Pain Management Community

I am so glad to hear from you! How are you? I hope all is well? I did have the MRI, that was sent to my pm Dr., and he sent me a call to make an appointment letter. I will call them monday morning to schedual one. So, no date for surgery as yet.

The boys are being good for my brother, and his girlfriends son. I will go and pick them up this morning. I have been out on the road so much, i have hardly seen them in two weeks. I miss them sooooo much. I cant wait to see how happy they are when i get them home, and let them run on my bed? My brother will not allow them that. Only on the couch, he says.

I cant wait to see my little guys! I bet you feel that way, when you have to be away from your PD's? I love them little guys so much! The last time i saw them, they just did'nt seem happy to me? Poor little guys! I'm going to hurry up there, and get them!

Other than missing my boys, i am feeling about the same. My back is hurting more now. That must be from sitting in the escort van for mile after mile? I hate having degenerative bone desease! It makes for some awsome pain.

Well Pat, i had better go and get those boys. Gosh! I never thought i would miss them so much? Take good care of yourself, and write soon. Whats going on with you? Have you seen the Dr. about trying to even out the meds? I will trade you anything for half of your sleep. (LOL)

Dennis Friend of Rats and P-Dogs!

Hey Dennis - Glad you had the MRI, I guess now your Doc wants to talk to you about the results? I hope they get the show on the road for you.

Now about those boys, I'm not surprised that they weren't happy to see you last time. I'm sure it'll be the same again. They feel you abandoned them. My kids did the same thing to me. Just the rats not the PDs. Goes to show you who's smarter.

I'm sorry to hear your not feeling well from all that sitting, I just can't imagine the pain you have. Speaking of pain, mine has eased somewhat because I didn't have to do any kind of work for a week. Nothing, nada, it was great. So I still have my pain, but it just wasn't as bad. However, after a few days back, it's catching up and I don't do much work at all. I hate to say it but i'm not the best house keeper. Oh well...

So that's it for now. Be patient with the kids and don't be surprised if they turn around and give you "the butt". That's what mine did. Just give them a treat and they should come to you soon enough. Be well and I hope you get your appt soon.Pat Fof R and PDs

Hi Pat, the boys are loving me again. (LOL) I went to visit my brother yesterday, as soon as i got there i got the boys out to play. At first they wanted nothing to do with me, but after a minute they come running to me. At first it was Bubba, and then Bobo that climbed on my lap. Then after a minute of looking at me, they both ran right up my front, and got in between my hair and my neck, just like always.

I was so touched, i almost cried. Both of them crawled out to one shoulder or the other, and gave me those sweet little kisses. I love these little guys so much, i have decided to take them with me on my journeys. I hope they can get used to the motion? They seem a little nervous when i brought them home. It was only when we were about home, that they relaxed a little. This van i drive has a good ac, i wonder if it will be ok to take them on trips? What do you think? Will they adjust? I will be able to take them out to play in the back.

I'm sorry the pain is comming back for you! It must have been a wonderful week? Less pain is welcommed any time. If i could trade you for some sleep, i would be a happy camper. Hopefully, after this surgery, i may get some better sleep? I want to ask my Dr. for a back brace, i think that might help?

Well, better close for now. I have to do laundry, and clean the house. I hope your pain doesn't come back too strongly. Rest, and take it easy! I will keep you informed of the appointments. And the boys.

Be well my friend! Until next time. Dennis F of R's & PD's

Hey Dennis - Those animals have a way of getting to you don't they? It's been a few years since I've had any rats, but listening to you speak about the boys, kind of makes me miss having some. However, my hands are filled with the PDs!!

As far as taking them in your van, I'm sure they would do fine, the only thing is they would have to have access to some food and water. So, just some watermelon cut up or other fruit for them and that should be fine.(that's for the water) I would keep some in a small container in a cooler and then give it to them as needed. I'm assuming you would be bringing a small cage, am I right? I mean I would let my rat (1) stay on my shoulder and then go down to my lap but that was about it in the car. I don't think it would be good to just let them go where they please cause they might get hurt. That's just me but then I'm a worry wart.

Sorry you're having such a hard time trying to sleep - I know you're on your pain meds but can't you ask your doc for something to help you sleep? Or how about an OTC sleep med (as long as your doc says ok). There are any number of them. Maybe it's worth a try as long as your doc says ok!

Well, it's time for me to go and do the PDs(as it were). Be well and enjoy those boys! Pat Fof R&PDs

Hi Pat, i saw this other post, and answered it. Then i went farther back today, and found this one. I am glad i did. I hope you are as well as can be? I am about the same. Still going in the van. Escorting the trucks.

My Boss will not allow us to bring our pets along. So, the boys have been staying at my brothers. His fiance's son, who is ten, just loves the boys, and takes good care of them. He takes them out all the time to play.

I just got home from my last forray, and stopped to see the boys. Yep, you guessed it, they did'nt even act like they knew me. But after holding them, and giving them many kisses, they came around. Even standoff Bobo. Bubba is the one that loves me most. I dont know why that is? I treat them both the same, but Bobo has always been that way. Sorta standoffish. Bubba, on the other hand, wants to be close to me. He likes to get under my shirt, and lay on my belly. Or, he will climb up, and poke his head out just below my chin, and wait for his kisses. He is so adorable! He also loves to get up on my shoulder, and stick his nose in my ear. That tickles me, and he knows this, yet he does it all the time. I think he likes playing with me?

Oh, its getting late, and i have many things to do today. Please take good care of yourself, i love hearing from you!!! Write to me as soon as you can. Dennis F of R's and PDs.

Hi Pat, hope you are well. I just got home from a short trip. I had to check and see if you had wrote me? Guess you are busy, i will try again later. I hope you are as well as can be? I am the same as usual. The boys are doing great. I dont think Kameron lets them miss me too much? My brother, who tells me "they're just rats" likes the boys also. Even his girlfriend like them, she takes them out to play all the time too. She was the one who cleaned their cage last time, and wanted to do it. Those guys are being well cared for!

Well, i am sooo tired, i can hardly keep my eyes open. I will close for now, please write soon. How are those PD's doing???

Dennis F of R's and PD's.

Hey Dennis - Glad to hear you and "the boys" are okay. I just signed up into the web site today. I wasn't thrilled with the changes and I'm still not. I don't know why it bothers me so much, I spend very little time here or anywhere for that matter - I just don't like "change".

They're "just rats"? That's what my brothers used to say. Some people just don't get it. At least we know the truth.I'm glad they got out to play - they need to get out of the cage, The PDs are good, my friend got 2 baby PDs - Snickers and Scooter. How cute are those names?

I'm soso, leg and back the same, still waiting for approval for an epidural. I won't hold my breath. How about you, what's going on - do you have a date for surgery yet? Hope your feeling okay. Take care, be well - Pat Fof Rs and PDs

Hi, Pat

The boys and myself are doing fine. I saw them yesterday, now they know me right away. I cant believe how much Bobo has changed? Now he gets jealous when Bubba wants all of my attention. Bobo will force himself between Bubba and me. How cute is that? I love them so much! I wish i could take them with me, but my boss will have none of that.

I am still waiting till the sixth of july to see my PM Dr. After that, i should know more about the surgery? The surgeon already told me he wants to do it. So, now its just a matter of an OK, i guess? I will tell you this, i cant wait! This kind of neck pain, no one should have to endure for long. And these guys keep dragging their feet. You know how the V.A. is. You can have one appointment one day, then wait three months for the next one. Its outragous, but what can one do?

The sixth is comming soon, and i will let you know how it goes. Until then, take good care of yourself, and those PD's. I will try to do the same. I hope that some day, they can get you set just right. So you have no more pain, yet not sleeping all the time. I am to the point, where i think i would rather sleep all the time, than endure this pain? No, i cant do that! This guy took a chance on hiring me, so, i cant let him down. I cant let my family down, either. They are so proud of me for working at all. They all understand the amout of pain i suffer with. I cant let myself down, either, you know?

Well, Pat, please take care, and write as soon as you can. You know how much i like to hear from you!

Dennis F of R's and PD's

Hey Dennis - Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you. I spend very little time on the computer as it is but we had that tropical storm that lasted for days and days and somewhere along the line, when the power went out - so did the computer. Permanently! So my ex had to replace some stuff , I don't pretend to understand it. But now at least it's working again.

So, the next appts July 6th. Well, at least you're going in the right direction. I keep forgetting that you go to the VA also. That being said, I should stop asking you when your surgery will be. I'm sorry you feel so bad, I can only imagine.

Speaking of the VA, I think I mentioned that I will be having shoulder surgery - that will be done at the VA. I saw the PA in Feb and got a shot of Pred, had an MRI, and I don't see the Ortho Surg till Aug!! Not that I'm complaining, I'm grateful for all the care I get there. My back however is taken care of thru Workers Comp. That may actually move slower than the VA, waiting for them to approve an epidural. I've been waiting so long, I swear, I can feel my hair turning grey. What can I do... I just see the doctor, take my meds and WAIT. That's my life.
You Are lucky you're able to work - that you can function enough and that your boss took a chance. You're a lucky man. I was so confused in the Post Office trying to fill out the cards I needed to fill out - I said to the guy "I was a ICU nurse" he said "Oh G_d". How do you think that made me feel? I just don't function like I used to. Oh well...

I'm glad the boys know who their daddy is - nothing like little sweet rattie kisses after a long day ( or 2 )on the road. So that's it from my end - this has taken me so long to write getting up and down because my back hurts. Please let me know how your appt goes and I'll get back to you when I can. Pat F of Rs & PDs

My dear friend Pat

I wish there was something i could do to take away your pain! Unfortunately, there is nothing i can do. If only, huh? I can't pretend to know how badly you hurt. I only think my pain is the worst. Now i know there are others that hurt more than I. When we are in pain, that pain is all we can think about. With all the medication around, you would think there would be no pain. My Dr. is afraid to help me, i think? He tells me i am on a very high dose now. If that is true, then why dont it help? I get some relief, for about an hour, then its like i had nothing for it at all.

I'm going up to my brothers to visit my boys this morn. I cant wait to see them. I miss them all the time. If only my boss would let me take them with me. Just the other day, i thought about Prissy. I still cry a little, i miss her so much! Did i ever tell you how she would groom me? She would climb under my shirt, and lick my side. She was the best little companion i ever had! She was there for me through the good days, and the bad. Every time i had her out, the pain was a distant memory.

I have to cut this short. The mechanic is here to fix the van i drive for work. I will let you know how the DR. visit goes. Please take good care of yourself, Dennis F of R's and PD's

Hey Dennis - It's been a while, I think? Your last msg was sweet but I think you've got me beat in the pain dept although we all have our own problems and deal with them differently. Hopefully you'll get "the word" from the powers that be at the VA, and your major pain will soon be a thing of the past. Fingers crossed.

How long goes by before you get to see "the boys? I know how hard it is too be away from the kids - as it were. As far as Prissy goes, you'll think of her for along time because she was your first. She holds a special place in your heart and always will. I've had sooo many kids rats and PDs that I can't even remember all the names. How sad is that!

Well, I have got to go, my arm is acting up( due to the shoulder impingement). Who knows when that surg will be. Stay as well as you can and let me know about your appt. Fingers crossed again!! Pat Fof R & PDs

Hi again, Friend Pat

I hope you are as pain free as can be, i am the same as always. I just got home from a short trip, (402miles) and saw your message. YOU are the sweet one, for always telling me how my pain is worse!!! I cant know how much you hurt, but you did say you had the nerve damage burn like me. So, i do know a little. I feel so sorry for you, and anyone who has this kind of pain! It is so annoying! It never goes away.

I try to see the boys every time i get home. Sometimes, i can be gone for a week or more, but usually its only a couple of days. Now that i am done for the rest of the week, i will take a shower, and head up to my brothers, and bring my kids home. I cant wait to see them! You never realize how much you miss them, untl you have been away from them. It still amazes me, just how much you can love a little critter. I dont know what it is, but i just adore these little guys. It seems that i cant spend enough time with them? Even when i spend the whole day with them, it does'nt seem enough. Now i know how you feel about the kids you have had through the years. So many you cant remember the names? WOW!!!

The 5th of July is fast approaching. Once i have talked to the Dr., I will be sure to let you know how that goes. Right now, i have to get that shower, so i can go get my boys. I wish you well. Please take good care of yourself. Until next time, Dennis F of R's and PD's

Hi, Pat

Hello again my friend! I saw the P.M Dr. on the 5th. He has referred me to the E.N.T. and hopefully, soon, they will get back to me. I cant wait to get this done! I am already experiencing some pain in my left shoulder and arm. I hope it is'nt nerve damage yet? I dont want to be in pain like that on both sides, i dont! I have'nt felt any burning sensations on the left side yet. I hope they fix my neck before that happens.

The boys are playing on the couch right now. I've had them home with me for the last few days. I had a truck to escort the last day and a half, so Joe helped with them while i was gone. They sure were happy to see me. I just caught Bubba chewing a hole in my couch. I chewed him out, he looked so contrite, they are both so adorable.

Did i tell you i have a lady friend? I dont know if i can call her a girlfriend or not? She is a woman, not a girl. So what is the proper terminology? I have'nt a clue? We have only been out three times so far. Tonight i'm taking her to an Italian restaurant for a belated B-day dinner. Her B-day was yesterday, but i was out working. I bought her a diamond necklace for her B-day present. Its gold, with a half carot diamond cluster, in the shape of a heart. Very pretty, i hope she likes it.

How have you been lately? Has the Dr. regulated your meds to where you can tollerate the pain without sleeping all the time? I hope he has. It seems a never ending hassel to get the meds right. You either get too much, or like me, not enough. I have to wait till i have surgery to switch pain meds. I told the Doc. i did not want to change anything right now. What if i did, then had surgery and did'nt need so much? Or, i have the surgery and need more? So, i told him we will wait and see. I think thats the best stratagy for me, right now, anyway?

Well Pat, my very dear friend, i will close for now. Please let me know how you are doing, and how are those P.D.s? I will write to you again, very soon. Please take good care of yourself, till next time. Dennis F of R's and P.D's