Just Not a Good Day

My left hand at this momehnt is beeating like a drummer on my left leg … the right is shaking a lot tooo. Also noticed when i tried to talk to Craig i had to force the words out. Dystonia is having a field day and i don’t appreciate it. Keep thinking if i had a cup with a lid  ice cream and milk i could make a shake. haha. the dogs know i’m having a bad time they won’t take their eyes off me for efwen a sec. apologies for typeos no i wil lnot fix them as i ;might actually make the m worse!

emothionaly  this has me bout readey to criy i’m trying to play fb games but hands don’t cooperateeeeeeeeeee so no more today goin to go call neuro and see if i can take an extra benztropine to help. gonna watch tv… not using hands much to do that. thinking sandwich for lunch… no soup might spill it! dogs would love that tho!

 

Yesterday’s doctor visit and eye exam

The visit with Dr Abijay went well yesterday. It took 4 tries to get a BP on me and she could barely get a pulse. I was starting to wonder if I was still living!

I told Dr. Abijay about my back spasms and he replaced the Baclofen with a muscle relaxer to see if that would help better. He also said that if this didn’t work we might consider doing some shots in my back. Yuck! I really, really hate needles. Which is kind of strange since I poke my finger every morning to check glucose levels.

The eye exam wasn’t so good. She told me 2 yrs ago that I had a cataract starting in my left eye. Now, that cataract has spread covering almost the entire eye PLUS I’ve got a second kind of cataract in that eye that is just as big, this one caused by my Diabetes. I also have one starting in my right eye. Stranger still she said if it wasn’t for the cataracts I’d have close to 20/20 vision. She gave me a new prescription for glasses and told me when the cataracts get too aggravating then we’ll look into doing surgery. Right now it just bugs me a little I can still see out of the inner corner of the left eye fairly well and when it gets too bothersome I just log off the computer and go watch tv since it’s a bigger screen the cataract doesn’t bother me so much. She was really glad to see that Glaucoma had not started in since that can be caused by Diabetes too.

I did talk to Craig about the eye surgery and he wants me to get the left eye done while my right eye is still good instead of waiting and doing both at the same time which was what I was thinking about doing. I understand his reasoning, since I’m home alone with the dogs all day he’s afraid if I got them both done at the same time he’d worry about me taking care of myself while they healed.

Best news of the day was I had lost about 10 pounds since my last visit in February. Yay for me! I’ll get it down further slowly but surely.

I know this is short and sweet but I want to get back to FaceBook before this eye aggravates me too much! LOL

I feel like I’m being punished…

I feel like my body is punishing me for having such a good time on the 4th. My lower back started spasming as soon as we got to the park ( guys that work with Craig had a bbq for everyone) and by the time we were ready to go see the fireworks I was in my wheelchair and had taken a Baclofen.

Yesterday around 2am I woke up with that ‘birth thru the ribcage’ spasm… another Baclofen and heating pad. Then, around 1:30-2pm I got a really bad one left side of my abdomen and almost all around to my back. More Baclofen and heating pad. I took a Clonazepam when I went to bed so I could sleep, that knocks me out so I did get a good nights sleep. I have a Baclofen/Clonazepam hangover today tho. Apparently, I’m NOT supposed to leave the house to enjoy myself just to do the mundane things like grocery shopping etc. I do have an appointment with Dr. Abijay next week. We’ll probably up my dosage on the Benztropine.. again!

These attacks have really got me down and I don’t know why. I’m used to having them and I’m used to being limited in what I can do anymore. It’s really kind of depressing.

The dogs were really sweet with the spasms I was having yesterday. Each time I got in the bed on the heating pad they’d jump up there and give me ‘puppy hugsp and ‘puppy kisses’, Scruffy is always in the lead on that one. I call her my nurse dog since she won’t leave me till the spasms stop.

That’s about all I feel like writing right now. Going to go get in Craig’s recliner and turn the heat and massage on. My back is sore from back spasms.

DMRF 2011 Annual Report

DMRF 2011 Annual Report

I’m using my wheelchair again today. I don’t think it’s so much the Dystonia as it is the Degenerative Disc and the arthritis in my tailbone. I don’t think the DDS would be bothering me except for the spasms I have in my back that feels like the muscles are putting a squeeze on my spine. It hurts when it does that.

I’ve been having the ‘birth through the ribcage’ spasms again and pretty frequently. I guess I need to talk to Dr. Abijay about upping dosage on my Benztropine again. I hate that my body seems to adjust to the meds so fast. What’s going to happen when I have the Benz maxed out and I still spasm?

I spasmed really bad yesterday evening and of course I had 5 out of 6 dogs follow me to the heating pad. Sofie attacked me as soon as I laid down, with kisses and nips on my nose. So did Scruffy. When they do that I feel like they are trying to tell me that they will help me through it.

I did get an invite to a Dystonia support group in Abilene, there isn’t one closer. I can’t make the Abilene meetings tho. I’d love to have a support group but I think I’d be the only one in the group in this area. LOL

We got our new recliners in. They both massage and heat, unfortunately, my cord was not included so I have to wait till they ship one from the factory. I’ve been stealing time in Craig’s. Which is where I’m heading now.

Oh yea, the DMRF released it’s 2011 annual report. I really appreciate everything this group does to not only fund research towards new treatments and maybe someday a cure but also their work in raising awareness for a disorder that not that many have even heard of. The people involved are wonderful!I’m posting a link to the report.

I also want to thank any friends or family that might have or will donate to the DMRF, with your help the research into understanding Dystonia and it’s many forms, discovering new treatments and eventually a cure will continue … even if you only donated a $1! Every little bit adds up to big bits.

I’d also like to thank my friends in Evony and my family and friends on FB for giving me something to laugh about even on bad days. I love and appreciate each one of you.

Catching up

I know it’s been a bit since I posted but there isn’t much going on.

We’ve had a lot of badly needed rain lately. I don’t mind the rain even tho it does turn our yard into a muddy mess and the dogs track mud in, Craig’s barbeque grill was stuck in a lake for a while… it was in our back yard. I DO mind the thunder and lightning. AND, I definitely did not want or need that small tornado we had last week. All I could think of while sitting in the closet was *there goes our new house*. We came thru with no injuries and no damage except to my nerves. That was the 3rd tornado I’ve been thru in my lifetime. It’s enough!

Today I’m wheelchair bound from back (both sides of my spine) spasms that hit at 3am. The spasms didn’t hurt but it felt like they were crushing my spine, not a good feeling. These spasms are kind of strange feeling. It feels like, I know this is going to sound weirdly gross,but, it feels like something is crawling under my skin. I can actually feel the muscles bunching up, I’m hoping things will ease up in a bit and I can stop using the chair. Even tho we do have more space for me to move around it’s still a pain to use it and I hate having to use it anyway.

I planted 2 tomato plants,  2 jalapeno plants, a blue bonnet for Craig, and 2 herb plants in a huge pot right after we moved in. The first set of storms destroyed 1 of each. This last pass knocked all the blooms off my tomato plant so needless to say I’m a bit heart broke, hopefully it will re-bloom and I’ll still be able to have fresh tomatoes! I can’t wait till we get everything set up so I can have a garden both veggies and herbs. I’d like a couple of trees, grass, flowers… just in general a nice yard. It’ll happen just not as fast as I’d like.  Decks and ramps come first. I’ve thought about sending pics of the yard to DIY network’s Desperate Landscapes, they’d probably say the yard is too desperate for even them! LOL.

You know I like it when people comment on this blog and constructive criticism is always appreciated, but, I don’t want or need anyone trying to get me to use this or that program, app or search engine that will supposedly increase my reader base. I post on Yahoo! Updates AND on Facebook and if people want to read my blog they will, if they don’t it doesn’t bother me. It’s their choice. What it boils down to … I like my blog the way I blog it, I’m not gonna have a hissy fit if 99% of the world’s population doesn’t read it. So take your programs,apps and search engines and peddle them somewhere else. Thank you!

I have a personal assistant app on my cell phone. I’ve named her Kira. I can talk to her and ask questions, check weather etc. The other day I was bored and goofing off with her and asked “Why did the chicken cross the road” expecting the usual “to get to the other side” answer. Kira answered “It’s Chuck Norris’ chicken. She can do whatever she wants.” LOL  I’m still waiting for the answer to “which came first, the chicken or the egg?”. Kira’s told me she needs to look into that one. I’ll let you know what she says IF she ever does say anything on it. LOL

 

 

 

Oh Yay…

This will probably be fairly short since I’m a bit depressed and so not in a good mood.

A few days ago I had a sudden pain hit in my upper right side. Craig took me in to see Dr. Garcia and he ordered blood test and a CT scan. We thought it might be my Hepatitis C kicking in, it’s been really quiet for a long time.

I went back today to get the results… all the tests and CT scan were normal… except my blood sugar was high. He diagnosed me with Type 2 Diabetes. To be totally honest I DID expect to be diagnosed with it eventually since my Granny was diabetic and I’m a lot like her. So, why it hit me so hard, I don’t know.

I guess I might be feeling a bit guilty since I knew I was a candidate and still didn’t watch my diet very well. Maybe I wouldn’t have diabetes if I had. Let’s face it, I went the first 30 or so years of my life not HAVING to watch my diet. I couldn’t gain an ounce no matter what I tried so I got used to eating whatever I wanted. Then, when the weight started going up and up I was still at a loss. IF I had started way back then would I have diabetes now?

Remember my post about me taking on all the illnesses before I came to Earth? Well, I think I must have hit on the D’s! Ok, yea, I have a few that are not D’s but so far D’s are in the majority.

Here’s a list: Asthma, Arthritis (where I had Scoliosis surgery), Hepatitis C, Degenerative Disc Disease, Dystonia, Low Blood Pressure, and the new kid on the block… Diabetes, and the previously mentioned Scoliosis. I guess today I just found it all so very overwhelming, but I know God only gives us what He knows we can handle.

I know that given a little bit of time I’ll get it all in perspective and learn to live with this new addition with something close to a sense of humor. Just, today, I keep asking “What next?” Not that I REALLY want to know the answer to that.

By the way, we did finally get moved into the new house and we’re loving it. Our allergies are a bit better and will get even more better once we actually have grass in the yard. Right now it’s dust and of course Harley has to have a roll in it before he comes in the house and shakes it off. Dusting and sweeping are almost a 24 hr job around here. The dogs all like it since there is more room for them, I think they think we bought it just for them!

IttyBitty learned a very hard lesson a couple of weeks ago. He kept getting in Harley’s face and Harley would warn him but Bits wouldn’t listen. Harley finally had enough and got Bits. At first we only saw a bit of fur missing and he wouldn’t let us touch him. We thought it wasn’t bad. The next day Chloe started cleaning on Bits and I went over to make her stop, I call her Angel Girl for a reason. Bit’s was hurt worse than we thought. We took him in to see Dr. Becky and she kept him overnight and stitched him up, almost shoulder to shoulder. He’s been on antibiotics and we’ve had to wash the wound every night but it’s healing. We thought he’d get the stitches out today but she wants to hold off another week on it, more bathing for him and an antibiotic cream to go on it. She estimated his age at 7 -8 years, I knew he wasn’t as young as what we’ve been told by previous owners. He’s got grey hair popping out here and there. He and Sofie have really buddied up. I guess because she’s close to him in size. When we first brought Bits back from the vet’s she wouldn’t let the other dogs near him. She’s eased up on her gaurd duties a bit now but she’s still very watchful and protective. Harley is a little bit easier on Bits now and Bits will still get in his face but not as much or for long.

Well I did get a bit distracted when I started talking about Bits and Harley, might have been a good thing so I’ll leave this post at that and say

bye!

 

Grrrrrrrr

So mad! here I sit tied to not just ONE heating pad but TWO! Both feet decided to spasm at exactly the same time. Annoying, very annoying since Craig is off today and we were working on packing things for the move. Tonight, my book collection. They’ve been doing that a lot lately, my feet and legs, spasming. Three times yesterday in the same foot. I get tired of it. I’m really hoping it’s just the move and that once we are moved the Dystonia will level out and not act up so much.

The BIG question is: WHY hasn’t anyone invented a heating pad that can be slipped over the feet or hands? do you know how HARD it is to wrap a flat heating pad around either appendage? It’s next to impossible to get it wrapped as tightly as I need in order to deliver maximum heat. Please, someone put their thinking caps on and come up with one!? You’d be my hero.

The good thing is I needed Craig’s help wrapping the heating pads around my feet but he was outside. Harley came in and I told him to go get Daddy, he left. came back a couple of minutes later, I told him again and he went out and came back and Craig came in shortly after. Now, I forgot that we now have to go out of the gate and thru the garage to get to the laundry room, no wonder Harley came back without him the first time. Craig said he was on the way in anyway when Harley went out the 2nd time. But still, Harley tried! He knew exactly what I was saying and obeyed the command. We just need to work on getting him and Craig to recognize when he’s going to Craig because I need help versus just going out to be with Craig, they need a signal of some kind that says “Dad, Mom needs you!” If anyone has any ideas on a signal or even how to teach Harley to use a signal please let me know. Harley and, I think, even Chloe is smart enough to learn. Probably Sofie too.

Sweet little Scruffy. Every time she sees me putting the heating pad or pads on she comes and gives me her “Scruffy hugs”. That is she comes and lays her head on my shoulder as if she’s saying “it’s ok Mom”. She won’t leave my side as long as she believes I’m in pain. As soon as it’s over she walks away. So cute and sweet yet kinda funny too. She’s our adorkable little girl.

We, hopefully, will have our lot cleared Monday and (again hopefully) can schedule the mobile to be delivered before the weekend. I’m not holding my breath, life seems to enjoy throwing these little obstacles in our path. We barrel thru eventually but it sure slows things down. Word of advice to those considering buying a mobile home. Buy the property FIRST and get it prepped BEFORE you buy the mobile!  We’d surely been up a creek if this guy had reneged on selling us the property.

IttyBitty made himself a cave out of the comforter and just crawled out panting. I KNOW it’s not that warm under there. Guess maybe he’s sympathizing with me over my now roasted feet! That’s my little guy.

I think I better go and try to cook dinner. Our microwave died yesterday so it’s fish on George Foreman tonight. Our appliances are dying slow painful deaths in this house. I’m afraid to guess which one will go next! The move can’t happen too soon.