Jenna writes her friend in Tennessee after Louisiana writes her a letter of encouragement upon learning that Jenna has a pinched nerve in her back.
Jenna has found out that she has to have an MRI as well as a myelogram to see what is going on with her back, and she is NOT at ALL happy at the news. She is severely claustrophobic, and she has heard too many horror stories about both tests; so she is understandably scared out of her wits.
Friday, July 9, 2004~
Dear Louisiana:
I am happy to hear from you again; but my joy is tempered by the color of pain. Right now the color is an angry red; my back is really killing me right now! It's as if I have an angry aurora in my back, and I am about ready to pull that troublesome nerve out of my back if I don't get any relief from the pain soon!! I have a pinched nerve in my back, as you are very well aware of now, and it is hard to function with it acting up. Right now I am lying on the couch, feeling sorry for myself, and Michael is having to do everything for me.
I fell the other day during my therapy session at the hospital; and ever since I have had this severe, nagging pain in my back. It feels like someone is stabbing me continuously with an ice pick or lightning striking the same place, over and over again, with no let up in between, and depending on how I move, sometimes the pain is so bad it is all I can do to keep from throwing up or going mad from the pain!
I am sure you are well aware of how uncomfortable having a pinched nerve (or in my case, PUNCHED nerve; it feels like a boxer is in my back, just beating the hell out of that nerve!) can be. I am sorry to hear of your back problems and your other health ills; yet, you are an amazing woman. Even with all your problems, you still work and keep a large family in order, and I really don't know HOW you do it or HOW you find the time TO do it! I am happy that God is getting you through your problems, but sometimes you need to bend a little and admit that you need help, even when you don't want it. It's like you said in your letter: admitting that you need help or a salution to your problem doesn't make you a bad person or a person that is weak! I am learning that now, admitting that I need help, more than I used to, and I do get sad and mad about it, but maybe it is for the best when I DO ask for help!
Things here in Alaska are warm: here in Anchorage it has been in the 70's and even 80's at times! (Did you send us the warm weather up here from Tennessee? If so, PLEASE take it back; I am ROASTING!! My Inuit blood can't take the heat, and I am afraid that if it doesn't cool off soon, I may be an Eskimo PIE! LOL) How is the weather down there in Tennessee? Did you get any damage from the recent spate of severe storms? I hope not; I have been keeping you in prayer, and so has Michael, even though we are NOT "religious people"! LOL Hope all is well down there!
I heard that Ronee' was stung by a bee and had to go into the hospital for overnight. Is she okay now? I hope so; that has got to be so worrisome, to have a child who has severe allergies like she does! I pray that she is all over her bee sting now! Please do let me know how Ronee' is faring, and also the other children in your beautiful family! Tell Ronee' (and also Johnny; how is HE doing, by the way??) hello from both Michael and myself, okay??
I saw the orthopedic doctor earlier today, and tomorrow he wants me to go back to the hospital. He wants me to have a myelogram/MRI combination, to see what is going on; and depending on the results, I may have to have surgery done. I am not looking forward to either the MRI or the myelogram. I have heard too many horror tales about the myelogram (have YOU had a myelogram, by the way? Is it as bad as people make it out to be?? If so, I dooooooooooon't want it!!), and as for the other thing, the MRI, I am severely claustrophobic, and I am not too keen on the idea of being sucked into this long tube for an hour!! I don't think my nerves (or my mind!) could handle that! If I have to have the MRI they are going to have to knock me out, or else I just may try to destroy the machine from my attempts in trying to extracate myself from the machine! LOL I don't think I will sleep well tonight; I am too upset and worried about both the myelogram and the MRI!!
I will let you know about the results as soon as I find out anything, but even so, the results probably won't be that good. I am also not looking forward to the prospect of more surgery or being in the hospital again after being in for five months the last time! I am so sick of hospitals, tests, and doctors I could just CHEW NAILS!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! >:( If I am not feeling TOO badly, I will let you know what is up; if not, Michael will. Either way, we WILL get in close contact with you and let you know what is going on with me.
Well, it is time for me to have my nightly meds (I am on powerful medication to try to alleviate the pain, and all it's done so far is make me nauseated and dizzy!), so I will go now before I turn into a zombie again! LOL I will get in touch with you and let you know if I need surgery or not or how the tests from the MRI/myelogram turn out; if not, Michael will. So be expecting a call from either Michael or myself sometime tomorrow evening, depending on how long we are at the hospital and when we get home FROM the hospital!
Take care, Louisiana, and tell your lovely husband and family hello from Alaska! Love you all!
P.S.: What if the power dies when I am in the middle of being in the MRI?? That would be just MY luck!! *gasp! gasp* (Think PLEASANT thoughts here, Jenna!!)
i know how jenna feels...stupid nerve!!!!!!! is getting on my *LAST* nerve LOL
great story writing...but now i'm cringing at the thought of maybe living out my nightmare (MRI, a hospital horror story) GEEZ thanks a lot...if i have nightmares tonight, i'm blamin' yew :)
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
Friday, July 9, 2004~
