First time I went to the chiro by myself and really wasn't prepared for the reality. You expect certain things as you get older but it's like all major changes, you really aren't as prepared for them as you think. (It's tough being human!) SS yesterday was a lot about that: you pull from your well of righteousness after it is built up - not when it is needed. In short, got a lot of answers a new lumbar pillow (heaven) and a handicapped tag application. The latter made it real - - really real. Sometimes you need to slow life down and get off the wheel for a while to get perspective. There usually isn't time for that. This is one of those times.
I think the part the got me a little worse was the pain that came after the therapy. I know improvement will come but the intermediate does not feel good. Coming home to a house that needs a thorough cleaning and not being able to do it physically is kind of the icing on the cake.
Regardless, my goals are the same and they are in place to help Anna 1st. Can't do that without being at my best. I'm looking forward to better days. I had to make her go to class when she realized that I was having a "moment". She's very loving, caring, and puts the "pedal to the metal" - she really does try to be His Hands and Feet on earth.
Enough for now.
P.S. Food thing is going well.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Day 2 was a success food-wise. We stuck with it well. Proud of our efforts. Tomorrow is another crazy day for Anna, school-wise. Back is somewhat better, but not near where it needs to be.
Mine is improving somewhat. My pain levels are not 24/7. More excruciating watching her hurt - which is definitely 24/7.
God showed out at church today. Nothing like watching a church full of men of all ages go to the altar and pray over their leadership roles, their families, and what lies ahead. God be with them all.
God's got us - backs and all. He's going to use this situation for his glory!
Mine is improving somewhat. My pain levels are not 24/7. More excruciating watching her hurt - which is definitely 24/7.
God showed out at church today. Nothing like watching a church full of men of all ages go to the altar and pray over their leadership roles, their families, and what lies ahead. God be with them all.
God's got us - backs and all. He's going to use this situation for his glory!
KATHY: God knows what we need when we need it.
Here is your Verse of the Day:
Galatians 6:9 (NIV). Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up....... Thoughts on This Verse... Weariness is a part of life. Weariness is a part of ministry. Weariness is definitely something that overtakes us when we set our hearts on doing good for other...s. The wonderful blessing of God, however, is that he will renew us and sustain us and rekindle us. He does it through the encouraging word of a friend. He does it through his presence, the Holy Spirit in us. He does it through songs that lift our hearts. He does it through Scripture and prayer. So while our bodies and spirits may get weary, let's not let our hands fall idle. If we will serve with faithfulness, discipline, and integrity, God's grace will empower us to do what he has called us to do.
Day Two, My First Entry:
Anna:
Yesterday mama and I began our journey to becoming healthier. I've heard the second day of any challenging situation is always the hardest, but today has been relatively smooth in regards to staying on track foodwise. It may have to do with the fact that I have an amazing support system (my mom) to help and guide me along. I've tried numerous times to make healthier choices on my own, but I think now that I'm doing this with my mom it's making a real difference. I know that that's easy to say when I'm only on my second day of all of this, but I really do feel like this is different. I'm looking forward to what's ahead!
Anna:
Yesterday mama and I began our journey to becoming healthier. I've heard the second day of any challenging situation is always the hardest, but today has been relatively smooth in regards to staying on track foodwise. It may have to do with the fact that I have an amazing support system (my mom) to help and guide me along. I've tried numerous times to make healthier choices on my own, but I think now that I'm doing this with my mom it's making a real difference. I know that that's easy to say when I'm only on my second day of all of this, but I really do feel like this is different. I'm looking forward to what's ahead!
Day 1 went well
February 18, 2012
Kathy:
Yesterday we began (halfway through the day) DAY 1. The whole story is way too long and will sound like (sob) we are asking for sympathy (which we are not). The EXTREMELY short version is that we are both diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis. Anna - extremely unstable (not going there as to WHY), and me - - well I've got two but only grade 1. Arthritis in the spine, slightly degenerated vertebrate that are zig-zagging all the way down - well you get the picture. We have recently joined an on-line support group for those of us with this wonderful disease! :)
Back to yesterday: Dr. gave Anna instructions to go, basically, Atkins, for two weeks. She had done so, got sick, was provided comfort food by her loving mother and, well, you know . . . off the wagon. So we began last evening with my first creation that we actually used when we began BEFORE: Cucumber slices, with a thin layer of whipped cream cheese, a fragment of turkey bacon (crispy), and topped with a black olive slice. We both had about 10 of each. It was very filling and very, very good. We ended the evening with fresh strawberries and used Mousse Chocolate Temptations (S-F) for our dip. Also good - but I bet I could find/make a better one. Not bad for a first day.
Day 2: Sunday- began the day with my coffee and my (refuse to give up) creamer, a cheese stick, some turkey bacon (Anna had her banana). After church, ran by and picked up a staple for this household (coffee) more bananas and more fresh strawberries. I had already pre-prepped Taco Soup with ground turkey and all the veggies, it had slow-cooked and was ready to go when we returned. Added Oikos Greek Yogurt (plain) instead of sour cream, a little extra sharp cheese for flavor and protein and then napped. Snack time consisted of fresh fruit salad of Straw/bananas with no extras. Satisfying.
Pain-wise - I got out of bed at a ZERO!!!!! The first step into the church building led to immediate hurting in my sciatica (SP?). I had a muscle relaxer since my quad was like a rock but didn't catch it in time. By the time I reached worship - I was in full-blown status. I kept going in and out of the nerve radiation that comes with collapsed discs. Anna was truly concerned although she was hurting 3xs worse than me.
After lunch we did our therapy, took our pain meds and napped a couple of hours. Did our therapy again and voila - here we are.
GOALS?
1. Take off about 15 in 2-3 weeks. (Not out of vanity, but out of necessity). 2. Reduce the pain levels significantly, if not altogether
3. Stay out of the operating room
4. Have a normal life (whatever that is)
When I got the double Spondo diagnosis, I teared. Not for me. But because Anna needs my help and I can't be down - so I have all the reasons in the world to stay up. She has reasons too - primarily to have all the chances life has to offer.
Lastly, I think socially, a chronically ill person needs understanding. It's not gonna happen if people don't know (or don't care). So I called our pastor on Thursday and just wanted him to understand WHY she and I had missed so much church for so long and that we will be beginning year three of her medical issues in July (that started, by the way, with her collapsed in the floor in the dressing room at Dillard's and me promptly going across the street to our doctor's office (not saying which) and basically losing it at the front desk. They were sweet enough to pull the PA who took me to the back office and took all details and we set up her first of many long, painful appts. The last I want to say about that is they helped her and we need to make sure they know that.
I'll reveal more as I decide to . . . or maybe not.
Kathy:
Yesterday we began (halfway through the day) DAY 1. The whole story is way too long and will sound like (sob) we are asking for sympathy (which we are not). The EXTREMELY short version is that we are both diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis. Anna - extremely unstable (not going there as to WHY), and me - - well I've got two but only grade 1. Arthritis in the spine, slightly degenerated vertebrate that are zig-zagging all the way down - well you get the picture. We have recently joined an on-line support group for those of us with this wonderful disease! :)
Back to yesterday: Dr. gave Anna instructions to go, basically, Atkins, for two weeks. She had done so, got sick, was provided comfort food by her loving mother and, well, you know . . . off the wagon. So we began last evening with my first creation that we actually used when we began BEFORE: Cucumber slices, with a thin layer of whipped cream cheese, a fragment of turkey bacon (crispy), and topped with a black olive slice. We both had about 10 of each. It was very filling and very, very good. We ended the evening with fresh strawberries and used Mousse Chocolate Temptations (S-F) for our dip. Also good - but I bet I could find/make a better one. Not bad for a first day.
Day 2: Sunday- began the day with my coffee and my (refuse to give up) creamer, a cheese stick, some turkey bacon (Anna had her banana). After church, ran by and picked up a staple for this household (coffee) more bananas and more fresh strawberries. I had already pre-prepped Taco Soup with ground turkey and all the veggies, it had slow-cooked and was ready to go when we returned. Added Oikos Greek Yogurt (plain) instead of sour cream, a little extra sharp cheese for flavor and protein and then napped. Snack time consisted of fresh fruit salad of Straw/bananas with no extras. Satisfying.
Pain-wise - I got out of bed at a ZERO!!!!! The first step into the church building led to immediate hurting in my sciatica (SP?). I had a muscle relaxer since my quad was like a rock but didn't catch it in time. By the time I reached worship - I was in full-blown status. I kept going in and out of the nerve radiation that comes with collapsed discs. Anna was truly concerned although she was hurting 3xs worse than me.
After lunch we did our therapy, took our pain meds and napped a couple of hours. Did our therapy again and voila - here we are.
GOALS?
1. Take off about 15 in 2-3 weeks. (Not out of vanity, but out of necessity). 2. Reduce the pain levels significantly, if not altogether
3. Stay out of the operating room
4. Have a normal life (whatever that is)
When I got the double Spondo diagnosis, I teared. Not for me. But because Anna needs my help and I can't be down - so I have all the reasons in the world to stay up. She has reasons too - primarily to have all the chances life has to offer.
Lastly, I think socially, a chronically ill person needs understanding. It's not gonna happen if people don't know (or don't care). So I called our pastor on Thursday and just wanted him to understand WHY she and I had missed so much church for so long and that we will be beginning year three of her medical issues in July (that started, by the way, with her collapsed in the floor in the dressing room at Dillard's and me promptly going across the street to our doctor's office (not saying which) and basically losing it at the front desk. They were sweet enough to pull the PA who took me to the back office and took all details and we set up her first of many long, painful appts. The last I want to say about that is they helped her and we need to make sure they know that.
I'll reveal more as I decide to . . . or maybe not.
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