Not good, but not horrible

My latest MRI wasn't as bad as the one I had done 6 months ago, but it wasn't a completely clean MRI. I do have an active lesion on my left frontal cortex (I think I'm getting that terminology correct), which probably accounts for the mild numbness in my calf and the burning that is still lingering in my toes. Because of my track record of lesions and physical symptoms I had in the last year, my doctor and I decided it was probably a good idea to go ahead and try another medication. The daily injection kind. Good news is that I'd eventually be switching to this medication sometime in the next year or so because it's the one I'll be on when we start trying for kiddos, so I won't have to worry about that transition when the time comes. That's a silver lining.

Here's the stick

When you get blood drawn, get an IV, get a shot, or, heaven forbid, a MRI with contrast, do you like it when the nurse says, "Here's the stick"? I usually push my mind away from the inevitable—not knowing and just accepting without thinking feels better. More calm. No use worrying about something that hasn't happened yet, especially when it might be easier and less painful than predicted. That's how I operate in life, and yet, here I am mentally prepping myself for the results of my most recent MRI. Imagining nothing but bad. It's like a little nurse in my ear saying, "Here's the stick. Here's the stick. Here's the stick." At least I have yoga to take me out of my mind. I've already taken seven classes this week. I wonder if I can ask my doctor if she minds if I sink into half pigeon while she delivers the news.

My scary face

I couldn't resist showing one of my MRIs. How scary is this? If I was a radiologist I would have nightmares.

Happy 4th!

Ugh. So glad for that half day from work and having tomorrow off. Between new lesions that showed up on my MRI—that most likely account for my inability to move very fast and feeling tired, dizzy, and nauseous—and this antibiotic (it's some strong stuff) I'm taking for my ear infection, I'm one helpless basket case. Got home in time to throw up. I hate throwing up. So on the couch I went for the rest of this evening. I did finish Barefoot (read my review post here).

I managed to stop by Archiver's before leaving the city. I signed up for an acrylic album workshop (Chance would be so proud) and bought some fabulous paper for which I hope to have enough energy to make some cards with this weekend. Also to do this weekend: bake some cookies and research about my new lesions.

Vegas, work, sick, and an MRI

So, I'm back. Can't say that I ever want to go to Vegas again. I was working the entire time. Working hard. Even when I was out at night eating dinner with Sharp executives and riding home in provided limos all by my lonesome. It was hard work. I started feeling sick Thursday night. My throat was on fire. In the mirror I could see little red pustules on the back of my throat. Where'd you come from? Go away. Don't you know I can't be sick right now and having you hanging out on the back of my throat? Probably didn't help that I didn't drink near enough fluids. I can't help it. I'm not naturally thirsty. Plus, the water in Vegas tasted like crap.

So while I ignored my Urban Times work to work on work work in Vegas, it was a pretty solid trip (read: boring). I came home with a inch-thick stack of business cards, some more industry perspective, put faces with names, and met some other writers and editors with competitor publications. Only in a room full of journalist can you debate the merits of Chicago style vs. AP style. I'm sure Sharp was amused.

Once I got home, I rushed to wrap up Urban Times. Tried to get a little extra sleep to get rid of the sick and the little guys hanging out on the back of my throat. I also went to a wedding, which was fun, but the last thing you want to do when you're sleep-deprived, needing to work, and just plan cranky from traveling is go to a wedding. I'm learning these things. Next time, I will not plan back (work work) to back (freelance) to back (wedding) events in a row. It's no wonder I'm sick.

The icing on the cake: Getting up at the crack of dawn this morning to drive to KC to go get my yearly MRI. I've finally figured out what sound MRI machines make (they're very loud; if you ever get one, just be prepared for "loud noises."): MRIs are like a compilation of jack hammers, hammers, loud humming...basically any noise you'd hear on a construction site, but 20 times more repetitive and loud. Thankfully, I only had to get an MRI of the brain this time, not of both the brain and the spine. It was only a mere 45 minutes instead of an hour. I could be exaggerating, but not having a watch, that's how long it feels.