Health: I still don't have an official diagnosis. I have been to an acupuncturist, a body worker, a counselor, an allergist, and have received a steroid injection in my neck. I have found out that I can give a lot of blood at once, am hella allergic to grass, and a bit allergic to pineapple and peanuts. What a bummer, I really like pineapple. I am in a little less pain then before, except for the injection site which I think might be bruised a bit. I'm also all hopped up on steroids again and and have been extra productive because I can't sit still for long. I hope this wears off soon. It's a little weird. In general, I'm still taking it easy and looking forward to my visit with the rheumatologist on the 28th.
Work: I am currently not working as my doctor and I want me to rest and figure out what is going on before I try to find new work. I have been spending my free time getting crafty.
Life: I had a long and very relaxing road trip with friends and family earlier this month. I started out in Lake County with my Gramma, then off to Sacramento to Visit Hosanna, and then my in-laws, and made a stop in Sunnyvale on the way back down to see Ambrosia. It was a lot of being in the car and I was so thankful to have wonderful drivers to help me get around.
Now, that I'm back home I will be working on my craft projects, and getting the garden going.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Not so relaxing facial
Hosanna and I went to the spa yesterday. We had good massages and then a long soak in a hot bath followed by not so good facials. While we were lying on the tables I could feel Hosanna thinking about all the chemicals in the products being aggressively rubbed into her face. I wondered why she wanted to have a facial considering her dislike for conventional beauty products. Then I was jolted out of my relaxation by a mud mask that stung and felt like it was burning my skin. The girl removed it and tried another product which burned a little less. She followed it up with an under eye cream that also made me wonder if my skin would be peeling soon. We noticed their huge display of Dermalogica products while we were there and today we did some research about them. We looked them up through the Environmental Working Group's data base called Skin Deep and discovered that lots of the products contained banned ingredients as well as ingredients known to cause cancer. Then I looked up some of the "natural" beauty products I buy at the Health Food Stores and was shocked to see that even the healthier alternatives I use are very dangerous. Hosie showed me a video which I would love for you all to watch, especially my girl friends and friends with babies. It is very interesting. Take a look at these two website to learn more.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Nor Cal Travel
This past Monday night my mom picked me up and we drove all the way up to Lake County to visit with my gramma. She had eye surgery and we went to help take care of her. I don't know how much help I was with all my aches and pains, but I think she enjoyed having us there. My mom left on Thursday and I stayed until today. It was really nice just hanging out with my gramma. Things in lake county are so much slower and I was able to get some much needed rest and recovery. I was also able to watch more TV in one week then I usually do in many, many months.
I was picked up today by Gabriel, Hosanna's brother and we drove to Sacramento. Being in the car was very uncomfortable and I have been in pain all day. I even decided to take half a vicodin because the Advil just didn't work. Today is Hosie's birthday and to celebrate we will be going to the spa tomorrow for massages, facials, and a hot soak in the tubs. She and I both need this this and are looking forward to it very much. I can't wait!
I had an appointment with the rheumatologist for the 13th and I got a call saying that he needed to reschedule. The next available appointment isn't until the 28th. UUGGGH. I was really looking forward to that appointment so that I could get this all figured out and know how to best take care of myself. At least I have an appointment with the allergist soon.
I was picked up today by Gabriel, Hosanna's brother and we drove to Sacramento. Being in the car was very uncomfortable and I have been in pain all day. I even decided to take half a vicodin because the Advil just didn't work. Today is Hosie's birthday and to celebrate we will be going to the spa tomorrow for massages, facials, and a hot soak in the tubs. She and I both need this this and are looking forward to it very much. I can't wait!
I had an appointment with the rheumatologist for the 13th and I got a call saying that he needed to reschedule. The next available appointment isn't until the 28th. UUGGGH. I was really looking forward to that appointment so that I could get this all figured out and know how to best take care of myself. At least I have an appointment with the allergist soon.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Isn't it ironic?
Well, I just survived a shopping trip at the new Whole Foods. The choices are overwhelming. Choices in general are a bit overwhelming these days, but my goodness there are so many wonderful goodies at Whole Foods. At one point I wandered off to the gluten and and dairy free desserts and when I found my husband again, he was standing in the beer isle nearly drooling on himself and said he didn't know what to do because there was too much to choose from. He ended up with Laugnitis IPA while I tossed a box of wheat/gluten/dairy free dark chocolate chunk cookies into the shopping cart.
Aside from that I'm looking forward to my future appointments with the allergist and the rheumatologist. I don't like not knowing exactly what is wrong and why I'm in pain. It could be fibromyalgia, or maybe it's Lyme disease, or something else. If it is Lyme disease I got it from a tick bite at camp Cazadero. I've been bitten by a tick only twice. I say only given my previous profession as a naturalist. That would be ironic if the place I got married was also the place I contracted the disease. This is ironic right? After hearing that damn Alanis song so many times I don't even know what is really ironic. Anyway, I'd really like to know what is going on with my body so that I can move on with getting better and living life. Think I'll try one of those cookies right now.
Aside from that I'm looking forward to my future appointments with the allergist and the rheumatologist. I don't like not knowing exactly what is wrong and why I'm in pain. It could be fibromyalgia, or maybe it's Lyme disease, or something else. If it is Lyme disease I got it from a tick bite at camp Cazadero. I've been bitten by a tick only twice. I say only given my previous profession as a naturalist. That would be ironic if the place I got married was also the place I contracted the disease. This is ironic right? After hearing that damn Alanis song so many times I don't even know what is really ironic. Anyway, I'd really like to know what is going on with my body so that I can move on with getting better and living life. Think I'll try one of those cookies right now.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
negative ions at the beach
I went to Natural Bridges today to visit with some Wolf School friends. It was a glorious day of warm sunshine, waves, and zillions of happy campers. I was told that I should spend more time at the beach because the ocean has negative ions that will help me feel relaxed and lessen the pain. I did feel relaxed and happy to see old friends, but the pain was still present. Every step in the sand was hurting my knees. The strange part was walking up the hill to get back to my car. I was so winded and had a hard time breathing. After that I went home had lunch and took a long psuedo nap. It is strange being so exhausted by seemingly small events. This is weird.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
In Sickness and In Health
It's funny I always assumed that the sickness part only referred to occasional illness and old age. I certainly never thought it would apply during the first year of being married.
Many of you know that I have been sick since January. I had a stomach flu, an upper respiratory virus and pneumonia. If that wasn't enough I started having intense pain near many of my joints along with a mild upset tummy and long lasting tiredness. After many, many visits to the doctor and nearly every blood test known to man, my doctor and I have come to a likely diagnosis: fibromyalgia.
Here are some questions people have been asking me and the best answers I can give at this point.
1. What the hell is that?
Well simply put it's a collection of relatively random symptoms topped off with a generous dose of foggy head, tiredness, and extreme pain. There is no test for this syndrome only the ruling out of all other possibilities. My doctor feels that she has pretty much done that and said that for now I should begin to live my life as though this is the case and start to treat the symptoms. I will be seeing a specialist soon and he should be able to confirm this diagnosis or let me know if it could be something different we hadn't considered yet.
2.What does that mean for me if it is fibromyalgia?
Well, it means that I have to learn how to live with these symptoms, learn how to treat them, and focus on being healthy and very relaxed. I've got to learn to pace myself and not get too tired because when I 'm tired the pain gets worse. It also means I will not be dying and I can still have a baby. In fact, some women with fibromyalgia feel great while pregnant and breastfeeding.
3. How am I doing?
Physically, I'm in a lot of pain and I'm exhausted from daily life.
Emotionally, I'm okay. In one respect knowing what is going on and connecting all the pieces of my frail health is a relief. However, being sick for months has somewhat isolated me from the world and my friends and I am feeling a bit bored and occasionally a little lonely.
4. Is there anything you can do?
YES!! Right now, there are 3 things you can do.
1. Educate yourself so that you can understand what I am going through. Here are two websites with a lot of good information about fibromyalgia.
www.fmnetnews.com
www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalsia/DS00079
2. Spend time with me. I may not be able to climb a mountain with you right now, but I would love to have my friends and family around for meals, walks, games, movie watching, craft projects, or to just sit on the beach with. Please be patient with me and know that every day is different, sometimes I feel fine other times I feel very sluggish.
3. Support my husband. Emiliano has been wonderful over the past few months and has taken really good care of me, but he needs a break and he needs support as he deals with the reality of what it is going to be like being married to me.
I'll use this blog to send out updates and share other interesting information about what is going on in my life. My hope is that I can use this technology to reach out to and connect with my community.
Many of you know that I have been sick since January. I had a stomach flu, an upper respiratory virus and pneumonia. If that wasn't enough I started having intense pain near many of my joints along with a mild upset tummy and long lasting tiredness. After many, many visits to the doctor and nearly every blood test known to man, my doctor and I have come to a likely diagnosis: fibromyalgia.
Here are some questions people have been asking me and the best answers I can give at this point.
1. What the hell is that?
Well simply put it's a collection of relatively random symptoms topped off with a generous dose of foggy head, tiredness, and extreme pain. There is no test for this syndrome only the ruling out of all other possibilities. My doctor feels that she has pretty much done that and said that for now I should begin to live my life as though this is the case and start to treat the symptoms. I will be seeing a specialist soon and he should be able to confirm this diagnosis or let me know if it could be something different we hadn't considered yet.
2.What does that mean for me if it is fibromyalgia?
Well, it means that I have to learn how to live with these symptoms, learn how to treat them, and focus on being healthy and very relaxed. I've got to learn to pace myself and not get too tired because when I 'm tired the pain gets worse. It also means I will not be dying and I can still have a baby. In fact, some women with fibromyalgia feel great while pregnant and breastfeeding.
3. How am I doing?
Physically, I'm in a lot of pain and I'm exhausted from daily life.
Emotionally, I'm okay. In one respect knowing what is going on and connecting all the pieces of my frail health is a relief. However, being sick for months has somewhat isolated me from the world and my friends and I am feeling a bit bored and occasionally a little lonely.
4. Is there anything you can do?
YES!! Right now, there are 3 things you can do.
1. Educate yourself so that you can understand what I am going through. Here are two websites with a lot of good information about fibromyalgia.
www.fmnetnews.com
www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalsia/DS00079
2. Spend time with me. I may not be able to climb a mountain with you right now, but I would love to have my friends and family around for meals, walks, games, movie watching, craft projects, or to just sit on the beach with. Please be patient with me and know that every day is different, sometimes I feel fine other times I feel very sluggish.
3. Support my husband. Emiliano has been wonderful over the past few months and has taken really good care of me, but he needs a break and he needs support as he deals with the reality of what it is going to be like being married to me.
I'll use this blog to send out updates and share other interesting information about what is going on in my life. My hope is that I can use this technology to reach out to and connect with my community.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
