Thursday, November 11, 2010

Quick-ish rant.

I absolutely am SICK of doctors. Yes, I'm over the moon that after 900 tests (for basically everything) this doc did FINALLY look at & touch my shoulder, determined there is in fact something actually wrong with the muscles on my shoulder (go figure huh, only told them since day three, ten years ago when I first inju...red it).

Second part of this rant: I am allergic or have violent reactions to some medications. Some different muscle relaxers & pain killers cause me to pass out and be violent in my sleep - seriously, while taking Darvocet after Mikeal was born I attacked my ex in my sleep - he has scars and bite marks on his back (he was passed out drunk, he likely doesn't know to this day) I even bloodied my own nose in that dream-fit, by slamming into his shoulder, which is what woke me up. The active ingredient in Darvocet and other similar pain meds/muscle relaxers is what causes this (I can't think of it and not going to look it up again, I know it starts with a 'P') so I stay away from it. Seriously, from what I can remember of the various events and what I've been told I was like while 'asleep' and taking this makes the Exorcist look like a kids' movie.

I'm also allergic to prednisone & steroids in general - break out in hives, swell, that sort - nothing major, but still, I've always caught it in time. Now, I tell my docs this info ALL.THE.TIME including the dermatologist that I saw just two weeks ago for a rash that has been treated with MANY different creams, ointments, and home remedies, to no avail, for 5 years now, even stating to her that I know that one of the steroid creams I had been given broke me out BADLY. She took a biopsy of the rash, gave me a single annoying stitch, and called me in a stronger than I have been using prescription cream (which was a non-steroid cream) to apply 3 times a day. I've kinda really slacked off using it like I'm supposed to, but have been diligent for the last two days, since I see her again tomorrow. I realized this evening that the rash actually seems to have gotten WORSE! I read the package insert again and realize the issue. It's a steroid cream. *headbang wall* My hands even have small traces of hives looking areas.

Then of course they always are pushing me to have a flu shot - I've only had one in my whole life - never have had the flu - the one flu shot experience put me in ICU for 3 days - deathly allergic to the flu shot.

I'm just completely fed up with it all! I could have SWORN that there was a reason docs & nurses ask you about your allergies, reactions, etc to different drugs?! And could have SWORN that there was a reason they write all this stuff down! Not to fail to mention the fact that I wrote out a huge (4page) list of allergies, medical tests, ailments, etc before even seeing the new doc for the first time, so that I wouldn't forget anything and they would have all the information! Do they just not read what they write down? GAAH!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Another Medical Update

Brace yourself!

This is going to come as a real shocker!

Do be sure to be sitting down.

Also, make sure all beverages are out of close reach!

The doctor ...

...actually...

...LOOKED at...

and

...TOUCHED...

...my shoulder!

You know, only because I started going to the doc ABOUT my shoulder...some 6 months or so ago...

Over this last 6 months or so I have seen/been tested for :

An allergist about my consistent congestion in my head...determined I have an over sensitive nose, gave me nasal sprays, problem solved.

A neurologist to check for carpel tunnel in my hands...determined I do not have carpel tunnel.

A dermatologist about a rash on my leg that's been there for some 5+ years, treated with SEVERAL different types of OTC creams & prescription creams...they did a biopsy, gave me a more potent cream, and I go back in on Thursday to see what the result was of the biopsy.

A sleep specialist about my consistent lack of energy & extreme exhaustion...determined I ALMOST have a mild, VERY mild case of sleep apnea - sleeping with a CPAP machine now for the last few nights....I still only get about 3-4 hours of sleep a night, most nights of the week...one child keeps me up late and the other gets me up early, the late to bed one still gets up in the middle of the night, most of the time. Plus, the pain in my shoulder still disturbs my sleep, when I am able to pass out from exhaustion.

I had a CT scan done that showed that I have a VERY small cyst in one of my sinus cavities...no real treatment for that outside of the nasal sprays.

Then of course I've had bloodwork done that has determined that I have perfect cholesterol, my hormone levels are all perfect, yada yada...one test did come back showing I had an overgrowth of a bacterium in my stomach that causes ulcers, was treated for that, all is well again...plus not taking any NSAIDs on a many times a day basis has done wonders for not irritating my ulcers.

Imagine the utter surprise FRUSTRATION that all of these tests and all of these treatments have done NADA, ZIP, ZILCH for the pain in my arm and shoulder! If anything, because I'm no longer taking the NSAIDs, neurontin, yada yada for the pain, the pain is actually WORSE. Now, I'm not talking about some piddly bruise type of pain. I'm talking pain that feels like someone has taken a simple wooden pencil, lined it thickly with dull barbs, and someone sits there, rotating it as if it was a spit over a fire, through the muscle that runs just above my shoulder blade.

I have dealt with this now for 10 years now. In fact, the original injury date was November 21, 2000. I fell down a flight of stairs. The first ER x-rayed my leg, told me it wasn't broke, have a nice day. The second ER, later that evening, discovered that I was pregnant, hence the reason for my extreme shortness of breath. Two days later I saw a doctor about not being able to really use my arm without this pain...she gave me some exercises to do, on my own, sent me on my way. Every fucking doctor since then has blown me off in similar nature. Treating me like I was just in there for pain killers, etc.

A whole fucking DECADE of dealing with this, and after seeing this doctor now for about 6 weeks, she running every other freaking test, up to and including sending me to a psychologist, has FINALLY TOUCHED my SHOULDER!

And guess what!

She noticed something!

*GASP!*

I have this HUGE knotted bulge EXACTLY where I have been saying my problem lies. *GASP*

Its so bad that she's going to send me to have an MRI done OF MY SHOULDER! My LEFT SHOULDER! The one that bloody hurts worst than 100% natural childbirth all.the.fucking.time! I've had a 100% natural child birth, I know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! When I tell these docs that I rank child birth as a 7 on the pain scale and this pain in my shoulder is an 11 you'd think they'd get the hint! Especially since everyone says child birth is so ungodly painful! ...I had my natural childbirth 3 weeks after the injury to my shoulder.

She is also sending me for a second opinion, with a different neurologist, to not only check for nerve damage in my arm/shoulder, but to also see about the frequent migraines that I have. She wanted to put me on amitriptaline for the migraines. I haven't personally taken it, but I know all too VERY well how Brian was both on that and then when he came off of it...that scared the SHIT out of me! I am terrified of having a similar reaction, so we're going to try to figure out a root cause and go from there.

I also see my therapist in the morning. Last time I saw her she asked me to come up with just one thing to try working on right now. I still haven't figured that out, so we'll see how it goes.

I'm open!

I have finally launched my online store, on Facebook!!!

Search for me at BooMonkey Creations!

I'm constantly adding more inventory, as I get it photographed. I also take custom orders, just send me a message, I'll do everything I can to make it what you want!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

It has Begun



I am gearing up to start my own shop. I will be creating an online shop for easy ordering, just working on getting everything individually photographed, a few more items made up, etc. I'll share the name of the shop after I have it set up...I don't need some hoodrat bogarting the domain name I have picked out before then. ;-)

In addition to the pieces of beaded jewelry that I have been working on I will also be selling seasonal items - starting with the angel ornaments I posted the other day and some hair bows that I made up this evening. So far I just have one design completed, but do have three more designs at this time that I'm going to be finishing up and getting posted.

These particular bows are on 2inch French Barrettes and I will be selling them for $4 each...I think. Prices are currently under review and I absolutely welcome feedback!!!!


Thursday, November 4, 2010

Our 150lb Lap Dog



His name is Moose.

We've determined, based mainly on his size, that he is a Bull Mastiff.

He showed up in the 'neighborhood' about two weeks ago. Started hanging around our place about a week ago. He'd cower and run off anytime I would go out of the house, always with his tail tucked between his legs. He tied up our Mini-Schnauzer, LugNut,...we'll see what the puppies look like in a few months. I can't even begin to imagine. Mikeal started feeding him about 3 days ago and he warmed up to us. He's just a BIG BABY! We put a blanket on the porch for him yesterday. Today he came in the house for a few and all he wants to do is be petted and loved. He's quite leery of going into the kitchen & bedrooms. We keep the dog dish in the kitchen & while trying to familiarize him with the layout he'd follow commands towards the kitchen, but would cower and belly crawl across the kitchen floor, before stopping halfway, crying, then retreating out of the kitchen.

It is QUITE obvious that he was abused in his previous life. Possibly even used for fighting. He appears to have a few broken/missing teeth and several scars on his head and body. He's EXTREMELY obedient. Did I mention he just seems to want to be petted. Anytime I take my hand off of him to do a bit more typing he'll nudge my arm back off the desk, onto his head. He's currently sitting in the hallway, crying at the bathroom door, because Brian walked in there and is now no longer in sight.

He's quite HUGE now, but due to his lack of regular feeding and status as a stray for the last few weeks, at least, he's lost a bit of weight. You can see his ribs. He stands about 26inches tall at the shoulders, we estimate that he weighs about 130lbs right now, just based on my ability to pick him up and compare him to Mikeal's weight....Mikeal weights almost 80lbs and is a 'cinch' to pick up in comparison.

Oh, and Brian...he's 6'1" and weighs about 250lbs and they're sitting on a full size couch...