You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2009.
Just because they make such riveting posts….
- I made it to the mall today to see in person a dress I had found online for the NC Heroes Fund Gala next month. Decent price and it was navy blue. I’m tired of wearing black to events. First, no one would help me and I couldn’t find it on my own so I headed to another store and found their special occasion dresses. Found a dress. Black. Grrrr. BUT it worked out to be a total of 75% off. AND it fit without Sp*nx. Now all I gotta do is wear them and be all svelt. There is NOT an option of leaving the house without lycra of some sort. It does have to be altered a little bit in the bubbies area. For the first time in my entire life something is too big in the bubbies. I already have shoes and accessories so for about $60 I’m set.
- I had my 1/2 price pineapple upaide down cheesecake today. I’ve never eaten at The Cheesecake Factory for $3.47, but I did today. Woot. I think I’m cheesecaked out. I know, I know. I should be.
- Had my EEG today. Won’t have results until tomorrow or Monday. There is *slight* concern the results aren’t going to be as minor as once thought, but we aren’t going to talk about that. I’m getting better, but I’m not where I need to be so my meds have been changed again to try and get me comfortable and then better.
- Ya’ll remember the movie There’s Something About Mary? Specifically, the part where Ben Stiller picked her up and had the, ummm, “hair gel” that made her hair stand on end? I’m one of those folks who runs her fingers through her hair. Well, EEG gal left me with wads of EEG gel in my hair from the electrode things that left me with some spiky hair. You don’t push that stuff back down without it making knots and mats. Oh, yeah…not to mention the red marks on my forehead where she measured and marked me. They don’t tell you ’bout that before you leave. At least Dr. Curry’s office doesn’t. I was beee-yooo-teee-ful.
- Was supposed to see Mamma Mia Sunday with a friend, but I got bailed on. Via instant messenger. Not even a text. IM. Disappointed, but life goes on. I’m super glad I’m not the one who laid out the cash for the tickets, though.
- I was a bad mom tonight. I was a good mom because I stuck to the “rules,” but I was a bad mom because I stuck to the rules and I made Olivia cry. I know you gotta do it, but the initial lip quivering had my stomach in knots.
- I was a bad wife tonight. I was a good wife because I stuck to the “rules,” but I was a bad wife because I nailed my point home a lot harder than I should have. Will didn’t cry, though.
- Not sure why my Ambien won’t kick in.
- The new season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta is going to suck worse than the last season of it.
- Dog treats that are shaped and colored like fried eggs just aren’t appealing and I think Pom Pom agrees. The way her stomach is gurgling I think we’re going to chalk that one up to a loss. I’m not sure who to blame that selection of treats on: Will or Fabul-O.
I’m getting both today.
Thanks to Tricare, my brain check will be at no charge because we’ve met our out of pocket expenses for this year. Dr. Curry’s office won’t get that, so I’ll wait for my reimbursement check. Since it’s National Cheesecake Day, The Cheesecake Factory has half-price slices when you dine-in. If you get the red velvet one they donate .25 to charity. I don’t like red velvet, so I’ll make contributions to charity my own way.
My fingers and arms, up to my elbows, are numb. So are my toes. Found that out when I dragged the door over them and didn’t flinch. I also realized heat still makes me a little faint. That could just be the sissy Southern Belle in me, though. My nausea isn’t going away and sweet tea takes the edge off. Seriously. My “spells” are fewer, but come one with more of a vengeance.
I’m seeing Mamma Mia Sunday night and I’m very excited, but I won’t be driving into uptown for it, even though it is a Sunday night. I don’t think I’m quite ready for that kind of nightime/flashy light/head turning looking all ways for traffic driving. I’ll be riding with a friend. I still get disoriented and I’m not chancing it.
On a scale of 1-10:
Headache: 6
Nausea: 9
Overall health: 7
I hate dress shopping. How much? With a white hot passion studded with briquettes from hell.
I’m not a size 2 and I haven’t been since I emerged from the womb 36 years ago. Why is it when I am looking at dresses online, clearly on a website not even intended for a size 2, they still have them modeled by women Olivia’s size? Why?!?
And because I have this weird screen resolution thing going on I can’t reach the spellcheck icon to spell check in wordpress and I’m hopped up on meds so my sentences likely aren’t coherent. Aren’t you glad you have me for a friend today? I’m embracing the suck. With a diet cherry limeade and a box of Mike and Ikes.
I’m beginning my sixth week of not feeling well.
On a scale of 1-10:
Headache: 4.5 (I’ve downgraded it from a migraine to simply a pain in the ass, but it will gradually grow full force to a 25 on the scale and remain there for a minimum of 11-15 hours up to two days)
Nausea: 11.5. It simply will.not.go.away. Zofr@n ain’t all it’s cracked up to be and I’m going back to Phenergan. I used to get it in “bullet” form where it was kept next to the butter in my refrigerator. When you’re sweating bullets from puking and being swept away by nausea, something cool fells nice. I’m not going to explain it, g00gle the forms of Phenergan. You’ll figure it out.
Overall health: 6
I’m severely fatigued and am suffering some major side effects of some of the medications I’m taking. They all have side effects in common and, when you take and multiply them times four, it makes them four times more likely to happen. When they happen, it makes it four times worse. Yesterday the worse of it hit me like ton of bricks. While I’m slightly more pleasant to be around, my body is in pain like it’s never felt before.
I’m looking into airline tickets so when I get cleared for take off I can go somewhere and gossip.
This week is EEG. Next week is rheumatologist. I’ve pushed out cardiac heart monitor thing until September. I’m not sure a heart monitor is the accessory I want to wear to the NC Heroes Fund Gala next month. My doctors are in agreement with me so it’s not like I’ve totally bucked the system.
To test a cup of urine at the ER cost $439.00. Now I know what to charge people when they accuse me of being pregnant.
Last year, my cookbook came to fruition. This year, Will and I are attending the gala for the North Carolina Heroes Fund. Guess what is going to be in their silent auction? You got it…MY COOKBOOK!!!!
In case anyone is interested, there are still plenty available. You can order via this link. The email associated with paypal is proudguardwife [at] gmail [dot] com. If you want to mail a check, you can email me at the same address and I’ll tell you where to send it. The cost is $20 and includes shipping.
I don’t like wishing time away. Not even a little bit. But, for some reason, I have gotten into this mode that if tomorrow will just hurry up and get here I’ll be better.
I am back on Top@max. I have taken it in the past and failed the therapy, but until we can get to the root of the headaches, it’s trial and error with new meds and repeating some old ones. Or, as I like to call it, “Michael Finnegan Syndrome” where we “…begin again.” So far I have tingling limbs and had to physically feel if my wedding ring was on my finger with my other hand. Is it working? I thought maybe, but I can’t get past the headache or the waves of nausea that sweep over me to find out. What I do know is that taking Top@max + Zofr@n + Lort@b at night makes me wacky sleepy that leaves me mighty tired and foggy the next morning clinging for another 6 hours or so of sleep.
Yesterday, in spite of the fog and tingling, I had a decent day…until early afternoon. Doc says, “watch for triggers that bring on the most severe part of the headache and we’ll work on adjusting the behavior that surrounds them.” This is good advice for someone who hasn’t been this route, and I know he’s only doing his job. See, once upon a time, I worked for a cell phone company in customer service. When people would call to complain that their phone wouldn’t work, I would have to troubleshoot with the most obvious of questions including, “is your phone on?” You wouldn’t believe the number of times people would just hang up because they were embarrassed. I have eliminated any and all medications I have previously taken. My doctors talk to one another before prescribing me something. I know pain meds can cause more harm than good, but when I feel like I’m clinging to life with an axe in my temples, I gotta do something and pain meds it is. I’m not a drug seeker and for the past ten years I’ve controlled headaches with ibuprofen or Tylenol over the counter. I am not a fan of narcotic pain medication, but I’m too the point that I must get it under control. This is affecting my life to degrees I never imagined possible. I’ve missed work. I’m having to find someone to care for my child when I can’t drive and take care of her. I feel like I’m wearing out our welcome with friends who are stepping up to help with Olivia. I know it’s more in my mind than reality, but who wants to be a burden? Ya’ll know me and I don’t like to burden any one for any reason and now that I’m having to rely on people, it, too, is taking a toll on me.
Today I’m in a snit and a fog. No real reason for the snit, it’s just what it is. I’m glad my hair is long en0ugh to pull back into a stubby ponytail. Makes getting up 35 minutes late that much easier to make it out the door close to on time.
I’m glad it’s Friday. Really glad.
Like there’s been anything else going on ’round here…
Sooo, you all know I’ve been in this vicious migraine game for several weeks now. Five to be exact. Nausea. Dizzy. Light headed. Passing out. I have a neurologist. Much better than the beast of one I had several years back. His office smells like curry when I go in there so we’ll call him Dr. Curry. According to everyone I’ve told I’m seeing Dr. Curry, he is supposed to be one of the best and they want to know how I got an appointment with him.
Dr. Curry is the one who diagnosed with me with migraine induced seizures and gave me steroids and some stuff to get my brain working normally. Well, on day 3 of my miracle meds, I collapsed and ended up at the emergency room where I was given lots of Demer0l and Vic0din to help ease the pain. Dr. Curry wants to do an EEG and the ER said it can only be done outpatient so they couldn’t help me with that one. I understood. I was supposed to have an appointment with Dr. Curry last Friday and called his office on Tuesday, the day after my trip to the ER, with terrible pain and he put me off until today saying we would do follow up and an EEG in one appointment. Family phsyician helped me control the pain. Great. Fast forward to today.
On a scale of 1-10, my mood was about an 8.5 because we were going to find out how my brain activity has been. On the same scale I was about a 5.75 for pain. I say success because I’m down from the 15+ I’ve been at. Overall health was a 7 with minimal lightheadedness.
On my way to see Dr. Curry, I get a voicemail to remind me of my appointment at 3:30. Ummm, no. I was supposed to be there well in advance of that so I called and they tell me something I couldn’t understand and it was to be 3:30 – office visit then EEG. So, I had lunch at a restaurant I’ve never had before (great place) and then headed to the Cheesecake Factory where I had the Godiva Brownie Sundae. It was yummo, but I don’t think I’ll ever order it again. Anyway, I run out of things to do, so I go to Dr. Curry’s about 30 minutes early and sign in. He comes in and sees me and we rehash the past week and a half since I last saw him. He writes me a prescription and tells me I need to come back because the EEG person wasn’t there. Normally it wouldn’t be a big deal but here’s where my beef is with it…
- They knew when they called me at almost noon to “remind” me of my appointment why they were pushing me out, but said nothing.
- Did I mention at noon when I got the message and returned the call, I had been on the road for an hour and had an hour to go? No? I’m sorry. I left something out. It’s about a 2 hour drive from my office to Dr. Curry’s office with about an hour’s drive home.
- I could have easily turned back around and gone back to my office and finished out my day versus missing ANOTHER day of work and getting ANOTHER day behind. PLUS they charged me a co-pay.
Folks, what happens to me is embarrassing for me. When I’m speaking with someone, my mind just stops. It feels like someone has jabbed a jagged pencil in one ear and it veers to the right and stabs me behind my eye and then they poke it in and out for a while. I have to completely regroup my thoughts and sometimes I’m not able to. My sentences will become jumbled and nonsense and I get frustrated. My short-term memory is being affected by this – and it could very well just be me overreacting, but I know it’s not normal for me, therefore I address it as a concern.
I’m frustrated. Yes, I could get referred to another neurologist, but there’s the waiting game for the appointment, their “plan A,” visit again for them to move onto “plan B.” All of that will take longer than me waiting until next Thursday to have my EEG. I did announce, making it abundantly clear, I was to be called if the EEG lady so much as sneezed and thought she wasn’t going to be there. Otherwise, there had better be a backup. They “understand my frustration” and will “make a note.” Whatever.
On the way home, a rock hit the windshield of my new-have-only-made-one-payment minivan. Guess what I get?!?
Just so you all know, next Thursday, my brain activity day, or July 30 as most of you will know it, is national cheesecake day. Cheesecake Factory is having half off the slice of your choice. Did I mention Dr. Curry’s office is 5.46 miles from the Cheesecake Factory? I’m going back for the pineapple upside down cheesecake again. Either that Adam’s peanut butter. Both are yums.
Coming up: EEG (maybe), cardiac workup with a heart monitor and rheumatology appointment because my ANA is all wacked up.
High note of the day: My new prescription was free at the pharmacy. That means I’ve hit my maximum out of pocket expenses for the year. Maybe I’ll go back to the ER for some more Demer0l. It’s free for me until October.
I’m taking a L0rtab and going to bed. Night ya’ll.
Peace and love….
I am 36 today. Doesn’t really feel much different than 35, but I think it’s running the same psychological scheme on me as getting a minivan did. It’s just not the same rolling with the windows down listening to Bon Jovi as it was in my SUV. And the van gets worse gas mileage. Go figure.
Today I’m celebrating with a bottle of Tylenol, a cold compress and hopes of not tossing my cookies with the nausea. I am still stuck in this vicious cycle of migraines. Nothing seems to help me break free, but the Demer0l and Vic0din from the ER Monday night after I passed out again sure did put a dent in it. After being euphoric for several hours, I can appreciate why people get addicted. I’d love to wander freely with an “eff you” attitude and not caring if my feet ever touched the ground again. For some reason, when I was under the influence it was tolerated, but if I’m just in a bitch mood people take offense to it. Odd, huh?
Be well.
I totally couldn’t do the total bed rest thing today so I took a little adventure. I headed into the big city and ended up at the Cheezecake Factry. I had their white pizza with spinach – the lunch portion – that came with a tossed salad with the most delicioso Asian something or other dressing. I was going to bring my cheesecake home with me until my waiter told me they had pineapple upside down cheesecake. Holy hockey sticks…Describe it in one word? Divine. Another word? Heaven. I ate it right there. Yes.I.Did. I must remember that steroid medications wipe out that stop-eating-right-now-because-you’re-full sensor. I ate all my lunch…except for the pizza bones (a.k.a. crust), one slice of the pizza, a few bites of salad and the heel crust of my cheesecake. Damn it was good. And I could have licked my plates clean. But I wouldn’t have ’cause I got table manners. Yes I do.
I’m a good wife so I sent Will a text message to see if he wanted a slice of cheesecake home for when he returns from drill tomorrow. He asked for banana creme. I got him that and plain. I’m sweet like that. But ya’ll also know I’m a little selfish so I got me another slice of pineapple upside down and the peanut butter cup one. For good measure I picked up a slice of chocolate oreo. Don’t worry… I don’t think I’ll eat all 3 today. It’s possible, though. And I’m following orders and back on bed rest since I overdid it earlier so you know it’s headed straight to my arse and thighs.
I did ask if I bought enough to make a whole cheesecake could I get the whole cheescake price. They said no. I asked even if I paid for the whole thing of the most expensive one I chose. They said no. Bitches. So I stopped at the five. Besides, I would have felt gluttonish shopping for a dress for a fundraiser next month with more than 5 pieces of cheesecake in tow.
That’s a question I’ve heard a lot lately only to answer, “I wish I knew.” Today, I saw a neurologist and have an answer. At least I hope it’s the answer since it’s extremely manageable.
I’m a migraine sufferer and have been for years, but they’ve been pretty manageable when they come on and rarely do I have one that debilitates me. That is, until three weeks ago. After having one for a week, I went to my doctor for a check up and she changed up some medicines for me, one of which was for pain – nonnarcotic so it wouldn’t interfere with my day-to-day activities. Well, after a couple of days, I started having all sorts of funky symptoms including muscle spasms, muscle tightness, aches in my joints, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness and I collapsed last Friday at work. I went back to her earlier last week and she gave me something to undo the side effects of one of the medicines I was taking. When I collapsed and passed out at work last Friday, that’s what really started the onslaught of “whatchu got?” The ER doc ordered a CT, gave me fluids, told me I was dehydrated and to go home. I followed up on Monday only to have more blood drawn and an MRI ordered. I was also given a shot of Demerol and Phenergan because I was in so much pain, which didn’t do a thing for me. I have been on bed rest for 7 days and miserable for most of those 7 days. I had a clean MRI on Wednesday and an appointment with a neurologist today.
Apparently, I’ve had a viscious migraine, which caused many of my symptoms, which I knew some of. I was having side effects of the pain medication, medicine I had taken before without issue, and it triggered mild seizures. Since it was newly onset and very mild, it didn’t show up on the MRI. So, now my medications have been straightened out and we’re working on getting my brain straightened out. I’m going to have to change my diet slightly and pay extra special attention for the next week or so and watch my dizzy spells, but it’s good to have a solid starting point.
Some of my other symptoms are still there and they are certainly nothing compared to what I’ve had, but my new doc says we’ll work on those when we get my brain under control.
Bottom line: I’m gonna live 
Having been on bed rest this week, I’ve had an opportunity to catch The Doctors. Well, today they are revisiting some of the most embarrassing questions. I may be way behind the times in this one, but, honestly, it’s not something I ever considered so I never bothered to research it.
One of the questions was about greying hair “down there.” Apparently, you can call her Betty and it makes it appropriate for mid-afternoon television. That’s fine and all, but what got me was you can DYE Betty. Yes…you can even buy stencils so you can have a designer Betty.. Throw out those holiday sweaters, girls…it’s time to show your true Ho-Ho spirit! And it’s a must have for every bride-to-be!!
Boys, don’t feel left out…you can do it, too!
…I’m in the same place I was on the 4th of July. Bed.
I did get a fudge brownie sundae yesterday evening. Didn’t work and, honestly, it didn’t even taste good. I tried a pineapple milkshake this evening. Still a no go and the taste just wasn’t good.
*sigh*
I think even Pom Pom is tired of laying around and that’s saying a lot for one of the sleepingest dogs around.
Peace and love…
Today we are grateful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Our thanks and thoughts go to all those who have served, and continue to serve, to keep our country the best in the world.
My festivities include being able to keep food down and not collapsing everytime I stand up. I’ve been ill – not contagious ill, but woozy, dizzy, lightheaded ill – this week and yesterday I passed out at work after a small meeting with my employees. I went downhill after that so Will drove me to the ER where I was pumped full of fluids, forced to pee and had yet another gallon of blood drawn. A CT revealed ye olde noggin is okay, but my right shoulder and hip are bruised from falling. For those who may not know: concrete is hard and isn’t what I would recommend passing out on. I’ve been out of bed for about 3 hours today and was super glad to get back in. I slow cooked a Boston Butt the other night so we did have barbecue today. I’m secretly hoping Will is going to make a trip somewhere to bring me a special treat – maybe a hot fudge brownie sundae from Bruster’s.
I hope you all are enjoying your day and take a minute to reflect on what it means to be an American. It truly is a blessing to live in our great Nation.
Peace and love from our family to yours.
Seriously. I don’t know if I’m the only one in the free world who despises it or not, but I hate white noise. Our ceiling fans are uber quiet and get replaced the moment they get a little hum that can’t be quieted. The sounds of fountains and the ocean make my skin crawl while I’m trying to relax.
There is new “white noise” in the house. It’s Will’s CPAP machine. Granted, it has replaced the snoring and it’s not that loud, but I can’t freaking get used to it. That little hum and occasional whistle drives me batty. I’m glad he’s resting the best he has in the past 35 years because I’m not. Yes, I have earplugs on my nightstand and I can only wear one…otherwise, I won’t hear Olivia if she wakes and Lawd knows he’s not going to hear her…He’s a hard sleeper and didn’t before and he sure isn’t now strapped in like Darth Vader.
Just thought I’d bitch a little. I’m good now. Thanks.
Peace and love….
You duck enthusiasts, this one’s for you.
Yesterday I went into a convenience store and, while waiting for the lady to give me change, I was looking at the collections of “stuff” next to the register. Boiled peanuts, wedges of cheese, caffeine pills and duck call lighters. I know, right?!? All your camping supplies in one spot next to the register. Holy hockey sticks, the luck. Just kidding…I was more in awe of the duck call lighter. Today I G00gled it to see what I could come up with. Apparently these beauties are not available in most stores and have to be bought on e*bay or other auction sites. Maybe I should head back to the Grits and Grocery and pick up a few for stocking stuffers. Whatcha’ll think? I can get one for you, too. Sadly, due to the downturn in the economy, I can’t absorb the cost of it, so I’ll need you to pay for it first. I accept P*yPal.
P.S. Still sick. Still no motivation to finish blog posts. Too lazy to buy new card reader that will actually read my memory stick since my laptop chooses to be bitchy about it so I can at least give you pictures to write your own post with.
