An Update On My Life....
By CatsandDogs
@CatsandDogs (13963)
United States
February 10, 2010 10:06pm CST
Hello my dear friends! It's been a while since I've posted anything but it's because it's been quite busy here but yes, I'm still around. You can't get rid of me that easily!! 
lol
My mom isn't doing good at all. In fact, she's worse. She's numb from her chest down and her hands hurt a lot. Her hands feel like pins and needles all the time but if she gets them warm by sitting on them or putting them in hot water, she feels relief but once they hit the air, the pain comes right back. Her arms feel like dead weight to her to the point that she can't do much of anything anymore. She's short of breath constantly and dizzy all the time. Depressed.... whew! That's an under statement! However her doctor seems to think it's her heart and wants her to have a stress test to see if it is. She has an appointment on the 17th of this month so hopefully soon after, we'll know what's wrong with her.
Hubby and I have been to their place a few times to clean and of course visit. It really brings me down to see her in such a state. Dad told me that she cries every day that not a day goes by that she doesn't and he's about to lose it himself because he can't stand it. I feel so sorry for them both. I wish there was something I could do but what? I sent my niece a text message, she's married to a Marine in California, to call her grandmother more often because it'll lift her spirits and give her more to talk about and to tell her brother too and she said she would.
As for hubby and I, we got new carpet for our house and it's so nice! (Yeah, spending a little on ourselves for a change.... can you believe it?) It's basically tan with a multitude of colors all through it. It won't show dirt anywhere as easily as the old carpet did so no more constantly shampooing it like before! Whooo hoooo!! lol
Other than that, we've been dealing with snow and ice all winter. BLA! 
I hate the cold, snow and ice which is all about winter! Spring can't come soon enough! The darn groundhog saw his shadow which means a long winter for us. Anyway, we lost our power for about 36 hours and thankfully hubby has a generator to hook up some needed things such as a space heater, a light, electric skillet and so on or we'd have been up no mans land without a paddle! And I've been working on my cross stitch project with all the free time that I have..... which is few and far in between these days but still, I try.
Just so you know, I'm ok, I do miss you guys but I've had a lot on my mind and not much to say, really but I do miss you guys!! Please bear with me! Love you!!
lol
My mom isn't doing good at all. In fact, she's worse. She's numb from her chest down and her hands hurt a lot. Her hands feel like pins and needles all the time but if she gets them warm by sitting on them or putting them in hot water, she feels relief but once they hit the air, the pain comes right back. Her arms feel like dead weight to her to the point that she can't do much of anything anymore. She's short of breath constantly and dizzy all the time. Depressed.... whew! That's an under statement! However her doctor seems to think it's her heart and wants her to have a stress test to see if it is. She has an appointment on the 17th of this month so hopefully soon after, we'll know what's wrong with her.
Hubby and I have been to their place a few times to clean and of course visit. It really brings me down to see her in such a state. Dad told me that she cries every day that not a day goes by that she doesn't and he's about to lose it himself because he can't stand it. I feel so sorry for them both. I wish there was something I could do but what? I sent my niece a text message, she's married to a Marine in California, to call her grandmother more often because it'll lift her spirits and give her more to talk about and to tell her brother too and she said she would.
As for hubby and I, we got new carpet for our house and it's so nice! (Yeah, spending a little on ourselves for a change.... can you believe it?) It's basically tan with a multitude of colors all through it. It won't show dirt anywhere as easily as the old carpet did so no more constantly shampooing it like before! Whooo hoooo!! lol
Other than that, we've been dealing with snow and ice all winter. BLA!
I hate the cold, snow and ice which is all about winter! Spring can't come soon enough! The darn groundhog saw his shadow which means a long winter for us. Anyway, we lost our power for about 36 hours and thankfully hubby has a generator to hook up some needed things such as a space heater, a light, electric skillet and so on or we'd have been up no mans land without a paddle! And I've been working on my cross stitch project with all the free time that I have..... which is few and far in between these days but still, I try.
Just so you know, I'm ok, I do miss you guys but I've had a lot on my mind and not much to say, really but I do miss you guys!! Please bear with me! Love you!!7 people like this
11 responses
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
11 Feb 10
I am so sorry Cats, I know you are doing all you can for your parents. It is good that you had the generator in this bad weather. I bet your new rug is pretty.Tell your folks all your friends say "Hi"
4 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Thought I'd let you know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
I told her hi for you and she says hi back and thank you for the prayers!
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Feb 10
Thanks GG, I just wish there was more I could do because seeing mom in such a state doesn't sit well with me. She's really sick and doesn't know why or what's wrong with her. She can't hardly do anything and sometimes it is just that, nothing at all but lay on the couch. She used to be such a go getter type and to be reduced to what she is now is a sad sad sight. I will tell her "Hi" from you!
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
11 Feb 10
I am glad you are ok, but very sad to hear about your mom. There isn't much you can do, but maybe relieve your dad for a while and send him somewhere to chill out. That was a long time to be without power, but glad you were able to make it and had a generator.
3 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Feb 10
We've done that for him once, he called and practically begged us to come over for dinner which would cheer mom up a bit and not cry. She did quite a bit and it was such a relief for dad but then the snow and ice starting up and it's been nonstop since! We did get one day free from that stuff but it's back to the same ole thing that night and the next day.... freezing rain which means icy roads so we had to stay home more than we've wanted to. Hopefully my niece will call more often and help lift her spirits a bit. I can only hope.
How is your son doing? How are YOU doing?
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
11 Feb 10
My son is doing well for now. They are going to take his antibiotics away in April. Me, not so good, having some problems with my other son and it is tearing things around here apart, but we will survive it.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Feb 10
That's really good to hear but I'm sorry to hear your other son is giving you so much trouble. Doesn't it seem like when one havoc is done another takes it's place? Peace seems to be a figment of one's imagination anymore. What's wrong with your other son? Want to talk about it? I'm all ears or eyes in this case. lol
@Polly1 (12644)
• United States
11 Feb 10
Ahhh Cats, I am so sorry. I do hope and pray that the docs can find something to help your mom. I feel so sorry for her and your dad, they have sure been thru the wringer. We sure have been having a winter. It finally stopped snowing here, we have about 12 inches from this storm, we still had snow on the ground from the last storm. I have a 12 year old grandson who went out shoveling snow, he made close to $100 by himself the last two days. I am so proud of him. The other night I had a rough night. Just when I was getting ready to crawl into my warm inviting bed, I discovered one of my bratty cats put a whole in my water bed. I put some patches on the hole, sopped up the water the best I could. Made up a bed in the other room. Since the nightly routine was different the cats decided it was paty time. After awhile things settled down, I finally went to sleep after 3 in the morning. Bright and early before 8 the cats decided again it was party time. You can be proud of me, the cats all survived I didn't kill any of them. Good news the patch held up and I got to sleep in my own bed the next night. Thanks for the update on you and hubby and the family, I have missed you and wondered how you were doing. I don't get to spend much time on mylot neither, been busy myself with life. Did you see the alert about the coming changes. That will be fun learning them all. Its getting late and I am getting sleepy. Take care Cats, we will still be here when you are able to visit.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Feb 10
Yes they sure have been through hell and have made it back part of the way only to fall further. Sometimes I wonder if it'll ever get better but I'm hanging on to my faith. Look at the response above yours, it gives me a huge leap in faith that this is what my mom needs BUT after reading about it, mom probably can't take it because she has severe kidney disease. I'm hoping that with strong monitoring by her doctors, she'll be able to take it. All we can do is hope.
Your grandson is one smart kid! Just be careful because shoveling is bad for the heart and wouldn't want to hear he had a heart attack from all that shoveling. I wonder what he's going to buy with all that money? lol
I had a water bed once and didn't like it. It was too hard to make and worrisome with having a cat at the time. I like a hard mattress for my back. Oh well, to each his own thing, right? lol Maybe if you keep a thick blanket on top of it, your cats can't sink their claws into it? It's worth a try anyway.
Yeah, I saw the alert..... I hope it's as fun as they claim it to be and that we make money easier than before because I'm at a loss at what makes more anymore. Doesn't matter too much anyways because I enjoy being here when I can to see all of you all!! I do miss talking to you all but life has kept me busy. Hopefully it'll lighten it's load soon and mom gets better. HUGS!!
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Thought I'd let you know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
11 Feb 10
BY all these symptoms, I would also think it's her heart. Dad had the numbnes and coldness in his extremities as well from a mild stroke. He takes nuerontin for the ting;ling etc and his arms and hands are doing a lot better. Ecer so often he still gets the tingling and coldness but not like before his stroke etc. Good luck, and love ya as well. Take care.
as always.......
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~
3 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Feb 10
Thank you thank you thank you grandpa Bob!!You're a true life saver!! Thank you so much for relating this information to me!! I hate knowing someone had to go through this to figure out what works but it does help others a great deal! Maybe it'll work for my mom? Gosh, I can't thank you enough!! 
@ElicBxn (64175)
• United States
16 Feb 10
Thanks for the update
I've been behind myself (considering its now the 16th and I'm getting to this!)
my mom's about the same, but the kicker is that some days are good and others aren't
but they've changed things at the place she lives (going to build a new building and they've changed the parking to the PITS) so getting over is harder than ever!
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
16 Feb 10
I say, "Better late than never!" I'm so far behind that I had to delete most of the discussions in my inbox because it's just too darned many for me to even try to catch up. Besides, the future doesn't look to be any different so I know I won't catch up. Oh well.....
My mom's the same too, some days are better than others. Yesterday she had a decent day but the day before, she was really sick. Where are the children suppose to find strength when their mothers are crying? That just eats me up big time.
I'm so far behind that I had to delete most of the discussions in my inbox because it's just too darned many for me to even try to catch up. Besides, the future doesn't look to be any different so I know I won't catch up. Oh well.....
My mom's the same too, some days are better than others. Yesterday she had a decent day but the day before, she was really sick. Where are the children suppose to find strength when their mothers are crying? That just eats me up big time.1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Feb 10
It’s great to hear from you Cats. I haven’t been around much myself but I’m back on deck now. I am sorry to hear your mum is so unwell. I hope the doctors can treat her condition so her quality of life improves and she may not feel so down and out. I am glad you and your husband have done something for yourselves by buying some new carpet, it makes such a difference to get something new, it’s good for the soul every once in a while! It’s summer here so it is a little difficult to relate to feeling cold right now… Take care Cats, best wishes to your mum.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Thought I'd let you know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
13 Feb 10
I'm glad your mum is feeling better. I'm on antidepressants too and it took only a day or two for them to kick in which I was grateful for at the time and now I feel heaps better, hope things keep improving...
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 Feb 10
Hi CAD, nice to read your narrative and interesting write-up. And welcome back to the world of mylot. I have been keeping low myself here and only able to post just now. Looks like we share the same story about our family especially mom. My mother is also suffering from heart problems. The hospital has become her second home as she has been going in and out of the hospital countless times. She will stay in hospital for few days, come home but only to go back again after a few days. She is anemic too and doctors doesn't seem to know why her blood keeps going down. But mom is very stubborn as she will not rest once she feel alright. When she is supposed to rest she spend it going to the casino playing the one arm bandit till her money is fleeced out. We her children can't stop her as she is old and that might only be her only entertainment and doctor doesn't give her the passport to go for vacation as her health is unpredictable.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Thought I'd let you know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
I'm sorry to hear about your mom (too). It's really hard on us kids, isn't it? I hope for the best for you and your mom! Bless you both!!
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Feb 10
hi catsndogs so glad you are back but really sorry about your mom, I do hope that they figure out just what is causing her to feel so bad and hurt so. I can see how hard it is on your dad, and on you too. As far as I can see you are doing about all you can for your poor mom.its only human for us t o want to take away their pain and it makes us feel so helpless when we cannot do it.
Your new carpet sounds really pretty and I am so glad you got it as this will lift up your spirits a bit too.
boy this winter is really being wild in the colder states with so much more snow than usual.I am so glad I am in Ca as I am not a lover of cold and snow. May I send a few prayers your way for you and your hubby and your parents? maybe a lot of other mylotters will join me and our prayer power can be really terrific.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Feb 10
Hi Hatley! I hope to be a bit more active in the future but we'll see how it goes. Life can throw us for a loop sometimes, can't it? 
Look at response #3 it gives me a huge leap in faith that this is what my mom needs BUT after reading about it, mom probably can't take it because she has severe kidney disease. I'm hoping that with strong monitoring by her doctors, she'll be able to take it. All we can do is hope. Thanks so much for your prayers!! The power of prayer is amazing!
Lucky you for being in CA! I'd like to be anywhere but here in this darn nasty weather of snow and ice! It's been the worst winter since 1899 for Washington DC and we're only about 6 hours drive south of there so you can only imagine what it's like here in NC. The record of snow for 1899 was 50 inches and so far they've gotten 65 inches with more to come! Now that's a lot of snow! Like you, I'm not a fan of the cold either. Hubby says we didn't move south enough.....
Look at response #3 it gives me a huge leap in faith that this is what my mom needs BUT after reading about it, mom probably can't take it because she has severe kidney disease. I'm hoping that with strong monitoring by her doctors, she'll be able to take it. All we can do is hope. Thanks so much for your prayers!! The power of prayer is amazing!
Lucky you for being in CA! I'd like to be anywhere but here in this darn nasty weather of snow and ice! It's been the worst winter since 1899 for Washington DC and we're only about 6 hours drive south of there so you can only imagine what it's like here in NC. The record of snow for 1899 was 50 inches and so far they've gotten 65 inches with more to come! Now that's a lot of snow! Like you, I'm not a fan of the cold either. Hubby says we didn't move south enough.....@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Thought I'd let you know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
11 Feb 10
GOOD MORNING CAT, so good to get an update on u & yours. I had been wondering where u were.I'm sorry ur mom is worse.I hope they are going to do the stress test w/meds like they did mine. i knew for sure i cauldn't do it physically & i guess they thought the same thing.I hope they can find her problem & treat it w/meds. cat, i have alot of those symptons to & i use a rub called BIOFREEZE that helps my pain. there is just 2 places that sell it here, one is a chiropractor's offive & the other is a rehab place. here is a 800 # that's on the bottle, maybe they could tell u where there is somone who sells it by u. it is 800-246-3733. it really helps the pain. i have a good friend that has brain cancer & hurts alot. she visited me awhile back & used some of it & we had to go get her a bottle to take home w/her. she is carried away w/it.it sure would hurt your mom & it really might help her pain & that tingling she has. i have tingling om my tight side , have had since the stroke plus degenerative disc disease in my back that gives me alot of pain. i use it every day. wish u would try it for her. might help your back to, seems i remember u saying u have back trouble.i also saw them using it on a friend that was in the nursing home.it'sthe pits to feel bad all the time, i know.
glad u got u some new carpet. about time u 7 hubby did something for yourselves. i know u are enjoying that. it souds pretty.
we have had more snow in feb. than we have had in years. NOT my favorite weather for sure. i'm ready to see buttercups. I don't know how the people in the noth as i call it or dealing w/all they have had. it is terrible in new york & other places. I'm sorry it has been so bad there to. hope things get better for all of u. Take care & stay warm. hugs, jo
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Feb 10
[b]Hi Jo! I've missed you too! I kind of lost interest in life itself and secluded myself from most everybody but I'm working my way back again. Life can hand us a barrel of lemons sometimes, can't it? 
Some have asked how I do it and so on but what they don't know is, I almost lost it a few times, especially the last time when hubby and I got into a huge argument. Even he said I was getting it from all sides which I reminded him of and he backed down so things are much better between us now. He knows I'm only doing what I feel is right because I don't want any regrets in the end because I can't live with guilt. I'm just not made of stone. I have a heart.
Thank you so much for the information on biofreeze rub! I gave the information to mom today and she's going to talk to her doctor about it the next time she sees him. On response #3, being that his father had a mild stroke but with the same symptoms, he gave me a name to the medication that his dad is on and so mom is going to check into that too. However, thought you'd like to know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
Spring can't come soon enough!! LOL HUGS![/b]
Some have asked how I do it and so on but what they don't know is, I almost lost it a few times, especially the last time when hubby and I got into a huge argument. Even he said I was getting it from all sides which I reminded him of and he backed down so things are much better between us now. He knows I'm only doing what I feel is right because I don't want any regrets in the end because I can't live with guilt. I'm just not made of stone. I have a heart.
Thank you so much for the information on biofreeze rub! I gave the information to mom today and she's going to talk to her doctor about it the next time she sees him. On response #3, being that his father had a mild stroke but with the same symptoms, he gave me a name to the medication that his dad is on and so mom is going to check into that too. However, thought you'd like to know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
Spring can't come soon enough!! LOL HUGS![/b]1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Glad u are feeling better.life does hand us lemons sometimes so we just have to make lemonade. U don't have to have a script for the biofreeze. I hope your mom will try it. It sure does take some of the pain away. I just went & got me a new bottle of it thurs. sure don't want to get w/out it.I take pain meds everyday but they don't get rid of the pain. I hate to hurt all the time but i do. Wish your mom would take her meds like she is suppose to. So many people do that & i don't understand why. Glad u & hubby hit a happy medium. I know how much u need that. U are lucky to have him. I hope u have a good weekend & happy valentine's. hugs.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
19 Feb 10
you poor girl. i sure hope your mom has an execelent doctor. it sounds like she may have blockage in the arteries. so hopefully they will check that. ive heard once you get a stint in to help blood flow it makes you feel hundred percent better. is it possible for you all to move in together or take your parents into your home? it would probably help your parents a lot to be with someone that cares for both. 
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
11 Feb 10
Hey Sweetie,
I was thinking about your Mom and wondering if she is on oxygen? When I exert myself by doing anything, I have to stop and put on my oxygen because if I wait too long, I lose the strength in my arms and legs and feel dizzy and tingly to the point of passing out. If I'm not near it, I stop and breathe deeply to get extra oxygen in my blood stream. I helps almost right away. I also become short of breath. My Cardiologist ruled out my heart and my Pulmonologist discovered my enlarged lymph nodes which interferes with my lung functions. Be strong and let me know. Hugssss
Leenie
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Feb 10
Hi Leenie, No she's not on oxygen although I think she and dad both should be but the doctor doesn't agree. Once she has the stress test done, they should know what's wrong with her. I just pray that she's able to with stand the test for it lasts about 3 to 4 hours. Look at response #3, his dad had a stroke and now he's on this medication for the same symptoms so maybe we're on to something? I hope so but don't know yet because mom has severe kidney disease.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Thought I'd let you know that mom is better today. Hubby and I went to see her and dad and she seems to be in better spirits. She finally started taking her antidepressants a few days ago which is helping (so soon) but as soon as she gets to feeling better, she'll stop taking them once again and fight it on her own, but at least she's taking them which will give her a helping boost to get out of this awful rut that she's in.
