Recent Zoner Surgeries
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I'll start. I've been in tremendous pain in my fingers and hands, mostly due to trigger fingers and trigger thumbs. I was able to have trigger releases on my right thumb and middle finger about a month ago and the pain was much less or at least different almost immediately. Still rehabbing but better. I still need releases on 2 more fingers on the right hand and a thumb and finger on the left. I'm doing P.T (actually O.T.) and that's helping. I'm also trying to prevent the need for surgery on the rest of them by doing the P.T. I hope.
Trigger fingers are the result of the tendons getting stuck as they go through sheathes in the hand and then up the fingers. It's common in diabetics (tendon thickening) and people who have diminished estrogen production like women who've gone through menopause or are on estrogen blocking meds. I am all of those.
You can feel nodules at the top of the palm near the fingers where the tendons are getting stuck. Surgery is slicing the sheath, internal sutures, glue on the palm. Simple, but healing takes time.
I also have osteoarthritis in both thumbs and am doing P.T. for those, too. My goal is to be able to use my hands to do the art I've always done but not been able to in the last few years. I'm hopeful.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
I had my knee replaced in
I had my knee replaced in September, still doing PT. It's a huge improvement.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
No surgeries, just stitches
No surgeries, just stitches in the hand... fortunately no tendons were cut, but there's still certain things I can't do. Good luck w/ your hands / fingers / thumbs Judit!!! (likewise your knees Paul)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Wow Judit, that sucks. My
Wow Judit, that sucks. My thumb and forefinger in my left hand locked up some yrs ago. Got a cortisone shot and it worked.Wonder if that could be related to what's bothering you. Anyway I hope PT does the trick on all counts.
Hope you are back to normal soon, Woz.
You too Noodler.
I will be back tomorrow to tell my story. It was serious as a ........
Goodnight.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GoneGoodbye
I was given my life back abet
I was given my life back abet not recently, had left then right hips replaced 11 and 10 years ago respectively. Hiking is my main form of mental health maintenance and I would have been mostly unable to participate for the last 10 years had it not been for a gifted surgeon. Recovery was tough and involved an ortho day program the first week after discharge and subsequent opioid addiction and withdrawal but all is good now.
Right shoulder surgery after a fall that ripped 3 tendons and a complete bicep rip that left the muscle in a pool at my elbow OUCH!!!
Left elbow staph infection that required the removal of the meniscus to pack in antibiotics. If that would have spread to the hips I would have been fucked for a year being as the only option is to remove the fake hips then be infection free for 6 months before replacing them again.
And after it all?
I feel like a lucky person, I can hike, fuck, and I celebrate every day that I can walk to the train to get to work.
I am glad that as we fall apart we are able to prop up and go on. I don't want to think of the alternative.
Love and healing to all.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Tim
March I was walking all 3 of
March I was walking all 3 of our dogs in the park and Jack Hole with his dog off the leash comes around the corner. BAM dogs run, twist and I'm now on the sidewalk and landed on my left shoulder,
Jack Hole steps OVER me and says "My Bad"........looking back I should have kicked him in the balls.
Torn rotator cuff MRI shows. Hurt 4 to 6 times a day if I just used the left shoulder wrong I had pain for 10 seconds so bad I couln.t even curse. 12 scale pain shit, July 30th rolls around and I am set for my surgery and have my mind ready for no arm movement for 6-8 weeks so it to can heal to it's anchor.
After surgery the doctor wakes me and tells me it is NOT the rotator cuff, but a bone spur that was blurring the MRI and where it was to be torn the spur was actually piercing mny tendon, That's were the pain was. The Doctor told me he thought i was being wimpy with my pain tolerance, but after seeing what was up he assured me that had to hurt. No shit Doc.
2 moths of PT, all my scar tissue has been broken and each day it is better. I paddled out 2 weeks ago. First time in over a year. Left shoulder is at about 90%. Even with no surf I go out and paddled session and this so far has been the best PT yet.
It's a drag getting old/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
No recent surgeries and as of
No recent surgeries and as of Christmas week I finally managed to put lyme in the rearview. From March of last year till the end of Dec feeling like I'm dying,, losing weight, night sweats, aches, zero energy, figuring I'm done for, fuckin horrible. Then finally after my 3rd round of month long antibiotics I have no more lyme symptoms. Regaining strength a little more every day. It's a fucking Christmas miracle I tell ya. Not feeling your best is the worst.
Heal up quick zoners, you've had a good run, but yer not done yet.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Lots of luck and good wishes
Lots of luck and good wishes for health to ALL y'all. Wow, the stories.
Judit, I was gonna e-mail you and ask why you've been so quiet 'round here. Now I know.
Today is the one year anniversary of my heart stents. Two 90% blockages. They got me out of surgery in time to watch the college championship game. Figured I was in good hands with a surgeon "anointed" here in Utah. His name was Brigham Smith (Brigham Young/Joseph Smith). LOL
But I'm gonna blow off my follow up appt to my heart doc on the 20th and make an appt with the governor, who knows more than all the docs as he defies the mask mandate in the county.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 19.5 Degrees
Hope you're on a path to
Hope you're on a path to healing with that Judit! (and everyone else)
I've had small bouts of trigger finger with repetitive strenuous activities, but luckily it's gone away on its own.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
Heal fast ,zoners!!!
Heal fast ,zoners!!!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Ok, well I started the year
Ok, well I started the year off with a bang. Woke up Sunday 1/2 in the morning with chest pains and belching(I have had this going on for awhile. Pain then belch and the pain goes away. Stomach gas, right? That's what I thought.) But this time the pain was not going away and there was an accompanying weakness and ache in my left shoulder and arm. Could not go back to sleep, so I got up and set in my recliner, where I was able to nap a bit. Then I felt fine, so I went about the day and thinking I should go in and get checked out. Finally did that night. They told me I had had a minor heart attack and wanted to admit me right then and transport me to Santa Rosa for the angiogram. But, living alone with my dog(dog eats a raw diet and I have to build her meals in advance), I had to go home and deal with stuff. Made me sign an "against medical advice" form before they let me leave. They acted pissed at me like I insulted them or something. So, the next morning I made an appt for the cardiogram for Thursday morning at 11. Needed to be there by 9AM. Got someone to feed and hang out a bit with Nellie, My Nurse Cousin was coming from Sacramento to take me to Santa Rosa and everything seemed set. Then Wednesday afternoon had dizziness and passed out on my bedroom floor. Called my cousin and she called 911. Between the emts and my cousin, they talked me into going to ER in Lakeport again. My first ever ride in an ambulance. Waited all night in Lakeport for transportation to Santa Rosa for my 9AM appt. They did not show up until after 9, but by then Santa Rosa was notified and would wait. My second ever ambulance ride. We got to Santa Rosa a few minutes before 11. I was instantly prepped and off to surgery. There was severe blockage of my LAD artery. The one that supplies the left side of my heart. It took 3 stents in that one damn artery. Was in surgery over 2 hrs. 24 hrs later I was released with some new meds. Doc said normal life no restrictions just don't over exert. I have an appt with my new local(Lakeport) Cardiologist on Monday( she told me that when she read I had to go home and take care of my dog, she thought,"That's my kinda guy". I am looking forward to meeting her.) And a follow up with the Surgeon on the following Monday.
Feeling better everyday. Walked my dog the last 2 days and will today. Am adjusting my nutrition. Been pretty confident the last few yrs that I was eating so healthy. Mostly organic/ non GMO, grass fed and or pasture raised. For limiting toxins and therefore cancer risks, I was doing pretty well. But I love butter. Organic and pasture raised but full of fat. I have also been using uncured bacon a lot for flavoring in foods I prepare. Not any more. And my favorite food group is cheese. I have 7 different forms of cheese in my fridge right now. So will be cutting way down there too. And I have cut out the daily caffeine drinks. Hopefully I will find so much new energy I will not need them. So far so good.
Was a tough week, lots of worrying and wondering. Wrote out a short will that I figured friends and family would honor. Now I have time to whip that into shape.
Hating some of the meds I am now on, but those battles can wait a bit. Right now, I am way better off than I was 10 days ago. Feeling lucky.
One big shout out to the folks at Sutter Santa Rosa Outpatient Care Unit. They were amazing my whole 24 hrs there. Most exceptional. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. That helped a lot.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
I think it all started when
I think it all started when my buddy Hall ragged on me here a couple weeks ago. I blame him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Denny
No surgeries 2021, but 2022
No surgeries 2021, but 2022 is not looking good. My back has finally shit the bed, both feet are numb, one worse than the other. Walking and standing still are an adventure.
PT and spinal injection last week hasn't seemed to change the prognosis, which is spinal stenosis. My dad was bent over the last 10 years of his life with stenosis, but it
started in his 70's. I'm a good 10 years younger than that, I might have to bite the bullet and get it fixed. No golf or shows this summer.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
Damn Mark. That sounds scary.
Damn Mark. That sounds scary. Glad you are doing well. Hang tough. I share your appreciation for butter and cheese.....sigh......
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Mayor
Happy New Year and may
Happy New Year and may Everyone be healthy and Happy in 2022. 2021 was a very bad year for myself. In April, I had a small TIA and a small heart attack, was taken to the hospital and they ran test's kept me over night and decided I had no damage from the stroke and prescribed some heart meds and sent me home. I have had a history of Afib the last few years but really did not bother me. I cut my partying way down and almost completely quit drinking. A few weeks later, I had to see another Dr. and she ran a test saying I was in Afib. I told her I knew, and could tell when I was and had been in it for awhile, She changed my meds and sent me on my way. New meds as always take a little bit to work and get used to them. the day after Memorial day weekend ( And i was not parting at all) I went to work and had to leave I wasn't right. Got home took my BP and it was 185/ 130, I called a different DR that i was trying to get into see cause we didn't like the others I had seen. and they said I needed an appointment, referral ect. I then told them what was going on and they said get to the hospital NOW!!! I went to where their DR's work out of because I was told they would see me.. I got there and they called code Grey and took me in immediately. IV's shots and Cat Scan, MRI, EKG' and a Echo Cardio Gram all with in an hour or so. The surgeon came in to talk to me and asked, How long have you felt like this? I said awhile week or better, I guess im just used to feeling like this. Do you go to work? Yes everyday 5-7 days a week and 3 jobs sometimes. He then tells me my heart is working at 8%, im in Afib, have a blockage and "The widow maker" on top of that, You have a blood clot the size of a golf ball in the lower part of the heart and its barley working... I'm Like WTF!!!! Dr says Your goin in for surgery ASAP. if you did not come here today or tomorrow you would have died. My wife was just besides herself and I was scared as shit. I had surgery, luckily just stents and some angioplasty, They couldn't do a lot because of the blood clot and not to disturb it. It took 2 days for my heart rate and BP to come down because my body had conditioned it self to work so hard. I'm someone to just lay around ect. So now months later, I feel so much better and gain strength. Still am on the warfarin and other blood thinner and heart drugs, Cant wait to get off them, as I always cut myself at work or on projects and bleed like a stuck pig and do not heal as fast. It sure makes you take a look at life and how fragile it really is. Those who know me , Know, I am no saint by any means and have lived a good Hard Hard life, always saying That will never happen to me. After seeing the fear and hurt in my wife's face,It made me take and long hard look at my and what is still ahead. Ive been to some shows Mule, Warren and of course The Q Opening night and the last night of Phil, where i got to see and hang with many zoners and it felt awesome to know I'm still alive and know how many folks care about me...... Live Life!!! Ya never know what it will bring, BUT SLOW THE ROLL DOWN..... Love ya all COYOTTE~
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Very humbling thread. Warm
Very humbling thread. Warm thoughts and healing energy to all.....
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Denny
Coyotte do you have sleep
Coyotte do you have sleep apnea? I had a friend almost die on me golfing from an afib attack that he found out was directly related to his sleep apnea.
They had to shock him twice while he was awake to get his heart rhythm normal. He said that is a real heavy buzz.
He has a pace maker and a cpap machine and lives pretty normal now. Good luck
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Sound of Steam and Caffeine
Glad you all are still with
Glad you all are still with us
Some pretty intense stories!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Mayor
No sleep apnea, I sleep
No sleep apnea, I sleep better now. Of course getting older sucks and your sleep is often not what it used to be, I'm a light sleeper. Im still waiting to see if they are going to shock me, The blood clot is gone, so now they can look into Options, Thanks for asking...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
My god, it sounds like the
My god, it sounds like the locker room at the JCC gym in here. Bunch of cyborgs. You're bummin me out wih all this harsh reality of life stuff. But really happy you are all still here to tell your story.
I can't hardly wait for the "it'll be10 days sir for your biopsy results...and maybe we'll call you and maybe we'll email you--I don't really know" thread.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Our stories are so telling
Our stories are so telling about the ways our bodies are aging. (Except Alan's, where ages 6-14 are playing the game.)
Thanks to those who posted their best wishes to me and others. I certainly wish you all well and hope you fully regain your physical function. Some of you guys have been through some big stuff. Congrats on living to post again.
Mark, I've had steroid injections in a few trigger fingers/thumb, as well as for the arthritis in one of my thumbs. I didn't think I would ever go for that, but I did. Unfortunately they only work for about 30% of diabetics in the case of the trigger fingers. I did have some months-long successes.
I had totally successful trigger release surgery on one finger a few years ago and asked the surgeon to show me the tendons when he had incised the sheath. They looked like a cross of overcooked pasta, like macaroni, and an unsegmented worm. There are 2 tendons in the fingers and 1 in the thumb and the thumbs heal much more quickly. I told him I didn't need to see them this time.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: long live the dead
Love to all
Love to all
respect your bodies
Except maybe for hall respect your temple
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MeditateontheQ
Wow I just caught up on this
EEK, LOL ^^^^
Wow I just caught up on this thread.... sending everyone good healing energy and comfort.
"Live to post again" .... love that, Judit.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
I had a near fatal case of
I had a near fatal case of Sciatica last month. Wheelchair at the hospital event. Still getting over it. I hear and feel your pain everyone. Heal up and carry on!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
Doctor, please, some more of these
Outside the door, I took four more
What a drag it is getting old
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
Sorry to hear about everybody
Sorry to hear about everybody's hardships. Pain sucks and we've had more than our share of surgery in the past but right now (knock on wood) things are pretty good. I wish you all the best.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
Alright now I say again.
Alright now I say again. Please heal quick.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
<< Sciatica
<< Sciatica
Ouch
Keep your weight down - Ergonomic movements - Walk as much as you can / Hike if possible + Chiropractic adjustments
That's all I got for ya
Actually that works for whatever's ailin ya
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Update: So I woke up Wed
Update: So I woke up Wed feeling as good as I have in a while. Walked the dog, worked in the yard and around the house. Around 5PM I started belching again with upper chest pain. Belching stopped but pain just kept getting worse. I had fever 101 and chills for less than an hour, but it hurt like hell to breathe. I thought covid? Luckily had a test, but it was negative. So, back to the heart. But it felt like my lungs not my heart. But still to be cautious, called 911, and they said we need to transfer you to ER to be monitored. So, the third ride of my life in an ambulance. Chest Xray OK, Even a cat did not turn up anything(I don't think they were looking for the right thing). EKG looked good. But my troponin (heart enzyme) level was elevated again, so they tried to get me transported to any hospital in California with an open bed and there were none. Thank you nonvaxxers. I laid on a gurney in an overworked ER in Lakeport for 22 hrs. before a bed opened up at Santa Rosa, and they scheduled me for another Angiogram for today. 4th Ambulance ride of my life last night. All 4 within 8 days. So, thankfully Dr Xu figured out what might be wrong. Said not uncommon to get some inflammation in the pericardium( the sac surrounding the heart to protect it) after a heart procedure. So he gave me an anti-inflammatory and ordered a Echocardiogram (Ultrasond) for today to check out the stents etc. Canceled the angiogram(Yay!) and sent me home this afternoon with yet another med. But all seems good tonight. Hoping this all settles out soon. Need to start getting back off these meds. On a positive note. Had a nice stay last night at the Santa Rosa Hilton ( my name for Sutter Santa Rosa Hospital) Both my stays there were as easy and pleasant as they could have been. Staff, private room w/ head, everything was top notch. Thanks folks.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Sound of Steam and Caffeine
So glad you are okay, Mark!
So glad you are okay, Mark! Hope you can avoid any more ambulance rides.
Take care
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
I agree with what Zooey said
I agree with what Zooey said ^.
So glad you're learning about what to look for, what's happening, and maybe someday, how to stay out of ambulances. Please, take care.
Love.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Oh yeah, I saw my oncologist
Oh yeah, I saw my oncologist today and he agreed with me that it's very unlikely that I'll have a return of the cancer I had surgery (thread tie-in) for a little over a year ago.
Be good to your selves, everyone.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Holy shit Mark, I'm amazed
Holy shit Mark, I'm amazed and inspired by your attitude. Keep healing. Yes there sure are some good folks working at that hospital.
Judit, so glad to hear some good news from you, too. That's fantastic. Maybe you'll be inspired to do some of that beautiful artwork!
Keep on Truckin everyone. And remember, laughter is the best medicine. And good weed.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
The right Dr is key. You'll
Good news, the right Dr is key. You'll be back on your game before you know it Mark.
Some'a them ambulance rides can be a hell of a lot of fun.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Seems like a few personas
Seems like a few personas were surgically removed from VLZ.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Thanks for your thoughts
Thanks for your thoughts folks.
Great news Judit. Keep on keep'n on.