17 days off

It's a weird thing, being on vacation. It's as though since the first day of school each September I start to count down the days until my next vacation. I think this is normal and does not reflect on how I feel about my job. Who doesn't like to be on vacation?

Thanksgiving break was hard as I was still dealing with massive headaches. The 3 weeks from Turkey Day to Winter Break were exhausting as well. I've decided not to blog much about that save for the posts (which were actually emails to people) about the progress of my head. 

And now here I am, on the long awaited Winter Break and I am actually bored. I can't remember the last time I was bored. I am never bored during Summer vacation when I have days on end to do nothing but always find something. Today, however, I am cuddled in a blanket and mindlessly watching TV. I am waiting...but I don't know what I am waiting for.

The last few days of break have been hard on me. 

Sunday night I came down with a kidney infection but didn't know it. I was hot and cold and cold and hot all at the same time. And I hurt. Finally, by Tuesday my family told me to call the doctor, which I did and the doctor told me that I have a kidney infection (my first ever). She put me on meds and by Christmas Day I was covered in hives. I called the doctor again and told her of this severe reaction. She switched my meds. I reacted again. By Friday my body was literally covered from head to toe with hives. I stopped all of my meds (I counted 8 prescription bottles) and bought benydral to rid myself of hives. I still have hives today but I'm hoping to recover soon. I even stopped my headache meds and now my headaches are back. 

I'm tired of pumping my body full of chemicals. I prefer to limit my chemical dependency to coffee alone. 

My current boredom, then, stems from my lack of luck regarding my health. I've spent days on end sitting on my couch. In many ways this has been good for me. It's good for me to sit and rest. To sit. And rest. The truth is that I'm okay with being bored for I believe it is better than being too busy. 

I have moments when I consider reading my book, or cooking, or writing. I patiently wait for those moments to pass. And though I may be contradicting myself here - I actually feel good. I feel rested, peaceful, and full. I'm thankful for one more week of vacation and at the end of the day I'm thankful that God found a way to keep me from being busy, even if it meant discomfort.  

In a bit I'm going to make a summer squash/zucchini lasagna and then a pasta dish. Tonight I am hosting House Church and we are having a Mexican Fiesta. 

But for now I sit and heal and wait. And I am patient in this moment.

I'm getting better

I just made my grocery shopping list even though I bought groceries last night it seems I have to go back for more today.

Here's a list of another kind:

- I am feeling better. The headaches still come, but they are not as mighty and they do not last as long. And, the best part, they do not come everyday.

- I am on Winter Break

- I bought a MacBook 2 weeks ago and barely know how to use it.

- Last week at school was chaotic: a pulled fire alarm one day, a power outage the next, followed by a fabulously timed Snow Day.

- All of my Christmas parties are already done. I got a new winter jacket (yeah!), 4 solid colored mugs, a food chopper, 2 Kleen Kanteens, and a pair of socks. 

- My good friend Carrie (and Dan) gave birth to Henry Danger early Sunday morning.

- My little sister Deb (and Matt) gave birth to Greta Joy Monday morning.

- Matt's sister-in-law Laura (and Ben) gave birth to Amelia Josephine Monday evening.

- My house is a wreck.

- I want to write more here, for me, for you, in general, but the words are still not in my head. 

And now I'm off to Meijer to buy food for these new momma's.

peace.

Hopefully the last of it

This morning I met with a Neurologist to discuss these massive headaches. I took the day off of school - the whole day - and it was good.

Last week my family doctor put me on 2 meds to help me with my headaches. One of them is a pain med (Darvocet) and the other is for prevention (we'll call it Ami for short). Wednesday night was the first time that I could take both meds. They BOTH warn of extreme drowsiness and caution against operating machinery. I was excited. Thursday morning when I awoke I could barely hold myself upright...but I was able to turn on my computer, sign in for a substitute teacher, and crawl back into bed. I slept for 4 more hours. Yikes. I thought the meds were working because I didn't have a headache! yeah! I didn't take the Darvocet and I cut Ami in half. 

This worked until Monday when the headache came back. She came back very slowly - kinda teasing and taunting me. I took a full Ami that night and Tuesday my headache came back full strength as well. To say that I was annoyed is an understatement. 

When I met with Dr. S this morning I gave him a brief rundown of the last month. He, like the previous 2 Doctors I met with, confirmed that I am suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome. I don't know why, but it was good to hear that again. It's kinda like I thought it was no big deal, you know, like the doctors made up some random syndrome for how I feel. But Dr. S said that I have a textbook case of it - all of my symptoms confirm it. I think it took 3 times before it finally sunk in, "Oh - oh I really have this weird thing. Ok." 

He said that there is nothing we can really do for me - that time is the healer in this case. He did explain Ami a bit more and gave me a regimen for how to use it and a time frame. It looks as though it will take the better part of 2 months for my headaches to go away (best case scenario). Dr. S was a very nice man and very helpful.

When I asked him about my MRI, "Did it show that I am very smart?" He replied with a laugh, "YES! It showed that you are a genius!" He's a good man.

Yesterday I also met with a Dietitian to discuss my Food Allergies. I am low on protein and Vitamin B12 which can cause fatigue. She also outlined a very doable plan for me which includes eating fishies 3 or 4 times a week (I normally eat fishies 3 or 4 times a Month!). I also have to try eating only egg whites (the whole egg literally makes me sick to my stomach). And she recommended Odwalla juice and spinach salad.

For the previous 2 weeks I was keeping a Food Journal. I was nervous about showing it to her because it covered Thanksgiving weekend (homemade biscotti!) and 2 days at a conference in TC. Yikes! Instead she looked at my log and said, "You eat so well! I'm very impressed. You know a lot about food." She said it more than once and her affirmation meant a lot to me - especially right now. I will meet with her again in 2 months (and continue with my Food Journal) and we'll monitor if I feel better or what.

Whew. It's been a crazy few weeks. I am really looking forward to some down time over Winter Break. Of course, my niece will be born over the break - which means I have a lot of holding to get in. No rest for the weary! 

Thanks for checking in. I hope this day finds you well.

I forget!

My apologies that my blog has been such a downer lately. But you are my friends so you walk this story with me, right? And this is my current story.

I went on Darvacet Monday night - can't tell the difference yet but maybe soon?
And today I picked up a script for prevention of headaches. So we'll see what happens, eh?

My appointment with the Neurologist is Wednesday, December 10 at 9:45 a.m.

And that's all I have for now.

The call finally came in...

I have news, but not much news. Just a smidge of news. A smattering, if you will.

Good News: I received a voicemail from Dr. Miller that said, "diane, I have the results of your MRI. Please call our office. It's good news." Yep. That's all the info that I have, but I'm going to Assume that I have never had a stroke.

(20 mins later) I finally just spoke to my Doctor on the phone. I did not have a stroke. She is quite concerned about my headaches and the way that I describe them to her. Additionally, I am not one who traditionally has headaches, so we're trying to get to the bottom of this. She is putting me on 2 nightly prescriptions, one for the pain (Darvecet?) and one for prevention. She also wants me to see a Neurologist. Apparently I'm having daily migraines and they're most likely linked to the Concussion.

Bad News: My headaches are getting worse. I spent the last 6 days using the Scientific Method trying to sort out when I get headaches, how often, does coffee help or hurt? is it best for me to be alone or what? And from this very precise process I have learned that I get headaches whenever they feel like coming and nothing helps nor hinders. So. I've had enough of it, enough of feeling as though my head is slowly being squeezed by a giant pair of hands. Enough squinting and lack of concentration.

Good News: I am wearing a lovely chocolate brown sweater today. If you know my story from 2 years ago then you know how monumental this is.

Bad News: My 4th hour. Oh my. Pray for me over the next 12 weeks. It seems that the new headache medicine is coming at a good time.

Just News: I am leaving within the hour to go to a conference in Traverse City. I shall return Wednesday evening.