Saturday, October 29, 2011

Yet Another Test

One more test down. I had a myelogram on Tuesday. Not a fun procedure, but no worse than anything else I've already been through. This test is sort of like a spinal tap, they go into your spine with a needle and insert xray dye, then take pictures. You have to lay down for at least 24 hours after the procedure to reduce the risk of headache, spinal fluid leak and other side effects. Still four days later, I'm experiencing headaches and sore back. Well, the test revealed normal results. Next up? A nerve conduction study. More needles! This time in my right leg and lower back. This is to look for nerve damage as the possible cause of my pain.
On a happier note...49 days til Disney!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Ooopps

I've over done it the last few days. I know what my limits are with my back but I always try to push myself a little harder trying to gain more strength. Last night as I was bending (yes, using proper technique) to pick up some dirty clothes from the boys bathroom, I SHARP pain shot from my back all the way down my right leg. Of course I didn't sleep all night and I'm at it again today. I can't stop going just because I hurt.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Last is Best?

Well on Thursday I had the third epidural in this series. These are for the pain I have been having in my lower back and the front of my right leg since the summer. Dr Culclassure said he saw on the MRI report that there was some scar tissue near a nerve and that's where he concentrated the injection. The first one helped for about 3 days and had little side effects. The second one had a 50% dosage increase in meds. It hurt like the devil going in! I did have some side effects but didn't realize they were from the injection until I started having them with this one. Hot flashes, whew are they hot. And my cheeks looked like they were on fire. I am also experiencing severe reflux. It's almost "heart attack" like with that it feels like a rock in my chest and sends pain into my left shoulder and even my jaw. The injection itself this time was also the most painful. I keep telling myself that means it's going to work the best. ;)
Just hope it all calms down soon.
Paul picked up an overtime shift so mom and I took the kids to Boyd's Pumpkin Patch today. All in all, lots of fun. Can't believe they have been out of school for 2 weeks already and start back tomorrow.
Yvonne and Yvette came over tonight to bring us the goodies they picked up for us from Vietnam. They have become such good friends! I got some coconut wood serving spoons and I love them. They also brought me the prettiest bag and some awesome wooden chop sticks that I can't wait to use. Clay got a beautiful marble carved rooster! It's gorgeous. Zachary got a Chinese chess set, Erin got a hand painted trinket box and Paul got weasel poop coffee! We are so blessed to have true friends like them.
61 days to our next magical adventure!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Yay, the zoo.

Spent a wonderfully beautiful day at the Nashville zoo. The weather was perfect, the zoo wasn't too crowded Nd all the animals were out in dull force. We actually spent about 7 hours at the zoo just leisurely strolling through. The kids didn't fight once. We also took our friend Susan Hinson and I'm pretty sure she had a good time too. All the walking is a start to getting my back prepared for Disney in 68 days!
I get my 3rd and final epidural this Thursday. Don't really know why I'm wasting my time because so far the first 2 have done nothing. We will see, I guess. I return to neurosurgeon on October 25 to see what the next step is.

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Blessed Day

Spend the first half of the day with Paul, the kids and my parents. They took us out to eat at Patti's for our anniversary. Mom and I did a little shopping while the dads and kids played putt-putt.
When we got back to town we went to Travis and Trish's to see Emma and Jud. Dusty showed up too. We had all 5 kids and both grandiose in the same house. Truly and wonderfully, blessed day!