It's 104℉ Right Now

[yogi]

Momma Russo sounds like my kind of gal. At least she was fair about the price of her products. I know the problem of not being able to reproduce a recipe made by somebody else even if the instructions are very explicit. There are a whole lot of other factors that go into cooking other than the quantity of the ingredients. Most of what mom used to cook is gone forever. I guess I never watched her close enough to learn much.

I know the problem with the lungs and heart. They do work together as do the other vital organs. I'm guessing the heart is doing what it should be doing given the circumstances in your lungs. Knowing that can't make it any easier to experience, I'm sure. I can also appreciate the scary part. My mind goes off the deep end every time I experience a new pain. I know what's coming but somehow that is no consolation. You just got to do the best you can given what you have. More often than not that's enough to get through the current crisis.

[Kellemora]

Agreed on Mom's and their cooking, then MY MOM was sneaky on her best recipes. What she gave to my Sisters did not match what she gave to me for the same things. But between us, we finally figured out what she left off of each of ours by comparing all of the recipes she gave out.

Our electric was out for over 14 hours, they said it would be out for over 24 hours possibly longer, due to a really bad storm that passed through with 80+ mph wind that knocked trees over all around the city.
All I can say is it was good the electric did come back on when it did, because I only had 1 more E tank of oxygen left.
Today I ordered 15 tanks as replacements. I had been stockpiling a couple extra when I could, because of another incident where we not only had power out, but it was also a holiday and they don't deliver O2 tanks.
I do hope they show up early tomorrow with what I ordered today!

By the way. I had a heck of a time getting the Silver Yogi to fire back up again.
Although I have it set to restart after a power outage, it never does.
And today, I spent about 15 minutes trying to get it to start. It kept tripping the ground fault outlets on me.
Since that is the only working computer I have now, I was worried big time. I can't afford to buy another right now.

[yogi]

When my daughters were old enough to be interested in cooking they talked mom into writing down some of her best recipes. Mom was a great cook but terrible at documenting what she did to be that way. A typical recipe would be, Flour, milk, butter, salt, nuts. Mix well. Bake for 20 minutes. That was better than nothing, but not much better.

Big powerful storms seem to be the norm this year. That and excessive heat. The last big one was a week ago similar to what you had yesterday. The power was off and on a few times and I'm certain that if I didn't have the UPS something would have blown out. I used to only use surge protectors and they were good for some things, but the power line flickering due to lightning was more than they could handle in spite of them saying otherwise. I don't know what to tell you about the Silver Yogi. I am surprised it has lasted as long as it has, but then you have a way of keeping old electronics in working condition. I know I would miss being without a computer, but the good news is that this site is reachable via a smartphone. It's nothing you would want to do on a permanent basis, but it is possible to be online via the cell phone network.

[Kellemora]

I've not been able to blow the dust out of any of the computers in a few years now, so I know they are loaded inside, especially the Silver Yogi. I'm surprised it's not overheating.
I am unable to do much of anything. Just standing up from my desk causes my heart rate to soar.

I don't own a Schmartz-Fone, but I couldn't do what I need to do on it anyhow.
I have a super old Dell that only stopped because it is dirty, and needs a battery.
I bought batteries with the intent, but never had enough energy to move a computer to the hallway to blow it out.
And now, I'm not capable of even lifting one.

[yogi]

If I recall correctly the Silver Yogi side panels are held in place by a couple thumb screws. No tools would be required to open it up and I have no doubt Deb would be happy to assist in that small task. It certainly would be a grand idea to blow some fresh air past all those dust covered parts, but something like a 2 inch soft brush would work nearly as well. It might take longer to do it that way, but it might also extend the life of the components.

I realize you do not use a smartphone and I don't expect you to change your habits at this stage. Besides, I was not implying that is the best way to answer even these short posts. However, in a pinch, that is one sure way to leave an abbreviated message. You can get into any of the social networks that way, meaning Farcebook. I don't think you can duplicate your Facebook game playing on a smartphone, but there too you can leave short messages to people who might be interested in knowing your situation. As far as your other computer activities go, a smartphone may not be smart enough. Then again there are things such as Bluetooth keyboards that can be paired to any smartphone and that might increase its flexibility.

I don't want to scare you, but, I recall days when computers did not exist. Somehow I made it through those dark times. There are people even in 2023 who avoid anything technical. It's not your nature to do that, but it IS possible.

[Kellemora]

I've had computers ever since I bought the first Heath/Zenith Octal Entry, and next the Apple I motherboard. They have become an extension of me, hi hi. Can't do without them anymore, I do everything on them.

Well, the doc didn't kill me. I'm still a bit groggy from the anesthesia, they didn't find anything serious, other than a Hiatal hernia I knew I had, and a little acid damage to my lower esophogus, which he has ordered pills for me for. I think they are supposed to coat my insides before I eat, like the ones my regular doc gave me on that visit.

[yogi]

There is an entire science called cybernetics which deals with how computers do indeed extend certain human capabilities. Computers are pretty much modeled on how the human brain works and in that sense you are absolutely correct about them being an extension of your self. Smartphones are targeted at communications, but as I've said many times they are computers in disguise. Basically a smartphone can do anything the Silver Yogi can do and make phone calls too. The processing power and memory may be lacking, but all the right components are in that little handheld communications device.

I'm happy to learn that you were not terminated by your probing doctor. Sounds like you have exactly what I was diagnosed with many years ago. I didn't have to take anything to coat the stomach, fortunately. The Nexium was supposed to cut down the acid and promote healing of the esophagus. It took a few weeks, but it worked as advertised and is still working after many years of usage. I have tried to cut out the Nexium just to see what happens. I get indigestion after 24 hours and it goes downhill from there. I can do without the pills for a couple weeks, but then I'm really hurting from the acid reflux. So, if you have what I have, a simple OTC drug should fix you up.

[Kellemora]

The GI doctor prescribed yet another one of the same group of 40mg pills, the leading letters are different, but the ending is the same as what you and I are both using.
I don't want to waste the script I just bought, and this one cost double of what the last one did.
So I called the pharmacist and asked if they were the same product only with different first letters of the name.
He said the new one, although still 40mg, is a bit stronger in how it is formulated.
Said to use the new one for about a week, then I could alternate, two days on the new, one day on the old, two days on the new, one day on the old until I've used up my older bottle, then just order the newer one after that.

Today, this morning, I had a sharp pain in the left side of my back about 8 inches higher than my waist, it was so bad I could not breathe in very well. I took a couple of Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which helped a little, at least until I could finally breathe. But it still hurts considerably. Don't know if it is pain radiated from the bottom of my left lung, or where the doc's helper may have shoved a knee into my back to hold me down while I was out cold during the procedure, hi hi. In any case, it had me worried for a while, but not so much at this moment. I'm Allergic to Pain, hi hi.

[yogi]

When I was prescribed Nexium it was pretty much state of the art. That was more than twenty years ago. Hopefully by now they came up with something better and that you would benefit from it. As long as you have the opinion of an expert, I think your plan for using up the old medicine is a good one. I never really talked to my doctor about it, but I have a suspicion that I can do something similar with the blood thinners I'm taking. They claim I should take it every day, but there have been times when I had to stay off it for a couple weeks and I am still here to talk about it.

The description of your back pain brings back memories of the time I first experienced kidney stones. My pain was predominantly on the right side, but the kidney is symmetrical. You have one on both sides, and either one or both can give you problems. It doesn't seem like it's coming from the right place if you suspect the pain is a result of the procedure. They don't go that far down. Howev4er, if you ingested some medication that your kidneys find objectionable, that could be an explanation. In my situation Tylenol didn't help one bit. The only cure for me was a trip to the ER and eventually surgery to remove the stone. That was before they developed techniques to blast the stones to pieces with non-invasive sound waves.

[Kellemora]

I can see when a medication doesn't work and they switch you to a different type.
But when they are the same type, same dosage, and only have minor name differences to denote some small difference, like what a base ingredient is, as you pointed out a few posts ago. Considering the cost, why not use up what you have.

I've had kidney pains before, and those pains were up higher and near the spine, not close to the side like this pain is.
I'm thinking it is a pulled muscle more than anything else. But the pain was really sharp for half a day.
I still have the pain today, but it is much milder.
As much soda as I drink, one would think I would have tons of kidney stones. But 75 years and none yet, and I hope still none!

[yogi]

I've come to the conclusion that kidney stones are not the result of what you drink, but the result of how often you drink it. Lots of liquids flushes the kidneys and takes with it any stones that might be building up. Some nurses suggested a diet including cranberry juice would eliminate any stone problems, but I didn't bother to do that after my incident. My stones were of the uric acid type (not calcium based) and a simple medication plus plenty of fluids has kept me stone free for more than forty years now. I am very glad that your pains are subsiding. You don't want to experience kidney stones even when you are healthy. I've been told by people who know, kidney stone pains are worse than child birth.

Some of those extraneous alphabets attached to the medication names have to do with the type of medication. I am taking pills for hypertension and one of them has those extra letters. In that case it has an additional ingredient that works on the pulse rate. I can take two pills instead of the one, but it is more convenient to take the single tablet. Also, some of those alphabets tell the medical folks that it's a timed release formula. I guess some situations warrant that, such as antacids. Other letters tell the doctor if it's a morning med or a night time med, such as a diuretic which would best be taken in the morning so that you don't have to get up all night long to pee. As far as I know, and I probably am wrong, the non-active chemicals put into pills are an industry secret. Or so you would think. Since they are not active ingredients they are not regulated and we can only go by what the manufacturer tells us in those cases.

[Kellemora]

The pain has subsided somewhat, but is still really bad, and it now has moved more to the center of my back.
Debi put some type of gel her doc gave her after her back operation and it has helped me get some sleep.
But it sure wears off fast, hi hi. Overall, it is easing up a bit more as time moves on.

My lung doctors appointment is from 7:15 am Tuesday for tests, with another at 9 am to hear the results from the doc.

My new script is Pantoprazole 40 mg tablets. This one says I can take with or without food. My other one I had to take 1/2 hour before I ate breakfast.
I called the pharmacist to make sure I'm supposed to stop one and take the new one, and not take them both.
He said that is right, and agreed they are basically the same type of pill, so if the doc wants me taking them 1/2 hour before I eat, I should continue following his instructions, not what on the paperwork they send out with a script.

The bad part about this pain in my back is I cannot breathe in deeply, nor sniff or it's like being stabbed in the back.

[yogi]

At one time I came down with Pleurisy. It was as bad, if not worse, as what you describe about those back pains. It hurt simply to breath. The pain did not go away on its own and i had to see a doctor to get x-rays and meds. It was after that episode that I quit smoking pipe tobacco.

I suppose it is good news that your back pain is subsiding at all. Such progress means you should return to normal eventually. It's also good that Deb has something that can help, albeit in a small way. When my wife had radiation treatment for breast cancer they gave her some kind of magic cream to deal with the burns and pains. It worked wonders for a limited amount of time. It's possible you can get something topical from an immediate care clinic.

Pantoprazole, from what I read, is for treating GORD. That's exactly why I'm taking Nexium. I suppose if what I'm doing now stops working then I would be given the same stuff you were prescribed. I'm paying just short of a dollar a pill for the Nexium, which is the OTC version. Hopefully what you are taking isn't more expensive than that. All I can add is that it only took a couple weeks for my esophagus to heal and now I can eat just about anything. I will need the pills forever, however.

[Kellemora]

Pantoprazole, and Omoprazole (sp) are basically the same thing. They say 20 mg Pantoprazole = 40 mg Omoprazole, but the doc has me on 40 mg Pantoprazole now, and to hold off on the Omoprazone until I'm in the ween off stage for them.

Back is much better today, but still hurts quite a bit to move around.

My lung doctor is tomorrow starting at 7 am for tests, then a 9 am consult with the specialist, who I hear is always an hour late, hi hi.

I do have some scarring at the bottom of my esophagus, maybe that's why the high dosage, to clear it up.

[yogi]

The doctor I saw about my GORD problem gave me a prescription for 60mg of Nexium. It could not be purchased without a script. The stuff on the store shelves is only 20mg, and that is what I am taking these days. The higher dosage was necessary at the time to allow the damage in the esophagus to heal, I guess. It was quite a while before I switched to the lower dosage and I did that without consulting the doctor. It started as an experiment to see if the lower dosage would be effective at all. By the time I made that switch the esophagus was healed and I guess that's why I can get away with the lower dosage now.

I hope that all goes well for you at the pulmonologist. It's a necessary evil to deal with those guys, but in the end it is worth knowing what they find out. Some fine tuning of your treatments might be possible.

[Kellemora]

Yogi, I'm afraid I've reached the end of my rope.
The lung doctor did a bunch of tests, gave me yet another script, but also managed to get me an appointment with another specialist tomorrow at 1:45 pm. Now I call that service! Usually it takes months to get an appointment.
He also told me it is time to make sure my affairs or in order. Too many things starting to go wrong all at once with my bodies internals.
I am also doing very poorly!
I'm in pain, and cannot breathe, CO2 is not the problem they say. No lungs left is the problem!

[yogi]

Oh my. I am deeply concerned about your well being, Gary. I suppose we all know what is the inevitable outcome, but I also realize it's nothing any of us look forward to. Over the years I've met and talked to people with various amounts of damage to their body's vital organs and it always amazed me how little we can get by on. I think you in particular have performed miraculously on what little resources you have left. I'll say it once again, your internal strength and determination has been inspirational to me. Realistically, the body has limits and there isn't anything we can do to extend them. Then again I am constantly reminded of my mom being diagnosed terminal. They said she would never get out of the ICU alive. Well, two and a half years later she did pass on. So, I dunno. You may be around longer than anyone expects.

[Kellemora]

I've been at the doctors, and to the lab now, for most of today.
Thank goodness they had O2 tanks for me to use.
Besides the full one I start out with, I always bring two extra.
Only had about 500 pounds left in the last tank to get home on.
Doc is ordering Hospice for me, so I fear the end is near.
Won't hear the results of today's many tests until tomorrow, but they don't look good.

I hope you don't mind if I skip responding to the other messages, I hurt really bad tonight.
I will look at them though!

[yogi]

I consider it my great good fortune to have you post anything at all in these forums. Truly I am grateful for the efforts you put forth under the most stressful circumstances.

It is distressing to know that hospice is now necessary. I don't know how things are done in Tennessee, but the hospice people we dealt with up by Chicago were angels in disguise. They were a major part of the reason mom stayed with us so long after being diagnosed terminal. It is my sincere hope that whatever treatment you receive now will be the most comforting possible.

On a slightly different note, I am now wearing bleeding edge technology based hearing aids. I didn't know what to expect from them, but I never anticipated the experience being as pleasant and comfortable as it turned out to be. My hearing is different, and probably an improvement. For one thing I can now hear the keys clicking on my keyboard. I never heard them "click" before. They used to be very quiet and a pleasure to use. Now they are somewhat annoying. LOL

[Kellemora]

Hospice down here cuts off your meds that help, so we will wait a bit longer.
Still doing the interview though.

Glad your hearing aids are working.

Took me over 4 hours from the time I got up, in order to make up to my office.

I have someone who might help move the computer down to the house, so may be off a day or two.

Read the other posts!