Merry Christmas
We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas!
-The Atlanta Fabs
1 comment December 25th, 2008
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I’m back to normal, well as normal as I can be…
16 days in the head pain clinic in Michigan and the cure is a diaretic and blood pressure medication. Low and behold. I had begged the GA docs for the blood pressure meds, but they just refused. Apparently, I have high spinal fluid pressure, which is like high blood pressure of the spine. All this pain and suffering for 12 weeks and a water pill is my saving grace. Additionally, they think I may have had a small stroke. On the 31st, my local doc will do a lumbar puncture to check my pressure. The 2 taps I had, they had not recorded my pressures.
I did have steriods injected into my epidural space, twice, to help “coat” my spine and neck. I don’t know if this has helped my pain or not.
Each week of the head pain, I went to a new doctor or tried a new procedure of some kind. I was not sitting back waiting for the doctors. I essentially managed my own care. I’m glad I did, because if not, I still would not be well.
The place I went to in MI was incredible. Yeah, it’s a hospital and I think it’s incredible. They focus on head pain and the goal is to make you well again. I have my life back thanks to them. Literally, I have my life back. No more nasty, horrible head pains that left me lying on the couch, rarely even leaving my house. I can finally enjoy my kids, husband and our new house.
I “think” I will be returning to work on Monday. They terminated my employment due to being sick and off on maternity, so now it’s a matter of them telling me what job I have now. So, we will see. I’m just happy to not be in pain any more.
Add comment October 21st, 2008
No idea what day it is, but it’s a good day!
I have no real clue how long I’ve been here, I think it’s 9 days, but I have made progress. Today is a ZERO head pain day. YIPPEEEE. I had a cervical epidural block yesterday and outside of the horrible back pain, which was resolved with some good muscle relaxers, my head pain is a zero today. I had a zero for a few hours once during the week, but today it was all day long. I feel like my old self. I took over an hour walk outside, chatted with fellow patients and watched a movie. Tomorrow during the doctors rounds I am going to ask about when I can get this procedure done again and if we could start to transition me onto what my home medications would be. I am hopefull that by mid next week, I will be pain free and back to my kids,…. I miss them terribly! And I miss Brian of course.
I have a scheduled MRI for Tuesday, again, to check the status of my brain. Apparently there is a legion on the right frontal lobe that no GA neurologist told me about, I found out the day before I came here. Well, they are speculating that with my blood clotting disorder that I passed a clot in my brain and thats the way it leaves it’s mark. I don’t know for sure though, who really does.
Ironically, I met a girl named Gabbie here that is from a town just next to where we live in GA. She actually was from MI too, but 12 years ago moved to GA. All her family are here as well. Well, her kids go to a private school about 2 miles from our old rental house in Dunwoody. Her headaches started bad after her last child, 5 years ago. She has seen some of the same head doctors like I have down in GA and she has sought her care here in MI the last few years because no one down in GA could help. I don’t feel so alone as that is exactly what I experienced with the GA docs. Lucky for me, I am getting treatment early.
Some folks here are all better, some are really suffering from withdrawls as they have a no narcotics policy so they have to be weaned off, and some are on the road to recovery. Each day is a new challenge, but it’s so nice to be in the company of so many that know exactly what this is all about. I will miss some of the great people and nurses when I leave, but I will look forward to being the “old mommy” as Braylen says it.
4 comments October 4th, 2008
Day 2 of the head pain hospital
Yep, we have internet access in the hospital. Who would have thought!
Today is my second full day, I arrived on Thursday night. So far, all is well. This headache center has a good process and I feel like I will leave with my head pain under control or gone. They expect me to be here 10-12 days.
Every morning you meet with a team of doctors and they round table what your care should be, the next step and any change in meds. It’s actually pretty neat. The nurses are on top of you each day as to how you feel. Here’s the nice part, you are not confined to your room, and actually, they want you to walk outside or visit with others in the ward. You are responsible for getting your own linens and towels, you have to get your own food and eat in the dining room and there are different activities each day as well as support groups you go to. They even have a laundry mat for us to do our laundry.
I am only 2 days in, but am really hopefull they will be able to help me.
4 comments September 27th, 2008
Michigan here we come
In just a few days, Bresden will be the newest Fab to fly on a plane. Braylen, Bresden ,and myself are flying into Detroit on Saturday so I can be admitted to a hospital in Chelsea to “try” to get rid of the 9 week headache. I think Braylen is more excited to see family and friends then to fly on the plane, so it should make for a fun plan trip. His excitement will probably take my mind off my headache. Although, the baby or the flight could make it worse….which I hope neither happens.
And to all the family members that have sent cards and/or well wishes, I just want to say thank you. I’m sorry if I have lacked in responding, but having a headache 24/7 for 9 weeks now has just zapped me. And with all the weekly doctor appts, I loose track of days anymore.
We’d love to see everyone while we are in town.
Add comment September 17th, 2008
Picture of the boys
With the state of my health, an the fact that I can’t be on the computer much, I never got around to posting a picture of the kids. Here’s a picture of the boys from when the baby was a month old and Braylen just turned 4. Thought I would share since I never was able to get announcements out. (I get sick before I could get them done)
Add comment September 2nd, 2008
Happy Mothers Day
I just wanted to wish everyone a happy mother’s day! I hope everyone enjoy’s the day.
2 comments May 10th, 2008
