Catching Up

Quick catch up:

Thanksmas at the Perry Southwest location was good! The kids age 7, 5, 4 and 2 had a wonderful time jumping, swinging, eating, running, screaming, playing, sleeping and generally never being still. Presents were enjoyed and food was a plenty!

Went back to the neurologist when I got back and we are going down the weird migraine path for this 6 week period. I am now taking Cymbalta which strangely appears to be working however, taking it at night messed with my sleep so as of tomorrow I will be trying to take it in the morning to see if that helps. I refuse to get excited because we still do not know why this is going on but relief from the pain is nice.

Erynn had her 4 year old checkup recently along with 2 wonderful shots. Good times!

Christmas trees are up including Erynn's pink and purple tree. Apparently I will do anything for this child. She is just too cute not too!

Getting ready for the big Christmas feast at my house! Hope everyone has a great holiday!

No Fries - Less Issues

So either its potatoes or the ugly peanut oil that the reuse and cook fries in at these fast food places. I did not have the horrible red hands yesterday or the really hot face. However, there was some pain in the back of my head. As always around 4:30 or 5pm it is the worst and I think I might combust. Had a great dinner with my sister, brother and Erynn at Longhorn. The cheesecake afterwards was divine. Only a couple more days until we head to Texas for Thanksmas. Whose brilliant idea was it to take off in a plane at 7:40am on a Sunday. Probably mine in a heated state!

Need to do this More

Not sure why but sometimes I just can't look at this blog. Maybe it is because most of the pain I have experienced in the past 10 years finds its way here. There needs to be more happiness and just fun stuff so I will try to work on that. We are still continuing our meal planning but find that we change up the week alot more after it is planned. Scott commented, "Honey I love what you are making but I don't want to be eating at 8pm." He is right, I leave work at 5pm, pick him up and then Erynn up and we get home and it is 6:30pm. Then we have to change and cook and it is around 8pm on somethings. So in the last couple of weeks I have tried to go with quicker meals or things I can do before hand. But let's be honest since my days typically get worse from morning into evening, me putting something together for the next day that night is laughable. This week we have had Peppered Chopped Steak of which the hubby requested not to see again! Salmon and Spaghetti have also been on the menu.

I keep trying to self diagnose also which is really getting me nowhere. Is it perimenopause and I need to get my hormones regulated? Is it an allergic reaction to something? Brain tumor? Apparently they did not see anything screaming that in my MRI. I wish I could find a trigger and avoid it like the plague. Wait, maybe I have the plague?!

Anyway, we are getting ready to take a plane trip to Texas next week and have Thanksmas with Scott's family. Yes, you heard it right - Thanksmas! We celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas at the same time. Two birds, one stone - you know the drill! It is great because I do all that shopping first and then do the shopping for my family after Thanksgiving. It also gives us and Scott's brother's family (three children) our own times at Christmas. Erynn is excited about the plane trip. She has been before but was just over 2 I think at the time.

As part of self diagnosis I am avoiding fries starting today. The last three days I some how found a way to eat fries and every afternoon I have had the worst hot spells that I have every had. It would be a crying shame to have to avoid potatoes. As a Southern girl, I love my mashed potatoes.

Will try to come back more!

Happy 4th Birthday to My Baby Girl!

Four years ago today, I was very worried that she would not be here and if she was here that she would be sick and very small. But Erynn Rowan Harper Perry at 5 weeks early came out fine and with no problems. She has grown like a weed since and I love her more each day. She is what keeps me going through all of the pain and I am so happy that she decided to be a part of my life. I learn new things everyday and she brings such laughter and joy to all who meet her. I can only hope to grow from her example.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Updates and Meal Planning

Neurologist says I am NORMAL! I just can't stop laughing. The MRI was good, no signs of MS which I am very happy about. The seven vials of blood only found a low vitamin D number. So I am now still taking Lyrica at an increased dose and 4000 units a day of Vitamin D. I have done some reading and it does appear that there is an association between gallbladder removal (last year's joy) and vitamin D deficiency. So I am praying constantly that the vitamin D will work. Meanwhile, I have gone on a meal planning kick. For the last 4 or 5 weeks I have been planning out our meals on the weekend for the following week. So I am now going through all of my cook books and finding new things to do. This week we are doing meals from my heart healthy cookbook. If you have read through my blog you know that Scott's dad passed due to heart issues and my own father also has such issues. So heart healthy is good for all of us. This week we will be having halibut, catfish, chicken lasagna rollups, beef burgundy and stroganoff. Looking forward to it!

MRI - Major Risky Invention

I have been behind on updating because nothing has really changed and we have had DSL issues. Dr Countes, my neurologist, stuck steroid shots straight into the right side of my head, took 7 vials of blood from me and set up an MRI. She is determined to find out the problem. She wants to eliminate MS and other things. She thinks it could be possible that I had a major allergic reaction that cause inflammation in large a nerve in my head. However, all the steroids did were give me a major headache.

I went through the MRI today. You have to understand that I am extremely claustrophobic, especially around my head. I have had to leave a facial before because they put something on my face that I was not prepared for. So I asked for an open MRI. Well, that seems to mean just a smaller tube. I had to practice my meditation before I went. The nice man who looked like Lewis Grizzard was very friendly when he put the large headphones on me and then pushed the cage down over my head. He did let me listen to a little country music which was hard to hear over the clang clang of the MRI machine. And he gave me a mirror that sat on the cage so I can fake myself into believing that I could see out and find my hands. I breathed very deeply and with the panic button in my hand counted how many songs it would take to finish the procedure.
It went by faster than I expected but I was super happy when it was over. The worst part honestly was the nausea feeling I had for over 30 minutes after the procedure that made me want to throw up. I think it was that dye they put into me.

Well, I go back to Dr. Countes next Thursday so we will see what she learned from the vampiric amount of blood she took and this MRI fun! Will let you know.

Daily Symptoms

Burning, itching head - headaches, sleepy and increased appetite (from 1st does of Lyrica).
Neurologist on the 7th.

Daily Symptoms

Today we have severe burning in head, neck and face (feels like a bad sunburn). Emotionally a wreck because it is so constant and painful. Seeing doctor for regular b12 shot and will ask for more help.

Daily Symptoms

Decided to start listing the symptoms that I am having daily so I have a record.

Burning pain in side and back of head, also under eyes. Floaters in my vision periodically.

Joy!

Better - A Little

The adventure continues. The B12 is helping. I am clearer and can communicate without feeling like I am talking through a cloudy window. However, the tingling and burning that started the day after the big Cat Room clean up still continues. It is bearable now but makes me believe again that I have a pinched nerve or done some kind of damage to my neck on the right side which has caused most of this. I have an appointment on Tuesday afternoon with a chiropractor following my second B12 injection. I thought, "why not, what could it hurt?" So we will see how that goes. I have also finally worn by new bifocal glasses for more than a couple of hours and am starting to get use to wearing them. I just couldn't make myself get use to them while I had all of these other issues going on.

Have to start cleaning and getting ready for a visit from my mother in law and a trip to Chattanooga to take a river cruise, visit the aquarium and creative museum with my little girl and my wonderful husband also. I think the time away will help too! If not, they have ice there if I need it.

Below is one of my favorite songs for when I feel better. (When the feet are burning and you still are feeling better, that is strange!)

NORMAL

All of my tests are NORMAL! What the heck! I still feel like I am burning in my head, the feet and hands are always tingly and this is normal. I think NOT! Sorry for the yelling but this is getting crazy. Today my primary care basically said we don't really know what to do and it will eventually go away. They said that my B12 test was normal but on the low end so they can stick me with B12 injections for 4 weeks and then monthly and SEE if that works. Nothing like being a human guinea pig! I am currently taking a monster mult vitamin, Zyrtec for allergies, Iron supplements per my gyno, birth control to work on the possible ? hormonal issue, garlic twice a day just because I think if I have some kind of infection that I will kill it with garlic or at least keep ugly vampires away. The good looking ones can visit, Jen could use a cute new boyfriend.

Anyway, I think I should now go the route of hypnosis or see if I can astral project so I can get out of this icky body. Or maybe I need to have an exorcism, it could be some evil spirit has invaded my body and trying to get me out. Yes, you do start thinking about these things after awhile.

Deep breath...........

Omh..........................

Ok, I have a wonderful husband, a cutie for a daughter and a super sister along with some great friends and family. I will be ok. One day I will be 70 and think that this was really not that bad!

I love you my friends and family for putting up with me!

Electric Shock ..Thought It Had Been Outlawed

Yes nerve conduction testing involves electricity, needles and loads of fun for everyone! It began with a lovely woman named Deanna and I mean this because she was really nice otherwise I would have slapped her. She successfully provided electric shock to all of my extremities about 50 times. No I did not count them because I was too busy shaking. After she completed her testing, I then waited for 20 minutes. I think the shocking caused the burning to start for me again because I was nice and toasty by the time the second person came in. She did some manual testing with a tuning fork and went hmmm alot. Then she decided to do some deeper testing which luckily I had read about online or I would have decked her. Folks, as you know if you have read this blog, I have had acupuncture and this started off in a similar fashion. However, after she put in the needles she then proceeded to move them around which was not exactly relaxing. She dug in my neck so hard that it took 24 hours for my neck to even come close to normal again. She said that the test really found nothing but that the manual exam with the simple tuning forks shows that I have neuropathy. That means I have some messed up nerves - SHOCKING! Who knew?!?!? Anyway, I looked up more on it after I left and successfully depressed myself because I have either diabetes, some dread infection or my hormones are completed messed up. Nothing really good about the neuropathy thing! Anyway, I decided to take myself to lunch and had some great Japanese food and then went home and watched Surrogates which made me feel much better about myself. Later I rearranged Erynn's room and firmly decided that I will handle whatever it is because I am going to live long enough to see Erynn finish school, get married and have kids. If I believe it, it will happen!

This Too Is Becoming Normal

Since I am normal based on all the blood work then I guess this is the new normal for me. Yesterday was a good day yet tiring. I spend the day with my sister and brother tiling the counters of my Aunt's kitchen. First day in weeks that I was not burning and it kind of freaked me out. However, by days end it was coming back and I have been like a blow torch all day today. Right now I am logging this information while sitting here with a unique little ice pack called Peas because it is designed like a frozen bag of peas so it can conform to whatever you need it to. I am at least cooling off but eventually like all ice packs it will lose its coolness in the face of the fire before it and I will have to place it back in the freezer so it can rest. Wish I could just sit in a freezer.

It was good to spend time with my family and watch my sweetie daughter wear out all of the elders in the family with her need for constant entertainment. By the way, Doctor #3 has given in to my constant harassment and has decided that I might be perimenopausal and is putting me on some low grade estrogen pills. I can not start taking them for a couple of weeks but at least it is something. I go on Tuesday to have the nerve conduction testing done and will let you know how that goes.

Another summer of joy! Last summer I thought I had horrible heartburn only to find out it was a bad gall bladder that we finally removed in October. I am going to start praying now that next summer is less medical!

Burning Continues

Let's review:
Doctor #1 looked at me and nothing else before stating it was an allergic reaction and gave me a steroid shot and oral steroids to take. These gems caused me not to be able to sleep and made me cry alot.
Doctor #2 said stop taking those nasty steroids, looked at me and nothing else before stating that we would take some blood and run some tests to check my thyroid - test results NORMAL.
Doctor #3 never saw me, his nurse said let's take more blood and run more tests to check for thyroid and/or perimenopause - test results NORMAL.
Doctor #4 (today) - looked at me, ran me through some brain tests and wrote copious notes on what is happening, then consulted with another doctor. Decided to take more blood to test for diabetes which does run in my family and is setting me up for nerve conduction testing. Also, gave me a shot to help with the headache issue. That did help but only for that.

So here I am again BURNING from head to toe especially on my right side and nothing done yet! Screaming has commenced!

All Things Normal

Tuesday the nurse called and said all my tests are normal. So I went through yesterday feeling like maybe it is all in my head. I have an excellent imagination but who knew I could will such hideous problems into existence. That is some true magic! As I am always trying to self diagnose, I am now back to maybe it is a deeply ingrained allergic reaction. Because most of this started the day after we cleaned the cats room from top to bottom. I have a friend who reads auras who says that most of the murkiness in my aura is around my chest, neck and head which is where most of the burning resides during the day. The wake up call has arrived, I have been doing yoga but will continue and I WILL eat better and take better care of myself and lose some weight so I can be more healthy and get these nasty toxins out. Be banished you evil micropes!

Decent Day

Short and sweet! Yesterday was decent only had a headache in the morning and burning ear throughout the day. Evening was great! Still no word from the doctor! I will continue harassment today in hopes to get some kind of answer!

Fire and Ice

"Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice." - Robert Frost

No call from the doctor about my tests so I will be asserting myself into their lives first thing Monday morning. I am sure that it doesn't seem like a rush to them but to me it is almost starting to feel normal which should scare me to death. No one should be burning alive most of the day and think that is normal. I recently purchased a book on Herbal Antibiotics and now am on the bandwagon of cutting off medical antibiotics. We are killing ourselves with things that should be helping us. Bacteria is smart and is teaching itself how to be resistant to our wisdom. Folks, malaria is now a problem again! How crazy is that! When you think about it, there is alot of good sense in realizing that a medical antibiotic with only one ingredient and that kills all bacteria whether good or bad is not as beneficial as a herbal antibiotic that is very complex and only works against bad bacteria. Garlic is one of the best and based on studies bacteria can't figure it out and does not become resistant to it. So let's all go out and get us some and smell bad together but stay healthy! Anyway, another burning neck, head, arm and ear day. It drains my energy and kills my focus so luckily I was not at work. Hopefully, someone will just confirm I am menopausal and we can work on a plan soon. Oh wait, now the feet are tingling. Here's the ice!

More Symptoms

Had blood work done yesterday with results hopefully back by Friday. Still having symptoms on top of symptoms. I made a list yesterday and it is very long and includes some things that I would not put out for public knowledge but things like headaches, burning in neck and head, tingling in hands and feet, disrupted sleep patterns and major mood swings and that was just on Monday. Anyway, I know that there are so many people out there in much worse situations than I am. But when it happens to you it is hard to just push through. I have always believed that your mind can control your body and I am fighting hard to make my mind get over this but I think I will need help. So far I am doing yoga everyday and trying to drink water more. Here's hoping that I sleep well tonight and have maybe just one symptom tomorrow.

Perimenopause

It was not enough that I had to deal with infertility now in the beyond phase and only three years after Erynn's arrival, it appears I have started pre menopause. So far it has been a nightmare with burning hot flashes and almost everyone of the top 35 symptoms they list for perimenopause. Seriously, I already feel old enough and now this too. What is the most upsetting is that it appears that the medical profession has decided that the only way women should deal with this is by take hormone replacement therapy which often leads to fatal illnesses. I will not be going there. Not that I want to pick on men but most medical authorities are men and they have NO clue about how to deal with women and think that we are just making most of this stuff up and give us anti depressants. Well, I have complained enough but it appears now that I will get to share with you what happens as women go through this stage too. What is worse is that not one woman on either my mother or father's side of the family had really dealt with this because ALL of them have had a hysterectomy either very early or before the menopause symptoms were too bad. One of the many consequences of having children later in life is that you then have these issues while they are little girls. I want to put these kinds of things down here so that when she is older and hopefully I have forgotten the horror of them she can understand better what happens.

New Words Everyday

Living with a three year old can be a joy and a frustration. In most all cases the joys heavily outweigh the frustrations. Everyday Erynn says something new that she has never said before. There are many days were she speaks as if she were an adult. So often now I just sit and look at her when she is talking because with the words and the facial expressions she is very interesting. I am trying hard to hold on to all of this time because I know that it will not be long before she gets too big and smart for us to be able to keep up. I guess maybe I need to keep learning new words everyday too.

Busy Weekend

Very busy weekend at our house. Saturday, Erynn and I went to Mt Laurel with our friends Kristy and Kenley to spend some times outdoors and see the sights. We had a good time and got some cotton candy. Then while Erynn was napping I spent about 2 hours in the yard - mowing, weed eating, watering, etc. It was a very pretty day and I actually enjoyed the work while listening to some music. The next morning I woke up pretty sore but the hard work was not over. During the morning I went with my sis to take her car to be checked and then we went to pick up the hardwood flooring that will soon be going down in my dining room. We have wood now but after only year in our new house it started separating. Not a very good flooring job so we are having new actual real wood installed in next week. So my sweetie and I had to lift each of the twelve boxes individually and carry them up about 20 steps into our house. I have really great arms now after all of this work. Oh yeah, we ended Sunday by a visit to the grocery store. So yes, I am tired and very congested after the yard work even though I took all kinds of medicine. Hopefully my sinuses will be clear soon.

Can We Be Too Clean?

I have often thought that the anti bacterial craze may kill us all. I have been told by medical professionals that when we use all of those hand sanitizers that not only do we kill the bad bacteria but we kill the good kind also which causes us to be open to other illnesses. Recently Erynn got an infection on her legs. This scared me to death and I went on a rampage of cleaning that even frightened the people I live with. I am tidy person but not necessarily the cleanest. I will let crumbs sit on the kitchen floor for a day or so sometimes. However, I wonder if because I attempt to keep Erynn pretty clean that in actuality I opened her up for worse illnesses. It is like with all of the issues I dealt with during the infertility epoch, since Erynn had her infection now everyone around has had it. No one know anything about it until you have to deal with it then they all have it and can give you advice. Erynn is over her bout but now she is more prone to having it happen again. So yes we use some hand sanitizer and we don't reuse any towels but sometimes we do get dirty. But when we get a scratch or injury we immediately put ointment on it and a Dora bandaid so those ugly bacteria have nowhere to go. Just use soap folks and wash your hands regularly! It doesn't have to be antibacterial to do the job!

Fathers

Today was a sad day for a couple of people I know. Both lost their fathers today after battles with illness. Losing your parents must be tough. I have been lucky that both of my parents are still here. However, as you know if you go way back in time on this blog, I did lose my father in law a few years ago. He was a unique individual and there are many times that I miss him especially as he never got to meet Erynn. I do know that he is with us and enjoys her very much from above. Today I am sending my thoughts and prayers out to Dan and Emily who need them the most.

Back Again!

I promise to do better on this blog thing. Erynn is now 3 years old and telling us what to do all the time. She is also very much a girl and emotional at the drop of a hat. Love her lots! Right now she is working on a puzzle with her daddy and he is about as bossy as she is. We will be having flooring replaced in our dining room and foyer over the next few weeks so I will tell you all about that. Of course, as always happens, the day I ordered the flooring was the day that we come home to find that our air conditioning unit is not working. We are in the process of getting that fixed after only three years in our house. Not feeling so good about Goodman heat pumps at this point. Will talk more later but will try to do this every other day. If I can visit Facebook everyday almost then I can probably do this.