Monday, January 25, 2010

update

Went to the orthopedic doc today.....was sent to meet with the surgeon. I have an MRI scheduled for Tuesday and a follow up consultation with the surgeon on Feb. 10. Looks like we will be doing surgery for sure. Just a matter of whether it will consist of an invasive or a non-invasive procedure. Either way, there will be several weeks of restricted use in my right arm along with MONTHS of PT. Not looking forward to that, but praying this will take care of the pain in that arm once and for all.

As it is right now I can not play the piano at all, I'm having difficulty signing, it hurts to even write or type on the computer.............argh! It is also causing problems in my neck and shoulder but hopefully that will clear up after we get the elbow "fixed".

The non-invasive procedure is the preferred option but we won't know until after the MRI (depending on the severity of damage) if I can go that route. If so, it involves drawing some of my blood, seperating out the platelets of the red blood cells and after some process they do with that, re-injecting the platelets back into the elbow. The reason is that this part of the blood helps with healing and re-growth (or something like that). But once it is injected I have to rest that arm for about 6 weeks to allow the healing to occur or I could do severe permanent damage. After the healing time I start PT.

The doctor said this is out-patient surgery but that it is very painful and that I will hate him for at least 6 weeks. But if I go this route, I should at least be able to go back to work quickly (which means I can get internship hours). I WON"T be able to sign during the healing period. I'm not sure about how much I'll be able to do on the computer. That is SCARY (because of grad school). I might have to hire someone to help me with my typing.

WOW, and that option is the BETTER option.

Well, that is the update on THAT!

As for the shingles.....I am doing better. Not contagious, not running a fever, and feeling better....but the sight is still very painful and has left me with a horrible headache. SO thankful I caught it early and got on the anti-viral meds. It could've been much much worse. And the sight was very small....only about the size of a quarter. It's almost completely healed (as far as how it looks).

Welp, off to do homework. (Seems like 47 years old is TOO OLD to be doing homework). 3 more months in this semester. 10 weeks this summer. FINSHED! I can do this!!!!!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

This too shall pass~

Wow.....what in the world?? Problems with my meds for fibromyalgia.....got that increased and going back to the Neurologist in 6 wks. Problems with my arm--tennis elbow---PT, etc.....going back to the Orthopedist Monday. Now I can't believe it...................Shingles. Lovely. It's just one place on my right temple but man it HURTS. And my head hurts from it and my right eye hurts and burns. Praying it will not spread. On meds for that now and stuck at home at least until Monday. :/

Oh well......................this too shall pass!!

School is going well. I love my professors for Cognitive Disabilities (Wed. night class) and Physical Disabilitites (Friday night class). Not so much my Internship professor (Tues. night class) but most of this semester's work is on-site supervised (and I love my manager who is my supervisor) so this should be a good semester overall. PROVIDED that I can be well enough to get in my 600 hours on-site for internship!! ARGH!

It'll be all good. I love my family, love my job, and for the most part love my schooling so it's all good. :) Looking on the bright side of staying home for 4 days and trying to figure out how to best spend my time (while at the same time de-stressing and resting which is what I have to do as doctor's orders..........) hmmm.....

First things first---cook my FAVORITE meal in the world---homemade spaghetti!!
Second--I have some GREAT library books--a series by Lauraine Snelling that I'm right in the middle of...YAY!
Third--get AHEAD on my school work for a change :)
Fourth--rest without interuption :)
Fifth....nope, 4 is enough. Gonna make this a good 4 days!!