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My darling husband came home from work this morning so that I could go to the Doctor. I came home with prescriptions for oral steroids and a muscle relaxer. I have to go back on Monday and if I'm well enough I'll get a prescription for a stronger anti inflammatory as the Advil is not helping much this time around.
I'm feeling much better about things because my Doctor saw that we needed to get this flair up calmed down quickly. I love my Doctor.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Degenerative Back Disease.......
is hard to live with. I say live with but I really want to say "suffer with" because this is truly the kind of pain that causes me to get depressed. It's the physical limitations more than anything.
I haven't had a really nasty flair up in years. I will get flair ups but I can normally get them under control within a week or so. They hurt, but it's not debilitating long term.
This is a nasty flair up. It started around Christmas time. I was organizing the pantry, cleaning out the refrigerator... all of those pre holiday chores that we have to do to get ready. I noticed my back was aching but that's pretty normal for me when I'm doing those types of chores. I made sure my posture was good when I was sitting. I took Advil to help with inflammation. I made sure that I was sleeping on my side at night and only on my side. Things like that. I knew something wasn't quite right because my pain never went away. It was always there. I was still able to do my normal routines for the most part but I was always aware that I was in the midst of a flair up.
My Dad gave me his old TENS unit. It really helped with the pain until it started feeling like I was being electrocuted. I thought the little probes needed to be replaced so I put the unit away and never took it back out. I'm not one to put myself through electrocution.....
The past week my back has progressively gotten worse. I kept telling myself it was time to see the Doctor but honestly, my options with that are steroids, higher dosage of anti inflammatory, pain meds (and you know how much I hate taking those things!), Chiropractic care (and that makes me worse), steroids (they help me a lot but the side effects are not good), and physical therapy. Physical therapy always helps me. The ultrasound, massage, etc......brings relief, but it's a long process. Again, I was hoping to handle this on my own. I've been pretty good at it for the past several years.
Well yesterday after being in the bathroom, I realized I was in trouble. My back went out so to speak......the nasty flair up. I knew I was in trouble. It progressed through the day and into the night. I barely slept. This morning I could not shower. I could barely wipe after going potty......that's how bad it gets. I could barely get my socks on. This is not good. So I'm calling the Doctor today. I took some Advil and plan to ice my back but I can tell this is a nasty flair up. I pray that I can get through this quicker than my last one which lasted for three months. It was not a fun time. :0(
I haven't had a really nasty flair up in years. I will get flair ups but I can normally get them under control within a week or so. They hurt, but it's not debilitating long term.
This is a nasty flair up. It started around Christmas time. I was organizing the pantry, cleaning out the refrigerator... all of those pre holiday chores that we have to do to get ready. I noticed my back was aching but that's pretty normal for me when I'm doing those types of chores. I made sure my posture was good when I was sitting. I took Advil to help with inflammation. I made sure that I was sleeping on my side at night and only on my side. Things like that. I knew something wasn't quite right because my pain never went away. It was always there. I was still able to do my normal routines for the most part but I was always aware that I was in the midst of a flair up.
My Dad gave me his old TENS unit. It really helped with the pain until it started feeling like I was being electrocuted. I thought the little probes needed to be replaced so I put the unit away and never took it back out. I'm not one to put myself through electrocution.....
The past week my back has progressively gotten worse. I kept telling myself it was time to see the Doctor but honestly, my options with that are steroids, higher dosage of anti inflammatory, pain meds (and you know how much I hate taking those things!), Chiropractic care (and that makes me worse), steroids (they help me a lot but the side effects are not good), and physical therapy. Physical therapy always helps me. The ultrasound, massage, etc......brings relief, but it's a long process. Again, I was hoping to handle this on my own. I've been pretty good at it for the past several years.
Well yesterday after being in the bathroom, I realized I was in trouble. My back went out so to speak......the nasty flair up. I knew I was in trouble. It progressed through the day and into the night. I barely slept. This morning I could not shower. I could barely wipe after going potty......that's how bad it gets. I could barely get my socks on. This is not good. So I'm calling the Doctor today. I took some Advil and plan to ice my back but I can tell this is a nasty flair up. I pray that I can get through this quicker than my last one which lasted for three months. It was not a fun time. :0(
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
My little Adasen
has such a big heart and a true talent for art...... I tried to scan and save something that she made but my darned scanner isn't working. I can only copy. I tell ya'!
Adasen made a little card for Checkers (her hammy that passed). You'll have to get a mental picture of it since I can't scan it and share it with you. :0)
The front of the card has Adasen (and her face is a heart). She is saying, "I love you Checkers" and there are about thirty hearts floating around her along with x and o's. There is a little tombstone on the ground that reads, "Here lies Checkers" and on the side there is a little note that says, "You were a hamster like no other. I love you."
The inside of the card to the left has a hamster wheel (hamsters spend about six hours per night on their wheel) and it says, "Big hamster wheel in the sky." Her first hamster Kool Aid is walking towards the big wheel and Checkers is floating up from the ground towards the wheel in a big heart balloon. Adasen is on the ground crying. (As I am as I type this.)
On the right side of the card there is a little milkbone with angel wings (Checkers loved his milkbones. They helped to keep his little teeth short)
The card reads.... Checkers I will miss you very much. I hope you enjoy Kool Aid your brother. I'm so glad you did not suffer. You just fell asleep on a gentle cloud. I was glad to have been your Mom. You were not just a pet. You were my friend. I will love you forever even if I get another hamster. Love, Mom
There is a big heart with angel wings below her message and then below that reads.... PS, Did you hear me cry? xoxoxoxoxo
OH MY GOSH! What more can I say? This card says it all....... what a loving, giving, Motherly child I have in little Adasen. I am blessed!
Rest in peace sweet little Checkers and know that you were loved. Truly loved.
Adasen made a little card for Checkers (her hammy that passed). You'll have to get a mental picture of it since I can't scan it and share it with you. :0)
The front of the card has Adasen (and her face is a heart). She is saying, "I love you Checkers" and there are about thirty hearts floating around her along with x and o's. There is a little tombstone on the ground that reads, "Here lies Checkers" and on the side there is a little note that says, "You were a hamster like no other. I love you."
The inside of the card to the left has a hamster wheel (hamsters spend about six hours per night on their wheel) and it says, "Big hamster wheel in the sky." Her first hamster Kool Aid is walking towards the big wheel and Checkers is floating up from the ground towards the wheel in a big heart balloon. Adasen is on the ground crying. (As I am as I type this.)
On the right side of the card there is a little milkbone with angel wings (Checkers loved his milkbones. They helped to keep his little teeth short)
The card reads.... Checkers I will miss you very much. I hope you enjoy Kool Aid your brother. I'm so glad you did not suffer. You just fell asleep on a gentle cloud. I was glad to have been your Mom. You were not just a pet. You were my friend. I will love you forever even if I get another hamster. Love, Mom
There is a big heart with angel wings below her message and then below that reads.... PS, Did you hear me cry? xoxoxoxoxo
OH MY GOSH! What more can I say? This card says it all....... what a loving, giving, Motherly child I have in little Adasen. I am blessed!
Rest in peace sweet little Checkers and know that you were loved. Truly loved.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
RIP little Checkers.....
Our hearts are heavy this evening as we grieve the loss of Adasen's little hamster, Checkers. This is Adasen's second hamster and I must say that she was a devoted and caring hammy Mommy to each of her little men.
Adasen had her first hamster, Kool Aid for just about three months. We were told that Kool Aid was an infant when we got him but we later learned that he was much older and very sickly. He had tumors and a bad kidney and when he passed, it was devastating to her.
This time around, we were more prepared. We had been talking about Checkers coming up on two years old and that hamsters normally only live between 2-3 years max and the norm being closer to two. We saw Checkers aging the past few months and really slowing down over the past few weeks. Adasen celebrated Checkers' birthday on November 10th and continued to spend time with him, talk to him, and just love on him each and every day. We continued to talk about how happy Checkers was and what a great life he had, etc...
When Adasen came screaming down the hall, I knew that Checkers was gone. It was still just as devastating as when Kool Aid died because we had more time to get to know and love Checkers.
My heart broke into a million pieces when I heard Adasen's cries. It is a horrible feeling to see your little one suffering such a loss. It literally took my breath away.
Thankfully, Checkers passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was in his little igloo that he loved so much and it was comforting to Adasen to know that Checkers did not suffer the way that Kool Aid did.
Adasen cried herself to sleep and it was so hard to listen to. I know that she needed to grieve so I cuddled with her for a few minutes more and then I left.
What a sad night. God rest your sweet soul little Check Check. I pray that the Lord gives my little girl peace tonight.
Adasen had her first hamster, Kool Aid for just about three months. We were told that Kool Aid was an infant when we got him but we later learned that he was much older and very sickly. He had tumors and a bad kidney and when he passed, it was devastating to her.
This time around, we were more prepared. We had been talking about Checkers coming up on two years old and that hamsters normally only live between 2-3 years max and the norm being closer to two. We saw Checkers aging the past few months and really slowing down over the past few weeks. Adasen celebrated Checkers' birthday on November 10th and continued to spend time with him, talk to him, and just love on him each and every day. We continued to talk about how happy Checkers was and what a great life he had, etc...
When Adasen came screaming down the hall, I knew that Checkers was gone. It was still just as devastating as when Kool Aid died because we had more time to get to know and love Checkers.
My heart broke into a million pieces when I heard Adasen's cries. It is a horrible feeling to see your little one suffering such a loss. It literally took my breath away.
Thankfully, Checkers passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was in his little igloo that he loved so much and it was comforting to Adasen to know that Checkers did not suffer the way that Kool Aid did.
Adasen cried herself to sleep and it was so hard to listen to. I know that she needed to grieve so I cuddled with her for a few minutes more and then I left.
What a sad night. God rest your sweet soul little Check Check. I pray that the Lord gives my little girl peace tonight.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Madison Competition
The girls had their first competition of the season on Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin. They took first place but more importantly they had fun! They are dancing in the Starlette Hip Hop this season. It's their first ever experience with hop hop style dance. I'm very happy with the music that was chosen this year and I like the routine as well. I'm so proud of my girls! It was a fun weekend! Here are some pictures of the girls.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Parker's trip....
Parker hasn't talked much about his Mission trip since coming back. On the way home we received a call that Parker was car sick. This was strange to hear because Parker doesn't get car sick. I was obviously anxious for him to get back because I thought he might have eaten something that didn't agree with him. I didn't want him vomiting in anyone's car especially since it was almost a three hour drive home.
When Parker first got home he told us that he did a lot of dishes and that he had a great time. He fell asleep on the sofa around 4 and I woke him up for supper. My son never naps during the day. After supper he took a shower and went to bed. He never woke up until his alarm went off the next morning for school. The kid was exhausted!
Parker has offered up a few things here and there about his trip and he seems to have had a wonderful time and enjoyed the work that he did, but he's just not too chatty about it. I thought he would have tons of stories to tell me. Well, there was one about how the girls toilet papered the boys' cabin and how the boys had to get revenge and return the favor..... lol
Parker took a four hour first aid/cpr class through the Red Cross last night to earn his Readyman Badge for Scouts. When he got home he informed me that based on everything he learned in class, he was certain that he had heat exhaustion on his last day at the Ranch where he went for his Misson trip. Apparantly it was like a sauna in the dish area (they serve several hundred kids plus staff I believe at a time) and that he was there for several hours that morning prior to returning home.
I had no idea and felt terrible that I didn't consider anything like this when Parker first came back. I thought he was just tired from working so much. I guess I won't be getting the Mother of the Year Award anytime soon.....
When Parker first got home he told us that he did a lot of dishes and that he had a great time. He fell asleep on the sofa around 4 and I woke him up for supper. My son never naps during the day. After supper he took a shower and went to bed. He never woke up until his alarm went off the next morning for school. The kid was exhausted!
Parker has offered up a few things here and there about his trip and he seems to have had a wonderful time and enjoyed the work that he did, but he's just not too chatty about it. I thought he would have tons of stories to tell me. Well, there was one about how the girls toilet papered the boys' cabin and how the boys had to get revenge and return the favor..... lol
Parker took a four hour first aid/cpr class through the Red Cross last night to earn his Readyman Badge for Scouts. When he got home he informed me that based on everything he learned in class, he was certain that he had heat exhaustion on his last day at the Ranch where he went for his Misson trip. Apparantly it was like a sauna in the dish area (they serve several hundred kids plus staff I believe at a time) and that he was there for several hours that morning prior to returning home.
I had no idea and felt terrible that I didn't consider anything like this when Parker first came back. I thought he was just tired from working so much. I guess I won't be getting the Mother of the Year Award anytime soon.....
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