This picture really has no significance to me except that could be me walking slowly and carefully along the beach, as I've been doing all afternoon here in the house.  With just the right speed (or lack thereof), motion, and gait, I am able to walk around totally pain free.  Sure feels good too.  Course, I get a little overzealous and get some twinges along the way that remind me to get back into my slow rythme.

I arrived at the Neurologist's office yesterday to a full waiting room, so I was getting prepared to get a few things off my chest about all the "rules" and stuff just to have to wait forever to even see the guy.  But to my surprise, I was called within fifteen minutes, and the doctor was Johnny on the spot, courteous, knowledgable, and caring.  Wow!  So I decided to keep my tongue and count my blessings at that point.  Besides, he had nothing but good news, so I was all smiles.  He put the MRI and X-Ray films up, studied them a minute, then pulled out his trusty marker and started circling things here and there.  Then he proceded to show me the slight bulge that he detected at one spot on my spine, then pointed out the left and right sides of the vertebrae and the difference in the two.  The left side obviously had swelling and inflammation around the Sciatic nerve and the right side did not. 

He assured me that overall, my back is in good shape and that this condition should be totally gone in two months.  Also that I should take the remaining two spinal injections and that I was on the right track to a complete recovery.  He went over what kind of exercise I should do and when to start, etc., then he looked down at my Crocs, pointed at them, and said "And when you get home, throw those shoes away".  He went on to tell me that included any shoes that I've purchased at Wal Mart or KMart, or Payless, etc.  Then go buy some good name brand walking shoes and regular shoes.  Okay......the dollar signs were floating around in my vision before they floated gracefully over to the sink on the wall and down the drain.  What he had just condemned is every single shoe in my closet.  Heck, I may need a coach and cheering section with me to be able to pay the kind of prices he's talking out, geeeez!  I'm just not sure I can go through with it.

Anyway, I made the trip again today (Dad drove me) to get my second spinal injection and I've felt pretty decent since.  But I'm not gonna fall into that over-expectation that got me last week.  I now know the drill, which is initial relief for a few hours, followed by a couple of days of regression, then slow improvement over the next few days. Then we start again with the final injection. 

The doctor yesterday finally convinced me that this will not be a fast recovery, but I'm already half way, so gradual improvement is gonna have to do til this is finally gone.  By the way, I'm throwing a party when that time comes, lol.

I've done well enough the last three days to sit up and get tons of work done for the office and believe it or not, it feels great!  I had a painful night last night, but today hasn't been so bad.  I just never know from one day to the next what's gonna be hurting or how bad. 

I got the most pleasant surprise today as I was finally done with the injection, waken up and propped on the side of the bed.  They went to get my Dad so he could get me out to the car, and when the door opened, I looked up and there was my handsome husband leading the way with that wonderful smile.  I was so glad to see him that it brightened my entire day. 

We all three went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and although it's still a little painful for me to sit straight up in a chair, the food was well worth it.  I love their breakfast and it's the only place that I'll eat pancakes, so you guessed it....I ordered "Momma's country breakfast" and totally pigged out!  It was wonderful!  After a quick pain pill for the trip home, a kiss from my hubby, Dad brought me back to my comfortable chair and went on his way.

So, I've had a pretty good couple of days........considering.  lol

Later, gators!

Pup

I have had an appointment with a Neurologist for the last couple of weeks now for tomorrow, which my regular doctor set up and called me with an appointment time of 10:30.  The receptionist also informed me at that time that I would need to get my original MRI film and take it with me.   No problem. 

So Ice and I had already made arrangements to pick up the original MRI and for my folks to take me to the appointment so that Ice can get caught up at his job.  No problem.

Then Ice comes in this evening with today's mail and in it is a letter from the Neurologist's office with the following instructions:

*Bring your picture I.D. and proof of insurance OR YOU WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

*Bring the original X-rays, MRI's, etc. with you to your oppointment.  THE FILMS MUST BE IN HARD COPY FORMAT, NOT ON CD.  OR YOU WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

*If your visit is the result of an injury, bring all blah....blah...blah..(didn't apply to me)....OR YOU WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

*Payment is due (including co-pay, deductibles) AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.

APPOINTMENT TIME:  10:15!

Well, well.  This guy must have the market cornered in his little part of the world and walk on water.  Because just like so many others, he has now taken the stance that he's doing us all such a favor by even getting in to his office (unless we are RESCHEDULED, of course) that we are at his will to be treated like criminals before we even set foot in his office. 

Wow, I'm so impressed.  I'll have to make a point of telling him that tomorrow (wink).

I have several "soap box" issues about what we are increasingly having(?) to accept in this world today.  And I guess what really pisses me off is that the almighty dollar is behind it all.  What's worse is that so many are buying in to the idea that PEOPLE no longer matter at all....just the money that can be generated from them.  From big business right on down, it seems.  And what's really scary to me is that it's being more and more accepted. 

And my question is:  Why do we put up with it?

Now, I know that letter can be argued as necessary to insure that no time is wasted in the process of my appointment, blah....blah....blah.  But we all know what's behind it.....a pompous ass doctor that can't see through the dollar signs long enough to treat people like people.

I'm thankful that we have great insurance and don't have a problem paying my way as I go.  No problem at all.  What I DO have a problem with is being treated like a deadbeat before I even get to Dr. Pompous Ass' office. 

And God forbid if I hadn't gotten the letter with the correct appointment time, or else I WOULD HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED. 

I have this sinking feeling that I could be dying on his doorstep and because I was 15 minutes late, well.......tough, lady.  You should have been here on time, and....YOU'LL HAVE TO BE RESCHEDULED.

I wonder how long I'll have to wait after my appointed time?  I'll be sure and make note of that and let you know.  I'll also be sure to let Dr. P. Ass know about it too.

I stopped seeing a very good dentist about five years ago for this same kind of scenario.  He had done extensive work that cost me and my insurance company (which was excellent) a lot of money which was paid promptly.  All of a sudden, their policies must have changed and the next time I went to him, they were trying to force me to apply for a "dental credit card" so they could have their money THAT DAY instead of waiting the approximate ten days it would take for the insurance to pay their part. 

Puppy told em what they could do with their "dental credit card" and walked out.  I won't go back and I don't hesitate to share my opinion of him and his "policies" with anybody.  What a waste of a really good dentist. 

Okay, I'm going to fill out these forms they sent me with the letter the best I can because I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE RESCHEDULED.  And I'm going to do as told like a good little patient.  And whether or not I mention the way I feel to these nice folks tomorrow will totally depend on my mood and pain level at the time.  Trouble is, they already have the hair standing up this puppy's back, so I sincerely hope their face-to-face attitude is an improvement to their letter......for their sake, :)

Gosh, it feels good to get that off my chest. 

As far as how I'm feeling, I can definitely tell some improvement, although not as much I'd like, so I feel certain that I'll be taking the next spinal injection on Thursday and it's gonna totally get me back up and going.  I have been comfortable enough the last two days to get LOTS of work done for my job.  It's amazing how much you can do from a recliner if you have internet, a laptop and a printer handy.  Ice rearranged and improvised enough that I can do just about anything I need to do right here, so I've had my co-worker coming to the house the last two days, bringing various job projects that I can get done from here and catch up. 

I have discovered some "while the cat's away...." problems that are going to bring about some ramifications for sure, so I guess that's my next big issue to deal with.  Oh well, just part of the job. 

Thank you all for all the positive energy coming my way.  I know I keep repeating myself, but I just can't stop thanking you all for sending me well wishes, prayers, positive energy, and keeping my spirits up.  Now, I gotta get outta this chair and walk the kinks out, so I'll catch y'all later!  Love to all.

Pup

Everybody check out the interview I conducted with the great "Scratch" over at Lucy's place!

Scratch's Interview

Thank you Lucy for giving me the opportunity to do the interview and thank you Scratch for being such a great subject and allowing me to interview you!

Nothing new on the back problem except more of the same.  Frustration is running high, so I won't go into the boring details.  I think I'm angry enough that I don't even want to talk about it anymore, ya know?

Ice surprised me this morning by bringing LaQuinta's last puppy in and placing her in my lap.  Ahhh, it felt so good to hold and play with a puppy again!  I just couldn't get enough of all that sweet puppy breath and puppy sugar.  And a welcome distraction for a while. 

And you know me......I had the camera handy and you guessed it.  I just had to snap a few of this precious little girl:

Isn't she a little doll?

Now, if I can only con him into bringing Sally's last puppy in for a while and maybe I can get some new pictures of that one too.  I didn't realize I could take pictures right in my own lap, but hey it worked!  Gotta get outta this chair for a little bit, so off I go.  Love to all of you!

Pup

 

A Six foot blonde and a Prairie prankster

Certainly bring a smile to this ole Pupster.

 

Two pair of footsteps walking in the sand

Head to head and hand in hand

 

Raise your glasses and propose a toast

To a week’s adventure on the great east coast

 

Virginia Beach will never be the same

Since a six foot beauty and a prankster came

 

Leaving those footprints there in the sand

And surprising us bloggers across the land

 

A dimpled smile and a twinkle in the eye

Somehow I doubt there will be a goodbye.

 

Here's to Six and Prank and I gotta say that I'm tickled to my toenails with this new development, as I'm sure everybody else is.  I'm typing this post from my trusty reclining position again, since the ease of my pain turned out to be temporary and I've slowly regressed to almost where I was prior to the the injection.  So I hit the skids last evening and had myself a very nice pity party for a while.  I think all the weeks of pain and discouragement kind of came to a head and the tears came by the buckets, it seemed.  But I learned when I was battling cancer that attitude can be the determining factor, so I broke up the pity party after indulging for a little while. 

I don't know what I would do without Ice, my family, and all my good friends here in the "Stream" who constantly provide encouragement and well wishes.  And the prayers are the best part of it, so please continue those if you are inclined. I've been doing a little research this early morning about the injection and it seems that I'm experiencing nothing out of the ordinary and will have to be patient and give it a few more days to see whatever improvement I will have.  So I'm doing my best to view this pain as just another step in the healing process and that it will soon be just a memory. 

Now, if I could only learn to be more patient, but alas...I'm afraid I'll never learn that lesson, lol. 

Love to all as this new day is dawning.

Pup

All the prayers and positive energy is paying off, my friends.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I went for the first of three spinal injections today and although it was truly an ordeal just to make the 70 mile trip to there and back, it's been worth it.  I'm not at all pain free yet, but it's a far cry from the agony I left here in this morning.  And it couldn't have come too soon.  Being in way too much pain to start with this morning, then making the trip just to have to wait for two hours before the procedure even began had pushed me to the brink.  Then the nice doctor talked to us before the procedure and made a statement that just about sent me over the edge...."I have to inform you that your pain may get worse for a couple of days before it gets better....blah...blah" By this time I was already informing Ice that in that case, "just shoot me" and Ice was trying desperately to lighten my mood, lol.  Sure, he made me laugh, he always does.  But it didn't do anything to lessen my sheer terror of what might come. 

Thankfully, my worst fears did not materialize and I woke up after the procedure in just a tad less pain.  So the trip home was only a tad better than the trip there, but seemed to go a lot faster.  After a couple hours nap this afternoon, I woke up feeling even less pain and hope to keep progressing in that direction til I'm totally pain free.  Maybe I won't have to take that second or third injection, but then again.....I absolutely refuse to take any chances of this coming back on me in the near future, or ever for that matter.  As soon as I'm pain free, I can get back into Physical Therapy and build whatever muscles it takes to keep this from happening again. 

I'm ready to put this ordeal behind me and get on with my life and my blog.  Life is calling and I'm ready.  And I'd like to stress two things:

Take care of your backs at all costs, folks.  It's worth it, and....

The next time I complain about my job, I want you guys to remind me that I could have more to complain about....such as this month long ordeal.  I promise it'll do the trick.

Ice will still be battling the stress and work caused by the fallout of all this til I can totally get back on my feet, but he's been wonderful and will continue to be.  Other than the pain I've endured, I think it's all been much harder on him, and yet he's still not complaining.  That's the character of the man I love.

So, for all of you that have helped me tremendously through all this, I extend my eternal gratitude.  And please share with me the rainbow of hope that I finally see.  Thank you all and I love ya!

Pup