When It Rains....It Pours!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It has been a really "lousy" few days in our house.  On Sunday we took my son and a friend to McDonald's for lunch.  I was carrying the tray full of food and drinks when I sneezed.  In trying not to drop the tray, I did something to my back...I heard a "pop" and then couldn't even move.  Trying to get me out to the car would have made a perfect sitcom episode. Being an optimist I figured that if I just went to bed and stayed there overnight, I'd be fine by Monday.  Not a chance.  I got in a fetal position in bed on Sunday afternoon, and that was where I stayed until Monday when we decided I needed to head to the "dreaded ER".  In order to go to the bathroom I literally had to crawl. I realized how lucky guys are that they can "go" standing up.  So, after spending over four hours standing in the ER (sitting was out of the question), I finally was told that it was muscular or a disc, and sent home with muscle relaxers and pain meds.  Well I took the first (and last) percocet, and that's when my "coma" began.  I was loopy, slurring my speech, and a total nut case....not a good reaction.....plus I still couldn't move.  So I decided no more drugs on Monday.  Yesterday, I was able to get in the shower, but then it started to get really bad again.  So, in the afternoon I decided I'd try the muscle relaxers....big mistake.  I also had a reaction to them....stomach and chest pain.  I thought I was having "the big one".  So, no drugs for me....I'm going to "tough it out". 

I don't know about you, but in my house everything falls apart if I'm not functional.  My son kind of "freaks out", and DH is a little "lost" too.  I'm as independent as it gets, so I can't stand to not be able to do things.  I hate it!  Well the Doodles are both males too, and I've learned that they can't handle it when Mom's sick either.  They spend most of their time pacing around or just standing and staring at me in bed.  They want me up and "waiting on them".  It has been raining here since Saturday, and it isn't predicted to stop until Sunday.  So, we're all cooped up here....so not pretty.

In the midst of all this chaos I've been coping with constant runny stools from Murph.  I thought it was a reaction from being on the RX food while we were on vacation, and them putting him back on home cooking without a transition, so I didn't worry too much.  I went out and got more prescription food and started transitioning, but it kept getting worse.  He was also back to having accidents in the house...poor guy.  So Monday (before the ER  trip) I asked DH to get a stool sample up to the Vet.  Yesterday she called to say he has Giardia....of course he does.  So we had to collect all the bedding and wash it, and he and Guinness (precautionary) are both on the meds.  We had been sending them to Daycare for half days till I was moving around a little better, but now that's out of the question.  They aren't allowed on our bed until they are clear, and they don't understand that at all.  There is no nightly "cuddle time".  WTD? 

So, that's what's going on here.  The good news is that I can now sit at my desk, so no more DK withdrawal.  Now if I can just figure out how to keep my guys busy without getting out of the chair or bed, I'll be all set.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Oh Jane!! I am so sorry :(  Hope you and murph both feel much much better soon!

And by the way, I am having a pouring month also!  Aside from Taquito and vet bills, we had our first mortgage payment this month, two cars in the shop and now I have a "rash from unknown origin" ALL OVER my back and I can barely stand it anymore - feels like ants crawling on me.  Steriods, please help :)

Get better soon to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I totally feel for you - literally. For me, it is a bulging disc in my neck. Makes breathing very difficult.  I have a prescription gel that gets rubbed on and it works like a dream for me - Voltaren gel. Do your research and if it sounds like something that might work for you, call your doctor and discuss it. It has gotten me through some very painful days.

Sending your hugs and hope you have a better day!

[Pat and Traveler]

Yikes!  So sorry, Jane.  I know exactly what you're going through, having had that same back problem off and on since my second daughter was a baby and I lifted her out of the crib without letting the side down.  Never know what will cause it to 'pop.'  Sneezing, vacuuming (LOL), twisting the wrong way--the good news is that it does get better after a few days.  Take care of yourself, Center of the Universe!  What a time for Giardia!