Absolutely Janice, I was like a Raggedy Ann doll. Totally floppy from the waist down, couldn't sit without being propped up, and no matter what position my legs were put in, they flopped. It is painful to look back and see what I was like when TM happened, but good to see how far I've come. I often forget about all that has happened to me, all the strange little occurances as well. I could write a book, but then, I really wouldn't want to write it all down, and surely, I doubt anyone would want to read as much of it as there is.
We've come a long way baby! Hugs to all! Barbara A -----Original Message----- From: Janice <[email protected]> To: Patricia Cooley <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 8:34 pm Subject: Re: [TMIC] leg and foot comfort in bed You reminded me of my old hospital days where I could not turn over without help, or slide up in the bed. When you can look back and see where your body has actually gotten stronger - even with the problems TM has left us - you realize how fortunate we are. I am comparing us to 2 people I know that are dying of cancer. Parts of our lives are the pits, but we know we have our lives to live and in most cases, improvement to look forward to. Jance ----- Original Message ----- From: Patricia Cooley To: 'Janice' ; tmic-list @eskimo.com ; [email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 10:47 AM Subject: RE: [TMIC] leg and foot comfort in bed I, TOO, AM FORTUNATE THAT I DON’T HAVE ANY SKIN SENSITIVITY. I ALSO DON’T HAVE THE PAIN SO MANY OF US HAVE. I DO HAVE A SPASMS IN MY LEFT LEG ONCE IN A WHILE. IN FACT, I CAN CAUSE A SPASM BY TURNING MY LEFT FOOT TO THE LEFT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I CAN FEEL A SPASM. WHEN I GOT TM AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL I WAS UNABLE TO TURN OVER AND HAD TO SLEEP ON MY BACK WHICH WAS ALSO SO UNCOMFORTABLE BEFORE. I FOUND THE HOSPITAL BED PROVIDED SOME RELIEF AS I COULD RAISE THE HEAD OF THE BED SO I WASN’T SO FLAT ON MY BACK. I WAS EVEN NOT ABLE TO LIFT MY LEGS UP IF THEY SLID OFF THE SIDE OF THE BAD AND HAD TO RING FOR A NURSE. I HAVE A STRONG RAILING ON THE SIDE OF MY BED WHICH MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO FINALLY TURN OVER. I HAVE IMPROVED TREMDOUSLY AND AM ABLE TO TURN OVER WITHOUT MUCH ASSISTANCE. ONE OF MY PROBLEMS THIS PAST WINTER WAS I WAS ALWAYS SO COLD??? I SLEPT IN FLANNEL NIGHTGOWNS AND AT LEAST 3-4 BLANKETS. IT WAS THE ONLY PLACE I COULD GET WARM. WITH WARMER TEMPS I AM NOW ABLE TO SWITCH TO SUMMER SLEEPWEAR. AS MUCH AS I FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF AT TIMES, I KNOW HOW VERY LUCKY I AM THAT I DON’T SUFFER MANY OF THE PROBLEMS A LOT OF TM’ERS DO. MY MENTAL OUTLOOK HAS IMPROVED TREMDOUSLY, WHICH I THINK IS BECAUSE=2 0OF ALL THE SUPPORT FROM ALL OF YOU ON THIS WEB SITE. PATTI IN WISCONSIN From: Janice [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 11:34 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [TMIC] leg and foot comfort in bed I am soooo fortunate that I don't have the skin sensitivity that so many of you talk about. If I pull up something really soft, like my gown or robe, I will spasm for a minute, but I don't really have pain, just discomfort and only for a minute. I would think that the cotton knit would be a blessing. I like 100% cotton to sleep in for summer - it helps keep me cool. Janice ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 12:20 AM Subject: Re: [TMIC] leg and foot comfort in bed I am such a happy camper with my cotton knit. Such a miraculous fiber. Isn't it great when we find something that works for us, most of the time???? It's just amazing! It's definately a game of trial and error, that's for sure. Life is so much fun when you have TM. The majority of my sensitivity is in the evening and during the night. There are times when I cannot even stand skin to skin contact. That's why I sleep on my back with my knees bent many nights. Take care everyone! Hugs, Barbara A 0A -----Original Message----- From: Janice <[email protected]> To: [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 8:30 pm Subject: Re: [TMIC] leg and foot comfort in bed I have the sensitivity of cloth rubbing (or barely touching) my legs too. But, I have no problem with sheets and blankets on me at nite. I sleep with a pillow between my knees and that takes care of any problems I guess. I have slept with a summer gown all winter, otherwise I get too hot. Janice ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 12:23 AM Subject: [TMIC] leg and foot comfort in bed I think that this is something that most of us suffer from at some point during our TM lives, skin sensitivity against fabric, and it's the worst when we are trying to get some much needed sleep. I have purchased so many sets of sheets and blankets over my TM years (T 8-10, 6/1/99), and I have had this sensitivity for most of that time. It started as sensitivity and is so often PAIN. I've gone from egyptian cotton, very good quality flannel, jersey (like T-shirt material) and all sorts of thread counts of cotton. In sheets, I think that most of the time, my most comfortable sheet happens to be the jersey. I'm not saying that I can always have my legs against them, because I cannot, I lay on my back many nights with my knees bent so nothing touches my legs. Blankets are much worse, so you need to get the most comfortable sheet you can near your skin. If you have any "old" pajama bottoms, those are also some of the most comfortable, or I wear the short ones. I've bought some microfiber plush pants this year from OldNavy.com and they have been warm on my legs and haven't irritated them. I am very much looking forward to warmer weather when I can wear short pants all the time and not being uncomfortable. Hugs to all, Barbara A in CA Great deals on Dell s most popular laptops Starting at $479 Why pay full price? Check out this month's deals on the new AOL Shopping.
