4 Days of Awesome

(back-dated from 5/12/2010)

Mr. Man and I went on the most amazing trip this last weekend! He took Friday and Monday off, and we packed our bags and headed to Roseville, CA! The setting was perfect... 80 degree weather, Mr. Man in shorts, me in a purple tank top and flip flops (and pants, gettchur head outta the gutter!!) The plans were exciting... The Larkspur Landing Hotel, Bayside Church (including Ray Johnston and Lincoln Brewster)  The Dead Sea Scrolls, and Chick-Fil-A! 

P.S. the links I've set up for you here - consider them a total RECOMMEND!

 All this.... and I was sick. Hardly said 10 words the whole trip, simply because of the fact that I had no voice with which to speak. Snot, however, I had in abundance. Oh, and a plugged-up ear. Oh yeah. Thanks. It was great. No really, I mean - even with the being sick and dizzy part (especially through the DSS exhibit) it was awesome. Bayside is massive! Lincoln Brewster was incredible, it was like being in the 3rd/center (yes I said THIRD) row at a concert that I didn't have to pay for. I would have taken pictures, but since it was during service, I didn't think it was appropriate. We ate Chick-Fil-A twice in one day... since we don't have one within 2 hours drive of here, we kinda go overboard when we can get it. The hotel was wonderful, I can't tell you to go there when you travel enough - it's worth it! Oh and if you DO go .. bring me back the body soaps and lotions, oh, and the shampoos & conditioners too - seriously. They are the best I've ever seen and I want more!

Bringing Miranda's Back... well, back!

(back-dated from 5/12/2010)

If you take a look at my last post, Hiatus - I was in a pretty bad place. Hurting, cranky, and worried, I was not really in what you'd call a 'good place'.  Today, however, I'm a bit better. Yesterday I went to the doctor and had my first, and hopefully only epidural shot for my back. I woke up this morning almost completely pain FREE! Only some soreness, but what a blessing not to wince with every step! God is good ALL the time!

The visit to the doctor's was not very note-worthy, but I'm proud to say that I went in alone (they wouldn't let Da Boy in, so he and Mr. Man hung out in the waiting room) I didn't scream or pass out, and I wasn't ashamed that I cried a little. It hurt. No, not as much as I thought it was going to, but yeah - it hurt. 


See I wasn't even going to get the epidural. I was terrified of the procedure, scared to death that it would be painful, and worried that it would somehow make me worse. With that said - I owe huge and sincere thanks to a couple of people. 

THANK YOU Mr. Man for telling me "it's your choice whether or not to do it, but I think you should" and praying with me about it. I love you.

THANK YOU DeeJay for telling me about your experiences with this disease and the epidurals. Also for telling me to get the epidural .. I think if you'd said not to, I wouldn't have.

THANK YOU Princess, Loue, Sissy T, Alice, Mark, Debbie & Bill, Brian & Jo, Sunny, Caitlin, Steph and everyone else who prayed for me, talked with me about it, and supported me through this. I cannot explain how much it means to me that I am called 'friend' by so many. I can only pray that I am as good a friend to all of you as you are to me. 

Hipstamatic!

Here are some pics from Mr. Man's iPhone app called Hipstamatic

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

I have spent the last several days doing just that. Or rather, trying to do just that. I've been anxious, and scared, and unable to make simple decisions for the last week. So, once I figured out that I was being attacked by the Enemy, I've been battling those feelings, and turning to my Life Manual for help. I found it in two places. The scripture above has been a mantra for me throughout these last few months, but I've also been directed (by friends, the Christian radio station I listen to, and Pastor Bill's sermons) to Jeremiah for inspiration, comfort and support from my Father. 

Jeremiah 29:11-15

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 31:3-4

 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
       "I have loved you with an everlasting love;
       I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

  I will build you up again
       and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.
       Again you will take up your tambourines
       and go out to dance with the joyful."

I am scheduled to have my first epidural shot today. This is supposed to help relieve the pain so that I am able to do physical therapy and strengthen my core and back so that the next time it starts hurting it may not be as bad. I've been really stressing about this procedure,  but I know that God wants me to do it, and that it will help. I also know that many people are praying for me. I wish there was a way I could say "Thank You" enough for everything that my friends have done for me... but I don't know how. The only way I can, is to do my best to get better.

Hiatus

Hello friends. I'm so sorry that I haven't been posting lately. I haven't been able to. So... here's the short version, since I don't really have the energy or sitting ability to give you the longer one right now. On 3/28/2010 my back went "out". Now, I've had back troubles for years, but this was different. After hours crying and screaming and horribleness, Mr. Man finally convinced me to go to the hospital. They gave me pain meds and whatnot and several hours later we headed home, after a trip to Walgreens for oxycodone and a cane. Yes, a cane.

That was  a week and a half ago. Since then, I've been in a lot of pain, ranging from really bad to tolerable, depending on how long ago I took my meds or whether I was sitting, standing or trying to pee. Last Friday I had an MRI done on my back. The results are in. I have something called Lumbar  Degenerative Disc Disease and Lumbar Stenosis. I'll just call it LDDD since it was a bitch to type out. From what I've been able to find out online about this disease, it's basically arthritis of the back, but normally is only present in the elderly. I'm 30. So, I have an appt. with a back specialist on Friday to go over my MRI results and find out what we can do about this, to get me back on my feet (yes, I'm still on the cane).

I'm fine. Really... I am. It's just hard to walk, or sit/lay/stand for any length of time without changing position. I'm sorry I haven't posted. Joshua comes home today, and I'm a bit worried about it, since I can't do 3/4 of the things I normally can, but it IS getting better. I'm hoping to be done with the cane in the next couple days. I cannot thank my loving church family enough for all of the support and kindness we've received since this started. Meals have been provided, rides to the doctors, phone calls, facebook messages and prayers.... I love you all, even if you don't read this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and am still hoping to find a way to repay these kindnesses. Sitting here at the computer for the time it has taken me to type this up is starting to wear on me, so I'm going to wrap this up. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm here, I'm ok, and I love and miss you all. I'm hoping to be able to start my daily blogging again regularly, and I'm going to start trying with tomorrow's post.  God bless you all, my friends, and I'll keep you posted!

~Miranda