Health Update & November CCC Sign Up Info

Hi, All!

If you've been wondering about the Card Chain Challenge, it's alive and well and being temporarily hosted at my dear friend Gail's blog. You can sign up for the November CCC here. (Gail is a PEACH, so leave her love if you drop in!)

I have an update as to my medical condition, and it's actually great news!

I was diagnosed on Friday with Extensive Lumbar Disc Disease.

(What on earth is great about that, you're probably wondering....)

First of all, it sounds horrific but isn't. I mean, it's no walk in the park, but it's not like I'm doomed to a wheelchair, etc. I have arthritis which has caused moderate loss of disc height and mild spurring (hence the fancy-pants-scary-sounding disease name).

This can be treated with physical therapy and medication. Scheduling physical therapy is in the works, and this will help alleviate the pain. They've given me drugs for pain management, but I tend to dose myself very lightly because (1) I'm not keen on becoming an addict; and (2) even a small dose makes me groggy - and one can't teach without a full battery of wits. (Okay, one can, but I don't recommend it.) I've taken a small dose at bedtime for the last few nights, and, for the first time in years, am able to sleep more than four hours. This is miraculous as the last six months have taken me down to three hours per night.

I cannot even begin to tell you what this kind of constant pain and exhaustion has done to my mental and emotional state. I have been severely depressed to the point I was starting to wonder if I needed to be hospitalized. It's been a very unhappy patch, all in all. However, if I can continue to actually get proper rest, I think the worst may be behind me. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has been patient with me during this time. It grieved me to stop blogging, but I could barely function (let alone write). I feel confident that I'm on the mend and hope that I can get back to my old self soon.

Thank you for stopping and have a blessed day!

Deborah

P.S. Today was the start of the Hero Arts Hostess blog hop. It's a two-day affair, and my day is tomorrow, so check back for a look-see at what I made!

Comments

[stampersuzz]

Deborah, I am so sorry to hear that you have been living in constant pain for such a long time. I am glad you have diagnosed it and starting to recover some of your sleep and health. Sending you hugs and prayers that the pt will help you feel better!

[Janet Swanlady21]

So happy that you now at least have a diagnosis and can get the right treatment. Hope you regain your health and strength .

[Betty]

so pleased with the diagnosis and that it's not as bad as the name sounds - so good to have you back.

[Greta H]

So glad things are improving for you, Deborah! Thinking of you, Greta

[Linda Baker]

Glad to hear you are improving. Hope you continue to get better. Sorry it has been so bad.

[Helen Gullett]

Deborah, I am so thankful to hear the improvement of your health in the last few months... you have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs!

[Nancy Ward]

Hope things continue to improve for you. Hang in there! Thinking of you.

[Lucille Kearin]

Happy to hear you are on the mend, Deborah. You are in my thoughts and prayers :)

[Deborah]

Thank you, everyone, for all the support and encouragement!!!

[ionabunny]

Hi Deborah, so happy to hear you finally have a diagnosis and a way forward. Hope you feel loads better soon. Still a few days to sign up for the last CCC of 2016 and the october reveal is on my blog https://craftynomad.blogspot.no/2016/11/ccc-october-reveal.html so you can check out what we have been doing. Hugz

[Arlene McClung]

My heart goes out to you. Lots of hugs going your way.