My Friday Fall

This is Sabari. He is a 10 year old Arabian gelding that was given to us because his previous owner could no longer ride him. He has been the source of much joy and frustration in our house and this past Friday was no different. I must explain that Sabari has been professionally trained and is a very well-behaved horse, or he was about three years ago. Since then, no one has really ridden him at all, but since we have got him in April, Brian and I have been working with him. He can be very moody and stubborn, but he is recalling his training very quickly.

He does great if you are in front of him,
but if you stand behind his head, look
to do a lot of walking...backwards,
sideways, any way so that he can
see you!

On Friday, I put his saddle on him for the first time (well the first time with us)! He did great. He hates his bridle, but we got that on as well. Up onto his back I went without even a side-step from him! He did amazing. Around our back yard we walked and it was turning out to be such a nice break from laying tile in the bathroom…or so I thought!

Brian calls to me to make two more passes and then put him up to get back to work. L Ok, I knew that we had to, but I didn’t want too! Sabari had been doing so well! I finish my first turn without a problem and decide that Sabari needs a little exercise, so I encourage him to pick up the pace. Well, pick up the pace he does! You would have thought we had heard the gun shot for the Belmont because he took off…straight for a T-post! I pulled on his reigns to turn him (oh, did I mention he doesn’t really like his bridle…at all!!!!!). He starts side-stepping, as we are running, and I pull back to reign him in to a stop. He is having none of it and starts to buck, still heading toward the T-post. I decide (because of course there was plenty of time to reason out all of the options on the back of this bucking horse) to dismount before I end up impaled onto the T-post. I slip my right foot out of the stirrup just as Sabari is coming down from bucking and I feel the impact all the way through my spine...talk about pain! Phew…I throw my right leg the rest of the way over and dive off, knocking the wind out of myself.

This was before the "oh, so graceful" 10 out of 10 dive! Doesn't he look good?!

I laid there for no more than a milasecond before I begin to processes the panic in Brian’s voice. I am gasping for my air, but managed to squeak out, “air…knocked…out” and wave my hand to him so that he would know why I wasn’t going to carry on a lengthy conversation with him at the moment. I laid my arm down to my side to rest and touched the cold metal of the T-post. With my arm at my side, elbow bent, I could grasp the T-post that had spooked the horse and propelled me off of the horse. It’s about this time that I feel the need (after having my own little praise service to the Almighty) to get up because of course, someone has to get back on that horse. I pull up on the T-post and my right side feels like I am in prison and someone is grinding a shank into my hip and spine. The pain was intense.

Long story short, here I am on Sunday night in bed blogging when I should be cleaning and finishing the bathrooms floor. Brian took me to the VA Emergency Room that night and, after x-rays, the doctor says that he doesn’t see anything (which worried me because he was supposed to see a hip in those shadows! Come on…a little humor to lighten up the mood here). He told me to rest in bed for the next few days and only do what feels comfortable. The nurse comes in and tells me not to be laying around in bed for the next few days, to go about my routine as normal.

J Truly, one must love the VA! J

So Brian and I have combined the two directions and are trying to listen to my body, which is saying that it needs chocolate and a massage in Hawaii! Seriously, my back and hip hurt extremely badly. However, progress is being made and Brian and I are hopeful that Wednesday will find me up and able to do things on my own. Until then, we are going to be patient and content with the blessings that Christ gave us in such minor injuries!

An apple a day...

     I found this week that I have obviously not been keeping up with my apples because so far this week I have seen a chiropracter, three docters, an ER room, an ultrasound tech and several lab techs. Either the apples in Arkansas are broken or I forgot a couple days!
     Today I finally got a diagnosis...pancreatitis. Let me give a brief explaination for those who don't know what that is (like me!) The pancreas creates enzymes that are sent to your stomach to break down and digest your food. These enzymes are inactive until they get out of the pancreas, but when they become active inside the pancreas, they damage the pancreas tissues causing them to inflame and infect.
     So for the next four days, I will be on a liquid diet, mainly water, sprite, gatoraide, and chicken broth. On Monday, I go back for a check up and if it hasn't improved, the doctor will keep me in the hospital for a couple of days. There they will have me fast, sustaining me through IV fluid. This should give my pancreas time to heal and recover.
     I will keep you as up-to-date as is possible through medical craziness!

Brian and I would appreciate your prayers during this time. We are just recovering from his back surgery. We really don't need another hospital stay in our young marriage! LOL

~Erin

Hope

I don't write much about my injury, but when you receive a blessing I believe you should share it.

 Since I have moved my health care to the Little Rock VA, I have been waiting for my appointment with a neurologist. Last Thursday, I had my first appointment. A resident did my exam and had an idea of care. She took it to the neurologist and he approved it. So they decided to do an occipital nerve block, which is an injection into your occipital nerve (in your neck) that is supposed to stop headaches for 2 to 4 months. They did the block right in the office and, other than some numbness in my head, I had no discomfort. If you want to read more on it, especially for those who suffer from migrains, here is a link that explains the procedure really well.

http://www.medcentral.org/Main/OccipitalNerveBlock.aspx?cpsys_redirect=404

I can't say that I have noticed a difference yet. I haven't had a disabling headache though so hopefully this is good news. We are just waiting and hoping for now. I will do my best to keep you informed on the ups and downs that come. Thank you for your prayers!

Not a wedding blog... :) though that would be fun!

My blog tells the story of all the happenings in my life...so though the most fun thing to talk about right now is my upcoming wedding, there are some other things that I want to share with you my readers.

I have reached a point with my head injury that my new neurologist doesn't have any other suggestions. He said we could try a more comprehensive approach because he believes that the pain is coming from psychological issues and not physical ones. If you turn back a years worth of posts, you will find that same constant thread throughout the journaling of my medical madness. Most of the doctors that I have been to have ended up at this point. Now before you start to question why I don't believe a more comprehensive approach is the answer, let me explain that most of the aspects of this approach I have done. Chiropractic measures, relaxation techniques, counseling, therapies, herbal remedies...there are very few things that have yet to be tried. This is not to say that I am not open to any and all suggestions and advice. I will gladly take any information you have.

I agree that there is a connection and our minds wellness does effect our bodies abilities. I know that God's plan is perfect and will bring glory to him. He has started a work and will be faithful to complete it, and most days I do ok with that, but here recently that has been a struggle.

I have dropped out of school for at least this semester. I was unable to complete the work and it was making my symptoms unbearable most days. So without that business around me, I find myself re-evaluating and trying to find purpose in my God and not my worldly "status". I hope that you will join me in my prayers. I am asking God for the next step with my injury, a new neurologist, and healing that only He can bring. Most of all my prayer is that no matter if He takes this problem or not, that He would use it for His honor and glory and that I will be faithful to Him no matter the outcome.

Medical Update

Though this isn't a very fun topic, I am going to blog about the newest info about my medical craziness.

I am still having problems with my head injury from Iraq. I have a new neurologist and he is working on getting my medicine regulated. It hasn't been going quite as well as I had hoped. He is adding some medications to my current meds.
 He has also suggested that I drop out of school for at least this semester. This will take off some of the stress and give us time to get my meds regulated which should help me be able to complete the tasks that go along with school. I am not sure that is the route that I am going to take, but I am taking a couple of days to pray about it and gather some information.
I would love for you all to join me in these days of prayer and decision that are looming ahead. God is working and I know that His plan is a perfect fit for my life. Thanks for listening!

Prayers

Over the last few day, I have started to learn a couple of lessons. Most of which, I have been taught many times before, but I seem to forget.

These lessons are on the power of prayer. To be honest, I would love to say that during my last bout with my medical craziness that I have felt all of the prayers that I know are being offered up on my behalf. The lesson I have learned is about my prayers.

I was sitting in the emergency room pleading with God to help me in my pain that seemed to be increasing by the second. I paused for nothing other than the intensity of a pain shooting through my head. When I did, I heard a slight gasp from the bed on the other side of the curtain. What I hadn't realized in all of my groaning and crying out to God was that another person had entered the ER and was in just as much pain as I. I was taken back and humbled at the fact that I had Jesus to get me through this horrible situation that I was by myself in, yet the person in the next bed might not.

Not at all of myself, I began praying for the people around me that I could hear in pain. As I did, I felt it. Not the prayers of others washing over me, but the peace in knowing that Jesus was there and working. I found in my most desperate situation that the less I concentrated on myself and my pain, the less I felt hopeless and paniced. The more I offered up prayers for others that were hurting, the more I felt comforted and held in the arms of my Lord.

This is a continual lesson for me and one that I am sure to have to learn time and time again. I wouldn't have chosen to go through the situation that I did, but without it I would never have learned the invaluable lesson of setting yourself aside and utilizing precious pray for others.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

16Rejoice evermore.

17Pray without ceasing.

18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Test

As a child, I hated that word. Now that I am a mature adult, I realize...

..how right I was.

Yesterday, I had an EEG and a BEAR test at my neurologist's office. It is funny how nervous we get even when we can't "fail". Anyway, I won't get the results back until the 23rd...so more waiting! Hear a theme in these last few posts about my health...it is a lot of waiting. But I am not a good waiter!

THE PERFECT PA

In the military before you see an M.D., you see what is called a P.A. (Physician's Assistant). They evaluate you and send you to the correct clinic if you need. Up until now, I have been ok with our PA, but today I fell in love with her! She took over an hour and a half. Everytime one of the specialist "can't help", she comes up with more encouragement and a new idea. Today, I walked into the clinic very depressed and defeated, feeling like we were pretty much at the end of the road and I was going to be like this for the rest of my life. She took her time, listen to me, watched me cry with tears in her eyes, and even called me by my name, my first name, while reassuring me. It kinda restored my faith in the army. There are still soldiers out there that are compassionate and helpful, caring and willing to fight for you. I had thought that I was the only one left that really felt like being a soldier was an honor. I guess not though.
   So with all that said, my perfect pa said that she couldn't do anything. I know that it sounds crazy, but she said we wait. That after all the appointments stop, that is when we act and push, and fight like mad for something else to be done. Here is were we sit...waiting...again...but maybe with at least one person on our side.

     (But don't let her know that I told you...she wouldn't want to lose her reputation!)

Again

Just a short update...I got another appointment with a new neurologist in March. This neurologist is in Alexandria, a city about 45 minutes to an hour away from Ft Polk.  I am praying that the doctors will be able to find the problem and start to repair it. I would appreciate all of those who will join me in my prayers.

Thank you!

Medical Update

Hey, just wanted to keep you all informed. I am still waiting on some referals. I have an optometry appointment on 10 March and a pschyology appointment on 19 February. I am still expecting a phone call from neurology and haven't gotten into the TBI clinic here at Polk either. I am back to working half days...I have just made myself not go in unless they call me. I have had a few run-ins with my unit, but I am standing my ground and putting my health first. (Thank you. Thank you. ~bow~bow~) I have been working a lot on my plans for my exodus out of the military. Other than that I take a lot of naps and try to push myself to the limits without going over the edge and falling into the pit of unbearable pain.

Is that you final answer?

     I had my follow up appointment with my Ft Polk doctor today. He told me that he was going to refer me to a neuologist, optomitrist, and behavioral health (psychologist) for follow ups on my treatment. He said that those appointments might not be scheduled until next week around Wednesday or Thursday, so I don't really know how long it will take to get those completed.
     He also gave me the great news (sarcasm doesn't really come across to well on paper...rats :`< ) that I will be going back to work......tomorrow. They gave me a profile so that I don't have to run and suggested to my commander that I only work half days (a really good joke in the military!), but other than that I am pretty much back to full duty.
    If you would pray during this time for two things: 1.) That my unit will give me the time I need to rehabilitate myself while building up to being back to work full time. 2.) That my health will improve or that I will know what to do if it doesn't.
     Thank you all so much for all your support and prayers. Your loving care during this "insanity" has made a bad situation more bearable. So thank you again...I will probably wear those words out, but there is no way that I could explain to you all how much it means to have so many wanting an update so that they can pray better or sending things to help out. I have been truly touched many times over by the way that everyone has rallied around my whole family. Thank you.

Here we go 'round the _______(well it's not a mulberry bush!)

So the news on the street is that Ft Polk is a little confused!


Mom and I got back here on Saturday night. The trip was very difficult because of the nausea and headache. It was a beautiful day unfortunately for me, so the sun was shining through the trees and into my eye ;( But I survived and the trip is complete. I went into my unit to report in yesterday and they were very upset with how things had gone at BAMC and they didn't really know what to do with me. So we are still waiting.


My follow up appointment has us all on pins and needles waiting to figure out if they are going to find out what is wrong on their own or if we are going to have another fight on our hands. If so, I am calling in re-enforcements. Any volunteers????!!!!!


Please pray that the doctors will take some type of action and not just pass this off again. Thank you for all your support. You all have been so great!

Last session

Today I walked into the TBI clinic at BAMC for (hopefully) the last time ever. My therapist is very happy with the progress I have made and thinks I am ready to head back to Ft Polk. I have to stay in contact with her for the next four months, so that she can monitor my condition and help me continue to recover.
Through this whole proccess I have been so blessed, but I will never be able to get over the impact God made on my faith when he brought my therapist into my life. She has been there every step of the way. From spending extra time with me during therapy sessions and giving me her personal numbers so that I can reach her if I need help, she couldn't have done more. As I leave this hospital, I have had so many crazy experiences and troubling aspects to my stay. But God must have known that I needed a break...because just as I was about to give up and thought I was just going to have to live with the pain, along came Mariam. She stuck with me and actually listened to what I was feeling, even better than that she believed me. Without her, I know that I wouldn't be to the spot I am in my recovery. So even though she might never see this, I want to thank her. The healing that God has facilitated through her could never be repayed.

UNITY FAMILY!

I know that you all have been sitting on your hands waiting for some way to help me. So many of you all have asked to help and until now there hasn't been anything for you to do. There is now though. My mom and I are heading back to Ft Polk on Saturday. We don't have a place to stay from Saturday night through Wednesday night. If there is anyone who can help us with this, please let me know. We will probably be gone for most of the day hours because of appointments and errands. I don't have any particular special needs anymore. I am all the way out of the wheelchair! Ye-yah! Any help that you all can give us, would be greatly appreciate it.

Thank you all for all your prayers and support.

Today's Therapies

Today I had two appointments. One was my normal myofacial release appointment. The other was with a speech pathologist who was analyzing my reading and writing skills. She believes that she can help me get these skills back and decrease the nausea and headache brought on by them. I have another appointment with her on Thursday to she what she reccommends.

Latest and Greatest

This update isn't going to tell you much more than you don't already know. I have been having two therapy (which I think I have spelled every way but the correct way, much to my mother's dismay, since I started using the word!) sessions every day for over a week now. It has helped tremendously! I started out at a 7 out of 10 on the pain scale. Since we have been working, most days the pain never get above a 3 without pain medication or anything, which is an amazing feeling you would not believe!The therapist is very pleased with this progress and believes that I will be ready to head back to Ft Polk for my follow up appointment next week. She doesn't know how much more the headaches will decrease, but believes that over time they will go away completely.
     This is both a praise and a prayer request. A praise because the progress that has been made is incredible. If you had asked me even last Sunday if I thought I would ever get to this point, I would have said no. However, now I am able to walk around without having to hold onto anything. Mom and I have been going out to stores and around post to build up my ability to walk around people without them putting me off-balance.
     It is a prayer request because as we move forward the progress has slowed. There is nothing more that can be done, except what we are doing. Now it is just waiting to see how much more it will help. So please pray that it will continue to heal the injury and that I will be patient and not rush things too much. This sitting around is driving me nuts!

"It's a small world after all"

It still amazes me how word travels and people know other people. I had a visitor this evening. Someone I didn't know. Listen to how they found out I was down here...
My parent's have friends that are in a CMA chapter in Missouri. They put in a prayer request with the CMA and someone from Illinois heard about it. The people from Illinois had a daughter whose husband is stationed at Lackland Air Force Base which is on the other side of San Antonio. So that family came to see me and pray with me tonight.

Amazing how our God always provides people to love us when those who already do aren't able to reach us.

On the road....

My thearopy session for today is complete and I am still up and moving! :~) Progress is being made. Slowly but surely. I woke up this morning without a headache! The first time since Christmas! What a feeling! I got up and was able to take a shower standing on my own two feet, no shower chair required. This is definately one of those times in life that makes you really greatful for your health. The ablilities that we so often take for granted are so amazing!

Just wanted to let everyone know the good news as soon as possible. I am still not 100%, but at least we now know the pathway to getting there!

THE CRAZINESS OF LOVE!

From far away, it is very hard to get a phone call saying that someone you love is hurting. But listen to what my sister did with this information! Now a little background here...my oldest sister has and forever will be made fun of for being the "mother". As a kid, I hate to hear my mother say, "Amanda stop bossing around your sisters. Now girls, do what Amanda says." Amanda was always telling me what to do and she was always right about it too. So though I hated her for it then and make fun of her for it now, this time it got someone to take notice.


I am talking to her and she is checking on me during this whole month long ordeal, right? She hears me saying that no one is helping me. That I can't get anyone to listen or put in request for referals. So she decides, "My sisters a soldier...thats government...I elect them and they work for me....yep let me call my officials." So she does. Congressmen. Senators. And you think it doesn't work, she still has them calling for updates on me and to make sure I am getting what I need, but oh it doesn't stop there. They didn't move quite fast enough for her. So she thinks,"hhhhhmmmmmm, the president is elected too. Let me call him up." No she did quite get that far, but she did call the white house and they gave her the number to the pentagon and she talks to the commander of the pentagon himself...he makes a few calls and boom like an hour later I have the inspector general of the post at Ft Polk calling me asking the situation. The overprotective motherly sister wins again!

Healing from the Inside OUT!

It takes it toll. When you have been sick for so long even when you start getting the help you need your body doesn't always respond right away.

When I was discharged, my theropist requested at least 10 day and got 15! She is doing vestibular theropy and multifascia release on me. This is some of the strangest theropy that I have ever heard of. Let me try to explain....

Fascia is the layer above your bones under your skin. It is a cobweb mess of tubing that basically creates a padding on your bones. When it does it's job, fascia gels at the point of impact to your body. This protects you from a worse injury. The problem is when it gels it consticts blood vessels and nerve endings and such, creating the painful headaches, and theropy is needed to allow the gel to rehydrate into the tubular shape it needs to move fluid.
Here is the other kicker...Just like your hips can get out of line...so can your face. Don't laugh it is true! So she is also having to realign the bones in my face to stop contricting my inner ear which is giving me the balance and dizziness problems.

So all together....I am just a mess! But the good new is that it is being fixed, and in such a God way too!

My theropist is allowed ot take one occupational course a year through the military. Last year in 2009, she decided to go to a vestibular theropy course. Then in August, this miltifascia release course came for the first time to San Antonio. She was granted along with only one other person special permission to take this extra course. So had I come down when I first got back from Iraq, she wouldn't have been able to help me. God knew just where I needed to be, just when I needed to be there! Why do we ever doubt with all that proof!