ArmyMom46

I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I used to love the weather here (little to no humidity); now even the 80 degree days are too hot. I can't wait for fall and winter so I don't have to fight the heat.

My sister gave me a new thought of what "POTS" stands for. Forget the medical speak, I like her thought. It sure fits me. Person Of Terrible Stamina

That's a good description of how it feels for me, too.

Yes, visits definitely go too fast! It's not that hard to cope. This is his second deployment, so we've been through this before. I e-mails, use instant messenger, send packages, he calls sometimes, and I lean on the Lord.

Bittersweet congratulations! I'm thankful the SSDI finally worked out for you, but am sorry the need is there. God bless you!

We took my special delivery package to the airport about 5 this morning. He's returning to Iraq.

Congratulations! What a blessing!

I love your Mimosa Trees. My mom gave me some seeds because I wanted to grow some in my yard here in Colorado. The seeds didn't germinate. I guess I'll have to try another way to get some.

Thank you all! We are definitely enjoying our time with our son. We mostly get him for the days, and he hangs out with his friends most nights. He is trying to maximize his recreation time.

Way to go!!

Just leave. He goes back the 27th. His tour ends in January.

I have the air conditioner cranked up and the ceiling fan going. At work, I have a fan blowing almost constantly on my legs. I tried going without them once. I won't do that again. That was the worst day I've had for a while. Fortunately this week is cooler in CO.

About 12:15 yesterday, I got a message from security at my office that I had a perishable package at the front desk and I needed to pick it up immediately. I had no idea what it could be, nor who could be sending me a package at work. I looked over the balcony into the atrium and saw an enormous box at the front desk. I could make out a label that said "Mann Family." Now I was even more curious! And since I use a cane when I walk, I was wondering how in the world I would be able to bring whatever it was back up to my desk with me. When I got off the elevator and approached the box, I noticed a return label. I was in shock. Surely not! It wasn't possible, was it?! Then I also noticed friends from church standing nearby, one of them with a video camera. At the time it sunk in what was in the box, the box opened. Imagine my surprise and delight! My very special soldier was home! Earlier than he had told us he would be home on leave! Needless to say, he was hugged and not let go. Tears of joy were shed! By me, and by those who observed our reunion! After a few minutes, I decided I was going home for the day. There's no way I wanted to stay at work another minute! I went upstairs to make sure my boss would let me go, and to shut down my computer. When I got off the elevator, most of my team was there. They had been watching the reunion taking place down below. Most of them had tears in their eyes, too! I have a very wonderful and understanding boss. He had no problem letting me leave early! Thank you, Gordon and Rose family, for planning such a delightful surprise for me!

It's getting easier to get them on. Now the big problem is going to the bathroom. I need to lay on my bed as I try to get them on. It's kind of hard to do that in the bathroom, and they're really hard to get back up all the way.

Care packages are easy. I try to send two a month to my son in Iraq. Things he has asked for: Pringles (they pack better than bags of chips) Beef Jerky No chocolate (it melts by the time they get it) Homemade cookies/goodies (I suggest vacuum sealing them. That way they still taste fresh when they get them) Puzzle books (crossword, soduko, word search, etc) Instant drink mixes to add to water bottles Nuts, sunflower seeds, trail mix, etc. DVDs CDs

I've never had any problems with viruses or anything else with myspace. It's just like everything else on the internet, be careful.

I sent you a PM. With my children scattered from California to Iraq, I had to get a myspace account so I could keep up with them.

Thanks, I'll try starting with them inside out tomorrow. I don't worry about blinding people with my white legs. That's not a new problem. I've always been one to burn and never tan - something about my fair, ivory skin.

Thank you for the welcome. I'm glad to find such a helpful site. I also saw where someone had mentioned NDRF in a post, so I was just checking them out. When I got the hose and gloves, they just said here you go. I had to ask them how to take care of them. At first they thought I was talking about paying for them and insurance. I told them I needed to know how to care for them at home, unless they wanted to take care of them for me. The only instructions I got was what I read in the package. I tried to reach in and grab the heel, pulling the hose inside out, but couldn't find the heel with the rubber gloves on. And trying to put them on while lying on the bed was quite an adventure!

I used the rubber gloves that I was given with the hose. I don't know if they were a help or a hindrance. But I can hardly wait for tomorrow's adventure.

When I saw my cardiologist yesterday, she seemed almost upset that I wasn't back to working full-time and living my normal life. I just been diagnosed about 9 days previous when I went to an electrophysiologist for a tilt table test. He changed my meds from a beta blocker and a steroid, to midodrine. So when I saw the cardiologist, she acted like I should be back to normal. She basically told me to push myself or I'd never get back to normal. However, I've been pushing myself since this started, and I feel grateful that I manage to work 5 hours a day. And any day I can do one chore around the house without getting dizzy or weak is a good day. Fortunately, she also told me I didn't need to see both her and the electrophysiologist, and that I should only come back to her if I had a heart problem. I really like the electro and his nurse. They were very helpful and took lots of time to answer questions for my husband (mostly) and I (since I was recovering from the TTT),

After getting my first pair of compression hose (30mmHg waist high) yesterday and putting them on this morning, I now know why the doctor wanted me to start wearing them. It's not to help with blood flow, but with aerobic exercise! It must have taken me at least 10 minutes to get them on. My husband was downstairs listening to me. I don't think he dared to come up and see what I was doing. I had such an aerobic workout that I got dizzy and had to lie down with my feet elevated for a bit to allow my heart rate to slow down and the dizziness to pass. I can see that I'm definitely going to have to schedule extra time getting ready in the morning, or I'll be late everywhere I go. Does it get easier? Is it really going to be worth it for me to fight daily with these hose?

Hi, I'm new to all this too. I was just diagnosed on June 27, after going through a variety of doctors and tests when this hit suddenly on Feb. 1. I am having a hard time dealing with not being able to work full-time, clean my house, or sing in the choir at church anymore - all since Feb. I hope this gets better. I want my life back!