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Sorry I've been a little spotty lately...

Rami

Rami

Administrator
Staff member
Hey guys,

Sorry I've been a little spotty the last few days; I've been dealing with some pretty serious leg issues for the past few days. The tried a pump on my leg for a couple of days, but I forced them to remove it. I'm heading into Boston on Tuesday to see a new vascular surgeon and discuss surgical options. I need to get this under better control. :banghead:

My CFS2 production has dropped off, but I'm still working when I feel up to it. I'm sorry to say this has also affected my work with UncleTgt and Devildog73 on Meridian, but I haven't forgotten about them, either.

A couple of my students joked around that this was an ankle monitoring bracelet!
 
Get well, friend. First take care of your health, then if you feel for it, you can take care for all of us later.:adoration:
Finn
 
I was hoping some progress had been made for you toward this issue.:banghead:
Best of luck on the Boston trip and the doctor. I don't know how you do what you do with teaching, looking after your mom, CFS 2 and 4 (?) kids. :running::dizzy:
 
Andrew,

Take time for yourself, health & well-being really are everything. Anything else can wait.

and if you become frustrated, spend some time playing CFS 2, it can be quite therapeutic...:devilish:
 
Reply...

highpockets said:
I was hoping some progress had been made for you toward this issue.:banghead:
Best of luck on the Boston trip and the doctor. I don't know how you do what you do with teaching, looking after your mom, CFS 2 and 4 (?) kids. :running::dizzy:
Click to expand...

Jim,

The answer to your question is that I am very careful about my daily activity level and listen to my body very carefully. If my legs hurt or are inflamed, I find a way to stay off of them. I prop up my legs, use a cane, and find ways to sit and get my legs in a prone position. My four amazing children and my wife are very understanding, and my dedication to my profession has made me kind of a folk hero to my students and the greater school community for my ability to persevere and stay positive. Everyone in school knows my leg issues, so when I'm working in a lot of pain, I let my students know, and that usually keeps them in line.

On my good days, I exercise religiously. I also watch what I eat, stay hydrated, and eat a lot of fruits and veggies, as well as take amino acid supplements.

I am going through a particularly bad cycle though at the moment, but the silver lining in all of this is at least a bad cycle is happening when I am about to go into Boston and see a vascular specialist. They may be able to help me, they may not, but it's worth a shot.
 
Rami,

Better man than me, my friend. :encouragement: I have been whining around the last 10 days with a pinched nerve in my back barely able to walk--but, I know it will be better soon. My daughter has had R.A. since 8 years old. She is as tough as you. Just pushes through the pain.

We all here I know wish you the best. You are a great example to your family and students.
 
Reply...

Good morning,

I'm heading into Boston at 10am to be seen by one of the top vascular surgeons in the country at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Despite having to deal with traffic, I'm going to drive in so that I don't have to walk as far. I'm feeling optimistic that they can do something to help.
 
Reply...

Hey guys.

I was brutally honest with the surgeon up in Boston, and we discussed the expediency with which I would like to move forward. Right now, I am in near-constant pain, not sleeping well consistently, and have reached a point that the outcome of this evaluation and/or surgery will determine whether I can physically continue to teach full-time, or have to alter my career trajectory, because staying on my feet for several hours a day, five days a week is not physically possible anymore.

If it isn't, then I could write books, do historical research on a professional level, tutor, substitute, teach at college part-time, or follow some other kind of path forward. Also, if there is nothing they can do for my leg because the vein damage is not in a location where it could potentially be corrected or minimized, then I am going to consider amputation, rather than continue to be in this condition. The thought of all of this is overwhelming at times, and I have had some pretty substantial bouts of depression recently, which has sapped my motivation and drive to work on CFS2.

Within the past few days however, I've been feeling a lot better mentally, even though not physically.
 
Rami............

WHOA, Slow down there partner!! Amputation is the remedy of last resort. I would suggest that you contact the Hospital of Special Surgery in NY, maybe even the Cleveland Institute, etc. and arrange a possible consultation. They sometimes work nothing short of miracles there. Even though you have gone to Boston Hospitals consider a broader search for a remedy. There are some techniques used in some hospitals that work that are not used in others because the docs are not familiar with the procedure, are not trained in it, or in general don't like new things. Sounds illogical but even though some think they are gods ( no slight on the profession, just some)and they are not, just human. I, at one time, worked as a medical insurance investigator and some case would make you cringe! I just found that a surgeon who has operated on my shoulders 3 x for old injuries has lost his surgical license!!!! And I LIKED the guy!
So look around before you decide on that last recourse.
 
Reply...

Fibber,

Relax, count to three. We have a long way to go before we even get to that point. But I have to at least consider it as a fuzzy reality. I'm also married, too, and my wife is a nurse. We have not taken this discussion lightly. So I'm not going out to the garage with an ice pack, a bottle of whiskey, and a chain saw anytime soon.
 
Athough writing and historical research sounds like it would be nice work, the rest of this sounds like a real nightmare Andrew. Please keep as positive outlook as possible. You still have options to pursue and your life itself is not at risk leaving your wife and children without you. Don't go for the nuclear option until you have exhausted the research hospital options. Medicine keeps advancing but not all the docs keep pace with new developments. Someone out there may have already figured out how to take care of an issue like yours.

And remember your firends here all are pulling for you.
 
Reply...

Good morning,

I really appreciate the support, everyone. Reading this and some of the messages I've gotten from people in my church have helped to keep me positive during all of this. I promise I will not rush into anything, and I ask a lot of deep, penetrating questions before making any decision.
 
Hello Andrew,


I am sorry to read of your condition. I hope that everything will work out well for you and your's soon.


Gary
 
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