So much to share...

Hi folks!

So much happening these last couple of weeks. Here we go!

My PT has been going really well. I can tell that I am making gradual improvement, though the therapy itself leaves me in a lot of pain some days. Switching to a different kind of PT has been the best thing that's happened to me to date. We've really nailed down all of my "trigger points". Unfortunately, there are many. Most are muscular and travel and are as far away as my ribs and back, but the most important find is that the scars from my laparoscopy surgeries are causing the worst of the worst of my pain. The absolute worst is the scar that was cut into two subsequent times, followed closely by the 1 1/2" scar that was left after my ovary was removed in 2007. The therapy is really painful--the PT basically pushes into the adhesion formed by the scar tissue in an effort to break it up. I keep threatening to get up and run out the door, but I know its for my own good. In addition to this, I literally have 3-4 hours of exercises each day, including a 45 minute-long walk. They are mostly centered around creating good posture and strengthening core muscles so that my body stops reverting to overusing the wrong muscles for basic movements. It is grueling and wears me down everyday, especially sitting and standing with correct posture ALL of the time, but I know it is for the best and will make a huge difference in the long term.

Next is the fact that learning all of this information made my treatment through the pain clinic that much better. I had an appointment at 7:45 this morning in Madison (which is just cruel, but that is all they had available that made it easier for the hubby to be there). Now that I can point to very specific sources of the pain, I can receive another nerve block that includes trigger-point injections in the worst areas. I was about to schedule one for the 13th, but quickly remembered that my graduation ceremony is two days later and I really don't want to sit through that in pain from all of the needle marks (my Von Willebrand causes bruising and sometimes bleeding that other people don't get from such a procedure).

Speaking of graduation, I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to wear--and more specifically, which shoes! In my budget-conscious effort, I'm planning to wear things that I already own (or things my sister already owns..lol). Also, I had a debate with myself about how uncool I'm going to look carrying the Tush Cush that I just ordered, which will save me from being completely and udderly uncomfortable during the ceremony. One would think that I'd be past these hang-ups by now, but nope, I'm still totally insecure about appearances when I know 1000+ people will see me walking into my ceremony carrying my butt cushion. Which reminds me that I still have to make the 1 1/2 hour drive to pick up my cap and gown from the main campus. I think I'll wait until the Tush Cush arrives to make that drive!

That's it for me for the moment. I have to get back to my very last paper of my degree that I've been stalling on for weeks. :)

-S