Missing you...Columbus

I'm missing being outdoors hiking, camping and generally exploring.  I'm missing being free to go where I want, when I want.  Right now, most of all though, I'm missing Columbus. 

I've been in the city multiple times over the past few months for appointments and such but I don't have the chance to drive around, get lost and explore the city like I enjoy doing.  I haven't been to any events, festivals, parks, restaurants, museums or just had the chance to walk around.  I miss Columbus.  A lot. 

My love of Columbus came on slowly.  Growing up in Northeast Ohio I never spent that much time in the city.  We usually went to Akron and then on to Cleveland if we were going anywhere.  Columbus wasn't a huge draw for us.  But, since I've lived in Athens it has become a city I've gotten to know more and more.  First, just traveling through; shopping; going downtown for trainings for work; and staying with my cousin in Dublin.  Then, I started having some health problems and began to rely on The OSU Medical Center for all of my care.  Frequent trips for appointments; prolonged stays due to procedures and surgeries, etc. really had the city growing on me.  The more I became familiar with my surroundings, the more I liked it. 

Then, one day I realized that this Columbus was where I wanted to be.  My trips became more frequent.  I went more and more for pleasure.  I moved all my doctors to OSU since they are so much better and it gave me a bigger reason to be in the city.  (Plus the facilities, customer service and just general care is hands down EXCEPTIONAL as compared to the clinics and hospitals that I had been going to.  I will now drive the 1.5 hours to Columbus to go to the ER at OSU Medical Center if I need to instead of going to the local ER.  I've done it-twice!)  Now I have signed up for a gym membership in Columbus too.  (I'll coordinate my physical therapy schedule around my visits for now.  I'm so excited to go swimming in the beautiful lap pool!)

So for now, I'm missing my city.  My City.  I never thought of myself as a city girl.  I grew up in the middle of nowhere and went to college in a small town environment (BG is not like OSU.)  But somehow I've fallen in love with this city that is on the edge of a great reform and transition.  The riverfront is growing and moving forward.  Downtown is making progress and I adore work that has been done on the buildings, the new park and seeing new restaurants and unique shops pop up.  The city's economy is trying; and the diversity is vast. 

I really love Columbus.  All of it.  The neighborhoods around the city are so interesting-the German Village; the Short North; Arena District; Easton; OSU; then all the suburbs.  I'm a big fan of Upper Arlington, Dublin and Worthington.  The shops in the downtown areas of the suburbs are divine.  I spent waaaaaaay to much money when I spent a day shopping in Worthington.  But walking around and enjoying the summer and the pleasant town was worth every cent.  I've taken all of my short weekend vacations there and am praying hard and working hard to find a job in the city soon so I can move in the near future. 

Will I want to live in Columbus forever?  Probably not.  I've found I have a bit of a wandering spirit.  I loved living in Florida, but was ready to leave there after a few years.  The same has been true with Southeastern Ohio.  More to the point there are other places around the world I really want to explore.  I'm dying to travel to South Korea, Scotland, Germany, and the south of France.  I'd like to see myself living in Korea for an extended period of time, (I really need to start working a little harder on learning my Hangul!)  Possibly Scotland too.  So, who knows what my future holds.  However, right now I want my foot to heal so that even if I can't move to Columbus when I'm all better I can at least start enjoying my city on the weekends and long breaks again.

Where do you want to go?

So, I've been thinking...

Hey friends, I'm back tonight.  I wasn't quite ready to log off after all.  I was out in the kitchen unpacking my medicine kit and I had a thought. I've had this particular thought several times lately and I've decided to go ahead and do it.  Maybe people will read it, maybe not.  We'll see.  I'm not asking for pity. Or advice.  (Friends, I hate advice, my health is mine and I know how to deal with it.)  I just want to share my medical story and all the problems I've had health wise.  I'll explain some of my conditions, talk a lot about procedures, doctors, doctor visits (both of those good and BAD), medications, schedules, etc.  It will probably be in bits and pieces and if you want to share some of your story, please feel free to do so.

Tonight, I thought I'd start out simply.  My current medications.  It's kind of funny, if you don't have to take them, pay for them or really think too much about it.  ;)  I shot a few photos while I was putting them away.  I tried not to show all the labels (I need a tad bit of privacy), but you get the general idea.  And to be honest.  This is as much for me to maybe 'remember' someday how much I was taking back when.  Maybe in a few months or a year I'll look back on this and think 'Holy Crap' I was taking that much stuff?'

So, without further ado, this is what my day looks like, medication wise.  Enjoy?

My morning.  (From left to right) My first chug of my new med, my powder in my tea, 1 vitamin (huge), 2 chewable vitamins, 1 capsule, 1 tablet, the first of this capsule, and the first of this tablet.  Lovely.  8 medications to start the day!

This combo will then happen 2 times.  Once at lunch (if I actually eat, probably not), then later when I get home from work.  Yummy!

And this is my bedtime routine.  I hate the bedtime routine.  It is large and so much!  1 chug, powder, 2 huge vitamin pills, 2 sprays (each nostril), another huge vitamin, another tablet, 2 more tablets, another tablet, another tablet, the 2nd of this capsule, another capsule and the last tablet.  Yeah!  12 more meds! Who hooo!  Can you say moo-la!

Now this section is what I like to call my incidentals.  These are my current daily required incidentals.  1 capsule, at least 4 dissoluble tabs, and at least 4 little pills.  (The little pills are my happy pills!)

These are my other incidentals.  Some I very rarely, if ever take.  Others I take somewhat regularly.  My benadryl is a regular, the large white tabs are migraine pills which are regulars and the inhaler can be a regular in the summer.  The other 2 we really hope to avoid at all cost!

 Well, I hope you've been intrigued by this strange post.  All told I take 18 different medications currently, 30 doses of medications daily, and 38 pills, powders, sprays, chugs all in total.  Wow.  I find that amazing.  I'm a chemical stew!

November 9 - Thankful (Plus a few photos for a welcome change of pace)

Today I actually took a few photos to put up here on my photo blog.  What an accomplishment.  I am amazing.  Can you hear the sarcasm dripping in my writing?  Its there, believe me.

Before I post them, let me bore you with several things.  Some much needed information about my day and my list of things I'm thankful for today.

First off, it has been a unique day.  At times I have been extremely happy and high as a kite (quite literally.)  Other times, I have been dashed against the rocks and as low as a person can be.  Pain is a bi**h.  I actually (against doctors orders) took my Oxycontin 2 times today.  The pain was bad.  I really didn't eat anything significant to speak of, even with all the pain medications, but I really needed it to get me through.  I have such a long list for the GI tomorrow.  I am working on my assertiveness and am going to be VERY firm and EXTREMELY honest with him.  Maybe I should print out some of my logs from this blog to show him exactly how I've been feeling.  Its a thought. 

The good news is that my appointment with the ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) went very well.  The looked at my vocal chords and they are in great shape.  The problem with my voice is actually because my throat and mouth are WAY to dry.  I have dry mucus in my throat.  How does one have dry mucus?  I am confused about that but believe the incredibly handsome educated and smart doctor and am going to start a new medication to help with the problem.  He said it all probably began with all the medications that I take.  About half of them cause dry mouth and throat and it is just making a slightly natural predilection for me worse.  So, we'll work on that.  Easy enough solution.  I just hate taking 2 more pills a day.  With that my count will almost be up to 30 pills/doses of medications a day!  OMG - I'm only 31.  Can you imagine where I'll be when I'm 40?

On to the next topic of conversation.  My thankfulness.  Today I am thankful for:

1. Books - I stopped at Barnes and Noble to get my 'dinner' (a croissant-not too doughy, a banana, and a hot apple cider) at the Starbucks there and browsed around the children's section.  I found the most adorable book about an Owl and I can't wait to read it to my preschoolers tomorrow or Friday!
2. Directions - The directions to the clinic for the ENT were great and I got there with no trouble at all.  I was early (big surprise for me) and had plenty of time to use the restroom, take my pain meds (thank you God) and drink a protein shake well before my appointment so I didn't risk vomiting when they did the camera down my throat.
3. My organizational skills - I have all of my things neatly packed and stowed away and all is set for the night and for the morning.  Hopefully all will go smoothly and I will be up and ready in plenty of time to leave my motel room and make the 15 minute trek down the road to the hospital for my doctor's visit in the morning.  (Sorry, that sounded really vain didn't it?)

Okay, now on to a few pictures.  I hope you like them.  Have a lovely evening and a wonderful tomorrow.  Love to everyone, everywhere (can you tell I'm high again?)  Enjoy!

A very ominous sky while I was driving after my doctor's appointment.  Spooky!

The sky getting a bit brighter!

A bright and glorious sky!  Beautiful!

The book I got at Barnes and Noble.  Isn't it so cute?!

Some fabric I picked up at Jo-Ann, etc.  Hmmm....

I'm home

Hello friends, I'm home.  Yesterday I left Ohio State Med.  I had been there since Tuesday afternoon and sadly, nothing has changed.  I had several tests, some very unpleasant and had help keeping my pain under control.  Now I'm home and waiting...none of the doctors know what the problem is and I'm lost.  I'm taking this week off of work to sort out my feelings and try to come to terms with what is happening, especially if no one can find anything to help.  I'm waiting for a few more test results, but honestly don't have much confidence that they will reveal everything.

Please be patient with me as I try to find my footing.  I'm a bit emotional right now and very confused.  Is it just me?  Am I being to sensitive?  Am I crazy?  I hope not and I pray the doctors will continue to help.  But, for now, I'll go. 

Best to all.  I'll try to take a few photos in the coming week and post something interesting for you.

April

Crafting Weekend

I've had quite a weekend.  I meant to get more done and be really productive, but that hasn't happened.  No, that's not true.  I've been productive, just with fun things!

Below are a few photos of some crafty things I've been working on this weekend.  Enjoy!

My newest embroidery work.  I really love this sunflower and the pattern around it.  I'm thinking I'll work the design into a purse or tote.

This is all I got done on the pattern this weekend, but I should have time to work on it this week...

My needle book.  Made of felt and I love the colors.  But my button hole is awful and the rest of my sewing was substandard.  Don't know what was going on there.

The back of my needle book.  My good embroidery needles are in here and this is perfect for work on the go!

Interior of the book. I really like the pink and green together.

My new purse!  I have downsized in a MAJOR way.  I no longer want to lug around a huge purse and this new one was a pattern I came up with this afternoon.  I Love It!  I've been walking around the house with it on!

The back.  I really like these fabrics.  They came in a bundle and are from a Moda fabric line.

My new handle design.  I've had the D rings and have wanted to use them.  It was actually really easy and I like the effect and flexibility.

Interior.  Coordinating fabric and lots of pockets.  They are all big enough for my Blackberry and camera.  I also boxed the bottom so it has a little more width.  I'm going to try it out for a few days and then maybe start another one that I'll make a tutorial with.

On another note.  I had hesitated saying anything, but just in case.  I'm having my next EGD this coming Tuesday.  (Its only been 5 weeks since my last one!)  But, I've been having a lot of problems and have an infection that won't seem to go away.  I have been told by my primary doctor to prepare that if the infection is still there and not getting any better, I may have to stay for a few days at OSU.  Its really not a big deal. Just that the next stage of medications have to be done in IV form and I'll have to be at the Medical Center for 2-3 days to be monitored.  I'm anxious to do it, as the pain is bad and I would like a few days away from everything!  I really want to get better and am excited to be 'waited' on for once!  I've been prepping lots of embroidery projects and things to take with me.  Two to three days of sewing, TV, reading and just 'laying around'.  I'm kind of starting to think of this as a possible vacation! 

Anyway, just thought I'd give my friends and family a heads-up.  Its no big deal.  My parents are coming with me to the EGD and will help me get settled in IF I have to stay.  There is a chance I won't have to but, like I said just in case!

Have a great week everyone!

Day 6: Dream a little dream of...

Today's writing is about what I dreamed last night.  Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep last night and don't recall any dreams.  Instead I'll tell you about what happened when I was 'out' for my procedure today.  I'm wishing it was a dream, but...

Today I had a procedure that is becoming quite routine for me.  However, as all things medical go, I've never had a 'routine' experience.  Somehow there is always something different or 'off' each time that makes each experience unique.  (How I wish this wasn't so!)  Today something happened during my procedure that does not normally happen and I pray never happens again.  I didn't get to speak to my surgeon after the procedure (he's the chief of surgery and often has to skip out right afterwards.)  I spoke with one of his residents but decided to wait to speak with Dr. Melvin about this at my follow up in a couple weeks.

So things started out normally.  Hooked up to my IV, tons of routine questions, into the procedure room and start to get ready.  The nurse got me all set, the doctors came in and things were ready to go.  They put this lovely bite/tube in your mouth, shoot you up with a lovely combination of medications and soon you feel a bit drowsy and fall into a 'dream like sleep.'  Usually you are pretty much out and don't know what's going on and/or feel anything.  On one prior occasion I had had several procedures with anesthesia in a few weeks and I had built up a tolerance.  I was 'numb' to what was happening but stayed pretty much awake throughout the process.  I thought it was kind of cool to hear what the docs were saying and see a little bit of what was the camera saw on the monitor. 

This time, however, I was 'asleep' but at the end of my procedure something happened.  I 'woke up' and could feel everything but wasn't able to open my eyes and (obviously since I had a tube down my throat) to speak.  I felt the tube in my throat, I heard what the doctors were talking about (the infection in my esophagus), and to my horror, felt when he took a biopsy.  The pinch and stab was not pleasant.

At some point they must have either given me more medication or I just fell back under because the next thing I remember was being back in one of the rooms.  When I woke up the memory of the experience was fresh and frankly I was a bit upset and frazzled.  I mentioned to the nurse when I was finally really awake that I experienced quite a bit of the procedure and she was a bit horrified herself.  I didn't go into detail and as I said didn't get to speak directly with MY surgeon, but rest assured this will be something we talk about at my visit and hopefully we can avoid having this happen again.  Honestly, its still kinda freaking me out and I don't want to talk about it any more.  I have a feeling I know what I'm going to dream about tonight and I don't think its going to be pleasant!