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Post by htmb on Feb 18, 2022 23:41:19 GMT
Thanks, Questa. I appreciate the offer. It’s something I might normally be able to handle, but doubt I’ll be able to see the area very well. The stitches will be on the back side of my upper calf, just below the back of my knee. I won’t know how many stitches there will be until after the procedure. I had a biopsy a week ago, and now will need more tissue removed to make sure all the malignancy is gone. It was a melanoma, but a stage 0, so that’s the good news. The doctor will give me a suture removal kit after the surgery.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 18, 2022 23:59:48 GMT
A real woman would just pull them out with her teeth.
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Post by questa on Feb 19, 2022 9:55:54 GMT
and spit them at you.
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 19, 2022 10:40:55 GMT
I removed my own stitches after my small surgery for an umbilical hernia. But they told me to do it "if they don't fall out by themselves."
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Post by lugg on Feb 19, 2022 19:32:48 GMT
It was a melanoma, but a stage 0, so that’s the good news. The doctor will give me a suture removal kit after the surgery. That must have been scary Htmb but good news it was Stage 0.
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Post by htmb on Feb 19, 2022 20:57:23 GMT
Thanks, Lugg. I’m still getting used to the idea, but am thankful my dermatologist saw the spot and took a sample. It’s certainly not an area I can see, but I doubt I would have thought it was much of anything.
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Post by questa on Feb 19, 2022 22:16:57 GMT
My dermatologist starts at the area in and around the toes and works up to the scalp. He now has a super digital machine that can read off some conditions so invasive biopsies don't need to be used. He is still very "generous" with the dry ice though.
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Post by htmb on Feb 27, 2022 16:33:18 GMT
I had my surgery a couple of days ago and got my first look at the incision when I changed the dressing yesterday. It’s about four inches wide, running across my calf, and I’m told there are ten stitches. Two dissolvable on the inside, and eight on the surface. I can change the dressing with no problem, but won’t be able get close enough to really see the stitches all that well for removal unless I try some acrobatic maneuvers. I think I’ve got a plan though. I should receive another lab report in a few days, but I’m not expecting any surprises. So far, I’ve had no pain, but have been very good about periodically elevating my leg to help keep the area from swelling.
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Post by htmb on Feb 27, 2022 16:36:51 GMT
My dermatologist starts at the area in and around the toes and works up to the scalp. He now has a super digital machine that can read off some conditions so invasive biopsies don't need to be used. He is still very "generous" with the dry ice though. That machine sounds interesting. I don’t think my dermatologist has one of those. I haven’t had it used on me anyway. Now that I’ve had a go with something serious, I’ll be returning to see the doctor every three months for at least the first year, rather than the normal annual visit.
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Post by questa on Feb 27, 2022 22:10:22 GMT
The tips of my ears are getting "crunchy" and I find myself wanting to pick at them. Not a good sign. Shall phone the clinic today for appt.
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Post by casimira on Feb 28, 2022 16:56:36 GMT
My right foot got stepped on by on very large woman at a parade Friday night, right on the spot where I have a bunion. Hurt so much I was hobbling all day Saturday in between icing it.
One more thing to add to the list of bodily ailments that I have to address at some point. I keep putting it off.
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Post by mickthecactus on Apr 12, 2022 8:22:44 GMT
Been having a problem recently with a sudden blood sugar drop mid morning. Whilst I can correct it, it can leave me knackered for the rest of the day.
I'm trying to pre-empt it by taking 2 spoonfuls of honey early on and I've added fruit juice this morning.
We'll see how it goes but any other advice would be very welcome.
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Post by bjd on Apr 12, 2022 11:13:04 GMT
Went for a walk on Sunday afternoon to the park where a lot of people bring their dogs. As I was looking at a dog, I stepped into a big hole -- probably dug by a dog! -- and fell onto my knees. I have a bruise now, but it doesn't hurt otherwise.
The dog did come over to help me up! It's a big old friendly golden retriever called Moustique, which is the only reason I had been looking at it.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 12, 2022 17:23:46 GMT
I am so glad you two have had recent minor injuries, because I had forgotten this thread -- a very useful thread -- existed. Of course I'm not really glad about your problems! Mick, do you notice the drop because of how you feel, or are you monitoring your blood sugar with a device. I did some googling ~ www.webmd.com/diabetes/hypoglycemia-overview -- and -- www.healthline.com/health/hypoglycemia-without-diabetes#who-can-develop-itThe dog came over to help you, Bjd! That is really sweet. I'm glad you weren't hurt any worse. Stepping into a hole like that can often wrench the back or neck. My most recent injury was getting smacked on the shin because I was hurrying to get the dogs' patio loungers out of the rain. I let one of them drop onto the pavers rather than placing it down. The damned thing bounced, smacking me right on the shin. It broke the skin & caused a bruise.
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Post by mickthecactus on Apr 12, 2022 18:09:41 GMT
I notice the drop because of how I feel.
The sites you sent don’t make for cheery reading...
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 12, 2022 21:23:21 GMT
All of those sites are always worst-case scenario! What I found frustrating was that there wasn't much aimed at just the normally healthy person. They all seemed to be for people who had been diagnosed with diabetes.
The first link does say this, though: If you don’t have diabetes, ask your doctor if you need to adjust what you eat or how much you exercise. Diet changes like these might help: Eat small meals and snacks every few hours. Include a broad variety of foods, including protein, fatty, and high-fiber foods. Don't eat a lot of high-sugar foods. Work with your doctor to figure out anything else that may be causing your symptoms.
If those easy fixes take care of your morning blood sugar drop, you won't have to "work with your doctor".
(I love how all these heath advice sources seem to feel we have a kindly MD who is not only well-versed in diagnosing & treating rare conditions, but is also disposed to sit at length & listen to you sensitively and compassionately.)
Even the second link, which practically screams ohmygodyou'regonnadieeeee recommends a common sense approach: Even if you don’t have diabetes, it’s important to eat regularly to prevent hypoglycemia. Ideally, meals and snacks should contain a balance of carbs, protein, and heart-healthy fats to help support healthy blood sugar levels. You may also want to keep a few healthy snacks on hand in case you start feeling side effects such as hunger, sweating, or shakiness. Fresh fruit, trail mix, and crackers with peanut butter are a few quick and easy snack ideas for low blood sugar levels. If you regularly experience low blood sugar levels, talk with your doctor to see whether underlying factors could play a role.
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Post by questa on Apr 13, 2022 0:09:15 GMT
Work with your Doctor...that is a laugh! My Parkinsons has been making itself more problematic in the last few months. The way this is measured is by having 5 "Buckets", as I call these levels of decline,and into said buckets I toss the various indicators of "Where am I at." I have taken about 12 yrs to get to level 2 but I show bits of 4 and 5 which puzzles me. I am a darn sight more capable than I should be. When I try to raise this issue none of my doctors will tell me where I stand. Yes...I know every Parky walks his/her trail and no 2 alike, just nod and wink to my questions if you are too shy to discuss it.
I don't fall over as much as I did, but I am so s l o w, supposed to use walking stick but it's more problem than it is worth. My speech is deteriorating, husky and low due to vocal chord muscles going soft, ditto easy to choke while eating etc. So I stopped drinking out of bottles (!) and take care eating.
I am on heaps of pills to sustain this, of course, and their side effects are a disease unto themselves, but better than without.I still have severe pain in my spine but that is a souvenir of Nurse training in the early 60s before lifting gear was around. I have BOTOX applied every 3 months to head,neck and shoulder muscles
I hope you will forgive me for hijacking the thread. I have been trying to write my "report" for weeks and couldn't get started until Bixa got me going. I shall C&P to the Parky site if you wish, Bixa
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 13, 2022 2:59:38 GMT
Questa, suit yourself, but ...................... your Parkinson's thread has over 3,300 views, so there are people following it. That is the best reason to keep the information over there, so your unseen audience can access it.
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Post by mickthecactus on Apr 13, 2022 6:29:14 GMT
I do all of those things but I think I’ll contact my GP just to be sure.
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 31, 2022 10:36:36 GMT
I slipped and fell on wet stones yesterday as I wasn’t concentrating. Thought I’d got away with it but ache everywhere today.
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Post by bixaorellana on Dec 31, 2022 16:22:19 GMT
Oh hell, Mick ~ I'm sorry, although glad it's only aches and you don't have a sprain or anything to contend with.
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Post by kerouac2 on Dec 31, 2022 16:30:55 GMT
I'm extremely careful about not falling since the time to recover has become so much longer. My most common aches now come from having made a sudden movement in the wrong direction. I often pay the price for that for two or three days.
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Post by mickthecactus on Dec 31, 2022 18:30:48 GMT
I seem to have dislocated my thumb. It doesn’t hurt but it’s now at a strange angle.
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Post by lugg on Dec 31, 2022 19:16:30 GMT
Crikey Mick - you should probably get it looked at when you feel able . Hope its better soon
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Post by kerouac2 on Dec 31, 2022 19:51:38 GMT
Or else get put on a rack and have everything pulled back into place.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 1, 2023 0:27:25 GMT
Yeah, Mick! Get that fixed asap. You used to play sports, so I know you know better than to let that wonky thumb freeze in place.
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Post by bjd on Jan 1, 2023 8:16:52 GMT
Yes, Mick. You won't be able to grasp your gardening shovel with your thumb sticking out the wrong way.
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