Are you Transforming?

Just wanted to let you know I have a pretty cool posting on my new journal Something Else To Think About! Hope you like it.

When You Really Need A Smile!

Hi!

I know I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you worry. Thanks for the emails & comments. I have just been busy with school starting last week & ummm this new guy I'm seeing is keeping me a bit busy! ;-) It is nice. I don't know what will happen but it is still nice. He makes me laugh & is sooooo very sweet to me. Very caring. I love how he worries about me, that is a lovely feeling when someone wants to make sure you got home safe etc. I don't think my kitties worry too much other than if they are going to get their dinner! HA!

Ok, so I got this from my older of my 2 bros & thought I would share this. I thought it was funny & I had not seen it before.

Step one...find these supplies!

Step two...assemble as shown

Step three...make a smile!

Ha! Hopefully it is not that bad that you have to force one but this should give you one at least! I've been smiling a lot lately so I don't think I'll need this! HA!
Hope you get to smile a lot today! My plan is to plant the flowers I got Monday...playing in dirt always makes me smile..ha! I don't know why but I love gardening & I love flowers. I will take pictures after & and keep you posted.

Oh & my back is maintaining. Everyday a bit different. Some days my toe/foot is more numb than others. Seems classes days hurts it a bit & then I have to recover. I can't do long walking apparently. When I went to the nursery for the flowers the end was not great but it recouped fast. Just got to save up the money to get the Vax-D. At least no extreme pain & really right now that is all I care about. I do have the bottle of vicodin but so far I haven't had to take any. YA! Have a great day!

Captain Jack...My Captain! ;-)

Ok, tonight my older of my two bros treated me to see "Pirates" and then dinner at a new brewery which opened up near where I grew up. I tried the Powerhouse Pale...suppose to be citrus...didn't taste any different to me than regular ole beer. Next time I'll try the Lumpy Dog one...it is suppose to taste like chocolate & the women next to me said it did!

Let me just say that this Pirates did it for me! First, I really had such a fun time. It was really funny although, I there was a place or two I think they missed a place for a great line...but maybe it wasn't needed...the scopes....like a "It's not the size that matters" HA!

I think the best line that will be so funny if guys use it is "It looks much bigger closer up!" HAAAAA! OMG! I can see guys coming out of the bathroom & you are in bed & he just says that! HA HA HA! I just love it. Hey, it should be fun you know! Laughter is the best then! Johnny Depp OMG...ok, all I have to say is Loretta LaRoche always suggest have fun with role playing ;-) So why not be a pirate tonight? ;-)

The plot was ok & there was so many good parts I can use for class! The parts with the other Jack Sparrows...you'll have to see, especially the ones on his shoulders...anyone remember Freud's 3 parts of personality?

And I loved...

Elizabeth Swann: It would never have worked out between us.
Jack Sparrow: Keep telling yourself that, darling.

Jack Sparrow: Will you tell me something? Have you come because you need my help to save a certain distressing damsel? Er... rather damsel in distress? Either one.

Jack Sparrow: And that was without a single drop of rum!
(Probably an inside joke for me but...)

Ok, that is it, I'm going to bed to dream of Captain Jack Sparrow...hopefully I won't wake up with Wayne Newton! HA!

Saving Our Children!

Well you can tell I'm on vacation & have a back problem because I'm watching more tv. HA!

Last night on MSNBC Nightly news they had a segment on SUV Blindspots. Parents (and other relatives) are running over their own children!!! It was such a sad segment but so vitally important. They tested various SUVs & a pick up truck & some had a blind spot in front of their vehicle of 6 ft!!!!

I found these images searching & below they didn't talk about the height of the driver & I think that would make a difference. I think vehicles should automatically come with some type of laser light device to indicate but I'm not sure how it would work because obviously it would indicate when you are just near a car or trash can etc but that may not be needed & confuse things. Hmmm? I mean heck, I don't want to hit the trash cans...remember Grumpy Old Men HA...but then...you know you are suppose to stay away a certain distance from cars when driving...rush hour would be problematic...ok someone come up with the solution quickly because my brain will keep trying & it will drive me crazy.

Please pass this link & info to as many people as you can. Perhaps we can save a child's life.

How Mindless We Are!

YUM! I love Chicken Flautas & this looks just like Burritto Loco's (though it isn't) which I LOVE!!!!!!

Now are you paying attention...does it look typical...ah ha!

Well, last night 20/20 was very interesting. The episode was on "Mindless Eating" featuring Brian Wansink of Cornell University.

It showed how we don't realize how much we eat & they specifically showed how if you have smaller plates or bowls you will take less. Buffets of course people eat more, I don't think that is too shocking. Thus why one gains so much weight on cruises..thank God I have never been on one.  I mean think of how we complain too of those pricey restaurants where you get a mouse's portion. Funny too how prices are going up & if restaurants gave us half & then charged us 1/2 the price then we would be better off. I always bring 1/2 my meal home. Now sure I get two meals out of it, so you can think of the price split in half, but maybe I don't need to do that you know. Next meal I can make myself & it would be even less. Of course the restaurants will not be happy with that. Even at McDonalds etc you have to get more food to save more money. If you get small you pay more, if you go cheaper you either eat more, which isn't good or you waste it...unless you have someone to split with.

NOTE: I have not eaten McDonald's & the like for ? I think it is 7 yrs now. Occasionally, when I find one, because there isn't one near me, perhaps a Sonic burger...but that will be a year in June since I've had even one of them. Another thing I have to thank a lovely gentleman for...nope that is all you get!

Now what was interesting is even kids have this problem. If you give them a smaller cereal bowl they will eat less...think of this especially if they are still eating sugar cereal!! Large bowl they eat tons! Ok, if you can't control yourself then we need to buy smaller dinner sets huh! :-)

There is a 3:44 min video on the website you can check out:

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2587819&page=1

Now the next segment was one's inability to distinguish between vodka brands. Straight up Grey Goose the preferred image-wise and one of the expensive ones, was the LEAST liked.  As a mix, they could not distinguish at all. So if you want to save money!!! Makes one wonder about other types of liquor as well. Where are those beer tests?

Also, they had bartenders measuring a shot of liquor in a short fat glass vs a tall thin glass. Guess What!? Yep, they gave on avg twice as much in the short fat glass. Now, that makes me think of that lovely gentleman again. I remember getting a drink that was like twice the size...I wondered if he ask for a double for me...ha! Maybe it was just the bartender?

Also a video clip:

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3201973&page=1

Doctors...Ugh!

Ugh...man this week was just exhausting. Ok, lets see I'll have to update you. I'm still pissed but there is some good news also!

Well, I spent the whole week practically on the phone trying to make appointments with doctors. It is just crazy that you can't get into anyone for months. Ya, I have a boring life. I can just sit on my butt watching Springer for months until you can see me! Geez...these doctors must have no life & think we shouldn't either. I know it may not be their fault totally, I mean the hospital should have enough doctors on staff so...but I'm just pissed!

I got into one back doc within the same dept as the one I saw for a 2nd opinion. The receptionist is like...well usually a 2nd opinion is outside...I know I'll go outside too but guess what! She was shocked, as I kinda was really, he doesn't think I need surgery. Hmmm. He is extremely well respected. Heck, people are just asking me in the waiting rooms, etc & they like want to kiss this doc's feet. I even met someone I graduated HS with (didn't know her then) & she had her surgery with him & loves him. Now the hospital retires docs from surgery at 65 yrs but he does consultations, is a prof. and will be in the operating room if you want him to be to watch/oversee. He did more things with me. In fact, I found out I can't walk on my heals. As soon as I pull my foot up it spasms my quad & just doesn't work with my shin etc. Even still he says he thinks if I get a cortisone shot it will alleviate a great deal of my symptoms. Then after that PT. So that is good....except the thought of a cortisone shot in my spine is not something I'm too happy about. They were nasty in my SI joints years ago. He came in special for me on Friday which was nice but he wasn't the most cheery guy. I don't know if he was pissed at me, I did find out my other doc asked him to see me, or if that is him normally. I'll put up with a bit of it, if they are really good but only up to a point. I've told off quite a few docs in my time.

Ok, so then hmm what to think, I mean the other guy is supper sweet...I thought he was even going to hug me...but he says I definitely need surgery & give the impression like right away, now this guy opposite...Ya, they are "practicing"! The first guy was you are too young to have all these back problems & we have to fix you up so you won't be in pain. Ugh! I just don't like them practicing on me! They should know by now! Makes me want to take my needles & give them a bit of pain so they would understand. For two days my big toe was sooo ugh...tingling like crazy & numb. Today considerably better but getting worse tonight. My hips hurt a bit & upper back a small spasm on side? Now I have to find another doc outside of this hospital to see & I still have that Vax-D apt for Tues.

I can't get into the ortho or rheumatologist for me hip yet, but the doc said the report is only saying mild inflammation & not the disorder thing so that was the other good news...at least I hope it stays that way. It was really throwing me for a loop thinking I might have that. Very odd. The attending said I could try treadmilling slowly or like 2 times around the block.

I left a message with patient relations...I'm still pissed on these past doctors who didn't do anything proactively about my back. This is just not right!

I had to run around with Sam & Ella & Country too. My turtle babies are still sick & I am trying to take care of them & me at the same time. Country was a good boy getting his stitches out...the ones he had not taken out himself already. I'm just pooped! I need a break with no health problems & in great health for a while! I need...I need...hmmm well lets not go there...and that is another thing, this back is just interferring with my life way too much! Ugh! I can't even do any Retail Therapy because I can't walk long or carry anything! Ugh! Hmm I can see why people get hooked to online shopping! HA! What I really need is a major house cleaner! Ugh! It is just hard to keep up when you are hurting you know. Ok, well I think that catches you up & I'll keep you updated.

Ok, I think I Can Talk Now

Ok, I think I can start this now. I know I promised to have this posted earlier but I spent all day yesterday on the phone....I'll explain later...I may have to do it in pieces & come back to it throughout the day so we'll see if I can get this posted before tonight.

Yesterday I spent absorbing what I was told & taking action by seeking out more information & trying to make appointments...Pff...you can't get into anyone for months. I waited a month to see this guy. I am calling Patient Relations & complaining big time. This is just ridiculous. I have gone there basically since I was a teen probably & my dad graduated from the Dental School there & was still active while the school was functioning & it has gone soooo down hill. They do not have enough doctors on staff if you can not get in for months. 

The doc says I need surgery. He says he even has numbness in his leg now for a year but I have muscle weakness in my toes. He showed me the MRI & the ones that are herniated & hitting the root nerve. He showed me also my other disks above which have degeneration & narrowing of space. He used the analogy of a hamburger & herniation is like ketchup coming out & then these other disks I don't have much hamburger in between. Ugh! Ya...its on my butt that is where it is at. I must be better if I'm joking. (shake head) He said he would go in very carefully because he does not want to disturb the other disks above. He said they treat the symptoms & not the MRI. He said to do a fusion on those now when they are not bothering me could be worse & that fusions can have more problems afterwards...great something to look forward to later...well he did say I may not have problems with them for a long time or ? My mom had this one that I herniated cleaned up & her disks are degenerated also & she is 68 yrs old & doing ok? But then I was much more active throughout my life than she is. It probably is due to all the times I fell on my butt roller skating, skiing etc.

I was very angry because I had MRI's of my back a few years ago & they told me the degeneration was "typical for my age range". He looked up the old MRI & saw I did have it but it did look worse now. I'm not sure what would have done that so quickly but I'm pissed because I could have been doing something about it long time ago! Why didn't they get me into PT for my back? Ya, lets just wait until it gets bad. See sarcasm...I'm pissed.

The first day he could do the surgery would be June 11th. He wants me to get my hip checked out first. I got the report on that & it says to exclude myositis. I looked it up on the web and it says your immune system attacks your muscles. It is not a pretty picture. Sigh. I'm just not doing real well with all this. I mean I know there are many with so much more to deal with but...and I can't get into any orthopedic or rheumatologist for like months. There is one doc that is coming in special for me at 9am tomorrow to give me a 2nd opinion. I may go to an outside source also that I went to before. Maybe different doc though. The one I saw was so arrogant. 

Then the doc says I should not be carrying anything more than a 1/2 gallon of milk. Ok, excuse me but I asked my doctor's nurse numerous times & she said "Do your normal activities" after they got the MRI report. I called after the neurosurgeon got the report & that nurse says follow your primary care physician's directions! Ok, so basically you told me something that can hurt my back! I'm furious! 

One of my colleagues had mentioned Vax-D being in Chicago and to check it out. I looked it up online & BC/BS to see if they would cover it. Of course not! Ugh! I did call the place & they said they do not charge as much as if you have insurance & will work out a payment plan. I talked to them for quite some time & asked questions. I'm going for a free consultation on Tues. I would rather not have surgery even for this, with downtime and just why bother if you don't have to. I can't get the surgery done until June 11th anyway so? I asked my doctor's attending today & she said he would not mind me trying it. She said the ones they get back say it didn't help but that may just be the small percentage that doesn't help that they see. True.

I'm just very (SCREAM). I know people have all sorts of things happen to them much younger & I'm not special that things can't happen to me but I have plans still & I WANT TO DANCE! ;-) I have to have my hips (and my back) if you know what I mean! I still think this isn't right. I haven't been bungee jumping in my life etc. It is that dang backpack in college with all those big Chem & Math books for Pre-Med. Ugh! The kids are lucky now to have rolling backpacks! You know I am not very smart...I should have had some guy carrying them for me. HA! Ya, then I'd probably marry a guy & he'd have back problems now & then he wouldn't be able to DANCE ;-( so where would I be then? Seriously, I'm sure that foot injury & walking on it wrong from 3 1/2 years, boots, cast etc has not been helping. And after surgery still is not good so that is I think 6 years now.

I only told my one brother who lives near me so far & didn't tell him about the hip issue...suggested something else has to be looked into though. I haven't even told my folks. I guess I just wish I could figure this all out first or not tell them the hip issue & worry them until I know for sure you know. They are suppose to be coming in from AZ on June 10th. The doc said if I have the surgery I would be in the hospital for 2 days & then off work for 2 weeks...ideally. No PT for 12 weeks. Hmmm...he says he babies his patients. I told him right away that I'll only take that to a point. I know I have other back issues but I'm the one that does 20 reps when they say 15 & keep upping it. I was 3 months ahead of therapy for my knee. I know I'm older now but I still am that spirit down deep. This is why this is so hard for me...my spirit can't do what I want it to do & I'm not at all ready to give in.

Yesterday & today my top of my foot appears to be less numb but maybe it is just in comparison...my big toe is much more numb. It is on the bottom too now. I mentioned this to the attending today & she said how long has it been? Two years? I'm like no this just happened like 4 weeks ago. She said it takes 2 yrs before the nerve goes dead. That is good. I knew from my PT guy that nerves grow back 1 inch a month so...I guess as long as I'm feeling something that is good in a way. I can still wiggle my toes but they are weak. I have to call my PT guy back tomorrow. We got interrupted yesterday & I never got back to him.

I also have to take Sam & Ella in tomorrow afternoon. Ella has some spots on her shell now too??? Country has to get the few stitches out he has not pulled out himself. He has to go on 2 pills a day now for his Thyroid. I'm looking at the RadioCat for Country but it is $925 by me locally. I will have to just do some book reviews & save it up for him. Meds will be $30 a month so that would be paid for in like 3 years. All his other labs are wonderful so the vet said he could live to 22 & he is only about 14 now. Dusty has to get in next but I'll have to wait until I get my summer pay. These guys are eating up my extra money...do I even have extra money with gas prices anyway? I don't think so. It is just crazy. Well, at least Dusty is running around like crazy so he should be doing good. I wanted to move this summer & have some fun & I just don't know now if any of this is going to happen. Here I thought I was getting better? Ugh. I know I could be so much worse & others so I'm trying not to have this be whining but just saying "Dang! And then move it into motivation. Just seems tougher to do that lately compared to when I was young in college etc. I need that spirit back.

I need Chuck Norris to rehab me! :-) Get some of that Kick-Axx spirit back!

Well, that is it for now. I'll update you when I hear anything more. If anyone has had that Vax-D done please email me & let me know how it was for you. I think my guardian angel is really pooped. Although, maybe he is working hard & I would be worse if he wasn't as strong? Yep, mine is a HE! :-) And a very HOT one at that!