Visit Three

Well, the last treatment went well! I was completely better from my cold (or whatever it was) and the pain meds I took before I went really helped. I took it about an hour before the treatment so it had plenty of time to start working. I went in and filled out the little chart thing that you have to do each visit so they know where the pain is and what level and all that, then we went back and talked to Dr. B. I filled him in on everything, told him about how I can get up stairs better sometimes, and how the recovery went last time. We pretty much jumped right into the prolo, but I told them no deep anesthetic, just the local that they usually do. That part isn't too painful, more of a pinch than anything. The good thing is that you don't have to wait for that to take effect, so it's very quick. Then we started the real thing. They did more than usual and moved up further and down further too. I almost came off the table at one point, Dr. B hit a tender spot and I jumped suddenly and so did everyone else in the room. That was kind of funny.

He seemed to get done faster and the strange thing is that I only felt about 5 on each side. I asked my mom once we got in the car why they did such a small and fast treatment and she just looked at me and said they did way more than normal. I was confused. I know I didn't pass out or anything so I guess that medicine I took really helped. I wasn't nearly as tired once it was done and felt pretty good for the most part (till I tried to sit or get up).

Yesterday I didn't get out of bed much, but today I can move better. I'm still not going to be going anywhere, but I can get around the house fine. We have a few things to do tomorrow and Sunday so I should be okay by then if I take it easy where ever we go.

The next visit is a month from that one so, it's on March 18th. I'm going to get out of History again. There was something else but I don't remember what it was (the joys of brain fog), if it's that important I'll update this thing later.

Oh, and here is a picture of my back about an hour and a half after the prolo. There were more holes than this further down but you don't get a picture of that. The holes are the needle marks and the lines are just where I was lying down.

And Then, Came Then

Okay, small change of plans! I've been sick this whole week so Dr. B doesn't want to do the prolo with me not feeling my best. I'm on an antibiotic so hopefully it will kick this out of my system soon. The new plan is for the 18th which is next Wednesday and which also means I get out of History class : ) Wednesday I will go to English class and then head up to Asheville for the treatment and have a extra day to recover, so it will work out fine.

I got permission to take an extra hydromorphone before I go to help with pain. I'm not sure what the plan will be once I get there, maybe just the local anestetic and leave it at that, I don't think it would be worth it to do the same thing as last time.

Still no change though. Well, not a constant one. I've noticed a few more energy bursts here and there, but it's really random. Last week I had to do go to the library at the college I'm taking classes at and there are about four flights of stairs on the way there, I usually dread that walk but I did it with no problem! I was impressed with myself on that one. Now if that would just keep up... I'd be set.

On a more random note, I HATE the mood swings that seem to go along with all this. One minute I'm fine... and then BAM! I'm ready to start swinging at the next person who talks to me. I hope this goes away at some point, but maybe that's just part of it, who knows? It does make the good days seem better though. If I've been down and suddenly I feel okay it's such a huge change I'm ready to go do something really fun that I wouldn't normaly risk doing. But it's hard to think like that when it hits.

One thing I found is this podcast Pastor Bob did about chronic pain. It's awsome, I think even people who aren't Christians could still get something from it so give it a chance. It's in three parts, each around 40 minutes (I think), so they had a lot to say. Just scroll down to part 1 and click the title.

Hope it helps.

http://web.me.com/sanctuaryintl/PB/Nights_At_The_Round_Table/Nights_At_The_Round_Table.html