Dr. Pepper

You may have noticed recent Dr. Pepper commercials talking about its "blend of 23 flavors." Well, I'm beginning to feel like doctors have as many theories about my health as Dr. Pepper has flavors. Yesterday I heard yet another one. Oh boy.

New theory: Endo has caused severe scar tissue which has connected to my muscles and is twisting them, which has changed my moving mechanics, thus causing severe pain.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I guess I could believe this one at about a 5 to 6. Could be plausible but I still think there's more. I don't see how scar tissue and muscles effect me when I sit or stand. Or sleep. Or how my spine hurts when you touch it. But I can see how scar tissue, which can be stiff and rigid, could attach to muscles and make them move differently than they should and that could cause misalignment and pain.

So yesterday I was pushed and pulled and tweaked and twisted and then sent home. I think all of that movement was supposed to stretch and manipulate the scar tissue and muscles, and it very well might have, but all I know is that I spent yesterday in a lot of pain, and I have the unfortunate feeling that today will be the same. I have some errands to run but other than that I think I'll be hanging out with an ice pack, some meds, Hunter, and some movies (yay for Apple TV!).

To be productive I will pry myself up and do a load of laundry or two. Thankfully the house is clean and there's no grocery shopping to do. I wanted to take Hunter to the dog park but I don't think I can do the 30 min drive each way and stand there while he sits at other people's feet instead of playing with the dogs. My next plan was to take him on a walk, but unless I sit in a sleigh and he pulls me, I don't see that being able to happen today either. This is why I want an answer and a plan to fix it. I deserve more out of life and so does Matt, Hunter, and any future children we have. Not only is my life held back but I constantly feel like I'm holding back others too.

When will my 23 flavors simplify to one, giving me an answer and hope towards feeling better?

Health Update

First, a brief look into the history of my health. I started experiencing chronic lower back pain during 2000 while playing water polo and swimming. The pain was so debilitating that I finally quit both teams and spent my time attending numerous doctor's visits. We visited the chiropractor, saw specialists, took x-rays, and even did tests for lupus. Everything turned up negative, so after hitting so many dead ends, we let it go. In 2003 I was diagnosed with endometriosis (which I refer to as endo. Find out more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometriosis) during a surgery to remove an out-of-control ovarian cyst. Since this diagnosis many doctors have written off my back pain to this disease. Fast forward to 2011- two endo surgeries and many years later- my chronic back pain still exists, and after over a decade I am ready to wage war with it.

My chronic pain interrupts daily activities and flares up during simple activities like walking, standing, and sitting. My level of fitness does not effect it, my diet does not effect it, and chiropractic care/yoga/pilates does not help it. My MRI came up negative for spinal damage and there seems to be no real "cause" to my pain. I know my body though and I know I'm not crazy. This pain is coming from something and it's not my endometriosis. I am tired of spending my life in pain, on drugs, and missing out on life while wondering what is wrong with me. 

So Matt and I have decided to take some semi-drastic measures. As you know (if you follow our blog), I left my job, started seeing doctors, am attending physical therapy several times a week, and am looking into specialists.  My physical therapist agrees that it is more then my endo but we are not sure what yet. Today we decided to start looking into my SI Joint (click on it to find out more). This can be linked to an autoimmune disease that is rare and difficult to diagnose as well as treat. I am hopeful that we are at least on a path that will lead to answers. I also feel so blessed that Matt is so supportive, providing, and caring through it all. He constantly tells me to rest, gets me an ice pack, rubs my back, and reminds me it's ok to focus on my health right now. 

I will keep you posted on what we find out and appreciate your prayers and luck towards finding the right answers in a timely manner so I can have answers, feel better, and start getting back to life. 

Weekend Getaway

This last weekend our friend Dan invited us to his family's cabin in Bodega Bay, which is about 2-3 hours north of us in Sunnyvale. So we packed up our little family of 3 and headed up to the bay. I signed up to be the cook for the weekend so I had prepped lasagna soup for dinner and a crustless quiche for breakfast. It worked out perfectly! They added garlic bread and a caesar salad to dinner, and also a combo of delicious berries and OJ to breakfast. We had the best time relaxing, reading, playing Sorry, playing with the dog, and taking a walk on the beach.

A walk on the beach on a beautiful day

Hunter and me making dinner

Crossing the Golden Gate on our way back home

Hunter's Highlights of 2011

I don't mean to be a crazy dog lady but Matt and I don't have kids yet so I thought it might be fun to highlight the life of our puppy. Don't worry, I won't do this every year! I always dreamed of having a dachshund though and it has been so fun having him as a part of our family (although challenging too) and I loved looking back and seeing how he's grown.

Hunter was born on May 2, 2011 in Chico, CA. His first family named him Willie. They had an 18-month-old daughter who loved to play with him and his brothers and sisters so he came to us ready for the world of noises, pats, and action. 

We picked him up in Chico in the end of June. We had just come home from the wedding and honeymoon and I had a few weeks before starting work to potty train him and get him used to his new home. 

We looked all over CA for breeders who had a miniature, smooth coat, dachshund in either black and tan or brown. Only one breeder had one puppy like we were looking for. Due to this, we didn't have much of a choice in picking him but she described him as curious and outgoing and we thought that sounded better than timid and scared and we sent her our down payment. Come to find out 6 months later, that description still fits his personality perfectly. It seems so fitting that we ended up naming him Hunter after we brought him home. 

Hunter loves his toys

Hunter meeting my nephew Ben. They're pretty much best friends. 

Hunter meeting my other nephew, Nathan. It was love and kisses at first sight. 

In the 6 months since I've moved to NorCal I've been sick numerous times and Hunter has always been there to cuddle up, keep me company, and take naps with me. 

He loves to snuggle with Matt and I. Usually he snuggles with Matt because he's warmer, but if I have a blanket with me then I am the preferred choice. :) I love his company and companionship. It has been especially great when Matt travels to come home to a happy tail wagging and someone to play with and go on walks with. 

I am a water person whether it be the pool, the ocean, the lake, or the bath and I was worried we would have a dog who was afraid of the water. It turns out that Hunter LOVES the water. This is a picture of him during his first bath. He just sits there so calm and waits until we take him out to give a mighty shake and then run around playing. 

Here is a picture where Ben is helping us give Hunter a bath after his first beach experience. 

Hunter was neutered in November and we think it has really helped to calm him down. He did great with the surgery and wearing his cone for the two weeks following. I actually think he was kinda cute in it. You can see in this picture that his happy tail is still wagging right after coming home from the vet.  

As I mentioned before, Hunter is a great companion. Here are some pictures of him doing some of his favorite things:

Laying out at the pool with me, watching the kids swimming

Following us around the house no matter where we are.

Playing with towels. He loves to toss them, run with them, and chew on them.  I love how his tongue is sticking out in this picture.

Hunter knows his name and responds to it (as well as wiener and puppy). He is potty trained to ring a bell when he needs to go out, and he is working on "sit" and "come." He also knows "leave it" and "off."

He did really well with his first Christmas. We had a live tree and he learned really quickly to not drink the water, eat the tree, eat the tree skirt, or play with the presents. He got quite a few presents from our family for Christmas too, which was fun and kept him busy. 

He even dressed as a reindeer! 

One of Hunter's favorite toys is his ball. They're from the Chuck-It line and they're the mini ones that are the perfect size for him. He loves to chase them, especially at my parent's house where there is a large stretch of tile that he can run fast and slide on. It's so funny to watch my dad and Matt sit on the floor on opposite ends of the room and throw the ball back and forth while Hunter runs between them. 

I thought you might also enjoy a few quick videos of him to better see his personality...

Hunter chases bubbles:

Hunter sends Christmas greetings:

Hunter's first time at the beach, where he ends up chasing a bird into the ocean and learning to swim:

This little 13 pound dog has brought so much joy and love to our new family and we can't imagine not having him. As a matter of fact, it's time for me to go snuggle him right now! 

Changes for 2012

This Thursday will be my last day at my current job. This time comes with sadness to leave the new friends I've made, but also relief that I will now have time to take care of some health issues I've had. My doctor has prescribed physical therapy (PT) several times per week, as well as contacting a specialist to try to find out more about my pain and what's causing it. This doctor is a Dr. House of sorts, if you are familiar with the tv show. Working full-time, especially with my hours and commuting, do not allow for the number of appointments I'll have, and my current job also does not allow me time to properly care for myself like I should be.

This change will mean that I will be able to spend time at the gym again, which is another huge step in taking care of my health. It also gives me the added blessing of having time to take better care of my family by doing our grocery shopping, our laundry, keeping the apartment tidy, and having a healthy dinner ready at a decent time every night.

Matt't travel schedule may be picking up in 2012 and working full time means that my health suffers doubly during that time due to working all day as well as at night after I get home. I get up earlier and go to bed later, and without Matt coming home early from work to start dinner, I usually don't eat until about 8-9pm which is not healthy. My new schedule will allow me time to take care of myself, as well as, time to rest during these trips.

This new arrangement will also allow Matt to focus more on his work and continue his success with Apple. We are blessed that Matt has such a great job that we can financially afford this change, which we feel is in the best interest of our whole family and longterm for me. All this said, I will be finding a part time job that we feel is a good fit and which will understand my needs and health. This will help to bring in some extra money and keep me busy.

Please keep us in your prayers as we start these new changes. We'll keep you posted!

Highlights of 2011

As the new year approached, I started thinking back over 2011 and all that happened, and I thought I would highlight some of my favorites here for you.

January:

 I turned 27

 February:

I was privileged to be a part of the birth of my second nephew, Nathan James

I was thrilled to be a part of my cousin Brian's proposal to his girlfriend (and one of my best friends) Danielle

June:

Matt & I had our wedding rehearsal...

...which was followed by a great rehearsal dinner.

 And our amazing wedding...

Maggie Sottero gown

Just before walking up the aisle with my daddy

Moment I have dreamed of my whole life

Married to my best friend

Surround by our best friends and family

One of my happiest days

With my nephew and love, Ben, as our ring bearer

My Uncle Phil was our officiant

All of our beautiful flowers were the work of some close family friends. Couldn't of imagined anything more perfect!

In love

 And our honeymoon in Maui...

Laying out rain or shine

Private beaches for snorkeling

Organic lavender farm

Amazing views and amazing meals

 And we got our miniature dachshund puppy and named him Hunter...

 July:

Made new friends at my new job

 October:

Started a new tradition of going to the pumpkin patch

We celebrated our engagement anniversary with our first trip to Napa:

November:

Family reunion with family from Denmark

December:

Our first Christmas. I added to our homemade stocking to continue my family's tradition.

Hunter loved Christmas too. Mainly all the wrapping paper to destroy. (Here he is with one of his favorite towels to cuddle with)

We can't wait to see what 2012 holds! Happy New Year everyone!