munchkin392

Bahot-I have really bad planter fasciitis (and a heel spur) in my left heel. I have tried everything-literally. Cortisone shots, stretching, insoles, physical therapy, I even went to the chiropractic colleges PT department and they worked some of the chiro magic on it. (Davenport, Iowa, across the river is home to the world renowned Palmer Chiropractic College, the largest chiro college in the world. I am not a fan of chiropractic, but they helped more than anything else did!) The doc did an MRI, and the plantar fascia is supposed to be 2-3 mm thick, and mine is about 6-7 mm thick. He basically said nothing would help but surgery. (Which is an absolute last resort.) BUT losing more weight has lessened the pain some. I no longer lie awake at night from the pain, and I can still walk by the end of the weekend at work. (I used to limp horribly by the end of the weekend.)

Sidann- The doc said I have to be 100% non-weight bearing for a minimum of two weeks, possibly three, so I don't see any way to get around crutches. And yes, I agree, it is just another injury waiting to happen. There are days when my 5 big dogs almost knock me down when I am on two good legs, let alone on crutches! Not to mention I am just clumsy as a general rule, so crutches don't agree with me! The crutches are a huge part of why I don't want the surgery.

Mini-if you are down to 105, I think you're done, get your band taken out!:Banane37::sleep2: (I know it was a typo, it made me giggle!)

Brandy-I forgot to answer your question about my fill. I now have a total of 5 cc's. I think he is a little worried my band is leaking, because I was supposed to have 5 cc's in there and only had 4.8 when he aspirated it. The same thing happened last time I got a fill. I am going back next Monday so we will check on it then. Right now, I don't even feel like I got a fill, so maybe I should have let him put more in! Shelbi-We will miss you friend!! I am going to call the corporate compliance guy at the hospital now and see if I can set up a face to face meeting with him in the morning, rather than talk to him over the phone. I will keep everyone posted.

Brandy-I was told last summer after a knee injury that I already had severe arthritis in one knee and would eventually need a knee replacement also. That was a HUGE deciding factor in getting the band. And I have to say my knee does feel soooo much better. It used to gross me out to walk up and down stairs because my knee was so "crunchy". Now it hardly does it at all. I think you are right...I think it would be better to wait and see. I am just scared if I don't have it, it may get worse, then I won't be able to take time off from work again until the beginning of next year. (And it will be snowy and icy here...not conducive to crutches or cam walkers.) Glad to see you back and thanks for the cyber hugs!! :crying: BTW, my little cousin just got back from seeing DMB at Alpine Valley in Wisconsin TWO nights in a row. Little brat!!!

I also need a group opinion on my latest dilemma... I am seriously stressed out about this foot surgery I am supposed to have next week. The thought of being on crutches for two weeks while I am here alone just about kills me. I have no idea how I am going to take care of myself, my house, or five dogs on crutches. I can't even figure out how I am going to feed my dogs twice a day if I am on crutches-I won't be able to fill and carry their food bowls! And it seems a bit impractical to ask my friends and family to come over twice a day for two weeks to help me! And I am not so whipped about the amount of pay I am going to lose being off that long also. Everybody under the sun wants money from me these days. I just really can't afford to take the time off. But, on the other hand, I am really, really tired of having this chronic pain in my foot all the time. I think I would be alot more active if I didn't have it. And, it would be really nice to have some time off work, although I am still taking my vacation days even if I don't have the surgery. **But** it has felt better as I lose more weight, so I am hoping if I lose 20 pounds more it will completely heal. Any thoughts on the matter peeps?

Also, I finally remembered to ask my fill doc what weight he wants to see me get to, as opposed to the weight my PCP wants me to reach. He said 120's or 130's was completely realistic. So I am changing my ticker to reflect that. Wish me luck girls!:crying:

Thanks for all the hugs and words of encouragement gals. I know I can always count on you! Hubby was moved to the inpatient psych facility tonight, and since that is where he needs to be, I am relieved. As for Nurse Betty (I prefer Nurse Beotch personally), I went and talked to her nurse manager today. She gave me the name to the administration person in Corporate Compliance, so I am going to talk to him tomorrow. She had BETTER get in trouble for it, but I won't hold my breath. There was a nurse on the med-surg floor that disclosed HIV test results to someone and didn't get fired for it, sooo.....but if I have anything to do with it she will pay in some way, shape, or form. He was moved up to my old floor last night, where my good friend is the nurse manager and I know most everyone who works there, so that was much smoother sailing. (Not that is shouldn't have been smooth sailing in the ICU since they all know me too!) I had an appointment for a fill today, so I decided to keep it. I only figured a tiny tweak was needed, (which is all he usually wants to do) and he came in and wanted to add a bunch despite the fact that I have lost 11 pounds since my last one at the end of June. I was like "Whoa, cowboy!" I was having visions of the evil week when I was too tight. Funny story...I met a girl on OH that was looking for a fill doc in my area. I think I told you guys I went to her first fill with her at my fill doctors office. Well, she had an appt for a fill today and I didn't know it. I heard them say her first name and I asked the nurse "Is that my Tricia?" And a second later we heard a little voice behind the door of a nearby exam room saying "Is that my Munchkin?" It was just kind of funny. The doc thought we had scheduled our appts together but we didn't! (I let her watch my fill since I got to watch him torture her for her first one!):crying:

Adork-You probably won't see this but good luck with your surgery! I will be thinking of you!! My weigh in was 186!! (Of course, that was stress weight loss so I have no doubt I will gain it back...more on that to come.) Greenie-I PB too if I am not mindful of how I am eating or what I am eating. I just had a whopper of one yesterday after not having one for several weeks. Well ladies, I may not post much this week. Dee is aware of this, but the rest of you are not aware that I am divorcing my husband due to ongoing mental health & substance abuse issues. Friday night I was working, and I accidentally clicked on the census list to our sister ICU instead of my ICU's census list, and saw my last name...my husband was a patient in their ICU. So of course I am shocked as I knew nothing about this. I called my best friend who is one of his emergency contacts and she knew nothing about it. So I call over there and talk to his nurse (who I PRECEPTED when she started working in the ICU). She tells me "Well, his brother said you are going through a divorce and not to tell you anything so I can't tell you anything." My response was that I am still married to him so legally that makes me his next of kin AND the decision maker if he cannot make his own decisions. (I mean, I work in the ICU and deal with these situations all the time, it's not like I don't know what I'm talking about...duh!) She still would not tell me anything. So I asked why she had not contacted my friend, and she says "Oh, we have been looking all over for contact information. What is her name and number?" She then hangs up and proceeds to call my friend and tell her EVERYTHING. Keep in mind she took my word for it that this was actually a contact, and the friend is not a family member, and she is telling the friend sensitive mental health information... Come to find out, he almost fatally overdosed, had been on the ventilator for two days and dialyzed twice!! And NO ONE EVER CONTACTED ME. Let me start by saying that aside from the fact that we are still married, he does not get along with his brothers and has repeatedly said he never wants them making decisions for him. Also, my insurance is paying for this hospital bill that will probably be $100,000+ by the time it is all said and done. Third, I will be partially responsible for the bills since we are still legally married. Aside from that detail, the law is pretty clear that I am legally his next of kin. And then I found out that somehow his EX-WIFE was the first person to find out, so they breeched patient confidentiality there also. Long story short, I am FURIOUS because even though we are divorcing, I still love my husband (I just can't deal with his issues on a day to day basis any longer, it was not good for my mental health). I would have NEVER let him sit there alone when he was that critically ill...NEVER. No one should ever be alone when they are on the ventilator as it is terrifying. I am furious that they did not contact me, and even more furious that they would not give me information. To make matters worse, they looked in the chart the next morning, and on his face sheet I was listed as his next of kin!!!!!!!!!!! And they still did not notify me!!!! Arrgghhh!!!! I am talking to their nurse manager, and probably hospital administration in the morning, because I want answers about what the hell happened. He sat there alone in the ICU for two days and that is not acceptable to me. The nurse who told me she wouldn't give me information better hope she still has a job when I am done...because I am PISSED. (And takes ALOT to get me to this point, I am usually pretty easy going!) Thankfully he is extubated and doing much better now. Saturday morning he was cognitively functioning at about the level of a 4-5 year old so I was terrified he was going to have permanent brain damage. He has since come around and is basically alert and making sense, although he has his moments still. My divorce was supposed to be final in less than a month, and I don't feel right about not postponing it now. My mom says "You don't owe him anything, that is just the nurse in you talking." (Among other choice remarks.) I said "No, that is the human being in me talking. I can't just turn my back on him when he is this sick." So I figure I will just take it a day at a time and see what happens. That is the best I can do. Sorry for such a huge post...this makes my other long posts look...well, short!! I just really needed to vent to my rational minded and supportive peeps!! I hope you are all having a great start to your week! Hugs!

Soo.....I got flirted with today. It's been a long time since anyone flirted with me like this guy did! :w00t:

Dee & Shelbi- I worked for four hours last night on my old med-tele floor that I worked on when I was first out of school. Oy!! I have gotten spoiled working in the ICU!! 7 patients plus an admit was coming right when my relief came!! It was way too much paperwork...so it's official-I think I will always be a critical care nurse!

Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Yup, restriction is the bomb!!!

Well, you have a few inches on me. I am 5'3". Hence the nickname Munchkin. (Okay, I confess, I am really like 1/2 an inch shorter than that but I like to round up like most short people do!) :w00t:

We're twinkies!

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone out there has a Jennings scale? I have been looking for a new scale for awhile, and stainless steel is one of my requirements. I have heard Tanita scales are accurate, but I haven't been able to find a stainless one. I ran across one by Jennings that is stainless, has a large display, and it talks (nice for if I don't have my glasses on in the morning). But...I have never heard of Jennings. It does have a 20 year warranty though.

Adork- Sorry about your gallbladder. When is your surgery again? You will feel so much better when it is out! When I needed my gallbladder out, it was right when I had my finals in nursing school, and the following week I was supposed to go see my sisters Marine Corp graduation at Parris Island. I wasn't about to miss either, so I told the surgeon I couldn't have surgery until I got back. The whole time we were in SC for my sisters graduation, my mom was freaking out that they would have to take me to the hospital. She was always looking for the nearest hospital when we were driving anywhere, you know, "just in case". Moms can be such worry warts sometimes!:cool2: All ended up fine, I got my gallbladder out, and felt sooo much better. I had a golf ball sized stone in mine!! Yikes!! I forgot to tell you to start me at 189 for the challenge. You are so nice to keep track of all of us! I am not organized enough, I would have everyones weights all screwed up (considering half the time I can't remember my own weight from the week before)! :thumbup:

Ok, the slide show cracked me up....Natalie knows Dee is "The One and Only Dee", and she knew about TOM! Too funny!!!!:thumbup::wub: You guys all look awesome! Wish I could have gone! Perhaps next year! We will really all be skinny by then! Lotza...I am impatiently tapping my toes because you haven't let us know yet!!!! (I know, I am soooo impatient!)

What video? I'm lost! (Go figure...):biggrin:

Truer words have never been spoken about me being a slacker...talk about slacking off tonight. We have a bunch of med-surg overflows back in the ICU...yawn...I like things to be a little more exciting than this. Unless we get some actual ICU admissions later today they will probably move the med-surg patients to the actual med-surg floor and CLOSE our unit. But I still have to work even if the unit is closed because we have to have an ICU nurse in house all the time. (Ok, work is a loosely used term if the unit is closed...more like lots of cruising the internet, reading a book, and generally being creeped out sitting here all by my lonesome in our unit that we hear noises in all the time! Seriously, we hear call lights being dropped in empty rooms, but when we go to look...there is nothing dropped, moved, or otherwise. Wierd.)

Wow, you gals are sure talkative today!! I have barely been able to keep up with reading posts, since it is the weekend and I am working, so this is going to be a drive by post... Brandy-Congrats on the weight loss, we told you it would all be ok because you rock your band!! Dee-I know it's easier said than done, but try to be positive about your new relationship and the appearance aspect of it. I mean, seriously, there is nothing to NOT love about you Dee!!! Mini-Pictures of your kick butt new hairdo and color please! How is the new fur baby? I hope everyone had fun at the BBQ! I sooo wish I could have gone, it would have been so much fun!! The ER girls just called and told me that they were going to have to come down and visit because they heard I have shrunk and want to check it out!:teeth_smile: Adork-Put me down for 8 pounds...I am not sure I will hit it because I need a fill I think. I am not sure what I am going to do about the exercise. I need my dad to help me put together my recumbent bike, because I tried to walk on my treadmill Thursday and it about killed my foot. I am SO ready to be done and over with the surgery on my foot! Only a few weeks! (Oh, that is the other thing, I will be on crutches for the last few weeks of this month...not boding well for my weight loss probably!) But hey, a girl can dream, right? Has anyone ever noticed that even my drive by posts are exceedingly long?:wink2:

So Dee, I just got my mail, and imagine my surprise...there was a thank you card in it from the nurse manager of our sister ICU's (the ones I hate to float to) thanking me for coming in to help them Monday night. And she put two gift certificates in there! One for Papa Johns, which I will use to buy pizza for my coworkers, and one for a local ice cream store where I get my FAVORITE thing in the world, frozen yogurt with fresh fruit. (Hee hee, I am keeping that one for myself!) I thought that was awfully nice of her!! I must have done something right that night!:cursing: I am actually excited to go to work tonight now that I have scrubs that fit. I had to buy some more when I was at the uniform store once I saw how much better they looked on me! After seeing ones that fit, I couldn't bear the thought of wearing the other ones for one more day!!

So, I ordered all XL's, thinking that larges wouldn't possibly fit...then I thought maybe I better go to the local uniform store and try some stuff on to be sure, and sure enough, I needed larges! Even in the pants! Thankfully I called customer service at Marcus Uniform and they were able to change my order just in time! It would have been a real drag to send all that stuff back because I ordered a weeks worth of tops, jackets, and pants! Like 21 things! I know I will be able to at least eek a little while of wear out of these, because a lot of the tops are by Los Angeles Rose and they run small!:cursing:

140 would put me at a normal BMI, so I guess that should be my goal! (And that makes me remember...when I was 23 I wanted to go into the Air Force, and I weighed 140, and they told me I was too fat!) I want to come to Denver too! I was soooo hoping I could come with my supervisor in Sept when she has her surgery since I will be off for my foot, but the airfare is just too expensive! Mini, why don't you work on that for me? (I think you are our unofficial travel agent now!)

Awesome!! I want to come!! Please, please???? Oh, and thanks for singing MC Hammer to me...you are picking up my sisters slack since she hasn't been in the mood to tease me today.