Going Along For the Ride

I've had a wild ride this week and I mean literally. I ended up in the ER with an allergic reaction to a new medication. I was experiencing vertigo along with other ear roaring. It was like being in the center of a merry-g0-round and watching the horses gallop around at a fast clip. At one point the pictures on the wall were rotating positions in a counterclockwise direction. Let's just say I won't be taking that medication again.

Cover That Sneeze, Please!

I have IT, between my sneezing and coughing, blowing my nose, feeling miserable--I'm so sick I am not going to school. That is big. I usually tough it out and go. Glad I am contagious and have to stay home. I don't have a couch or bed in my room from which I could teach. I got this from several in my class. We try to do the Count Dracula covering of the sneeze, but it doesn't always happen. I know I will get better, some day in the future. My voice is lower every day. I've matched it to notes on the piano. Today I am two octaves below middle C. I just realized that there is only one more octave and two other notes to the end of the piano! Surely my voice would never go that low.

ASTYM Again!

I went for my third ASTYM, augmented soft tissue manipulation, on my hip and thigh Saturday morning. And it hurt again, enough to cry. I didn't cry. I toughed it out. I'm beginning to realize that when the therapist knows where it hurts the most, she targets that area more. So this last time, I didn't let her know. Didn't work. She found the gritty areas with the plastic device and worked it out anyway. Then she found the horrendous spot on the piriformis muscle. I literally thought I would come off the table and blast through the ceiling. I'm thankful I don't swear or the whole business would have gotten an earful. Once she found it, she continued to inflict pain, real pain, intense pain. I began to worry that it would cause me more pain with my sciatica in the coming days. When I could stand it no more, she was done. After she cleaned off the lotions, she applied tape to support the muscle until I return in three days for more torture. But it is working!! I am able to climb the stairs, get up from a chair, and walk with less pain. I am so hopeful that this procedure works and rids me of the pain I have endured for two years.

How Much Pain Can I Endure?

Well, I went to be tortured again last night at physical therapy with the ASTYM method. Think of trying to remove stubborn wallpaper or to remove old paint and you will have an idea of what ASTYM is to the body. A different physical therapist worked on me. She was petite, so I'm thinking this won't be so bad. But let me tell you that woman knows how to use that plastic scraper to inflict pain! Since she had not scraped me before, I think she tried extra hard to dig deep to see if she could find the gritty stuff. After several swipes, she proclaimed that I was not as gritty as she thought I would be. That didn't stop her though. She continued to swipe that blade in all directions. If I let her know where something was a little more tender, she would swipe it more often and HARDER. I decided then not to tell her, but she found them anyway when I couldn't contain the pain. Finally, the session was over. I was relieved, until I realized I have to do it all over again on Saturday. Thankfully, she has the day off!!

And the Pain Continues

So, if you read my previous post, you can understand when I say I have pain. Yes, real pain. And it was inflicted by this tiny woman with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I have to return today to endure the same treatment. So, I'm thinking that it hurt the first time to have the underlying tissues scraped with a plastic instrument to break up adhesions. Well, today I'm entering the building with a very sore thigh to have it scraped again. I'm dreading the thought of the pain level. The therapist told me that athletes have this procedure done so they can get back to playing. Today I'm telling her that I have no sport to return to, and I don't get the big bucks to endure the pain!! She'll hurt me anyway.

Torture and Pain, and I had to Pay For It

OUCH! That states the mild reaction to the pain I felt during my first physical therapy for ASTYM treatment. ASTYM stands for "a serious torture of your muscles". Really, though, the therapist used hard, plastic scrappers to scrap my hip and thigh, deep down into the muscle. She was breaking up adhesions and reinjuring the tissue. The goal is to make it heal correctly. OUCH! As she was scrapping, she offered me a wash cloth to bite on for the pain. I wanted a stick and the bottle of whiskey! She said many of her patients cannot stand the pain, and she marveled that I took it so calmly, without washcloth, stick, or whiskey. I'm sure feeling it this morning, though. Great news!! I get to return for the same torture in just two days. That is if I am able to walk.

Potential Hip and Knee Replacements

As I grow older, many things on the body begin to wear out. I'm having some difficulties with one hip and both knees. While on a mission trip to South Dakota, I checked out this animal for a possible donation. His joints worked magnificently, and he doesn't need them any more.

Fun at the Dentist

I should not have titled this one, especially using the word "dentist." I have a fear that many of you will not choose to read this post because of your fear of dentists or fear of going to the dentist. I promise, this won't hurt you. Yesterday, due to a cancellation, I was able to get into a dental surgeon to have a tooth checked. The tooth in question has already had a root canal, one of the seven I have. (I passed out and fell on my chin, breaking teeth when I was a teen.) Anyway, after several xrays and examination tests, the doctor wasn't sure. So we proceeded with the exploration. Fortunately, she drilled through the crown instead of taking it off. Good news/bad news. The tooth was hurting because it was cracked horizontally, and it had a fourth canal, untreated, that wasn't visible without the microscope. So for two hours the doc labored away and was able to do half of the job. She sealed the tooth temporarily and sent me on my way. As I was making my next appointment (which wasn't for 3 weeks) I suggested they call me if they had an opening. Good news, I guess. The doctor came to the desk and said she had an immediate opening. Would I want to return to the chair for two more hours and complete the job? NO! But I said yes. The doctor was able to complete the other two canals and fill the tooth. After four hours and a healthy bill, I was able to walk out without making another appointment. Maybe I will lose some weight as I give the tooth time to settle down and heal. Hopefully, I will not have to see a dentist for at least 6 months.

I'm Sick

I'm sick with a lung infection that is bothering my asthma big time! I've coughed so much that I think I might have a hernia. Saw the doctor yesterday. He normally tells me I'm fine even when I feel ill. Not yesterday. I received a cortizone shot, antibiotics, cortizone dose pack, new-to-me corizone inhaler, pulmo-aide machine and meds for it. So here I sit, all revevved up from the cortizone, coughing, and holding on to my aching head. Guess it can only get better from here.

Hubby Update

Hubby is going to rehab on his repaired rotator cuff. If you roll down your window around noon on M, W, F, you will hear his screams. He says it is so unbelievably painful. We are both hoping that the end result will be freedom from pain. His current goal is to reach in his back pocket to retrieve his bill fold. Seems so easy, yet no.

It's My Body

I am signing up to donate my body to science when I pass on. This morning I feel so rough that I'm wondering if they are on their way to my house right now. lol

Patient Knows Best

Hubby has returned to work this week against my better judgement. I thought he should have taken at least one more week. But he has done okay. He gets tired, but since he only works 1/2 days, he is able to endure until he hits the recliner all afternoon. I'm so thankful that he is well enough to do this much. He is well enough to be in the kitchen while I'm trying to fix my lunch and breakfast.

Marty's Burn

Just came back from the bone surgeon. He said Marty has a second degree burn from the ice cooling machine. Also said in his 20 some years of practice he has never seen anything like it. In fact, he was dumbstruck. He acted indecisive as to what to do about treating it. I bet he changed instructions 5 times before we walked out of the office. Though he tried to reassure us that it will be okay and should heal quickly, he couldn't hide it in his facial expressions.

Patient Progresses

Hubby and I have been for his follow-up visit and all seems good. He had the stitches removed, all but one that is. The doctor said in three weeks he will be able to move the arm a little more and have the pillow removed. Hubby is to start cutting back on the pain meds and ice as he tolerates. He has done well being the patient. Usually he does not want me to help him do anything, and especially don't ask to help! I'm so thankful for his progress.

Sick Day for Sure

Well, I am too ill to go to school today. That's me, on the left, feeling quite badly. I thought my chest congestion and coughing would be worse, and they are. Also running a fever. Don't want to go into detail, but it wouldn't be pleasant for any of us in my room today. Took me almost 30 minutes to finally get on the web site to secure a substitute for today. Technology is just...

Sick Day Already?

How can not taking one pill cause a sinus infection that has rapidly developed into bronchitis? Here it is the beginning of school, I should take the day off, but don't even have enough explanation written out for a substitute. I hate being sick:(

Empathy and Wisdom from a Child

I'm battling some nerve pain in my legs and am on various medications. It's been a little up and down with some days not so good. As we were driving to the state fair yesterday, my granddaughter, Toots, was talking ever so gently to me. She said, "Mimi, your face looks fabulous, but your eyes look sick." How did she get so wise?

Just Call Me, Mimi

Since I have been sick, my granddaughter has been "helping" take care of me. When she left the other afternoon, she told me that if I needed anything, she would come right over and help me. She loves to check my forehead for a fever, stick the thermometer in my mouth, then pronounce that I do have a fever. She also likes to gently put my socks on my feet. She takes great care in making sure the top is on the top and the heel is turned just right. She also likes to snuggle up next to me on the couch. She is such a great nurse. Thanks, Toots!

Scary News

My son is facing another scary situation. He has a lump on the side of his neck that his doctor has been watching for a while. After some time and some further tests, the doctor said the lymph gland is much bigger and must come out. It might be cancer, but if it is, it is not a new one. It would be from the previous tongue cancer. In July, T must go in for surgery to have that gland removed and maybe some more. Pray for the minimum. Pray for good results. Pray for peace of mind for T and his wife.

Racing for a Cure

Hubby and I are walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Indy today. We are walking in honor of several and in memory of many. The other 40,000 walkers will be doing the same. It is hard to believe just how many lives are touched and how many lives are lost to this disease. We have to do our part to help defeat breast cancer.