Yay! It’s snowing!

It’s been a while since I posted last. Let’s see if I remember how to do it. There is a lot of info to get out there so I’ll try to organize myself a bit… here goes.

Home:

It’s snowing and I’m happy. I love it when it snows and I don’t have to be someplace. It drives B a bit crazy because we live on a corner and so there is twice the sidewalk to shovel. He gets a bit neurotic when it starts to snow. I try to rub my non-work ethic off on him, but it’s far too ingrained it looks like. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my time off from school. I’ve been trying to make sure that I have absolutely nothing to do other than play EQ2. Speaking of which, they’ve released a new expansion of Kunark (which was my favorite expansion from the previous EQ.) I’ll post some screenshots later! Anyway, Christmas was fun. B and I enjoyed ourselves alone at home this year. No bratty nieces or nephews, no attention hog siblings, no mother making me feel bad for not being the social butterfly that she is… just me, B, the snow, some spiked eggnog, and a nice cioppino (Italian seafood stew.)

For Christmas I got a new PC from Alienware. The thing is screamingly fast. To go along with the monster I got a new widescreen monitor. B got himself a new cherry red stacking washer and drier. Aside from those things, we got lots of new stuff for the kitchen. The week before Christmas I was in San Fran on vacation. We did more touristy stuff this time. We actually walked down to and along the wharf and took a tour of Alcatraz. We also went to some of our regular haunts like our vineyard, Chateau St. Jean, the Beach Chalet for ocean view dining and Grace Cathedral. We went someplace new this year: the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Later in the week we drove down to the south bay area to visit with some friends and we went to a Chanticleer concert at Mission Santa Clara. All said, it was a pretty fun trip. Long, but fun.

End of Construction:

This past October, we had our ceilings torn out and replaced. The old ceilings were heavy with plaster and there was a long, fine crack running right through the middle of them in all of the rooms. So they were ripped out and replaced. Then everything was resurfaced and painted. We picked out a nice color scheme with rust and cream colors in the living room and kitchen and cool sea green colors for the office and bedroom. Finishing touches included having the floors revarnished (there is no carpeting in our house) and new furniture for the office. We had to live out of an extended stay motel room for the better part of a month, but it’s been worth it. It’s like living in a brand new house. I just hope B doesn’t have anything done to the house next year… I’ve grown a bit weary of the constant renovations. First he had the back yard torn out. Next year it was the front yard, this year it was nearly the entire interior of the house. I know he has more up his sleeve, but I really just want a break.

School:

General Biology I – A

General Biology I Lab – A

General Chemistry I – A-

General Chemistry I Lab – A

Music Appreciation – A

Ideology of Racism and Sexism – A

I did better than I honestly thought I would. The A- in gen chem screwed up my having a 4.0 for the semester, but still it’s an A in my book. Next semester should be much easier although my days will be starting and the butt crack of dawn. I’ll be taking GB 2 and GC 2 and their respective labs and an anthropology class on world cultures which should be interesting. The only class I’m still waitlisted for is my Bio 2 lab… and my position hasn’t budged from 7 for over a month. I’m starting to doubt that I’ll get into that one and that I’ll have to settle for a night lab. =(

Health:

I have no pain in my back or legs. The surgery is still the best thing I’ve ever had done. I’ve gotten a bit pudgy so starting New Years Day I’ll be starting a new aggressive work out routine and meal plan. I’ve recently discovered that I’m osteoporotic and along with taking calcium supplements and multi-vitamins, I need to start weight training again to help me build up my bone density. So how did I get osteoporosis? Well… I’ve been told it probably because of my infection, but I think it’s probably been caused by the medications I take. Speaking of medications, the two year study I was in has ended and I now get my meds from a pharmacy like a normal person. I’m extremely glad I’m twice covered by health insurance… my meds are expensive. I have two prescriptions. Without insurance I would have to pay $876 for one and $1086 for the other… every month. However, because I am so securely insured, I only have a $25 co pay for both. =)

So that’s it from me for now. I’m off to play some more video games and enjoy the snow. Maybe I’ll go get in the hot tub and enjoy it from there. I’ll be posting some screenshots from EQ and maybe some pictures from our San Fran trip. If anyone has any special requests for screenies from their favorite haunts of old from Kunark, let me know and I’ll show you how they’ve transformed! There are lots of movies I want to go see, goober… let’s get together and watch some! Toodles everyone.

Been busy…

The last couple months have been a whirl of activity. My surgery went off without a hitch and the sciatic pain was gone immediately. The morning following my surgery, I get a phone call telling me that Allu had just given birth to a little miracle. So what do you know? My back pain starts right after hers… and then we both go into the hospital on the same night. Cosmic I tell you… cosmic. The whole surgical / hospital experience wasn’t so bad. But it was the first time I’d ever had surgery so I probably won’t be so eager to have that kind of experience again any time soon. I was, however, up and out of bed a little over an hour after getting out of surgery. I’d been shuffling around so much the few months prior that it really wasn’t such a big deal walking around guarding my posture to minimize my pain. On top of that I was up and checking out about 24 hours after first coming in… not too shabby.

The first couple weeks after though, were hard. I continually had to change positions so that I wouldn’t get stiff, etc. If I did, I couldn’t stand up straight and had to crawl my way up a doorframe to get into a full, upright position. But after that couple weeks were up, my surgical pain started to diminish and some leg pain came back due to the swelling. Now I have no pain at all. No leg pain, no back pain, no surgical pain. I don’t regret going under the knife for one second.

I started school a little under the three week mark from my surgery. I had started dreading going back to class, but I’m really glad I did. I have so much more drive and determination than I did when I lived in Texas. I feel like I have a new sense of purpose and an ability to finally apply myself like I wouldn’t / couldn’t back then. It’s almost a surreal experience walking around on campus surrounded by all the little pop-tarts fresh out of high school.

My first class of the week is a biology lab. It’s been fun so far. We’ve tested substances for the presence of lipids, sugars and proteins and have delved under the microscope looking at bacteria, amoeba, pond critters, and cells from the human mouth (yuck). On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have my biology and chemistry classes. The classes themselves aren’t so tough. Chemistry is a bit fast paced but since I come to class having already read the chapter and done the homework it’s almost like just going to a review session. Biology is fun… my professor is a British hunk with a dreamy voice I could just listen to for hours. We also get to use these things called iClickers in that class. It gives the students a chance to participate in class by answering questions without actually putting themselves out for others to scrutinize. It’s almost like being on a game show.

Wednesdays I have off to study, catch up and get ahead of everything. I also use Wednesdays to work on the philosophy class I’m taking about ideologies of racism and sexism. It was a bit tough at first reading some of the superfluous garbage that some of these philosophers like to ramble on and on about, but the core ideas behind the meanderings are actually pretty interesting. But when it comes time for us to actively engage in an online discourse using a message board, I absolutely loathe the class. I hate trying to voice opinions that seem perfectly sound in my head but get lost someplace between my brain and my fingertips trying to explain them. If I could get rid of that requirement in the class I’d do it in a heartbeat.

Fridays are my busy days. I have a music appreciation class in the morning that lasts for a good solid two plus hours. The material is so dull and brainless that I could probably take a nap and not miss much. The first exam I just took for that class was so easy that I was finished in about five minutes. But then again, I suppose it helps having a bit of musical background to help you out like I do (I play the piano). After that grueling class I have my 4 hour chemistry lab. This lab is a bit more intensive that my bio lab with lots of safety guidelines to follow at all times like no shorts, no sandals, protective eyewear at all times, etc. Our first few experiments have been kind of fun. The Friday before Labor Day we had a double lab in which we did a bunch of measurements of sugar and water solutions and then an experiment separating dyes from food coloring using filter paper and rubbing alcohol. Then last Friday we had a lab where we got to pop popcorn in a beaker… fun huh? I mean the goal was to help us get an understanding why it’s important in experiments to have many samples done of the same thing to get accurate measurements, but still… I’m popping popcorn! In a beaker!

Speaking of chemistry labs, I must get back to finishing up my report for that lab. I’ll try not to be such a stranger! Take it easy, kiddos.

Currently Listening American Doll Posse By Tori Amos Almost Rosey see related

I guess you can tell by now that I’m not really into posting on a regular basis. Let’s see… the last place I left off was after my first physical therapy visit, wasn’t it? Seems like forever ago. So here are some updates:

Back Stuff

Since my last posting I’ve gotten three more steroid injections in my back. Each time they help for a few days, then the pain would come back. I continued to go to physical therapy about once a week for almost two months. I got to a point where my therapist said he really couldn’t do much more for me. It was around that time that I started taking lots and lots of Vicodin. Around the clock 24/7, I’d take one every 4 hours. And it worked like a charm. The pain would nearly go away completely, but I’d feel like needing a nap all day long. Side by side, the drowsiness looks a whole heck of a lot better than barely being able to sit or stand… or not being able to sleep. But the problem is still there… I still have two bad herniated disks.

So finally I got in to see a neurologist after waiting for well over a month for an appointment. Before I know it I’m having surgery scheduled. Something I’d never hoped I’d have to do I jumped for in a heartbeat. So when is the surgery, you ask? This Wednesday! I’m so excited I can’t even tell you. I feel like I’m on an adventure and at the end of said adventure lays the best treasure I can think of… no sciatic pain! So wish me luck that everything goes smooth and that I’m up and dancing around by Thursday.

School Stuff

I’ve been admitted to CU Denver as a biology major. I’ve visited both my advisors, I’ve registered for classes… now all that’s left is to make sure my residency status is changed from out-of-state to in-state like it should, and then actually pay for the classes I’m waitlisted on. Allugoober says I probably won’t have any trouble getting into the two classes and two labs I’m on waitlists for, so if I don’t it’ll be all her fault! (Just kidding preggos!) So there will be lots of biology and lots of chemistry for the next two years. So much chemistry, in fact, that I’m thinking about taking on a chemistry minor for grins.

Home Stuff

All is well there. B and I flew down to my parents’ house near Durango for the better part of a week during the 4th. I’m not sure why, but the morning we flew out I was as sick as a dog. Some mornings over the last couple months I’ve been waking up sick. I’m not sure what causes it either… too many pain meds, not enough pain meds, pain meds in general, overloaded gall bladder or liver… I haven’t the slightest. So I wake up, puke my guts out and I’m as right as rain. Not so on the day we flew down. That morning I woke up sick and I stayed sick until I got the chance to nap some when we got to my parents’ house.

First thing when I wake up (which was way too early for me) I need to yak in the toilet. After that I feel ok so I take my shower and I’m actually feeling hungry. So I scarf down a couple peanut butter topped crackers and start on a peach. We get in the car and zoom off to the airport. We only get about halfway across town before I ask B to pull over. The moment we get stopped I’ve opened the door and am yakking in someone’s alley. So now it looks like my being sick is motion related. Oh joy. Sure enough no sooner do we arrive at the airport and are looking for a place to part… yak. When the plane takes off… yak. When the plane starts landing… yak. Strangely enough, that day was the best of the trip. You see the next day my sisters started arriving with their bra… err I mean my nieces and nephews.

I won’t go into dissing my family like I’d like to. Things weren’t so bad until the adults decide to have a game night without the kiddies (my last night there). Lets just say I got to play dad to one of my bratty... err… disorderly and undisciplined nieces. Other than that I did a lot of chatting, cooking, bug swatting and puzzle-doing.

The Rest

So much else… waiting for a certain little someone to make her appearance in the world, krispy kreme bread puddings, Harry Potter, painting a nursery, reading the cards, graduations, baby showers, eating from diapers, eq2 and more eq2, lots of cooking, trips to Icis, contacting the dead, hubby birthday… My mother is coming up tomorrow for my surgery. =) I’ll get to eat her cooking while I lay on the bed with an ice pack playing Wii. I'm looking forward to getting on with the rest of my life.

I’m feeling much better right about now. It’s still sore, but my back doesn’t twinge much anymore. The night after my physical therapy session was a bit rough. Having my back and spine manipulated like that came back to haunt me some and I was pretty stiff and sore. But I pressed on and forced myself to walk normally even though I couldn’t take very big steps. The Vicodin and muscle relaxants were a tremendous help.

Last Thursday I went in for a steroid injection in my back. B flew home early that day so he’d be able to drive me home afterwards. After filling out all the consent forms I was taken back to a room by the doctor for a small consultation. My doctor had my MRI slides up to show me and a model of a spine so I could get a good sense of just what was wrong with me. As it turns out, several of my disks have bulges but the big culprit turned out to be a pretty nasty herniation between my 4th and 5th vertebrae. The part of the disk that is herniated sort of juts out and down to the left through the hole that the nerve bundle of that vertebra uses... so the disk was pressing on that nerve bundle and causing all the pain, twinges and spasms. He had been assuming that I also was having pain down my leg because of it so I explained to him that it had all been localized to my back.

He then went on to explain the procedure. It’s a surgical procedure basically. I would be placed under a mild sedation and wheeled into the operating room where they’d flip me over onto my stomach. Then a syringe with a tiny amount of prednisone would be inserted into my back into the tiny pocket between my nerve bundle and the disk herniation. This prednisone is absorbed a tiny amount every day to reduce the inflammation of the nerve bundle and the surrounding soft tissues. The reason for a shot in the back like this is so it can directly stimulate the affected muscles unlike a pill could.

I gotta say, the guy really put me at ease because I was a bit leery of being given an IV and put under sedation. He wasn’t egocentric like some doctors can be and he just matter-of-factly told me that he does this procedure on average 1800 times a year and that from start to finish, the actual procedure takes 5 minutes. I’m sold, let’s do it. So a nurse comes in and takes down my medical history... medications I take, health problems I’ve had, etc. He then takes me back to change into a gown.

While I’m changing, in comes a veritable fleet of nurses and technicians. I’d never witnessed such efficiency. There is a nurse in charge of inserting my IV, one in charge of telling me what’s going to happen, another one putting warm blankets around my legs and feet and another one putting an oxygen tube around my head. Quicker than I got undressed and into my gown I’m being wheeled into the operating room. I’m wheeled next to yet another table where I’m asked to flip over onto it on my stomach. It’s like a massage therapist’s table with the place to put your head. Next the back of my gown is being opened and I’m being swabbed down with iodine. Lastly the doctor comes in and says I’ll feel a pinch, which I do... no big deal, I’m used to being stuck with needles. It doesn’t even hurt. The only thing I feel is some pressure building up in my back and slightly down into my left butt cheek. By the time I can actually feel it, it’s all over and I’m being cleaned up and a band-aid is put over my injection site. =)

I get rolled back over onto my original gurney and I’m then wheeled off to recovery. The sedation has really kicked in so I’m kind of groggy, but otherwise doing great. There is a nurse in charge of me back there and she offers me a fruit bar and some water (which I dig into happily since I wasn’t able to eat and drink all day). Then she takes out my IV and my oxygen tube and leaves me to rest. About 20 minutes later she says I’m free to go and to go ahead and get changed back into my clothes. B comes back and I’m headed out the door after I sign my discharge papers. I felt like a normal person almost immediately. I started walking normally, sitting and standing... no cramping or twinge... just mildly sore which Vicodin and Felxoril take care of quite nicely. =)

So that’s that. I have appointments for two more weeks for physical therapy and probably more after that, but as far as recovering from a bad back, I’d say the worst is behind me now. That’s all from me today. I’m off to eat some lunch. See y’all!

PS – Hey goob, lets go see Grindhouse soonly! *wink, wink*

Currently Listening American Doll Posse By Tori Amos Bouncing Off Clouds see related

Oh dear

Well the physical therapy visit was fun. I’m not being sarcastic either. My therapist’s name is Pete. He’s about knee high to a grasshopper so it’s amusing thinking about him working the back and legs over on a person who’s as tall as me (I’m 6’6”). He explained to me that physical therapy is a combination of exercise, massage and chiropractics. First I filled out a little survey to help better describe the pain in my back. Then we sat down and he asked me specifics. He asked me to do certain things like lean to both sides and stop when I feel pain and the same with leaning forward and backwards. He asks me what I want to accomplish with physical therapy as in what kinds of activities I want to work towards beyond just sitting, standing and walking.

Next he has me put my legs in different positions and asks me to push against his hand with my leg or foot and to tell him of any pain or discomfort. All this time he’s writing things down and by the time we’re finished with the testing he’s pretty much got it all figured out. I lay down and he has me do some leg raises. Then he tells me that if I tighten my stomach muscles like I’m sucking in my gut that it puts a kind of protective blanket around my front and back mid-section and that if I practice at it and move my body as a whole until rather than one part at a time that my pain will most likely be lessened in the movement. So he asks me to try it and flip over onto my stomach. Surprisingly, I roll over on my stomach as if I have no pain at all… and there isn’t any. Tip #1… Check!

Now he feels along my vertebrae and my pelvis. He notices that a joint in my hip isn’t flexing in all the directions that it should and he asks me to sit back up. Now he presses his thumbs on two places on either side of my spine and asks me to lean forward until there is pain. Then he presses his thumbs just a little bit lower and to lean forward again. Finally, he tells me to sit in a “thinker” pose with my arms resting on my legs and he presses again with his thumbs. He tells me that should pretty much do it and he asks me to stand up and try taking a normal step with heal first then toe. The guy knows his stuff… I get up and start walking as if I had no pain at all. And there isn’t much pain.

After that he does some more chiropractic stuff… mostly finding and triggering pressure points while I lay down and breathe deeply in and out. He shows me a couple of exercises to do every day twice a day… once as soon as I wake up and once right before I go to sleep. He tells me this should begin to strengthen the areas that are giving me trouble. Then finally he has my lay down on my stomach and he places these electrode pads on my back surrounding the pain and an ice pack over that. He hooks me up and shows me how the controls work. It was kind of like a fluctuating tingling sensation that was firing off into my muscles to help stimulate them and the nerves there. He tells me to keep increasing the intensity as I lay there for the next 20 minutes just to the point where it doesn’t cause pain or burning but it’s as strong as I can take it. It was amazing. I felt so relaxed. So I left the place walking like normal. I little slower and with a smaller stride, but it’s definite progress. I’ve got appointments to see him for the next three weeks.

So I go home and I eat some lunch and I get a call from the office that’s going to be doing my steroid shot in my back and they tell me they have studied the results from my MRI from yesterday. Ugh… it turns out that I have one (possibly two) herniated disks in my back and that it’s no wonder I was in such pain. So that clenches that… I’m going to be having some pretty chronic back pain until I get enough physical therapy done to where my back is strong enough to not cause any more strain on those disks. Until then, I’ll likely be going back repeatedly for steroid shots in my back.  It kind of makes me wonder just how long they’d been herniated… because I certainly didn’t do anything major to my back in the last week to have warranted it. I’ve gotten back aches since I was 16, Maybe I’ve had herniated disks for a long time and not even realized it. *sigh* Oh well. I’m off to take a vicodin and play some eq2. Later all.

Currently Listening A Piano: The Collection By Tori Amos Zero Point see related