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Called victory to early- this is long

bananaseedo's picture

Well, so luckily my son still continues ok and much better.  Still has to land a job and he has his first therapy after his release from the day program next week. He will be going weekly.  

DIsclaimer_this if for my venting-you do NOT have to bore yourself reading this hot mess lol

It just has seemed that life had kept is nasty knee on my neck for years now and I'm slowly feeling the life being drained out of me, literally.  Just in a dark dark place and honstly don't even want to go on anymore.

So if you recall I mentioned things w/my DH not going well and the talk we had.  Luckily he found a job that he was very happy with and he totally cut down his drinking..hasn't quit entirely but literally will have one beer every other day and/or one liquor drink (small) and that's it. Job was keeping him busy and happier and we have our plan to start the program.  He's been plagued with health issues and I'm not sure anymore if this is just all related to drinking or there is an underlying problem the Drs arent' finding.  

So he already has gout and developed sudden acute onset of neuropathy in Feb.  To the point he couldn't function/walk. He's on mega doses of gabapentin which was finally somewhat helping. Enough for him to start working albeit moving/walking very slowly.  A few days before he started his job his legs/ankles started swelling.  With each day working it got worse, he started getting these red splotches like blood vessels w/the swelling...by Friday it had spread and his legs are completely purple bruised from the veins leaking blood into his skin. The swelling was insane.   So the last day of his 1st week he had to leave early as he just couldn't even move.  He had to put his feet up in the car for 30 mins just to drive home.  He stopped urinating during the day on Thursday and was only peeing at night a few hours after legs were up.  By Saturday he started having horrific pain on his right knee and behind it in addition to the swelling on both lower legs and the now completely purple legs.  We started thinking this could be kidney failure or cardiac or a clot... so to the ER on Sunday- a horrific long day with tons of tests and an ultrasound to leg and referal to vascular surgeon group.  We did that today.  It's not celullitis and it's not stasis dermatitis or venous insufficiency...they did see some reflux in a deep vein but it's nothing the vascular group can treat.  It's not the kidneys, it's not cardiac.  His liver number are elevated but they said not so high to have these symptoms.   OH and since he can' walk to pee at night we had to get a jug bedside (lovely) which I have to empty/clean because if he's on the now purchased walker he can't carry anything obviously.  Hopefully he can take a crap since the walker at least fits in there.  We already got him a stool to shower too.  

Then today was a horrible day.  I had to run out first thing to get him a walker at Walgreens as the rolator we have doesn't fit in bathrooms and he can't walk.  Then try to dress him and help him to the care w/use of rolator and walker-to the ultrasound at one location then the report/follow up was at another location a couple hours later.  It takes about 30 mins just to get him from the bedroom to the car...it's that bad.  I feed pets, give my one cat his insulin.  We go the appt and wait for them to bring a wheelchair to get him up (which I push and it won't fit anywhere !) then back down and we go to the tag office to pick up his temp handicap placard which I had picked up the paperwork Friday from his primary.  I realized I left the damn paper at home so drove back home, go back to the tag office and read that they are at lunch break.  Cuss life and make our way to his folllw up  from the ultrasound about 30 min away.  Get there, wait 20 min and two calls later they still don't come down w/the wheelchair.  So, I go up, get it, help him get in it (one leg won't work at all) - park the car, come back, get him back....my blood pressure is soaring, I'm hot, stressed.  Check-in and it happened, a full panic attack (been years!) I go to bathroom and soft scream/sob into a ton of paper towels for 5 mins, wash my face, neck and come out. We finally see the Dr.  who as mentioned above said it's not a valve/vascular thing. I start crying again-my husband starts feeling nausous and dizzy and closes his eyes.  We both feel utter defeat.  I mean DEFEAT at a level never before have we had. And trust me, we've had a SHITT liffe-picture Job from the Bible where his wife says just curse god and die...it sure feels like we should. 

So we have to go back to primary and follow up with probably 3-4 more specialists so we can figure this out.  We left with a script for prescription compression stockings.   Back to get him down in the car scraping into door frames....drive 30 mins back...get to the tag office (since it was closed for lunch).  Wait for about 30 mins while he's in the car, get the tag.  Get back in car and try to find directions to the pharmacy for the compression socks and can't find my phone.  Call it from my husbands and get an answer, I left it at the vascular office 30 mins away. I tell them I will come tomorrow.  Ensue meltdown number 8?

Go a few miles away to one of the pharmacies said to carry these compression things- it's no longer there.  Drive to another one....get in and wait as they tell me to go measure my husbands legs for the stockings while they check insurance coverage. I already know the outcome given the shi* day.  I'm measuring his legs in the car and a car honks at me as I'm outside his door- I tell them to hold the eff on and i"m meausring and they'll just have to find another spot.  He starts driving in anyway so I have to squeze the door into me, hurting myself, pressing in to the car to finish up.  I would have shot the effer if I had a gun in the car (or myself).   GO back in, insurance doesn't cover but HSA does so I do that. 

Get home to start all over unloading him, pushing him on a rollator (which you're not supposed to do) get him to bed. Starting dinner soon quick ravioles (frozen) and jar sauce, fuc* it.  Oh now to give my dog his thyroid pill since their dinner is in an hour.  This was cathartic to right down, about a dozen other small bs happened to make it worse but that's plenty-

This is just one day in my life lately....it's been hell after hell for years.  I really really want to just end things guys.  There is no amoutn of antidepressants or therapy that can fix this curse.  I honestly feel I'm cursed....it's a real thing for some people/families.  My brothers were spared, but man did that curse devil come for me and mine.  I'm telling you the pressure on the neck is getting tighter and heavier and I feel like I"m going to collapse.  

My chest has felt super tight/painful all day, which I know is the blood pressure and anxiety attack.  EIther way I'm not going to the ER for damn sure, if I die of a stroke I'll be perfectly happy to fuckin go and get it over with.  UGHHHHHH EFF THIS BS

Comments

CLove's picture

Hang in there. Its hard for sure. 

I hope you survive this because I really appreciate you input and feedback and of course your pets need you. Im sorry you are going through all this, vent as much as you need to, we are here.

bananaseedo's picture

Adding, he had an umbilicar hernia that got very bad to which he had surgery in December (no mesh) and that was a super long recovery and a large cyst on his back extracted too.   I'm wondering if the neuropathy was a result of surgery since it started about 6 weeks after it.  

Crspyew's picture

You have a lot on your plate and it sounds physically as well as emotionally draining. You have had a heavy road for a long time and setting that load down can sound appealing.  I want you to know that some of your posts over the years have made such a positive impact on me and how I deal with step stuff. You have a safe place here and many people to offer our support.  It's hard to see now but life is worth living. Please vent here as often as u need or want.

JRI's picture

I feel so sorry for the day you've had.  My sister had multiple issues including diabetes, morbid obesity, depression, rheumatoid arthritis then lost a leg.  I only had to deal with it all once or twice a week accompanying her to appointments, my poor mom had to live with her.  But even once or twice a week, I was exhausted just from the transport issues you describe.

It's a sin that a doctor's office doesn't have the insight to humanely handle sick people getting in and out of their offices.  I remember her internist's office which had a tricky, heavy door.   Here I was pushing a 250-lb person in a wheelchair trying to prop the door open somehow and push her in while turning a corner.  Creepo doctor but she loved him.  The 1st time I went with her to see him, after ignoring me, he asked if I had any questions.  "Yes, Im concerned about all the drugs she takes".  He got huffy, lectured me about how ethical he was and wrote another scrip.  She wouldn't let me go in with her after that.  Lol

Thinking about you and hoping for your best possible outcome.

 

Findthemiddle's picture

So sorry you have to deal with all this SHIT.  

It’s tough when every thing feels like it’s blowing up in your face and it shows no sign of letting up.  Been there.  Hang in there- you matter and your happiness matters.  It helps me to take a minute everyday and identify something positive or that I am grateful for-even if  it’s stuff like running water, electricity, my pets, a bed to sleep in, etc.  Sending you hugs.

Rumplestiltskin's picture

I'm so sorry you are going through this. All of this is just too much for one person to take. 

Winterglow's picture

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Wicked stepmo.'s picture

So sorry you are dealing with all of this. Please make sure you take some time for self care. You have a lot on your plate right now. Hopefully the Drs figure it out. 

The only advice I can give is to have DH cut back on any salt and drink a lot more water to help cut down on the water retention and swelling. 

simifan's picture

You cannot set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

There are services to assist people with health care issues. Talk to your husband's doctor & your doctor about getting help. At least getting someone to help with these appointments. If he truly cannot move on his own. It is time to start looking for a full time facility. 

ProbablyAlreadyInsane's picture

(((HUGS)))

You are going through sooooo much!  You're super strong, but this would break anyone.  I'm sorry it's so much at once and I wish I could do more. 

If you need someone to talk to.  Message me.  I can't do much, but with you going through so much, I can def be a listening ear!

Merry's picture

Oh my gosh. My DH has a host of health issues too and we spent a couple of days in the hospital a few weeks ago. No diagnosis other than high BP. Which is not new. Back for follow ups this week.

It's exhausting. Look into home health aids and medical transportation. See what your insurance covers. Many of us are fiercely independent and hate asking for help (I might be talking about myself here) but DO IT ANYWAY.

 

NoWireCoatHangarsEVER's picture

He was my age, in his forties.  They have a six year old, the same as I.  HE died from a hemorragic stroke and from

my understanding it was from untreated high blood pressure.  I have a prescription for highblood pressure meds and I'm

not very good about taking theme everyday but I am now.  It was a terrible wake up call and she's grieving terribly.  Giant hugs to you.  You've got to get some kind of relief.  I worry about you and what you are dealing with.   

BethAnne's picture

Please go to your doctor and tell them what you are dealing with. Tell them that you are feeling suicidal. They can help you. You are worth fighting for just as much as your husband is.