I'm now medically prepared for the arrival of my grandson mid-December. Today I got my H1N1 vaccine. Last month, at my regular doctor appointment I got the seasonal flu shut, but finding the H1N1 vaccine was a lot tougher.
My pregnant daughter was part of a study of the vaccine in pregnant women. So, she's pretty serious about making sure everyone who comes in contact with her son is healthy.
I've been waiting and watching for weeks to find the vaccine around here. Wake County, NC, did hold a few clinics earlier this week, but they were only open to certain groups of people. I actually fit in the priority list -- I will be helping with a newborn, but it's difficult to stand in line (besides my pain being a deterrent) when I'm not pregnant or don't have a small kid.
Finally, my doctor received a small number of vaccines and knowing about the coming grandson, I made her list. Hooray for primary care physicians who care!
Now, I'm protected and counting down the days till I'm a grandma!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
American Pain Foundation -- can I help?
Last Friday, I spoke with Darisse, North Carolina's volunteer leader with the American Pain Foundation. She was a captain in the Army and a helicopter pilot until she hurt her back. Like me, she feels that the chronic pain has forced her to re-look at who she is now. I enjoyed our conversation and want to work with people like her.
Why the APF? I like their web site and believe in their mission and vision. The organization has been around since 1997 and serves people with pain through information, advocacy and support.
Is there anything I can do to help? Darisse is looking for people to help spread the word in NC. We had a great talk and I got very excited about the idea that I could help and maybe make a difference to someone who is struggling with pain. Then I started to look at their web site again.
Where to start? What can I really do? It's almost overwhelming. I definitely think now (finally) I can be a positive representative of "People with Pain" and just need to find my place. I'll keep looking for my specific place.
For now, I hope you will take a minute to visit the American Pain Foundation's website, because like they say -- people with pain have a right to timely, effective, appropriate pain management.
Why the APF? I like their web site and believe in their mission and vision. The organization has been around since 1997 and serves people with pain through information, advocacy and support.
Is there anything I can do to help? Darisse is looking for people to help spread the word in NC. We had a great talk and I got very excited about the idea that I could help and maybe make a difference to someone who is struggling with pain. Then I started to look at their web site again.
Where to start? What can I really do? It's almost overwhelming. I definitely think now (finally) I can be a positive representative of "People with Pain" and just need to find my place. I'll keep looking for my specific place.
For now, I hope you will take a minute to visit the American Pain Foundation's website, because like they say -- people with pain have a right to timely, effective, appropriate pain management.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A web site finally ... mostly
Welcome to the T5 website ... finally. I've been working on this site for months. Motivation ... lacking. Direction ... lacking. Purpose ... lacking. Talent ... diminshed. I could have titled this "I'm not as smart as I used to be." I used to whip out projects that involved writing, creativity and details. Not so much anymore. I decided to upgrade from the lackluster FrontPage for web site design to the most popular tool -- Dreamweaver. Wow. I sucked it up and bought the entire Creative Suite. It can do anything ... if you can figure it out. Finally, I figured out ... the basics.
Current status on T5, the book? The book is written and I am doing my final editing before turning it over to a professional and unbiased editor. I had put the manuscript on the shelf and was contemplating if just writing it was enough ... or did I really need to print/publish it. I've decided. It's time to at least print enough copies for friends ... and then get started on my next project (I already have the name, but I'm not telling yet).
The blog? I always have something to say about my back, but since I was just writing for myself, I put it in my journal instead of a blog. Now that I'm ready to move on the actual book, it's time to get back to blogging about T5.
The web site? Too many details in html for me. You forget one letter or make one typo and the whole site doesn't work. Way too much brain power needed for a person in pain. It's amazing how much energy I spend on pain and trying to control it which results in me not being as smart as I used to be. I just don't think as detailed anymore. But I got a simple site published and now I'll take on the task of upgrading the site ... a little at a time.
How's my back? Seeing as the last two weeks have been overwhelmingly gray (as opposed to sunny and bright), I'm struggling, but this morning as I look out the office window, I see sunshine, so maybe today is MY day. Hope yours is great.
Current status on T5, the book? The book is written and I am doing my final editing before turning it over to a professional and unbiased editor. I had put the manuscript on the shelf and was contemplating if just writing it was enough ... or did I really need to print/publish it. I've decided. It's time to at least print enough copies for friends ... and then get started on my next project (I already have the name, but I'm not telling yet).
The blog? I always have something to say about my back, but since I was just writing for myself, I put it in my journal instead of a blog. Now that I'm ready to move on the actual book, it's time to get back to blogging about T5.
The web site? Too many details in html for me. You forget one letter or make one typo and the whole site doesn't work. Way too much brain power needed for a person in pain. It's amazing how much energy I spend on pain and trying to control it which results in me not being as smart as I used to be. I just don't think as detailed anymore. But I got a simple site published and now I'll take on the task of upgrading the site ... a little at a time.
How's my back? Seeing as the last two weeks have been overwhelmingly gray (as opposed to sunny and bright), I'm struggling, but this morning as I look out the office window, I see sunshine, so maybe today is MY day. Hope yours is great.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
No Enjoyment from a Simple Glass of Wine
I longingly remember the days when my husband and I would enjoy a glass of wine, or local wine tastings, or visiting wineries. No more.
Last weekend my husband bought a bottle of wine sure to please my sweet-leaning palate. Yum. We were hanging out with a plate of crackers and cheese and one glass of wine. It tasted wonderful. It was fun. It was simple enjoyment.
20 minutes later and I was sound asleep. The room had been spinning and I couldn't move. Can't a girl get a break and one evening of enjoyment? Not me. I take an opiate pain killer to reduce the chronic pain from my broken back. I would never drink much and certainly not in a public situation, but I just thought I could get by during a simple evening at home with my husband. Not anymore. Not even one small glass of wine is OK these days.
I know, it's not the end of the world and there are plenty of other things to enjoy. I know I'm whining. Sometimes I just have to say it. Living with pain is no fun! OK, I'm over it and ready to move on and enjoy the day -- without the wine or whine!
Last weekend my husband bought a bottle of wine sure to please my sweet-leaning palate. Yum. We were hanging out with a plate of crackers and cheese and one glass of wine. It tasted wonderful. It was fun. It was simple enjoyment.
20 minutes later and I was sound asleep. The room had been spinning and I couldn't move. Can't a girl get a break and one evening of enjoyment? Not me. I take an opiate pain killer to reduce the chronic pain from my broken back. I would never drink much and certainly not in a public situation, but I just thought I could get by during a simple evening at home with my husband. Not anymore. Not even one small glass of wine is OK these days.
I know, it's not the end of the world and there are plenty of other things to enjoy. I know I'm whining. Sometimes I just have to say it. Living with pain is no fun! OK, I'm over it and ready to move on and enjoy the day -- without the wine or whine!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Weather Changes Mean Body Changes
It's gray again today. The weatherman says that later today the sun will return, along with wind. That's means the barometric pressure is changing and my body is feeling every change ... and not in a good way.
Also adding to my current body challenges is my firewood pile. Last Friday, I got firewood and stacked it neatly. I knew I would pay a price for my efforts (but sometimes you have to be willing to pay a price to get things done). The price I am paying is lasting longer and more intensely than I expected. I'm going to have to rethink the firewood trip next year.
I even resorted to taking a muscle relaxant, along with an extra pain killer. I'm not happy with my body today and realize that even if I WANT to do something fun, I really NEED to just rest and recuperate (and maybe make cookies for my wonderful husband -- but I promise I'll use the electric mixer and not do the mixing by hand which adds to the back spasms).
Also adding to my current body challenges is my firewood pile. Last Friday, I got firewood and stacked it neatly. I knew I would pay a price for my efforts (but sometimes you have to be willing to pay a price to get things done). The price I am paying is lasting longer and more intensely than I expected. I'm going to have to rethink the firewood trip next year.
I even resorted to taking a muscle relaxant, along with an extra pain killer. I'm not happy with my body today and realize that even if I WANT to do something fun, I really NEED to just rest and recuperate (and maybe make cookies for my wonderful husband -- but I promise I'll use the electric mixer and not do the mixing by hand which adds to the back spasms).
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