational therapist. They switch them on me and it always wastes half the day. One team required me to do 2-3 stair exercises and practice using a walker. The problems are I can’t support myself with my left arm just yet. Using a better wrist protector and arm support helps for normal movement but not for weight. They do have me lifting small items to gain strength back into my wrist and arm. I don’t really consider a coke cola can a weight lol. I still not able to use my hand to write or much type with but getting better. I have almost most movement in my index finger so makes typing tad easier.

Some have asked about meds and weight etc so here goes. They have (feel like an addict now), really upped the pain medication dosage and it does help but hate the side effects specially the itching. I’m currently on hydromorphone aka diluadid. Which helps and they also gave a pain med for nerve pain which is a gabepentin. They placed me on 2mg of xanax which helps my panic attacks that I have now and anxiety. Can’t say I enjoy either of these, but I have tried to take less and or not at all, and (i know they are very addictive so trying to avoid that), but the pain and anxiety drives me insane. I have other medication that helps with the benzodiazepines aka xanax so I’m able to take less than what I’m suppose to. I still have to take anticoagulant because of my legs and surgeries for blood clots. Plus heart medication primary beta a and b blockers primarily to keep stress from affecting my heart. Which is about half and generally I’m on like 3 total so I feel like a walking pharmacy. I was asked what I thought about current medical plan and I like what they are doing except some of the meds can have a life altering withdrawal affect if I’m not careful which I do anything possible to take much less. Now the days it’s out of control I finally have to do the normal dosage and huge difference. But even with these meds I can physically feel the metal in my legs and the weak points it’s hard to explain (in simpler terms)..

Another set back is I don’t overly per say like being in a car. I am kinda paranoid and starting to be that annoying back seat driver. So I promised a pic update so I will attach that.

okay on to my tank which I’m going crazy mainly because I can’t do anything but well look at it. I have lost a few more coral and really sad I lost my golden head goby. Was there two days ago and long gone today. This is three fish I have lost since my move and it’s killing me. Not to mention I have no idea why I have gha or turf algae growing on my rocks and by corals. The lfs reduced my nopox down to 15, because I had no nitrates but had up to .25 phosphates (second color on api from undetectable). Hoping if I increase nopox to 30 which is my water volume level, and up magnesium that should slow it down. I have added seed to help keep good bacteria in to over take the gha. I can’t scrub it with my tooth brush so it drives me nuts. It’s really low now but if not addressed soon it will ruin the tank. I thought my uv steralizer would eliminate that but guess not. I just replaced the bulbs like a week before Halloween. So between the green hair algae and losing fish and corals
And worst I can’t physically do anything is driving me crazy.
Parameters that I was told was that nitrates are 2-3 ppm roughly basically undetectable and phosphates like .25 so still pretty low. Not sure how to just drop phosphates on my own other than good bacteria which is why I dosed the seed. Alkalinity is stable 7-8 calcium is 420-440 and mag not sure but I need to increase that since it will or should help eliminate the gha in theory. Hmmmmm

here is a picture of me before dinner per say and I have one with all the in-laws and secondary family etc. I ahh would have rather stayed home. It was pretty painful sitting at the table and loud. But not sure they want the pic posted so I had initially added but deleted it just in case I say hey my friends love the pic I posted online of the family and they get mad at me.

B8CC48B2-E290-47DC-93D7-88485C455088.png A05476AE-2AB1-4DB6-8252-038C26C899A6.png
 

NY_Caveman

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That is some serious medication. I have tried Hydromorphone and Xanax and they are pretty hardcore narcotics (I had surgery on my spine 20 years ago). Sorry to hear you are feeling the mechanics so much. That would really irritate me. Glad you got to enjoy some Thanksgiving turkey!
 

vetteguy53081

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Glad to hear you had a taste of Thanksgiving and praise the Lord you are alive and able to do so.
To feel the pain despite pain meds has to be horrible. Unfortunately they’re all narcotic and can do wonders with your stomach, liver and nervous system.
For tank- is it at or near a window? Additionally, lfs can physically pull it off my hand and add either fluconasal or vibrant while reducing white lighting. Sorry to hear of losses in the tank. Tank still doing well despite everything that has happened. You’re gonna make it Sarah, as well as your tank. Just going to take time. You Must take care of You at the moment and build up strength and stamina. This home care program seems to warrant improvement.
Hang in there as you have thus far. You are living proof of the term Recovery!!
 
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Brew12

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Some have asked about meds and weight etc so here goes.
I prefer bourbon, wine, and tequila. Of course, that adds to the weight, so I have to go to the gym this afternoon. :rolleyes:

I'm glad you were able to spend the day with family, even if it was uncomfortable!
 
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Sarah24!

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Hello,

I have had a few ask to see my tank and I will have to get one in the morning also. At the present time (controls are behind the tank) and well a wheel chair doesn’t errr well it won’t fit back there, plus I have not re done my wire mess yet since the move.

I noticed that my goby had disappeared and was sad and when I went to the lfs with my dad, they had the same one so of course I brought him home.
All I can say is wow I’m in shock my purple tang went bat crazy and I have not seen it. It ahh didn’t last 24 hours and it’s not even a tang. Hmmmm

The other pics are about a month old so not up to date the blue is well five min ago.

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Big G

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+1 ^^^ Very nice tank :)

Glad you are doing better Miss Sarah.

Xanax can be bad news. Sometimes it actually increases anxiety in some people, depending on their condition. Weening off the stuff was not easy. Deep, slow breathing and pleasant thoughts, pictures, views can be beneficial. I would put looking at your beautiful tank as a very pleasant view. :)
 
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Sarah24!

Sarah24!

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Hello,

Sorry I’ve been quiet been trying to heal and it’s definitely hard. Even getting ready for they day is a task at hand. Went to an art event with a friend who had to wheel me around and I have to say I did not do much work, but was exhausting.

I have had to buy aka spare clothes that are larger so I can fit them over leg supports or cut them off. Leggings seem to work fine but still don’t keep me warm much. I’m able to bend my left leg with out a brace but not apply weigh yet. My right leg I can’t bend with out support and or weight with out brace. Even with braces on adding weight is rough. Been working a leg machine to strengthen muscles and improve movement.

It definitely makes Xmas shopping and what not a much harder task among other things. In terms of my tank, it’s starting to stabalize I somehow lost my golden head goby, so my sand muncher is mia again. Definitely need another because I’m showing some signs of cyano but I have almost zero nitrates and phosphates are
Not much higher.

it takes me almost 25 min with out help to get my right leg brace on over jeans. These are 2 sizes 2 big, designed to slide easily over my legs only. makes getting on and off easy, makes staying on and up very hard. They stay on with my leg braces on, and me sitting lol. Even with belts adjusted all the way I have to add holes to make them tighter. One pic of the right leg brace and me doing left leg movements on the bed, and at the art show in wheel chair.

7F22CE7E-70C5-4569-A74F-0973B012674A.jpeg 7FC7CBDB-EB65-4385-97AC-FB62F8A32BB1.jpeg
 
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Sarah24!

Sarah24!

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Hello friends,

Sorry week has been super hard and occupational therapy and physical therapy have been just super painful and exhausting but I managed to stand on my own for about five minutes. Working to strength my legs muscles again and working to being able to apply pressure. Stairs are super hard for me, and showers as well. So sorry I am quiet, just been hard week. So this is me right before pt, also showing the scar is healing finally and finally comfy pants that fit over my leg brace.
Also they let me warm back up in my super warm bath robe.

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Tumey

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Hello friends,

Sorry week has been super hard and occupational therapy and physical therapy have been just super painful and exhausting but I managed to stand on my own for about five minutes. Working to strength my legs muscles again and working to being able to apply pressure. Stairs are super hard for me, and showers as well. So sorry I am quiet, just been hard week. So this is me right before pt, also showing the scar is healing finally and finally comfy pants that fit over my leg brace.
Also they let me warm back up in my super warm bath robe.

8A032EEA-25F0-42ED-BD4B-FF864AB0B4DD.jpeg 4DD86152-A703-4851-9B6C-E013EF3D3253.jpeg
Nice to see that beautiful full smile coming through again! One day at a time... you’re getting there Sarah!
 
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