Do I know how to use my time off or what?

[RetiredRoger]

I was mad because I spent six hours setting up a surround sound system that I had to tear down and send back because it was defective.

After reading this, that doesn't sound so bad.

Hope you get better soon.  UGH.

Years ago I had this happen to me also....

[TSmcam]

I was mad because I spend six hours setting up a surround sound system that I had to tear down and send back because it was defective.

After reading this, that doesn't sound so bad.

Hope you get better soon.  UGH.

I was almost in the same situation LOL. I sat up to 1am trying to sort out sending audio from one AV receiver to another that powered two zones (an outdoor zone and another room zone). Turns out there are limitations on the HDMI connections, and so I had to revert back to the original setup after just over four hours of cable jumping and wading through setup screens. Yeah, the problem is nothing compared to what JP is enduring

[RetiredRoger]

Yeah, the problem is nothing compared to what JP is enduring

This is true.  Best wishes JP! 

[DUM1]

wow! sounds really scary, I have never heard of that. hoping for a speedy and full recovery.

[JParis]

So sorry to hear your troubles, John.

I'm not a doctor, so bear with me.
Are the doctors suggesting you have an autoimmune disease which is causing the body to attack healthy muscle.
As muscles are being destroyed, CK levels increase?

Am I even close?

John, yeah, closing.

The CK enzymes occur when a muscle breaks down.  Think about marathon runners, their ck levels can be very high after the race.

It was described to me that my numbers were like a multiple marathons.

When you stress a muscle from work the fibers inflame. Then relax.

My muscles are inflammed, from them under attack from my immune system and that inflammation restrict the nerve signals to fire the muscle fibers. 

As the fibers are always inflammed, they're in the broken down, exhausted phase.

They did spring me from the hospital today,  I've been home since around noon today.

Nothing they can do medication wise until I see the specialist on 12/9.

He's supposed to do biopsies of the muscle tissue to see what is really driving the immune system to attack.

Meanwhile I'll deal with what I've been dealing with physically,  drinking plenty of fluids. Now I need to use a cane for the timebeing

Thanks everyone for the well wishes

[Del.]

I hope things get better for you JP

[Jeff]

Now I need to use a cane for the timebeing

Be honest, how many times have you wielded that cane like a sword?

[Jim at Gentex]

Chi-Chi was da man!! 

[JParis]

My first day home update...

Definitely have to reevaluate where I am and be really honest with myself...

I am currently a mess. 

One stair, I tried going upstairs to bed last night and well, that did fucking go as planned. 
I put my stronger(supposedly) leg up, had my hands at the top of the end cap on the stairs...my left leg left the ground, my right leg faltered and I did a midair about a 332° twist and landed on shoulder on the floor with an unceremonious, thud.

Trying several things to get up, even with assistance, I could not. My legs and core body muscles were utterly incapable. My arms, especially now with a shoulder that's sore, simply could not do it alone.
 
My wife called my son and he and his wife came to my rescue. My son grabbed me in a bearhug and set me upright again. I still cannot sufficiently, express my thanks to them.

The plan to sleep in my own bed has now completely gone out the window for the time being and will be until I can get some strength back into my body.

So the couch it was....laid down, feel asleep. The seating on the couch tapers back into the backrest is a fairly good angle, so that when I had to get up to use the restroom during the night, the next challenge presented itself. Suffice to say, I found myself on my knees, facing the couch. My use on body mechanics that help me get out of bed, didn't work so well getting off the could from a laying down position. 

I did manage to get myself back on the couch and with an assist from my wife, I was up and heading to the little boys room.

Sleeping on the couch laying down was also now off the list. 
So sleeping in the recliner portion was the only choice remaining. It comes with its own challenges but at worse with a little assistance, it can get up. 

So in need to be real honest with myself about what I can and cannot do here for the time being. 
Want to talk about a real mind fuck, let me tell you, for someone like myself that doesn't like to ask anyone for anything, this eons worse than the leg downtime. I know that was only for a period of known time. Plus I was able to traverse the stairs and sleep in my bed. Now it's a "yeah, it will come back but it will take some time" 4+ down days in the hospital didn't help the strength cause either.
 
Oh, the shoulder, nothing broken, it is just really upset with my "Live without a net" acrobatics.
My plan was to head back to the office tomorrow.... that plan is under some serious review at the moment. I have a Dr appointment this morning and much depends on how badly or smoothly the process of getting out of the house goes today. 

I am a mess and I'm only lying to myself if I don't recognize it.

[Jeff]

Can you rent one of those recliners that tilt forward helping you to stand up?

[Rstewart]

Damn, That sounds like a rough go for sure!  All you can do is get some rest and follow the Dr's orders.

Hey, at least you're not getting a camera shoved up your butt like me this afternoon...

[rdshear]

John, I don't really know you other than reading your posts for years.  I hope the Dr's can figure this out and that you get your strength back.  I can't imagine what you are going through, but I do wish you the best in this difficult time. 

[neurosis]

Chi-Chi was da man!! 

[gcode]

My plan was to head back to the office tomorrow.... that plan is under some serious review at the moment.

Can you work remotely?
We were sent home for nearly a year during covid and our IT guy set up a robust system for that.
Covid is over but some still work from home.
One programmer whose commute has evolved from 40 minutes one way to 2 hours over the last 15 years gave the bosses an ultimatum. They told him they needed 12 hour days during a rush of work a year ago.
He told them they could have 12 hours days, but he was working from home or retiring... you choose.
He works from home permanently now.
Another programmer moved to Montana and works as a contractor for us, remoting into our nethasp.
I drive in Monday thru Friday and work Saturday and Sunday at home.

Given your current condition, it may not be possible for you to sit at a desk long enough to do any serious work.

I can't imagine being in your condition.
It's got to be awful being so helpless and dependent.
Last month I wrenched my back and couldn't bend over far enough to put on socks and shoes.
Being a stubborn old fool I lay on the floor and curled up in a ball to reach my feet to put on my shoes and socks.
Hurt like a mfer but I got it done.
After a couple of days of that I swallowed my pride and asked my wife for help.

It sounds like you are going to be down for a while.
Like me, you are a man who's work defines you and it's going to be really hard to not work,
but I think you need to just need to take care of John and get him better.
Take care of yourself.. you are in our prayers!!!!

[gcode]

Can you rent one of those recliners that tilt forward helping you to stand up?

this is an excellent idea!