Steroids a no go

I seemed a tad bit better, pain wise on the steroids, however, I cried and screamed daily. I was not a happy person and didn't like anyone! I am still hurting quite a bit and don't go back to the doctor until May 8th, still a week away. I guess I will hurt all the rest of my life.

Update

Well ball season is in full swing. Erins first game is tonight. Clay has been practicing but his games aren't until May. I had another back surgery on March 28th to remove the hardware on the right side of my fusion. Finally started some steroids and I think it may be working some. It will be a couple of more weeks before I know if it really worked the way it's supposed to. Have a family/friend beach trip scheduled for the end of May and I can't wait for the break from all the stress!

update on back and kids

Going for another procedure today. This is a trial for a permanent nerve stimulator. Not looking forward to it, as they must stick yet another huge needle into my back. Who would be, right? I am running out of options and this is the last resort before opening my back up again. I will post the results later. Clay has been manager of the HCMS basketball team and that wrapped up last night. Baseball tryouts are tomorrow, I sure hope he makes it. He will be sad if he doesn't. I know we all have to go through disappointments, but we hate it when its our children. Erin got tested for TAG. I will go to a meeting on Thursday to see if she is accepted. Zachary is already in it, so if she makes it, I will see some competition in the future!

Yay me!

I'm now an official Disney booking affiliate! Super great. Im part of Guru travel, which is my friend Kelly. She is the gal that got me started blogging in the first place and im thankful for all she has done for me! We are planning a Guru trip possibly to Disney for Flower Garden. That would be cool. Since I started my Addicted to Mickey blog and open the Facebook page I have 212 fans.
Back surgeon wants me to have a permanent stimulator put in. I'll probably do the trial, but I'm so not wanting to go thru with the permanent one.
Erin has started winter basketball. Clay has baseball tryouts near the first of february.

Moving right along

We wrapped up the play today with a full house! The kids did great and Tory gave me, ME the chalice! I was so surprised I almost cried. All I had done was open and shut curtains. It was a great run and I'm going to miss everyone that I have worked with over the past 6 weeks. Now...
Planning Erin's birthday party. All invitations have been sent. Her gifts are bought and wrapped. Now, to buy the party supplies. Since it is a chocolate party, I've got to buy lots of chocolate. There are 2 chocolate fountains, cake pops, candy "bar", pink punch....gosh, gotta get on it.
The house is a total wreck since we have not been home much since the play rehearsals started. I have to have it clean before we leave. It will get done. I also haven't packed anything. I'm usually way ahead by this time. Starting to freak out a little. I also have a cousin gathering I have to help katina with in between! We leave in 12 days.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever....and 16 days

Don't know if I've already posted that Zachary and Erin are in this play. Rehearsals have gone pretty well and I'm pleased at how well they have done. It seems to be natural for both of them. I, on the other hand prefer to be off the stage, or at least behind the curtains. I am co-stage manager. Wow, I never realized all a stage manager is responsible for . It's tough and I even share responsibilities! Tomorrow night is our first live show with an audience. It won't be a full house, as it is the patrons of the arts council, but an audience still the same. I think I am more nervous than the kids! The show runs through Sunday.
We leave for Disney in 16 days and I have so much to get done! After the play we will have Erins birthday party, our cousin gathering, make sure Christmas is ready and clean a couple of houses. I can't wait to get there and experience the magic at Christmas! I'll be sure to share.
I go to the doctor next Tuesday. I will be informing her that I do not want the permanent nerve stimulator yet. I'm just not ready. The Neurontin may be helping some, but not as much as I'd hoped. I will talk to her about other alternatives also or whether this is my last resort. Keep us all in your prayers as we go through this holiday season!

One more med and 26 days

I've been in a new nerve pain med for 3 days. The first two nights it seemed to help. Tonight is another story. No sleep yet and it's 3 AM. Hopefully i can blame it on the rain and storms. This medicine is only for the pain in my right leg. It won't help my back. The pain in my back is muscular.
Worried about all the walking at Disney, but hoping the magic of it all will be worth it! There are only 26 days til I get there.

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 8: Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 8: Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club

35/75

Well here it is, my 35th birthday. The saying goes that you are only as old as you feel. Haha! This past year I have been in so much pain, had a million medical procedures and doctor visits, that I truly know 85 year old women that feel younger than me. I went to doctor yesterday for a consult about a permanent nerve stimulator. It sounds bad and I don't think I'm ready to go that route. I sure am ready got the pain to stop and to get a food nights sleep. Haven't had that in almost 2 years. I pray daily that the pain will go away so I can enjoy life again and do things with my kids.

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 10

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 10

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!

Terrific Tuesdays: The Haunted Mansion

Terrific Tuesdays: The Haunted Mansion

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.

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!

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.

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!

I'm a Grandma? Really?

I had my second epidural yesterday. HURT like the dickens, still does today. However, that didn't stop the excitement and joy that overcame us today at 10:25 AM. Little Judson Travis Wright made his grand appearance. He was 8.2 lbs and 20 3/4" long. God love that precious child. He, Travis and Trish are tired but doing great. Can't wait to get my hands on him. Of course when there are exes involved, it makes things difficult. Our time will come! We are overjoyed to reach this milestone in our lives.

Actor Among Us

Zacharys play (The Princess and The Pea) was a hit yesterday. He is such a natural on stage. I don't know where he gets it, certainly not from me. I hate getting on stage to hand out door prizes! Everyone in our family helped out though. Clay and Paul were ushers and I helped in props and such. I also took photos and made a DVD for the cast. Our family enjoys being able to share this time together and we have a blast doing it.
I have another epidural this Thursday. Hoping it's less painful than the last one and does more good.
Chickie started fall softball last week. She did really well for it to be her first time facing a player pitcher. He plays every Tuesday thru October in White Bluff.
Not much has panned out with the Disney travel, but I continue to pursue!

Softball starts again

Chickie decided to play a little fall ball. Tonight was the first game of the season and it went pretty well. It was the first time she ever faced a player pitch and she held her own for the most part. She has been playing right field and likes it ok, this after I just pain $120 for her own catchers gear, of course.
Zachary has his first play with his advanced acting class this weekend. The play is The Princess and the Pea. I haven't seen one rehearsal but Paul says he is great in it.
Church youth group is working on a cookbook for PET-Memphis. Hope we get it done in time to sell for Christmas.
Had an epidural last week, it was the worst one I've ever had. It hurt so bad I almost jumped off the table! However, I so think my leg pain may be a little better. Doc said he could see scar tissues on MRI and he targeted the nerve closest to it. Sure hope it works.
I got a "we aren't hiring right now" from2 companies. I think that's just an easy let down for we have better candidates. Oh well, I have a few more to go so we will see.
Last but not least, 94 days til Disney

Still with the back?

The neuro says, lets try some more epidurals. Well they didn't work before, but ok. I get my first one Friday morning. I have to be there at 7 AM. YAY. I am notsure how tey do epidurals after a fusion but the nurse assured me that there was still an epidural space between my vertebrae. Gotta get the pain gone before Disney. There are only 102 days til we leave. Yes, I am already counting down!
Zachary's birthday party is Saturday moring. I am sure that I will feel like making cupcakes and poison apples Friday evening! But bring on the kiddos and Disney Villains. We are having octupus hot dogs, Ursual cupcakes, and bobbing for poison apples. It will be grat fun, no matter how bad my back hurts!