Hi,
Yes, I'm O.K. after my nerve block. It's still going to be a few days before I know the results though because the doctor numbed me up pretty good and some of the short-term numbing med is still working 2 1/2 days later.
Anyway, this nerve block was much different than the last 6 because the doc went after a different part of my pudendal nerve. Normally, he does a block on both sides of my abdominal/pelvic region and the needles go in through my back. This time, we were targeting a very specific area of continued pain. Little did I know, the needle went through my lower-left butt cheek!!! In the pre-op convo, the doc and I agreed that he would knock me out cold (as opposed to previous times where I remembered the whole thing). He also informed me that in addition, he would be numbing up the area really good so that the numbing would last a day or two. I didn't think to ask why, but I speculate now that he thought it would help me avoid some of my normal post-op pain. It did, but let me tell ya, I still can't feel most of my left butt cheek, among some other things, and it's VERY unsettling. However, as soon as some feeling came back, I realized that I probably had a bit of a bruised bum. After asking my hubby to check it out (which he eagerly did), I was quickly informed that I have a HUGE bruise around the needle mark. Great. I had high hopes that the Stimate that I take before each block to counteract my VonWillebrand blood disorder would prevent bruising of this magnitude, but I was not so lucky this time.
In addition to this event on Friday, my sister Zan was back in town, this time with her new boyfriend. Since I always seem to miss her when she is in town, I was determined not to miss her again. So, I rested for the afternoon, and then my hubby and I made the short trek to my parents' place. It was a nice time for me, and I hope that her new bf wasn't too frightened by us.
Well, time for me to turn it in for the night...with an ice pack strapped to my behind. :)
-S
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Is medicine really a science, or just an expensive form of art?
Hey ya'll.
Well, I'm heading in for nerve block #7 on Friday. I'm hoping for greater results this time because my last week has been really painful--painful to the point that two percosets taken with two strong muscle relaxers and a long, hot bath didn't even take the edge off of the pain. So bad that for the first time in a couple of months, I was curled up in a little ball sobbing and feeling like I would never be ok again. While the nerve blocks have helped with a lot of my pain, I'm still researching other methods of pain relief that do not require hospital gowns, sedation, radiation, and needles shoved through my back. The number of strangers (albiet medical professionals) that have seen me naked in the last few years is definitely in the 100's. Not cool.
Anyway, about the title of this post--I keep going through these blocks, but I've yet to walk away with significant, long-lasting relief. I also get to keep experimenting with different muscle relaxers, creams, pain patches, nerve medications, etc, and just haven't found that right combo yet. My Doc also mentioned the fact that he hasn't brought out "the big guns" yet. I kinda want to see them,even if there is a risk of permanent damage--enough messing around with things that don't work or sort of work.
And of course, Friday night is the ONE night that my sister Zan happens to be in town and the whole fam (minus the ones that don't live here) can get together for dinner. I miss so many things because of this pain. For example, my hubby's bro and his wife were over on Friday for dinner and a bonfire. I made it through dinner and a bit of TV watching, but missed the bonfire portion of the night due to pain. I couldn't even drag myself the 50 yards to my own firepit!!!
Otherwise, I've continued to work hard on putting myself back together. My PT sessions are pretty much over, and I'm continuing my home program of endless stretching and abdominal exercises. My abs are definitely stronger, but I've yet to see even a fraction of an inch drop from my waist!!! I'm hoping that will come soon. In addition, I've finally gotten back into yoga and am just starting to get some cardio in. Thanks to FitTV, I've discovered Bollywood Dance workouts and am having a blast burning calories while I shake it in my living room.
Next time: My story of how riding a bike is NOT like riding a bike and pictures of Jello. Yup---Jello.
Peace out.
-S
Well, I'm heading in for nerve block #7 on Friday. I'm hoping for greater results this time because my last week has been really painful--painful to the point that two percosets taken with two strong muscle relaxers and a long, hot bath didn't even take the edge off of the pain. So bad that for the first time in a couple of months, I was curled up in a little ball sobbing and feeling like I would never be ok again. While the nerve blocks have helped with a lot of my pain, I'm still researching other methods of pain relief that do not require hospital gowns, sedation, radiation, and needles shoved through my back. The number of strangers (albiet medical professionals) that have seen me naked in the last few years is definitely in the 100's. Not cool.
Anyway, about the title of this post--I keep going through these blocks, but I've yet to walk away with significant, long-lasting relief. I also get to keep experimenting with different muscle relaxers, creams, pain patches, nerve medications, etc, and just haven't found that right combo yet. My Doc also mentioned the fact that he hasn't brought out "the big guns" yet. I kinda want to see them,even if there is a risk of permanent damage--enough messing around with things that don't work or sort of work.
And of course, Friday night is the ONE night that my sister Zan happens to be in town and the whole fam (minus the ones that don't live here) can get together for dinner. I miss so many things because of this pain. For example, my hubby's bro and his wife were over on Friday for dinner and a bonfire. I made it through dinner and a bit of TV watching, but missed the bonfire portion of the night due to pain. I couldn't even drag myself the 50 yards to my own firepit!!!
Otherwise, I've continued to work hard on putting myself back together. My PT sessions are pretty much over, and I'm continuing my home program of endless stretching and abdominal exercises. My abs are definitely stronger, but I've yet to see even a fraction of an inch drop from my waist!!! I'm hoping that will come soon. In addition, I've finally gotten back into yoga and am just starting to get some cardio in. Thanks to FitTV, I've discovered Bollywood Dance workouts and am having a blast burning calories while I shake it in my living room.
Next time: My story of how riding a bike is NOT like riding a bike and pictures of Jello. Yup---Jello.
Peace out.
-S
Monday, June 21, 2010
So many things...
Hello,
Is anyone still out there? I haven't posted in weeks I think. Anyway, today is the day that I am officially dusting off my resume. I haven't really updated it in almost two years and I was surprised to find out that I don't really recognize the person on paper. This stranger in my resume appears to want to take over the world (or at least the debt collection industry) because she thinks she has something to prove. In reading the resume now, I see that this woman has already accomplished more than she realizes. So, I'm updating it to reflect me--someone who accomplished a lot and just simply wants to work to live instead of living to work.
As for my health, it's been a positive road. My physical therapy program was re-calibrated last week and I feel like it is now at the right level for my (lack of) strength and the chronic pain. . I still have the yucky days, but they usually happen because I've pushed myself to far the day before. I know when I'm doing it too, which makes it all the more stupid. I'm encouraged by the independent statements from my pain doctor, the physical therapist and my OB/GYN who all believe that I'm just weeks away from a "normal" life.
Fingers and toes crossed for me, please.
-S
Is anyone still out there? I haven't posted in weeks I think. Anyway, today is the day that I am officially dusting off my resume. I haven't really updated it in almost two years and I was surprised to find out that I don't really recognize the person on paper. This stranger in my resume appears to want to take over the world (or at least the debt collection industry) because she thinks she has something to prove. In reading the resume now, I see that this woman has already accomplished more than she realizes. So, I'm updating it to reflect me--someone who accomplished a lot and just simply wants to work to live instead of living to work.
As for my health, it's been a positive road. My physical therapy program was re-calibrated last week and I feel like it is now at the right level for my (lack of) strength and the chronic pain. . I still have the yucky days, but they usually happen because I've pushed myself to far the day before. I know when I'm doing it too, which makes it all the more stupid. I'm encouraged by the independent statements from my pain doctor, the physical therapist and my OB/GYN who all believe that I'm just weeks away from a "normal" life.
Fingers and toes crossed for me, please.
-S
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Overacheiver Extraordinare
I dont' even know if I spelled the title correctly, but in my quest to be less of a perfectionist, I'm gonna leave it alone.
Well, it's not surprising that I set impossibly lofty goals for myself in my new life as an unemployed-college-graduate-slash-housewife. I had grand plans to keep my entire house in immaculate condition, as well as accomplishing my goals of painting a few rooms and sorting through an entire basement storage room of forgotten possessions. How many of those things have been accomplished? None. Why? Because I don't know how to set non-pie-in-the-sky goals for myself. But I'm trying with the help of my dear husband who understands me more than I am usually willing to admit. So, he's helping me set attainable goals like weeding one row of the garden, emptying the dishwasher, doing a load of laundry, picking out a paint color, etc. I'm so used to tackling things head on and pushing through until it's done or I break. So this time, rather than breaking or thinking I'm failing, I'm patiently letting things wait until the next day. It's pretty awesome.
In other news, I just can't go a month without a procedure. This time it was another nerve block, under twilight sedation, with 9 trigger point injections. I'm very glad that the doctor remembered me asking for more sedation halfway through the last one. He knocked me OUT this time. Usually, I walk back to the recovery room and plop down in an uncomfortable recliner with assistance, but this time I woke up in a comfy (no joke) hospital bed. I didn't remember a thing until the next day. Turns out, sedation makes me a liar. My doctor asked me about a TENS unit and how that was going and apparently, I told him it was going well. The problem with that is that I've never had a TENS unit. Oops...can't wait to apologize for that one! The good news is that it really helped to break up some scar tissue, which is just thrilling. I hope that there won't be many more.
-S
Well, it's not surprising that I set impossibly lofty goals for myself in my new life as an unemployed-college-graduate-slash-housewife. I had grand plans to keep my entire house in immaculate condition, as well as accomplishing my goals of painting a few rooms and sorting through an entire basement storage room of forgotten possessions. How many of those things have been accomplished? None. Why? Because I don't know how to set non-pie-in-the-sky goals for myself. But I'm trying with the help of my dear husband who understands me more than I am usually willing to admit. So, he's helping me set attainable goals like weeding one row of the garden, emptying the dishwasher, doing a load of laundry, picking out a paint color, etc. I'm so used to tackling things head on and pushing through until it's done or I break. So this time, rather than breaking or thinking I'm failing, I'm patiently letting things wait until the next day. It's pretty awesome.
In other news, I just can't go a month without a procedure. This time it was another nerve block, under twilight sedation, with 9 trigger point injections. I'm very glad that the doctor remembered me asking for more sedation halfway through the last one. He knocked me OUT this time. Usually, I walk back to the recovery room and plop down in an uncomfortable recliner with assistance, but this time I woke up in a comfy (no joke) hospital bed. I didn't remember a thing until the next day. Turns out, sedation makes me a liar. My doctor asked me about a TENS unit and how that was going and apparently, I told him it was going well. The problem with that is that I've never had a TENS unit. Oops...can't wait to apologize for that one! The good news is that it really helped to break up some scar tissue, which is just thrilling. I hope that there won't be many more.
-S
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Cat bath
I need another 20 or so hours in each day. It's 2:30 and I still want to take a walk, call the hematology folks with a long list of questions, and make a casserole before my hubby gets home from work. I haven't made dinner yet this week and the result is that we've been eating very random things in the evening. The walk might not happen today, because its cold. On the other hand, I skipped it yesterday for that reason in favor of eating, so I should probably force myself to get out there. I don't have the luxury of doing a lot of calorie-burning things yet so I should probably take what I can get.
Today, I tried to give one of my shedding kitties a bath. Now I'm covered in scratches, one of which is sure to leave a very long scar. I've also never heard a cat scream so much. Yup...scream. Unfortunately, I have that nerve block next week I'm wondering whether it is better to warn the doctor that I'm covered in scratches, or if I should just let him find them. I'll probably forget.
OK, forcing myself to take that walk now.
-S
Today, I tried to give one of my shedding kitties a bath. Now I'm covered in scratches, one of which is sure to leave a very long scar. I've also never heard a cat scream so much. Yup...scream. Unfortunately, I have that nerve block next week I'm wondering whether it is better to warn the doctor that I'm covered in scratches, or if I should just let him find them. I'll probably forget.
OK, forcing myself to take that walk now.
-S
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Membership
Well, the day has finally come...I'm done with my bachelor program, and not a moment too soon. The graduation ceremony is Saturday and although I'm *cough, cough* years old, I'm still participating in the ceremony because I suffered through my share of hurdles on the way. Yay!
Otherwise, I became the member of two different clubs last month. The first is a lifetime membership to Delta Mu Delta, Kappa Alpha Chapter, which is a National Honors Society for Business Administration. Then I also received information about my automatic membership to the Great Lakes Hemophilia group. I really feel like I don't belong--I have such a minor case in comparison to people that almost can't move because even a small cut could kill them.
However, the upside for me is that I received two laminated cards and three sheets of paper in the mail from the Hematology Nurse yesterday. Two of the sheets of paper confirmed that the medication that I tested did indeed show a significant increase in my Von Willebrand Factor, meaning that a simple medication will help me stop bleeding when I have minor cuts or nosebleeds. Hooray! The third sheet was a detailed description of the how to handle me if I ever have to go to the ER/Urgent Care again for bleeding. The laminated cards state the name of the disease, 24 hour contact information for the Bleeding Disorders staff, and other standard info. Then I noticed 6 beautiful little words: "DO NOT KEEP THIS PATIENT WAITING". Seriously? This is the greatest day of my life. I have spent HOURS waiting to see a Doctor when I went in for a nosebleed, and even once recently when I was sent to Urgent Care to be checked for internal bleeding after a surgery. Maybe the ER/Urgent Care docs around here (the ones that never even thought to check for this problem) will take me a little more seriously next time.
Otherwise, I have another nerve block with trigger point injections (probably 6-7 injections) coming up next week and then an unfortunate colonoscopy/endoscopy to deal with (regular check-up of other issues) sometime in the near future. I really wish I hadn't watched "Ghost Town" or whatever that movie with Ricky Gervais is called last weekend...
-S
P.S. When spell checking, the suggestion for "colonoscopy" is "kaleidoscope". Strange.
Otherwise, I became the member of two different clubs last month. The first is a lifetime membership to Delta Mu Delta, Kappa Alpha Chapter, which is a National Honors Society for Business Administration. Then I also received information about my automatic membership to the Great Lakes Hemophilia group. I really feel like I don't belong--I have such a minor case in comparison to people that almost can't move because even a small cut could kill them.
However, the upside for me is that I received two laminated cards and three sheets of paper in the mail from the Hematology Nurse yesterday. Two of the sheets of paper confirmed that the medication that I tested did indeed show a significant increase in my Von Willebrand Factor, meaning that a simple medication will help me stop bleeding when I have minor cuts or nosebleeds. Hooray! The third sheet was a detailed description of the how to handle me if I ever have to go to the ER/Urgent Care again for bleeding. The laminated cards state the name of the disease, 24 hour contact information for the Bleeding Disorders staff, and other standard info. Then I noticed 6 beautiful little words: "DO NOT KEEP THIS PATIENT WAITING". Seriously? This is the greatest day of my life. I have spent HOURS waiting to see a Doctor when I went in for a nosebleed, and even once recently when I was sent to Urgent Care to be checked for internal bleeding after a surgery. Maybe the ER/Urgent Care docs around here (the ones that never even thought to check for this problem) will take me a little more seriously next time.
Otherwise, I have another nerve block with trigger point injections (probably 6-7 injections) coming up next week and then an unfortunate colonoscopy/endoscopy to deal with (regular check-up of other issues) sometime in the near future. I really wish I hadn't watched "Ghost Town" or whatever that movie with Ricky Gervais is called last weekend...
-S
P.S. When spell checking, the suggestion for "colonoscopy" is "kaleidoscope". Strange.
Friday, May 7, 2010
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
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
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