Re: Canes?Sorry about all the questions

[Guest guest]

Pat, I believe in using whatever you need when you need it. It makes it easier

on you and on the people you are with. I'd get the cane and then ask your doc's

nurse if you need instruction on how to use it. I also recommend the motorized

carts in stores and a walker (my mom and I use the grocery carts even if we

aren't buying much). Aids are a good thing and make life so much easier. Go

Girl! Cheri

pfried520 <Pfried520@...> wrote:

The last few weeks I have had a terrible time walking. Quite a few

people said I should get a cane. Yesterday when my husband and I were

in the store, we saw canes and my husband said to buy one that I need

it. I told him the Dr. didin't say anything about a cane and I didn't

think I should unless the doctor said I should.

Do most of you that use one get it on your own or do you discuss it

with your doctor first. When I held it yesterday, it felt good to

have something to lean on for support. My left knee and hip hurt so

much that I only take a few steps and then stop. I know this is

silly, but I don't even now how to use a cane properly.

A week ago I had to use my 75 year old mother for support. What a

site that was. Neither one of us could get off the curb, and we just

started to laugh so hard that tears were flowing down our face, it

was dark out and now we couldn't see through the tears of laughter.

We were at a middle school event which of course mortified my

daughter, which only made us laugh more. My mom and I have a weird

sense of humor I guess.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Pat

[Editor's Note: Pat, the way I look at it is that YOU are in charge of your

care, not your doctor. Canes do not require a prescription. If you need the

support of your mother while you are walking, you clearly NEED a cane. I have

used one from time to time. I don't need one every day, but I have one here for

" those " days. I refer to it as the Cane Mutiny. Good luck to you. Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

Dear Pat, I know your email shouldn't have made me smile, but it did. I

personally love those times in life when you laugh and cant' stop. You made

me very nostalgic about my mother, since we often did the seem thing on

laughing. She has been gone for over 12 years now, and yet those days seem

just around the corner. Thanks for taking me back. Love, Fran

PS Kathy is right on the cane issue. I can't imagine the doctor minding if

you used one since it could only help and not hurt you.

[ ] Canes?Sorry about all the questions

The last few weeks I have had a terrible time walking. Quite a few

people said I should get a cane. Yesterday when my husband and I were

in the store, we saw canes and my husband said to buy one that I need

it. I told him the Dr. didin't say anything about a cane and I didn't

think I should unless the doctor said I should.

Do most of you that use one get it on your own or do you discuss it

with your doctor first. When I held it yesterday, it felt good to

have something to lean on for support. My left knee and hip hurt so

much that I only take a few steps and then stop. I know this is

silly, but I don't even now how to use a cane properly.

A week ago I had to use my 75 year old mother for support. What a

site that was. Neither one of us could get off the curb, and we just

started to laugh so hard that tears were flowing down our face, it

was dark out and now we couldn't see through the tears of laughter.

We were at a middle school event which of course mortified my

daughter, which only made us laugh more. My mom and I have a weird

sense of humor I guess.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Pat

[Editor's Note: Pat, the way I look at it is that YOU are in charge of

your care, not your doctor. Canes do not require a prescription. If you

need the support of your mother while you are walking, you clearly NEED a

cane. I have used one from time to time. I don't need one every day, but I

have one here for " those " days. I refer to it as the Cane Mutiny. Good luck

to you. Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

hi pat,

my immediate reaction when i read your message was an

unequivocable 'yes' - we all know how hard it is to get in to see

our rheumies and if it helps, by all means do so. then i started

thinking about if it would affect any other part of your body (eg.

muscles) because leaning on a cane would change your stance and

might put stress on muscles that don't normally have to work in such

a way. i am still leaning towards 'yes', however i have two

suggestions:

1. can you call your rheumie's office and ask him/her to call you

so you can discuss this - explain just what you did in your message,

and then get the a-ok from him/her, or if not, why not;

2. do you have an occupational therapist, or can you get a referral

to one - having the assistance of an o/t made all the difference in

the world to me - they have so many helpful tips on modalities that

help you in your day-to-day living. an o/t would also be in a

position to advise you regarding a cane. if you don't have one,

perhaps suggest this to your rheumy....

my overall thoughts however are that whatever helps is probably the

golden rule when it comes to making life easier.

and please let us know what you decide, how it turns out. i'm glad

you have such support from your husband - that's wonderful.

take care,

karen

>

> The last few weeks I have had a terrible time walking. Quite a few

> people said I should get a cane. Yesterday when my husband and I

were

> in the store, we saw canes and my husband said to buy one that I

need

> it. I told him the Dr. didin't say anything about a cane and I

didn't

> think I should unless the doctor said I should.

>

> Do most of you that use one get it on your own or do you discuss

it

> with your doctor first. When I held it yesterday, it felt good to

> have something to lean on for support. My left knee and hip hurt

so

> much that I only take a few steps and then stop. I know this is

> silly, but I don't even now how to use a cane properly.

>

>

> A week ago I had to use my 75 year old mother for support. What a

> site that was. Neither one of us could get off the curb, and we

just

> started to laugh so hard that tears were flowing down our face, it

> was dark out and now we couldn't see through the tears of

laughter.

> We were at a middle school event which of course mortified my

> daughter, which only made us laugh more. My mom and I have a weird

> sense of humor I guess.

>

> Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks

> Pat

>

> [Editor's Note: Pat, the way I look at it is that YOU are in

charge of your care, not your doctor. Canes do not require a

prescription. If you need the support of your mother while you are

walking, you clearly NEED a cane. I have used one from time to

time. I don't need one every day, but I have one here for " those "

days. I refer to it as the Cane Mutiny. Good luck to you. Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

Dear Pat,

I use a cane every day - outside and sometimes inside too. I really didn't

like it, I felt like an old lady?????But we went on a trip to Ano Nuevo State

park and my husband got me a " Sure Foot " cane by Orthotic Mobility

Systems!!!!! It is an " All Terrain " cane with a flat foot attached by springs

on each

side. If you put the cane out first and walk towards it, it gives a real

steady walking gait, it saves your shoulder. Any way back to my story - he had

ordered this cane on the internet and then took me to see the Elephant Seals

at Ano Nuevo. This involved considerable walking in Sand - even for the

special needs hike- but well worth it. If I hadn't had that cane I would have

missed getting 15 feet from a whole herd of wild elephant seals. What a sight

and what a joy, I then decided that I would use the blessed thing when I

thought I needed it.

Hope this helps,

Gentle Hugs,

Carol M. In CA

[Guest guest]

hi pat,

i agree with kathy. You are the only one that can decide whether to get

a cane or not. I am toying with the idea myself. I did ask my doctor

about it just because I didn't really know where to start about getting

my insurance to pay for it. I did discover that they can be purchased

by insurance so that is a plus. I also have so much hip pain in my left

hip that it hurts to take steps. I feel so discouraged to think about

using one of those things, cause I've already got either a white cane

or my seeing eye dog with me. Having two disabilities to tackle their

challenges seems a bit more difficult...but I'm determined!

hugs and good luck

carla

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[Guest guest]

It is very important that you have the cane the right size. A physiotherapist or

occupational therapist will be able to fix it for you. And never feel

embarrassed to use it. We probably all have one for the " bad days " . I use two at

the same time, most of the time.

Greg.

Re: [ ] Canes?Sorry about all the questions

Pat, I believe in using whatever you need when you need it. It makes it

easier on you and on the people you are with. I'd get the cane and then ask

your doc's nurse if you need instruction on how to use it. I also recommend the

motorized carts in stores and a walker (my mom and I use the grocery carts even

if we aren't buying much). Aids are a good thing and make life so much easier.

Go Girl! Cheri

pfried520 <Pfried520@...> wrote:

The last few weeks I have had a terrible time walking. Quite a few

people said I should get a cane. Yesterday when my husband and I were

in the store, we saw canes and my husband said to buy one that I need

it. I told him the Dr. didin't say anything about a cane and I didn't

think I should unless the doctor said I should.

Do most of you that use one get it on your own or do you discuss it

with your doctor first. When I held it yesterday, it felt good to

have something to lean on for support. My left knee and hip hurt so

much that I only take a few steps and then stop. I know this is

silly, but I don't even now how to use a cane properly.

A week ago I had to use my 75 year old mother for support. What a

site that was. Neither one of us could get off the curb, and we just

started to laugh so hard that tears were flowing down our face, it

was dark out and now we couldn't see through the tears of laughter.

We were at a middle school event which of course mortified my

daughter, which only made us laugh more. My mom and I have a weird

sense of humor I guess.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Pat

[Editor's Note: Pat, the way I look at it is that YOU are in charge of your

care, not your doctor. Canes do not require a prescription. If you need the

support of your mother while you are walking, you clearly NEED a cane. I have

used one from time to time. I don't need one every day, but I have one here for

" those " days. I refer to it as the Cane Mutiny. Good luck to you. Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

Thanks Carol,

It sounds as if it was a beautiful site. Yes, I agree anything that

adds quality to our life is well worth it. I feel that my cane will

become like a friend. Thanks for the words of encouragement. We just

got a regular orthopedic cane for now and maybe at a later date can

upgrade if needed. I didn't realize there were so many different

kinds.

Pat

>

> Dear Pat,

> I use a cane every day - outside and sometimes inside too. I

really didn't

> like it, I felt like an old lady?????But we went on a trip to Ano

Nuevo State

> park and my husband got me a " Sure Foot " cane by Orthotic Mobility

> Systems!!!!! It is an " All Terrain " cane with a flat foot attached

by springs on each

> side. If you put the cane out first and walk towards it, it gives

a real

> steady walking gait, it saves your shoulder. Any way back to my

story - he had

> ordered this cane on the internet and then took me to see the

Elephant Seals

> at Ano Nuevo. This involved considerable walking in Sand - even

for the

> special needs hike- but well worth it. If I hadn't had that cane

I would have

> missed getting 15 feet from a whole herd of wild elephant seals.

What a sight

> and what a joy, I then decided that I would use the blessed thing

when I

> thought I needed it.

> Hope this helps,

> Gentle Hugs,

> Carol M. In CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Greg,

It definitely helps even around the house. I haven't gone out yet

with it because the weather here in Texas is horrible. Terrible rain

and storms. So I guess I will try it outdoors tomorrow. I have to go

pick up Pies for thanksgiving I ordered. Thanks for your support.

Sometimes adjusting to little things, can be hard.

Pat

> The last few weeks I have had a terrible time walking. Quite a

few

> people said I should get a cane. Yesterday when my husband and I

were

> in the store, we saw canes and my husband said to buy one that I

need

> it. I told him the Dr. didin't say anything about a cane and I

didn't

> think I should unless the doctor said I should.

>

> Do most of you that use one get it on your own or do you discuss

it

> with your doctor first. When I held it yesterday, it felt good to

> have something to lean on for support. My left knee and hip hurt

so

> much that I only take a few steps and then stop. I know this is

> silly, but I don't even now how to use a cane properly.

>

>

> A week ago I had to use my 75 year old mother for support. What a

> site that was. Neither one of us could get off the curb, and we

just

> started to laugh so hard that tears were flowing down our face,

it

> was dark out and now we couldn't see through the tears of

laughter.

> We were at a middle school event which of course mortified my

> daughter, which only made us laugh more. My mom and I have a

weird

> sense of humor I guess.

>

> Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks

> Pat

>

> [Editor's Note: Pat, the way I look at it is that YOU are in

charge of your care, not your doctor. Canes do not require a

prescription. If you need the support of your mother while you are

walking, you clearly NEED a cane. I have used one from time to

time. I don't need one every day, but I have one here for " those "

days. I refer to it as the Cane Mutiny. Good luck to you. Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

Carla,

Your courage and determination are admirable. You are quite an

inspiration to me. There are so many obstacles you overcome due to

blindness and then have to deal with this disease. Thank you for

sharing your trials and tribulations with us. Sometimes when we hit

obstacles in our life, we must look to those who have overcome much

harder obstacles than we have to realize that we must choose to make

our life worthwhile.

Thanks for your support and words of wisdom.

Pat

>

> hi pat,

>

> i agree with kathy. You are the only one that can decide whether

to get

> a cane or not. I am toying with the idea myself. I did ask my

doctor

> about it just because I didn't really know where to start about

getting

> my insurance to pay for it. I did discover that they can be

purchased

> by insurance so that is a plus. I also have so much hip pain in my

left

> hip that it hurts to take steps. I feel so discouraged to think

about

> using one of those things, cause I've already got either a white

cane

> or my seeing eye dog with me. Having two disabilities to tackle

their

> challenges seems a bit more difficult...but I'm determined!

>

> hugs and good luck

>

> carla

>

>

>

> ---

> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

> Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 11/19/2004

>

>

>

>