Sick of Being Sick

I try really hard not to complain too much in my posts. While, yes...this blog is about my struggles with Migraine & Chronic Headache...I try not to make it all about me, me, me. I hate sounding & acting like a martyr. Sometimes, though, I can't help it.

I am utterly miserable.

Since Monday afternoon I have been in bed...sick as a dog. (Really, what the hell does that mean anyway?).

I have taken every OTC medication & tried every natural remedy I can possibly think of...which has given me no relief. With each day...I feel worse. So now I am guessing I am dealing with a more resistant beast & will need antibiotics.

So here is the real dilemma...

Tomorrow at 7am I am scheduled to have 1 of 2 medial branch blocks at my c-1 & c-2 level.

Now, the responsible nurse in me knows I should've called to reschedule...again...or at least called to inform the staff at the surgery center of my current condition.  I know anesthesiologists don't necessarily feel good about putting sick people "under"...especially for an elective procedure.

However, the hurting, sick me is desperate.  Since I've gotten sick...my head has felt on the verge of explosion & my occipital nerves feel as if they are on fire.

Here is hoping all goes well in the morning & they don't kick me out & tell me to come back another day!

Post Christmas Blues

While I adore Christmas...I despise the days that follow...for several reasons.

First and foremost...the horrendous clean-up!  It literally looked as if a tornado hit my living room...and the boy's room.  I am certain everyone...especially those with kids...can relate.

Then, it is trying to find room for all the new toys, clothes, gadgets, etc!  Every year before Christmas comes, I go through my closets and make the boys go through theirs to get rid of any old and un-used clothes and toys to take to Goodwill.  Although...there still never seems to be enough room.

You see...we live in a shoebox.  That's what I call it anyways...."Our Shoebox".  We are actually looking for a bigger place after the 1st of the year.  Now with 5 of us (including the pups), this place just isn't cutting it.  Unfortunately though, with a bigger place...will come bigger bills. 

Next...it's kind of depressing to me how we all spend so much time and money planning for this big day...then it's all over in the blink of an eye.

Another downer that comes along with the holiday season is the season for fevers, runny noses & sore throats...all of which I woke up with today. 

However...I don't want to end this post without saying that I did have a GREAT holiday despite the stress & headaches.

I was surrounded by loving family and Santa was too good to me and the boys as usual.

The Electric Scooters Santa brought!

Merry Christmas

Busy...Busy

I went last week to see a new Rheumatologist per the advice of my new Neurologist.  I am SO over doctors...old & new.  In any event, he was SUPER nice and seems very thorough.  I had a ton of labs drawn...I am to call for results this Wednesday.

I (like everyone else on the planet) have been keeping very busy finishing up my last minute Christmas shopping and wrapping presents.  Unfortunately time has once again gone so quickly that I never did get a chance to make Christmas cards....or bake cookies.

Perhaps I will try to squeeze in a family photo in the next couple days....as far as cookies...we are all settling for store bought!

Torture

Well I tortured myself today for the sake of my little sister's Christmas gift.

This year...I was finally able to convince my family to draw names for a gift exchange rather than everyone buying everyone a gift. 

I drew my little sister, Jackie.  Jesse drew my twin sister, Jen.

I was thrilled we got the only 2 girls (other than myself) because I am so sick and tired of buying stinky boy presents!!!

So...why was shopping for Jackie a tortureous event you all ask?

One word...PERFUME!

Now I know alot of you readers out there are shaking and nodding your head in instant understanding...but for those of you that don't get it...perfume shopping is pure HELL for us Migraineurs.  Smelling all those musky scents instantly induced a pounding headache with giant waves of nausea.  I sniffed a grand total of four scents before I decided I couldn't stand it any longer and just grabbed one.

The final product...Viva La Juicy Perfume to go with the Juicy wristlet I got her.

At least if it doesn't smell good...it matches the wristlet!!!

Day Off

Yesterday I was cancelled from work.  That sometimes happens if we have more staff than patients.  And...I LOVE when that happens!  While most people fear being cancelled for a 12 hour shift...I happen to think that there is nothing better than getting a phone call at 5am asking me if I want to stay home.  My answer, of course, is always YES!

So I rolled over in my big, comfy cloud-like bed and went back to sleep.  I stayed in my bed...napping and watching Christmas movies all day long!

Jesse finally wandered in the door from work around 6pm, I finally got up and dressed and we spent the night Christmas shopping and going to dinner.

Love me a Saturday off!  Especially during the holiday season!

Not So Fun

Mesenteric Lymphadenitis refers to the inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes.   It causes a clinical presentation that is often difficult to differentiate from acute appendicitis.  The most common cause of meseneteric lymphadenitis is a viral infection.

Now...while Zachary is feeling about 90% better and got to keep his beloved appendix...

It would appear that whatever virus Zachary must have had...has now landed in my body.

Fever, vomiting and some not so pleasant accompanying symptoms for 12 hours and counting.

Blah.

Waiting

My poor little baby, Zachary, has been in All Children's Hospital since last night with severe lower right quadrant pain, profuse vomiting and high fever.  Current diagnosis is Mesenteric Lymphadenitis and "fluid-filled" bowel loops.  Anxiously waiting to see if an appendectomy is in his near future.

No sleep + stress & worry = Migraine

In his drug induced stupor...all he could ask was if he was going to miss Christmas!

My Must-Haves

I am writing this post for the next blog carnival hosted by The Queen of Optimism.  The topic is Must-Have List:  Supplies, Tools, and Lifestyle Adjustments that Empower Me.

So...here are a few of my favorite things...(Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...)

1.  First and foremost...Brendan & Zachary.  My sons are my absolute world.  I literally am unable to put my feelings for them into words.  My heart bursts with so much love and pride over these little boys.  They make my life worth living and put a smile on my face everyday.  Unfortunately they also make me want to pull my hair out sometimes too...but I take the good with the bad!  Haha.

2.  Jesse.  The most amazing person to ever come into my life.  Without him...I don't think I could survive. He is always there to pick me up when I am down, give me a pep talk and encourages me to keep fighting.  He supports every decision I make 100% (or almost), he is my best friend, my lover and great with my children.  He really is my rock.

3.  Ice.  Ice has become a constant companion of mine.  I love the numbing feeling my ice packs leave me with.

4.  Uggs.  Or as Jesse calls them...Uglies!  I wear them outdoors...I wear them as slippers around the house...I wear them with jeans, skirts, & pj's.  I live in them.  My feet are always tremendously cold and the soft, cozy sheepskin keeps them quite toasty.

5.  Milo & Maisy.  My white, fluffy fur babies who are always there to snuggle with me.

6.  Starbucks.  Gotta have one cup of caffeine every morning to assist with putting some pep into my step and help ward off severe headache pain.

7.  Estee Lauder Doublewear Concealer in light medium.  A must have for under my eyes!!!  There will be days when I put nothing on but a little of that to cover up my dark circles.

8.  Glasses.  I am legally blind without my prescription lenses.  I usually wear my contacts because I cannot go without sunglasses to block out the sun and light.  I recently purchased transition lenses for my glasses...but they don't get near dark enough. 

9.  Laptop.  It's my connection to the outside world, medical info...and to all of my new friends here on blogger!

10.  Moisturizer.  I am SOOO dry!  I think alot of that has to do with my recent UCTD diagnosis.  My face tends to feel like sandpaper.  My legs peel and itch like crazy!  Right now I am using Bioelements Absolute Moisture on my face, and Victoria's Secret Drenched In PINK "warm & cozy" body lotion...(vanilla scent is all I can handle).

11.  Ponytail holder.  Never go anywhere without one!  My hair is long...so no matter how much time it takes me to blow-dry and flat-iron it...it almost always ends up in a ponytail.  I can't stand it in my face!

Well...I am quite sure I have way more must-haves, but I will spare you all.  These are prob my top ones...along with my medication.

I look forward to reading everyone else's lists! <3



Silliness With My Boys






Cancelled Procedure

This morning I was supposed to have my diagnostic medial branch block, aka, facet joint injection at my c1-c2. 

Well...I cancelled.

With the holidays fast approaching...I just decided I had to wait.

Financially...it would've cut into my shopping budget to pay the $400 co-pay...Physically...I would be down and out for awile...and I just have too much to get done...and Emotionally...it was STRESSING me out!  I am still unsure if it's the right thing for me to do. 

So...I put it all on hold til after the holidays.

Now to rely on rest, relaxation, medication and ice packs as much as possible for the next month!

Donations From the Heart

As I have mentioned before, several months ago, I became a part of our hospital's Perinatal Loss Program.  After I attended a conference on the subject, I realized our stock of items was just not what it should be.  I took it upon myself to contact organizations to see if they would donate items to our program, specifically burial gowns for our sweet intrauterine fetal demise's and stillborn babies.

That's how it started anyway.

Not only have I received literally hundreds of burial gowns, I have received micro preemie diapers, hair lock boxes, hats, booties, blankets, rings, a brand new digital camera and printing station for pictures, etc...etc...the list goes on.

Above is a small sample of gowns I received from the "Mary Madeline Project."  It is an organization that makes gorgeous burial gowns for babies of all sizes from donated wedding gowns.

I cannot describe the gratitude and thanks to these volunteers as I am inundated daily with packages of items.

Now...we have SO much stuff...I don't know what to do with it all.  Somehow I would love to "pay it forward."  Thank goodness for the fact that it would take us many years to go through our new supply. 

Praying for lots of healthy pregnancies and babies in the future!