The Wordy Wednesday Post

In total contrast to my earlier Wednesday post, this one is wordy.

As mentioned in a previous post, I now have a neurologist. Monday I met another neurologist who performed an EMG on me and a neurologist technician who performed a nerve conduction study. Let me get to the point, OUCH.

The nerve conduction study measured how fast my nerves send signals. This was done by sticking electrodes on me and then electrocuting me at numerous points on my hands, arms, feet and legs. The pain was the worst at my forearms, elbows, ankles and knees. The shocks were hard enough that I was worried that they were going to zap my heart out of rhythm, but the tech assured me that would not happen. For some reason I thought I was done after the tech rolled the electrocution cart to the other side of the room, but she didn't invite me to sit up. She did say, however, that she'd be right back with the doctor, so in comes the doctor and the cart is rolled back. Not a good sign. My regular neurologist told me about the test the doctor was about to perform, but I thought maybe, just maybe, I didn't have to have it. No, I was getting an EMG or an electromyogram or as I call it "stabbed with a darning needle." The purpose of an EMG is to listen to and measure the electrical activity of your muscles at rest and at contraction. This is done by inserting a needle into the muscle and then after a moment or two you contract your muscle. They started with my back which means the doctor went down both sides of my spine with that needle. It. hurt. so. bad. When I am in a lot of pain, I don't cry or sob, but my eyes will water and water they did when he stabbed my back. The part that freaked me out was that the nurse would dab up the blood with cotton balls. I was then asked to turn over and had no idea how I was going to lie on my back after that exercise in torture, but I did and my mind was soon off of the pain because I got stabbed in the calves and thighs numerous times. The doctor kept assuring me that he was almost done. I stopped believing him when he said it the third time. It was extremely hard for me to contract the muscle with the needle sunk into it. It was sadistic because it hurt worse when I did that. So there I was with my eyes watering, a tightly clenched jaw--surprised I didn't crumble at least one tooth--and a few "That hurts. That hurts." thrown in for good measure and the doctor informs me, "I am using a child's needle." I guess that was supposed to make me feel better in the sense that if he had used an adult size needle I'd be in a lot more pain. Thanks, Doc. Way to cheer a girl up.

The test finally ended and the doctor printed out the report. The good news is that I did not have a Guillain-Barre episode, but the bad is that I do have to go through one more test for more answers. I also learned that I have nerve damage in my feet and a nerve that runs down from my knee to my foot does not take a direct route. It does a loop around my ankle before going to my foot. The doctor couldn't figure out the numbness in my hands, which is a relatively new sensation. I have a pinched nerve only in my right elbow and that nerve would only cause numbness in my pinky finger. So all that pain and I am no closer to finding out what the heck is going on. And you know, that pain didn't stop with the test. I hurt for the rest of the day, all of the next day and my back and elbows still hurt. Initially huge welts appeared on my back where I was stabbed, but they finally went down and turned into bruises. My elbows haven't stopped aching from the shocks. I seriously felt and feel like I was beat up by the neurologist and his side kick the tech.

Word to the wise be wary of nerve conduction studies and EMGs.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl. . . . .

. . . but she's not a baby girl anymore. Last Tuesday Katie turned six. It was a tough birthday for me because the weekend prior while organizing in the shop I found a toter of keepsakes from when she was a baby. Seeing those items unearthed a flood of memories. Earlier that week I found a bag containing all of the keepsakes from the hospital, such as the gown Rick was wearing, the caps we were wearing. It all has gone by so fast and gosh, when I look at Katie now, I cannot even remember how small she was that August 14 six years years ago.

We like to change what we do for Katie's birthday. Last year we did the big princess blow out and went to Disney. We were planning on flying over to Disney for a quick four day vacation, but because of tae kwon do belt testing and my doctor appointments, it just won't work out. We also looked at going to the Gaylord in Grapevine, but there really isn't anything going on for kids during the week days. So we settled for a "Just The Three of Us" party. Rick and I decorated the dining room, ordered the cake, got flowers and managed to wrap all of the presents without her every catching on. When she woke up from a nap on her birthday, we had a sash for her to wear that said "Birthday Girl" and we escorted her to the dining room and her throne. It was a bit of a surprise for her because we never let up that we were going to do a family shindig at our house. She thought we were going out to eat. Anyway, we sang "Happy Birthday"; she blew out her candles which had colored flames; we ate cake and she opened a mountain of presents. Katie said it was her best birthday ever. So like Rick said, "Mission accomplished."

As for presents, her main present from us is a redone bedroom with the piece de resistance being a new loft bed. We also got her quite a few Lego items to build. From her Aunties she got a leather kit where she can make a wallet, key chain, coin purse; a jewelry organizer and nail polish. From her cousins, Aunt and Uncle, she got money. From one set of grandparents she got money and the other set got her books one of which is recorded in her grandparents voices; and a rock painting kit. After each gift she said, "Thank you. I really appreciate it."

She still loves Scooby Doo

 We went with the jewel tones of purple, green, pink and turquoise. Those are also the colors of her new, big girl bedroom.

 Waiting to be escorted to her party

 The traditional "blowing out the candles" shot

 Let the ripping begin!

As noted in the beginning of this post, I was running into a lot of stored keepsakes and that is because we are doing major reorganization/reducing. We emptied Kate's walk-in closet and put a closet organizer in there and it looks so nice now and you can even walk in it! I have finished the kitchen cabinets and drawers and pantry. The dining room cabinets are next, as well as our walk-in closet. It is freeing to rid the house of junk and to simplify and downsize. Nine years ago a fire destroyed everything I owned. While struggling to find a positive from the devastation, I found relief in no longer having a junk drawer and that stays with me to this day. If I haven't used it in six months, out it goes. I try to do this every six months. Rick does not follow the plan because we have the gigantor Quonset Hut, but I feel mentally happier without crowded drawers and closets.

A week ago Saturday, Kate tested for her red belt in tae kwon do. There are four levels of red belts and this is her first one, so she has three more red belts to test for before she tests for her black belt. She's nearing the end! She loves tae kwon do and we are so proud of what she has accomplished.

Acting as the attacker in a one-step

 Taking down her black belt partner in a one-step.

 Doing her high-blue belt form during testing

Now, as for doctor appointments. I am back on bone loss medication because I am showing bone loss. No big shock there because of my lactose intolerance and low calcium intake. I also broke down and saw my doctor about my migraines. I am on a daily medicine that I take whether I have a migraine or not and another prescription that I take if I do get a migraine. The second medication stops the migraine rather quickly, but the daily medicine did not decrease the amount of migraines so the dosage was increased. Another issue I have is a numb patch on the outer side of my left thigh. It started as soreness, progressed to intense itching then numbness and intermittent red hot tingling. I was referred to a neurologist and have another test to go through. The initial thought is that it is Guillain-Barré syndrome, albeit a mild case and not deadly as some cases can be. I am already on the upswing. As a side note, I was in the exam room waiting for the neurologist and in walks the mother of one of Katie's tae kwon do friends. We were both a little taken back especially since we have chit chatted at tae kwon do. I typically don't know the last names of the kids in tae kwon do, so I never made the connection.

Yesterday Kate received her red tae kwon do belt at the Team Chip tae kwon do Belt Ceremony.

 Kate sliding her high-blue belt behind her signifying putting her past behind her.

 Her black belt presenter tying on her red belt belt. She looks pleased as punch with her new belt.

 I have absolutely no clue what this pose is all about. I stopped taking pictures after this because I could tell more weird faces were going to come.

I know I am forgetting some major event of the past few weeks, so if the forgotten included you I am sorry for the oversight. Kate starts school next Monday and I hope to have a little more time, but not to spend on myself, just to clean this darn house! We have just been running, running, running and I have been struggling just to get dinner on the table. It's a good night if we are eating before 7:30 pm. Time to get Katers out of the bathtub before she's a prune. Ciao.