Christmas 2010

This blog was to come BEFORE the whole ER blog.  Of course, I would prefer that the ER blog have never existed but it does.

We had a wonderful Christmas.  We were so blessed with seeing lots of family and also with receiving great gifts........useful gifts.  Here are some pics!

Rusty and his nephew Eli at Christmas.  Poor guy was sooooo sick.  Rusty ended up with it too!

My OU Sooners Pillow Pet!!  Love it!  Now, If I can let Dag know it's MINE!

My UGG Boots.  They are super cozy and my feet don't get hot and sweaty in them like I thought they would.  They are great around the house too!  I love to wear them as house shoes too!

Our AWESOME set of pots and pans.  We love, love, love these and they even have to be hand washed.  We don't care!  They are awesome!

We also got tons of bamboo spoons and cool whisks.  So to care for my new pots and pans better!  No more metal!

Our new silverware.  We are really enjoying this too!

After Christmas we got one heck of a snow.

And since my last bout with the shovel, we decided we better get a snow blower.  Just in time too!

He had fun with it!

And lastly, my addiction.  These things are great!!  They remind me of the good old Eskimo Pies we used to get.  At least these are reduced fat!  We bought our six pack Friday and there are two left.  About to be one!

And lastly, our little Dag.  He sure is a good, loving baby but he is sooooo puppy!!!!!

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I had another bad night/day with my back again.  I woke up early Friday morning and couldn't hardly move again.  I had decided after therapy I would come home and rest and then head to work at 1:00.  Well, that didn't happen.  I took a pain pill before therapy and that pretty much took it all out of me and honestly, made me a little nauseous.  Probably the fact that I took it on an empty stomach but.............when I'm in that much pain I don't think right.

I have so much to be happy about and I am happy.  Sometimes that gets overshadowed and I do hate that it happens.  But, honestly, when you spend 12 straight hours in pain it's hard to have a smile on your face no matter WHAT it is you have to be happy about.

I'm hoping therapy will help it to pass soon, along with other things.  I think some of it is just time and I can't change that.  Believe me, if I could make it about 4 weeks later I would!

So (thinking positive here), here's to physical therapy doing it's job and to feeling better and to the next month flying by!  Oh!  And to being able to sleep comfortably again with NO PAIN!

Ugh

I want to blog, have so much to blog about but honestly........I'm just exhausted.  Those that are close to me are caught up anyway.  :o)  It's been a great week, an emotional week and a long week.  Nighty night!

Celexa Update #2

On September 16, 2010 I stopped my use of Celexa cold turkey.  I was taking 20 mg a day.  I began blogging about my experience and the withdrawals because with all my efforts in searching withdrawal symptoms, I could not find anything that went past the first week or so!  I figured out why.  Because after the first couple of weeks the withdrawal symptoms disappear.  At least they did for me.  I still continue without my medication and have no plans of starting it again.  I am happy that I can say that.  So many things have changed in my life since I have stopped and I do attribute some of it to that.  Do I still find myself a little down sometimes?  Why sure.  I don't know of anyone who doesn't.  I have so much going on in my life now and so much to look forward to it helps to keep me on my toes and my mind busy!

I have noticed lots of traffic on my blog from other countries and locations around the US that aren't my "normal" visitors.  Yes, I know whom most of you are.  :o)  So, this blog is for those of you who are still looking for answers.  Since it has been 4 months tomorrow since I stopped, I doubt I will update on it any further.  However, you are more than welcome to check back periodically for the all the excitement in the year ahead!

2011 started great and I expect great things.  Well, the back issue wasn't so great but it's okay.  I am well on my way to doing something about it that I should have a long time ago!

An ER Visit

This isn't the blog I had planned but this is what is still currently on my mind and plus, I need to get two more pictures taken to do my other blog.

Any of you that really know me know that I have terrible back problems.  Some issues I was born with, then they were increased by an auto accident in 1998.  Basically, I have Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis along with lots of inflammation.  I always have back pain.  Rarely does a day go by that I don't.  So, I'm used to it.  I push through it, don't use pain pills and only occasionally take a prescription anti-inflammatory.  I have had several injections and would honestly take those 6 inch needles once a week if they'd allow it.  I surely do not have the upper body strength that I should.

I woke up last Thursday morning at 1:30 in the morning unable to move without excruciating pain.  It was my normal pain only heightened to an unbearable state.  I came into the living room to try and stretch in the floor and then literally could not get up.  Any pressure put on either leg caused my back to spasm and lock up.  Rusty had to actually pick me up out of the floor.  I remained in the living room for the remainder of the night after taking a Tylenol.  After about 2 1/2 hours of sleep I decided to go ahead and go into work but request the afternoon off.

Once I got home I ate lunch then went to change clothes and that's when things changed for the worse.  I made it a little ways down the hall and got "stuck".  I could go no further.  Folks, I have never let my back bring me to tears except during one treatment called a Discogram.  Not only was I in tears the night before, I was in tears now.  I was going to call my doctor that afternoon but decided I better go ahead and go to the ER.  I had to be seen to see what kind of relief I could get.

Because of all the problems I have, and underlying medical, my only course of action is pain pills, muscle relaxers and physical therapy.  Not big into taking meds but I have to function and get over this.  Physical Therapy came in to visit with me and also show some stretches I could do.  Of course, all they did was cause even more excruciating pain but they had to.  She asked if I ever got massages.  Too bad I consider them a luxury.  Maybe I will start now.

The injection of pain meds they gave me in the ER pretty much knocked me out.  I felt a tiny bit better Friday but doc said no work for 2-3 days.  Saturday I was better, Sunday went for the worse.  I took today, Monday, off to completely REST with no activity and feel better.  Not good, but better.  Unfortunately, I have to rely on the muscle relaxers but I am sure once I get started on PT (they can't see me until Wednesday) everything will work itself out.  I need to get my back in shape and keep it there!!!!

So, even though I am relying on the muscle relaxer I am soooooo glad to be feeling better.  Never take for granted being able to dress yourself, lift the toilet seat and then flush, turn the water on in the shower, or even just STAND UP.  My husband does so much as it is, this last week has surely been tough on him.  Not only does he feel helpless, he has had to do everything around the house as I lay in bed or the recliner.........cook, clean, laundry and so forth.  He does that stuff all the time anyway and I take it for granted.  I love him with all my heart and he is a trooper.  I owe him big time.

I have learned my lesson.  I will exercise and stretch for my back.  I have more people affected by it than just me!  I'm also thankful for the great friends who have been thinking of me.  It most definitely has helped!

I owe, I owe

I've had a blog in my mind for a couple days (or more) but I still need to get a few more pictures!!  Rusty's on the mend, I'm holding it to my sinuses and I hope it stays there!  More to come!