You've heard this before "Screaming on the inside, smiling on the outside", thats me. These past couple of weeks some things have come to light. Things deep in my heart that I know to be true but acting, away from this blog, they are fine. I still believe one day I'm going to be typing on here about some solution to my pain that I or some medical genius has discovered.
When I saw Dr. C last Friday he asked me to try the Limbrel again. Why not try it once a day instead of twice and maybe it won't effect you the same? We decided on pm in case the dizziness returned it may wear off while I'm in bed overnight. I was game for that. I'm desperate. He also recommended I try adding some turmeric in my diet. It had been brought to my attention by my friend who convinced me to try the gluten free. So now my favorite Dr. is recommending so why not? He told me to do some research and find the best way to use it. Just adding it as a spice to my food would be helpful. My friend however had encouraged me to go the smoothie route using the root form. I found a recipe for making a tea with it. Since I love herbal teas anyway I chose that option.
I've had several really tough days where I could barely get out of bed. I made it to the kitchen and hurt so bad from head to toe I was sick like with the flu. I tried to figure it out like always. For once I think I finally did. It was that nasty thing called "Fibromyalgia". I'm finally starting to accept and understand how it works. If I do something just a little bit out of my range it punishes me the following day. This was very hard to manage being that I've pushed my limits for years.
My psychologist changed my antidepressant last month. Something that is supposed to help with anxiety and FM pain too. I've really been beating myself up the last couple of weeks trying to figure out why I keep feeling so bad no matter what I do. I've been Gluten Free for 2 months. I'm drinking the turmeric tea, drinking ACV, back on the Limbrel, using my stimulator day and night, using multiple over the counter creams and wearing my patches again even though I argue they are too expensive and don't work. I've been so angry. At who? Everyone who don't take care of their self and feel just fine. I recently overheard a man talking about his grandfather and how he ate fatty meat, drank the hard stuff, smoked since he was a teenager, never exercised a day in his life, overweight and is still going strong at 90 something. That's all I can seem to focus on. Does he know how lucky he is? Why am I doing everything right, but can't seem to get any better?
Monday morning I decided to get aggressive with getting some relief. I called my PM doctor, which means I left a message with the nurse, and pleaded to let me try an injection again. I'm desperate. A lot has changed since I've tired in the past. I didn't get a return call until that evening and of course the doctor was already gone. "I'll talk to him tomorrow" Seriously? Then she proceeded to inform me the next day they'd be in another town so I probably wouldn't hear back until Wednesday. Oh, no problem. I have the rest of my life. Excuse my attitude but I'm so tired of dealing with the health care system. Do you think I heard from them today? No I didn't. I was dealing with another doctor today so I didn't even call and complain. Oh, but I will tomorrow morning.
I started thinking about how my pain increased around the time we changed my antidepressant medicine. Could this have anything to do with it? Again...I'm desperate. I had to call for a refill on something the previous psychologist had me on and I didn't notice had 0 refills until I went to call in the refill. I asked to talk to the doc since I was on the phone with them anyway. The receptionist said she'd return my call as soon as possible. Well, you know what my attitude was on that. By the time my husband was home from work I hadn't heard from either doctor!
Surprised, my psychologist called me around 6:15. We started to talk and I had a complete melt down on the phone with her. All my frustrations came out. She pointed out to me that sometime an antidepressant helps with pain on such a small scale that you don't even realize it. When we changed it it's possible that I had an increase in pain overall. If it wasn't working as well on my anxiety too that could effect things. This particular drug was supposed to target patients with FM pain.
We decided together until I see her in two weeks to start back on what I was taking previously since I had some on hand. If I notice my pain decreases a little we may increase the dosage on it. If nothing changes she said we will try another she had in mind before we tried the one I started last month. She wanted to review my genetic testing again before making any final decisions. I'm ok with her decisions. At least I feel like something is being done. I'm scared of "no" change more than "change" at this time. It has to get better than this. I've come to far and tired so many things.
As far as my PM doctor I'll be calling them again tomorrow. It's terrible that two months in a row I've not been able to get them to return my call. I'd love to get out of his practice. I like him and the doctor I saw there before he did my implant but they have become this huge practice that hustle people in and out like cattle. They go to a different town every day. My fear is where will I go? No other PM doctor will want to treat another doctors SCS patient.
It's also time to see Mr. R. The 16 programs I have, have been good to me. I was only using a few, but they kept changing every few weeks. Now I can't seem to get one to keep me comfortable. I was putting off until I got some of these other issues resolved but it can't wait now. For his sake...I hope he's reachable.
I'm just so tired of feeling bad. I can come here and complain all I want and not feel bad about it. I'm sorry to say that beside a few family members ( like my daughter and my husband ) I've pretty much shut everyone else out. Just because...I have nothing nice to say right now. I'm pretty good at faking it but I just can't right now. I'm so tired, so worn. A close friend left me a message last week and said she was sorry for being a bad friend and not checking on me. She asked me to call her back so we could catch up and I feel awful that I haven't. She's not the bad friend, I am.
I guess that's enough venting. No sleep doesn't help things either. I want to try and stay with my closing I've been using. Having HOPE. ( Hold on pain ends) My hands are slipping.... It's so hard right now.
Holding on tightly.....gentle hugs
Theresa
Showing posts with label reprogramming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reprogramming. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
Time for a Change
In past years I've been very successful with following the WW's plan. I've always met my goal weight and kept it off for a good period of time. Things like medications and pain restricting my exercise for periods of time let me slowly gain it back. My latest issue has been a medication I was taking for the fibromyalgia. I've been off since the beginning of April but I'm in a rut. I'm stuck on weight I started at back when I started WW's in the fall. I was 2 pounds from my goal weight when I started the medication and slowly climbed up to where I started and stayed there every since.
I've taken into a lot of factors. I've increased the dosage of my antidepressant from 20 to 40 ( under advise of my psychologist ). She said the increase could also be effecting my weight. I'm also aware that the older you get the harder it becomes to loose weight. It's always been pretty easy for me. I have a lot of will power so sticking to the plan has been easy. So imagine being super strict and you get NO results.
One thing I'm really thrilled about is I've been back in the pool now for two weeks. The water temp has been awesome. I've started slow with walking first. This week I did some water jogging. Increasing time a little each day. It's just unbelievable how my back pain just disappears when I step into the pool. With that in mind I have to really be careful. I did a lot of stretching the first day and I was so so sore the following day.
Speaking of stretching, the bursitis in my shoulder has greatly improved since I've been getting in the pool. It's really hard to do the PT stretches they asked of me. I'm a very compliant patient because I want to be better. However, sometime it's just so painful I cheat and cut the reps or time I spend. In the pool I've been able to do it mostly pain free.
Back to my title "time for a change". What am I planning? I've been doing a lot of research on becoming gluten free. One of the things that attracts me to the idea more than weight loss it is really supposed to help with inflammation. I've tried so many things to help with that. Inflammation is one of my biggest culprits. In my research I read you loose weight also. If that happens, great. My biggest hope it that I will just feel better. I'll take 50% better. The fibromyalgia has really had me beat.
Here is my plan...I have a book I plan to pick up and hopefully read before the end of month. ( saw on Dr. Oz ) Continue to research what I can and can't have. I want to slowly start buying the things I need a little at a time. My WW's plan ends at the end of the month and I hopefully will be ready to get started on a Gluten Free diet. I figure even if it doesn't work for my pain maybe I will loose a few pounds. If I don't loose any weight but start to feel better that would be the BEST outcome.
I have a friend who is gluten free that I spent some time with this past week end and she was in a car accident a while back. Days later she started having a lot of neck pain. After getting checked out at the doctor she discovered she had to bulging discs in her neck. A period of time when by when she couldn't get the pain level down with PT and home care and they put her on pain medication. She is a health nut so that didn't go over well. Even though she was hurting bad enough to take it she told me there was not way she was just going to continue to take it and mask the pain. Like me, she could tell she had a lot of inflammation in the area. That's how she got started. Within a couple of weeks she didn't need the pain medicine at all and she's feeling so much better overall.
I'll share with you two things I've started doing as a "pre prep" to start some healthy habits.
1)Some time back I mentioned my new obsession with coconut oil. I've been using in cooking, popping homemade popcorn and baking. I knew about benefits of using as a replacement for other fats and a lot of uses for it. What I'd never looked at was the benefits of ingesting coconut oil. There are plenty I could tell you about but if your interested just goggle. It's all there.
I mentioned to my friend and she said she put in her coffee every morning. That was one of the ways I read about. I gave it a try and I loved it. There is an adjustment for a few cups because you can SEE the oil. I loved it though because it made my lips so moisturized. I usually put powder creamer in my coffee but read it helps to use milk ( I don't like anything cold in my coffee) and it helps make it creamer. The second cup I used a little almond milk in place of the creamer. I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk so it didn't add any sweetness to the coffee. It's a new and exciting thing at breakfast!
2)She also told me about the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. Another that there are plenty of....but like the coconut oil ingestion google it. I dont' mind sharing but don't want to keep this post going on and on. The main one I tried is for detox. As part of balancing the body's PH apple cider vinegar creates an overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver.
Another that caught my eye the aid in weight loss. For daily weight management add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to 16 oz of water. You can sip throughout the day or just drink all at once. I added juice from half a lemon to cut down on the acidic taste. With that added it tasted like lemon water with a taste of apple. Enjoyable and good for you. I drink two glasses of lemon water a day anyway so it wasn't like I really had to make a big change with this one.
I'm hoping trying gluten free may help my hives go away. I must say it's been the best year ever for the reduction of appearances. Unfortunately, they've still been around. Especially on days when my pain level is up or I'm having some really bad break though pain. The week after returning from the cruise was the worst flare up I'd had all year. In reading the benefits of the Apple Cider Vinegar it didn't mention hives ( at least on the sties I viewed )
but it did talk about the benefits if you have allergies. I'm always hopeful.
I could use to see Mr. R for an adjustment but I have several programs that I'm really pleased with. I seldom turn it off anymore. When I go to bed I just turn it down really low. In the first year I'd try that but it would wake me up when it would come on and off. I think because it's in a better place now it's more comforting than disturbing. I'm having to charge my battery every couple of weeks. A huge difference from the first year to year and a half.
I have a follower who recently had a SCS implanted. I started following her blog and I hear myself in her writing in the beginning months after surgery. ( She's a better writer and much more positive) I'd just like to say to her not to be to discouraged in the first year. I'm sure your doctors have told you but the longer you heal the less movement you get in the stimulation. It also means you have to have less frequent adjustments. Both of my scars are still tender to some degree. The area in my spine where the paddle leads are placed always stays somewhat sore. There is a little "connecter so to speak" that sends the leads out to the IPG (battery) and it's like a bump or knot in the lower back area of my spine. Some days if I lean against something hard it reminds me it's there.
As far as my battery site I've excepted it is what it is. The revision surgery we did a year ago helped so much. A smaller battery and going deeper helped it to not protrude so much so it's less sensitive. I still need a cushion everywhere I go but I'll take that any day over a wheel chair. I remain certain I made the right decision in having a Spinal Cord Stimulator placed. My pain is still there but the stimulator does help relieve it and help me from taking the amount of pain medication I once needed.
Dallas is doing amazing. He had a successful surgery. They completely removed the tumor and stalk that was attached to it. There were three arteries coming from the stalk. She cut and tied all off. That is where all the bleeding was coming from. This past Monday he had his stitches removed and seems almost fully healed. He came a long way from having 3 months to live to a surprising recovery. The lab results showed the tumor to be something called Eosinophilic cystitis. Very rare but the few number of cases they've seen has been with dogs that previously had a bladder stone. Yeah, we're so happy he'll be around some time longer.
If you have any advice or tips for me on my plan to move gluten free, I welcome it. I'm pretty nervous about being prepared. Not about "what will I eat" but will "I have what I need?". I've found a great web site to refer to and my gluten free friend has told me of several sites that will be helpful to me. Wish me luck. As with this and my daily struggle of coping with chronic pain I have H.O.P.E.
Happy Mothers day !!
Gentle Hugs, Theresa
I've taken into a lot of factors. I've increased the dosage of my antidepressant from 20 to 40 ( under advise of my psychologist ). She said the increase could also be effecting my weight. I'm also aware that the older you get the harder it becomes to loose weight. It's always been pretty easy for me. I have a lot of will power so sticking to the plan has been easy. So imagine being super strict and you get NO results.
One thing I'm really thrilled about is I've been back in the pool now for two weeks. The water temp has been awesome. I've started slow with walking first. This week I did some water jogging. Increasing time a little each day. It's just unbelievable how my back pain just disappears when I step into the pool. With that in mind I have to really be careful. I did a lot of stretching the first day and I was so so sore the following day.
Speaking of stretching, the bursitis in my shoulder has greatly improved since I've been getting in the pool. It's really hard to do the PT stretches they asked of me. I'm a very compliant patient because I want to be better. However, sometime it's just so painful I cheat and cut the reps or time I spend. In the pool I've been able to do it mostly pain free.
Back to my title "time for a change". What am I planning? I've been doing a lot of research on becoming gluten free. One of the things that attracts me to the idea more than weight loss it is really supposed to help with inflammation. I've tried so many things to help with that. Inflammation is one of my biggest culprits. In my research I read you loose weight also. If that happens, great. My biggest hope it that I will just feel better. I'll take 50% better. The fibromyalgia has really had me beat.
Here is my plan...I have a book I plan to pick up and hopefully read before the end of month. ( saw on Dr. Oz ) Continue to research what I can and can't have. I want to slowly start buying the things I need a little at a time. My WW's plan ends at the end of the month and I hopefully will be ready to get started on a Gluten Free diet. I figure even if it doesn't work for my pain maybe I will loose a few pounds. If I don't loose any weight but start to feel better that would be the BEST outcome.
I have a friend who is gluten free that I spent some time with this past week end and she was in a car accident a while back. Days later she started having a lot of neck pain. After getting checked out at the doctor she discovered she had to bulging discs in her neck. A period of time when by when she couldn't get the pain level down with PT and home care and they put her on pain medication. She is a health nut so that didn't go over well. Even though she was hurting bad enough to take it she told me there was not way she was just going to continue to take it and mask the pain. Like me, she could tell she had a lot of inflammation in the area. That's how she got started. Within a couple of weeks she didn't need the pain medicine at all and she's feeling so much better overall.
I'll share with you two things I've started doing as a "pre prep" to start some healthy habits.
1)Some time back I mentioned my new obsession with coconut oil. I've been using in cooking, popping homemade popcorn and baking. I knew about benefits of using as a replacement for other fats and a lot of uses for it. What I'd never looked at was the benefits of ingesting coconut oil. There are plenty I could tell you about but if your interested just goggle. It's all there.
I mentioned to my friend and she said she put in her coffee every morning. That was one of the ways I read about. I gave it a try and I loved it. There is an adjustment for a few cups because you can SEE the oil. I loved it though because it made my lips so moisturized. I usually put powder creamer in my coffee but read it helps to use milk ( I don't like anything cold in my coffee) and it helps make it creamer. The second cup I used a little almond milk in place of the creamer. I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk so it didn't add any sweetness to the coffee. It's a new and exciting thing at breakfast!
2)She also told me about the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. Another that there are plenty of....but like the coconut oil ingestion google it. I dont' mind sharing but don't want to keep this post going on and on. The main one I tried is for detox. As part of balancing the body's PH apple cider vinegar creates an overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver.
Another that caught my eye the aid in weight loss. For daily weight management add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to 16 oz of water. You can sip throughout the day or just drink all at once. I added juice from half a lemon to cut down on the acidic taste. With that added it tasted like lemon water with a taste of apple. Enjoyable and good for you. I drink two glasses of lemon water a day anyway so it wasn't like I really had to make a big change with this one.
I'm hoping trying gluten free may help my hives go away. I must say it's been the best year ever for the reduction of appearances. Unfortunately, they've still been around. Especially on days when my pain level is up or I'm having some really bad break though pain. The week after returning from the cruise was the worst flare up I'd had all year. In reading the benefits of the Apple Cider Vinegar it didn't mention hives ( at least on the sties I viewed )
but it did talk about the benefits if you have allergies. I'm always hopeful.
I could use to see Mr. R for an adjustment but I have several programs that I'm really pleased with. I seldom turn it off anymore. When I go to bed I just turn it down really low. In the first year I'd try that but it would wake me up when it would come on and off. I think because it's in a better place now it's more comforting than disturbing. I'm having to charge my battery every couple of weeks. A huge difference from the first year to year and a half.
I have a follower who recently had a SCS implanted. I started following her blog and I hear myself in her writing in the beginning months after surgery. ( She's a better writer and much more positive) I'd just like to say to her not to be to discouraged in the first year. I'm sure your doctors have told you but the longer you heal the less movement you get in the stimulation. It also means you have to have less frequent adjustments. Both of my scars are still tender to some degree. The area in my spine where the paddle leads are placed always stays somewhat sore. There is a little "connecter so to speak" that sends the leads out to the IPG (battery) and it's like a bump or knot in the lower back area of my spine. Some days if I lean against something hard it reminds me it's there.
As far as my battery site I've excepted it is what it is. The revision surgery we did a year ago helped so much. A smaller battery and going deeper helped it to not protrude so much so it's less sensitive. I still need a cushion everywhere I go but I'll take that any day over a wheel chair. I remain certain I made the right decision in having a Spinal Cord Stimulator placed. My pain is still there but the stimulator does help relieve it and help me from taking the amount of pain medication I once needed.
Dallas is doing amazing. He had a successful surgery. They completely removed the tumor and stalk that was attached to it. There were three arteries coming from the stalk. She cut and tied all off. That is where all the bleeding was coming from. This past Monday he had his stitches removed and seems almost fully healed. He came a long way from having 3 months to live to a surprising recovery. The lab results showed the tumor to be something called Eosinophilic cystitis. Very rare but the few number of cases they've seen has been with dogs that previously had a bladder stone. Yeah, we're so happy he'll be around some time longer.
If you have any advice or tips for me on my plan to move gluten free, I welcome it. I'm pretty nervous about being prepared. Not about "what will I eat" but will "I have what I need?". I've found a great web site to refer to and my gluten free friend has told me of several sites that will be helpful to me. Wish me luck. As with this and my daily struggle of coping with chronic pain I have H.O.P.E.
Happy Mothers day !!
Gentle Hugs, Theresa
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| My son and A |
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| Poppa & Nonna at AJ's dedication day |
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| The whole gang |
Saturday, April 19, 2014
No place like home
Well, I made it back safe and sound. I won't say I returned rested and relaxed by no means. I'll take safe and sound first anyhow. I knew before we left sleep would be an issue for me. I have trouble getting it at home in my own bed. For to many years I've been awake all night away from home not able to sleep. I had my psychologist prescribe me 5 Ambien in case of desperation.
It's an awful medicine to get off of if you take to long, my opinion, so I swore I'd never use it again. Never say never. The first night the weather was terrible. We had a balcony stateroom so you could hear all noises outside in the ocean. It was the first time I'd been on a floor that high. ( because of balcony) You notice the rocking of the ship a lot more on deck 9. Thank goodness there was only one other night of bad weather. I was pretty scared and not ashamed to admit it. My mom was out enjoying herself that first night and at 2 am my anxious self was still wide awake when she came in. Yes, I'd taken the ambien. Even after she was in I still couldn't relax and sleep. Lets just say she makes a little noise when sleeping. Like my dear husband, but a little louder. The first night was pretty rough and I was glad to see the morning come. I got approximately 3-4 hours sleep and my body was not happy with me for it.
Each night was some battle. My mother worried about me so much she purposely stayed out one night hoping I'd get some sleep. Unfortunately, I don't sleep on demand. Kind of like a day time nap. No matter how tired, my body just refuses. By Wednesday night I'd come up with putting my ear pieces in my ears instead of just resting my phone on the side of my pillow. ( using the pink noise app) When I did go to sleep this helped drown out any noises in the room. Yes, there were others. A creaking door that lead to connecting staterooms. Our noisy guests next door. They really didn't care what time it was to go out on the balcony and make noise and celebrate. Next cruise, if there is one, I'll request to be in between two elderly couples.
Outside of the sleep issue we enjoyed ourself. The food was wonderful. Hard decisions on where and what to eat. So many options to do it was hard to choose each night. One night before a show we went to game show at a night club. The band played a snip it from a television series theme and you had to take a guess and write it down. The crowd was in groups and very competitive. I surprised myself at how many I knew. Turns out many of the 25 were from when I was little so I knew the answer. My mom recognized the music but didn't know the name being she didn't really see the programs. Some of them were: The Brady Bunch, The Adams Family, Green Acres, Bonanza, The Pink Panther, The Odd Couple and The Rockford Files to name a few. That was fun. Another lady with us was really into it and got so excited with everyone we had right. You'd swear our prize was a million dollars.
Every night there was some sort of excellent entertainment in the "Stardust Theater" On the Monday night we saw a comedian who had our jaws hurting he was so funny. I haven't laughed that hard in some time. There was an act of two Russians, ( male and female ) who were amazing. I don't know if they were lovers, but they sure seemed to be. It was a beautiful, death defying romantic performance. I won't bore you with every night. It was well worth your time to go an see. The only down side was we had to really get there early to get a seat at the end of an isle. The theater held a lot of guests but it was one long isle. You know, where there is no way for someone to pass unless you stand up? It's quite and effort sometime for me to get up out of those types of chairs. I didn't care if I had to sit at the top. It was worth it to not climb over people and to stand up and stretch any time I felt like it.
My friends and family are very familiar with my cushion I carry around everywhere with me. It made it all over that cruse ship and back home. If only it could talk....
After a show one night they had a chocolate lovers buffet. There is not one thing chocolate they didn't have. Cheese cake, any and every kind of cake. Chocolate sculptures. Chocolate covered things! It was a sight to see. The only down side was the time of night. It was late. I really can't have caffein after lunch much less at 10:45 at night. That's ok, my mom enjoyed for both of us. Love you mom.
I would say one of my moms favorite things was listening to music. She loves to hear a live band and loves to dance. She even got up on stage with one female singer she befriended and the lead singer officially titled her as her "back up dancer". My mom got a huge round of applause after. I took a few pictures during then I took off before the song was over in case my mom came towards me. Hee hee.
Seriously I'm just joking. She loved it and I loved seeing her enjoy herself.
Another thing the two of us enjoyed was a massage. I went first and she had hers a couple hours following me. We had the same massage therapist and she was great. I've never been disappointed with a massage on a cruise. This was my third time cruising and my third time meeting a wonderful person who taught me something. They had a steam room to use and I definitely made use of it everyday, but once. It really helped with the bursitis and fibro pain. Oh how I miss going to the one at the "Y". It feels so awesome when you leave. If you've never tried it, please do. It's great for muscle and joint pain, to release toxins and leave your skin looking good. I'm sure there are many other benefits.
We got off of the boat on three different occasions. My mom and I were a good pair for shopping because neither of us can make it very long. We were usually ready to return around the same time.
At every port we met interesting people and had good conversation. It was the same on the boat. Every night we met someone new and then would end up seeing them again. I met a couple the first day who were on their honeymoon and I saw them most everyday. With 2500 passengers you wouldn't expect it, but it happened. He had been on quite a few cruises but it was her first.
During dinner at one of the nicer restaurants we met an interesting couple who'd seem to done a lot of traveling. They had some interesting stories to share On the other side of us were two nice gentlemen who were just as pleasant and joined us in our conversations. Made for an interesting dinner night. We only seemed to meet and spend time with very friendly people. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, shows, karaoke, dancing or site seeing. We didn't run across anyone who wasn't kind to us.
With all that said, I still couldn't be happier to step foot on the port of New Orleans. Check my passport and let me out of here. I miss my hubby and my family. I haven't been that happy to see him in some time. I guess it's good to get away from your spouse sometime to really appreciate them. Of course the baby at home really missed me too. Dallas. I'll update you on him next post. He has a surgery coming up in two weeks. I didn't sleep much the first night home, but I will say the second night I was sleeping at 11pm and did not wake up until 9:45 am. VERY unusual for me. I sure needed it. I can't tell you the last time I had that much sleep.
I'm struggling with fibromyalgia pain at intense levels. Hence my outbreak of hives since I've been home. It made two weeks yesterday that I've been off of the Lyrica. I'm not sure how I'll continue to keep going without it. The good news is my stimulator is still in check. I believe I'm setting a record for myself now on time between adjustments. I'd never have survived the cruise without it.
Speaking of my stimulator, as a fellow blogger who recently stated, you get to cut the line when passing through the zapper. (that's what I call it) I had my card out to show them and they barely looked at it. He just waved me on over and patted me down. On the boat, as we got on and off at various ports, it was even easier. I flashed the card and they just had me bypass. No patting.
I'm praying for a blessed Easter Sunday for everyone. Don't over do it please. You know the following day is really the one that kills you. I'm thankful to be home. I'm thankful for my life, my family and friends. I'm also thankful for the support of the above and my readers. Your emails and own blogs inspire me to keep on keeping on sometime.
God Bless.....
Full of H.O.P.E.
Theresa
It's an awful medicine to get off of if you take to long, my opinion, so I swore I'd never use it again. Never say never. The first night the weather was terrible. We had a balcony stateroom so you could hear all noises outside in the ocean. It was the first time I'd been on a floor that high. ( because of balcony) You notice the rocking of the ship a lot more on deck 9. Thank goodness there was only one other night of bad weather. I was pretty scared and not ashamed to admit it. My mom was out enjoying herself that first night and at 2 am my anxious self was still wide awake when she came in. Yes, I'd taken the ambien. Even after she was in I still couldn't relax and sleep. Lets just say she makes a little noise when sleeping. Like my dear husband, but a little louder. The first night was pretty rough and I was glad to see the morning come. I got approximately 3-4 hours sleep and my body was not happy with me for it.
Each night was some battle. My mother worried about me so much she purposely stayed out one night hoping I'd get some sleep. Unfortunately, I don't sleep on demand. Kind of like a day time nap. No matter how tired, my body just refuses. By Wednesday night I'd come up with putting my ear pieces in my ears instead of just resting my phone on the side of my pillow. ( using the pink noise app) When I did go to sleep this helped drown out any noises in the room. Yes, there were others. A creaking door that lead to connecting staterooms. Our noisy guests next door. They really didn't care what time it was to go out on the balcony and make noise and celebrate. Next cruise, if there is one, I'll request to be in between two elderly couples.
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| "The Pearl" Our ship is behind, a little bigger "The Spirit" |
Every night there was some sort of excellent entertainment in the "Stardust Theater" On the Monday night we saw a comedian who had our jaws hurting he was so funny. I haven't laughed that hard in some time. There was an act of two Russians, ( male and female ) who were amazing. I don't know if they were lovers, but they sure seemed to be. It was a beautiful, death defying romantic performance. I won't bore you with every night. It was well worth your time to go an see. The only down side was we had to really get there early to get a seat at the end of an isle. The theater held a lot of guests but it was one long isle. You know, where there is no way for someone to pass unless you stand up? It's quite and effort sometime for me to get up out of those types of chairs. I didn't care if I had to sit at the top. It was worth it to not climb over people and to stand up and stretch any time I felt like it.
My friends and family are very familiar with my cushion I carry around everywhere with me. It made it all over that cruse ship and back home. If only it could talk....
After a show one night they had a chocolate lovers buffet. There is not one thing chocolate they didn't have. Cheese cake, any and every kind of cake. Chocolate sculptures. Chocolate covered things! It was a sight to see. The only down side was the time of night. It was late. I really can't have caffein after lunch much less at 10:45 at night. That's ok, my mom enjoyed for both of us. Love you mom.
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| one of the chocolate sculptures |
I would say one of my moms favorite things was listening to music. She loves to hear a live band and loves to dance. She even got up on stage with one female singer she befriended and the lead singer officially titled her as her "back up dancer". My mom got a huge round of applause after. I took a few pictures during then I took off before the song was over in case my mom came towards me. Hee hee.
Seriously I'm just joking. She loved it and I loved seeing her enjoy herself.
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| Mom's new friend |
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| "Proud Mary" |
Another thing the two of us enjoyed was a massage. I went first and she had hers a couple hours following me. We had the same massage therapist and she was great. I've never been disappointed with a massage on a cruise. This was my third time cruising and my third time meeting a wonderful person who taught me something. They had a steam room to use and I definitely made use of it everyday, but once. It really helped with the bursitis and fibro pain. Oh how I miss going to the one at the "Y". It feels so awesome when you leave. If you've never tried it, please do. It's great for muscle and joint pain, to release toxins and leave your skin looking good. I'm sure there are many other benefits.
We got off of the boat on three different occasions. My mom and I were a good pair for shopping because neither of us can make it very long. We were usually ready to return around the same time.
At every port we met interesting people and had good conversation. It was the same on the boat. Every night we met someone new and then would end up seeing them again. I met a couple the first day who were on their honeymoon and I saw them most everyday. With 2500 passengers you wouldn't expect it, but it happened. He had been on quite a few cruises but it was her first.
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| goofing off in Costa Maya |
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| She's going in |
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| At dinner one night |
I'm struggling with fibromyalgia pain at intense levels. Hence my outbreak of hives since I've been home. It made two weeks yesterday that I've been off of the Lyrica. I'm not sure how I'll continue to keep going without it. The good news is my stimulator is still in check. I believe I'm setting a record for myself now on time between adjustments. I'd never have survived the cruise without it.
Speaking of my stimulator, as a fellow blogger who recently stated, you get to cut the line when passing through the zapper. (that's what I call it) I had my card out to show them and they barely looked at it. He just waved me on over and patted me down. On the boat, as we got on and off at various ports, it was even easier. I flashed the card and they just had me bypass. No patting.
I'm praying for a blessed Easter Sunday for everyone. Don't over do it please. You know the following day is really the one that kills you. I'm thankful to be home. I'm thankful for my life, my family and friends. I'm also thankful for the support of the above and my readers. Your emails and own blogs inspire me to keep on keeping on sometime.
God Bless.....
Full of H.O.P.E.
Theresa
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The good and the bad
The good....Met with Mr. R this morning. We did a lot of good in an hours time. It usually takes a little longer. I've been needing to seem him for several weeks now because I was down to one program I could tolerate. I text him a couple of weeks ago and I didn't hear back from him so I just pushed it a little longer. He's told me time and time again if I don't answer you please please bug me. He gets so many emails and texts every day from patients it easily happens. I could have done that but it was just as much my fault as his because I really wasn't wanting to go through the process.
Saturday I was so annoyed with my stimulator I could have thrown the remote across the room. 9 programs and 0 working. Twice during the day I took the time to give each one a try again. Being a 9 on the pain scale day you just couldn't deal with me. My husband was tired of hearing me gripe about it. I think he was worried I'd really slam the thing across the room. It was just so frustrating. I sat down to text Mr. R and realized his number was one of the ones that didn't transfer to this temporary phone so I was in a pickle. I found his associates number and text her but by Sunday afternoon no word back from her. Finally I remembered I had his business card in my charging bag. I text him and begged to see him ASAP. He put me down for this am @ 9.
When he came to get me from reception area the first thing he said to me was an apology for not replying a couple of weeks ago. He fussed at me because I didn't bug him. I told him no worries it was just as much my fault. Desperate now, I was definitely planning to bug you, I told him. Within an hours time he had three new programs for me that I hope stick around for some time. One is the best I've ever had. Puzzles me why they just don't last. I asked Mr. R about this and he said everyone is different. He has some cases he programmed a few weeks out from surgery and never needed again. Some people call him once a year and a handful that he sees several times a year. He said my case was difficult from the start. We've always had trouble finding that "sweet spot" so it's not surprising to him that I continue to need reprogramming. I can live with that as long as we don't get to the point that we can't find a way to make it work.
He shared with me that St. Jude has a new battery coming out in 2-3 years. It's still in trial right now in Europe. When it is cleared to be on the medical market he said it will be perfect for me. You won't feel any stimulation at all. It will just work without the stimulation. When you turn it on it just blocks the pain but you don't feel anything. So if it's zapping me in my stomach it wouldn't matter because I won't feel it. This news gives me hope that things can get even better.
The bad....on the scale today I'm UP half a pound. 139 I started weighing everyday the day I started the new water drinking method. I wanted to see if it was making a difference. Everyday that I weighed I was 138 which was half a pound down from last week on Tuesday. I started weighing everyday on Thursday. So how shocked was I when I weigh today thinking it might even be lower and bam it was up! They recommend you shouldn't weigh everyday for that reason. Your weight can fluctuate day to day when dieting. If I wouldn't have been doing that I probably wouldn't have been so disappointed because I would have looked at it as up half a pound and not a whole pound.
So needless to say I did not feel the need to snap a picture of this "weight gain". Figured you all would take my word for it. I've been pushing myself hard in the pool since I can't do anything more than I already do on my recumbent bike. Previously I mainly was doing PT exercises and stretches. I've been swimming laps and water jogging so maybe I've put on some muscle? I was shocked at the calories you burn water jogging. In 10 minutes it is as much as I burn 30 minutes on my bike.
The bursitis in my elbows and knees is giving me heck. I really thought the additional time in the pool would help but it seems to be making it worse. My elbows are keeping me from sleeping. Every move I make wakes me up. I've been staying off the free weights to see if that would help but it's been a month now and seems worse. I have an appointment with my rheumatologist next month hopefully he can give me some advise.
I've had my feet up and on the heating pad while typing this post. Time to get up and get something done around here. I want to try and pickle some of my banana peppers. To many to eat. I've been putting in everything from my salad to on my sandwich.
Hopefully next post I have pictures again. I haven't tried to put pictures from this "other" phone onto my computer. I'm afraid it won't be as simple as with my iphone. It takes awesome pictures though. 13 pixels. I took a picture of my husband in the pool last evening from some distance. My dog just happened to be on the steps of the deck. I noticed when I zoom in to just him in the photo it doesn't even get blurry. That part of the phone I love. It takes better quality pictures than my iphone.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Not giving up H.O.P.E.
Theresa
Saturday I was so annoyed with my stimulator I could have thrown the remote across the room. 9 programs and 0 working. Twice during the day I took the time to give each one a try again. Being a 9 on the pain scale day you just couldn't deal with me. My husband was tired of hearing me gripe about it. I think he was worried I'd really slam the thing across the room. It was just so frustrating. I sat down to text Mr. R and realized his number was one of the ones that didn't transfer to this temporary phone so I was in a pickle. I found his associates number and text her but by Sunday afternoon no word back from her. Finally I remembered I had his business card in my charging bag. I text him and begged to see him ASAP. He put me down for this am @ 9.
When he came to get me from reception area the first thing he said to me was an apology for not replying a couple of weeks ago. He fussed at me because I didn't bug him. I told him no worries it was just as much my fault. Desperate now, I was definitely planning to bug you, I told him. Within an hours time he had three new programs for me that I hope stick around for some time. One is the best I've ever had. Puzzles me why they just don't last. I asked Mr. R about this and he said everyone is different. He has some cases he programmed a few weeks out from surgery and never needed again. Some people call him once a year and a handful that he sees several times a year. He said my case was difficult from the start. We've always had trouble finding that "sweet spot" so it's not surprising to him that I continue to need reprogramming. I can live with that as long as we don't get to the point that we can't find a way to make it work.
He shared with me that St. Jude has a new battery coming out in 2-3 years. It's still in trial right now in Europe. When it is cleared to be on the medical market he said it will be perfect for me. You won't feel any stimulation at all. It will just work without the stimulation. When you turn it on it just blocks the pain but you don't feel anything. So if it's zapping me in my stomach it wouldn't matter because I won't feel it. This news gives me hope that things can get even better.
The bad....on the scale today I'm UP half a pound. 139 I started weighing everyday the day I started the new water drinking method. I wanted to see if it was making a difference. Everyday that I weighed I was 138 which was half a pound down from last week on Tuesday. I started weighing everyday on Thursday. So how shocked was I when I weigh today thinking it might even be lower and bam it was up! They recommend you shouldn't weigh everyday for that reason. Your weight can fluctuate day to day when dieting. If I wouldn't have been doing that I probably wouldn't have been so disappointed because I would have looked at it as up half a pound and not a whole pound.
So needless to say I did not feel the need to snap a picture of this "weight gain". Figured you all would take my word for it. I've been pushing myself hard in the pool since I can't do anything more than I already do on my recumbent bike. Previously I mainly was doing PT exercises and stretches. I've been swimming laps and water jogging so maybe I've put on some muscle? I was shocked at the calories you burn water jogging. In 10 minutes it is as much as I burn 30 minutes on my bike.
The bursitis in my elbows and knees is giving me heck. I really thought the additional time in the pool would help but it seems to be making it worse. My elbows are keeping me from sleeping. Every move I make wakes me up. I've been staying off the free weights to see if that would help but it's been a month now and seems worse. I have an appointment with my rheumatologist next month hopefully he can give me some advise.
I've had my feet up and on the heating pad while typing this post. Time to get up and get something done around here. I want to try and pickle some of my banana peppers. To many to eat. I've been putting in everything from my salad to on my sandwich.
Hopefully next post I have pictures again. I haven't tried to put pictures from this "other" phone onto my computer. I'm afraid it won't be as simple as with my iphone. It takes awesome pictures though. 13 pixels. I took a picture of my husband in the pool last evening from some distance. My dog just happened to be on the steps of the deck. I noticed when I zoom in to just him in the photo it doesn't even get blurry. That part of the phone I love. It takes better quality pictures than my iphone.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Not giving up H.O.P.E.
Theresa
Six steps to successful communication
Think of the word "ladder" to help you remember
L ook at the person speaking to you
A sk questions
D on't interrupt
D on't change the subject
E mpathize
R espond verbally and nonverbally
Thursday, June 27, 2013
I'm guilty
I admit I have no good reason for not writing in over a week. I have a reason, just not a good one. I've got myself addicted to a television program I can't stop watching. In the evenings I spend time in the pool. Watering every day now. With the heat here in LA and no rain, our plants and herbs will not survive without it. By the time I come in from outside and fix dinner, I'm anxious to watch the next episode of this program. After that I convince myself tomorrow night I'm not watching and I'm going to post on my blog! I've been reading a little of a great book each night also so by then I'm getting sleepy.
A couple of weeks ago in the wee hours of the morning when I couldn't sleep I was channel surfing for something to watch on TV. I stopped on "The Closer". I'd never seen before and this particular episode was a rerun of the SERIES Finale. Two hour special of course. I fell for the main characters personality. It's a crime drama but so funny at times. The entire cast is full of great actors. I was shocked to discover when I looked it up being I'd never heard of it before that it ran for 7 seasons! I decided to go back and watch 1st one to see if it was good as the first. From then on I've been hooked. I'm on season 3 episode 5. Check it out, you won't regret it.
Last Sunday I baked a whole chicken that turned out so awesome.
My husband said, " it's remarkable". It was so tender and juicy.
I can take partial credit but not entirely. I don't remember the show but it was a contest between two chefs on to brine or not brine. The chef that didn't brine stuffed inside and under the skin. I've baked a lot of whole chickens before and put seasonings inside and seasoned outside but not this particular combination. It's amazing what a few fresh herbs will turn out.
I rubbed entire chicken with kosher salt. Stuffed inside lemon wedge, fresh rosemary (whole sprigs), and quartered onions. Under the skin I stuffed with lemon slices, fresh basil leaves and rosemary chopped. I then cut another lemon into slices and laid around pan with onions. I added a little chicken broth to keep the onions and lemons from sticking to pain and to braise the chicken during cooking. 425 for hour and half. (5 pd ) It is the juiciest chicken I've ever eaten. It literally melts in your mouth. Matter of fact, I have another in the oven as I type. This time I added mint leaves to the combination of seasonings. Can't wait to see what difference they make.
It's time to hook up with Mr. R again. Most of my programs have moved around again. I have two out of 9 I'm using. Everything else has moved to my stomach and these two are working their way there also. My granddaughter is coming tomorrow to visit a few days so it will wait until she goes back home.
I've went to the walking path to walk a few times. It's the hardest out of the three things I try to do for exercise. I sweat (excuse the pun) it out but it's really hard. I'm so glad when I get it done though. Swimming is the easiest but I'm aways so sore and hurting after because I don't realize that I continue to over do it each time.
My grandson's last tee ball game was Monday evening. He put on a show for us. He is so stinking funny some time.
You may recall in a previous post (one before last) I posted a couple of pictures of us eating out with A at a Mexican restaurant. When we returned home we remembered we'd never checked the mail that day. In it was a small bubble manila envelope with a strange return address that we didn't recognize. Addressed to both my husband and I both. It said "open together"
And so we did. It was a puzzle. We started putting together and it took a bit to figure out the message but right away I had clues and guesses. Those beautiful eyes on P stood out right away on a piece of the puzzle. Then next I come across two pieces that make a bow tie! P and my daughter were both in a wedding back in May so I thought maybe it was a puzzle of him in his tux. Then I was guessing a puzzle made from professional picture taken at Easter. Maybe one she didn't show me yet.
Here is Poppa and A working while I step back and take a picture.
I'm so glad I did that. Just wish I had one with me in it. So in the end when all together this is what the puzzle told us.
I'm sure you can figure this out. Right? Nonna is so happy and excited for P to be a big brother. Thrilled to know that my daughter and son in law are blessed to have the gift of life given to them once again. This past week she sent out original pictures of this puzzle to family. I believe next week she'll be ready to share with everyone so until then. It's a secret! Ok? We're planning to wait and be surprised. Boy or girl? Now my son in law is not to keen on this idea, but we'll see if he honors B's wish.
I'll try to be back sooner. I know it won't be before A goes home on Tuesday. Tonights a walk night. Pushing myself to do this because the day I quit fighting I loose.
God is awesome...
Living in H.O.P.E. (hold on pain ends)
Theresa
A couple of weeks ago in the wee hours of the morning when I couldn't sleep I was channel surfing for something to watch on TV. I stopped on "The Closer". I'd never seen before and this particular episode was a rerun of the SERIES Finale. Two hour special of course. I fell for the main characters personality. It's a crime drama but so funny at times. The entire cast is full of great actors. I was shocked to discover when I looked it up being I'd never heard of it before that it ran for 7 seasons! I decided to go back and watch 1st one to see if it was good as the first. From then on I've been hooked. I'm on season 3 episode 5. Check it out, you won't regret it.
Last Sunday I baked a whole chicken that turned out so awesome.
My husband said, " it's remarkable". It was so tender and juicy.
I can take partial credit but not entirely. I don't remember the show but it was a contest between two chefs on to brine or not brine. The chef that didn't brine stuffed inside and under the skin. I've baked a lot of whole chickens before and put seasonings inside and seasoned outside but not this particular combination. It's amazing what a few fresh herbs will turn out.
I rubbed entire chicken with kosher salt. Stuffed inside lemon wedge, fresh rosemary (whole sprigs), and quartered onions. Under the skin I stuffed with lemon slices, fresh basil leaves and rosemary chopped. I then cut another lemon into slices and laid around pan with onions. I added a little chicken broth to keep the onions and lemons from sticking to pain and to braise the chicken during cooking. 425 for hour and half. (5 pd ) It is the juiciest chicken I've ever eaten. It literally melts in your mouth. Matter of fact, I have another in the oven as I type. This time I added mint leaves to the combination of seasonings. Can't wait to see what difference they make.
It's time to hook up with Mr. R again. Most of my programs have moved around again. I have two out of 9 I'm using. Everything else has moved to my stomach and these two are working their way there also. My granddaughter is coming tomorrow to visit a few days so it will wait until she goes back home.
I've went to the walking path to walk a few times. It's the hardest out of the three things I try to do for exercise. I sweat (excuse the pun) it out but it's really hard. I'm so glad when I get it done though. Swimming is the easiest but I'm aways so sore and hurting after because I don't realize that I continue to over do it each time.
My grandson's last tee ball game was Monday evening. He put on a show for us. He is so stinking funny some time.
 |
| proud of his little trophy |
 |
| in the dug out |
And so we did. It was a puzzle. We started putting together and it took a bit to figure out the message but right away I had clues and guesses. Those beautiful eyes on P stood out right away on a piece of the puzzle. Then next I come across two pieces that make a bow tie! P and my daughter were both in a wedding back in May so I thought maybe it was a puzzle of him in his tux. Then I was guessing a puzzle made from professional picture taken at Easter. Maybe one she didn't show me yet.
I'm so glad I did that. Just wish I had one with me in it. So in the end when all together this is what the puzzle told us.
I'll try to be back sooner. I know it won't be before A goes home on Tuesday. Tonights a walk night. Pushing myself to do this because the day I quit fighting I loose.
God is awesome...
Living in H.O.P.E. (hold on pain ends)
Theresa
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Week 2 (second time around)
Hello summer....it's hot here. I really had no idea a week had gone by since I last blogged. I've been pretty busy for a person recovering from surgery two weeks ago. While on that subject I'll say things are really going well. On Monday I had to see my primary care doctor and I had her take a look at my incision. My husband had taken off the strips that the surgeon put on at my one week check and I wanted an opinion since I was there anyway. I was concerned about a couple of areas. She said the "little black" areas I was concerned about was simply scab and also glue.
I met up with Mr. R yesterday to pick up my new battery charger and work on a new program.
We took forever to connect because he has been traveling for work a lot. I told him just find me one to work better and I'm out of here. I was feeling horrible. We were able to get something in 30 minutes and I went straight back home. He asked me first thing when I saw him yesterday how did the new battery feel? Great I told him. As soon as the incision soreness is gone I won't even know it is there. Unless I touch the incision or roll over on it at night, I don't even feel the battery. A huge improvement. He was thrilled to hear me say that. I asked him about the "glue" my PC doctor mentioned. He said they literally use glue (almost like superglue) on the incision. Next Wednesday I see my PM doctor for one last check so he can release me to be a little more active and let me in the POOL! That's what I'm looking forward to most. Also, trying to get back to what exercise I am capable of doing.
Yesterday made a week I've been fighting a nasty cough keeping me awake at night. The only symptoms I had were the cough during night and first hour I was up in the am. I also would loose my voice at night and into the first few hours of being up in the morning then it would return. No sore throat, head ache or fever. That's what brought me in to see the doctor on Monday. After no sleep over the week end and all the coughing at night, I'd had enough. My chest had started to hurt that morning so I decided I better go ahead and get checked. I was lucky to get an appointment that afternoon and get checked out. No infection, all allergy. Amazing that can make you feel so bad. A short dose of antibiotic, 5 day Z pac as precautionary. Cough pearls and Mucinex D. Both of which I was already using since it started.
Last Friday I finally got that mammogram I've been saying I was going to do. I was confidant I was a year or two past due. I was informed the last one was 08. Boy, was I shocked. The Woman's Hospital here in BR is new. It used to be on the side of town we lived on and this new one opened shortly after we moved into this area. I hadn't been yet so I didn't have the best experience finding where I need to go. It was pretty busy but I was in and out in 45 minutes.
On Tuesday they gave me a call and asked me to come back for more views of left side. I wasn't really concerned because the first time I had one they asked me to do that and I let if freak me out and it was nothing. I understand it's pretty common if they see the least little thing/change they don't take any chances. They want to see it closer and at a different view. Monday the doctor and pharmacy, Mr. R on Tuesday, now Wednesday back to Woman's.
My phone had stopped working on Tuesday. No audio at all so I decided to go ahead an schedule an appointment with Apple since I had to go back to town for the additional views at the hospital. The phone was not repairable and sadly I have two more months to be eligible for a replacement at an "upgrade" cost. If it would have been 2 weeks I might have considered waiting but two months was to long. I left Apple with another phone and went to get the additional views at the hospital. The radiologist looked at them before i left and they said everything was fine. They do have a second radiologist view for second opinion and that would be done today. I think that's a great method.
The day I heard from the hospital I also heard from my OB/GYN doctor. I've been seeing him for 29 years. Since my baby was one. He asked me to schedule an appointment with a breast specialist no matter what the findings of the additional views. He said he asks any of his patients with family history have something new show up to do this. I hung up thinking I'd do it as a second opinion if they found something. If it's good, I didn't think it was necessary. I thought about it more after returning home and at the end of the day decided to call and schedule the appointment. I'm a complaint patient with all my other doctors so why not be complaint with him also. What's one more appointment?
Today is the first day I haven't been out most of the morning and I've enjoyed being home. A lot of friends/family have asked me about this surgery working and is my back better? This surgery was to fix one thing only. The battery I had was to big for me to start and after it moved positions it had become very uncomfortable and I was having trouble charging due to the shift in position. I agreed to the surgery because the back pain was enough. Dealing with the battery issue really was starting to make me feel like I had made a huge mistake having the implant done last year. I had no idea I'd add pain. The plan was to reduce it. The first half of the year that plan worked. The second half everything went down hill. So far the surgery has been a huge success but no changes for the back pain. I do seem to get more relief from the stimulator now that I'm not dealing with the additional pain of the old battery.
Unfortunately I'm still dealing with the hives. I'll go two days max without any then bam the following day their back. I have two today. I hope to know one day what causes them to appear but I may never know.
Last Sunday my husband and I went to my friends home for a family gathering for her sons 30th birthday. He is same age as my daughter. We met when her son and my daughter were one but ended up across the street from each other the summer before kindergarten. We went to his birthday parties as a little boy and they came to my daughters as well. They caught the bus together together for many years. When they reached high school age my friend moved to Baton Rouge ( I moved later in BR in 2005) and they went to different high schools. We still kept in touch though.
My daughter and grandson came for awhile also. My friend asked my daughter to take her picture with her son since she turned 30 in April. Neither my friend nor I can believe we have a 30 year old. She also is privileged to be a grandmother. It was odd seeing our babies, babies play together. It was a nice afternoon and I enjoyed getting out of the house. Little did I know then I'd be out the next three days in a row.
Tomorrow Dallas is having surgery to remove bladder stones. My vet tried a 2 week dose of antibiotic but it didn't clear the blood in his urine so they took an x ray to discover the stones. We're hoping this surgery will go much smoother than the one he had last fall.
Sorry this post is so long. I just had so much to share with you since last time I wrote. There was so much to share since I last posted. My granddaughter's mom graduated from Nursing school. We're so excited for her. It's been a long hard road for her but it will now pay off. She already has a job at the hospital where A was born. She'll be in the ICU. Not a place where many rookies land.
Her pinning ceremony was last Thursday night and Saturday was graduation. I really hate I had to miss it. A's grandmother sent a picture from Thursday night and some pictures of the playhouse that Paw Paw G built for her. She loves to pretend to cook and play house with her dolls so I know many hours of fun she will have there. I hope to get a picture of graduation so I can share that with you also.
Great job M....I can't imagine how proud your parents are of and for you. I hope life gets easier and easier for you from here on out. You deserve it!
I guess I'm carrying on to long now. I'll save the rest for next post.
H.O.P. E.
Theresa
I met up with Mr. R yesterday to pick up my new battery charger and work on a new program.
We took forever to connect because he has been traveling for work a lot. I told him just find me one to work better and I'm out of here. I was feeling horrible. We were able to get something in 30 minutes and I went straight back home. He asked me first thing when I saw him yesterday how did the new battery feel? Great I told him. As soon as the incision soreness is gone I won't even know it is there. Unless I touch the incision or roll over on it at night, I don't even feel the battery. A huge improvement. He was thrilled to hear me say that. I asked him about the "glue" my PC doctor mentioned. He said they literally use glue (almost like superglue) on the incision. Next Wednesday I see my PM doctor for one last check so he can release me to be a little more active and let me in the POOL! That's what I'm looking forward to most. Also, trying to get back to what exercise I am capable of doing.
Yesterday made a week I've been fighting a nasty cough keeping me awake at night. The only symptoms I had were the cough during night and first hour I was up in the am. I also would loose my voice at night and into the first few hours of being up in the morning then it would return. No sore throat, head ache or fever. That's what brought me in to see the doctor on Monday. After no sleep over the week end and all the coughing at night, I'd had enough. My chest had started to hurt that morning so I decided I better go ahead and get checked. I was lucky to get an appointment that afternoon and get checked out. No infection, all allergy. Amazing that can make you feel so bad. A short dose of antibiotic, 5 day Z pac as precautionary. Cough pearls and Mucinex D. Both of which I was already using since it started.
Last Friday I finally got that mammogram I've been saying I was going to do. I was confidant I was a year or two past due. I was informed the last one was 08. Boy, was I shocked. The Woman's Hospital here in BR is new. It used to be on the side of town we lived on and this new one opened shortly after we moved into this area. I hadn't been yet so I didn't have the best experience finding where I need to go. It was pretty busy but I was in and out in 45 minutes.
On Tuesday they gave me a call and asked me to come back for more views of left side. I wasn't really concerned because the first time I had one they asked me to do that and I let if freak me out and it was nothing. I understand it's pretty common if they see the least little thing/change they don't take any chances. They want to see it closer and at a different view. Monday the doctor and pharmacy, Mr. R on Tuesday, now Wednesday back to Woman's.
My phone had stopped working on Tuesday. No audio at all so I decided to go ahead an schedule an appointment with Apple since I had to go back to town for the additional views at the hospital. The phone was not repairable and sadly I have two more months to be eligible for a replacement at an "upgrade" cost. If it would have been 2 weeks I might have considered waiting but two months was to long. I left Apple with another phone and went to get the additional views at the hospital. The radiologist looked at them before i left and they said everything was fine. They do have a second radiologist view for second opinion and that would be done today. I think that's a great method.
The day I heard from the hospital I also heard from my OB/GYN doctor. I've been seeing him for 29 years. Since my baby was one. He asked me to schedule an appointment with a breast specialist no matter what the findings of the additional views. He said he asks any of his patients with family history have something new show up to do this. I hung up thinking I'd do it as a second opinion if they found something. If it's good, I didn't think it was necessary. I thought about it more after returning home and at the end of the day decided to call and schedule the appointment. I'm a complaint patient with all my other doctors so why not be complaint with him also. What's one more appointment?
Today is the first day I haven't been out most of the morning and I've enjoyed being home. A lot of friends/family have asked me about this surgery working and is my back better? This surgery was to fix one thing only. The battery I had was to big for me to start and after it moved positions it had become very uncomfortable and I was having trouble charging due to the shift in position. I agreed to the surgery because the back pain was enough. Dealing with the battery issue really was starting to make me feel like I had made a huge mistake having the implant done last year. I had no idea I'd add pain. The plan was to reduce it. The first half of the year that plan worked. The second half everything went down hill. So far the surgery has been a huge success but no changes for the back pain. I do seem to get more relief from the stimulator now that I'm not dealing with the additional pain of the old battery.
Unfortunately I'm still dealing with the hives. I'll go two days max without any then bam the following day their back. I have two today. I hope to know one day what causes them to appear but I may never know.
Last Sunday my husband and I went to my friends home for a family gathering for her sons 30th birthday. He is same age as my daughter. We met when her son and my daughter were one but ended up across the street from each other the summer before kindergarten. We went to his birthday parties as a little boy and they came to my daughters as well. They caught the bus together together for many years. When they reached high school age my friend moved to Baton Rouge ( I moved later in BR in 2005) and they went to different high schools. We still kept in touch though.
My daughter and grandson came for awhile also. My friend asked my daughter to take her picture with her son since she turned 30 in April. Neither my friend nor I can believe we have a 30 year old. She also is privileged to be a grandmother. It was odd seeing our babies, babies play together. It was a nice afternoon and I enjoyed getting out of the house. Little did I know then I'd be out the next three days in a row.
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| Instagram picture 1988 @ age 5/ 2013@ age 30 |
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| Our babies with their babies <3 |
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| My friend of 29 years! |
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| My daughter, SIL and P Mothers Day |
Her pinning ceremony was last Thursday night and Saturday was graduation. I really hate I had to miss it. A's grandmother sent a picture from Thursday night and some pictures of the playhouse that Paw Paw G built for her. She loves to pretend to cook and play house with her dolls so I know many hours of fun she will have there. I hope to get a picture of graduation so I can share that with you also.
Great job M....I can't imagine how proud your parents are of and for you. I hope life gets easier and easier for you from here on out. You deserve it!
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| M and A night of pinning ceremony |
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| Having fun in her playhouse |
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| Mommy daughter picnic :-) |
I guess I'm carrying on to long now. I'll save the rest for next post.
H.O.P. E.
Theresa
Be(YOU)tilful
Thursday, May 16, 2013
1 week check (second time around)
What a busy long day! A friend and sweet little girl came to visit me this morning. Not only did she bring me my favorite flowers she came in with a little brown box that stayed a mystery until she was gone. Oh my goodness, when I took a look inside I knew I was in trouble. 2 huge CC cookies, 2 red velvet petit fours and a small round cheese cake. Bottom layer chocolate. You know I text her and fussed. She doesn't read my blog so she hasn't heard my complaining about gaining my lost weight back. I'm sorry to say I didn't take the first picture. Of us that is. I did shoot my flowers after they left though so that's my excuse. I don't know what's wrong with me. I never skip pictures of anything.
Meanwhile during my visit with friends our AC man was here doing our spring "ac check up". I know...be grateful something didn't happen on a Friday evening in LA heat to deal with all week end. Gosh though, I'd just about had D convinced we could afford to take up this carpet I hate in the living room and put some flooring down. Delay, gotta have the AC working. Don't have to have new flooring sadly. Unfortunately he found several things wrong so we fixed the worst. He came at 9am and left at exactly 12:45. My doctor appointment was at 1:15. Need a good 25 minutes to get there during lunch time. Paid the man then rushed out the door.
Appointment went well. My prayer was answered. Incision looked great, no sign of all of infection. He took that huge bandage. All that tape was probably aggravating my hives. He used some type of strips and said they need to stay on until the week end. If they don't come off on their own by Sunday I'm to take them off. This means I can take a shower now. Woo hoo. No tub, pool, sweating or anything strenuous. Asked me to come back in two weeks and I'd most likely be released of all those no no's. I'm going to do my best to continue to follow rules to make this happen. No setbacks!
I hope so. Pool water up to 80. Getting so close. It's so hard to look at every day and not be able to get in. When my friend was here we went outside on patio for about 20 minutes and at 9:30 in May we're already sweating. I had to come back in. I know, what do I want? In LA you don't get warm weather without the humidity.
I made a stop on the way home and kicked my feet up to read a little while until my husband would be in. Yesterday I bought the new released copy of Dan Brown's Inferno. I'm only on chapter 10 but I wish I could just read it all the way through. I'd definitely be reading right now if not for typing this entry. This series is incredible. My husband came in around 45 minutes later and I met him at the back door and stepped into garage discussing our day. A tall nice looking man stopped by from "no where" I really didn't see him come up at all. Any how, he asked if he could show us a shampooing method that was 95% powder and 5% moisture and dries in 25 minutes. I told him we were looking to take our carpet up in the living room but hey if you understand that and it's free, go ahead. He called someone and in they appeared with this vacuum and a huge box of all kinds of gadgets.
To make a very long story short. A three and a half hour story, they were Kirby sales people. This vacuum was amazing. Put my dyson to shame. Seriously. She not only demo'd the carpet but my couch, drapes, pillow, ceramic tile, wall, ceiling fan, ceiling and....the worst my mattress and pillows. It was absolutely sickening. She told me not to feel so bad everyones was like that. OH and she had to explain about how dust mites breed, and how much skin we shed in a year. All kind of fun facts that I don't doubt for one minute are true but I didn't want to hear about. Honestly, she didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. Seriously. I raised a son with asthma and we lived at the allergists' office. As you can see there is a large stack of these circles that are made out of 1/8 of the thickness of bag it holds. Everyone you see in the picture was dirty like that for multiple area she covered in same room. Living room.
These people stayed in our home from 4:30-8:00. At 6:00 I told the sweet young girl. I'm sorry but I'm starving and I have to eat to take my medication. At this point my back was screaming at me because like a nut I'd been standing 75% of the time she'd been there. She didn't seem to mind at all if my husband and I heated ourself up something to eat. I couldn't believe it. We made a plate a food, sat down and ate while she cleaned my couch. Are you sure my sofa is leather ok to vacuum? I asked her what did she expect to see come out of a sofa that wasn't breathable material. She said, "watch". ANd I did. And my jaw was hanging. Unbelievable. I'm still dumbfounded. I think she felt sorry for me because she kept telling me. Awe your house isn't bad, We see much worse. It had a million attachments to do everything you can dream of. Your gonna love this, you can blow the yard after my husband cuts the grass. It has an attachment to air up balloons or balls or a mattress. At one point she said it will do everything but the dishes and mow the lawn. She's wrong. It does do everything, but she left out one thing on the don't do list. LAUNDRY :-)
I was so exhausted when they left. I have to say they were super nice people. I did be honest at one point and tell them that I think the vacuum would sell on its on if a customer was in need of one without 3 hours of demonstration. Seriously. I'm not sorry at all I gave up my night. This young girl and I had a very long talk as she had breaks changing parts and hoses at times. I really believe God wanted us to meet. This story I will share with you in another blog post. I really need to try and get some rest now.
My back side is pretty sore from the big padding they had back there protecting my IPG and incision. It really feels bare now. It's good and bad in the same way. Know what I mean? I have not had my reprogramming yet. My reps been hard at work and no time for me this week. Well, maybe Friday. He tired to get Lovely to come meet me at my appointment but even she was booked up also. They must be implanting these things a lot. He said definitely Friday or Monday. Really up to me. It can get crazy in town on Fridays so if my battery looks like I'll make it until Monday I may hold on until then.
I love you guys and so happy you've hung in there with me a year now. Of course I've picked up many friends a long the way and even had an "old" friend find my blog while just searching for me. It's crazy what you'll find when you google someone. After I talked to them I had to try it. I found myself on pinterest, google + and my blog. Also alot of pictures associated with many people with my same first and last name. My friend had mentioned a few in particular and I asked, "how did you see those?'. Private means zilch on the internet my friends. So long and good night.
HOPE.....Hold on pain ends
When I started this is was Wednesday not Thursday.
Meanwhile during my visit with friends our AC man was here doing our spring "ac check up". I know...be grateful something didn't happen on a Friday evening in LA heat to deal with all week end. Gosh though, I'd just about had D convinced we could afford to take up this carpet I hate in the living room and put some flooring down. Delay, gotta have the AC working. Don't have to have new flooring sadly. Unfortunately he found several things wrong so we fixed the worst. He came at 9am and left at exactly 12:45. My doctor appointment was at 1:15. Need a good 25 minutes to get there during lunch time. Paid the man then rushed out the door.
Appointment went well. My prayer was answered. Incision looked great, no sign of all of infection. He took that huge bandage. All that tape was probably aggravating my hives. He used some type of strips and said they need to stay on until the week end. If they don't come off on their own by Sunday I'm to take them off. This means I can take a shower now. Woo hoo. No tub, pool, sweating or anything strenuous. Asked me to come back in two weeks and I'd most likely be released of all those no no's. I'm going to do my best to continue to follow rules to make this happen. No setbacks!
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| you can see how the tape was irritating my skin from the redness |
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| My grandson on Mothers day ( curious P ) |
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| Nonna & P |
I made a stop on the way home and kicked my feet up to read a little while until my husband would be in. Yesterday I bought the new released copy of Dan Brown's Inferno. I'm only on chapter 10 but I wish I could just read it all the way through. I'd definitely be reading right now if not for typing this entry. This series is incredible. My husband came in around 45 minutes later and I met him at the back door and stepped into garage discussing our day. A tall nice looking man stopped by from "no where" I really didn't see him come up at all. Any how, he asked if he could show us a shampooing method that was 95% powder and 5% moisture and dries in 25 minutes. I told him we were looking to take our carpet up in the living room but hey if you understand that and it's free, go ahead. He called someone and in they appeared with this vacuum and a huge box of all kinds of gadgets.
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| can be use like a mop on tile also |
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| One very small spot for about 30 seconds. Used the dyson yesterday :-( |
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| The mattress about 10 seconds in one spot |
I was so exhausted when they left. I have to say they were super nice people. I did be honest at one point and tell them that I think the vacuum would sell on its on if a customer was in need of one without 3 hours of demonstration. Seriously. I'm not sorry at all I gave up my night. This young girl and I had a very long talk as she had breaks changing parts and hoses at times. I really believe God wanted us to meet. This story I will share with you in another blog post. I really need to try and get some rest now.
My back side is pretty sore from the big padding they had back there protecting my IPG and incision. It really feels bare now. It's good and bad in the same way. Know what I mean? I have not had my reprogramming yet. My reps been hard at work and no time for me this week. Well, maybe Friday. He tired to get Lovely to come meet me at my appointment but even she was booked up also. They must be implanting these things a lot. He said definitely Friday or Monday. Really up to me. It can get crazy in town on Fridays so if my battery looks like I'll make it until Monday I may hold on until then.
When I started this is was Wednesday not Thursday.
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| My son, Mothers Day 2013 |
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| My daughter |
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