My Checklist Preparation

Sunday, September 04, 2011

I've made a list of what I'm currently doing just for myself to make myself feel better right now.

Happy Dance completed
Food shopping completed
Surgery preparation completed
Healthy eating ongoing
Water +64 ounces ongoing
Daily distraction/laughter/fun ongoing
Thankful attitude ongoing
Attempt at 7+ hours of sleep (difficult due to anxiety) ongoing
Daily exercise ongoing (but curtailed)
Surgery anxiety (still out of control) - wrestling with this one - but gaining more control day by day
Daily prayer ongoing
Positive attitude ongoing
Meditation/relaxation ongoing
Pain control ongoing

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IAMABETTERME 9/4/2011 7:17PM

I applaud you for your determination..... I love that you are taking care of YOU! Report Inappropriate Comment

AMANDAJCD 9/4/2011 6:46PM

That's an excellent list :) Hang in there!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 9/4/2011 6:32PM

great list.....well done.... try some gravol to help with sleep.... we are all here for you... prayers continue... blessings and hugs........lita Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 9/4/2011 5:23PM

Your organization skills are a great strength. Your self-awareness is another very positive quality. Sounds to me like you are doing everything right. If you weren't at least a little anxious about the surgery, you wouldn't be human, at least not a normal one. Take care. You'll soon be healing. Love, Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 9/4/2011 4:59PM

I have had surgery several times and I have found that the worst part is the thinking about it before hand so you are normal to be anxious and just think how quickly that part will be over and you will be in the recovery phase. The very idea of a check list shows YOU are in control. Report Inappropriate Comment

WILD4STARS 9/4/2011 4:57PM

You are more powerful than you know. Report Inappropriate Comment

4KHALL 9/4/2011 4:40PM

Great list! I am also working on 7+ hours of sleep,problems with anxiety also!My doctor has told me to take melatonin to help improve sleeping.Used it last night,I did sleep better.We will see how it works out. Report Inappropriate Comment

Running Errands

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

This week I'm running on nervous energy. I'm trying to tie up loose ends and get things organized before my surgery on September 8th. I've done a great job so far - I've crammed 4 doctor's appointments into 3 days. I've also put up my fall wreaths, run errands and done odd jobs. Once I complete my pre-operation appointment, I'll be all set. Let the healing begin!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DONNABRIGHT 9/4/2011 1:04PM

Let the healing begin is a super attitude! Report Inappropriate Comment

WILD4STARS 9/2/2011 7:36AM

Love your last line, "Let the healing begin." Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 9/1/2011 3:57PM

You are always so organized. I admire that quality greatly. Know I'll be thinking of you a lot as you head into this surgery. I am so glad that you have been persistent enough to pursue it. As you say, let the healing begin! -Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 9/1/2011 11:58AM

time will fly by so quickly..... wishing you a quick, easy and uneventful recovery.... sending you positive thought s and prayers.... blessings and hugs..............lita Report Inappropriate Comment

I Got Answers Finally!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Finally, I got the answers for which I've been waiting 3-4 years. I will be needing several surgeries as I suspected but couldn't get anyone to listen to me up until now. This neurosurgeon actually took the time to study my most recent MRI in his office before he saw me, took some notes and then went over it with me. Together we reviewed his findings, he asked me questions, I asked him questions and he examined me. He could see exactly what I saw and he listened to me. Thank you God! I have a pretty serious problem that I've been walking around with but the good news is that a good part of it can be fixed. Not all of it but a large part can be fixed. I am so relieved. He can give me back the use of my left arm and my balance. He may also be able to reduce my migraines just a little. Even a little - I'll take it! :) He also didn't poo poo the tremendous amount of pain I've been in - he understood that right away just by looking at the MRI. Other doctors blew me off as a whiner and a baby. I was stunned. Wow! He wanted to do surgery right away this coming week due to the serious nature of it but I couldn't. I rearranged everything so that I can do it after the first of September. His office was very pleased. So that's my big news of the week!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DONNABRIGHT 8/29/2011 7:48AM

I am so happy for you. Prayers will continue for you and your family. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 8/28/2011 12:41PM

awesome...prayers answered!!! blessings and hugs........lita Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 8/28/2011 12:39PM

FINALLY!! Thank heavens, Cyndi! Your persistence and patience are really paying off. Can't wait to see you more mobile and pain-free. Hoping the pay off on the migraines is even more than expected. Take care. Know I'm thinking of you! -Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

IMMORTALTESSA 8/28/2011 12:27PM

I am so happy that you finally found a doctor that took the time needed to hear you and figured out what could be done to help you. So many doctors are just about a pay check now-a-days and forget that their patients are real humans with real emotions. I am so sorry that it took you so long to find someone that would hear you out and give you the respect and time that you deserved all along. I pray that this surgery does so much more for you that expected. You are such an amazing woman, so loving and caring to those around you, you deserve the best things out of life and to be pain free. I pray for your complete and speedy recovery. Report Inappropriate Comment

WILD4STARS 8/28/2011 10:19AM

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Getting Organized For My Appointment Wednesday

Friday, August 19, 2011

I took the time this morning to go through my drawer of x-rays and MRIs. I pulled out all of the relevant ones to take with me for my neurosurgeon appointment this coming Wednesday. I was even able to call the place where I had one done in 2007 (before they were able to put them on disks) and have it put on a disk. It is amazing that an imaging place can do it now when they were unable to do it then! I have a collection of MRIs going back to 2002. That MRI was done up north and I doubt that I can get it on a disk. It is a fairly clear film so if the doctor wishes to read it, there shouldn't be a problem. You never know, even with all of these MRIs, he made decide not to look as anything other than the most recent MRI, but I will have all of them just in case. Being prepared makes me feel like I'm more in control of my life because my life has been so out of control for such a long time. Every little bit helps me feel better.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WILD4STARS 8/20/2011 8:38PM

Sometimes our health care can be a full time job. Hope you get some answers. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 8/20/2011 7:59PM

Super job, Cyndi! So good of you to get organized and have all your ducks in a row when you see the doctor. Best wishes for the treatment you need. -Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

HSMOM2FOUR 8/20/2011 10:15AM

A calcified disc can cause a LOT of problems. I had one and it was nicking my spinal cord every time I moved. Up until surgery, the doctors couldn't explain the severity of my symptoms based on my MRIs, but my neurosurgeon suggested 'exploratory' surgery to investigate. He said that as soon as he got in, he fully understood and everything made complete sense. That was almost 7 yrs ago, and I can not even begin to tell you how wonderfully better I am now! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 8/20/2011 7:59AM

It's a good idea to bring as much info as you can. Are you also bringing a list of questions so you can get all the answers you want and need? I do hope you get some positive feedback from this appointment. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 8/19/2011 10:43PM

hope all goes well with your appointment... praying you will have some answers soon....... have a restful weekend... blessings and hugs............lita Report Inappropriate Comment

MOM23CUTIES357 8/19/2011 10:16PM

you are so right Cyndi get some rest and enjoy your weekend as much as possible. Report Inappropriate Comment

Update

Saturday, August 13, 2011

I now have a neurosurgeon appointment on August 24. The doctor's office wants me to bring all of the disks of MRIs of my cervical spine with me. I will also bring those done before disk technology was as available such as before 2009. Apparently he can see growth pattern or something.

I'm still spending much of my day in bed resting both neck and arm. On a positive note, my motion is much better on the right side but the pain on the left is bad. I was able to carefully put on my floatation belt, keep my arms to my chest and kick my feet around in the pool on three days this week. The exercise helped my circulation and I think was instrumental in helping my right side move better. I do tire quite a bit so I come home and spend the rest of the day resting. It isn't much of a life right now but it beats the alternative. I look at it as being temporary until I can be fixed.
I have lost another pound. Yea me!

I am having a real problem dealing with stress. I gave up eating through it long ago and turned to exercise. Exercising (and over exercising) has caused me to have many injuries over the years. Right now most exercise is also out of the question. After talking to one of my doctors and my family, I've decided to keep a feelings diary as an outlet for anger, frustration and fear. I was also advised to have myself good old fashioned cry about once a week. I'm not a crier my nature - at least not for myself. I cry at sad movies and at the pain of others but almost never for myself. Plus crying gives me a headache and makes my eyes puffy. That brings up the question, why am I so empathetic to others and seemingly lacking in empathy for myself? I think that ranks right up there with putting myself at the bottom of the list. I'm going to make a note of this and chew on it for a while.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DONNABRIGHT 8/14/2011 9:19AM

So glad you have this appointment coming up. Maybe, finally, you will get some help so you can get on with your life the way you want to live it! Report Inappropriate Comment

TBRANCH2 8/13/2011 11:07PM

You CAN overcome this just like you have overcome so much more in your life! You know that we are here for you just as you are here for us....Why don't you take this time for "rest and relaxation" and think about what you want to do when you get better.... Hugs, Theresa Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 8/13/2011 7:36PM

Cyndi........wish i had a magic wand... here is hoping your appointment will bring you some answers.... prayers continue...... blessings and hugs......lita Report Inappropriate Comment

WILD4STARS 8/13/2011 5:46PM

Hope you're feeling better soon. I know right now that seems like an impossibility, but you're doing all the right things to head in that direction. I'm praying that you find a doctor that finds some answers and SOLUTIONS to all that you are experiencing. I can't imagine how helpless you must feel, and yet you keep moving forward, keep persevering! You are an inspiration. Report Inappropriate Comment

RUTHIEBEAR 8/13/2011 4:23PM

I do the same thing with using exercise as stress relief. This past year I have way over exercised as the stress level has been off the chart. I admire you for continuing to try and exercise (at the pool) while experiencing such pain. I live with back pain so I know how hard it can be. I will be praying for your appointment on the 24th. In the meantime, take good care of YOU! Report Inappropriate Comment

IMMORTALTESSA 8/13/2011 3:28PM

Cyndi, I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling with pain and emotions. I think that all mother's have a problem putting themselves first. I know I do it all the time. My kids, friends, family, and even strangers needs are all ahead of mine. I am so proud of you for finding a way to stay active even with the limitations. I seriously hope and pray that you find some relief and fast. Thinking of you. Tess Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 8/13/2011 2:10PM

Hope. Oh, I have so much hope that you will find answers and get back to having the real life you deserve, Cyndi. Your determination to get exercise despite the pain and limitations is admirable. The journaling is a great idea. Have you ever thought about life writing? I know WildforStars is doing it right now. There is a wonderful teacher here in Lakeland and the groups tend to get close and supportive. Take care, Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment