A Few More Updates
- My breathing is much better. The dryness from the oxygen evidently was causing bleeding well back in my nasal passage and the dried blood was blocking my breathing through my nose. Thus, without being conscious of what I was doing, I was breathing via my mouth which evidently wasn’t providing me with sufficient oxygen. Last night I took Squirl’s advice and added water vapor to the oxygen compressor. Thankfully, I had (and was able to find) a bottle that was made to do that that I obtained during one of my hospitalizations for pneumonia.
- Unfortunately, my left leg seems worse. It remains swollen, as it has been since I fell through the deck steps last summer; the skin is very dry, and the pain is now constant. As you know, the VA folks have been unable to determine the cause, even though they have found I have a cracked heel bone, a very old injury that probably goes back to the tank accident that I had in Germany in 1970. There are no blood clots in my leg. Whatever the cause, the pain is now constant and getting worse, to the point that I am now unable to sleep, even with my leg raised on pillows.
- I have an appointment with my VA primary care person this afternoon and I hope that leads to something positive. I am thankful for all of the medical care I have received from the Veterans’ Administration, but am frustrated that the swollen and painful leg has been with me since last summer and is getting worse. Of course, I have no money to see a non-VA physician; however, I begin receiving Medicare on March 1st and if the leg problem isn’t resolved by then I’ll see a non-VA physician.
- Alex has been following me everywhere. He now snuggles with me every time I take a catnap, which has been about every three hours. He jumps in my arms when I am sitting on the throne in the bathroom and climbs on my chest when I am soaking in the bathtub. Could it be that’s he’s evincing un-catlike concern for me?
- For those awaiting the next installment of The Muffin Saga, I shall complete and post it as soon as I am allowed full access to my computer:
Iamso sorry to read about your ailments your Saintship! I hope it starts to improve soon. Please do keep posting and let us know. I was going to make a joke about pussy on the computer but I won't....
ReplyDeleteHi Nick ~~ Thanks for the update and I am glad the breathing has improved.
ReplyDeleteI pray that your leg will soon heal
as well. It has been much too long.
Thanks for your comment my friend.
Will keep you in my prayers. Take
great care, Very Best Wishes, Merle.
Yay for the good news re: your breathing.
ReplyDeleteBoo for the bad news re: your leg
"I shall complete and post it as soon as I am allowed full access to my computer" :-)
Alex, dear cat please remove your furry behind from the computer zone...we need to keep up with your Master, did you just hiss at me?
ReplyDeleteNick, I am glad that they figured out the breathing issues, I had a feeling it might be something like that.
Your leg really worries me, and to think you were having a tank accident the year I was born....yeah I am a baby. Want to be my grandpa? Can I adopt you...I have 3 great children who would come with the package.
If you you feel safe sending me your address via email at sassylucylootoo@yahoo.com I do think we can send cards and such.
Big hugs
Now Alex, go play on your own blog. You've not been posting there much so either "type on the computer or get off."
ReplyDeleteNick - I strongly urge you to take mamabear up on her offer. I, in jest, asked someone to adopt me many months ago, and they wrote back, seriously, that they would. It was the start to a wonderful relationship. We now email, write, talk, send cards and gifts and even plan to get our families together. It's the best thing that's happened to me in awhile.
I hope the healing to your leg comes soon. Or at least someone discovers what is wrong with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear the breathing issue has improved, now if you can just get that leg to heal!
ReplyDeleteAs I said, I have first hand experience with the VA issues and yes, it's a fabulous benefit when there are no other alternatives, but the red tape can be daunting.
Healing thoughts are being sent your way.
Glad to hear you found a solution to the nose and breathing issue. The leg sounds really painful. How frustrating that the VA has not delved deep enough to find the cause. I'm glad that you will have other options soon if you need them.
ReplyDeleteI think that Alex is trying to keep you off the computer so you'll do more of that catnapping and soaking. Cats know how to live!
Good Luck with your appt. I hope all things heal soon Nick. Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are breathing easier, anyway. I hope your leg will get better soon. I would not bother Alex right now, because it is clear he is very busy with important computer work.
ReplyDeletehope they sort your leg out soon. it can't be fun. try not to let alex sit on it though!
ReplyDeleteYou're in my thoughts & prayers. Breathe in.........breathe out...........it's the worst feeling in the world having a hard time breathing. Glad that's getting better.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything starts looking up! Give Alex a virtual kiss for me! (I'm too allergic!)
I think Alex is worried.... he's a good kitty .
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the breathing is easier Nick - one down...one to go. Much luck this afternoon with your appointment - my throughts & prayers are with you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your breathing is better. March is quickly approaching thankfully, so with luck you will be able to get your leg taken care of quickly.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear your breathing has improved. That leg really needs seeing to Nick. Hope you got a good Doc this afternoon. x
ReplyDeleteI think Alex can sense what is going on just like Muffin could. He is just being there for you. But don't think he will ever admit to it.
ReplyDeleteG;ad the breathing is better. I should have remembered that. When my Mom was in the hospital that added what the called a humidifiear... same thing. It really made a difference for her. Sorry I did not remember that.
Kind of sounds like your leg is not circulation the blood properly. Especially with you down so much, I wonder if they could (or need to) do some sort of compression socks to help move the blood? I hape they get this figured out. Good luck.
So glad about your breathing.
ReplyDeleteSo sad about your leg.
I hope you get some good news about that leg today.
PLEASE let us know what happens. Another update maybe, please?
I don't think there is any doubt that Alex loves the bones of you! :o)
ReplyDeleteI hope you continue to breath easy. Take it easy with the leg though, lets hope the appointments prove fruitful and they can find out the cause. I'm glad there are no clots. Are you rubbing the leg with anything? Or is there someone who could give it a gentle massage to help the circulation and perhaps help with the dried skin? Baby oil with Aloe Vera perhaps? Cream E45? If you can't find anything suitable drop me a mail and I'll gladly send you something out. I used to have terrible circulation problems in my right leg, (15 years as a former smoker!)and a nightly rub with a moisurising cream helped alot with the numbness and the swelling and the dryness.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Reverend Nick.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe they hooked you up to that machine without water. I'm so glad you were able to get it rigged up.
ReplyDeleteNow, about your leg. Wish I had an easy answer for that one. In the meantime I'll send some "good vibrations" :-)
Nick, you'll be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear the breathing is improved.
My mother has a lot of pain in her legs because of circulation problems and arthritis. It's very hard.
I'm really sorry to read that you are having so many persistent problems with your health. Thank heavens that Squirl's advice has helped with the oxygen. I'm not a very prayer oriented person, but I will light a candle for a speedy resolution to the problem with your leg. Take it easy Nick.
ReplyDeleteAlex is very - and rightly - concerned for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad there's been some resolution to the breathing difficulties but really hope that the appointment this afternoon will have sorted out your leg too.
Hello Nick:
ReplyDeleteI, too, like all your other visitors, am so glad that you breathing has improved.
The leg problem, however, NEEDS to be addressed. I truly hope you get some answers soon, and some real relief from this constant pain. It is going on for WAY too long.
Love and prayers,
Linda
It's a rather helpless feeling stuck behind a computer screen. I wish there was something I could do.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your breathing is easier, and I hope your leg problem is diagnosed and fixed soon.
Thoughts and prayers sent your way, Mr. Nick.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Renie
Nick, glad the breathing is better, now lets get that leg feeling better!
ReplyDeleteAlex loves you just like we ALL do.
Some of us will admit it, but Alex has to stay top cat macho.
Hugs and best of luck to you, Sir.
Im hoping with the coming of spring there might be a coming of better health for you....
ReplyDelete((Saintly))) in me thoughts..
x