gratitude

Bono, Nurtured Heart Approach, Howard Glasser, happiness, gratitude, quotes

you can do it.

3 Positives:
more work on the downstairs pantry
a little reading time
learning to take the “cues” in a more timely manner

Our Journey Notes:
Did a little more reading regarding the notes from the last MRI. Gliosis. I need to remember that word. Tatting has been fun to pick up again. I think the technique has been a bit of a reawakening in a sense for a part of the brain. I’m still having a few glitches in reading the patterns, but think I’ve found a way of rewriting them that works for me. Trying a new pattern later today and have high hopes that it will work.

it’s a good day to have a good day.

3 Positives:
The PA at the Orthopedist office was nice. I even got to see a couple of the images from the MRI – interesting to say the least but very telling.
Turned a computer monitor into a TV with sound yesterday. That was fun and easier than expected
Taco Tuesday at our house last night — yummy and quick to fix

Our Journey Notes:
Appointment went about as planned. The PA showed me the areas of concern in my neck and also pointed out why I might be experiencing the daily headaches and also the migraines. Lots of arthritis in there along with the cord being crunched in a spot along C6-C7. Also, a point where the spinal fluid is kind of blocked in an area and not able to flow like it should. There are some options moving forward. Since the pain levels are relatively low, I opted out of the injections for the time being. I can call and set up an appointment if the pain levels do increase beyond their current level. I’ll keep doing the PT exercises, but not the PT for now. It won’t change anything.

After I got home, he called. He said he had looked a bit further at the X-rays, imaging and the radiology report from the MRI – he had the same concerns I had at the lesions showing at C3 with my family history. He was highly recommending additional imaging. It was ordered and now waiting for scheduling to call to get it on the calendar.

shine

3 Positives:
spent a little time in the kitchen, no bakes and a fancier than normal dinner
attempting a new tatting pattern for a lace edging (brain exercise) – so far, so good
Price check before heading to the office supply store got a few dollars off. SWEET!


Our Journey Notes:
T’s eye is still pretty bloodshot. A student made a comment yesterday His eye is still a bit sore and tires easily. I really hope it’s healing properly. He doesn’t have an appointment with the surgeon this week.

PT exercises are coming along and I think they are helping. A little soreness after a PT session at the clinic and for a day or two, but there are a couple of positives. Headaches, still have them frequently, but they aren’t as intense. YAY! I’ve only had to take one Maxalt in the last 9 days. So that’s really good. Tylenol is sufficient. Next week is the consult with the surgeon and a decision as to whether to complete the series of appointments with the PT.

don’t give up…

3 Positives:
time in the studio
reflection time
conversation with a friend

Our Journey Notes:
T has another post-op appointment this morning. Hoping that goes well and we can start working on the new lens for the good eye and get some of his reading ability back. He’s been pretty frustrated the last couple of weeks and the bad eye days are outnumbering the good ones again. Fingers, toes crossed and lots of prayers for him and the dr this morning.

PT update: According to the PT, things are going as expected. He changed up a couple of the home exercises and only did some manual neck traction during our session on Monday -trying to save me some discomfort/pain from the previous week’s session. Tingling down my legs is still there — I just hope we’ll see it diminish or disappear before they end the treatments. Insurance approved 12 visits — so hopefully, the spine specialist will let it continue after I see him in a couple of weeks. Again, it’s a wait and see.

be the magic.

3 Positives:
finished one sheet of coloring images last night
reading time
conversation with a friend

Our Journey Notes:
T has his second post-op this morning before he goes into work. His eye is hurting a little more than it should at this point and it’s definitely still swollen and the stitches are rubbing. He’s frustrated, to say the least. We’ll see what the surgeon has to say.

I had my first PT session yesterday for the cervical spine issue. Lhirette’s Sign is definitely there. He did attempt to stretch things a bit, including some nerves. Sent me home with 4 exercises, a half blown up beach ball and a band. I was able to do the exercises before bed, while the one was supposed to help me sleep, I think the insomnia cycle is back again, so that didn’t work, but hey, we’ll do them again this morning and again this evening. Appointments for the next 4 week are set — but only need to go in once a week at this point.

you are the point of change

3 Positives:
1st bday card for July printed, cut and assembled
DEXA scan completed
ready to decide on the design for next month’s stack of cards – I’m thinking interactive for this one

Our Journey Notes:
T’s surgeon has shared the new list of drops (it’s actually the same as before), but wanted to make sure we had enough to get him through to the day of and the weeks after surgery which is now on the calendar.

DEXA scan results were not what we’d hoped for. Upped the dosage for both the calcium and the D3 and added 3 days a week of strength training. Where do I fit that into the schedule? Hmmmm. MRI today. We’ll see how that goes and what they see.