Category: wellness

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Update: the latest and somewhat greatest in my life…

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Okay, so the last post I did was about Fortitude and public speaking events and such.
well, right before my Guns Down Power Up event, I managed to hurt my ankle- It was so swollen and hurt bad. Not broken though thankfully. The diagnosis eventually was “Soft Tissue Swelling” because i had fell on it when my legs gave out (my disabilities make my legs give out sometimes.) Anyway, I ended up going to the event in my wheelchair and NO SHOES because my ankle was so swollen i couldnt get shoes on. The event went fine, we didn’t have many turn out- but the ones who did seemed to understand my talk. I enjoyed learning more about Eric and his story too.

I also been helping #BullyBox and Ms. Shauna and them with promoting their events, making flyers, making stickers on my cricut for them, going to events I can and talking to the kids about disabilities and bullying. In addition to that, I been helping Eric with Guns Down Power Up program, promoting his events and making flyers for him, as well as helping him edit the book he is writing, stuff like that. Just doing what I can with my limited mobility and pain, to help these 2 amazing programs help with the youth of my hometown that I love and care about so deeply. Aside from that, I also do some creative projects on my cricut- iron on shirts, iron on wallets that mom makes, greeting cards, stuff like that- I am still learning new tricks on the machine. I also enjoy creative writing and occassionally “tweaking”/editing my book about my life with disabilities or writing new poetry (when I don’t have “dry spells” in my creative writing).

In September, I went to St Louis, Missouri, for my yearly spine check up. It was a new doctor as my last doctor moved back to San Diego, *Sad face* (why is it, every 3 years the orthopedics in St Louis decide to move on and that ends up shuffling me down the line to the next doctor to try to solve the medical rubix cube that is my life?). Anyway, this doctor says my rods in my spine look stable, they haven’t moved even though one is broken- it is stabilized by a different rod or some other medical mumbo jumbo i dont understand; Long story short, the rods look fine and I don’t need to go every year now- my next appointment is in 3 years, if no problems arise (and if this doctor doesn’t decide to move also.) I sadly did not have time to visit with my “St Louis Peeps” as they were busy and we were only there for a day.

We sadly did not have time this year to put up our halloween/fall decorations, but definitely will for Christmas. Hopefully we put up my Christmas Village pieces. It brings me so much joy to look at and rearrange. I definitely cannot wait for Mom’s homemade gingerbread cookies! YUM!

Anyway, that is basically it, Pain but trying to push through when I can. I mostly do alot from the computer or my phone. I do try to make events, even if it means begging someone to pack me in my wheelchair and bring me- which I HATE! I miss less pain and being more independent, being able to drive more than I am now. Yes, I am angry and Mad that this is my life now, slowly losing more and more of my independence with each year; having to live on pain medication just to get through the day, insomnia because of pain and not getting comfortable in bed, oh the list could go on and on…. but tis life, I cannot change it, so I might as well just try to accept and adapt..even if its hard!

#Medical, ADA, Adult, adulthood, Adulting, Advocacy, At home, Athome, Autobiography, Back Pain, BackPain, birthday, birthdays, Chronic illness, Chronic Pain, Chronicillness, College, College student with disabilities, College with Disabilities, CollegeStudentwithDisabilities, CollegeWithDisabilities, Confidence, Connective Tissue, ConnectiveTissue, Deformity, Differently Abled, DifferentlyAbled, disabilities, disabled, Disableds, disorder, disorders, dreams, EDS, Ehlers Danlos, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, EhlersDanlos, EhlersDanlosSyndrome, Family, Fun, Handicap, Handicapped, Handicaps, Happiness, Health, HealthCare, illness, Inspiration, inspirational, Joint Pain, JointPain, Joints, Joints Pain, Joy, KyphoScoliosis, Kyphosis, Life, Louisiana, Motivational, Pain, Physical Disabilities, physical Handicap, physical handicaps, physically handicapped, rare, rare disabilities, rare disorders, rareDisabilities, rareDisorders, Special Needs, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Fusions, SpinalDeformity, SpinalFusions, Spine, Spine Pain, SpinePain, Spoonie, Spoonies, Syndromes, UnBreakable, Uncategorized, wellness, Youtube, Zebra, Zebras

Life update: 30th Birthday!!!

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 So yesterday, May 5, I officially turned 30 years old! Gosh how am I already 30?! time flies! 

We really didn’t do much to celebrate it. The weather was rather ugly outside, my mom’s knee was bugging her, Bae (David) was working, etc. My parents got a sign and a banner to put in the front yard, Bae (David) came after work, Dad made one of my favorite meals (it’s called “greasy chicken”- basically a chicken in a gravy type thing..It is really good and yummy!) 

Earlier in the week, Mom and Dad had invested in a really fancy office chair for me since I do a lot of computer stuff and sitting at a desk; it was highly recommended for people with Scoliosis and back problems for good posture. They also got me some Fine-Tip ink pens in various colors since I do a lot of journaling and note-taking while doing my daily religious readings and such. Those surprises were before my birthday: For my birthday, They invested in a Cricut Explore Air 2 in my birthstone color: Emerald! The day before my birthday, one of my best friends, one I been friends with since we were in preschool together, came to drop off a 30 wine glass and a “cheers to 30 years” purple shirt for me to wear on my birthday (which I did wear, and it’s the shirt I am photographed in the slideshow video down below).

Today, May 6, Mom was feeling better so she made up the fact she couldn’t make me a special birthday breakfast by going to Waffle House while I was asleep and ordering what we usually split together- The all-star breakfast: Pecan Waffle, Country Ham, Hashbrowns, etc. and brought it home for me! I am so spoiled, but I am the youngest child and I have had a rough life, so I deserve a little spoiling every now and then LMAO! 

This weekend, our local performing theatre is doing a talent show- so we will go to that, maybe go do a little shopping and go get my “birthday freebies,” from stores and stuff I have rewards memberships with. Don’t know, Time will tell what we actually do; Having disabilities kill my stamina levels so I gotta just see how I am feeling and “play by ear,” but oh how I wish I could “be Normal,” and have normal stamina levels and such, but eh, Tis my life- can’t change it so might as well accept it. *shrugs* 

But anyway, Overwell, it was a pretty good birthday. 🙂 

#Medical, ADA, Adult, adulthood, Adulting, Back Pain, BackPain, Broken Rods, BrokenRods, Chronic illness, Chronic Pain, Chronicillness, collagen, Connective Tissue, ConnectiveTissue, Deformity, Differently Abled, DifferentlyAbled, disabilities, disabled, Disableds, diseases, disorder, disorders, doctor, Doctors, drs, EDS, Ehlers Danlos, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, EhlersDanlos, EhlersDanlosSyndrome, genes, geneticist, genetics, genetics doctor, genetics dr, Handicap, Handicapped, Handicaps, Health, HealthCare, hospitals, illness, Joint Pain, JointPain, Joints, Joints Pain, KyphoScoliosis, Kyphosis, Life, Louisiana, Medicaid, medical, medication, medications, memoir, mood swings, Pain, Pain Doctors, Pain management, pain meds, PainDoctors, PainManagement, Parents of Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, physical Handicap, physical handicaps, physically handicapped, rare, rare disabilities, rare disorders, rareDisabilities, rareDisorders, Scoliosis, sick, sickness, Side effects, Special Needs, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Fusions, spinal infections, SpinalDeformity, SpinalFusions, Spine, Spine infections, Spine Pain, SpinePain, Spoonie, Spoonies, support, Syndromes, UnBreakable, Uncategorized, wellness, Zebra, Zebras

Disability update: Genetics appointment, pain management, pain, oh my!

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In High School, I learned that for me to get stuff accomplished, I Need To Do Lists, color-coded or numbered by priority: Otherwise everything is absolute chaos. Yesterday I made a to-do list and got most of it completed: 
I called the genetics doctor to do the genetics testing and find out more about my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: what type I have, what symptoms of that type, etc.
 I had been waiting to hear back from them. I went to my GP (general physician) in August 2020 to get a referral, they finally sent the referral in Oct or November, and I had still not heard back from the genetics dr office to get an appointment set up. I called and the referral was never uploaded into the computer so I had to call my GP to ask them to refax the referral, but instead of having to wait for that, they went ahead and got all my file info and set an appointment to get me in the books; won’t be until August (unless someone cancels or reschedules, I am on a waitlist.) 
In other news, I am down to 3 pain pills left and my pain management doctor appointment isn’t until the 29th of this month! I called to find out if there was any possible way to either give me another half refill to tide me over until the appointment or to move my appointment up: I was shot down for both! I have 60 ct of tramadol per script- however, since I was completely out of my 60 at my last appointment- they had mentioned that they were going to up my count to 120 pills per bottle-but forgot to do that, I see the doctor every 2 months, and my dosage on my bottle says “take 1-2 every 4-6 hours as needed. Max dosage 8 daily;” On a BAD pain day, I take 6; On a good day, I only take 1. On a great (Miraculous rare day) I take 0. I was completely out on my last appointment on 1/28 (so they were filled that afternoon,) that 60 pills lasted me 20 days till 2/17. 2/17 lasted me until 3/11 with 3 left that I will now have to hide in a spot for absolute emergencies until my appointment on 3/29. The next 17 days will be a test of patience, nerves, and will power, I will have to hope and pray that Tylenol and my spasm medications (Baclofen) and (Gabapentin) will be enough, However: If I lose patience and become “Short with anyone,” I am apologizing now ahead of time. Please bear with me and realize I do not mean it, I am in pain and therefore my nerves are already on edge. 
prayers appreciated. 

#Medical, ADA, Adult, adulthood, Adulting, At home, Athome, Autobiography, Brain Fog, BrainFog, Broken Rods, BrokenRods, Chronic illness, Chronic Pain, Chronicillness, Connective Tissue, ConnectiveTissue, Deformity, Differently Abled, DifferentlyAbled, disabilities, disabled, Disableds, diseases, disorder, disorders, doctor, Doctors, drs, EDS, Ehlers Danlos, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, EhlersDanlos, EhlersDanlosSyndrome, genes, geneticist, genetics, genetics doctor, genetics dr, Handicap, Handicapped, Handicaps, Health, HealthCare, hospitals, illness, Joint Pain, JointPain, Joints, Joints Pain, KyphoScoliosis, Kyphosis, Life, Medicaid, medical, medication, medications, memoir, Parents of Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, physical Handicap, physical handicaps, physically handicapped, rare, rare disabilities, rare disorders, rareDisabilities, rareDisorders, Scoliosis, sick, sickness, Side effects, Special Needs, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Fusions, spinal infections, SpinalDeformity, SpinalFusions, Spine, Spine infections, Spoonie, Spoonies, Syndromes, UnBreakable, Uncategorized, Weird, wellness, Zebra, Zebras

Disability Update: uh-oh! I fell!

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 I do not know what happened today, but early this evening, I fell. I am assuming I tripped over a thing of bottle waters, but I am not exactly sure what happened; it all happened so fast! I know that all day I been feeling pretty tired, weak, dizzy, lightheaded; kind of day-dreamy. Research shows that it could be a Ehlers Danlos thing: POTS or Dissociate, Brain Fog, or dysautonomia, or it could just be the fact its “that time of month.” Who knows, its a mystery.  I am not even sure what way I landed or anything. I think I fell on my side, but I cant remember for sure. 

I do not hurt right now, but I will probably feel it tomorrow. I just hope I haven’t done anymore damage to my rods than they already are. If the pain shows up and lasts, I will do x-rays and send them off to Dr. Kelly in St Louis. 

For now, I just got a lecture from Mom about being more careful and to “use my walker,” and “let go of my pride,” blah blah blah. It isn’t a pride thing Mom. it’s just hard to remember to use that thing when most of the time I do not need to use it. I do not mind my cane, walker, or wheelchair, but most of the time I am fine, so I do not think to use them when I feel weak. I will have to figure out a way to remind myself I guess. I just wish I knew why I was having these falling spells?? This is my second one, first one was back in August. Is it because of “that time of month,” or something more serious? Is it because I am not being cautious enough? Its a mystery..One I will have to figure out before I end up living in a plastic bubble because I am such a klutz. Ugh! 

#Medical, ADA, adulthood, Adulting, appointments, At home, Athome, Autobiography, Broken Rods, BrokenRods, Chronic illness, Chronic Pain, Chronicillness, collagen, Connective Tissue, ConnectiveTissue, Deformity, Differently Abled, DifferentlyAbled, disabilities, disabled, Disableds, diseases, disorder, disorders, doctor, Doctors, drs, EDS, Ehlers Danlos, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, EhlersDanlos, EhlersDanlosSyndrome, genes, geneticist, genetics, genetics doctor, genetics dr, Handicap, Handicapped, Handicaps, Health, HealthCare, hospitals, illness, Infection, infection drs, Infections, Joint Pain, JointPain, Joints, Joints Pain, KyphoScoliosis, Kyphosis, Life, Louisiana, Medicaid, medical, medication, medications, memoir, Pain, pain meds, Parents of Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, physical Handicap, physical handicaps, physically handicapped, rare, rare disabilities, rare disorders, rareDisabilities, rareDisorders, Scoliosis, Shriners Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children, sick, sickness, Side effects, Special Needs, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Fusions, spinal infections, SpinalDeformity, SpinalFusions, Spine, Spine infections, Spoonie, Spoonies, UnBreakable, Uncategorized, Weird, wellness, Zebra, Zebras

Disability Update: Good News/Bad news, Infection Update

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 I got a email from the Mychart app from my Infections dr; Dr. Mejia. He got my bloodwork results in from Quest diagnostics in Lafayette, LA. Good news, I am negative for infection (meaning, no more infection in my body) according to the bloodwork. 

Bad news, he still insists on the plan of antibiotics being a life-long thing; due to the “complexity of the infection,” whatever the heck that means. 

To say, I am disappointed and upset is an understatement. This makes 2 years that my labs show I am infection free. I had hopes that I could eventually get off the antibiotics. I am not even 30 years old yet, and the idea of life-long antibiotics; God willing I live to a ripe old age, that would be 60+ years of antibiotics! 

yes, it times like these it is hard to see the light and positivity of my life, but I cannot loose my faith and Hope in God my lord and savior. He is good and all powerful, he is all knowing and can perform wonderous miracles. He is the only one who knows how my story will go. Be gone, Satan, quit tormenting me with emotional meltdowns and sorrow. I will try to look to God and find peace in his love and warm embrace. 

#Medical, ADA, Adult, adulthood, Adulting, Athome, Autobiography, Child, Childhood, Children, Chronic illness, Chronicillness, collagen, College, Connective Tissue, ConnectiveTissue, Decent Humans, Deformity, Differently Abled, DifferentlyAbled, disabilities, disabled, Disableds, diseases, disorder, disorders, EDS, Ehlers Danlos, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, EhlersDanlos, EhlersDanlosSyndrome, Family, Friends, Friendships, future, genes, genetics, Handicaps, Health, HealthCare, Humanity, Humans, illness, Joint Pain, JointPain, Joints, Joints Pain, Kids, KyphoScoliosis, Kyphosis, Life, Louisiana, Love, medical, memoir, Mom, Momma, Mommy, Mother, parent, parenting, parents, Parents of Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Q and A, rare, rare disabilities, rare disorders, rareDisabilities, rareDisorders, Relationship, Scoliosis, Social Media, social networks, society, Special Needs, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Fusions, SpinalDeformity, SpinalFusions, Spine, Spoonie, Spoonies, story, story time, storytime, support, Syndromes, UnBreakable, Uncategorized, wellness, Youtube, youtube content, youtube infleuncers, youtube tag, youtube videos, youtubers, Zebra, Zebras

Planning a Q and A video…with mom….Need questions!

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I am planning on doing a Q and A type video with mom for my youtube channel sometime this week. Is there anything yall would like to know?

Any questions about raising a child with disabilities?

Any questions about what I was like as a child?

Any questions about me in general?

Her thoughts/ feelings/opinions about raising a child with disabilities?

Her thoughts/feelings/opinions about society now a days? 

Anything…There are no Dumb questions.

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Heart Dr appointment and new medical vocabulary

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Today was my cardiovascular appointment with my heart doctor and it seemed like a same-old same old- type appointment; which may be true for the doctor, but for me, as I have never really read over my discharge appointment summaries before really, I was shocked.

For some reason I decided to read my discharge summary papers once I got in the car, and according to the papers I had a few problems I was not aware of. I knew that they had said I had a valve that was being watched, but according to the papers, I have “acquired insufficency of aortic valve”, in addition to “non-rheumatic mitral regurgaitation,” as well as Sinus Tachycardia (I knew I had tachycardia but learned what type). I also have WPW (Wolf Parkinson white syndrome, which I knew about already and had a cardiac radiofrequency ablation for it in 2013.)

I scheduled a Echocardiogram for Jan. 15, 2021 at 7:15 a.m. and will get results on Jan 20, 2021 and will update with results when I get them.

But to see those new medical problems (even if they not new in my medical history, they were new for my discovery) were definitely scary and made me realize I need to maybe pay more attention to my medical information. It is my body, I need to be familiar with it.

Anyway, goodnight all.

Image may contain: text that says 'Problems 1. Acquired insufficiency of aortic valve 2. Non-rheumatic mitral regurgitation 3. Sinus tachycardia 4. WPW (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome)'