The Update After the Appointment...Plus Thanks...

Well, I promised an update, and here it is.

I had my appointment at 2 ET. It went okay. They've put me on Flexeril for my back pains. It's thought that the scoliosis MAY be worsening once again. If you recall, I had my spine straightened in 1998. That won't be known until we figure out if the new chair will help matters.

Speaking of the new chair - I will be going to the Drake Center in Cincinnati sometime this winter for an evaluation. They'll determine what will work best for me in terms of a wheelchair.

Finally, as to my depression, I'll be monitored closely to see what happens with that.

And, they're setting me up with a pulmonary doctor and an adult urologist.

Now, some thanks need to go out to Cliff of WIXY's Gone Bananas fame as well as Frasypoo (Joyce) of This and That fame and Jen of Unglazed fame for the prayers throughout the afternoon. They were, and remain, much needed at this time.

The hardest part of the week is over. Now...to return to "normal" - if I can call being in pain and yet not depressed "normal"...

Courage + Belief = LIFE

New Doctor, Same Frustrations

Well...I go to my new Spina Bifida doctor this afternoon around 2. This doctor will be seeing me about every year from now on for Spina Bifida-related care. This is good news, as I've needed a doctor of some kind for the last 3 months thanks to Children's Hospital's sudden change of policy last August with regards to my care.

However...there's a lot of the same frustrations that I've dealt with for the last 3+ months still. I'll list them all here...

1) My headaches continue. I have dealt with headaches for some time. Occasionally, when I go a day or two without caffeine, if I get the standard "bi-weekly" headaches in the midst of that stretch, they get 10 times worse. I'm not kidding about this one.

2) My wheelchair problems. Needless to say, the first thing this doctor is likely to do is take one look at my wheelchair and say, "What are you DOING in something that small?" The problem is...because of the above sudden change by Children's, I was unable to secure a new chair. See where this is going?? Possibly for this reason, but more likely others as well...

3) ...my back continues to give me hell. This week might have been the WORST in terms of my back pain. I literally was screaming at one point on Tuesday night, it was THAT bad. I didn't sleep that night. Because of that...

4) ...my problems with sleep cycle continue. Sure, I'll sleep 8 hours, but...it's never a certainty that that 8 hours occurs at nighttime. I get on track once in a while for a couple days...then something will happen to me and I'll be thrown off. It's frustrating. In fact, I slept from 11 Wednesday morning through most of the day.

Hopefully this doctor can solve at least problems 2 and 3. I'll be even happier if he can solve problem 1. Problem 4...well that might not be so bad once the other two major issues are solved.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Clearing the Brain

I needed to write something to clear my brain tonight. So, let's see what flows out...and by the way - I had to edit it, my appointment is Thursday. For about 10 seconds that it was published, it said Monday. See what I mean???

This is a little thing
To clear my big brain
Going through a lot right now
And lot runnin through my head

Goin to the doc on Thursday
Not sure what to expect
Is he going to want X-Rays?
Hope my back isn't too messed up

Need to be somewhere else
About 14 hours away
What's going on I dunno
I worry about her a lot

People around me struggling
I ain't gonna lie, it takes a toll
I want to help, but yet, I either
Can't, or am not sure how

I guess what I'm trying to say
Is there's just too much happening around me
I need this world to just STOP
And let me catch my breath!

Courage + Belief = LIFE

What Are You Thinking? - Not Removing Funds Until Too Late

Here we go with a "What are you thinking" post...for the uninitiated I got this idea from Alex Shebar, who worked at the Enquirer until layoffs earlier this year sent him out the door. He posted several things about local quirks...I started out with the same thing, but for this post, I'm transitioning to a more broad-brush idea.

Recently, I took a trip to a local bar/eating establishment on KY 18 in Florence. (Here's a hint: it features some hot women in distinguishable uniforms.) I was there for lunch with my stepfather and brother on a Tuesday afternoon.

As was my custom, I paid with my credit card when the bill came around and needed settled. I didn't think twice about it, expecting the money would be withdrawn right away, so there would not be an issue with me not knowing how much I had left in the account.

How stupid I was.

Turns out, they did NOT withdraw the funds from the account for 3 days! Big, big problem...I didn't have the funds there by this point (I was short by JUST less than 4 bucks) - and consequently was hit with darn near 40 bucks in overage fees! Boom. I was now 47 bucks in the red.

Luckily, my mom came to the rescue and bailed my fat out of the fire.

But...the fact remains that the money didn't come out of my account for 3 days. Had it come out right away, I would have been a LOT smarter.

I know where I'd have been. Had the funds come out on the 3rd as soon as I spent them, it would have left me with just over $85. I wouldn't have spent much else past that at that point.

Still, the fact that places are ALLOWED to wait up to THREE DAYS before taking funds...it's frustrating. Especially since ATM's take the cash automatically...

Bottom line, to those businesses that wait 3 days or more to take funds out of accounts...WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Friday Freestyle - Saturday Early Morning Not-so-sleepy J Edition

It's time now for one more go
The freestyle's back, and it's been awhile
But y'all, that's okay, that's quite alright
We're gonna get this thing started after a long night

Been trying to relax for much of the week
I feel like I'm just getting very weak
But that's probably due to the small chair I'm in
Y'all, don't take it as though I'm complainin'
I wouldn't wish this on any worst enemy

It isn't a picnic for this 24 year old
But y'all, I somehow manage it anyway
Everyone chill, y'all I GOT THIS
It hopefully won't be long before it's licked

Nor'easter went through the eastern coast
My forecasting abilities, of them I shall not boast
I didn't do that great calling the track
But that's alright, I'll learn as I look back

Listenin to early morning music on the Q
Good mix to get this Saturday AM goin'
Thought I heard Holly'll be at the mall later
If she is, there I'm definitely headin'

So, I just thought I'd throw out this random thing
Don't have a lot, for sure no real bling
But I'll be back in 7 days, till then stay blessed
Don't even trip, y'all, don't be stressed

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Two Dollar Bills...I've Never Seen One Till Now.

I was at church yesterday evening, and was playing Wii Bowling. I had played 2 or three practice games when I was approached by Jonathan Kirk, one of the other guys in the young adults ministry. He wanted to challenge me to a game.

Of course, I accepted the challenge. He then raised the stakes as we got started with a 2 dollar bill up for grabs to the winner of the game.

I soundly defeated him, 204-132 (or somewhere in that neighborhood anyway), and he paid up.

I've never seen a $2 bill before...so I took these pictures.




I'm hesitant to spend it...but, money is money, right?? ;=)

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Random Sunday Thoughts

Just a couple thoughts on a Sunday afternoon, following a Bengals win...

Watched some Strikeforce MMA last night. Fedor Emelianenko is a BEAST! The right hand he threw to win that bout was SICK! They call him the best, last night he proved it...

I'm so tired lately it isn't even funny. Seriously, it sucks bad. I'm always yawning, never feel like doing anything.

I've got an appointment on 11/19 with a doctor who's taking on all the patients from the Cincinnati adult Spina Bifida clinic. That clinic closed this year. Hopefully, this doctor can get the ball rolling on getting me a new wheelchair.

Speaking of that, I do need a new wheelchair. I first got this one in June 2004, after a car crash destroyed the previous one which had been purchased in 2003. That accident, on April 26, 2004, may have destroyed the wheelchair, but obviously, didn't destroy my spirit. Anyway, I'm supposed to get a new chair every 5 years - and in fact, I asked my previous doctor to send in some paperwork confirming medical necessity...but that didn't happen. Thus, I'm currently sitting in a wheelchair that has become too small for me, due to my increased weight (120 pounds) and height(5'6").

Bengals and Bearcats both win which I'm highly pleased with. Bearcats go to 9-0, Bengals are 6-2. Double WIN in my book...

Ok, my brain is empty so I'm gonna go...just remember...

Courage + Belief = LIFE