Jehovah Rapha Come; Make Yourself Known!

So, recently I've noticed that I become agitated very easily and don't have very much patience for things. I got my prescription for Tramadol filled a couple days ago and read the side affects,which I haven't done since I started taking it. So, it's been awhile. It of course had a long list of side affects but one specifically that it listed was agitation. I was like yay obviously that is what is bothering me. Have you ever been snowed in, I mean actually snowed in for a couple days? Well, I have been at my Grandma's before with my mom and brother. It was for about three days longer than we intended on staying there. My brother and I were getting so restless that my mom made us do laps outside around the house. ha ha! Anyways, the feeling that I'm having inside my body is like being snowed in. I know it's kind of a weird comparison, but tis the season. I randomly want to kick, scream or punch something. I try to help myself and sometimes crying or talking about it really helps. ha ha! I am still in pain so, I know it's not time to wean off of tramadol yet, however badly I don't want to be on medication, I've realized that there is a time and a place for it in some occasions. Today was my last day of Physical Therapy. I was discharged after being there since May, so about seven months. Wow that's a long time. It's been a journey. So, as she told me that this was it she said "you look nervous." I said that I was and started to cry. It's been a long road and they've been there and I've gotten to know them. I guess if they feel confident with where I am at I am content with that. They said that the best thing that I can do for myself is to keep up my stretches and exercises. I know that I want to continually get stronger and healthier so, I believe that I will do that for myself!!

Testify!

As days become weeks and now that snow is starting to fall, I'm okay with saying I've missed a few days. I want to apologize for not letting you know "whatever did happen to me Sunday." They told me that one of my vertebrates got stuck or caught as I bent over because some muscles tightened or something like that. I've never heard of before. Since I've talked last I've traveled quite a bit to MO to see my brother and to NE to visit other relatives. While I was in MO visiting my bro at IHOP I enjoyed myself, but have since decided that if I am going to do an internship it is best that I wait till after January to go. Mostly because of my health and finances. Since I got sick I haven't been able to work. Though I have been busy trying to sell some stuff on eBay and that seems to help a bit. It's just like anyone else I got bills to pay every month. : ( The story of my sickness and what all happened still needs to unfold bit by bit.....I haven't forgot about you. I guess I was just being lazy and didn't want to make this a priority. As far as of late my health has been good. Every once in a while I will wake up with pain in my joints, but not too often. The pain in my back and glutes is still there, some days better than others and I'm still icing! Traveling is still uncomfortable to be sitting, or standing for any long period of time is difficult on my body. I want to tell you that when I went to my Dr. appt. in Sept. we did labs and then we talked about it on Nov. 4th when I went in again. She said that before I was hospitalized my F.A.N.A.  (fluorescent antinuclear antibody) (which tells if you have an auto-immune disease) was at a 3.3, while I was in the hospital a 3.5 and is currently sitting at a 4.3. So, she said that I probably need to talk to my Rheumatologist to get back on a immune-o-suppressive (like plaquenil) so that my lupus/transverse myelitis doesn't act up again. I have a Rheumatologist appt at the end of the month. I am kind of ready cause I don't want my FANA to go higher, but I also don't want to be on another drug like plaquenil with all the side affects! YUCK! My Neurologist was also really impressed with my progress, she checked my reflexes which were heightened in the hospital and even a piece of cotton felt like a knife on my skin, now one of her her metal tools on the bottom of my foot didn't even make my foot twitch. She had me walk like I was on a tightrope forwards and backwards. She said if a Dr. who knew you had Transverse Myelitis saw you doing that, they wouldn't even think you had it. I believe that I am a WALKING Miracle and that it is for God's Glory! Praise the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Whatever Happened To Me Sunday?!?

So, as I told you on Friday the physical therapist tried to do something new. A manipulation of some sort on my muscles and bones by applying pressure. Well it hurt quite a bit afterwards but I tolerated it. I think she bruised me. Anyways, Saturday, I did all of my stretches, some were more tight and painful than others. Saturday I managed just fine, it's Sunday that got me. Sunday I woke up got ready for church and then right before I was about to walk out the door I sat down to put my shoes on. That's where it happened a very sharp pain across my lower back. This pain felt like what people say a pinched nerve might feel like. I tried doing my stretches and that didn't help. I then found myself on the bed in the back bedroom. I couldn't move my right leg a foot off the bed. I couldn't roll over I was in so much pain. I was crying cause I wanted to go to church, the pain, and being in one of these situations yet again. I tried to sit up just enough to wipe my tears and blow my nose but it hurt to try to sit up, and to blow my nose. I thought that was pretty weird. We ended up calling a Chiropractor and we were told to ice it and go to urgent care. One because they can't see anyone on Sunday's and because I would need more than what they could do in one adjustment. So we iced it, got changed, that presented quite the challenge but go it done while having to bear the pain. My parents took me to urgent care good thing it was open on a Sunday. I wasn't feeling much like visiting the E.R. I didn't think it was necessary. We got to Urgent Care I was having trouble walking cause it hurt to step on my right foot. Also because I couldn't stand straight up. At urgent care they said they couldn't do an x-ray unless it was an accident. They gave me a prescription for cyclobenzaprine a muscle relaxer. They also told me to call my primary Dr. the next day and let them know. So with all that being said I've been sleeping a lot because the cyclobenzaprine makes me tired. I've been icing as much as I can, and taking aleve as needed. I have physical therapy today....how do you think I feel about going? Well let me tell you. I feel anticipation for what they are gonna do to fix this and yet a little nervous cause they made it do this once, why not again? Then also a little bit of anger cause they made/allowed it happen in the first place. I'm still in a lot of pain today better than Sunday, but I still look forward to feeling better soon!!

~Mallory