New Neurologist

I got in early with the new neurologist! THANK YOU to Robin, who recommended Dr. Patterson. Her office is incredibly professional, and the doctor herself is fantastic! She spent just under an hour with Daniel and I. She answered all of our questions, and we left there feeling confident and assured. Let me back up a couple of steps before I tell you what we found out there.

You may have seen my Health Update from Tuesday morning. Well, it turned out I was having if not an allergic reaction, a very negative reaction to the Lyrica. Essentially I've been taking a medication for the last two and a half months, three times a day, that my body doesn't agree with. The symptoms kept getting worse because the drug continued to build up, of course.

As soon as the offices opened Tuesday morning, Daniel called the original neurologist to see if I could be seen there. They said the doctor would call me back. The last time they said that, it took three days. Daniel called back to ask again if I could please be seen as my symptoms were getting to a point it was pretty worrisome. The receptionist expressed her displeasure as she huffily told Daniel he could bring me in at 1:45 that day.

Because of the rudeness of the receptionist, along with the fact that we already don't trust that neurologist, Daniel called the new office to ask if there was any way he could get me in. The receptionist there told him they were booked, but they listened to his concerns. She told Daniel she would call him back if they happened to get a cancellation, and he should take me to the ER if our family doctor couldn't see me right away.

My family doctor made the determination that I needed to go off the Lyrica, but it can cause seizures if stopped abruptly. I needed to take two of the three doses on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Ick! The plan was to step up the antidepressant I was prescribed on Sunday as needed, because it is known to have an effect on nerve pain. About the time we got home from that appointment, the phone rang. It was Dr. Patterson's office calling to say they had an open appointment for Wednesday morning!

I was impressed by her office as soon as we got there. Everyone seemed to be in such good moods, and the other doctor in the office greeted his patient so cheerfully. Sure enough, I got the same welcome when Dr. Patterson herself came to get me from the waiting room.

She did something the first neurologist never did. It didn't dawn on me until she examined me that the other doctor never did an exam on me during the follow up visit in his office. He talked to me, but never did look at me. This new doctor asked me to describe the pain in my feet, then she started poking around. Guess what? I don't have nerve damage at all! For two and a half months it has been ASSUMED that I have nerve damage when, in fact, I have plantar fasciitis. Essentially I have tendonitis in the bottom of both feet because of how tight my body got during the shingles. Dr. Patterson is guessing I probably had a little bit of that going on before I got sick, and the shingles really made it bad.

The good news is that this is a treatable condition. For some people it takes a very long time to heal. In RARE people they don't ever run again, but walking is not out of the question. The doctor even said I might be able to do some slow treadmill walking at the gym within a month with a lot of stretching and massage in that area. She showed me exactly what to do before I even get out of bed in the morning and when I've been sitting for a long time.

As for my headaches, she explained that I have two different kinds going on. The first is tension headaches. Again, all my muscles are tight, and this leads to headaches in the back of the head. For this, she recommended heat and massage. The other headache is a migraine. This is another thing I may have been prone to anyway and was made worse by the shingles. I actually haven't had that headache in a couple of days, so I think it may have also been caused by the Lyrica.

So my two worse symptoms are actually going to be taken care of with lots of heat, stretching, and massage. That sure would have been easy enough to handle in the first place! Then there is the issue of the pesky seizures or tremors I had that got me hospitalized in the first place.....

When I was younger, I was diagnosed with juvenile epilepsy. The last seizure I had, that we know of, was when I was in Kindergarten. It is POSSIBLE that the shingles may have caused my body to bring back that epilepsy. I'll be having a EEG soon to determine if I am having seizures currently or not. If not, that would be great. If so, there is medicine that can treat the epilepsy, and I would NOT need to go back on the Lyrica. There are others that can be used.

I can't drive until I see the neurologist again, because she wants to make sure I'm not having seizures before approving that. I appreciate that very much! I would hate to cause an accident and hurt someone. Dr. Patterson also recommended that I have someone at home when cooking, taking a bath, or swimming as well. I don't bathe or swim without someone knowing, anyway, so it all works out.

Some of the side effects of the Lyrica are completely gone already, and some are still wearing off. For the most part, my vision has gone back to normal, I am not breathing as heavy, and the over all swelling is going down. There is no burning in my hands or feet at all. My mind was going way too fast. I'll be taking a nap this afternoon for sure!

Daniel and I have decided that I will still be waiting on putting in applications to teach. We need to get the epilepsy tests done, and the follow up neurologist appointment needs to be put behind us. I need time to digest all that has happened in the past couple of days, and we need to make sure I am going to STAY stable after the problems with the Lyrica. To be honest, I think we both need time for life to get back to normal for us before I start rushing around trying to get a job. I lost a large chunk of time from my life. The last couple of weeks have been scary. I need to REALLY rest now and relax in my own way.

A lot of people have already suggested I report the first neurologist. I will do that in my own way, in my own time. That was part of why I didn't sleep last night. I really don't want to go through the whole process of filing a formal complaint against the doctor. To be honest, I really just don't feel like I have the energy or the "fight" left in me for that. I don't want to answer a million and one questions about the last three months and feel like I am on trial. I want to put this all behind me and move forward. I will be sending some sort of letter to both his office and the hospital, though, explaining that this all could have been avoided had he listened to the description of my pain.

Well, I'm hoping the next time you hear from me regarding this issue is to let you know the EEG went well. I am so glad that none of my fears were realized. I SHOULD run again in my lifetime, but it may take awhile. I will definitely teach again, and that makes everything okay.

30 Days of Me- Day 8

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why

Well, the month of June is almost over, and we're on to a new month, so I'll set some goals for the month of July.

The number one goal is to start getting stronger and find my way back to the gym. After all the issues with my shingles and nerve damage that turned out to not be nerve damage (more on that to come), it's been a rough road. I am off the medication that turned out to be doing more harm than good, so I can now start to see progress. My goal, which the neurologist thought was extremely possible, is to be walking on the treadmill for 15 minutes three times a week by the end of the month. It doesn't sound like much, but it actually is considering I've been sitting on my couch since March 24th doing no exercise at all.

The second goal I have is to get the EEG scheduled and stay calm until my next neurology appointment on August 1st.

Finally, I want to get the girls ready to go back to school. I want to start preparing them for a more regular bedtime in the last week of July since school starts August 10th. I also need to get Amber some more pants or shorts, and maybe Andrea could use a few pair, too.

All of these goals are in preparation for our lives to get back to normal. It has been a LONG road with this shingles and recovery, but we are finally on the way to a routine again.

30 Day Music Challenge: Day 13

Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure

"Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus

Okay, I have to admit that I actually like Miley Cyrus. I know, I know... she has a terribly manly voice when she speaks, and I hate the way she dresses now, but her songs make me happy. They are great for getting me moving. I liked her stuff when she was singing as Hannah Montana, too. Back then it was music I felt comfortable with my girls listening to because it had pretty positive messages. So, even though I don't necessarily like the person, I love the music.

30 Day Music Challenge: Day 12

Day 12 – A song from a band you hate

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith

I really can't stand Aerosmith. I think most of their songs are gross (think "Dude Looks Like a Lady"), and I REALLY can't stand the lead singer. I think he is incredibly ugly, and his mouth freaks me out. Even as a teenager, when Aerosmith was fairly popular, I didn't care for this group.

I picked this song to share, though, because it is the only song of theirs that I actually do like. I thought if I was going to put music up from a group I can't stand, I should at least include the song that I most like. I'm pleasant that way.

What band do you dislike? Why?

She passed!

My something good this week is Amber's yellow belt! I know last week I was guessing that she passed, but now it's official. We have a certificate showing this belt was registered in Japan and everything. It was really neat to see Amber take off the white belt and put on the yellow. I love that she has something that she can say she accomplished. For Amber, moving forward is motivation to continue. I can't wait to find out when she starts competing!

Amber doing the first move of her new kata.

30 Days of Me- Day 7

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Right here. This group of people ARE life to me and have each impacted me individually. It is as a whole, though, that has the biggest influence. These five people give me a reason to make myself better every day. I mean, seriously, look at those smiles. Do I have any doubt that these people are behind each of my successes?

Pictured from left to right: Andrea (daughter- age 10), Daniel (husband), Dad, Mom, Amber (daughter- age 8). That's me in the middle!

30 Day Music Challenge: Day 11

I'm linking this post up to Thirsty for Comments Thursday. Thank you, hoppers, for coming by!

Day 11 – A song from your favorite band

I honestly don't have a favorite band. There are a lot of bands I like some of their music, but none that really stand out as a favorite to me. I'm boring that way. I don't have a favorite food, a favorite drink, or a favorite much of anything.

In the spirit of the challenge, however, I picked the Dixie Chicks. I recently came across this song on another blogger's post, and I couldn't believe I had never heard it. Oh, powerful stuff! What I like about the Dixie Chicks is the "ummph" in their music. I like the way some of their songs really bring the listener up to a climax, and the music comes back down. It's almost a relief when the song is over. At the top of the song, it's almost impossible not to sing or dance along somehow.

Health Update- June 28

This is like the disease that never ends. Ok, great, now I have the Song That Never Ends stuck in my head!

All kidding aside, I just can't seem to catch a break! Sunday afternoon I was sitting around at my parents' house, and my heart started to feel like it was fluttering. It wasn't happening all the time, but occasionally it would speed up a bit, then start to flutter. I finally asked Daniel to take me to the urgent care, which is fortunately our family doctor as well.

The doctor I saw ran an EKG, but it was normal. He said there are just times our hearts can race like that for no reason. He did agree with me that I may need to go off the Lyrica, but he wanted me to wait and talk to the neurologist about that. He sent me home with some antibiotics for the bladder infection that I did have (that was the minor part of the visit), and instructions to, of course, come back if any of my symptoms got worse.

Well, things have gotten worse. Last night I was watching TV with Daniel before bed and I exclaimed how the swelling had gone down in my wrists and ankles. I almost looked like myself again. Around 11 PM I took my Lyrica and started getting ready for bed. When I went to the bathroom about 10 minutes later I looked down at my feet because they felt funny. (I know, a really scientific description, right?) They were back to being swollen. I went to show Daniel, and I noticed that my wrists were swollen, too.

Over the course of 15 minutes, Daniel and I sat and watched my hands swell more and more. It would have been pretty cool if I wasn't worried about them swelling so much they would pop off. (I was seriously trying to figure out at what point we needed to jump in the car and go to the ER.) Eventually, after my wrist was huge and my fingers looked like little sausages, the swelling stopped it's progression. Then the burning feeling started. That was in my left wrist and foot. As in previous times, it felt like I was holding my body parts in a fire. The skin itself was cool to the touch, though. I haven't had the burning in my hands until then, so that freaked me out a little bit.

I read my handy-dandy patient information sheet that I keep whenever I get a medication, and sure enough, swelling in the hands and feet and burning or tingling are reasons to contact the doctor right away. I called the pharmacy, unsure what right away meant, and he said to be sure to see a doctor in the morning. So... today I will spend my day trying to figure out WHICH doctor (or maybe I should see the witch doctor) will see me and take care of my symptoms that frankly are starting to scare the hell out of me. Instead of spending the day with my dad like I was going to, I get to fight for the medical profession to take me seriously, because right now I'm in a terrible catch-22. My family doctor doesn't want to take me off the medication the neurologist put me on, and my neurologist is on vacation in India for the next five weeks. Plus, he doesn't seem to think there's a thing wrong with my symptoms as of the last time we talked. (See my Furious post if you missed that story.)

As I've been sitting here typing this post, I have a wonderful new symptom. The thumb on my left hand is turning out, involuntarily. Usually in a relaxed position the thumb curls in. Mine is pointing outward, and I really have to concentrate to get it to relax at all. The fleshy part where the thumb meets the hand is burning and shaking. Here we go again.

Monday's Music Moves Me- June 27

Today's theme is Singers/ Bands with One Name

When I was first learning to drive a car, I owned the world. Really, there was nothing I couldn't do. Like most teenagers, not only did I think I was invincible, but I thought I knew everything and I was "cool." My parents, in my mind, were silly old people who didn't have a life (interestingly enough, I have followed their path of preferring to be home watching TV then out painting the town red, but that's a whole different story).

My dad would take me out driving, and I got to pick the radio station. These were the days of the big hair bands, and of course, I was in love with all of them. When "Your Mama Don't Dance" by Poison came on, I was happily singing along, driving down the road. Until I realized my dad was singing, too. "How do you know this song?" I asked him, in disbelief that he was actually appearing to enjoy "my" music.

"This is an old song," my dad replied. "It's been done a million times." Sure enough "Your Mama Don't Dance" was first written in 1972 and has been done by more than one band before Poison picked it up. The music I thought was so new was simply a cover. What a disappointment!

I learned a big lesson that day. My parents were actually pretty cool people, too, with a lot of stories to tell about their own childhood. I started to listen just a little bit more and started to realize they were people, too. I still don't know how I feel about them singing along to hair bands, though!

Book Review/ Giveaway: Island Girl

This giveaway is now closed! Please continue to enjoy the review.Congratulations to Valerie @ My 2 Cents- Winner of the "Island Girl" giveaway!

I'm linking this review up to Mrs. Readalot's Bloggy Bookclub because I think this book should be seen by as many people as possible. And, to be honest, due to my health problems this month, I simply didn't get to reading the choice of the month. Thank you, Mrs. Readalot, for allowing us to choose other books as well!

Imagine your mother called to tell you she had early onset Alzheimer's. She needs you to move into the family home and take over the day to day activities in order to keep that home running smoothly. It's a no-brainer, right? You do what you can to help your family. But wait... What if I told you that you haven't spoken to your mother in years? You are the black sheep, and there are just too many skeletons in that closet for you to make that decision lightly. This is the basic idea behind Lynda Simmons' "Island Girl."

I can certainly understand why Liz feels pulled when she finds out what her mother is asking of her. I can also imagine being in her mother's position and wanting Liz to come home. That is exactly what makes this book as good as it is! Both Ruby and Liz have good points. Which one will you side with?

Lynda Simmons tells a good story, but the best part about this book, I think, is the character development. Each person in "Island Girl" is so real. Liz has some problems, and they aren't just on the surface. The author gets down and dirty with her feelings, actions, and language. Ruby doesn't just deal with her illness by accepting it. She really has to work through her feelings, and I LOVE that she's writing a blog- sort of. There are more great characters in this story, but I want to leave them for you to discover and fall in love with the same way I did.

Telling the story from alternating character views gives this book the feeling that the reader really is in the middle of this life. I could imagine myself hearing the telling from all sides, just as a person who would be friends with the characters would. We got to see into each storyteller's mind as they were giving their version of what was occurring.

"Island Girl" is one of those books you pick up and want to read all the way through. It is great for summer reading. Grab a great big glass of iced tea, find a comfy spot on your back porch, and read until the sun has set and the mosquitoes come out. Then keep reading because you'll forget all about the world around you as you become wrapped up in life on the island. Go ahead... you deserve some time to relax and enjoy a great book!

You can buy "Island Girl" on Amazon. She has another book, "Getting Rid of Rosie," that I can't wait to read!

Book Giveaway: I want to share my copy of "Island Girl" with a lucky reader! This book is one that doesn't deserve to sit on shelves, so I want to pass it along.

How to enter: Stop by Lynda Simmons website and tell me something you found interesting about the author or her books.

Additional Entry: Like Life with Karen on Facebook and say hello. Leave me a comment, then come back here and tell me you did. Please be sure to do this in a separate entry.

Don't forget to leave me your email address, if it's not in your profile, so I can contact you if you win!

Giveaway will run until 8 PM Arizona time on Saturday, July 2, 2011. Winner will be chosen randomly and will be contacted via email. Winner will then have 48 hours to respond with shipping information. This giveaway is good for U.S. residents only. Thank you!

This giveaway is sponsored by me, and the prize is a USED copy of "Island Girl" in almost new condition. I was given a copy of the book by the author for review, but all opinions are mine. I was not paid for this review.

Good luck, and enjoy "Island Girl!"

Sunday Surf- June 26

It's time to share my favorite blog posts I've read this week. Enjoy!

Facebook user Questioned- This -year-old boy made some comments and didn't realize someone really is watching what we post on the internet. Kind of scary!

Baked Cinnamon Crisps and Fruit Salsa- Every time I look at this my mouth waters. I really need to make some of this next weekend!

Z is for Zombies- This post was just too cute! Very creative writing.

Muppets Cakes- You have GOT to see these cakes!

Smiling Dog- I LOVE cute pictures of dogs, and this one is just plain hilarious!

Forget About the Joneses- I LOVED the honesty in this post and the tips for how to forget about keeping up with the Joneses.

CYA- This is another post that I really appreciated the honesty. The truth about teamwork.

Would you Lie for Your Child?- This post brought up a really good question. How far would you go to protect your child? No, I wouldn't lie for my girls. I hope I will never be in a situation where I would even need to ask myself this question, but I believe they need to face their consequences.

Well, I hope you enjoy some of my favorite posts of this week. If you see your post here, bloggy friends, THANK YOU! Some blog posts pull at my heart strings, some make me smile, and some force me to really think. I appreciate all of them.

30 Day Music Challenge: Day 10

Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep

"Food Is Still Hot" from the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack

Have you seen the movie "Where the Wild Things Are?" If not, you really need to check it out. It takes the original storybook by Maurice Sendak and puts a different spin on it in order to fill a full-length feature film. It was done FANTASTICALLY, and I cannot say enough good things about it!

The soundtrack is FABULOUS! I bought it about two weeks before we saw the movie, and I literally wanted to cry from excitement the first time I listened to it. Seriously, the songs transported me from this world into the place the Wild Things live. I could envision the trees growing up all around me, just like in the story. It's really too bad I was driving and had to concentrate on the road. I could have let myself get lost. The CD still does it for me, but that first time was truly magical.

I chose this song as one that could make me fall asleep because it is the song that proceeds the climax of the story. Max is finally heading back home to his real life, and it is time for life to become calm again. Peace is restored. This soundtrack does such a great job telling the story that the listening is somewhat exhausted by the end.

This is my "go-to" CD when I am worked up. My kids know if I put this on in the car or at home, they need to be on their best behavior. I like that the music brings me up then back down again. As I share Max's feelings of frustration, anger, and unhappiness, I am able to release the negative emotions along with the character. So, while this song helps me sleep, it is certainly not out of boredom. If anything, it is out of relief and release.

Six Word Saturday- June 25

Looking Forward to Backyard Camp Out

My family and I are participating in the Great American Backyard Camp Out tonight. Thousands of families all across the country are going to be heading to their backyards with their tents and sleeping bags. The event was originally set up by the National Wildlife Federation as a fundraiser. This year we are doing it just for fun, though. I hope next year we might have a chance to raise some money for this organization.

My dad got an RV from his brother about a year ago. Ever since then he's been stocking it, and we've taken a couple of drives in it. We've never really used it for camping, though. This is a great opportunity to try a few of the items he purchased. We have tents, air mattresses, and even a changing/ toilet tent. Now let's just hope that it cools off a little bit from the 110* originally forecast.

Saturday Nine- June 25

Here's my Saturday 9 post just a little early this week. Tomorrow is going to be crazy busy, but I didn't want to miss out. Enjoy!

Saturday 9: Make You Feel My Love

1. What has someone done unusual to make you feel their love?
My husband is awesome at doing goofy things to show he loves me. On my 35th birthday I got the entire set of Where the Wild Things Are stuffed animals. I also got a shelf to go with them for display. The usual part was when he hung the sign under them that said, "Mrs. Greenberg's Classroom- Room # to come soon." He knows I want to have my Wild Things in my classroom, so he was helping me to dream. I still had a year of school left to go at that time.

2. Do you own a smart phone? If yes, is it everything you wanted? If no, how seriously have you considered a purchase of the new smart phone?
I do not own a smartphone, nor do I intend to purchase one. I do have an iPod touch, and I am VERY pleased with that. I really don't need to spend any more money on technology.

3. Have you ever camped out to purchase something?
Heck no! I hate shopping as it is, and I don't like crowds. The idea of camping out for the privilege to buy something creeps me out. Ug, I'd rather do just about anything else.

4. What is your worst habit?
Although I'm on my way to breaking this habit, the worst I have is chewing on my nails. I have stopped biting them for the most part, but now I pick or chew at the skin around the nails because it doesn't feel right.

5. What is your best habit?
My best habit is that I go to bed and get up at the same time every day, give or take an hour. I really am like a human alarm clock. If I sleep past 6 AM there is definitely something wrong.

6. In your opinion, what is life's greatest mystery?
Life's greatest mystery is why there are people that are pure evil. Were they born that way? What happened that made them so angry, bitter, or just plain ugly inside?

7. Are you one of those people who is constantly busy with projects, social outings, etc. or do you just like to lay low and stay home?
I go through phases in regards to socializing. Sometimes I am constantly on the go, other times I would be happy to never leave the house. For the most part I prefer home or hanging out with one other couple.

8. Whether you're busy all the time or like to just chill, have you always been that way?
As I said, I do go through spurts when I am busy with book clubs, social activities, and volunteer work. Generally, though, I have always been a home body. I would often get grounded on purpose as a teenager so I had an excuse not to go the the parties and other crazy things my friends were doing.

9. Is there something you'd like to change about how you spend your time? If so, what is it? If not, why not?

If you follow my blog, you know I would love nothing more than to be able to exercise and spend more time doing that. For the new readers, please see the About Me page to understand why I have sat on my couch since March 23rd. Yeah, I would like to spend my time differently, but that is not exactly an option right now.

Review/ Giveaway: Money Secrets of the Amish

This giveaway is now closed. Please continue to enjoy the review.

Congratulations Giananna-winner of the "Money Secrets of the Amish" book giveaway!

After reading "Money Secrets of the Amish," I can honestly say I am definitely doing something right. Many of the suggestions in this book are things I already do. At first, that was frustrating to me. I felt like I already knew what was being taught, and I didn't need to continue reading. I was wrong.

There are tips and strategies in this book for just about anyone- whether you are already living the frugal life or not. My favorite inspiration was in the chapter about gift giving. As a society we really have come to expect a lot out of gifts, and holidays can be a stressful time for me because of that. This section encouraged me to think outside the box and empowered me to spend less on gifts.

"Money Secrets of the Amish" is structured to be reader friendly from cover to cover, or the reader can choose which chapter would be the most helpful to them. No matter how it is read, this book will provide the reader with great insights from people who have been there and are walking the talk. Having a healthy, happy relationship with money CAN be accomplished, and I believe it starts with books like this one.

There was, however, one thing I would have changed about this book. I felt the tone of the author was a little condescending toward the Amish and their ways. I believe this was her sense of humor that I just didn't connect with, though, and toward the end of the book didn't get that feeling quite as much as in the beginning. This is simply a stylistic disagreement, and it does not take away from the fact that the book is well written, well organized and interesting to read.

All of the opinions expressed in this review were my own. I was not compensated for this review, except for receiving a free copy of the book for the review.

The Giveaway:

I would like to share my copy of this book with one lucky reader! Please note: This is a USED book, as I did read it in order to do the review.

How to Enter: Please leave me a comment with your favorite money saving tip. Don't forget to include your email so I can reach you in case you win!

"Like" me on Facebook and stop by to say hello. This should be in a separate entry.

This giveaway will run until Tuesday, July 4, 2011 at 8 PM Arizona time.

Good luck!

Flashback Friday- June 24

It's Flashback Friday. Pull out an old picture or video and tell us all about it!

Today Daniel and I celebrate our 11-year wedding anniversary. I don't have any digital pictures of us in our younger years, so I'll share this one. It was taken in December 2009 at Daniel's parents' house.

I can't believe we have been married 11 years already. That just seems like such a long time. At the same time, our 10-year-old daughter seems like she just arrived yesterday. Life is strange like that. Marriage hasn't always come easy to us, but I'm glad we fought through the hard parts. I couldn't imagine life without Daniel.

Happy Anniversary to us!

30 Day Music Challenge: Day 9

Day 09 – A song that you can dance to

Dynomite by Taio Cruz

One thing I learned quickly when I was working out at the gym is that I was going to be exposed to music that may not be my style, but it sure gets the body moving. "Dynomite" was one of those songs. I never thought I would be telling people I like this type of music, but I do! I love how this song makes my body want to move. Even typing as I'm listening to this has a different feeling. My fingers are springier, and my body just feels happy. It's hard to describe, really. "Dynomite" is one song that I can definitely dance to. It helps that it was featured frequently in Zumba class, so I have some muscle memory happening. Even if this isn't your style, or you don't like the words, give it a try. See if your body doesn't start moving just a little bit.

What is one song you dance to when you hear it?

30 Days of Me- Day 6

I'm linking this post up to Thirsty for Comments Thursday. I hope this post makes you smile!

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why

Image Credit

I picked Super Grover as my favorite superhero because I couldn't pick my husband. He is my hero, but that probably doesn't qualify. I certainly wouldn't want him saving the rest of the world like he does me. Nope, I'm selfish like that.

Considering that I really don't care for any of the other superheroes, Grover was a simple choice. He is so silly. Super Grover really doesn't know too much, and that helps the children to feel like they are pretty smart when they can figure out his antics.

Seriously, how do you watch this and not laugh?

Review: Tattoos & Bruises CD

I'm linking up this post to the Tuesdays Gone blog hop. Breathing new life into an old post. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by hoppers!

I was recently given the opportunity to review the latest CD from Mary Bragg, called "Tattoos & Bruises." I had never heard of this artist before, but I thought I would give it a try. You see, I'm a country music lover, but the genre has been letting me down quite a bit lately. I thought maybe this artist could bring back some of my former excitement for the music I was brought up on.

When I put the CD in the player, I was immediately pleased. Mary Bragg's voice is and strong and sweet- just what I expect from a female country singer. She has a story to tell in each of her songs, and she does it well. The band plays in fantastic country style. This is not pop or Top 40 music cleverly disguised as country music in order to be played on all of the radio stations. "Tattoos & Bruises" is pure country music at its finest.

What I liked best about this CD: The songs were fresh and not "in your face." They didn't speak of sex and alcohol as if they were something to be celebrated and the main focus of life. When these subjects are referred to, they are part of the story rather than the main idea. The music was something I would not be embarrassed to play with my mother-in-law in the room.

What I would change: I would have loved to hear a more "raw" song- something with a little more emotion. All of these songs sounded very similar to me. I was waiting for a song that would really stand out from the others. A faster tempo would have been a nice change in the middle of the CD. I would have liked to hear Mary Bragg stretch her comfort zone and give a bit of a growl. I suspect she would be awesome!

Where you can buy this CD: Mary Bragg's store offers the digital edition, as well as the standard CD. You can also purchase t-shirts and her previous albums.

Furious

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A doctor is supposed to be someone you trust. You should feel comfortable in the knowledge that he or she has your best interest in mind and they care about what is happening to your body. Unless you are also a doctor, this person should have an extreme wealth of information that you have no access too. Should- that is the key word. A doctor SHOULD be someone you can count on to understand your symptoms and provide a treatment plan accordingly. When a doctor breaks that trust, it is hard to accept.

This is where I am today. Back when I was in the hospital for the complications with shingles, I saw a neurologist. Since they specialize in nerves, and the disease I had dealt with nerves, that made sense. I told my husband at the time, though, that I felt he was rushed. He didn't really listen to my concerns; he kind of just told me how it was and left.

Two weeks after I left the hospital, with a diagnosis of nerve damage due to the shingles, I followed up with the neurologist. Once again he seemed like what I had to say didn't much matter. He was confident that my nerve damage was typical and sent me away saying that it takes three to six months to recover, and it could take up to a year. If the pain was still there in December, we would talk about the possibility of this being a permanent condition.

In the hospital, the doctor prescribed Lyrica for my nerves. It is an antsiezure medication that is supposed to stop the tremors I had as well as calm the nerves from overreacting. It works. It works well, but it certainly is not the perfect medication. I still have pain in my feet and daily headaches. BUT, if it can stop my body from moving without my consent, it is worth taking.

The problem- this medication is costing me $300 per month. I do not have medical insurance, and the Arizona state insurance is dragging their feet. It has been more than two months since my emergency application was put in for medical coverage, and I have still not heard back from them. For the time being, I am covering all of my follow up visits and medications. I am also starting to field phone calls from the hospital and ambulance collections departments. This added stress is certainly not helping matters any, but the medical bills will get paid when I can. It was the hospital collection department that checked on Monday and found that my insurance application is still in pending status. Grrrrrr..... Ah, I digress. The insurance is a whole different issue.

The Pfizer corporation, the manufacturers of Lyrica, have generously set up a patient assistance program. If one is unable to afford the medication, like me, the doctor can fill out a form that proves he or she has prescribed Lyrica and prove that it is needed. My doctor filled this out, and I got the forms to send in yesterday.

Here's the part that made me blow my top. The doctor included his notes from the hospital as well as from the follow up visit. There is not one part of the description that is accurate. He said that I describe my feet as tingling and like I am walking on cotton balls. Not once during this ridiculous experience have I felt like I was walking on cotton balls. I could only DREAM of my pain being described as tingling. I actually feel like a knife is being put through the bottom of my feet with every step I take. I feel like there are boards stuck to my feet when the pain gets to be too much, causing me to walk like a duck and not bend my feet. This has ALWAYS been the description of my pain, and I don't know how anyone would get COTTON BALLS out of that!

The report says that I deny changes in vision (really? Is that why I haven't driven a car by myself since April 1st and have only been able to drive three times with Daniel in the car?) and that I have no trouble with speech (who was this doctor talking to? I couldn't get three words out without slowing down to find one that had gotten lost in my brain. Maybe he thought I was always that stupid?) even though I was, at that point, so nervous talking that I would break out in a sweat. It also said that I could walk with no assistance. I came into his office using a walker for crying out loud- one that HE prescribed for me upon leaving the hospital!

The one that really gets me? The report says that I am "able to do [her] daily activities with no problem." Are you freaking kidding me? Seriously? Does this guy think I ENJOY sitting on my couch for 13 weeks now, doing absolutely nothing? Every time I think about this I get so sick I could throw up. I am extremely agitated. I feel lost; there is nowhere to turn to get out of this mess.

Here's the official diagnosis:

Headache- General

Herpes Zoster (shingles) with other complications

Paresthesia

Paresthesia is tingling in the extremities due to nerve compression or damage. I don't HAVE tingling! I have PAIN, serious stinking PAIN that brings tears to my eyes while I walk through the grocery store.

So, I called the doctor yesterday to find out what this report is all about. Guess what? He's on vacation! He'll be gone from the office until the first of August. I can't see the other doctor in the practice because their rules say I have to have permission of the doctor to switch. Oh, have I mentioned that I don't have health insurance? There is only one other doctor in the entire Phoenix area who will see a patient without being covered. So, I will have to call my general practitioner to find his name and see if we can start all over. I don't want to do that, but I NEED to be seen for the actual symptoms I have. I am terribly afraid that I've been treated for the wrong disorder for more than three months. Excuse me while I go beat my head against the wall.

So, that's my story. I don't know how to get a doctor to listen to what is ACTUALLY wrong with me! My stress level is above my head. I am drowning. This strong woman (according to my husband and you, my wonderful readers, friend, and family) is losing her grip quickly. I am so afraid, angry, and I want to give up. I want to throw my hands in the air and just crawl into a hole. I'm trying not to think about this, yet I need to get the issue handled. I'm off to occupy myself and to try not to scream.

UPDATE: Thank you, Robin, for the name of a neurologist who is willing to see me without insurance. I have an appointment on July 25th. It's another month to wait, but it gives me hope that someone WILL listen to my symptoms. The final outcome may be the same, but it is comforting to know I will be getting a second opinion.

Signs of a Stroke

I got the following as an email this morning, and I thought it was important enough that I put it here. I don't know if the story about the woman is true or not, but what I do know is that knowing the warning signs of certain disorders can save lives. Please read the symptoms of a stroke; knowing this information really could save a life. I left the information asking for this "email" to be forwarded so you could copy and paste this into your own email if you choose to spread the word as well.

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue.

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters ..... S. T. R.


STROKE IDENTIFICATION:


During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ... she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.


They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.


Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.


It only takes a minute to read this.


A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.


RECOGNIZING A STROKE


Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!


Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.


Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:


S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)

(i.e. It is sunny out today.)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.


If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.


New Sign of a Stroke. -------- Stick out Your Tongue.


NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his/her tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.


A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Will you?