SHINGLES

The diagnosis is in---FINALLY--SHINGLES I didn't want to show what the gorrie details looked like of real shingles so I chose a nice roof shingle instead.
Yep--that's been the source of all of the pain I have been in for a little over a year.
I woke up in June last year in severe pain. I thought I had slept crooked. It didn't go away, didn't go away and didn't go away!!!
I tried everything. Ibuprofen, Aspirin, A few Rx Narcotics, Muscle Relaxers, Heating pad (as a matter of fact, I still sleep with it on all the time, you name it, I tried it!!!
Last August (2009) I was teaching a Primary lesson and after I was finished I was in so much pain I drove myself to the emergency room. The fear at that time was the return of my Kidney Cancer. NOTHING--all good!! Yay no cancer.

In September of 2009, I finally gave in and saw my obstetrician--someone I trusted, and if I had to have a hysterectomy, face it, I was 48 years old and ready to get rid of everything. Besides, he was getting ready to serve an LDS Mission as a mission president for three years and if it has to come out--get it done now. NOTHING--as a matter of fact, the tests from that showed some previous problems were getting better. Woo hoo!!

In December and MRI was done. This turned out to show that I have a bulge in one of my discs--thankfully not L4-L5. It is up higher and allows more mobility than if it were those two. I also have an anular tear (what ever that is). But again no problems from that. So NOTHING--again!

This year I have had another CT scan--nothing, but because it was somewhat abdominal, they decided for colonoscopy and upper endoscopy would be in order to rule out Colon Cancer and/or Ulcer! Again, NADA, except a polyp that could turn cancerous--so thanks to my wonderful family history of colon cancer--I am now a candidate for colonoscopy every three years, rather than every 5 or 10!

So, back to the drawing board. I saw the doctor about 3 weeks ago and she said "I think it may be shingles". But, again, no other regular Shingles symptoms. I like to keep them hopping. I have always been a bit ATYPICAL. The only thing I have had for this entire year is the pain, but the pain is where most shingles would occur--one sided, back to front, inside pain. And I had absolutely no rash--go figure.

So, this pain is a neuralgia (nerve related from the shingles) and I will hopefully be getting some relief on Friday after an epidural injection is done. I have also been started on a prescription that is given for seizure therapy, but is also given for nerve pain, such as shingles! Right now is is giving me a headache and I can't sleep.

Now that you have read this boring entry and know all about my pain, I am sorry. I Really am keeping this mostly as a journal for myself. That's the best way for me to remember.

GOOD DENTIST vs. BAD DENTIST

This past week has been every eventful. Kassie's huband, RJ, was having a lot of pain, due to the fact that he has never had his wisdom teeth out. OUCH! But, they were looking for a dentist and they found one they liked. After a thorough examination, the dentist thought he could take care of the wisdom teeth, but x-ray's proved otherwise. His teeth were horribly impacted and he had to see an oral surgeon. They liked him so well, they booked Austin and Ashlynne for a dental exam and cleaning.
Well today was the day--not only for the cleaning, but also for the oral surgery. And they were booked at the same time. At two different facilities. So I loaded up Ashlynne and Austin and headed to the "GOOD DENTIST" and Kassie loaded up RJ and headed to the "BAD DENTIST". And by this, she was trying to get her children psyched for the dentist by saying, he was only going to clean and floss their teeth and not do anything like daddy was having done (oh great, now they are scarred for life when it comes to a "bad dentist (anyone that has to do surgery on your mouth).

They did great, however, the bad dentist will be making his way into the mouths of two children very, very soon. Because of their age, 5 and 4, they have to have IV sedation. Great--a needle. Try telling Austin he has to have a shot. Ashlynne is the brave one.
The cleaning was a breeze. The hygienist allowed them to "Vacuum" their own mouth and let them pick their favorite flavors. She was terrific with them and I was so glad it was a good experience the first time around.
Now--brush those teeth at least twice a day so you don't have to have your "NINE"---count them, 9, cavities filled between them (Austin with 4 biggies and one medium and Ashlynne with 4--) They each have a cavitiy for the amount of years they are. This is just terrible.
But the bright note to all of this is, RJ has 18 cavities and as soon as he heals from today's surgery (oh and have I mentioned that this guy has never had any sort of surgery, severe illness and is otherwise healthy), he has to have cavernous teeth taken care of!