Not the News I Wanted to Hear

Well, my appointment with the liver doctor was long and complicated.

First of all, my referral had expired, so I had to wait for nearly an hour before they got that straightened out. I had to call my primary care physician and go back and forth, back and forth....irritating to say the least.

This appointment was a follow up for my liver biopsy, which was done all the way back in August. I actually haven't talked to him about the biopsy, but I knew that nothing fatal was going on. My injury and surgery kept me so out of commission, I just took what little news I had as all I needed to know.

But the news I got yesterday was not what I wanted to hear.

My liver has inflammation and scarring, which the medical world gauges on a scale from one to four. Both my scarring and inflammation are a two. He didn't expect to see severe scarring for at least 10 years.

A couple of important things:

My medication is harming my liver. Some of my medications actually cause elevated enzymes, which means they are causing damage.

My inactivity due to the surgery has made my problem worse. Even though it can't be helped, the lack of exercise works against me.

A proper diet goes a long way with this condition. Not neccessarily a weight loss diet, but a balanced diet. Other things that affect liver enzymes are diabetes and high cholesterol. Right now, those two aren't an issue.

All of this news raises another problem. The medication I take for Interstitial Cystitis is known to elevate liver enzymes. The drug is called Elmiron, and it is the only drug on the market that treats IC. This is a real perdicament, for my IC is more problematic than the Lupus and Fibromyalgia put together. I may be forced to stop taking the only drug that helps my condition. Google Interstitial Cystitis...you will find it is a very painful, debilitating disease.

I'm very concerned about what choices I may have to make. It will not be easy dealing with the situation, but I only have one liver. And I must protect it with my life.

Either way, changes will have to be made. I may not like all of them, but they are neccessary. I'm a bit discouraged, readers. But hopeful, I remain.

The Appointment-All is Well and Good

My appointment came and went, and it's a relief to have the boot off. Now I have a brace that is much less bulky. Four more weeks....

The Doctor was very pleased. The amount of swelling I have is normal and should subside in about 2 months. The pain I am having is actually considered normal. (Thank the Lord!) I was concerned that I wasn't healing properly because I've been having some pain, but according to the Dr. it is to be expected.

The only down note is that I still have to wait a couple of weeks to drive and play piano. I had also asked him about starting up my walking regiment (I was walking 4 miles 4 times a week prior to all my problems.) That too will have to wait until I've had a couple of weeks of physical therapy. Drats.

He also advised me to not start driving, playing, and walking all at the same time. He said it would increase the pain. That's understandable, but I'm sooo ready to get back to all the things I've been missing out on.

Nonetheless, I have had a great day. Kevin and I had a nice lunch together before my appointment. We had some time to spare before I had to be at the Dr.'s office, so we had some latte and enjoyed each other's company and conversation. (I love times like these with Kevin!) One good thing about all of the surgeries; Kevin has had to take me everywhere. We've spent much deserved time together.

I hope all of you are safe, warm, and happy. TTFN...ta ta for now!

The Lone Bag

OK. Until the past week or two, it's been pretty dry in my corner of the world. Google Lake Lanier or Lake Hartwell. Scary business.


I certainly don't want to complain about the much needed rain. As far as the drought is concerned, our torrential downfalls have been showers of blessings. It's just that....erm.....well, I'll tell you. The leaves in my yard need to be bagged, and no one in this home wants to rake!!


We make good use of our lawnmower with a bagger. That is, unless it's rainy and wet. About four weeks ago, I put the boys on the task. Within 15 minutes, it started raining. Since then, it hasn't stopped raining long enough for the ground and leaves to dry out. The boys are rejoicing, but I'm ready to see some progress! After all, they started a couple of weeks before Christmas. The goal was to have a manicured lawn before Christmas Day. So much for that.


Because I live in the city, if I bag my leaves the city will pick them up. The boys were only able to get one bag full of leaves done. So, there sits my lone bag. All by itself. I mean AAAALLLLLLL by itself. The bad part is the city crew hasn't even picked it up.


Now, that really bugs me. Are they waiting for more? Surely there isn't a bag minimum before they will pick up. I try to think of what the brush crew was thinking when they have driven by these past 4 Thursdays. Did they say, "Surely these folks are gonna bag up the rest of their leaves. We'll hold off until they are done?"


I'm scratching my head- it has sat there for 4 weeks. Even one of my friends asked me why the city hasn't picked up that one single bag. They picked up the neighbors leaves that were packed neatly in Home Depot yard bags, she pointed out. My bag isn't a lawn bag, technically. It's just a regular Hefty tall kitchen trash bag. Are they discriminating against my garbage bag?? They better not be! I have another neighbor that just rakes her leaves to the roadside, and they pick hers up with a big claw. Hhmmpphhh!


I have had to call the city and tell them I have brush for them to gather. But I'm a little embarrassed to call about one little 'ole bag. I mean, really. The bag only contains, well.....13 gallons of leaves. Miniscule by comparison, I know. But that one bag looks silly out there by the road.


I have been tempted to put it in my garbage bin, but I know that it doesn't belong there. Besides, the city might scowl over mixing household trash and brush. I just want the ones responsible for picking it up to come get it. I've done my part; the city will have to meet me half way on this one!!!


So, back to the rain. I'm ready for dry ground so that the lone bag can be joined by the larger 33 gallon lawn bags I purchased just for this task. However, the forecast for today is rain. My dismay, the boy's delight.


I guess I should just count my blessings. Just like washing your car is a invitation to rain, my desire to bag leaves has become a rain dance of sorts. As long as we are in drought mode, a soaked ground and wet leaves are a good thing.

3 Days and Counting....

As of today, I have only three more days until my appointment with Dr. Davis, my orthopaedic surgeon! Woooohoooooo!!!! It will soon be "Goodbye" to the boot. I am really anxious to see what the next phase of recovery will bring. I'm hoping for normal shoes and driving privileges. I can't believe it, but soon I may actually get to wear a pair of matching shoes for the first time in 10 weeks.

One of the next things I will have to endure will be physical therapy. Yuck. I know, I know. It's neccessary, but it's so aggrevating to have to go. Thankfully, I live less than 3 minutes from the Physical Therapy office.

You know, it's hard to believe that I just stepped off of a step and BAM! I didn't sprain my ankle; I tore three ligaments (one completely from the bone). I think the worse thing I did was to try to keep from falling. That actually caused my ankle to roll inward after it had rolled outward. I remember hearing a POP and thinking, "I can't believe it! I just broke my ankle on my first day of vacation!" It wasn't broken, but this is really much worse, or so says the doctor.

Thank the Lord, I am on the road to recovery. Perhaps in the next few weeks, I will be able to wear some halfway fashionable shoes. The biggest part of the journey is behind me, and I'm in the homestretch. I hope everything I desire concerning the healing process comes to pass.

Upcoming-TJLBC Homeschool Science Fair

School is off to a busy start! The big upcoming project is a Science Fair at our Church. During the fall, we had a family fun day. Part of the festivities was a craft competition. All the children of the Church participated and did an amazing job! The kids did so well, it gave the mom's the idea of a Science Fair. We have about 14 homeschool students that will be submitting a project.

We are so excited about this! While I feel that competition is healthy, I am more excited about the students getting together and showing what they have learned. Even if a student doesn't walk away with the ribbon, they will walk away with experience.

Also, those who are keeping a portfolio for their high school students can put this in the portfolio. This is the kind of stuff colleges are looking for. College admissions personnel want to see if the students have engaged with others and if they have successfully planned and executed a project that is graded and judged by someone other than the parent.

As of now, it looks as if the Science Fair will be held in Late February. I'll be sure to update with my family's progress on building their projects.

Take the Quiz!!

To the right, I have posted a quiz, one that I hope everyone will take. It's simply, fun, and only takes about 3 minutes.

Some people think they know me, and some really do!

So, as of this morning, I only have 5 days left of wearing this ridiculous looking boot. As you can see, it screams "Lost in Space!" It screams it so loud that without fail, anytime I am in public people gawk and turn their heads. What I find especially humorous is people who don't turn their heads but follow my boot with their eyes as they pass by. I have long anticipated someone walking into a wall because their eyes were transfixed on my space walker. Fortunately, it never happened. Honestly, I would have a hard time not staring at something so ugly.

I'm overjoyed, but I have a nagging feeling that transitioning into a regular shoe won't be quick and easy. It seems like it would be easy, but things like this never go as planned. The swelling will surely make it impossible for my regular shoes to fit. And then there's the brace that I will continue to wear for the following 4 weeks. That's going to add bulk to my already swollen foot. Flip flops are an option I have had to keep open for the past 9 months, but I'm a little tired of them. Plus, IT'S COLD!!

The truth of the matter is, I may be coordinating my Sunday wardrobe around a few pair of flip flops. It's hard to be dapper when your shoes are making so much noise. I have some nice clothes I'd like to wear, but flip flops make the mix seem a little faux pas. Thank God, I attend a little country church where pretense holds no place!

I suppose time will tell. Shoes are really a small matter, especially when compared to the extent of the injury. Just getting back on the piano will bring me much joy, no matter what's on my feet!