Challenge Week 4

So Saturday's weigh-in was a total bust. Both Jake and I gained, a lot. How, I have no idea. We've been tracking everything (well, I have) and we've been walking every other morning. Jake was rather miffed at his gain, and I was more in shock. So we decided to drown our sorrows in a lunch at Sonic on our way to Sacramento this weekend for our family's annual 4th of July BBQ party. Since 4th of July is on a Wednesday this year, we decided to celebrate the weekend before since we purchase legal fireworks and it's illegal to set them off after the 4th.

So here's how Jake and I stand

LoLo: +2.8lbs, Total lost: +1.0lbs

Jake: +2.6lbs, Total lost: -0.4lbs

It. sucks...HARD.

Of course it gives me no motivation to keep going with the Weight Watchers, but I know we have to keep going. If every time I have a bad day I give up on being healthy and eat myself into oblivion, I'd be 1000lbs by now. Doesn't mean I didn't indulge in a full-fat Iced Caramel Macchiato this morning (thanks, hun!) but it is what it is. New day, new start....right?

Until next week!

Challenge Week 3

At my Weight Watchers meeting, we actually stayed and sat through the entire meeting, with Scarlett in tow no less. Here's how we stand:

LoLo: -1.8 lbs., Total lost: 1.8lbs

Jake: -3.0lbs., Total lost: 3.0lbs

Not a bad start huh?

I've finally got my WW app on my iPhone working, along with the WW barcode scanner, which is REALLY cool to use! I'm horrible at tracking when I have to write everything down, but the app makes things so much easier to track because it does all the calculating for you, along with telling you how many activity points you've earned and/or used for the week.

Things I've discovered so far this week during my challenge:

1. Mission Wraps! tortillas are oh-so-yummy, but are costly when it comes to points. Anyone have any healthy alternatives?

2. Those rotisserie chickens you can get at the grocery store make convenient shredded chicken for wraps and salads. Jake and I are hooked!

3. Arrowhead water tastes better than Brita treated tap water (yes, there's a taste difference).

4. We got "lost" in Tilden Park this past weekend, and ended up walking around trying to find our car for 3 hours. I know without the walking we've been doing in the mornings, I would've been dead after the first hour.

Texas and 6 days left!

As most of you know, I have been out of town. Well, more out-of-state, really. Jake and I made our yearly trek to Texas to visit his Dad and Step-mom last week. I always enjoy going to visit them. Texas is like a different world. Of course as almost always happens when we go out there, our last night was met with a thunder storm that was really cool to watch because you're able to see it even though it's two cities over. We got to see the Dallas Cowboys new stadium (from the freeway, and it looked like a giant marshmallow) and Six Flags over Arlington (we didn't go because Jake didn't want to ride anything by himself). All in all, we had fun.

Yesterday also marked ONE WEEK until Jake and I find out if our Smithling is a boy or girl. I'm excited, but also a little scared. It's one more step to the whole thing being real and I've been having some strange dreams...one of which was last night where I was only 4 months along and in labor. But I was in labor in an old folks home-like place where the nurse was giving the bed next to mine to someone and they were cleaning old leaves and stuff out of that bed and putting it on top of mine. That and my entire family was there watching me go through contractions. Yeah...I was a little freaked out.

I also failed my one-hour glucose screening and have to do the 3-hour test on Saturday. That means I'll have to have my blood drawn 3-4 times and I can't leave the lab until the final draw is done. Yeah...not a fan.

Wish me luck!

Elections

In case you're wondering, no this post isn't about our elections last week and my disappointment in them (Looooooong story, will tell any inquiring minds later). This post is about choices, because that's essentially what elections are - choices we make. We make these choices that will affect our lives, even if for one moment.

During pregnancy, there are tons of choices you must make...and they ALL seemingly affect your child. Will you breastfeed or bottle feed? Will you choose an epidural, or go au natural? Will you choose cloth diapers or disposable ones? Some of these choices, or ELECTIONS are harder to choose than others. One person's choices isn't exactly the same as someone else's.

Some of the most important choices I have made during my pregnancy is in regards to genetic testing. There is an entire gamut of tests that I could choose from. I could do blood panel screenings, ultrasounds, and all the way up to amniocentesis, and CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling). I was able to choose any test I was comfortable with taking.

It was expressed to me that some might not have understood why I had the NT scan. An NT scan is called Nuchal Translusency scan. It's a detailed ultrasound where they measure this little pad of fluid on the back of the baby's neck. Every fetus has it. The thicker the pad (or more fluid), the higher the chance the baby will have of having Down Syndrome along with some other genetic abnormalities. The fluid in the pad puts pressure on the developing spine, thus preventing crucial brain development and function (at least that's what I was told by the tech). If the test indicates that there might be a higher risk of Down Syndrome, an Amniocentesis would've been recommended along with further testing. I could've chosen to skip the ultrasound and gone straight to the Amnio, but I CHOSE or ELECTED to do the blood panel screening and NT scan. I wanted to get tested to make sure the baby was OK, but I also wanted to do the least invasive tests available. So I had the blood test and the NT scan. Of course if the doctor had told me further testing was recommended, I would've done the Amnio. But being that I am not a fan of needles and their general reason for existing, I decided to not do that. As it turns out, our baby is fine and the tests I ELECTED to have were the right choice for us. It wasn't because I am considered "high risk" which I am not at this point. The doctor and I made conscious decisions together for the best benefit of Jake and my child.

Oh, and the NT scans became a normal choice in genetic testing in 1995-1996.

Can't wait to say "Hello"

Jake has taken to talking to our little one, even though he/she can't hear yet. In one week precisely, we will be able to see our little Smithling for the first time. I can't wait. To be able to see our baby's heart beat will no doubt make me cry. I will go prepared with a package of tissue.

In other news, Jake has passed his head cold onto moi. It's nothing huge. I'm just congested (which I hate the most about being sick) and I'm sneezing, and have a sore throat. Luckily there is a list (albeit, it's pretty tiny) of OTC medicines I can take, like Robitussin, Afrin and throat lozenges. Oh happy day for me, huh?

To Reach a Goal

For the past few years, I've been wanting to participate in Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I was on the fence about it for a long time, and was even more into it when my Grandmother passed away in May 2007 (4 days after Jake and I got married).

My grandfather passed away from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on December 19, 1992 when I was 8. He and I were very close and to this day I go to his gravesite every year at Christmas to let him know I still think about him and miss him.

My grandmother passed away from Lymphoma on May 23, 2007 after a years-long battle with the disease. She and I were not very close, but I did love her and I still miss her. She was always kind to me, and I regret not knowing her better.

Also, Jake and I have been wanting to join in on the Couch-to-5K program. I used to love walking and running when I was in high school and I do miss it. Walking/running is my exercise of choice. So in addition to starting the Couch-to-5K program, Jake and I will be participating in our first fundraiser walk with LLS. It's on October 9th in Walnut Creek, called Light the Night. I am inviting friends and more specifically, my family, to join me in honoring "Bud" and Mary in their memory by participating with me. I have to get more information, but I am proud that I'll be able to give something back to a great organization in the fight against these cancers.

Won't you join me?

Affirmations

Today our company met with a business coach who encouraged us to create affirmations for our work and personal life. But these aren't the kind of affirmations in say Sex and the City where Charlotte says "I see the good in people". No. These are "I AM (this)" or "I AM (that)". He then asked if anyone at the table had something they've worked so hard for and couldn't see the fruits of it's labors yet. I instantly raised my hand. When he asked me what it was, I told him. Why not? I have nothing to hide.

So after hearing my little 30-second synopsis of what Jake and I have endured for the past 2 and a half years, he said (in a very high school teacher way) "Make a vision board". What???? Vision board? So I have to go to a store and buy a poster board and put all my goals on it? I guess that might work. But more importantly, he said "say to yourself 'I AM PREGNANT' or 'I WILL GET PREGNANT THIS YEAR'". Because saying I am pregnant doesn't mean I actually am...because I'm not. Does that make sense?

Anyways, I started thinking about it and maybe all my body needs is a little encouragement. My heart believes it will happen, I've been trying to train my body to become a mother, but my head is still getting in the way. All my head keeps in it's memory banks are the negative test results, the pills, the tests, the everything. Maybe my brain needs a makeover. Even the thought of having a baby makes me cry, and for what? I WANT to have a baby. I WANT to become a mother. So why when I say those things to tears flow? It's weird. I have a feeling it's because my brain is so tired of thinking that it won't happen, or hoping it will and it doesn't that it's starting to believe this won't ever happen for Jake and I. I think it's time to change that train of thought, so-to-speak.

Today I took the last dose of Clomid. This is it. The countdown begins. Let's hope this works. :)

Wasting away

Yesterday after I got dressed to go get new tires for our car, I walked by the in-wall hutch in the living room/dining room. I caught myself in the corner of my eye and stopped, backed up, and looked. My jaw dropped. What the...? I'm tiny!!!

I called Jake in and said "have you noticed this!!??" His response? "Yes, for a while". I mean, I knew I was having to pull my pants up more and my shirts are a little bigger, but to see this? Woohoo!!! We don't have any full-length mirrors in our house, so the most I see is from my chest up in the bathroom mirror.

I just hope this keeps going.

Lent: Day 41 (according to the calendar)

Today is the last Monday of Lent...and I have a confession...



Psych! HAHAHAHA!



Thought I was going to confess that I had eaten fast food huh? Got ya!

I am happy to report that Jake and I are still going strong. I'm starting to not really miss fast food. Sure a good serving of McD's fries are called for from time to time, but the withdrawals are gone and I am feeling good. I'm actually kind of afraid to try fast food again now. I'm afraid since we haven't had it in so long, that our stomachs will be ultra-sensitive to the greasiness of it all. Jake is more than eager to try, but I'm more hesitant. Oh well, when I'm ready I'll see what happens.

Lent: Day 21

That's right...21 days down, 19 to go.

Number of fast food items I've eaten: ZERO!

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since Lent began. There have definitely been some hurtin'. Just kidding.

Honestly I do have a confession though. The other day was a late day at work, I was tired and HUNGRY and I nearly said "screw it", but I had to tell myself that I committed to this and it's worth it.

2:30am...and I'm up

Last night Jake and I were up until 2:30am with my hacking away with a horrible cough. I've been sick, with a head cold. I'm fine otherwise, but the congestion is getting to be more than I can bear. I think it's progressed into Bronchitis, and I don't know what to do.

For a while, and as my parents lovingly point out every time I get sick, I cough hard. I always get the deep chest, vibrated, barking cough. It's the kind that make people either cringe to hear, or they look at me with such pity that I almost feel sorry for myself if the feeling of the chest pain from the actual coughing wasn't getting in the way.

So, last night...about that...

So Jake wanted to go to a 24-hour pharmacy. The closest ones were in either Hercules (10 miles away) or Berkeley (about 5-10 miles away). Normally I wouldn't have objected to it but I'm not a fan of Richmond late at night. So going there at 2am was out of the question. So, we looked up home remedies that could hold me over until the morning. So, we found this nasty concoction that surprisingly works. It's 6 oz hot water (not boiling) with 1 oz apple cider vinegar with a touch of maple syrup for sweetening.

I got a total of 4.5 hours sleep. I'm so tired.

One month later

I can't believe it's been a full month since I had my wisdom teeth pulled. Wow. Time has flown. I also can't believe we have 2 weeks until we're officially done with Halloween and into November. Where the heck is this year going?

In the month since my wisdom teeth extraction, I have healed nicely. Yes, I had a dry socket, and it was painful, but it's pretty much healed. I have one more month until my lower jaw sockets are completely healed as if I never had teeth there in the first place.

Last weekend I saw my dentist out of the office and I said "Hey! I got my wisdom teeth pulled finally." He said "Oh cool! Can I see them?" Of course, he meant the actually teeth themselves, which I didn't have with me because let's face it, those aren't really staples in a lady's purse. Hahahaha.

Anyways, I just wanted to give a small update and say hello! :)

Post-op appointment

This morning I had my post-operative appointment with my oral surgeon. The appointment lasted all of 10 minutes. He came in, checked my sockets and I told him about the dry socket. He said I might have had one from my description, but all 4 sockets are healing nicely. He was most impressed with how clean I've been keeping the surgical areas, and my mouth in general. I told him I swish with Biotene after every meal because I didn't want food particals in the sockets.

He said the top two are pretty much healed and that tops heal WAY faster than bottoms. The two bottoms are also healing nicely and he said it usually takes about 2 months total for the bottom teeth to heal like I've never had teeth there to begin with. I'm two weeks in, so I think another 6 weeks to go. I can handle it.

One thing is I asked him about this pain I had in my lower left jaw where it felt like I had a golf ball in my mouth. He said I more-than-likely have a hematoma in my lip/jaw that will heal on it's own. It's like a really bad bruise that takes a while to heal.

All in all, I was a happy girl. No bad news is good news for me. :)

Post-surgery Day 8

Today is day 8 of post-surgery recovery. I must say I did not realize it was going to be this tedious and this painful. I'm so glad I never have to go through this again.

Now for the "good news"...I have a dry socket. Yes, it's true. Somehow I missed passing a clot in my lower left tooth and it turned into a dry socket. I must say (knock on wood) that I lucked out and it's not totally excruciating, but it is painful. I'm in ownership of some pretty serious pain meds as well, so it's good to say they help. I just can't wait to get this all healed and overwith. I must say, that day will not come a nano-second too soon.

Ugh...this sucks big time.

Do your cheeks hang low?

Mine do, or at least it feels like it. My left cheek feels like it weighs a ton, even though I know it doesn't even weigh anywhere near a pound.

I'm sitting here, nearly falling asleep while typing this blog post and impatiently waiting for my next piece of RoundTable pizza (oh sweet relief!) I've lost a couple of pounds from the near-liquid diet I've been on for the past 5 days, and I must say...I never thought the secret to weight loss would be held in plastic cups full of chocolate pudding. Granted, I'd rather lose weight the REAL way, by eating carrots and exercising, I'll take what I can get at this point. Any weight lost, is good weight to me. Of course seeing Jake in his I-have-all-MY-teeth glory sinking his chompers into scrumptious crackers, and chicken, and all those other goodies I must live without for the time being is pure torture. I'm not afraid to admit it...I love food. And one doesn't really understand how GOOD food is until they can't have it. God help me if I ever get stranded on a deserted island.

I have also discovered Biotene. That stuff saved me last night. I was about ready to rip out my stitches I was in so much pain from the sore and swelling. 30-seconds of swishing-goodness and I was all better. Biotene...a life saver....OOH life savers. Just kidding (chuckle)...maybe.

Day 2: post surgery

May I just start out by saying that Nitrous Oxide (aka laughing gas) is the best stuff EVER?

Yesterday morning, I woke up at 6am realizing I over slept and forgot to take the two anti-swelling pills I was supposed to take at 2am (no joke.) So I got up, took them and noticed the 3rd pill in there that was supposed to be taken 6 hours after the surgery was crushed almost to powder. So I decided to ask the assistant for another one when I was done. After that, I couldn't go back to sleep. I decided to entertain myself with some RockBand and Facebook until it was time to have Jake get up. I took a quick shower (I took my longer one the night before) and changed into my clothes. My Dad arrived a whole hour earlier than anticipated, so the three of us watched some TV while waiting for the time to leave. And it came, way too quickly for me.

We arrived at the doctor's office and sat down. I signed a consent form acknowledging that I was to have a surgical operation, the risks involved and what kind of anesthesia I had chosen and the risks involved in that as well. Fun stuff to read: especially the last word of the risks involved with the anesthesia: DEATH. Woohoo for me :(. Then Jake had to fill out a consent form that he was to drive me home and left his cell phone number in case they needed him and he had left, or to tell him I was done. So, the time came. I walked into the office and was asked to go to the bathroom. Then they brought me in the actual surgical room and I sat on that half gurney/ half dentist chair. So then they took my blood pressure and put little monitor pads on my heart and the little oxygen clamp on my forefinger. Then they put this nozzle on my nose that was gray and had two big tubes on either side. First came oxygen, then with some Nitrous Oxide mixed in. This of course was when they administered the IV. The Nitrous instantly relaxed me and I was feeling goooooooooooooood. They numbed the area where the needle would go through and before I knew it, I had the IV in. Then they stopped the nitrous (dammit) and the next thing I knew, all I could remember hearing was "OK, 5 mg administered" from the surgeon and "See you soon honey" from one of the assistants. I didn't dream, nothing. But then, our of nowhere, I felt this really intense pressure in my mouth and it woke me up. It was the surgeon cracking my lower teeth apart and I said to myself "OH hell no!" So I started to move around to let them know I was awake and it hurt so bad that I started crying. All I remember hearing was the surgeon saying "Oh, she's waking up" and the two assitants saying "Laurel, it's OK, it's OK. You're almost done" and then falling back asleep.

The next thing I remember is feeling being wheeled to recovery and hearing Jake's voice talking to the assitant. She said I did fine. I saw Jake and my Dad and started crying a little, which the assitant said is pretty normal when girls have this done. Then, with WADS of guaze in my mouth, I said "I woke up" and Jake asked the assitant if I did, and she said I did but I did OK. She said they were almost done so they couldn't give me more anesthesia because they didn't know how long I would've been out, so I'm guessing they just gave me another shot or two of the nitrous to make me fall back asleep. So we sat there for about 20 minutes and I slowly came to full consciousness. They wheeled me out in a wheelchair after giving Jake a baggie with post-op instructions, some extra gauze, a flushing syringe to clean the sockets, and a little white box shaped like a tooth. So I get in the car and looked in the box. There they were...my teeth. Two whole ones from the top and pieces from the ones on the bottom. I went home, took some pain meds and had a 3 hour nap. I woke up looking like a chipmunk, but with ice and pain meds, I did fine.

T-minus 2 days

In 48 hours, I'll be in the oral surgeon's chair getting all kinds of sleepy-time drugs so they can rip my teeth out. That's the stuff of nightmares right there.

I'm not so much scared, but more nervous. Of course these days, I'm counting all these procedures as practice for giving birth. I've had blood tests, IUIs, good news, bad news, and now my first IV and being put to sleep (if God forbid I need an emergency c-section). I'm counting all this as minor experience so I know what to expect...to a degree.

I'm also thinking this is probably like the tattoos. Everyone says it's horrible, the pain...oh the pain. And for me it might not be that bad? Tolerable? My parents have decided they will come up Friday to watch over me while Jake is at work for the rest of the day. I'm sure it'll get to the point where I'll wake up in my own bed from a very long nap and think "Whoa...how did I get here? Last thing I remember is being at the doctor's office". I'm fully expecting a surreal and moderately painful experience. But I know this is another thing I have to do to get myself ready for all that is to come. I just wish I wasn't so nervous.

Labor Day and countdown continues

10 days and counting until my wisdom teeth come out. The day is growing very near very quickly. I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that this needs to happen. As much as I'm nervous about scalpels and swelling, I know I will be doing my mouth and my health a world of good by getting this overwith. I just hope the recovery doesn't kick my butt too hard.

Labor Day weekend has come and gone. Where has the year gone? Seriously. It felt like last week that we were celebrating Valentine's Day...and now we're already into Fall!? Speaking of Fall, Starbucks has officially begun its Pumpkin Spice Latte ad campaign. Yummy. Unfortunately, I am doing my best to cut out as much caffeine as possible while Jake and I are trying to have a baby. I guess I can get it decaf...ooh...now you have me thinking. ;)

Anyways, here is what Jake and I did this weekend. It's boring, but I felt like writing.

Friday: Got off work, went home and changed my pants for shopping (I like to be comfy). Picked up Jake, went to Luckys for our grocery shopping. Store was E.M.P.T.Y. No people. None. We were 2 of about 10 people not including employees in the entire store. It was eery but it made shopping fly by. Went home, unloaded groceries, watched TV until bedtime.

Saturday: Date night. Jake and I haven't had a date night in a loooooong time. We went to Red Lobster (in Vallejo) and a movie...District 9. My first time seeing it, Jake's 2nd. I liked it a lot. It was a sad story, but definitely one that makes you think. Instead of humans being the destroyed species and then coming back victorious, we were the assholes. I'm sorry to cuss in my blog, but that's exactly what we were...assholes. I won't give the story away, but it made me realize that we aren't always the victims. We can be the offenders too.

Sunday: Sailing! I'd never been sailing. Jake and I took Dramamine for precautions. It wasn't a big sail, just putt-putting around the SF Bay. I steered the boat for about an hour, and I learned about sailing etiquette, terminology and how to work together as a team to make sure you make back to the marina in one piece. We saw sea lions, pelicans diving for food, many birds and porpoises! We sailed for 6 and a half hours. It was exhausting...fun but exhausting. We got home and I forced (yes, forced) myself to make dinner. After I had a bit or two, I went straight to bed. I slept for 12 hours straight (9pm to 9am Monday morning).

Monday: Woke up to Jake doing his presentation for his Psych class. He had a meeting with his debate group in Concord. Made breakfast and Jake left for his meeting. I did laundry. All. Day. Long. It was wonderful, and I mean that sincerely. I watched a marathon of SuperNanny and the cats took a looooong nap. Lazy day. Jake came home early and we did the dishes together. Tried to watch Fast Food Nation, but had to turn it off. Horrible movie. I don't recommend it. Jake BBQ'd and I did the corn. Had dinner, watched TV. Went to bed.

Uneventful weekend except for the sailing, and even though it was 3 days long it was still too short. We need a vacation. Badly.

Epidural #2 - Success

Yesterday I had epidural injection #2.

Things were WAY different for me this time. I knew what to expect, took deep breaths and knew it would be over in 10 minutes.

I walked in after my name was called and the nurse looked at me and said "How are you today?" I said "Fine, thanks. How are you?" She said "I'm good...hey...I remember you. I was your nurse last time you had this done." Greeeeeat. I remember psyching myself out to the point of (TMI) dry heaving, cold sweats, and dizziness. I was hoping I was calm enough now to not have a repeat performance of a crap-tastic procedure on my part. No thanks. So she took my blood pressure (BP) and led me to the room with Jake because we had some questions regarding the breakout of red bumps from last time. She said the epidurals sometimes raise hormone levels so it could've been a mild form of acne, which is WAY better than hearing "Oh, you're allergic. We can't do this...go home and live in pain". In this case, acne is WAY better. So I did was helped last time. The nurse was there talking to me, I had a cold compress and breathed deeply to calm my nerves and relax my muscles. I learned the breathing from my tattoos which helps this kind of thing be less painful since the more you hold your breath, the more your muscles tense and then the more it hurts because your body is fighting.

So I was talking to the nurse while the doctor "mapped" out my spine and nerves by drawing on me with a ballpoint pen (which really really really tickled) and then I had the local anesthesia. No big deal...just a little pinch. Then...there was pressure. A lot. of. pressure. Pressure in a small tiny area. Didn't feel normal, so I of course let them know I could feel it. They said everything was OK and I was doing great. Then more pressure...and more pressure. I was gripping the exam table like I was being pushed into it. Oh. My. God...pressure! But of course, within 5 minutes...it was over. I sat for a minute with a cold compress on the back of my neck to help me stop sweating and the doctor asked the nurse to take my BP again since she thought it was a little high. Yeah...high. 176/103 to be exact. Normal for me? Not at all. So on the way out, I sat and had my BP taken again... 104/73. Much better. I was nervous so the BP showed it.

Then I went home, changes into my PJs, laid on my bed with a movie playing and all three cats laid with me. Jake made dinner, which was awesome and Today while walking to work I felt great. I'm a little sore at the injection sight but that's no biggie. I'm just glad it's over. Yay!

Greetings from a tired, hurting Laurel

It is no secret that I have been battling back pain for the past couple of years. It got so bad that at one point, there was a severe shift in my spine, making it look like my upper torso, and my lower body look as if it were split in half, then haphazardly put back together. It was painful to see for some, and even more painful to experience. I went through months of physical therapy, pain medications, and A LOT of tears from not being able to do regular day-to-day things. I had 4 different diagnoses from different doctors. Finally one said "ENOUGH" and said for me to try something I had been dreading, but also wanting...an epidural.

The whole process of an epidural is rather uneventful. However, I had something that resembled the arrival of the four horsemen of the Apocolypse pictured in my head due to my aversion to needles. I mean, who really relishes the thought of having a long needle stuck into their spine? Barf-fest, table one? I think so.

I pretty much really psyched myself out to the point where the doctor administering the epi wasn't going to go through with the procedure, but I bit the bullet and came through with the help of distracting conversation with the nurse, a cold ice pack and a little breeze from a portable fan. Of course, afterwards, I felt stupid. The process was nothing, and yet I had made the whole thing to be this huge event in my head. I went home, and within 3 hours, I could stand up straight and pain-free.

5 months later, and I'm sitting here, blogging at 6:30am in pain. I'm sitting on the living room couch hoping the pain meds will kick in so I can catch another hour of sleep before getting up and going to work. I'm not sure that will happen though. Oh well.

I have another call into the epidural doctor for another appointment for which I got another referral from my PCP. The pain isn't as bad as it once was before, but I'd like to nip this in the bud before it gets any worse. I'm calling the epi doctor today. I just hope I can get in there soon because the inability to sleep sometimes is really starting to get to me.