2/27/07

Today, I feel so good.  For the 2nd day in a row.  Its 2 pm and no pain to speak of yet.  Yesterday I did not even need to use my cane all day.  No serious pain until just before bed at 8pm.  I even walked - at a quick pace - around the block with Tim when he came home from work.  And I wasn't spent when it was over.

I don't know whether I'm just having good days as a coincidence or whether they are related to the juice fast I'm on.  Today is the 4th day of drinking fresh juice only and a banana each day and a few raisins.  Maybe I really am cleansing something out of me.  Or maybe I was reacting to a food or a preservative that was not tested for.  All I know is that I have not picked up my cane today.  I spent an hour in the yard pruning bushes in the sunshine.  I walked freely to the mailbox.  I have not sat in my wheelchair since Saturday - 3 days.  It is so nice.  Even if it does not last, I am truly enjoying it.

Today is like spring.  60 degrees.  Beautiful.

I sent out several more resumes today.  Hopefully something will happen soon.

2/23/07

It was good to have my folks visit.

K fired me.  I feel only mildly disappointed about it because I think I saw it coming.  She had been putting snide remarks on my reports for several weeks and then she assigned me a difficult stat job.  I think she feels guilty about letting me go and she was waiting it out and setting it up.

I already tested the very next day for another company.  I'm just a bit bored now.

The weather is much better.  50's - 60's instead of 20's-30's.  I'm in less pain in general.

I haired an advocate service to help me with my SSI disability appeal.  My caseworker is coming to meet me next Friday.  Vicki, she sounds nice and is anxious to meet me and help me.

I think I'm going to try juice fasting for a bit and then reintroduce foods into my diet.  I don't know what else to do.

I've gone down to 3/4 of my Topomax - hopefully then to 1/2 of it.  The cost of crazy.

Yesterday the oven caught fire but I put it out.  I did good but it really scared me.

I'm still exercising.

2/2/2007

Yesterday, I went overboard on a walk around the block and then I really suffered the whole rest of the day.  I should have not pushed it.  I had to go to bed at 7 pm and I could only stay awake barely long enough to say my prayers.  Slept well until 4 am.  Been up since then.  Did a little work this morning.  I'm not very good at my job as I used to be when I was doing it every day.  I have lost some of my "ear".  I made some mistakes last week on a report that I probably shouldn't have.  I want to take only easy docs now - no Gelzer Bell - no Zalhman Kahn.

Got a call back from Dr. Kaminski today.  He thinks there is not a problem with my neurological system.  Agrees with Dr. Duncan that it is not Central Pain Syndrome.  Said there's nothing wrong with my brain or spine.  I don't exhibit the patterns of CPS.  Said my6 best bet was to try a place like May or Johns Hopkins U.  At least I know now that the other diagnosis was wrong.

My folks are coming to see us in a few days.  I'm excited.

2/2/2007

On 1/31, I saw Dr. Kaminski at St. Thomas.  He was the most compassionate Dr I have seen yet.  He was not supposed to take me on - said I snuck in - and only supposed to give me 14 minutes.  But he spent about an hour with me.  Listening and examining and really making sure he had a full understanding of what I live with.  Said he will go over Dr. Duncan's  & Dr. Quinn's notes and call me in 3-4 days with his assessment - if any more testing can be done - a final diagnosis  and prognosis.  I am anxious about that call.  I am so relieved to have had such a good Dr. visit and to feel so truly heard.

Pain is severe today.

Three inches of snow outside.