Tomorrow Debbie is having her surgery to have her morphine pump either relocated or removed. Though it's suupposed to be a simple outpatient operation I would greatly appreciate it if you would keep her in your prayers. We found out very recently that she has a heart murmur that seems to be getting worse and ,after being considered a borderline diabetic for years, has now crossed the line and is definitely diabetic. Her cholesterol and tryglycerides are still sky high. So even though I'm maintaining optimism that this should be a simple procedure that I don't need to worry overly much about, I can't help but be a little nervous with the other problems. Thank you all for keeping her in your thoughts tomorrow. I appreciate you guys so much. Luv,Melissa

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

Melissa, waiting is so hard when someone you love is in pain. I hope by now you have some answers from the Dr. on what to do next.

Sending prayers your way. Let us know when you can how things are today.

Love, Vicki

quote:

Originally posted by Melissa M.:

Just trying to keep Debbie comfortable this weekend, and waiting...

And waiting ..... Melissa, I'm so very sorry to hear that Debbie is still in so much pain. Wish I could be there to help you in some way, but all I can do is tell you that I am most definitely keeping you and Deb in my prayers and hoping that things will take a positive turn!

Waiting..... not very good at waiting. I feel for you, My Friend.

Thank you all. I sincerely appreciate the good wishes and the prayers - I have seen the power in prayer before.

We are in a bit of a limbo at the moment. Debbie is in a great deal of pain - more than before - from the compression fractures. It seems she has yet another injury to her back, and she isn't doing well. We tried contacting doctors end of last week, and were ignored. I"m not happy about that. We considered the ER, but it's iffy what they would or wouldn't do for her, and we'd prefer to consult with her doctors first.

Her leg also isn't looking good still, and the infection appears to be climbing higher, though she doesn't have the pain in it that she did in the beginning.

Tomorrow she has an appt. with her internist (who will be hearing about the total lack of response to our phone call ), and we will address all these concerns with him. I'm pretty clueless right now what will happen, and I will let everyone know when I do. I won't be surprised if he puts her back in the hospital, but we'll see.

Just trying to keep Debbie comfortable this weekend, and waiting...

Melissa, just want to let you know that I am praying for Debbie and for you; and I ask my Mom's Church Group to add you both in their daily prayers.

Diana

Melissa ...........

Just sitting here, thinking of you and Deb and hoping your day is going smoothly.

As "another" said, her shoulders aren't too broad, but she offers them anyway. Me, too. We are here for you, honey.

{{{{Melissa and Debbie}}}} Prayers being sent you way. Everything has already been said that I would say so just know we are here for you to vent and have a safe place. We care.

Melissa, what can I say.I am sorry for you both.It cannot be easy for Debbie to realize what is happening .I do believe she is aware of more than she cares to admit.Just remind her that you will never give up on her.That will give her something to cling to through all this.Please try to take care of your self in some way.The road you have traveled has been so full of twists and turns.Kepp us informed

Hello Everyone, and Thank you all. Hugs, prayers and love always appreciated here.

Wish I could say things were better, but they aren't. Debbie seems to have a new injury to her back, and is in more pain than ever. Her leg isn't looking any better, either. Since I know surgery for the back won't be an option because of the leg infection, my remaining choice on how to help her with the pain is to try to get the pain doctor to understand just how bad she is, and hope they help her again and more. If they don't come through, then we may be considering Hospice.

Janie, you wondered if I can be real with Debbie? A couple weeks ago I tried telling Debbie my fears about these problems and all the possible outcomes. She became upset and told me "Dont' you dare give up on me. You're the only reason I"m still fighting. I need you to believe in me". And so I did my level best to be strong for her and give her that. For the moment, you guys are my broad shoulders to cry on when I need support. Debbie needs mine.

Believe me, though, that Debbie and I will talk. With her , it is about picking the right time, the right spot. She has thrown out a few comments that give me insight into where her head is. She is not unaware of how much trouble she's in, she just isn't ready to face that fact totally head-on quite yet. She is hurting too much - inside and out - for me to push her into a conversation she is not ready for yet, but we have had those very serious discussions before, and we will again, I promise.

Thanks for caring, thanks for letting me share, thanks for being here.

Love to all-
Melissa

Melissa, how are things going today???

Be strong and give Deb a hug!

((( Melissa )))

Melissa, wish there was something I could do to help you .You both have been through so much.

Melissa,

I can only imagine how scared you and Debbie must be over the recent turn of events. You are both incredibly strong women. But, we all have a breaking point.

Janie, as usual, has given you very good advice. Share what is in your mind and heart with each other now. While you still can. Rant and rave if that helps. Just be real with each other. I wish I could be there to give each if you a huge hug ((((((((((((Debbie&Melissa))))))))))).

You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Vicki

Melissa I am so sorry Debbie doesn't seem to be responding to the anti bios. Prayers coming your way from here too. And hugs (((Melissa, Debbie)))
Melissa I sure hope things make a positive turn soon for Debbie. Please keep us up to date if you have time and remember you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Janie you sure said alot that many of us would do well to remember.
Gypsy

Melissa, honey, in spite of all that is going on in your and Deb's lives, can I ask you something ...........

..... Are you "allowed" to be weak (read REAL) here? Do you know what I mean? To be scared as hell and even - heaven forbid - cry in front of Debbie? Is she allowing herself to cry or scream or curse the world (whatever works) in front of you? I know, I know ..... you're trying to "be there" for her; she's trying to "be there" for you ..... but

If that is where the two of you are at this very moment in time ........ please stop it and say what you are really feeling. Not that you haven't had "tough moments" in the past, but these can be incredibly bonding moments for the two of you. A legacy that will last forever.... no matter the outcome.

And, if you can't be real with Deb (for reasons known only to you), then would you please for God's sake be real with us so we can help you through this freaking nightmare?

You know we love you. We respect you. We wish all this wasn't happening ...... but, it is. You are our sister, Melissa.

Prayers most definitely coming your way for both you and Deb and, ladies? Group hug?

(((((( MELISSA & DEBBIE ))))))

Love you, ladies ........

Melissa,

You and Debbie most certainly have my prayers. I will not try to offer any words of wisdom, as I know you have probably heard them all by now. Just know that I care.

Gabe

Somewhere on this forum, May posted about Debbie being in the hospital. Unfortunately, the night I saw it I didn't have time to post, and now I can't find it again. I did want to thank her for posting that for us, though, and to thank everyone for their prayers.

Debbie is still on IV antibiotics for the infection in her leg. We saw the doctor a couple days ago, and he was not pleased with how it looked. Not a surprise, since we are also concerned that it isn't looking particularly great either. There is a possibility that she will be rehospitalized when we next see the doctor - in about a week - if it hasnt' improved by then. Amputation is still a possibility as well.

She is also still suffering from compression fractures in her back due to severe osteoporosis which was caused by extended steroid use (for her now year long lung infection). Currently, she is on strong pain meds for this, which keep her from being in total agony but don't completely resolve the pain. We see a neurosurgeon on May 5th to see if surgery may be an option to help with this problem.

Right now I feel like we're in limbo waiting to see which medical issue will prove to be the worst and have to be dealt with surgically. I may sound less than optimistic, but I am doing my best to keep the faith - especially as Debbie is fighting so darn hard. I just know that realistically she is in trouble and there may not be easy answers to any of this.

So, I"d appreciate the prayers to keep on coming and I'm gonna hope that Debbie's amazing strength sees her through these latest challenges.

Hope all my old buddies here are well, and hello to everyone new who has joined. You are in a safe place here.

Take care all-
Melissa

Alright, alright..... here have a few more. Tonight is a new night.

Wait! These are for Debbie.

May the frog have mercy on my soul.
Power to the puppets and peace to all people.

Hello Melissssaaahhhh...Glad your cyberspace hangover was minimal!

Debbie is every bit your match, strong of character and deep of heart. May she continue to win the battle with the bug. And, I hope her doctor can check those sugar highs with the appropriate insulin medication very soon.

May your Christmas be a bright one, filled with the joys and warmth both of you richly deserve. Hard to believe that a new year is already upon us but I hope this one carries unexpected prosperity and good surprises too numerous to mention.

With love... ...Joan Marie

"Dream as though you will live forever. Love as though you will die tomorrow."

Now that things are back to normal here, I"ll quit my virtual drinking and get back to normal too.

Debbie finished her IV antibiotics a few days ago. She does seem much better so I'm hoping they kicked her lung infection to the curb for good.

The new medicine she was put on for the diabetes isn't controlling her blood sugar though. She's been running too high lately - the doctor wanted to give it another week to see if it would begin to work correctly, and if not, she might end up being put on injectable insulin. She sees him on Jan. 2nd so we'll see what happens.

I think she's doing her best to keep "up" for the holidays - I hope she doesn't crash after they're over. I"m trying to appreciate the fact that she seems to be relatively stable and not worry about the unknown future too much - one step at a time.

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

Ahhhhh! TaNKs VeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerRrRRaaaAAA!!!

Uhhh....Niteeeeeeeeee Niteeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"