In October of 2004 I moved from Maine to Minnesota and married a Veteran with PAD.  (Pherifrial Arterial Disease.)  Within 2 months of our marriage my husband developed a major blood clot in his aorta causing the amputation of his left leg and hip. We were at the VA Hospital for a total of 91 days.  I went from wife to caregiver in a very short time.  Late March of 2005, Hubby was discharged to home with an open incision and major bedsores, which thankfully we had healed within 2 months.  He managed wonderfully around the house with a walker, rarely leaving our apartment, but with the help of a LOT of humor we managed 3 years of our own brand of normalacy.I had a lot of aches and pains but laid the blame to the Fibromyalgia I was diagnosed with in 1985. 

By the end of 2007, I knew I had a hip problem and was scheduled for my first hip replacement on April 30th.  Previous to my surgery Hubby's health took a bad turn.  My surgery went on as planned, but on May 19th. Hubby passed away.  His PAD had effected all of his arteries, and his aorta developed a leak and by the time the Docs found the problem he was beyond help.  On Sept. 3, I had my second hip replacement.  As a child, I was bow-legged and had one leg longer than the other and seemed to always have "back problems".  Since I have had my "new" hips" I am no longer bow-legged, legs are the same length and have had much fewer back problems.  I like to say I am the poster child for hip replacement.  I worked hard at rehab and can now, unless I am super tired walk normally with just a little residual pain left in my left thigh.  I lost a total of 20 pounds during this process bringing my blood sugar back to normal. Previous to the weight loss I had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

During the 3 years of "normalacy" during our marriage, I had a double cataract surgery and Hubby had one cataract removed. Now I am told I need lazer surgery in BOTH eyes as the capsule holding my implants is darkening in each eye.  (I can see NO difference and have chosen to postpone lazer surgery until I see a difference.) Maybe not the best move on my part but quite frankly, I have had enough invasive procedures for one year!)

I was my mothers caregiver for the last 12 years of her life.  She came to live with me in 1975 after my Father's death, having been diagnosed with cardiac problems, severe diabetes, (and all it's associated ills: neuropathy, legally blind etc.)  In 1984 she was diagnosed with Alzheimers, which progressed swiftly, and she passed away in August of 1987.  Just prior to her passing my Healthcare provider found I had a multinoidal goiter with normal thyroid function, put me on synthroid which caused me to be SEVERLY hyperactive.  When she cut my dosage back from 2 pills to a half a pill, I had a major "crash" which landed me in the hospital for 3 days.  Psychiatric ward.  I refused all meds and signed myself out after 3 days.  I did not seek treatment for anything for the next several years. 

Well: after my husbands death, and the surgeries I was found to have a "goiter" again.  TSH levels remain very low but my T3 and T4 are completely normal!  The ultrasound of my throid shows many nodes, making the scan look like swiss cheese (Doctor's quote").  I still have sleep problems (4-5 hours a night), heat intolerance, thickening skin on the soles of my hot itchy feet, my hair remains thick and shiny, but my eyes are extremely sore.  No signs of protusion as yet.  The new Endroncronologist is playing "Sherlock Holmes", again his quote, so no meds for the thyroid.  Basically:  I feel pretty good.  No real depression, my stamina is not as good as I would like but is getting a lot better.  I go back for another scan and a recheck of my thyroid in July.  Meanwhile I have bought a bike to help me drop another few pounds, I continue to walk the small dog who is my best bud, I take the short walks and my wonderful next door neighbor makes the long walks with him.  Life is interesting, I am staying sctive, mentally and physically.  As Hubby would say:  Life is good.

I do miss my family.  My 5 kids and their kids (17 grands, 5 great grands) are all on the East Coast.  Phone calls and computers allow us to all keep in touch.  But I sure miss the hugs....

August 2009- Diagnosed w/ stage 3-n1 Anal cancer.  Chemo and Radiation to begin Sept 14th