Yikes... I'm back, finally!

[elizabeth]

Having to re-register was a bit of a trauma. I was not at all sure I'd be able to find myself, if you catch my meaning! I managed to obtain my same name, etc., so yes, I am the same me I have been since way back in '99 -- still the same, as good old Bob Seger would sing it. :p Talk about dating oneself - yeesh!

It's been a LONG TIME! I was beginning to really wonder if we'd ever see these forums again, but just when I REALLY started to worry, the message on the page would update, and hope would renew, and I'd string along again. And here we are. I sure hope people manage to wander back.

In the downtime, I engaged in my usual program of full catastrophe living without break, as usual. It is nice to know some things don't change??? :eek:

I sit here wearing a holter monitor on my heart ( keep in mind I just turned 44), as several weeks ago my heart decided that a plain old rhythm was not good enough anymore -- again. I've been through this once before, which resulted in my having surgery (cardiac cath and multiple auxiliary electrical pathways destroyed via radio-frequency ablation) at age 36 for a congenital syndrome. My first fear was "it's ba-a-a-a-aack", but this seems to be something new, instead... maybe. It could just be stress and the fact I'm a little higher mileage now, too.

Let's hope for the latter.

In the meantime, I have LOTS of fun testing to undergo in the next few weeks, complicated by the fact that my "sensitivity" to latex has now turned into an "ALLERGY!!!" to latex. Oh joy. One only discovers this through excitement of the bad kind, too. In my case, I was at least already hospitalized for my heart stuff when things started to truly go to h-in-a-handbasket. That was helpful, anyway.

The MS has responded to all the stress by kicking my behind with a vengeance, of course, so my heart's stress tests of the future will now be chemically induced, rather than exercise induced, as my right leg has given up much function, along with a good deal of cognitive sharpness, etc.

My friend Jennifer wanted to know if I can be kicked out of Mensa when I get really loopy stupid from the MS... I dunno, but I'd guess not, hmmm? Wouldn't that be discriminatory??? :rolleyes:

I am SOOOOO glad the forum is BACK. I have missed everyone so much. Just reading posts and remembering that my life isn't all that weird in the grand scheme of MS reality helps. SO, even if you don't reply here, post often, and I'll be reading. It really does help keep me sane (sort of?!).

Any thoughts about latex avoidance when one needs a great underwire bra??? Seriously, that's going to be a tough one...

Thanks! I'm so happy to be back... :)

[BBS1951]

Hi Elizabeth. welcome back :)

[Virginia]

Hi Elizabeth, glad to see you back. I just came back also. I did (and still do)go to BT2. Some of us found our way there during this long spell without our daily fix on BT. I use to post under the name VMJ, but always signed it by my name - Virginia. I had to re-register, so just changed it to Virginia.

Sorry to hear you are having additional problems. Hope things get back to normal soon - at least whatever is normal for people with MS.

It's good to see you back home!

Virginia

[Pegakafarmgirl]

hey girl,, good to see you back,,

latex,, my sister in law is very allergic to this,, she is a nurse,, this has put her in the hospital numerous times,, she had to change to carpet to hardwood floors,, she can't eat off a paper plate,, all glass, it sends her into a tizzy,,if she does,, everything in her house she had to change,, a very severe reaction to latex,,she gets to the point where she can't breathe,,

she is in the midst of suing the hospital for not making things latex free,, { we have a hic hospital} getting nowhere fast, but she is enduring,,

take care elizabeth,,

Peg

[Abby2006]

Hey there http://img175.**********.us/img175/1226/rose3bhf9.gif

Abby

[agate]

Nice to see you back, elizabeth!:)

But it's really a shame your health problems haven't let up. You've already been through ordeal after ordeal.

[Lady]

Hi Elizabeth,
Nice to see you. Yeah, we all seem to have come in here through the back door. Glad you made it.:)

I am not allergic to latex, but I use very thin cotton gloves under them, made for this purpose. Also it keeps me from sweaty hands.

I get the large size latex that is not too tight. I can buy latex free, but get the latex ones free, so that's a good price.

I think some stores sell wire-free instead of underwires. They have a different support system in them. I think they are new. BTW, How is your son doing?:)
Lady

[Lazarus]

Nice to see you back here.

Sorry about the heart issues. I had to wear that monitor once. Big square bulge under my blouse. Hmmmm. I went to buy a car when I was wearing it. I explained that it was a heart monitor. Maybe that's why the salesman was so considerate! (I got a really good deal)

Wishing you wellness~~

Lazarus

[*Joy*]

Hi Elizabeth

Welcome back home!

Joy

[avalonai2]

Glad you're back elizabeth :D

[elizabeth]

THANK GOODNESS!

I have never been so glad to divest myself of a piece of equipment -- well, except maybe the foley after surgeries??? ;)

I had a lead come loose sometime during the day yesterday and stick itself to the inside of my shirt. Of course, I discovered it at 11:00 last night when trying to get all the stuff straightened out at bedtime -- while trying NOT to strangle myself with my oxygen cannula, too. It was a challenge, mind you! I re-stuck it down, but when I let them know today, there was discussion about having me wear the thing another 24 hours -- and then having to take it back tomorrow.

Did I mention each trip to get it and return it is 130 miles round trip? :eek:

I did have a minor hissy and suggested they take a few moments to actually review that lead's feedback to see if what they had would "do" under the circumstances. It turns out it's OK.

GOOD, since the adhesive for the leads - to which I am also ghastly allergic - took the skin off my chest and stomach when we took the leads off. :rolleyes: I look like a burn victim or something. It's s good thing it's not bathing suit season is all I can say!

I have nuclear medicine to go, and a 30 day monitor (2 leads -- aaaaargh!) after that. I'm going to invest in a roll of very expensive tape that I can tolerate (if I can actually even get it here - guess I better start looking or special order it) in the meantime.

Today I went "commando" to avoid all elastic everywhere and guess what? NO RASH, NO HIVES, NO ITCHING, NO WHEEZING. My doctor said, "Well, guess that tells you the latex is the big culprit for sure, hmmm?!" He's pretty funny -- he actually suggested the "Going commando" in those words and I said, "Huh?" He explained it meant no underwear (which I already knew) -- I just had never expected to hear nor had ever heard it from a physician before! :o He got a good laugh... Me too (at me).

Oh well. Onward and upward, I guess! Thanks all.

[Judy]

Hi Elizabeth and welcome back! That latex allergy really sounds miserable. Have you heard any results from your monitor? I've done that a couple times in the past for Mitral Valve Prolapse. Those contraptions sure aren't the latest, fashion wise!!

Take care.