Fear not Readers, Our blog is NOT dead! I just haven't had time to sit down and tell you all about ALL the good news in our life. :)
Now, no one's life is perfect, but I just want to be clear that God is BIG. Very BIG. We are excited to be where we are now and open to His further direction. :)
Speak Peek!
*New back procedure = 99% pain free Carolyn!
*7 days until we're licensed to adopt in Alabama (well certified to get an approval. But, I'll explain that later.)
*Our master bedroom got a cool coat of paint & mural
*Lots of fun holidays!
*I have picked up a sliiight "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" habit, lol.
*Did I even post about my major -non back related - surgery on June 4, 2012? Did I update at all?
*sheesh! III need to catch MYSELF up so I can catch YOU up!
Let's talk real soon! Until then, enjoy a Grumpy Hello Cat and Hunter starring in his first meme!
I have the sweetest husband. :) I love you Chris!! XXOO. Anywhoo...
We were enjoying a nice meal at Outback this Wednesday. Did you know they started this cool "No Worries Wednesday" "A Complete Meal for 2 for $25".
You each can choose a small appetizer or dessert to share (or should say a size you can actually eat!), a choice of soup or salad each, and a choice of entree'.
Yum! They had "upgrade" entrees for $35 like larger steaks or prime rib. I love steak and Outback is probably my favorite steak place. :) So, Outback on a deal? Yes please!
Y'all will remember how we redecorated our master bedroom this summer. Since then I've been dreaming of a sleek hd tv to replace our large, bulky -yet functional- tv. I've been thinking it over, researched prices, and told Chris about my plan to save MY "allowance" up for a hd tv.
(In our budgeting system Chris & I allocate to each other an equal amount of "fun money". Money we can spend as we like. I buy ponies & lunches out and Chris buys comics & video games. It really helps eliminate that "this is my money" feeling.)
After supper we went to Best Buy - I assume to complete some errands. My sneaky hubby walks back to the tv section.....
Guess what? HE had been saving up HIS money (with bits from here and there too) to buy a gift for me! He just wasn't set on which holiday- Valentine's Day, birthday, or our 6th anniversary. :)
So anywho. :) We picked out a great model that: fits on the top of our chest of drawers, had the features we liked, and over all- the price we could afford!
We found a very nice one too! Chris & I have found a few little not a secret secrets that helps us afford occasional luxuries or necessities in the electronics or appliance department.
Many stores - I personally know the Best Buy and Sears here in town- sell "scratch & dent" or returned items at a STEEP discount. Don't let any of that worry you- they are still under full warranty and the like.
Do you remember my post about buying our refrigerator a few years back? We bought a deluxe, top of the line, stainless steel Samsung for about half the price because it had a TINY TINY dent UNDER a handle.
Ok, back to the tv!! We bought an "open box" tv at a great deal! :) All the difference -besides price- is someone returned it!
Here are some photos of the old tv, the new tv, and the new cat toy aka the box!
PS: Our "Custom Crafts by Chris" ;) headboard is 99% finished! I love it! Chris just wants to do a few structural things for a more secure placement. Like? Sadly, they layout of our room makes taking photos exceedingly difficult. :( Say hi to Buck!
Hey Readers! :)
Unless you have been ignoring everything I do, you should be aware I suffer from the odd twinge of back pain. Yeah, and the Titanic had a little accident. :p
Anywho, :) I decided to finally try an injection therapy for my back from my pain clinic. It's called a sympathetic lumbar/sacral nerve block. If you've had an epidural during labor or some types of surgeries like sedation dentistry- you've got the basic idea.
Mine was a bit different. It was: under light anesthesia- you're totally knocked out, as much as general anestesia, in a different location, placed using a type of x-ray for greater accuracy, and the fluid injected is very similar to Novocain as opposed to the usual steroids.
If you'd like more info, I'm going to ATTEMPT to post a You Tube video link. Don't freak- it's all computer generated-so need to get squeamish!!
While I'm still recovering (2-3ish days), and it's too soon to tell completely, I think I can feel an improvement!! :D The muscles at the injection sites are super sore and -sorry if this is graphic for you- my groin & inner thigh are very sore as well- all as expected per my doctor's post-op care instructions.
But! My normal sore spots and achey places are noticeably better! Generally my sacrum (tail bone) hurts anytime I sit down- but I have noticed very little pain from sitting since Thurs!! :) I certainly haven't had any nerve pain either. :D When I've recovered from the injection, I hope to find my low back spasms are calmer also. :D
DO YOU KNOW HOW EXCITING THIS IS FOR ME??? (And Chris too!) With a few exceptions, my back had bothered every day for the 5 years- if not earlier. I also tried so many things to get relief: all sorts of medications, trigger shots, steroidal injections, several forms of physical therapy, 2 forms of surgeries, ect!
I just had to share! YAY!! :) Prayers for continued positive progress!!
http://youtu.be/N9yetqa89IE
Hey Readers!
Chris and I spent Friday in Nashville- the primary reason being to see a dermatology specialist at Vanderbilt Medical University's Hospital. This isn't a guy who treats pimply teenagers- this clinic diagnosis and treats the serious, rare, and difficult cases.
Y'all will hopefully remember surgery for my HS* last June right? That's the one that left me with just one underarm and a skin graft on my entire right thigh?
*Hidradenitis Supporativa is a very rare autoimmune disease that causes malformation of sebaceous hair follicles leading to large, painful, abscesses that heal poorly and can also form sinuses -or tube like connections between abscesses.
One of the worst problems of HS, is virtually no one in the medical field - and I do me no one- has heard of HS, let alone diagnose it, and even THEN keep abreast of the latest treatments!! (They can even advise patients do things that can WORSEN the condition Hence, Vandy!
Well, as is the insanity of HS goes, the condition flared up in my LEFT underarm. But, after that HORRIBLE surgery I was certainly going to pull out all the big guns before I went anywhere near that OR again!
Well, Dr Fine has such great news for us! While there are maybe a few side effects and always a chance it won't help ME, "all" I'll have to do is take an antibiotic twice a day for... well... ever... :-/ The med is reported to have low instances of GI upset, but it will take an initial 3 months course to show any positive results.
Oddly enough, Dr Fine gave me- or plastic surgeon I guess- a strange compliment. He looked at my surgical site under my right arm and said "that is the best surgical removal of HS he has ever seen. That it couldn't have been done any better." Well it's nice to know if I had to have my underarm cut out, it was done well!! Lol.
I was ELATED!!! I can honestly say to that point I had NEVER received any positive or encouraging news about my HS prognosis. We set out to paint the town red!!!
Well, Opry Mills at least. ;) Opry Mills is a fun place! We had great time exploring the mall and doing some shopping. Big thanks and hugs to Chris for being up to "wheelchair'ing" me around the mall. Thanks from my back too!
My sweet hubby even opened the purse strings just a little bit to buy his best girl a few ponies!! I now have the very rare Derpy full vinyl figurine and the "Cutie Mark Class" 3-pack with Sparkling Tiara, Apple Bloom (a Cutie Mark Crusader & the real reason for purchase), and Apple Jack (just a happy bonus!).
We had an AMAZIN' supper at the Aquarium Restaurant too! I looove visiting Aquariums AND great seafood- so this was fitting! I had macadamia nut crusted trout topped with lump crab in lemon butter sauce. Chris had their bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp. Everything was excellent! From our table we could see nearly all the aquarium on our side! :)
On Saturday I REALLY wanted to see the Nashville Zoo- we missed it all 3 times before for various reasons. I HOPED for clear skies and we got them! But... it was about 35 degrees! I called the zoo and they confirmed my suspicions- in that weather the animals will chose their cozy homes over chilly enclosures. :( Silly animals. :p
We did get to see some really cool icicles from rock wall runoffs. They were pretty cool! We saw several, but we pulled over to snap this photo. :)
Oh well, it's great to be home! We have a great pet sitter, but we really miss our "kids"! And oh how nice my own bed feels! Enjoy the photos!
Well, Christmas has come and gone for another year. Bittersweet. :) Our Christmas was pretty quiet as usual, but still very nice. :)
On Christmas Eve our tradition is to whip up a bunch of finger foods to snack on that evening and watch "A Christmas Story" about a million times. ;)
Christmas Day was very fun too! I made the traditional Quiche Lorrainé for breakfast and then we dove into the gifts! Later we had a wonderful Turkey dinner with my parents and exchanged more presents. :)
We got some pretty cool gifts! Here is a bit of a rundown, but check out the photos! Chris received a lot of comics and camping gears. I received a new set of really cool "waterless/greaseless" cookware along with a new set of knifes and bamboo cutting boards. And of course, ponies!! :)
Chris even surprised me with a FULL-SIZED PROFESSIONAL grade massage table! Massage is such a crucial component in my pain management. A true table makes it easier on Chris to give me those therapies and it actually makes them more effective for me.
But, my coolest gift was from my parents: they got me a "starter set" if you will of "A Christmas Story" village! I got Ralphie's house (I've been there!!), Ralphie's school (which is misnamed! The correct name is the Warren G. Harding school), a scene with Ralphie's with the bb gun, the Christmas tree lot, and the delivery of the leg lamp box. Yay!
Well, I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas and are looking towards to a great New Years!!
Merry Christmas Readers! Today you'll get a two for! Be sure to check the post lists on the right for TWO posts from today. :)
Ok, so our sweet silly Buck had to see the vet because we found a small lump on his chest. Unfortunately, he had to have surgery this Tues. (12/18) to remove it. It's being sent to rule out cancer. *Prayers!! No cancer please Lord! We don't want to think about living with our Bucky!!
But, he is doing very well post-op. The first night be was a bit slow and dopey. He was even nodding off sitting up! (I must confess to being in the same state after a few surgeries!) His bandage is off and now he's sportin' a half shaved chest. :p He doesn't seem to be in any pain and so far has left the stitches alone.
*one photo shows Hunter in time out in Buck's crate. Buck thought it was very funny.... Hunter didn't.
Here's the patient! :)
Or why you should not buy furniture at Wal Mart...
Merry Christmas Readers! THE day is almost here! I can't wait. :) Chris is off until Thurs. and my parents are in town this year!
Anywho :)
We had crazy house shenanigans again! Luckily this one "only" cost about $40. X
So a little "back"ground. Haha! Chris and I have been speaking for a while about making our kitchen easier on my back. Currently, all my pots & pans and my mixing bowls & storage dishes are ALL stored in the lower cabinets. Waaay hard on my back!!
Now, a year or so back (haha :p) I got a short three shelf mdf at Wal Mart to house some easy overflow kitchen storage. I used it mainly for my crock-pots, yogurt maker, ice cream maker, and a few other things.
Well yesterday (12/21), I was walking down the hall to the kitchen and I saw the shelves top corner peeping out about an inch into the hallway! Ack!! The shelf had just gone from square to a parallelogram!! We HAD to clear it off before it broke anything!!
After it was clear, Chris gave it a once over to see if he could fix it. Buuut... He TOTALLY broke it!! It was actually pretty funny. :p
So, two birds with one stone! We went forward with the idea of putting a tall open shelving in place of the broken one. We bought two- four shelf units at Home Depot. Yay!
I'm sure the arrangement may change a bit, but here's the shelf now! Yay again!! How my back rejoices!!
I have a shelf of pots and pans, a shelf for mixing bowls, glass baking pans, and glass storage containers all at arms reach. Up a bit higher are my trusty crockpots. Still within easy reach, a bit higher. And at the very bottom the items I use the very least, yogurt and ice cream makers.
Enjoy the photos! Enjoy Christmas!!
Verses We Live By
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" -Proverbs 3:5
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." -1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." -Colossians 3: 23-25
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." - Joshua 1:8
"Do everything without arguing or complaining" - Philippians 2:14
