Chronic Pain

A 51 year old female living and dealing with lumbar back pain and fibromyalgia. Sharing things I do for relief, reduce stress and control weight gain.
Showing posts with label charging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charging. Show all posts

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Pajama Day

half a pound!
Today has definitely been a pajama day.  D and I both have been battling the sinus yuck this week.  Today that is a minor issue though.  This morning everything hurt as usual.  The difference was that nothing helped.  Pain medication, 4 liquid advils,  heating pad, ice pack, or my stimulator.   For some reason I'm having a lot of muscle pain in my legs today.  My arm is driving me nuts too.  At OT yesterday we both agreed I was improving so whats up today?  It's been a long time since I've given in to this wicked pain that seems to run my life at times.  Today has surely been one of them.  

I did some cooking last Sunday so I was happy to have something left to eat and not have to cook.  WW's Chili for lunch and broccoli soup and sweet potato for supper.  Killed both chili and soup just in time.  I'm still in my pajamas at 3 pm.  

So while I'm having to take this day of rest I'm watching some Christmas movies on LifeTime.   I'm hoping it will help spread some cheer in me to get excited about this upcoming holiday season.  I'm also charging my battery.  Something I never want to sit still long enough to get done.   We talked about decorating...wait start decorating this week end.  I don't decorate in one week end.  Last year I worked on my tree for two weeks.  Hey, it got done though.  I do what I can. 

What is really bugging me right now is knowing that someone is unhappy with me and my husband.  We both feel the same about having an enemy.  We never want to have one.   I've always let it bug me to death if someone was upset with me.  Others would say, "so what it's their problem".  I don't have to be best friends with them, but I don't ever want to be in a position that I have to avoid someone if I see them.  Right now, I'm in that situation and I'll work hard until I change it.

During the early part of the summer my neighbor called me to the fence to talk to me.  I didn't think anything of it because we talk at the fence often.  I've shared plants with her.  Shared baked goodies with her at Christmas last year.  When I first met her I thought we'd get along great always because of a common bond.  Pain.  She's had hip and knee replacement.  Back issues that cause her pain.  Another words she's hurting all the time like me.  She'd fuss at me when she'd see me doing something outside she thought I shouldn't be doing.  It felt nice to know someone knew, or at least I thought, how I felt.  

Back to the conversation at the fence.  She told me she was really unhappy about the extra fencing my husband had put up for privacy.  She said it looked really tacky on her side.  ( I noted her and my husband deciding this earlier in the year in a post along with a picture )
We added the additional height to fence because she was complaining to the neighbor on the other side of her and he shared with us.  My husband just confronted her while he was outside working in the yard and she agreed it might be just the thing for her not to feel like we were invading her privacy.  On this day though it was obvious that there was more to it than that.  She had a tone in her voice I'd never heard before.  She told me she wished we were more like the people who lived here before us.  They didn't have so many things in their yard and they didn't invade her privacy.  I told her we never intentionally look at her in her yard.  I can see through the fence from my patio at anytime and see her when she is on her patio so I wasn't sure of the big deal.  It turned into something ugly because I was so shocked at where it all was coming from.  I ended up telling her I didn't like the way she was talking to me and I was going inside.   Needless to say she was not happy with me that I stood up for myself and told her a few things she probably didn't want to hear either.

I was in tears when I went inside.  I couldn't let it go.  My anxiety went right to the roof.  I called D and couldn't reach him so I called our HOA president.  She had already heard from my neighbor.  What?  I couldn't believe it.  She told me she was about to drive down to her house and see for herself what all the hoop law was about.  I asked if she'd give me a call after to tell me what was the REAL problem.  An hour later our HOA president rang my bell.  She came in and asked to go look in our back yard at our deck, fence, patio and shed.  "Are you serious?", I asked her.  She said in a nut shell that she's never liked the fact that we even have a deck around our pool so when we finished and started using it it just made her unhappier that we could see over the fence at times.  Then we had the nerve to have a patio put up.  I guess she didn't like the way it looked.  We had it run past our patio on the side that is on her side to cover my husbands pit so when he is grilling and it may rain there is no problem.  She swore it was going to drain in her yard.  (even though we had gutters around the end )  The president said she had taken pictures while the people were installing the patio.  She showed them to her that's how she knew.

There is so much more to the story, but I'll tell you  bottom line is we believe she is just an unhappy person who doesn't want us to be happy either.  I'd never thought that someone like herself  (disabled) couldn't  understand that I have to have the deck to get in and out of my pool.  To be completely honest many times last summer when I was in there I thought of my neighbor and how she would benefit getting into the pool.  I never took the time to ask her because I really thought she'd refuse anyway.  Guess now I'll never now.  I want to tell her but she would never believe me.  The HOA president told me she was clear on one thing, she'd was going to do what ever it took to get us to take down our deck.  We were definitely willing to take down the fencing because we never liked it anyway.   She informed us that she would settle with just that.  "What can we do?", I asked her.  She wants your deck to come down too.  

I was so shocked.  For sometime I let it eat me up.  I was angry one day and so hurt the next.  What did we ever do to have her feel this way.  The houses that are behind ours, two to three down, have a party at least once a month.  It starts early in the afternoon and goes late into night.  Loud music, cheering, lights and obvious parting.  Now if we can hear this from our patio I know she can hear it from hers.  That my friends is something to complain about.   We have never had anything even close to that.  We hosted several small gatherings before and after this incident but saw nothing in these occasions that would cause her to be angry.  We thought about contacting an attorney but decided to let sleeping dogs lay.

Nothing has been said the rest of the summer.  I can't say it hasn't been on our minds.  What is she up to?  Did she decided to just let it go?  Well, we got our answer.  Wednesday night we had a HOA meeting at the library near out home.  I was a little surprised to see her right there on the front row when I walked in.  Oh my, I hope she isn't going to bring things up.  Surely, she isn't.  As we went through the agenda I held my breath through every topic.  As the end neared she raised her hand and asked to talk about the grandfathering rule.  At the previous meeting before this particular night that topic was discussed and voted on.  A decision was made that anything that was erected during the time of no architectural committee (2009-2013) would be grandfathered in and we formed a new architectural committee to handle these types of issues in the future.  (there are several other throughout the neighborhood) shocking, I know.   My neighbor was clear to the board and our management company that she was not settling for that.  She wanted something done.  

First of all, I should have never let her get me so upset.  My blood pressure hit the roof along with my big mouth.  I was hurting from 1) in general because it was the end of day 2) sitting in a chair for an hour and a half.  I did get up a walk on the back row multiple times to stretch.   3) just the stress of wonder why, why, why.  When she starting telling this complete stranger that we look at her over the fence, I just lost it.  I told her, " Get over yourself, we do not want to look at you".  My husband was so embarrassed.  I was too later on.  At the time I was pretty proud of my rude self stooping to her level.  I'd just had enough.  Past my chin, it was up to my mouth and I was chocking on it.  Just what did she think she could do?  I can tell you what ever she can, she will.  And why?  That's something we may never know I guess.  It's a complete nightmare I can't stop worrying about.

The next evening our HOA president stopped me as I was walking my dog and wanted to talk about what happened.  I told her I really didn't want to gossip and was so sorry I had such an awful outburst at my neighbor.  I said I would be willing to apologize if she would listen to me.  The president said to hold off because Saturday am the management company was meeting to discuss ours and some other neighborhood disputes.  I forgot to mention as we left the meeting that night the management company asked us to send them pictures of the back yard and our pool with deck.  

I had a discussion with an attorney on Friday regarding the matter and she made me feel a little better.  She recommended since we will be living next to this woman for some time the best deal is to try and work anything out with her.  She said to ask her to sit and talk with my husband and I and someone from the management company as a third party for a witness.  The attorney said our best hope is to try and connect with her on a level she can relate to, our common chronic pain.  Explaining to her how helpful and beneficial it is to me.  Also, how I was interested in helping her out by letting her use the pool.  If that did not help at all then let her go forward and we just sit back and see where she can go.  Not far she is pretty confidant of.  If she does, we will just need to call this attorney back and she will already be aware of what is going on.  

My point in all of this goes back to what I said in the beginning.  I'm loosing sleep over the fact that someone is unhappy with me.  I really want to make it right.  I don't really care who is wrong and who is right.  I have to live next to this woman for some time.  If I were to fall and knock myself out coming up the drive ( silly, I know but it could happen) I would feel better knowing she had enough compassion to call help for me.  I would definitely do the same for her even if we hadn't cleared up the.

So enough about that drama.  I took a break from this computer earlier and got wrapped up in a movie then let myself just roll right into the next one.  Tomorrow no matter how I feel I have to get moving again no matter how hard.  It's late, I'm closing.  I'll fill you in if I get word of any new news.  I can tell you I almost feel like a prisoner in my own home like she is watching my every move.  I have to move past this.  I'm going to keep thinking WWJD?
I know my answer will come.  Good night everyone and I hope your pain is tolerable. 

Living with H.O.P.E.
Theresa

Friday, October 11, 2013

Trying to stay positive

Here is the long and short of what's up.

Since Tuesday's OT my elbow/arm has gotten worse.  The swelling and the pain.  So much so that I emailed the doctor who referred me and inquired if he thinks we could possibly going in the wrong direction.   Today I was in tears through entire treatment.   She took a different approach and tried something different today.  She felt terrible and I felt terrible for her.  I assured her I didn't think it was her.   She reminded me tendonitis is slow to heal.  Today is visit 5 and I may not get relief until 3 weeks. 

She basically pleaded with me to hang in there.  Rest my arm as much as possible once we are there.  No stretches if it brings on pain.  Wear my wrist brace but only the BANDIT when I could tolerate it.   What ever reduced the pain the most, heat or ice....use it.

Needles to say packing this evening has it way up there on the pain scale.  I have everything that I can do tonight.  I was scratching off my list and I came to "Charge Stimulator".  Great, that has to be done.  So here I am charging and decided to give you guys and update.  Typing is NOT helping but nothing is so oh well.  It's making this charging time pass a little faster.

This does not look like tendonitis to me :-(

I finally got those new tires on my car Thursday.  It's been bothering me.  Just needed time to do it.  Unfortunately they had some other bad news for me.  I'll need some work done when we return home.  I was upset about it at first but heck my car is 9 years old this month.  I've really had hardly any trouble with it at all.  It's been a good car to me.  Many people are asking why don't I just get a new car?  I really don't drive far.  When we travel we take the truck because of the bed cover.  It's almost always just me and I don't go far.  I can't see having a new car note for 4-5 years if it's not absolutely necessary.  Just how I roll.

On to the WW's saga.  The one thing I've been happy about this week.  I've lost some inches and finally made some progress on the numbers.  I think your body has to work with the plan also.  Counting calories didn't not work with my body.  It didn't have me eating what I needed to help me loose.  I'm excited to bring a few things I haven't been able to wear since the early spring.  I may have to stop after another pound or two.  My battery is getting tender like it did last year when I lost weight.  I wonder.... Why can't I loose some in my breasts, instead of the buttock?  I need that, I don't need the extra breast tissue....lol.  



So last Wednesday I was at 137 and hoping to be back to my "best" with Fitness Pal.  I accomplished that plus two.   I'm sure it was just time for it to finally start dropping but I could tell after 2 days this was going to work for me.  Sometime it's just not worth it to try an save a few dollars.

I'm a day late...I know.  Just couldn't get around to it yesterday.  Even late at night.  My arm was hurting so bad i just couldn't type at all.  I need to give a shout out to my Sister in law.
"C".  A great one she is.  She helps out my mom all the time and for that I'm so grateful.  She's a supermom, stepmom and domesticated housewife.  I sent her a text, which I am so against.  People that I don't see, they deserve a card in the mail.  Other than that, I think it's a waste of money.  It goes straight in the garbage and adds to our landfills.  My opinion!  So C....Happy belated birthday.  Hope it was special for you. 
C shares a birthday with my dad.  It was his birthday yesterday also.  See my post last year on Oct. 11 if you missed it.  We miss him so....

One last thing.  My daughter and family made it home this afternoon.  I'm so thankful God guided them home safely.  D and I will ask for the save favor as we take off tomorrow.  Our dog, Dallas, had it all figured out tonight as so as we took out the suit cases.  I really needed to give him one of my anxiety pills to calm him down.  I couldn't make him understand why it was ok tonight.  You can wait to freak out in the morning.  Which he will.

Dallas with "peanut"

I"m sure your hear from my while at the beach.  Pictures will look the same as always.  That's because it's always, beautiful, the same and that's what we love about it so much.  We can count on it to be simply beautiful.  

I made a proposal to my husband that he shave his hair and he went for it.  I was kind of shocked.  He wanted me to do it for him.  We both liked the way it came it.  A strange feeling for him to get used to.  I teased him and told him that I'd be willing to shave mine and we'd match.  No way he wanted me to do that.  I swear I would though.  Right now I can barely lift my arm as high as my shoulder.  It's just hair.  It will grow back.


"D"  Thank God he's in my life <3

Enjoy your week end.  I pray if your dealing with any physical or mental pain that you get some relief.  A little or a lot I know you'll take it.  God bess!

Hanging in there with H.O.P.E. (hold on pain ends)  I'm still waiting...and believing. 
Theresa

Sorry I am skipping the quote.  I'm exhausted and still have more to do when my stimulator is done.  (soon I hope)

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

A great hump day!

After 9 weeks of counting calories I've given up and returned to what works best for me.  I'd probably be at my goal now if I wouldn't have tried so save some money.  Monday when I weighed I was at 138.  Last week was 136.  That is really all I've done is bounce back and forth for 9 weeks.  

After I saw this number I went straight to my computer to sign up for WW's.   To my surprise they were having the sign up fee waived again.  I was so happy to see this.  I know in 3 months I'll be where I want to be.  That puts me at the end of Christmas so it will keep me straight during the holidays.    So my new weigh in day is Wednesday.  I said if I ever did WW's again I would not have my weigh in day be on Monday.  I always ended up with all my weekly points not used and would tend to want to use them up over the week end then weigh on Monday.  Honestly, it was never a problem but it messed with my head.  I entered in my 138 on Monday and weighed today at 137.  It asked for my weight today since I chose Wednesday as weigh in day.   Hopefully next Wednesday I will be back at what I had achieved at one point with Fitness Pal.  

I've already noticed in 3 days the difference for me.  When counting calories I was not pushed to eat my veggies and fruits I usually do.  If anything I limited them because they have calories also.  With WW's I tend to eat more of what the call "power foods"  Low in points but good for you and low in points.  Then of course I'm thrilled to have my 5 free fruits and veggies.   I know different things work for different people.  This has worked for me 3 previous times so I feel so much better going into it. 

My stimulator is still working well.  I decided to try something Mr. R mentioned once when I couldn't get any relief at all with it.  He told me to turn down to a light stimulation and leave on 24/7.   I've done this since Monday and I believe he gave me some good advise.  It may be a fluke, but I've seem to had a better 3 days with my back.  You can bet I'll leave it on like that until I don't feel like it's working.  It's important I check my battery soon because I usually turn off at night.  I'm sure it will run down a lot fast this way.  As I've mentioned in the past, if I let it go to low it takes a very long time to get totally recharged!

My elbow and tendon in my right hand is a complete other story.  Ha, after OT yesterday I was in tears.  It was so painful.  She told me I'd feel better a short while after I left due to some kind of inferred treatment that was the last thing done.  She said it lasts up to 8 hours post treatment and I do agree she was correct.  I didn't think so at first, but later in the evening everything I tried to do hurt both areas.  I sure hope this is better before I go on vacation.  I'll be back there on Friday for more torture!

Now on to the great news of the day.  Remember me mentioning going with my daughter for her ultra sound last week?  What I didn't share is we had a little scare from the doctor that had us all very concerned for baby Stevens.  I had stayed with her to see the doctor after ultra sound and I'm so glad I did.  She came in and started naming things to B that looked great with the baby.  It was obvious to both of us that she was getting to a "but", and she did!  She told B the baby had fluid around the heart.  She was not able to answer all of B's questions because that is not her "forte", the heart.  She told her she just knows that when she sees something different she doesn't take any chances.  She wanted her to go for another ultra sound at the hospital.  It was in the Maternal fetal medicine  department.  Her doctor knew it was hard not to worry, but she let her know that she has sent people there and it turned out to be nothing.  She wasn't willing to chance anything with the heart, it  needed to be evaluated with better equipment than they have at the OBGYN office.

Her doctor went out for awhile to see about scheduling her asap and my poor baby girl broke down.  Even your grown up married mother is still "your child" and it hurts to see them cry.  Especially B, she is tough as nails.  When her doctor returned we were informed she was able to get us in as soon as this Wednesday (today)  To us it seemed a long time, but to her doctor she was proud that she got her in that soon because it sometimes takes weeks.  I knew they were leaving for Disney at the end of that week so I was so happy to know she wouldn't have to be worried about that the entire vacation.

The doctor who reviewed the technicians ultra sound and report also did one himself.  The placement and amount of fluid did not have him worried.   He used the word confidant our little blessing is just fine.  He didn't feel the need to see her again either.    She does have to have another ultra sound soon with her doctor to make sure no changes have taken place.  He didn't seem it was likely.

 So turns out their vacation will be full of FUN and no WORRIES!.  P is so excited about leaving for FL.  He really doesn't know what will happen when they get there, but he can't wait to get there.   Nonna is so happy for them all.   We also found out today the sex of the baby.  It was inevitable.  My daughter didn't want to know but she had a feeling since the first ultra sound.  It was confirmed today, but what really matters to her is that he/she has a clean bill of health.  I promised to let her make the announcement to friends and family first.  (like she had to worry about me....her husband can't keep a secret for 2 seconds)  I did tell Poppa because he was waiting to hear news and when I talked to him he did ask.

After we left there my sweet girl took me to the dental office she works at and cleaned my teeth for me. We were going to do it the week before but it just wasn't the right time after the scary news.   It's always nice getting that done.  Even if it is your daughter coming at you with sharp instruments!!

I decided to try the pool today to see what reaction I would get out of my arm.  I dressed, got all the things I bring out with me and stepped down the ladder a few steps and came right back up.  Wow, a little chilly there.  The temp was  88 but no sun shining and we've had cloudy days since Monday.  I think that made it feel a little cooler than that.  My husband said we should still get a couple more weeks.  I hope so.  I'll be happy with this week end and next week.  After that we'll be away at the beach anyway.  

As usual I started this much earlier in the day and now B has posted a video telling P whether he is getting a sister or brother.  They ask him what he is hoping for and still says "a girl".  So mommy and daddy tell him he is having a SISTER.  You should see his face.  One happy little boy.  It was really cute.  I'm sitting here thinking how much love I have in my heart for my two grandchildren.  It's so full it's amazing that there will be room for more.  Honestly, seeing her little tiny body moving all around these last two weeks has firmly planted it there already.  It's amazing how you can see such detail.  Her little brain, fingers, toes, spine, her heart pumping and her beautiful profile.  God is truly awesome. I was day dreaming of the day she arrives.  Hopefully she stay put and not come early like her big brother.

Well I've carried on enough tonight.  Hope your day was as delightful as mine.  

Hope you all have pain levels that are tolerable.
With H.O.P.E.
Theresa

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Happy Day of Birth A

Today is my granddaughters 4th birthday.  She is one special little girl.  I know all grandmothers think "their" grandkids are the sweetest.  A has a nurturing character.  She's been caring for her "babies" before she could care for herself.  Which by the way she did early on.  She was ready to potty long before most little girls her age.  And when she had "other business" if you know what I mean, she wanted a book and the door closed! 


1 year old 2010

Two special days in my life (apart from my wedding day and birth of my own children) is the day each of my grandchildren were born.  It is still so clear in my head.  I hope I never forget as I age.  I got a call shortly after arriving at work from my son that her moms water broke.  The plan was for A to be born at the hospital where A's mom and her moms family is near.  This was an hour trip from Baton Rouge.  They left not long after we talked and I became a nervous wreck.  I'd been anticipating this day for months.  All my co workers wanted me to leave at that moment.  I wanted to wait and see when she arrived and make sure it was "true labor" and she would be admitted.  I guess they thought I was selfish and why would I chance missing it.  I wouldn't dare, but my back surgery was 2 months and 1 week previous and I was still struggling sitting for very long.  My fear was driving there and turning around and going back.  

I decided to take my chances and wait.  I left at noon, went home and packed for an overnight stay if necessary.  All experienced mothers know that first birth can take quite some time.  So needless to say the overnight bag was needed.  I felt confidant I would be there in plenty time.  When I arrived little progress had been made.  Mom was pretty uncomfortable and dad was nervous and pacing.  Oh, and hungry!  The sweet ending to the story is that A came into this world, thanks to God, healthy and being her very dramatic self.  I tell her the story all the time of the male nurse who cared for her right after delivery.  He let us stay near and watch him do all the important little tests and they do right after delivery.  At one point he stepped from his station and said to us, "I know already, she will be an actress!".  To this day, she has made his statement true.  


here is that "drama" hours old
Nonna with A (1 day old)
The last I'll say on that is all my life I had wondered what it would be like to see my children become a parent.  It was a very emotional moment for me.  Her mom had to have a C section so us grandparents, family and friends were "waiting" for my son to come out and tell us when she was here.  Just seeing his face when he walked through those doors almost brought me to my knees.  We hugged and cried.  Both our lives changed forever.  

2 years old 2011

Her life has been different that most little girls but you'd never be able to see this in her manners or her character.  Although there are times when we wish/want more for her we know there are children who have much less in life.  She has two sets of grandparents that love her dearly.  Very different lifestyles which is an advantage for her.  Her mom's parents live in the country and she has had wonderful experiences growing up in a quite area.  They have a garden, animals to feed and does things that city kids do not experience.   She is exposed to things there that some never see the beauty in.  


3 years old 2012
When she comes here, another different experience.  One with her dad and even different with us.  We live close to everything you could imagine.  Not far at all to get to anything.  Our back yard has very little grass in it, not at all like her maw maw and paw paw's property.  She loves being at both places and takes with her different memories from each.  I know she is actually blessed in some ways that A gets to be exposed to different life styles and takes with her memories of all kinds.  She loves us all and prays for her family every night.


4 years old 2013



On to another subject!  Weigh in Tuesday.  When dieting I only weigh on the 7th day.  When I'm not  I'm constantly checking just to make sure things arent' getting out of hand. (as they did).  For some reason yesterday I got on the scale a day early because I couldn't stand it.  I just knew I'd gained.  I didn't care if it was the same, just let me not have gained I prayed.  Stand on the scale and was shocked!  Wow, 138.  That would mean and pound down from last week.  This can't be right.   I got off and got back on.  138 again.  This is great I thought.  I get to post some progress tomorrow.  

Why was I worried?  For starters I went to dinner with friends last Tuesday night.  I ate ok, well not really.  I had an appetizer (something I rarely do, spoils my meal)  My meal was a chicken breast with grilled veggies on top (sauce involved) broccoli and rice.  The other no no was the two mixed drinks I had.  I didn't even bother to look up to add to my program.  The rest of week went great until Saturday and I had a piece of birthday cake.  It was my granddaughters celebration with us so a good enough reason for me.  I love love birthday cake.  My weakness.   A friend of mine made the cake and her cakes are to die for.  Yummy!  Even had ice cream.



So you can see my surprise of why I saw that number.  No way I said.  My thoughts were right.  There was no way.  It just took another day for the calories to set in of the drinks, cake and ice cream.  Here is one day later.  Half pound up from last week.   Where I started two weeks ago.  Guess the cake and drinks showed up today :-{    I remember from last year that the first couple of weeks not a lot happens.  I did forget to measure and it was after lunch when I remembered so I'll wait and do that tomorrow morning.  Fingers crossed no changes there.

I'm so happy I'm home today with no where to go.  It's a 3 hive day and my night gown is best thing to be in.   I took the time to charge my battery last night knowing it had been almost a month.  Bad idea to wait that long.  It took an hour and 40 minutes to fully charge.  I've got to get on a regular two week schedule.

Happy birthday A....Nonna has been thinking of you all day.  Hope it has been very special and fun.  

Living with H.O.P.E.
Theresa


Choose to.....

Choose to love..........rather than hate
Choose to smile...........rather than frown
Choose to build...........rather than destroy
Choose to persevere...........rather than quit
Choose to praise...........rather than gossip
Choose to heal...........rather than wound
Choose to give..........rather than gasp
Choose to act...........rather than delay
Choose to forgive............rather than curse
Choose to pray.............rather than despair

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

More improvement

I'm happy to report that things are still going great since my last post.  I think there have been two days that I wasn't able to be in the pool even if just for a short time.  Some days I over do because I forget and think I'm superwoman in there and pay for it after.  It's still a good thing.  My back is getting stronger and stronger. I can actually tell.  I do all the things they taught me at Aquatic Therapy and then I swim laps.  I'm back riding my recumbent bike occasionally too.  I greatly prefer swimming over riding especially since I can't swim during winter months and the bike is aways available.   It's also fun to just get in and relax.  I had another friend over this past week.  Perfect timing for a mother whose daughter just got married, teaching done until August and she's had some traveling to do during this wedding planning.   She said what I always say, "I'm gonna be waterlogged".   We got in around 10:30 and got out for lunch around 1.  We made a scrumptious salad and went back in.  It was after 4 before we knew it.  



I've been able to cut back once again on my pain meds and making it until late morning before I even need to turn on my stimulator.  I don't stall because it doesn't help but because if I'm ok without it  I can tolerate the length of stimulation longer.  Sometime late at night you just get to the point that you can't stand it a minute longer.  It can actually feel a relief for a short time when you first turned it off.  

Speaking of the stimulator, I finally took the time to charge my battery.  It was replaced on May 8th and I didn't charge for the first time until June 6th.  Big mistake.  It still had half life left but to my surprise it took two hours to charge.  I'll never let it get that low again.  The longest its ever taken me is one hour.  It's much easier to take time more often and charge less time.  I believe based on this experience I could go up to two months if I wanted without charging but I'd never let it get that low or want to chance having to charge that long. 

I'm an example of never giving up.  So many times I've thought I was having another procedure for no reason.  I've been knocking on the wood of our deck that things are finally working like they are supposed to.  I pray in continues.  I'm sure Mr. R is surprised he hasn't heard from me.   It's soooo nice not to feel my battery tugging and pulling the way it was. 

My hives seemed to be controlled again.   Every few days and they always come in clusters.  The days seem to be farther apart though.  I'm counting on getting back to that "remission" I was in some 6 months or so ago.  

You know I can't wrap this up without a picture or two of my lovely grandchildren.  My boy P had to go for a follow up appointment with the eye doctor last Tuesday. Unfortunately he  needed glasses.  An astigmatism in both eyes.  Poor baby.  Handsome as ever though.  He's tolerating as well as can be expected for a child with sensory issues.



And A made a surprise visit on Saturday evening.  Her mom got a ticket to the LSU BB game at the last minute.  So she made the almost 2 hour drive here to bring A to visit and get to the game just in time.   My husband and I had plans to go to dinner and decided to keep them.  A is a well behaved girl and I knew she'd love going out to eat.  They had a band playing and she loved the music.  She absolutely entertained us through out our entire meal.  Including dancing.  She was not embarrassed at one bit.  


outside Superior Grill
A and Poppa as we were leaving

When we left this particular restaurant that was just a few blocks from our "old home".  We didn't tell A we were going to pass by.  We turned on the entrance street and she commented that this is where Nonna and Poppa used to live.  Amazed she remembers that and we hadn't even turned onto street we lived on.

Now you know I love Dollar Tree.  Every time I go there for only one thing I walk out with ten. I honestly need, not want, them all.  These little treasures look cute on my fence by the pool.  I plan to go to another because the one by me is very small and I'd like to see if they have some others to choose from.  I only picked up three and once I placed them along fence I think a few more would look great.


Metal sunshines for the fence along side of pool.

Old Family Phone
My mom sent me a picture of this phone today and asked if I wanted.  If she really does give it up I'd like to save to show my great grand kinds.  This was the the first telephone I ever used.  And yes, it was used right there where it hung on the wall.  Not in the bedroom or any place private.   That phone stated there for many many years.  I didn't know it was still around.  At some point they got a push button phone but I may have been gone by then?


One of my followers "Janet" is at one week from her SCS implant.  Sounds like she is doing well.  But like myself worries that others think she should be running a marathon by now.  If you've been through ANY type of surgery your body needs rest after no matter what.  Agree you need to move as soon as doctor says so but that doesn't mean cooking and cleaning house.  It means getting out of the bed and moving around.  Take care Janet and keep updating me.  I'm praying for a huge success for you and hope our other "pain" friends are too.  By the way, what type of stimulator do you have?


God Bless, still living with H.O.P.E.
Theresa

               Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outward we are wasting away ,yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and monetary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
                   2 Corinthians 4;16-18

Monday, June 3, 2013

The wedding

Friday morning I spend most of the morning in the pool.  I swam laps and did the PT exercises they always had me do when I was in aquatic therapy.  I just thought I was wonder woman.  I kept telling myself take it easy....feels good now but you don't know how you'll feel when you get out.  I also planned to attend a wedding of a close friends daughter.  I wanted to feel best possible for that.  Around noon I got out had lunch then went to run a couple of errands.   As the afternoon became evening for the first time in a while I was actually looking forward to dressing up and going out.  Some of this was because I was feeling better than I have for some time.

Of course I had to check in with my fashion coordinator a few times.  Shoes ok?  Jewelry work?  Before I knew it, it was time to leave and I didn't want to carry the "big" bag I'm toting right now.  It's big, but empty.  I grabbed a small black bag and took off to meet my daughter.  5;30 on a Friday afternoon heading the way all traffic is heading.  I should have checked with my daughter on the best way to go.  When I got on the last turn to get to the major highway that her house is off of I had to follow an ice truck all the way.  Point? I was late.  Like many times before I got to hear my sassy daughter call me a "slacker". :-) ........I'm laughing about it.

My daughter and I made it on time before the start of ceremony.  Barely, but we made it.  It was very nice.  Her daughter was stunning and seemed so relaxed.  I look back at my wedding pictures often and I look petrified.  One of my favorite shots is of me with my maid of honor and matron of honor.  My longest best friend and of course my daughter.  They look wonderful.  I look like someone has a pistol in my back.  We rarely get to visit just her and I.  We had to stop ourself from chatting durning the ceremony.   Here is my friend with her two handsome sons.  They both look just like their father and her daughter has all her features.

My friend escorted my her sons
The bride with her father
 Her bridesmaid dresses were a nude/champagne color.  I hope I'm getting that right.  A certain way the light gleamed on the grooms men during mass their ties had a hint of pink.
B and I headed to the reception hall to wait for the bride and groom to arrive.  We met some people and my daughter actually had a couple of people she knew from school.  The food was great and we enjoyed the music too!  We really had a great time.  We enjoyed getting to talk and just kick back with no time limit or sneaking in a sentence or two in between P's stories!  My daughter is a fun, funny and truthful person.  I enjoyed the wedding and her company equally. 


My friend managed to get around to our table a couple of times.  We grabbed a picture together but the lighting was pretty dim.  I enjoyed catching up with her family members I knew and watching her and her husband dance.  They remind me of my parents and my husbands parents so much with their love of dancing.  


A few last pictures I want to share.  One is the bride dancing with some small children and it was the song where they say, "low, low, low"  Explaining that in case you are wondering what they are doing.  What i love about the picture is how the lights made her dress look.  The lights just gleamed off her dress.  The other is of my daughter, and many others in a line dance.  



It took me hours to get to sleep when I got home.  Between my husband not being home and coming in from such excitement and fun it took me a good while to relax, calm and sleepy.
Honestly all the nights until he came home today have been that way.  Here I am tonight up late again and I can't use him not being here as an excuse tonight.

Saturday I was in pool from 10-11:30.  Then later with a friend from 1-5.  We couldn't believe how quickly the time went by.  As I keep saying I feel great when I'm in the pool but I continue to be sorry later.  In the long run I still think it is helping me.  I can't stretch that way at all out of the pool.  The weather has been so nice this past week end.  I'm looking forward to having a full summer of using it for the purpose of therapy.  I'm so sore tonight.  

My husband made it home pretty early today and he spent the afternoon with me relaxing and swimming.  I talked him into doing some of my PT exercises because he doesn't really know the real value in them.  It didn't take much time of doing 3 different ones to agreeing that they do give you a great work out!  My friend had attested to that the day before.  She didn't get hassled by me to do them she just wanted to.  We jogged around a few times and she said her legs and butt hurt!

So enough about my week end.  I told my husband this evening while we were floating around in the pool that for the first time in a countless number of procedures I feel like there was some success.  And yes, I knocked on the wood of the deck.  My husband is impressed himself with the placement of the battery.  He knows how it felt before.  He can't even feel this one.  Only the incision.  I think a combination of several things contributed to the best few days I've had in some time.  Laughter, the pool, stretching, a few mojitos throughout the week end and last but not least my battery site getting better.  

Speaking of battery, (IPG) I planned to charge tonight and when I checked expecting it to be very low it is still not even half way.  It will be four weeks this Wednesday so I'm very impressed.  They really had me worried about the time span of the battery.  Mr. R said to be prepared to have to charge more often.  I won't let it get to low but I talked my self out of it tonight.  

I found a great article regarding pain management and stretching do's and don'ts for people with back pain.  Chronic pain readers don't give up on me.  I plan to get back to that and share some information.  Have an awesome week followers.

Believing in H.O.P.E. (hold on pain ends)
Theresa

Sunday, February 24, 2013

It's over with...

At the risk of sounding like all I do is complain....I'm going to update you all on my visit with my MP doctor ( he did the SCS implant).  I hadn't seen him since the last post surgery check after implant.  I did have an appointment a few months (Oct) back but he ended up just speaking with me at the surgical center where they did the x ray to see if my leads had moved.  I saw him Friday which  had been scheduled for 6 weeks.  I put it off as long as I could hoping that something would change and I would go in praising him for changing my life.
On the video they give you to view from St. Jude to watch when considering a stimulator all the testimonies say just that.  Having the Spinal Cord Stimulator has changed my life.  Some cases were much worse than mine.  An injured solider, a person in a horrible car accident and many more.  Maybe that's why my expectations were so high.  

I gave him the good news first.  I told him at my last meeting with Mr. R we'd finally made a little progress.  It's so close I told him.  I'm optimistic that as I approach a year (May) it will be even better.  Possibly the unwanted areas going away.  Then the bad...trouble with my battery.  I explained how uncomfortable it has been.  Well uncomfortable is not quite it....painful.  "Please tell me some people take this long to rid of the soreness"?  He said, no I should be fine in that area.  I explained the burning sensations and how I feel it's moved.  Kind of twisted like.  One corner in upper right is protruding out.  
He was puzzled about the heated feeling especially that it happens when stimulator is not even on.  Then he took a look at surgery area.  Oh yeah, he agreed.  I don't remember the exact word he used but definitely confirmed its shifted out of the "pocket".  My theory is that if I would have had the battery I chose implanted I'd be fine right now.

He said he was going to consult with St. Jude about the heating sensation.  I told him I have been in touch with Mr. R about having trouble charging.  He fixed it last time we met but when I went to charge again I had same trouble.  This week I received a package from St. Jude and it was a new charger.  I guess Mr. R took care of that.  After seeing the doc I'm now thinking my charger was fine and my battery shifting has something to do with it.  It probably isn't "making connection".  The wand has to lay flat over the battery when charging.  That is kind of hard to do now that it's moved.  I plan on consulting with Mr. R on this theory tomorrow.  Guess I'll know for sure after trying to charge with new charger.   

I didn't get a clear answer of what we will do if my battery continues to be a problem.  I guess he wanted to talk to St. Jude first.  The nurse told me she has seen this before and they just had to reposition.  OK, there is only one way to get to it.  YUCK.....I don't want to go through that again.  For temporary relief he gave me some samples of Lidoderm patches. (Lidocaine patch 5%)
I put to the test yesterday and today.  It really doesn't help my battery area but I noticed a big difference for 2-3 hours on my back.  He said if they worked he'd write me a script for them.  Of course I looked on my Rx plan and their not covered. I'll check with my pharmacist tomorrow to see what they will cost out of pocket.  I'm just glad the appointment is over, the least favorite office I have to go to. 

So my pinterest idea for this week end was "ice cream for breakfast".  I ate as a snack not for breakfast but you could.  It's just frozen banana's, good for you!  2 ingredient treat.  Freeze 4 sliced banana's and when completely frozen
pulse in food processor.  It will look like gravel at first but just keep pulsing and it will eventually get smooth, creamy and light like you see here.  You can find original recipe on the bloggers address if you follow me on pinterest under "things I've tried" or "something healthy"



you'll need to stop and scrape sides a lot

Next step....here is your 2nd ingredient.  2-3 tablespoons of peanut butter, almond butter, whatever your preference.  (next time I'm going to try Nutella, there goes healthy!)  Continue to pulse until well combined.  She also recommended coco powder and peanut butter together.  I stuck just with the coco since I do not care for peanut butter.  It taste good plain with just the banana's but not every one cares for banana flavor.  For breakfast, I'm good with it.


with the coco added
Tried a little taste, yummy.  Especially for a healthy treat what ever the time you want it.  You can eat right away or freeze for later.  She recommends if you put in freezer to let it sit out a while before trying to serve.


a close up in the bowl
I read some comments following the post and a lot of readers tried strawberries added or chocolate chips.  I think I'll stick to the healthy stuff.  Most importantly make sure the bananas are completely frozen.  She said an hour, but it took 2 in my freezer.  I tried to soon and believe me it doesn't work.  Also the banana's need to be ripe but not black.  Just starting to have brown spots on them.  

So long friends.  This has been a rough week I'm praying for a better one this one.  We're having some bad weather here and from the sound coming from the kennel I'm not sure Dallas will not let me sleep.

God is Good....Always,
Theresa