Still Here!

I have often said that in my next life I would like to come back as one of my cats.  Having spent the last 2 weeks being with them 24/7 I am revising that statement.  In my next life I want to be as at peace, happy, and comfortable as one of my cats.  Having the position and place to nap in and rather to have a snack now, or later as the biggest decisions in my day is not nearly as much fun as it might seem.  But each day I move a little better, and the pain is much different and far easier to manage than it used to be.  I am noticing changes in nerve sensation & muscle control that I didn't expect, but I'm hoping that as inflammation goes down in the offended tissue that some of those things come back.

I will meet with Doc Nathan next Friday & hopefully get a clear bill of heath to return to work.  I'm trying to condition myself to spend more time sitting rather than reclining.  Who'd'a thought that I would ever need to practice sitting up!

I learned this afternoon that I will not be returning to my secretary job at jordan campus but will be working at the main office at redwood.  I'm not exactly sure what to think abut that.  I've really enjoyed the people and unique environment of that office.  I have no idea if this change is permanent, I kind of hope it isn't.  It came as a complete surprise & has me a little off kilter.  I have an appointment to talk with my boss tomorrow afternoon & hopefully will have more facts then.

I went to tulip tree for a visit on Monday.  It was so great to see all of my friends there!  It was a predictable display of organized chaos.  The day before valentines is always crazy in a flower shop, no matter how organized or prepared you try to be.  And it's always fun, in and out of control panic stricken wonderful kind of way. 

Last Thursday night I ventured out to the truck to retrieve my stash of AAA batteries.  Outie (the cat we've been feeding since spring) was at the neighbors door meowing her heart out to get in out of the cold.  They've had all sorts of complications medically lately & I wasn't sure they weren't checked into a hospital and not coming home or staying with family while they recovered.  I just found out last week that they've been bringing her inside at night, they call her Lady.  I also found out that they were planning to take her to the humane society.  At the time I mentioned that she was not the kind of pet who would be quickly adopted and that I'd hate to find out she'd been euthanized.  Also she seemed to be quite comfy & little nuisance being the neighborhood cat & I was happy to continue feeding her & appreciated knowing that she was getting in out of the cold.

I know not all people look at the responsibility of caring for animals like I do, nor do I claim to be flawless in that respect.  I try not to pass judgment, but I have a very hard time watching/accepting when people treat animals as "things" disposable at the first inconvenience.  These are not wild animals, they have been domesticated, the core parts of their survival behaviors have been altered in order for them to be more astheticly pleasing, or better behaved.  Due to those changes I think we as the species that has pushed them to be domestic carry a responsibility to protect and care for them,  There is no such thing for me as a worthless animal.  Even snakes (which I HATE) if domesticated should not be forced to fend for themselves!

So rant over, & let me begin by stating that I love my neighbors and would hate to offend them.  I know that there are a few points on pet care/responsibility where our views/priorityies do no match.  Doesn't mean either of us is wrong, we just hold differing opinions.  I watched for an hour to see if they came home & at 10pm decided to bring her into our garage for the night.  Of course 10 minutes after I created a safe zone & brought her inside the neighbors came home.  Go figure.  I went over to let them know I had her so they didn't worry & was treated to a display of the stress bringing her in had caused in their family.  They've obviously got enough going on in their life and couldn't handle the added stress of an unwelcome pet.  Not that Scott & I were looking to adopt her either, but taking care of her won't take food out of our mouths.  Knowing now how much work, heartache, and frustration I had finding a new home for Royla I have been very reluctant to bond with Outie.  But over time I've caved.  Scott's been putting out kibble for her every morning & I've been feeding her a can of wet food every few days.  Her eye infection has not gotten any better & I was concerned that it might spread to my indoor kitties.  So Friday I made an appointment with the vet & took her in.  I have been meaning to audition this vet for a few years because they're so much closer to home.  After my experience I think we may switch over and take all of our fur children there for checkups instead of driving to the east side to see a vet who I dearly love & have trusted but who tends to overcharge.  Outie was a sweetheart to handle getting her into a cat carrier & to the vet wasn't nearly as much of a project as Yahzi would have made it.  The vet looked her over, ran some tests, checked out her ears & eyes & after asking some questions was able to comfortably ok her coming inside with my other babies.  The last hurtle was finding out if she had been spayed or not.  They took her into the back room to shave her tummy & look for a scar.  When they brought her back we were all a little surprised.  She is a neutered male, with a somewhat strange shaved belly.  So after paying the nice people I took HIM home & began introducing him to Yahz, Spazz, & Sider.  My goal is to get his eyes cleared up (they're doing much better in just the few days we've been applying ointment) and then begin the process of finding him a forever home.  He's been very affectionate, and even Spazz is getting around to liking him.  Oscar's not too psyched since he's lost some of the freedom he's used to.  Can't have him wandering at whim until new kitty realizes he's not food.

Outie needs a new masculine adoptable name.  I'm drawing a blank.  He can't be Outie now that he's in.


It's time for another dose of pain killers and another episode of Star Trek.  I hope all goes well in my world and yours.

Live long & prosper.
~m

Adequately Medicated

Ok, now that the anesthesia's mostly out of my system & I'm able to think more clearly here's a few details for all those to whom I promised them.

Surgery went well, he only had to go in from the right side (this means he only had to cut muscles on the right side).  There was some seepage of spinal fluid but due to scar tissue on the sheath of my spine he couldn't see where it was coming from to suture (thus the lying flat for the first 16 hours).  The nerves were splayed around the bulged disc material & he was very careful to remind me & my family that while this operation would hopefully alleviate the sharp nerve pain I've been experiencing it is by no means a cure for my back problems.

That said I am still optimistic about the positive fall out in my life.  The pain, limitations on mobility, and other complications have been escalating radically over the last few weeks.

So far as long as we keep up on the meds I'm doing great.  As predicted I sleep  a LOT.  As I was leaving the hospital my nurse gave me some really encouraging info. She stated that in watching me move she could tell that I have learned to accommodate that injury & that she didn't think I was going to have too much trouble being careful and following the restrictions placed on me.

I'm noticing lots of little things that are different in good ways like my left heal & hamstring not being so tight, or coughing without shooting pain in my legs & feet.  The tissue around my incision is sore & grumpy, but then 24 hours ago I was in an operating room, so whaaah.

Scott's doing a good job to take care of me.  I'm currently composing a shopping list for him, the top items on which are lemon yogurt & nilla waffers (at 10:30pm lying flat on my back in the hospital bed with the leg squeezers on & morphine in my system that was a pretty amazing snack).

Been vertical now long enough to know I ought to go lay down.  No news is good news for a while.
Live long & prosper.
~m

I appologize!

However I make no immediate promises for improvement.  I'm scheduled for back surgery day after tomorrow & until I know how that went I have no idea how & if I'm going to be able to post in the near future.

It's been a rather unpleasant few weeks.  The nerve pain has gotten the best of me & I spend most of the time I'm not at work laying flat in bed.  It helps, but not enough.  Keep getting more and more disturbing signs of nerve damage.  I'm very glad I didn't postpone this any longer than I did.

I have a good feeling about my neurosurgeon. I've never dealt with Salt Lake Regional Hospital, but given my general distrust of all hospitals I'm supposing that one is no worse than another...

Scott's been an amazing support for me.  I have severe anxiety, & pain dulls my fo=,cus while limiting my ability.  I can only hope his patience continues!  Don't know how I'll repay him, but I'm sure glad to have his help & support.

Mom & Glenn are looking at a new adventure, they're putting together a food concession trailer.  It seems like a good way of combining her customer service skills & his food service skills while allowing them both a way to retire & travel a bit.  It's been fun to think, plan, and dream it up with them.  I hope to support their adventure & perhaps get to participate a bit.

My favorite nephew's birthday is the 24th.  I can't believe how big he is & how proud I am.  I may be the crazy, prone to spoiling, rarely seen aunt, but it's not from lack of adoration!


Time for another pain pill & a little time with my VERY temporary bedroom television.


It's likely to be several days if not weeks before I'm able to post again.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!
~m

I give up!

Ok, I give up on fixing my holiday post, the camera, my computer & my schedule have gotten together and forced my hand.  Life's been crazy.  I'm trying to identify & finish projects around the house so that I'm more comfy during my recovery time.  Work's in full swing, it's the first week of the semester and slow times on the job are a fond memory.  This too shall pass.

While we were south we did some property shopping & are still playing with the idea of buying land in southern Arizona.  Fact is the markets right for it, we found something we like and if we can make the financing work we want it.  We've always planned to own a piece of land somewhere that we could call home base.  Now we're contemplating having two of those.  This would allow us to retire to a somewhat smaller rv giving us more camping options without requiring a tractor to haul them.  In shopping for a smaller toy hauler type rig we found a trailer we both love and can see ourselves living in...that's unusual.

Our drive home from Q was uneventful and somewhat pleasant.  We've done this trip enough times to develop a routine.  Doesn't hurt that I was able to nap for a good part of the time that Scott was driving :)

Our cats seem to have weathered our absence with little inconvenience, even Outie was glad to see us & quick to forgive.


My car is rebelling on me, the beloved purple beast was unstartable yet again this morning....it's a darn good thing that I love that car as much as I do.  Hopefully while I'm out of commission Scott will be able to do some diagnostic research.  Whatever gremlin is draining the battery has gotten on my last nerve.  If I don't drive the car every day or place it on a battery charger it refuses to start.  Why must the car I love betray me!?!


Sunday I woke up to a surprise.  Where I normally have shooting pain I now have numbness and tingling.  I am so glad that back surgery is already scheduled!  The numbness is different but not necessarily better.


Tried a new restaraunt the other night, Red Maple, it was great!  Definitely going back soon!


Been typing this while laying in bed & my left arm's gone numb.  Really looking forward to not having to favor my back this much!


Live long & prosper.
~m

Holiday! Revised

1/6/12
Good golly time flies when you're busy!  Sorry it's taken so long to finish this post.  I still haven't gotten the pictures I took with my camera to load!  Gonna try re-posting them tonight when I get home.  Our trip was amazing!  The drive home was uneventful, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had lunch in Parker with Thom & Judy at one of our favorite little chinese places.  It's odd that our favorite food places are scattered around the western states.  Speaking of which here's a couple fun pics from our stop at our favorite spot in vegas Top of the World at Stratosphere.


We've had a grand time here in the desert, and since I've been having so much fun I've neglected my blog.  I have however been taking lots of pictures so the majority of this post will be those & I will follow later with some of the adventures we've been having.

We arrived Christmas eve and enjoyed our visions of sugar plums from our cozy camper & good times with friends.  I missed being home in Cache Valley for the regular green carpet and home made bbq hurrah, but this year things just weren't meant to work out that way.  There were about 21 of us gathered from our eclectic desert group, most of whom were family of one of the couples who all came to their Mom & Dad’s “house” for the holiday.  The food was varied, plentiful, and delicious!  Judy was kind enough to share the photo's she took with me since I didn't have my camera charged & rolling yet.

I spent my first morning here lolling in the sun, reading & generally enjoying myself.  Scott ran into town and did condensed tour of the vendors.  It has been AWESOME having the bikes with us!  So much freedom to run wherever we want whenever we want without having to beg a ride (not that there’s not always someone offering to accommodate us) or roll the whole rig. Parking is SO much easier.  I’ve had a lot of fun wandering, shopping here is NOTHING like anywhere else.  Here are a few snaps of random things that caught my eye.

Itty bitty Trailer!

We drove out into the desert to look at property and also to find the cheese curd guy.  He’s in Brenda this year & the food’s better than ever! 

It’s late, my computer’s running out of battery, and I’m having trouble posting the pictures.  If this posts without them then please be patient!  I’ll try again to make it work on my home computer. 

Happy New Year!

~m

Snow

Yesterday we had christmas type snow all day long.  It was beautiful, peaceful & pleasant...unless you had to drive in it...which I did, but oh well.

I've developed a lovely combination of tickly itchy throat and nerve pain that spikes every time I cough.  You can imagine my joy.  Can't decide if it's some sort of drug side effect, left over irritation from the tube they shoved down my throat in the surgery or what.  I do know it's darn annoying.

Mom's been busy taking care of Glenn.  His ankle fusion went well, but he developed an abscess on the ball of his foot.  That too has been taken care of and is healing, so hopefully he can be boring for the holidays.

I go in for another MRI Friday.  This one will take 3 hours...yay.  But they're giving me anti anxiety meds so I hope to get through it without becoming any more insane.

I'm nearly done with my holiday shopping, just 1 trip to cabellas & I'll be done.  Can't complain to much about that.

Live long & prosper.
~m

Happy Holidays!

The season is well upon us, and life is full of distractions.  Went shopping with my Hillyard girls yesterday.  We've sort of created a tradition of going to park city, staying at the hampton inn, eating at Ruby Tuesday, & spending a whole day at the outlets.  This was our third...or possibly 4th...year & it was just as much fun as it always is.  I upgraded us to a suite (it was only 20 bucks more) and was very happy I had.  We had tons more space, another bed, and a fireplace!  I especially enjoyed the swimming pool this year.  It is so nice to be able to move & exercise without tremendous pain.  I rarely go shopping just for fun, and this annual trip with the girls is one of my favorite holiday treats.  This year I came home with fuzzy purple boots, feather earrings, and a purple purse, along with a pile of other things that are gifts.  My wallet is a bit grumpy, but I haven't been overcome with any buyers remorse so I'm calling it a success.

So the spine guy walked into my exam room with a very enthusiastic "You have a HUGE disc herniation!"  Not exactly good news but it was rather novel to have a doctor start right off by validating my complaint & offering solutions.  I've had so much experience with doctors treating my like a liar, or some sort of drug seeking addict, that this was rather refreshing.  Turns out that they didn't get a look at my whole spine when they did the MRI just the lumbar, so I'll be going in for another round in the bangy tube in order to get scans of the rest of my spine.  Not really excited about that, but I am interested to see what he says about the rest of my spine once he's seen it.  In January I'll be having corrective surgery to clean out the disc material that's pressing on my spinal cord.  It won't entirely eliminate my pain, but should do wonders for the nerve pain in my legs.  He says I'll likely need another surgery down the road to fuse my L5 & S1 vertebrae but feels that I'm awfully young to give up the mobility I'll loose with that surgery yet.  As long as I can manage the back pain I'm going to put that off as long as possible.

I had a bit of infection develop at one of the incisions from my gal bladder surgery.  Who on earth decided that putting an incision inside your belly button was a good idea?!?  I don't think it is.  The damn thing got infected, it's near impossible to keep a bandage on it, & I haven't been able to wear anything with a waistband that sits at my natural waist for 3 weeks.  Doc Preciado put me on antibiotics and then I promptly came up with a nasty 24 hour flu bug that nearly killed me.  But I seem to be doing better now, and the infection seems to be gone, just waiting for the wound to finish healing up.  I still sleep A LOT and have next to no energy, but even that is improving slowly. 

Scott started a low carb diet this week & I am so proud of him!  His self control & motivation are impressive to witness.  Especially with me having carbs in my diet still.  He's a very considerate & patient man.

We're getting ready for the holidays & starting to plan details for our annual winter vacation in Quartzsite.  This year we are taking the garage trailer & motorcycles.  Should be quite a bit of fun & rather useful to have them.

Speaking of the Q trip, now would be an excellent time to start making packing lists & put together a menu.  I believe I'll go do that now.

Live long & prosper.
~m