Lyrica...my new cocktail

Hi!!

So summer has officially started and I am in SERIOUS cleaning mode! I have so many plans for this summer it is ridiculous, but I wouldn't change it for the world because this summer I actually have the energy and strength to do it...no chemo for this girl!!! WAHOOO!!! However I may be doing something equally worse, I am going through our dreaded spider-infested basement and actually putting things in labeled boxes and in order...my new thing is order. For some reason I just have to know where everything is and I start to get anxiety if I can't find it...so if anyone has seen my Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs book just let me know :) I'm also refinishing my grandma's dresser and headboard to match my mirror dresser, painting the bedroom, moving everything out of the spare bedroom, painting our trim and doors, and the list just keeps going and going! I'm trying to get everything done by the end of July so I can get back to the classroom in August to prep for next year. And I also have some fun vacation plans up my sleeve...so this is going to be a great summer!!!

So here is what I don't like to do in the summer...go to doctor. :( But in my life it seems like I go there as much as I go to the grocery store, so really its just a part of my life now. This past spring I have been going to physical therapy 2 times a week to help strengthen my back and relieve this pain I have had for years. In all honesty, it didn't help. And they didn't want to touch me either because they said I was a 'complicated case' and feared that touching my spine might cause more nerve damage. Just kinda a frustrating time and I was really ready to go back to my neurologist yesterday for the new plan of action. After evaluating me and talking with me, we have decided to up my Lyrica (relieves nerve pain) to 3 times a day, and actually try some sort of electrical therapy and massage therapy. Since PT and the ultrasound (heat that increases cell repairs and inflammation) didn't do anything to relieve the pain, she thinks this pain might be another referred pain from my cervical area that has all the problems (the stenosis, scoliosis, fused discs, degenerative discs, ect...) So she want to keep me on Lyrica which should alleviate the nerve pain, and see what the massage and electro therapy does. When I go back next month, and if things are still the same, we will have ruled most everything out and most likely its the syrinx (the cyst in the spine) that are the reason for the pain. At that point, the neurosurgeon gets involved. I'm not ready for that. I am happy with my doctor, even though she is another one who says that I am a 'complicated case' because of everything happening in my spine, she agrees to keep with me on this road that doesn't involve surgery right away. When I was really sick six years ago with chiari malformation, I about passed out at OSU medical center when my neurosurgeon looked at me and said 'I will clear my schedule, we need to get her fixed' and surgery was within weeks. There really wasn't any other option and he definitely knew best, because I have full function of my hands and legs today!

So I'll keep you updated on what this all entails. I'd really like your prayers, because Lyrica side effects include drowsiness and depression. Depression is the last thing I need. So please pray that I tolerate the pills enough to not be on an anti-depressant and that I can naturally be healed. Surgery is a last resort for me. I already have enough scars to tell a great story :)