Migraines!!!

I have been diagnosed with classic Migraines. This is not something new. I have had had them for years. I get all the classic symptoms, blurred vision, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound and
some smells. They recommend a dark room. Well that is fine for someone who may get one or two per month, but mine were almost a daily occurence.                                                                                                                                                                                             

I logged my dietary intake for an entire month as they were certain if was 

probably a sensitivity 

to something I eat. Well, Chocolate, caffeine, carrots and well something else, I can't remember, it was so long ago now, were all migraine triggers (as well as others that I did not consume)...my heart was broken CHOCOLATE???? My beloved CHOCOLATE???? COFFEE??? I love COFFEE....the only thing I want to be around or hear from early in the morning is my coffee maker....anyone else stays away until I have my daily infusion of coffee!!! Carrots, I could take or leave...I like them....but I was not addicted to them...hehehe

I did what the doctor and dietitians requested. I abstained from coffee and chocolate....that was ROUGH...carrots, not so much...I crunch on peppers or celery, whatever. The other trigger...well was not that important as I can't remember what it was....BUT COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE....pull out my brain if you must but DON'T TAKE MY COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE...OK , so I am a little overly dramatic today!!!! Anyway, as much as this pains me to say, it also gave me great joy to go back and tell all these lovely people I STILL HAVE THE MIGRAINES!!!! I followed that statement with a question "Can I please get my chocolate and coffee back?" Answer yes, WOO HOO....weird as that sounds....I would rather suffer with Migraines knowing my coffee and chocolate were still there to comfort me if need be :o)

So month number two started with cataloguing when they started. Occasionally, I would literally wake up in the morning with one....those were the worst ones...as I could barely raise my head. I would have to sleep with medication beside me in bed, with a glass of water always on watch in case one would wake me up....what a way to wake up. I also found that I had more than my average amount of these migraines at work. Right now, I am at work and I am feeling that weird aura feeling that precedes my awake migraines. I take my medication as soon as that feeling starts and often times it will diminish the severity of the headaches. That way I can still work, and I do love my job. So going home has never been an option for me. I have been told by the Team Lead, if I do not go home on my own, he would send me. I have had to have work darken my office, I am not the only one, it seems there are others here as well who prefer to work in the darkened offices. Fluorescent lights are evil. LOL They are the cause of my pain!!!!

Back to the doctor I go. They decide, that since these events are so frequent they will give me medication prophylactically to keep them at bay. I started with 10 mg Elavil. This is an "old" antidepressant which was not very good at its task. They did find that the "side effects" were useful in treating so many other disorders, like Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Migraines, and so many others. If only all failed medications were as productive, huh? I was given orders that I could increase the amount by 10 mg at a time, after I have been on the medication for 2 months, if I find they are returning to a maximum of 40 mg. Needless to say, after two years of this, I am up to 40 mg and working on trying to get approval for 50 mg. 

Although, I know now what my trigger is, I can't really escape it. I use sunglasses at work. My mother has told me with my hair and the style of my sunglasses, I look like Ozzy Osbourne. Not sure if that is a compliment or insult, I digress, I look pretty odd, wearing sunglasses in a darkened office, with a screen shield over my monitor. Weekends are a Godsend to me. I find that even if I get one on the weekend the severity is quite diminished, and they don't seem to linger as long. Perhaps, that is because I also go into the dark room. My bedroom. Blue walls, Navy Blue blinds with Navy Blue drapes over them. No noise, light, eventually no more pain!!!  I would so love for my doctor to say there is a cure, but for now,  I can treat them, they have become a part of my life. I am not writing this for pity or to complain. No, just to inform. 
To give people who don't suffer with these some information and those that 
do, to share my experience.

Oh and I got that aura feeling as I began typing this post. I let my mind decide the topic while I hope for some speedy relief from my medication. It hasn't gotten worse. My shift will be over soon, and so comes the long commute, hehehe, 30 minutes is an eternity when you are in pain.

Well, I will post again, hopefully it will be something a little more upbeat....something to put a smile on your face.....I gots to go and FIND ME SOME CHOCOLATE!!!!! For some reason, I am craving chocolate....  :o)
 

Great Ending to a Very Stressful Week

The title pretty much says it all. But being the windbag I am and have been known to be ;o), I have to elaborate.

Dad had his surgery yesterday. From the way the doctors were talking before the procedure they expected things to be far more complicated than once anticipated. My dad's tumour was quite large. It was a tumour in his bladder and the tumour was 3/4 the size of a normal bladder. On Thursday, the surgeon gave my father an Epidural (due to his heart and lungs having other issues, this was the only option). They removed the tumour completely and immediately ran a Path on the tumour to determine the nature. It was malignant. We expected that as did the doctors. The good news came after the complete removal while they were waiting for the Pathology to come back, the were able to determine that the tumour was not invasive as once thought and the Ultrasound showed it being invasive (spread). They determined that at this time, no Chemo or Radiation will be required. He will need to be "scoped", every three months. Fine, we will take that....My entire family breathed a sigh of relief as my father has experienced so much pain and suffering due to his health from a very young age (17). We always asked the question "Why Dad?" Dad is one of the more "faithful" people I know. He has a strong tie to his church and God. I know a lot stronger than all of us combined. My mother always said "God will only give your father what He thinks your dad can handle." No matter what health issue, or crisis comes about that man maintains his faith and his strength. I have always maintained that my father is one of the strongest people I know. Not just physically strong to have endured all he has....but spiritually, and he has never given up faith, not even a little bit.

So now on to everyone, everywhere:

To everyone, family, and friends, your prayers were answered. Our prayers were answered. You will be blessed for your goodness. I just know it. You have supported me in some really rough emotional times. Although, some not close distance wise, I know your heart was there for me, and I thank you so very much!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

What a rough old week!!!!

'My last post told of Breanna and I having a girls night, since her father went away trucking. Well, it has turned into a girls week. We have done some yard work, minor construction in the house (replacing some window trim, LOL), done some shopping for hair dye...and yes our hair is now Burgundy, Breanna's is lighter as she was blonde and mine is very dark since my hair was reddish-brown. Marshall will not know what hit him when he comes into the yard and sees all the changes esthetically to the house and of course his little girl and well me, too.

Here is a picture with Breanna and her new hair colour. She will only be a teenager once...and well, we did it together. She says I am a 'cool mom'....and I think that is a pretty sweet title. I have a 'cool kid'. It is a little dark but it will fade. Mine always does LOL.





Marshall today is in Florida, just outside of Orlando. He has picked up a load of something, not sure what...lol to bring back here. He should be back on Saturday, Sunday at the latest barring no mechanical complications. Marshall is co-driving with a fella from Alabama named Dewayne. I had an opportunity to speak with Dewayne when Marshall was outside adjusting the brakes and he picked up the phone. I told Dewayne, to introduce Marshall to southern foods. I want him to experience some southern goodies, like Biscuits and gravy, Country fried steak, etc. Dewayne said he will do...Last account Marshall had the biscuits and gravy for breakfast with an iced tea...HE HAS NEVER HAD ICED TEA BEFORE!!!

Tuesday, I had my surgery, nothing major and I feel great!!!! My dad's operation is occurring as I am typing this post. I wanted to be there, but my sister flew in from Michigan and my brother and mother is there as well. Not much I can do but wait and get the report. I have been put off work for three days and this is my third day. Not sure if I would've faired better with work as a distraction. Waiting is always so very hard.

I will update again as soon as I find out something.

Thanks for reading!!!