This year has flown by at an incredibly fast rate! Unbelievable that the tree is is glittering, the fireplace is cozy, the cats are laying on gifts and stocking are hung. Wasn't it just yesterday the leaves were falling from the trees?
Let's see... October... An MRI ruled out any spine problems, other than what I already contend with. Some arthritis has set up in the disks that are degenerating. Neurosurgeon suggest body pain is fibromyalgia. God, it's painful.
So, my N.P. had Rx'd muscle relaxers, no relief, I've had massages, temporary relief, and I stretched and stretched, which provided some momentary relief.
Finally, when we discuss pain medication (it's about damn time!), she tells me we should try Lyrica. Now, at this point, NO ONE will diagnose me. The rheumatologist suggested fibro, but doesn't diagnosis it. She orders blood test and for me to return in FEBRUARY 2009! Geesh! Anywho, I left my N.P's office, in great pain, and assumed no one would provide any relief for this pain.
Following the September Sanibel trip, I came home and experienced so much pain that I was in tears, I walked the floor, I couldn't move without my arms, legs and especially my shoulder blades hurting so badly, and for 2 1/2 weeks there was a horrible burning sensation in my back. Every muscle felt like it was on fire.
Lyrica! Though no one has written down fibro as a diagnosis, "I" know this is what I have. My sister suffers from it as well, and has for over 10 years. She is on different meds, and has some of the same pain I have, but she has pain in other places, and has worse symptoms than I.
Browsing information online, regarding fibromyalgia, I have found an array of information and the experiences people are going through. Many people live a fairly normal life and control their symptoms on a daily basis. On the other hand, many are housebound, in constant pain and suffer a great deal. Wow, what a difference between the two! I measure my pain in numbers 1-10, as is done in a hospital or doctor's office. However, WHERE the pain is can be different each day.
And with fibro, comes tiredness. Not tired, as felt after a hard days work. This type of tiredness feels as though one cannot go on, an exhaustion type of feeling. And ordinary shower can be exhausting. Errands and daily housekeeping can be overwhelming, and many just do not understand.
Sometimes I believe I have been given this syndrome as a payback for not believing in it 10 years ago. See, when my sister first began having the symptoms and was diagnosed, I told her it was hogwash. For example, she could cook 3 meals one day, do all of her laundry, pick up the house and go to church. In one day! The following day, she may be in bed in pain and exhausted. In a few days, she felt back to normal, did her daily duties and then WHAM, back in the bed. This was NOT her. I couldn't understand why she didn't get up. What does she mean she is "too tired", heck she could have ran a marathon for goodness sakes.
There have been an overwhelming number of clients I've counseled with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and I just couldn't imagine what they were experiencing, though I was a believer in the syndrome, finally.
Now I understand. I don't want this. It hurts. It is exhausting. I miss out on family time. But thank God, and I do, for medications that can help me diminish the symptoms as much as possible.
The pharmacist provided hope, telling me the Lyrica and Celebrex combo I would be given, has helped so many people, especially those with fibromyalgia. Lyrica was first approved as a seizure medication, but as many of us know, there are tons of medications out there that help with other illnesses as well!
They were out of Lyrica, and promised to have it the following day. I took a Celebrex that night. The following day I picked up the Lyrica and took it, along with the Celebrex at approximately 10 pm that night. In the middle of the night, I awoke and felt ...well, I felt "good". The constant pain had diminished. This was a pain I was enduring 24/7, and was considering getting medications "elsewhere", if you get my hint.
On to the bathroom I go. Realizing there was no moaning and groaning as my body got out of bed, there seemed to be a little pain relief and I wasn't stiff as a board. I returned to bed and actually
eased back to sleep. The following day was Saturday. Shockingly, I was 99% pain free. 12 hours after taking 100 mgs of Lyrica, I was making breakfast, went to town, out to eat, enjoying my family! OMG, this was freaking me out. I wanted to whine about how long I was in pain and here this medication could have helped me long ago. Rather, I rejoiced the fact we had found the right medication for me!
The following weekend, Steve, Rebecca and I wheeled our luggage into the Nashville Airport, heading to Florida. It felt like a miracle, me walking normally, pulling luggage and going on vacation.
Ahh, Sanibel and the Blue Dolphin! Stef came down from Illinois and stayed at the Blue Dolphin as well. What a week we had. Shelling, walking, visiting, hanging with The B's. Rebecca went to the Sea School during the morning sessions on Wed-Fri. Next time, I think we will consider her attending all day, all week. It seemed to be her favorite thing to do and she was very well taken care of.
Rebecca revealed a side I had never seen before. The hilarious side! Oh, how funny she was. I laughed until I cried so many times! And the funny sarcasm as she talked to Stef was knee slapping funny!
Stef and I had nice morning walks on the beach. Coffee was made in her cottage, and she either called or just popped in to wake me up, carrying the pot of coffee. She was thrilled I was feeling good and was able to hop up, drink coffee and head to the beach for our morning walk!
The days seemed so long and the vacation seemed to last twice as long. Mr B tells me it is amazing how long the day seems when you don't sleep until noon! I must really enjoy sarcastic people! hehehe
The day after we arrived (Stef didn't arrive until Sunday evening....late evening)Ms B and I went overseas so I could experience the new Tarjay. Rebecca came along, and we had a great time! The new Tarjay was spotless, with wide aisles and items in their places. Ms B declined a marvelous hat and scarf that made her look like she just arrived from Paris. Why didn't I take a picture! ARRRGGHHH I had my camera. I usually have my camera. Don't know why I carry it since I don't take pictures!
When we left Ft. Myers we were hungry and decided to eat on Sanibel, possibly at Gramma Dots. However, as I drove by Pinnochio's I noticed they were opened. Having promised Rebecca several Pinnochio trips, now was as good as time as any. Why not? So, all three of us decided to eat dinner at Pinnochio's, and let me tell ya, there is nothing like fresh cookie dough ice cream for dinner. Hey, it's vacation!
One evening, Stef, Steve, Rebecca and I were hanging in our cottage, sitting at the table in our little kitchen when suddenly our front door opens and in walks a man with groceries. He looks up, rather quickly, and begins backing out, apologizing profusely. I told him no problem, and asked if he had anything good in his grocery sacks. Now, I had been on Lyrica for a week, and food had become my best friend. Weight gain, as a side effect, was pouncing on me! I walked outside onto the cottage porch and on the path was a couple, watching this man. The lady looks at me and says, "I keep telling him, 'Cliff, that's not your cottage'". That became a great line for us the rest of the week. Even now, in December, I may suddenly yell, "Cliff, that's not your cottage".
We saw Cliff on the beach, fishing, all week. He would speak to us, but always seemed shy and apologetic. LOL What fun that was!
Shelling was awesome. Shells rolled in not long before we arrived that weekend. We were fortunate to have HUGE piles directly in front of Blue Dolphin, many that no one had picked through. I finally found my dream shell, a gorgeous, whole, lion's paw. I will add photos here later. Anyway, I shelled less after finding the lion's paw, but Steve shelled mercifully. He found a shell graveyard on the water's edge and brought home some of the most amazing shells. I dug my hand into the sand and just grabbed whatever I felt. I pulled my hand out and it's full of shells, and my index finger even clipped a tulip and it was just hanging onto me. Gorgeous shells. However, I was trying to preserve my back/body and didn't want to overdo. I let him continue. The shape of the beach there was changed that week. HAHAHAHA Oh, and he found the most cutest cowry! Oh, I must get pictures taken and post!
One night, Steve, Stef, Tom and I went to Timbers for dinner. We took Rebecca to the B's as Rebecca was going to babysit Ms B while the adults were out. Timbers is an excellent place to eat and visit. Perfect ambience and it was a very nice evening. Upon returning to the B's we learned Ms B behaved very well for Rebecca, and the two of them had a grand time. Both are spoiled! LOL
Another evening the B's joined us at Doc Ford's, our all time favorite place. Seated next to the aquarium, we enjoyed the meal and company. The laughs we have when relaying our tales of the day...oh, so much fun!
Stef enjoyed the week and had a good time on the several nights she was with her Rent-A-Date (long story). Rebecca said her favorites were the Sea School and babysitting Ms B. Steve, obviously, enjoyed his many hours of shelling. One day he shelled at least 8 hours all together. Me? My favorite part is always visiting with Stef & Ms B and driving West Gulf Drive, watching Steve pick through his finds, shell by shell and the salty air. The food ain't too bad either!
No panther siting this trip. Phooey.
In November I then went to see Tony and Lynn. Tony had a procedure done in Indianapolis, and I went to Bloomington and stayed several days before going on to Lynn's for several days. Flossy and Lynn were at Tony's for the first night, and we had so many laughs! Lynn and I changing clothes back and forth, trying things on, discussing her special dress for the upcoming party. Tony comes around the corner, asking what was going on and tells us to get a room. Fun night that was!
At Lynn's it's always great to see my nephews, but oh to see Kaelin. She is so adorable and huggable. The cutest little girl ever! My bias is showing. Lynn made pumpkin pies that were so wonderful, I came home and made 6 within 2 weeks. Apparently my family likes her recipe as well!
Thanksgiving. Yummy turkey, the parade and lots of pumpkin pie. When you have that with your family at your side, Life is good!
Did I mention our new Walmart opened in October? I am a regular there. Typically arriving anywhere between 9 pm to 10 pm. The latest I have gotten home is 1:15 am. However, that was a shopping trip for "things" plus groceries. It's great to finally buy socks and milk at the same time. Bwahahahaha! And in this one horse town, there is never anyone in the store that late at night. I get front row parking and the entire store to browse without running anyone over!
I went to all of Ryan's academic meets, with the exception of 3 I believe. The medals and trophies that team has won this season is amazing! Can't wait to see how they do at the state competition! Very proud of Ryan! Speaking of Ryan, after 3 years, he had his bottom braces removed last week, with the hope the top braces will be removed next month. His teeth look so fantastic and STRAIGHT ! After all these years, hopefully we will get family portraits made soon. I wanted to wait until his braces were removed, so he wouldn't shoot me when he is an adult and looks at the photos. HAHAHAHA!
Rebecca? Longer hair, and even longer legs. She looks like a blond colt. And she is stunning! She arrived to double digit years, as she says. 10 years old and is now saying, "He's hot!". And she has EXCELLENT taste!
Lynn and Gabe celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary as little Kaelin celebrated her 1st birthday. Stef and I ? We just celebrate! hehehe
Kaelin wore several outfits during the evening. This one is stunning on her!
People gawking at the anniversary tiered cake with a fountain underneath. 
Happy 1st Birthday Kaelin !!
