Blood Bath

So I went in for my 2nd nerve block procedure today. A few weeks ago I had an occipital nerve block done on both sides of my head. Very simple procedure, sit down in the chair, Dr sat behind me sting here sting there and that's all folks. Except that I was inches from passing out. They had to help me walk to the table to lie down while the nurse went and got me some apple juice and cookies. Aren't I special? As it turns out I'm one of the lucky ones that has reactions to nerve blocks. Quite frankly after having a needle that size shoved up to your skull (literally) I have to wonder how a person doesn't have a reaction - but whatever. Because of my reaction to the easy one the 2nd one had to be done at the hospital with some sedation. And because the first one didn't really stop the daily headaches off to round 2 I went. Four facet joints were the target of today's nerve blocks - these little joints are part of the spine! Backing up, there has always been some pain around these joints when Dr. Ratzman pokes and prods and he said from the beginning that they could be part of the problem. So there we were at the hospital at the unholy hour of 7:30am on the day that Eli Lilly had 70 closed for beautification so traffic was FUN! Anyway the fabulous nurse comes to get me, makes my day by reading my weight in kg instead of pounds and on to the sedation part we go. So I'm answering the 500 questions that I swear to you I had already answered on the questionnaire that they gave me when I got there. Seriously, every single one of them. Not like I would have changed my answers between the waiting room and the procedure room. Whatever. So while I'm answering questions the other nurse is getting the IV ready so we can get on with this procedure. She gets it in my arm and all is seemingly well in the world, right? Wrong. She then grabs the tube leading to the saline solution that goes through my veins until we're ready for the big drugs and as she attaches it to my IV she goes oh well that's weird I think there's a leak. I turn to look at my arm and her and wouldn't you know it blood is dripping down both of our arms and then it just starts squirting out from the hole in the tube. My blood + saline solution + hole in IV tube = blood bath! They were like I've never seen this before - well of course you havent' because we've not met before. :)
I feel like there should probably be a warning label that comes with me! But maybe it could be really vague so as not to scare people something along the lines of expect the unexpected!

57 and counting

I have to tell you I'm a little bit over this headache. I started noticing it shortly after the accident and my doctor said it was from whiplash and just gave me a stronger muscle relaxer. The muscle relaxer just knocked me out for days so of course my head didn't hurt but it didn't really help with being able to work and function like a normal person. So I went back to the doctor for a different kind of muscle relaxer that helped some but didn't totally wipe me out. She also prescribed physical therapy - which I have been going to for 5 weeks now. However, the headaches are just getting worse... A few weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night wondering how my head hadn't exploded. I've had migraines before but it's a different kind of headache and pain. It starts at the base of my skull and goes up around my ears and behind my eyes and then just spreads everywhere. 2 weeks ago on Friday I went back to my doctor because I was pretty sure that my headaches were going to be the death of me if someone didn't make them stop. So she suggested that I go and see a headache specialist (did you know there were such things?) to get some trigger point injections. Part of the problem (I'm told) is because the muscles in my neck just will not relax - which is apparently common after a whiplash injury. Miraculously the headache guy was able to see me on Monday and he feels that the headaches are being caused not by the muscles, but by a nerve. I had to ask him why everyone keeps talking about my muscles being too tight if it's nerve related. Well apparently it's all one vicious cycle. Something is up with the nerve - it's inflamed or pinched or something and so the muscles all around the nerve stay tight in order to protect the nerve. The problem is the worst on the left side so he showed me all kinds of pictures of the nerves and muscles and what they're doing - it was a bit over my head, I'm not going to lie. Anyway. So the headache doctor sent me on to a "pain specialist" who will do 2 injections into my nerves. Awesome! Now the only thing standing between me and being pain free is the insurance company. Don't even get me started on them. Because I was working when I got hit everything has to go through my workman's comp insurance carrier and they have been less than stellar. The pain doctor won't schedule anything until I can get some questions answered by the insurance people - can't really do that when they don't answer their phone or return phone calls. I am ready to drive to Schaumburg, IL to start smacking some people around until they have a headache. FIFTY SEVEN DAYS with a headache is enough! I can't concentrate on anything. I will choose sleep over ANYTHING else you might offer me. I forget the most mundane things - including my phone number, my doctor's name, etc... The headache guy said that is normal so I will try to stop thinking I have Alzheimer's.

Die Another Day

That is the only title that would come to mind. I tried to think of something less dramatic but no luck. Two weeks ago July 2nd at 3:57pm I was driving on 91st St after leaving the office to go drop off a few applications at the Medicaid office. When I went through the intersection at 91st and College a man heading North on College ran a red light and I hit him - both of us going full speed. By that I mean it was not a case of him just trying to get through a yellow light and me just starting through the intersection. My light was never red, no one had stopped so I was going about 30mph and they think he was going even faster than that. I "t-boned" him on his driver side so I hit him straight on - as you can see from my car it was smashed all the way across.
Unfortunately I don't remember very much other than the actual impact which I definitely remember quite well. I THINK right after the impact I came to but I was more in the passenger side than the driver side and I knew my forehead was bleeding. A man came to the car to ask if I was ok and I wasn't really sure I could still talk much less believe that I was still alive. I think I shook my head at him and asked if I did something wrong. He told me that I didn't do anything wrong and that the other guy ran a red light. He also informed me that the guy took off running but reassured me that some other witnesses took off running after him (like I cared at that point). The EMTs arrived quickly and since my head and neck hurt pretty bad they put a brace on my neck and slid me onto a back board and into the ambulance I went. I remember feeling relieved when the fire truck got there and the firemen jumped out - firemen have been a part of my life since I was in middle school and I guess I just felt safer knowing they were there. I have absolutely no concept of time so I don't know how long I was in the ambulance before we went to the hospital but it seemed like forever and it was hot. One of the EMTs stayed with me the entire time and I don't remember his name or even what he looked like but I do know that I would not have stayed as calm as I did without him. He was constantly asking me if I was ok and telling me that I was going to be ok and nothing was major in comparison to what it could be. I think more than anything I was just scared. I had never been in an accident, been for a ride as the patient in an ambulance or in the ER. AND I couldn't talk to anyone that I knew to tell me that it would be ok. They radioed Kyle at metro and I knew he would be calling my family but I really needed someone or something familiar and I had no idea when that was going to be happening. So until then the EMT guy was my best friend. One of the things the EMT pointed out before they took me out of the car was that I had a big lump on my left leg and asked if it hurt. I couldn't feel it so whatever. When we got to the ER the first thing they wanted to do was x-ray that leg followed by a cat scan of the head. Both turned out fine. When the wheeled me back into my room after the x-ray my brother was sitting in the corner and I had no clue he was there. Needless to say he scared the crap out of me and I did not appreciate him ruining the good cry that I was sure would be happening when someone I knew finally got there. Kyle showed up shortly after that followed by my mom. What a night! We had to rush to Target to get my meds where they just stared at me and asked if I was ok. There has definitely been a lot of staring the last few weeks and I am so glad for the bruises on my face to finally be gone! My face bruised up wonderfully and led to 2 black eyes and lots of wonderful colors. Who needs makeup when you can have that naturally? My grandma even told me I looked like a raccoon...who doesn't want to hear that?
Anyway, my mom came down and stayed for the weekend which was a huge help because the soreness and stiffness I felt Friday night was nothing compared to how much I hurt Saturday and Sunday. I am healing slowly but surely. My head/neck has continued to hurt in the form of a headache for well over a week now. The doctors told me last week that it is because of whiplash so tomorrow I start physical therapy to help loosen up the muscles in my neck and shoulders in hopes of relieving the headache. The contusions on my left leg is what is going to be the long-term problem. I have seen 2 different doctors now and both have let me know that it will take 3-12 months to heal. The muscles and tissues underneath the skin have hardened and the lump where I hit Lord knows what on my left leg is about the size of my knee so I just look like I have 2 knees. It's rather awesome and really just painful. The swelling is probably the worst because it makes my knee so tight and it's really uncomfortable to bend and/or straighten my leg out. Just depends on the day. But I am fortunate to still be here able to tell you all about my accident so who am I to really complain much? It could have been so much worse and I thank God everyday that I am still here with my friends and family with only minor bumps and bruises. My accident was classified as a hit and run. The guy driving the silver SUV continued driving after I hit him - through the grass and into a church parking lot where he hit another car and then got out and took off running on foot. He had no license and no insurance and was not the actual owner of the car. The owner called 911 later that night and reported his vehicle stolen. The police already knew before going out to take his report that his vehicle was involved in a hit and run and when they confronted him he admitted that it was not stolen and he had let a friend borrow it. However, he does not have a license or insurance either. Go figure. Anyway, there is more for me to do here in this life and I will gladly pursue it... Thank you all for your continued encouragement and prayers - they mean so much to me!

Pictures!

Here are some pictures from the last few months! Hope you enjoy!!


Scary!

Kyle & I enjoying the sunrise on Anna Maria Island

Funniest night of our family spring break trip!

She loves me!

6 months old and getting quite close to crawling!

Stunna shades

No Pain No Gain

We did an hour of chariots, squats, lunges and step-ups. I went for the full bench seats today rather than just the first step of the risers for the step-ups. Wowzers. Jason said his goal was to make us wake up in pain on Saturday. Guess that means tomorrow probably won't be any easier! Fridays are usually games of some sort so it can't be too bad, right? :)

Had a great day in Rochester yesterday. Was a very welcome break from the grind at work - although I have to say that I'm enjoying work more these days. It's all about attitude and lately it seems to be pretty positive and a lot of fun. Anyway, I spent the day with my niece, Adria, and she is definitely a ham. She'll be 6 months old on Saturday and time is just flying! She is getting to be such a little person so full of personality and she just loves to laugh and smile. I love it!!

Happy Birthday To Me

We bought a house! Happened crazy fast but it was THE house and everything just fell right into place! It's bigger than our first house and it's very open - even has a sun room! The only negative is that it didn't already have a fenced in yard so we will be doing that ASAP for the doggies! It's in Avon - since most of you that read this are from Hanover, it's actually only a few miles from Brent's house but closer to 10th St!! He doesn't know it yet but someday when he returns my phone call I'll tell him! :) We close on April 30th (assuming everything goes fine with the inspections.) Our apartment complex is being a bit crappy but I think we'll be able to work it out...
So my birthday present is a new home!! Yay!!

1st round done!

I finished the first month of the transformation challenge this past Friday and am really starting to feel a change. When we had our first weigh in last week I had only lost a few lbs but 6 inches which is apparently pretty good since 2 were in my waist and 2 were in my hips. So I guess I'll take it! :) They changed my meal plan for the next 3 weeks so hopefully I'll see some bigger weight loss when we weigh in again. I had lost 6 lbs in the first week but I was also pretty sick so apparently that didn't really work in my favor. I didn't do a very good job of keeping this updated through the month so hopefully when we start again on the 22nd (MY BIRTHDAY) I'll remember to update more. Anyway, the biggest change hasn't been with my body but more mentally. Eating "clean" and starting out every day of the week with an hour long crazy hard workout has really changed everything. I have more energy! I can focus better at work and I'm proud of myself for how far I've come from the 1st day! It's amazing what having a little more pride in yourself can do!

Home Sweet Home

We got approved today for a home loan!! We have been dying to get out of the apartment life and the last few months it was just getting to be too much. So when we got back from Florida Kyle made an appointment with Ben Daulton at our bank in Rochester, filled out the application and here we are today with an approval. Took less than a week to do all that and now we can start looking for a home! A place to call home again; I've just never been able to make myself say that either of our apartments is really "home." I'm crazy excited though to actually get to be part of picking out a house this time!! When Kyle and I got together he had already bought the house in Rochester so I didn't have a say. Which is fine, it was great (sorta) :) But now I can decide what I like and what I want and don't want. Top priority though is a fenced in back yard. I'm so excited to be able to give that back to our puppies. They have handled being in an apartment just fine these last few years but it's not fair to them after they had a fenced in yard for the first several years of their lives! Anyway, we are so excited to start looking and find a place to call home! Next up is to find a realtor!

Day 1

Definitely wanted to die this morning. Definitely. It wasn't all that bad getting up at 5:00am, in large part because Kyle got up with me, but the workout was hellacious. I can't say that I wasn't expecting it to suck but I forgot how much the 1st day really really sucks. It was just a nightmare, I was almost laughing at myself the entire team thinking of all the shit I've been eating and the lack of motivation to do any type of physical activity since my last camp in November. This is what you get for eating shit and doing nothing Kira,. Pain. Jason says that it is great I'm in such bad shape because the results will be even more amazing, I'm not really feeling his enthusiasm just yet. They weighed, measured, poked, pinched and photographed me today for my starting point. Talk about being self conscious... Regardless of my whining today I know that the results will be well worth it in May when I am healthier and a lean mean fighting machine. Or something like that anyway. But for now my muscles are starting to tighten and I can feel the soreness creeping up so I'm headed to bed!

Slam Bam Transformation

starts tomorrow (2/15) and as much as I am mentally ready I am terrified of the ass kicking I will be getting. Especially this first week. Since I've not gone in 2 months it's going to be like starting over and by Wednesday I will be waddling and groaning with every step that I take. haha. Oh well it will be worth it in the end. I plan on trying to update as much as possible over the next 3.5 months while going through this boot camp challenge. There are 28 women and the 1st place prize is an all expenses paid cruise or trip for two. Sign me up. Anyway, stay tuned - get trim in 2010 starts now (well right after a few more of those sugar cookies). haha :)

It's a new day and a new year!

2009 was very much a year of ups and downs for us. Well I'm sure we're not the only ones who have had a roller coaster kind of year, but this is about me so I'll stick with my year! :o)
2009 was especially hard for me because of everything that happened to my mom. She dated and married a monster (sorry but there is no other way to put it) quickly divorced him and then tried to pick up the pieces and move on. It has not been easy no thanks to life in a small town where it seems people cannot find better things to do than gossip. Sometimes life is just cruel, I don't know any other way to say it. As if it wasn't enough when my step-dad died unexpectedly and she had to pick up the pieces and move on. No one should ever ever have to go through what she did and no family should ever have to go through what we have. Regardless, she is doing terrific these days and is beginning to find peace and happiness again! That is in no small thanks to my niece, Adria, who was born in September. She has brought a whole new meaning to the word joy! She is now 3 months old and is just getting bigger by the day! I so look forward to all of the fun times ahead with her! Here's a picture of her helping decorate the gingerbread house!

Kyle and I have some big plans for 2010 and hopefully by the end of the year we will be back to being homeowners again! Living in an apartment for 2 years since we moved to Indy has not been so horrible but we definitely miss the space we were used to for both us and the dogs. I feel awful about keeping them in an apartment for these last 2 years, I know they're fine with it, but it just doesn't seem fair. They deserve more space to run about and a fenced in backyard to play in! Hopefully we can give that back to them this year! We've toyed around with the idea of starting a family but we'll see, a big part of that will depend on the homeowner part! :)
We are taking a family vacation in early February this year down to sunny Bradenton, FL. Our Christmas gift from my parents was a week long vacation for all of us! So we'll be packing up and heading down to a condo with Kyle, Melissa, Adria and my mom! We'll get to spend time with my dad and step-mom as well as our grandparents that live down there! Dad hasn't seen Adria since she was born and our grandparents haven't got to meet her yet! Should be fun.

February is a big month for me! I signed up for the "Slam Bam Transformation Challenge" with the Indy Adventure Boot Camp team. They only took 28 people and I am so thankful that I will be part of it! It is a 14 week intense boot camp inspired transformation challenge! I have been doing boot camp with them on and off since August and it has been crazy painful and yet addictive! Anyway it's 14 weeks with them and in addition to the daily butt kickings they will also be doing a daily meal plan for all of us. We get all kinds of protein goodies and vitamins to make use of for the 14 weeks too. The grand prize is an all expenses paid for cruise for two!! I know that I can do this. The average weight loss is anywhere from 20-50 lbs and lots of inches and that should put me either at or so very close to my goal weight! It would mean the world to me if I could finally get there. It's taken me 2 years to get the first 50 off and I have somewhere between 40 and 50 to go but I know that this is my year to do it. I go to the camp in Fishers and our coach, Jason , is the hubby of Jessica and they run the whole boot camp thing. When they first posted that people could start signing up Jason was nearly begging our Fishers group to have people sign up and explained that in the past it has been mostly Carmel women (where Jessica coaches). There are 2 or 3 of us that signed up from Fishers and I think we are going to be his special projects - i.e. we'll be getting our butts kicked more so than usual. But that's ok, it's what I need and if it helps me get to my goal then bring it on!! I plan to blog about it daily when it starts so you can all keep up with me and encourage me (please!)
Anyway, I hope that 2010 brings all of you good health, happiness and lots of love!