OT Carmen

Hi,

Marsha said:

How are you? How's the better half? Just wondering. You
know, curious brunettes and such : )

All things considered things are going very well. Howard's just
gotten out of the hospital today having completed the 5th of his 6
chemo treatments. His white cell counts have been that of a normal
person throughout thanks to the miracle that is Neulasta. That's
given him a damn good ability to resist infections through it all.
Except for a few bouts of thrush it's been clear. His red blood cells
aren't doing so well, despite a drug called Aranesp that usually does
quite well. The vagaries of human genetic response. :-) He's had
several blood transfusions (including a couple of units today after
chemo was done) thus far. It's wonderful to see him get a treatment
that makes him feel *better* for once. <G>

The myoelectric hand has gone through the "check socket" phase
flawlessly. That's where they make a temporary socket they can adjust
before having the final socket fabricated. The hand was sent out for
that final step and we got the call while Howard was in the hospital
that the myoelectric is back from the shop. W00T! They also got the
passive hand in. That one isn't powered, but it can be used for
support, or typing because the fingers can be moved into position.
The coolest thing about the prosthetic hands is you can get
*attachments* for them. <G> They disconnect at the wrist for
changing.
Here's a link to stuff on the hand Howard got, the Otto Bock
SensorHand Speed:
http://www.armdynamics.com/whatsnew.htm

The hand itself ends up looking like this:
http://www.gesundheitsbedarf-online.de/info_download/pdf/646D44_d.pdf

Then a "cosmetic glove" that matches the person's skin tone is put
over the hand. Picture #3 is a picture of a gloved hand.

I'm excited that we're so close to the end of the medical phase of
everything and looking forward to the fall and camping. :-)
"Normal" is in sight. Yeah! <G>

Thanks for asking about Howard and I Marsha.

Take care,
Carmen

Carmen said:

Hi,

Marsha said:

How are you? How's the better half? Just wondering. You
know, curious brunettes and such : )

All things considered things are going very well. Howard's just
gotten out of the hospital today having completed the 5th of his 6
chemo treatments. His white cell counts have been that of a normal
person throughout thanks to the miracle that is Neulasta. That's
given him a damn good ability to resist infections through it all.
Except for a few bouts of thrush it's been clear. His red blood cells
aren't doing so well, despite a drug called Aranesp that usually does
quite well. The vagaries of human genetic response. :-) He's had
several blood transfusions (including a couple of units today after
chemo was done) thus far. It's wonderful to see him get a treatment
that makes him feel *better* for once. <G>

The myoelectric hand has gone through the "check socket" phase
flawlessly. That's where they make a temporary socket they can adjust
before having the final socket fabricated. The hand was sent out for
that final step and we got the call while Howard was in the hospital
that the myoelectric is back from the shop. W00T! They also got the
passive hand in. That one isn't powered, but it can be used for
support, or typing because the fingers can be moved into position.
The coolest thing about the prosthetic hands is you can get
*attachments* for them. <G> They disconnect at the wrist for
changing.

Attachments? I'd get the blender, the ice crusher, the knife sharpener
and the blowtorch. That way, you have the whole kitchen with you all
the time. Skillet and a spatula in a [censored] pack and you're good to go.
Out geocaching and get hungry? No prob.

I think it's very sensible.

Quoted message said:

Here's a link to stuff on the hand Howard got, the Otto Bock
SensorHand Speed:
http://www.armdynamics.com/whatsnew.htm

I see that the hand is good to -4°F. He could stir ice cream while it
freezes. Very useful feature.

Quoted message said:

The hand itself ends up looking like this:
http://www.gesundheitsbedarf-online.de/info_download/pdf/646D44_d.pdf

Maybe a small, manly tattoo to complete the ensemble...

Quoted message said:

Then a "cosmetic glove" that matches the person's skin tone is put
over the hand. Picture #3 is a picture of a gloved hand.

I'm excited that we're so close to the end of the medical phase of
everything and looking forward to the fall and camping. :-)
"Normal" is in sight. Yeah! <G>

You've been splendid through this. I want to be just like you when I
grow up. Your inherent strength has shown through even when it was
apparent you were so deeply stressed. You two are most impressive,
both for your accomplishments and for the fullness and doggedness of
your determination.

You, um, go girl... (Can men say that nowadays...?)

Pastorio

Carmen wrote:
|
<snip>

| The coolest thing about the prosthetic hands is you can get
| *attachments* for them. <G> They disconnect at the wrist for
| changing.
|
| Carmen

*Picturing Howard as Edward Scissorhands, trimming the shrubs in the back
yard*

Heh. (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Seriously, I'm glad to hear that he's doing relatively well. Best of luck
to him witht he prosthectic.

--
Peter
270/215/180
Before/Current Pix:
http://users.thelink.net/marengo/weightlosspix/weightlosspix.html

Bob (this one) wrote:

<snip>
|
| You, um, go girl... (Can men say that nowadays...?)
|
| Pastorio

Well, it'll be a bit more p.c. if Kerry/Edwards get elected; I think
Ashcroft is prosecuting men for using that expression under the Homeland
Security bill. <g> You might be suspected of being one of them thar
home-uh-sexshul subversives!

(OK, ok, no need for the flaming to start, it's a goodnatured joke! )
--
Peter
270/215/180
Before/Current Pix:
http://users.thelink.net/marengo/weightlosspix/weightlosspix.html

Bob (this one) generously shared with us this little ditty:

Quoted message said:

You've been splendid through this. I want to be just like you when I
grow up. Your inherent strength has shown through even when it was
apparent you were so deeply stressed. You two are most impressive,
both for your accomplishments and for the fullness and doggedness of
your determination.

You, um, go girl... (Can men say that nowadays...?)

I don't see why not. And I agree with you 100 percent. Carmen, you're
amazing.

--
revek
You are in a maze of twisty little messages, all alike.

Good morning,

Bob (this one) said:

Quoted message said:

The coolest thing about the prosthetic hands is you can get
*attachments* for them. <G> They disconnect at the wrist for
changing.

Attachments? I'd get the blender, the ice crusher, the knife
sharpener and the blowtorch. That way, you have the whole kitchen
with you all
the time. Skillet and a spatula in a [censored] pack and you're good to
go. Out geocaching and get hungry? No prob.

I think it's very sensible.

You'd be surprised at what's available. This is a link to a company
that makes devices for the nonpowered prosthetic hand Howard got
yesterday (it rocks, BTW):
http://www.n-abler.org/index.php
Go to Accessories, Kitchen Utensils. <G> The knife sharpener is
under Cutlery. The other accessories are cool too.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm excited that we're so close to the end of the medical phase of
everything and looking forward to the fall and camping. :-)
"Normal" is in sight. Yeah! <G>

You've been splendid through this. I want to be just like you when I
grow up. Your inherent strength has shown through even when it was
apparent you were so deeply stressed. You two are most impressive,
both for your accomplishments and for the fullness and doggedness of
your determination.

I'm always a bit embarassed when people say stuff like this. Mostly I
just don't see anything particularly noteworthy here. If there was
any choice to behave a certain way under these circumstances it wasn't
made at a conscious level. I'm being me (Heaven help the world at
large <G>😉, and "me" is a tad bit stubborn at times. (No, really.)
Howard is worth every last bit of trouble that comes with him. If
someone had told me 17 years ago (next month) that all this was
waiting for us down the line, I'd gladly sign up for the tour anyway.
:-)

Thank you for the compliment.

Take care,
Carmen

Good morning,

marengo said:

Carmen wrote:
| The coolest thing about the prosthetic hands is you can get
| *attachments* for them. <G> They disconnect at the wrist for
| changing.

*Picturing Howard as Edward Scissorhands, trimming the shrubs in the
back yard*

Heh. (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

I'll give you the same link I gave Bob:
http://www.n-abler.org/index.php
Note the pruning saw under Gardening. <G>
Not having two meat hands is *not* going to get somebody out of
chores. ;-)

Quoted message said:

Seriously, I'm glad to hear that he's doing relatively well. Best
of luck to him witht he prosthectic.

Thank you Peter. The support truly helps.

Take care,
Carmen

Good morning,

revek said:

Bob (this one) generously shared with us this little ditty:

Quoted message said:

You've been splendid through this. I want to be just like you when
I grow up. Your inherent strength has shown through even when it
was
apparent you were so deeply stressed. You two are most impressive,
both for your accomplishments and for the fullness and doggedness
of your determination.

You, um, go girl... (Can men say that nowadays...?)

I don't see why not. And I agree with you 100 percent. Carmen,
you're amazing.

Thank you. :-) The man's worth the trouble.

Take care,
Carmen

Carmen said:

Good morning,

Quoted message said:

You've been splendid through this. I want to be just like
you when I
grow up. Your inherent strength has shown through even
when it was
apparent you were so deeply stressed. You two are most
impressive,
both for your accomplishments and for the fullness and
doggedness of
your determination.

I'm always a bit embarassed when people say stuff like
this. Mostly I
just don't see anything particularly noteworthy here.

And that, all by itself, is what does make it noteworthy
Carmen. You just do what needs to be done, not all people
do that.

--
JJ.

Carmen said:

Good morning, On 2-Aug-2004, "Bob (this one)" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The coolest thing about the prosthetic hands is you can get
*attachments* for them. <G> They disconnect at the wrist for
changing.

Attachments? I'd get the blender, the ice crusher, the knife
sharpener and the blowtorch. That way, you have the whole kitchen
with you all the time. Skillet and a spatula in a [censored] pack and
you're good to go. Out geocaching and get hungry? No prob.

I think it's very sensible.

You'd be surprised at what's available. This is a link to a
company that makes devices for the nonpowered prosthetic hand
Howard got yesterday (it rocks, BTW):
http://www.n-abler.org/index.php Go to Accessories, Kitchen
Utensils. <G> The knife sharpener is under Cutlery. The other
accessories are cool too.

Very cool, indeed. I thought I was kidding, but a moment's thought
says it's a good idea. What happens when smart people think about a
problem.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm excited that we're so close to the end of the medical phase
of everything and looking forward to the fall and camping. :-)
"Normal" is in sight. Yeah! <G>

You've been splendid through this. I want to be just like you
when I grow up. Your inherent strength has shown through even
when it was apparent you were so deeply stressed. You two are
most impressive, both for your accomplishments and for the
fullness and doggedness of your determination.

I'm always a bit embarassed when people say stuff like this.
Mostly I just don't see anything particularly noteworthy here. If
there was any choice to behave a certain way under these
circumstances it wasn't made at a conscious level. I'm being me
(Heaven help the world at large <G>😉, and "me" is a tad bit
stubborn at times. (No, really.) Howard is worth every last bit of
trouble that comes with him. If someone had told me 17 years ago
(next month) that all this was waiting for us down the line, I'd
gladly sign up for the tour anyway. :-)

Thank you for the compliment.

Yeah, yeah. Now let's get to the lab coat pictures... <g> (Remember
that silly stuff...?)

Pastorio

Carmen said:

Howard is worth every last bit of trouble that comes with him. If
someone had told me 17 years ago (next month) that all this was
waiting for us down the line, I'd gladly sign up for the tour anyway.
:-)

That's very sweet!! (I hope Howard came across your post by chance, that would
certainly bring a smile to his face.) Love to read your matter-of-factly posts.
I hope both of you are doing well and thanks for the response.

Ada