So as the subject says, I’m back. I left temporarily and stepped down from being a mod because it wasn’t fair to the team to have me as a mod when I was hardly online. I wasn’t online much because doing my job was hard enough and was getting harder all the time. As some of you may recall, I have diabetes. June 29th last year I had a low blood sugar episode and went into a seizure at work. I ended up in the hospital for a few hours and was discharged. However, it wasn’t just my diabetes, in fact it was my neck and back that was causing the most problems. I started seeing a pain specialist in August of last year. Also in August last year, my then fifteen year old daughter moved out to live with my folks a few states away. With the pain in my neck and back, it caused me to burn through my FMLA, and even once that was gone, I was still missing work. My employer bent over backwards for me, being patient in hoping things would get better. It got to the point where I was working less than twenty hours a week. After work, I often would find myself throwing up. They finally let me go on January 2nd of this year. With my neck, it doesn’t quite register as pain. It feels more like tension that goes up my neck and the back of my head and then wraps around to the front. Once that happens, I throw up. The doc has diagnosed this with cervical spinal stenosis (shrinking of the spinal cord). They tried giving me an epidural in my neck, but that exacerbated the issue, and I ended up in the hospital for overwhelming depression. We ended up having to move from our townhome to a studio apartment, and came real close to being homeless. My pain specialist has referred me to a surgeon. They say it’s basically get the operation or eventually I will be paralyzed. My lower back still hurts, but my neck is the dominant factor. Most of the time I just lay down most of the day. I can sit up for a bit, but it is limited as to how long I can be vertical. Sometimes I might be able to do two hours. Other times I might be able to be vertical for six hours. Now, I am filing for disability. Sometimes, my neck and back have bothered me so much that I haven’t been able to get on my computer at all for an entire day or two. Usually when my neck gets that over worked, I spend the next couple of days or so having to rest. The problem is, I don’t really know when I have over worked my neck until it’s to late. So, now we are mostly caught up.
Thank you for the check-in. It’s good to know you’re still around, but I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through such trials. We will be pulling for you. Best wishes.
Thank you for your reply and well wishes. One of the things I have to contend with is CAN. That is; Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy in DiabetesThe prognoses doesn’t look good. My wife and daughter are aware of this. Having to give up my daughter, and right before my birthday, was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I also have psoriatic arthritis. It attacks the various joints and destroys them. I am no longer able to ware my wedding ring. My wife gave up hers because she didn’t think it was fair that she ware hers when I can’t. My pain specialist wonders if the psoriatic arthritis is also attacking my back. The hardest thing is the impact it has had on me emotionally. Knowing that I can’t perform the way I used to. Even the most basic things have become a real challenge for me. I am hoping I can get back into doing things for openSUSE. Like doing some documentation. When I was into Gentoo, I learned a lot. I’d like to apply some of what I have learned to use here. I am also working on writing a book called “Loving D.I.D.”, my experiences with having to care for my wife who has D.I.D. (also known as multiple personality disorder). She has made a huge amount of progress over the seventeen years we’ve been married. When we were first married, she had over one hundred personalities. She now has about 5 or so personalities. It certainly hasn’t been easy. There have been a few times when I wanted to throw in the towel, but then that’s what love is all about. It’s a choice, not a feeling. It’s sacrifice. It’s about loving with out looking for something in return. Anyway, I don’t wish to give it all away, but that’s the thesis I am working from.
Anyway Jon, it is good to here something from you. Even if it is not very positive. Keep up the good spirit and enjoy the forums when you like. And quit for a few days when you don’t. It is only the forums, you personal wellbeing is much more important.
Welcome back.
Thank you for the well wishes.
On Thu, 15 May 2014 04:56:01 +0000, Jonathan R wrote:
> Thank you for the well wishes.
I do hope things start to look up for you, Jonathan - you’ve certainly
been through a lot the last few years.
Jim
–
Jim Henderson
openSUSE Forums Administrator
Forum Use Terms & Conditions at http://tinyurl.com/openSUSE-T-C
Hi, Jonathan_R,
I’m sorry for your troubles, admired of your strength, and rooting (I hope this is the word) for you.
I have a friend who has serious spinal cord trouble, no use going into detail, but I have an idea how heavy a burden it is, both mentally and physically.
My best wishes for the best recovery possible,
Bruno
Jonathan,
I’m sorry to read of your tribulations. I hope things eventually take a turn for the better, and we are sending lots of positive ‘vibrations’ and ‘wishes’ your way.
All the best !
Lee
Thank you guys.
The surgery for the cervical spinal stenosis may go well, but even if it does I still have to contend with neuropathy and the psoriatic arthritis. So basically, what I’m saying is that the surgery may fix that problem, but it’s only a band-aide. Basically, I’m a ticking time bomb. I’m not trying to depress anyone, just stating the facts.
brunomcl, rooting is a word, and it's the right word. I appreciate it.It is a serious condition from the little I’ve read about it, and I completely empathise with the impact it has on your day to day living. Along with any medical treatment you may have to help manage it, have you adjusted your diet in any way? (eg are you taking fish oil or similar?) Just wondering…
I have researched many diets. Diets don’t help me. All of these ailments have one thing in common. They are all the result of an over active immune system. Basically, my immune system is killing me. I know it has to do with the sixth chromosome. Outside of that, not much.