Knees....

Visited the Lemak orthopedist today.  No improvement.  I have bad arthritis in both knees to the point that my meniscus in both is almost invisible.  The only real repair is knees replacement surgeries but they would prefer that I wait until I am older.  So...

*shots in both knees

*a brace to try and see if I need two 

*therapy starting on Monday to strengthen my muscles

There may be more later but nothing more than I have learned before.  

The knees only add to the joys of my other issues.  Time to focus some meditation on the knees too.  

Erynn and the EOL

Erynn and I spent a long weekend with my sister, my mom and two of my aunts at the beach.  We spent more time in the pools due to all of the jellyfish in the ocean.  We ate a lot of seafood and had ice cream every night.  I love these ladies!  We had shirts made for the event - Erynn and the Elegant Old Ladies.  We will have to do it again and get more of the aunts and cousins on board.  

Visit to Indy

Last week I attended a conference in Indianapolis.  I was able to ride around the Speedway, where I touched the bricks and hung out in the Pagoda.  I also visited the Eiteljorg museum for Native American and western art.  Below are pictures from my visit.  

 

Fun With Girls

Took the day off yesterday to spend with Erynn and a friend of hers.  They have been friends for along time even though they are at different schools.  Her mother is a joy and so helpful in keeping the girls together.  So with the help of my sister we visited CHOM (Children's Hands on Museum).  It is a fun place even though it is an older establishment than I expected.  The girls had a great time visiting all of the areas where they dressed up and played until they were almost tired.'

 

 

 

 

 


We then went with our friends to see Frozen on Ice.  I have to say it was probably the best Disney on Ice show that I have seen.  The girls had a great time but we were all worn out by the end of the day! Love these girls who are such fun and sweetness!  Glad I had the day with them.

Update and Grout Repair

First, I received information today that my mammogram was clear.  However, I have denseness which they have told me before which is why I did the 3D this time.  Maybe I will get more information about that, we will see.  Otherwise, I am feeling better with the ulcers but still watching what I eat and drinking lots of water.  I have lost 17 pounds to this point.  The most fun is having pants that I could not put on a couple of months ago now fall off of me.

We are gradually making changes to our house.  We recently had some lighting changed in our kitchen, living room and Erynn's room.  Today, we finally got the grout in our kitchen repaired.  Back when we bought the house in 2007, it was new and they finished the kitchen floor a day or so before we closed.  I think they rushed it and did not do it properly.  Since then we have had grout dislodge and come up everytime we clean the floor.  So below is a picture of how it turned out.  I did not realize how bad it was until it was fixed.  Up next, a new bed frame for our bed which is starting to squeak!!!!  We should see it soon also.  I have a lot more on the list.  Just keep trying to wittle it away.

Mammograms

I feel like I have spent a lot of time at doctors and tests recently.  However, today was time for my annual mammogram.  It is one test that I do not mind.  Sure it can be painful for a few brief seconds but it may end up being worth that.  One of my aunts several years ago dealt with breast cancer and has been clear since but due to her I try to be sure to do this one test a year.  I encourage all of you out there to be tested also.  Testing keeps you ahead of the game.

Today I had a horrible pain in my neck.  Slept wrong I guess.  However, after the pain I have had recently it was nothing.  The pain in my knees is nothing.  The neuropathy pain that seeps through sometimes is nothing.  I am alive and here to hug my daughter and kiss my husband.  That is something!

Be brave!

Not An Infection

Got the letter today that the ulcers were not caused by an infection.  So I just need to keep doing what I am doing. They state that it could be taking too much NSAIDs (Aleve/Advil).  I don't take them all the time so not sure about that.  Anyway using the heating pad for my back and Deep Relief Essential oils for knees instead of taking anything.  I do think my body is trying to get over the stress I have had the last few years.  Maybe it will be clearer soon!  Continuing to be brave!  Appreciate all the support. 

Losing weight

So far due to the joy of ulcers I have lost 12 pounds.  This is mainly due to the fact that I am eating better.  I do not eat or drink the following:

Anything with caffeine including my beloved tea

Anything carbonated

No desserts-chocolate hurts

Limited salt-meaning pork and steak are out

No bread

No cheese-this one is rough

Nothing fried

So what do I eat?  Healthy things-fruits, vegetables, grilled meats.  Also I drink for the most part water all the time.  All of this is helping with the weight loss.  I am still having some pain.  I hope to hear back soon on the biopsies to see if I will get an antibiotic.  

I have decided that I needed this to help me.  Sometimes the worst things are really for the best.  

Endoscopy

Overcame my fears and completed the endoscopy today. It took awhile but most of that was waiting. My big fear of being awake did not happen and we have finally gotten something that was not normal. I have three uIcers. I would give them the names for who created them but that would not be nice!  Anyway, I am now on medication to help them heal and will be continuing my healthy eating hopefully into the future.  I would like to thank my sister for taking me and dealing with the cleanup of her car after my lunch did not remain where it should have.  Luckily, we did not cause each other to be sick. Having soup tonight and looking toward better days.  Thanks for all of your uplifting thoughts.  

Easter Weekend

Spent Saturday with my family.  Erynn received an Easter bucket that she decorated.  I limited it to one thing of candy and the rest was a movie and a Lego toy. She had a great time hiding eggs for the old people to find.  We also went to see the movie Home which we both enjoyed.  During this I had another migraine but pushed through.  Getting geared up for the scope tomorrow.  Trying not to stress about it.  Last time I had one I woke up during it.  Really hope not to do that again! Thanks again to my sister for taking me.

More Pain

Last night was not good and a bit scary.  I had some wonderful tea and then ate a small waffle fry as I went home.  That fry did not swallow well so the rest of the evening I had pain in chest and shoulders.  Also had numbness in hands and feet which scared me.  Better today but this stuff starts to get disturbing after awhile.  I am not looking forward to the scope on Monday but it appears that I need it.  Breathing deeply and drinking the water!

Next Steps

Returned from the beach yesterday.  While there and right while I was getting us set up for putt putt golf, I get a call from my doctor.  The CT scan was negative so nothing wrong that they found.  Good news but nothing like still not knowing what is wrong.  I felt better while we were away and am ok now with some intermittent issues.  Anyway, the CT scan now heads to the Gastroenterologist and we get the lovely scope done on Monday.  Thanks to my sister who will be going with me as I am not allowed to drive after the procedure.  Not sure what we will do next if they find nothing there. However, the new diet with mostly water and limited caffeine, sugar and fried foods appears to work. Even had ice cream while at the beach and no problems from that.  Miss the ocean already!

Beach Time

Nothing like a little beach time to help you feel better.  Been drinking water, eating grilled seafood and playing games.  Today I saw both the pool and the ocean.  We have the best view from our condo on the calmer end of the coast.  It has been chilly but today was close to perfect.  Erynn has been happy to be able to get in the water and roll around in the sand.  I love being here.  Will be hard to head back home.

CT Scan

Friday I got to have a CT Scan to check for the kidney stones.  At least the stuff you drink is not hideous but it did take some work to get down.  Then they put me in nurses scrubs and laid me on a table.  I got an injection that made me  feel like I was wetting myself and then pushed me back and forth in the machine while I held my breath.  The tech was one I had before with an MRI.  He was very professional and sociable. Now will see what comes from these tests.  But I am at the beach so I will eat carefully and get some rest.

More Tests

Gastroenterologist visit yesterday.  While I was sitting in his office I got a call from my regular doctor.  My prior test say I have a fatty liver and I might have kidney stones.  So from that I get a CT scan.  The gastroenterologist also wants to do a scope down my throat.  The joy continues.  

My hope is that my trip to the beach upcoming will not be filled with pain and horror!  

I keep sending healing thoughts to my body. I appreciate any that you can have sent my way too.

Learning

It makes you appreciate what you have when you have a medical condition.   I thought the knee pain, the neuropathy the other stuff was bad enough.  However I am now learning that there are worse things you can have and that I should have been a little more accepting and moving forward with the other conditions.  So I am looking forward to finding a resolution to this current problem.  However I am still losing weight which is a good thing.  My only hope is that this condition is not worse than I think it is.  Off to another doctor tomorrow.

NutriBullet

Got the Nutribullet back out. This blend has spinach, cucumber and watermelon.  Not too bad!  It is amazing what some pain will cause you to try again!  Go to the gastroenterologist on Wednesday.  Hoping for good news!

Headaches

So for three days in a row I had some kind of moderate to severe headache.  Not sure if it is the new medicine, the problem I am dealing with now or the complete lack of caffeine.  So I stopped the meds and added a bit of caffeine to see if it helps.  I am still at the wall and hoping that I can continue to make this a lifestyle change.  I want to be better overall!  Hoping for a headache free day.  

Another Issue

I guess you have noticed that I just stopped updating one day.  Well the joys of Infertility continue after you move past it.  I have my beautiful daughter but as you have read other things followed. Basically my body had gone crazy on me.  I had to have my gallbladder removed and after that we found that I developed peripheral neuropathy for no apparent reason.  

Well now, it appears something else in the gastric system is acting up.  I am being tested but basically many times after eating I have pain and discomfort throughout my body.  Not good!  What it has done has put me back on a better eating path.  I am only drinking water for the most part with occassionally juice or caffeine free Sprite.  It appears that caffeine (tea and chocolate), certain sweets and anything fried is not good.  So a greater power is telling me get your dietary habits in order or we are going to cause you problems. I suppose this is the wall I must hit.  Bang!  The wall has also helped me lose weight which I needed to do anyway.  

So I am going to be positive about this issue, find a resolution but use it as chance to make a change! I have been mediating daily for well over a year but I need to get back in the yoga groove too.  I want to be here for the daughter that I worked so hard to get here.  So if you see me with fried chicken, chocolate or anything else not health, give me that ugly look!  

Will try to keep this more updated but you know how that goes!  

BTW, Erynn is now 8 years old and has had to get glasses like her parents.  She is such a beautiful thing to me!  My joy!