Sunday, August 30, 2009

Comfort Food & A Pain In The Neck

It's Monday again and I have no idea how that happened. Seems only yesterday I wrote my last post and yet an entire week as flown right on by. I had an unusual week last week and that could be the reason I have lost sight of the fact that 7 days have come and gone. I suppose a minor medical emergency, missed work days and several DT deadlines would make most people lose track of time. Consider me most people. LOL!

As of Tuesday, my first DT projects for Serendipity Scrapbooks will "go live". I must admit, I'm a little giddy over the debut. I'm also excited about my responsibilities on the forum. Having never participated in an online forum at this level, I am eager to do my best to follow the tradition of the site and keep things fun and interesting. Being behind the scenes, I'm privy to some of the upcoming events and you surely want to be there. Lots and lots of fun times ahead.

Speaking of DT work, it's time for another challenge at These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things. There were so many wonderful entries for favorite movie...I had a tough time voting. In fact, that is the only negative to being on this team. I can never, ever narrow it down to one. *sigh* Our challenge this time is to create a project focusing on our favorite food. Talk about having a hard time narrowing it to one! I LOVE food, people! No doubt about it...and I have the hips to prove it! LOL! So I cheated just a little and scrapped my favorite food group.



Ummm, yeah, so comfort food isn't really a food group. But where I come from...it totally counts! LOL! Funny how comfort food includes so many starches.



I hope you get the chance to play along. An awesome prize is up for grabs. Our guest DT member, Jessi, has donated a wonderful little stash of goodies for the winner.

Earlier I mentioned a minor medical emergency occurring this past week. As I was clearing the dinner table Tuesday night I was talking on the phone, holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder. Suddenly, my back locked...then began to spasm. Not a tiny little twitch...massive spasms...the kind that totally took my breath. Taylor's girlfriend, Leah, is studying to be a massage therapist so she worked on it for almost an hour. But I found no relief. After an agonizing night of no sleep, I went to the chiropractor the following morning. Two hours of tests and procedures later and I was diagnosed with a bulging disc in my neck. An eight year old neck injury had come back to haunt me. I spent all of Wednesday in the bed icing my neck, trying to watch TV and sucking down ibuprofen. All I can say is thank you, thank you to the inventors of TiVo.

Thursday I returned to work for a few hours. Technically, I was told to not drive or use the computer for any length of time as it would strain my neck. But work can only wait so long. Once at work, Mr. Boss Man, who likes to play big brother, insisted I go to a neurologist for a second opinion. Fearing surgery would be their recommendation, I really...really...really didn't want to go. Besides, neurologists have at least a 6 month waiting list and that is with a doctor's recommendation...something I didn't have. Well, I guess the old saying is true. It's not WHAT you know but WHO you know. With one phone call Dear Mr. Boss Man had scheduled an appointment with Asheville's leading neurologist for that afternoon.

I was already anxious about seeing this doctor, but when I realized I would most likely need an MRI, I began to become overly so. I am slightly claustrophobic so I wasn't sure I could handle it. Turns out, I'm more that slightly claustrophobic... I'm REALLY claustrophobic. LOL! Thick pads were packed around my head to keep it from moving. That in and of itself was enough to bring on the feelings of suffocation. I closed my eyes and began talking to myself as a reminder to just breathe in and breathe out. The technician then handed me the panic button. One serious point to be made here...the mere mention of the word "panic" did nothing but embed the thought in my mind that I would most certainly PANIC. Why not call it a "call button". I'm just sayin'. Once inside the tunnel, I made one critical mistake. I opened my eyes. Seeing that the top of the tunnel was only millimeters from the tip of my nose unleashed that major panic attack that was already lurking just beneath the surface. I began to yell and tried to claw my way out.

OK, it wasn't funny then, but the mental image I just had is actually quite funny now. Anyway, drugs...wonderful drugs...were offered to me and I eagerly accepted. Then...the entire process became pleasant. I willing climbed aboard the table, helped pack my head in tight and welcomed the serenity offered from the cocoon that awaited me. Once inside my cozy little nest, the humming of the machine lulled me to sleep. Funny how a little tiny pill can totally change your outlook! LOL!

I'm still awaiting the results of the MRI. The doctor feels certain there is a compromised nerve due to numbness and tingling in my arms and hands as well as hyper sensitive reflexes. Just what is causing the problem...well, lets just hope my MRI encounter gives us some answers.

I'm still not suppose to be spending much time on the computer. As you can see, I'm not the best patient. LOL! I haven't been and I won't be making my usual rounds for a few more days. I hate that I am unable to visit and leave you guys some love. What computer time I do have I must dedicate to work. But no worries, I'm hoping to be back to my old self within a few days and I will be stalking you all again! LOL!!! Hope you have a wonderful week!!!

Hugs & Love,
L

30 comments:

  1. You poor thing!
    I really hope you get well soon.
    Have a great week :)
    (((((BIG hugs)))))

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  2. My dearest dearest dearest Lisa....I soooooooooooooooo HOPE U feel better....and hope that the MRI will be a distant memory someday!!!!! LOVE ya girl!! And sooooooooooooooooooooo LOVE your FAVE THINGS LO...and can't wait to see your DEBUT! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  3. Oh, I am sorry you've been down and out! I hope you can find out something soon from the MRI! I love your layout and how very exciting for the debut! Have a great week! Love, Jess

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  4. What a bummer, I am sorry you have to go through this "pain in the neck"
    If I lived closer I'd come over and cook you some of your favorite comfort foods!
    Looking forward to your Serendipity DT debut
    ;)

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  5. Sorry you have a pain in the neck :(
    Usually men and kids are the cause of those!
    Not sure why I thought you lived in Georgia but when you mentioned Asheville I realized you are in NC! My stepbrother and stepsister live there, actually he is in Maggie Valley and she is now in Swannanoa, but same difference! And I will be coming there next year, so I hope you are home when I do visit! Love your comfort food layout, I hope it has been serving you well lately, and good luck in the SS boards! Have a great week, other than the pain in the neck!!

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  6. Oh Lisa...so sorry you have the neck and back pain..it's so tiring and painful!Hope you will get better soon!Yay for pills!;(

    Love your fave food LO!LOve the embellies and the lace...hope you have a better week ahead!

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  7. I'm so sorry that you are hurting. A sore back is miserable because it hurts to do anything. I hope you are feeling better soon!

    Blessings,
    Christine

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  8. Goodness Honey, So sorry to hear of your happenings this week. I have not been making my rounds on the blogs either.... Gosh life gets so busy but it is okay cause I am given one more day to make it Good. Hugs friend. Amy

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  9. About the MRI, I was offered to take one, NO WAY! I'm Clostophobic myself, big time.I did have 2 cat scan for my head. Everything is normal, as for my neck, I have 2 disc that are compress and there is nothing to do about it. As for my neck, that is the reason I left my job. It was alot of computer and repeating movement of insert and remove sheets from manuals. I did that for 7 years, and BAng! It hit me like a rock. Huge pounding head, dizzy and a stiff neck. That is why, from now one, I listed to the signals and I respect myself. I do less computer and as for scrapping, I do no more than one to two hours a day. I rid my bike or I take walks, and in the summer time, I swim. I try not to lift anything heavy either. I give you a big Huge friend and hope that you feel better very soon! Go easy on yourself. Pamper yourself!

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  10. I love your layout and comfort food is definitely a food group! lol

    I'm sorry you're having neck problems, I used to have severe neck issues until I started seeing my Chiro! I hope you feel better soon!

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  11. Oh my gosh... just hearing that story again is making me feel claustrophobic & I don't have that fear! LOL! At least they made the experience tolerable & I'm sure sleep was something that was also welcome to you at that point!

    Hope you're feeling better soon! How lucky to have an on-site massage therapist! :-)

    BTW... LOVE that LO, Lisa! Great color combo.... that blue just makes everything POP! :-)

    Hugs ♥...
    Deana

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  12. Oh Lisa, I sure hope they find and fix that problem soon. Nothing worse than not being able to keep up with your buddies online! Great that Mr. Boss Man got you in so soon too, I am a firm believer in "its who you know, not what you know" LOL!!
    Love the comfort food layout, I really think that should technically be a food group!!
    Take care and LISTEN TO WHAT THE DOCTOR TELLS YOU!!!

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  13. Oh, how scary for you! Glad the drugs helped. I hope it's just minor, maybe due to stress and such and not major!

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  14. ..and it just goes from bad to worse! Poor girl! You rest up and check back with use soon. You will be in my prayers and sending you some hugs.

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  15. Lisa, I hear you! I hear you! I hear you!!! Time just seems to be escaping me lately. Add in any extra "complications", shall we say, and it I completely and totally loose track of it. But, what you are able to do with what you've got is sending me soaring into color heaven!!! I just adore the blue and orange you've got going on there!!! YAY!! :>

    Okay.....all I wanna do is give ya a big across the country online (((HUG)))! for surviving that MRI! Ugh! I've had them, but thankfully, due to drugs and a multiple head trauma, I don't remember a thing of the ones where I had to go all the way inside!! I do remember another one of my ankle and was somewhat sharply told that if I ever have one again, I better make sure I get sedated (guess I was wiggling and twitching.....I THOUGHT I was lying still! :>)!

    And now to the nitty gritty part of the program...... Take care of yourself!!!! I hope your nerve & disc stop arguing with the rest of your body and make you feel better soon! And I'll be here when you get back. :> I'm sure everyone else will be too. You just take care of you! :>:>

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  16. First off.....so sorry about all the pain and I sending you get well hugs and wishes!!!! Oh nothing worse than pain in this whole wide world...Now the LO...oh I am so there with you with that comfort food!!!! The LO is stunning and can't wait to see your debut at Serendipity!!!! Wishing you a pain free day and we need to get our heads together for our weekend away!!!! Love ya!!! :)

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  17. omg girl, I will be keeping you in my prayers. I have had my share of MRI's - you definitely have to put yourself in a 'happy place" for those. Thank God for the meds you got, at that point, whatever works I am ALL for. And yet, even in pain, here you are commenting on all of our blogs- you are such a sweetheart. All the best to you, I want to hear some good results. love & hugs to you, deb

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  18. Aww, you poor thing!! :-( I hope the results are better then you're expecting and that you're up and running in no time. And how awesome that mr. boss man has connections - that sure came in handy! Love that layout, and comfort food is most definitely a food group! ;-)

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  19. OK, am I a bad person for thinking your story was a little funny? I just had an MRI so the visual was perfect for a chuckle. Sorry Lisa. Seriously, I'm sorry you were in pain. Have you heard from the doctor yet?

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  20. hope you are feeling better ,back pain the the worst ever!!
    Love your layout

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  21. Hope you are feeling much better by now. Its sooo horrible!!

    Love your LO!!! You rock!

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  22. I was wondering where you've been...I'm so sorry to hear about your neck. That's the worst. And not much makes it any better, even the good drugs just make you sleepy, they don't really fix the pain. Try and take it easy and relax. Have some of that comfort food and watch a good movie. Love ya-Kim

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  23. Sorry to hear your not feeling well, I hope you feel better soon.:) I had to have an MRI years ago and I am very claustrophobic, a lavender scented washcloth over my eyes (so I couldn't see anything) and a headset with music really helped but I was so happy when it was over! Love your layout, you really know how to pick yummy comfort foods - they are three of my favorites! Take care and get some rest.

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  24. Hi there Lisa! I had a feeling something was up with you...hate to hear that you are all out of sorts :o( Hope you find some relief soon! Take care girlie...send warm thoughts & prayers your way! BTW-great layout! LOVE the cluster of fun embellies!

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  25. Being on a design team certainely keeps me busy!! But its rewarding and fun!!! I hope that you have a quieter week!!

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  26. oh my gosh! take care of yourself!!

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  27. I LOVE that layout!!
    Sorry about your injury!! Take it easy!

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  28. oh that is such a cool layout! drugs...wonderful drugs...{sigh} JK! i know your pain is not a joking matter. i hope you feel better and just relax!

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  29. I sure hope you are feeling better..I have heard how painful bulging discs can be! I hope you are alright. Of course I love your comfort foods post...too cute! I am already behind on this of course nothing unusual for me! I am hoping to get both the movies and food done this weekend to catch back up! Goodness where does time go! I miss my blogging time!! Hope your doing alright now! HUGS:)

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  30. Awww sorry to hear about your neck....hopefully it can be taken care of. I am sooo scared of all the medical tests.
    Praying for you!
    Love your layout.
    hugs
    Brenda

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