I was loading my dishwasher this morning and fighting with a plate refusing to fit in. It wasn't really the plates fault. I was in severe lower back pain and trying to get the task over as quickly as possible. I was also trying to fit way too much into this particular load.....as you do!! … Continue reading “Where There’s A Will There’s A Way”….Is It Really That Easy?
It's official! My spine is full of shenanigans and my Specialists can't quite find a way to fix it, not without creating even more shenanigans. My spine is completely unstable at l4/l5. L3/l4 isn't far behind it but the pain I experience from the severity of the instability at l4/l5, smothers pain I would be … Continue reading Spinal Shenanigans….It’s A Little Complicated
I thought my body couldn't possibly surprise me anymore. I thought I had a good handle on the reality of my diseases and on so many levels I do! I wrote a blog post recently, called "Sending The What Ifs Of Life Packing" It's all about focusing on "What Is" rather than "What If". So … Continue reading “Do I Get Fries With That?” Dealing With Chronic Illness Side Dishes!
My title might suggest a study in economics but rest assured it is not where I am heading with this. The Law of Diminishing Returns Refers to a point at which the level of benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested. When you live with chronic illness, over time your expectations, … Continue reading The “Chronic Illness” Law of Diminishing Returns
Inspirational Quotes surround us in today’s world of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Throw away lines are designed to both challenge and motivate us. Do they, or are we overwhelmed by the many thoughts, sayings, likes and shares that crowd our day? Do we really take time to reflect and ponder and listen to our … Continue reading The COVID-19 Gift….Time To Stop, Time To Ponder!
When you've lived with Chronic Illness for a number of years, at some point, you adjust to a new way of living. You eventually find a new norm. While you might expect a few highs, lows and some disease flares along the way, generally life evolves into a settled and comfortable pattern. Until it suddenly, … Continue reading “Would You Like A Second Opinion?”… Surreal And Scary!
You know that feeling when you are completing a jigsaw puzzle only to find that a piece is missing? It’s a devastating moment. Your stomach turns just a little. All that work, all that effort, all that anticipation of a final outcome. A completed picture was the awaiting reward but it’s been snatched away from … Continue reading Finding Your Way Through A Chronic Illness Conundrum
Only 3 months ago I was writing about how "surgery can't come soon enough" We knew even then there was a risk of surgery failing. We knew my bone disease was behaving erratically and had a mind of its own. Despite the risks of surgery failure we just didn't have a choice. We had to … Continue reading Here We Go Again…..Spinal Surgery Take Two!
I'm a week post L4/L5 laminectomy and decompression surgery. I've been home from hospital for 5 days and the road to recovery has begun. Well sort of. I really feel like I'm still in survival mode. My Surgeon tells me we did the right thing proceeding with this surgery. My spinal cord was severely compressed … Continue reading The Spinal Surgery Recovery Road
My Spinal Specialist appointment went well. I think that's the best description under the circumstances. I managed to walk to his office using my walker and I thought I was doing well. As I entered his room I smiled as brightly as possible. However the pain in my eyes and my inability to move faster … Continue reading Surgery Can’t Come Soon Enough!
