My dad said he didn't want to go digging for the spy capsule if they see it. I'm not gonna do it. I'm going to guess that where they put it, and where it comes out of, that it's a one-time use.

I just managed to take a shower and wash my hair...with both hands, and no screaming in pain! All excited about that. I had to help the left hand a little bit with the right hand during the hair washing, but when taking care of all the other washing, it was fine. I'm shocked at how bad my arm was the past few weeks that just taking a shower was nearly impossible. Also shocked that the cortisone shots are just what I needed to make it stop hurting, and make things nearly back to normal. I really hope that lasts.

Can't wait to do the PT on it and get it totally better. I want to be able to knit and crochet again without screaming in pain.

Erin,

I'm not sure on this, but I think that it is important to know that the camera has been expelled...not so much because it may be re-used, but so that ti doesn't get lodged in the gut. Also, your Mom can not have an MRI (if she needs one), until it has been expelled.

I'm still doing the blurred vision, dizzy, sleepy thing on the Cymbalta, but it is taking the edge off the pain, so will coast on it a little longer in the hope that the side effects decrease.

With love, Erika

I think that's why my dad has to keep helping her look for it. Not a job that I would want to do.

My Dad and Step mom have asked if...or rather when, I will be coming for Christmas. I usually do spend a few days with them either before, during or after, but I don't think that I'll be able to go this year. Its a 10 hour drive but could turn out to be longer on winter roads, and I just don't think that the body is up to it, the way it feels right now.

I haven't shared with them the problems that I've been having of late, but unless things improve, I may have to..

It seems odd to say this, but I'd sort of like to catch a cold or something equally temporary, so that I could use that as an excuse for not coming.
I just don't like to worry them, or have them feeling badly over my situation, especially over the holidays.
They have a hard time believing me when I say that I am just fine and content to be at home by myself when they know that the body is struggling.
Parents...got to love them .

With love, Erika

I know what you mean, Erika. I tend to not talk about my challenges with my immediate family but that backfires on me when they ask me to do something I know I can't do. Sometimes I might embellish on the truth a little to excuse myself from doing something but they seem to know when I'm not feeling well.

I hate complaining and they know that so it really takes alot for me to back out of doing something with them. And at that point they know I'm really not feeling well.

I hope your family understands and won't worry too much about you. It sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy at home (Ziggy and Willy ) so maybe they'll understand. 10 hours in a car is a l-o-n-g time for even a healthy individual.....even with many breaks.

Erin....I'm so sorry you are in so much pain. Its good that you aren't alone. Hopefully, it will lessen and/or your dr will find some relief for you. Sending a gentle hug.

Erika
I so understand your dilemma....sometimes its more comfortable to just have "an ordinary day" when our disease is raging. And its equally hard to disappoint family and friends. I hope you find a solution that every one understands. Just a gentle reminder, we don't drive as well in pain. Bad weather, slow twitchy reflexes, just be careful and be good to yourself!
love
janet

Lord Erika, I couldn't even ride comfortably, in 10 hrs, much less drive..
I hope you find a way to tell your dear parents that you aren't able
to drive that far this year. Maybe they'll send you airline tickets.

Sally, my folks and I have discussed my flying down instead of driving a few times with other trips, but if I am well enough to do that, I'm probably well enough to drive.
I'd have to drive or have someone drive me to the airport that has planes that fly to the town that my folks live in and that is 90 minutes away...heading north (which usually means nasty roads), as opposed to driving south in their direction.

It is also a flight between relatively small towns, so the planes are usually twin prop "puddle jumpers", rather than jets. It makes for a bumpy ride in the north with winter upon us; with the potential of not being able to land at either end due to fog or snow. That means ending up where one started or landing elsewhere, getting loaded onto a bus and then being driven either to motel or to the destination.

Just writing about it, never mind the thought of checking in, waiting around (we need to be there 2 hours before even on these remote domestic flights), boarding (we have to climb a flight of stairs from the tar-mac to the plane), flying, gathering and dragging luggage around when I get there etc...and then doing the whole thing in reverse on the way home is exhausting.

It is actually easier for me to drive if the body is up to it because I can stop whenever I choose, rest, stretch and/or walk around, and then carry on or even grab a hotel room if need be.
There are small towns every 100 miles or so and only two mountain passes to negotiate. There are also highway reports posted along the way to alert drivers regarding the conditions, so its easy to avoid storms or poor road conditions etc, by pulling off and waiting them out or taking a hotel room. I've done that before.

I really doubt that I'll be going though.

With love, Erika

I'm ready for the Star Trek age when we can just say 'beam me up Scotty'.