September 17, 2004

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  Just popping in...

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  The concrete removal is going quite well. I am more than 2/3 of the way done with the walk around the side/back of the garage. Got a little help from Bernie, even.   I also dug up the curbing on one side of the old parking area, which is going to be enlarged on that side. I figure when we are done with this, we will have room to park 8 cars on the gravel parking area -- so there should be no reason for folks to continue driving on my lawn when they are trying to come or go, or turn their vehicles around. Of course the number one offender here -- my dear husband, who drives for a living, yet can somehow manage to take up enough room to park 3 cars and a dumptruck when he parks the jeep outside the house!

  
  

  My muscles, especially in my arms and the sides of my back, are sore, but not too much so. It just feels like I have had a very good workout. And Goddess knows those are areas that need a bit of firming and toning! I have been pacing myself, and taking ibuprofen to keep any inflammation from getting bad. I also have been getting my nice hot bubble bath after I am done working....

  
  

  

  
  

  ahhhh, hydrotherapy!

  
  

  I went to the doctor yesterday and he told me that the sinuses are not as bad as when he did the last surgery, so because we caught it early this time, it should be less extensive and the recovery may even be a bit easier and quicker. With nasal/sinus polyps, there is always a chance (more like a probability) that they will return, and the ones that are plaguing me just happen to be right in the area of the highest concentration of olfactory nerves. Hence the loss of the sense of smell. Also the occasional tenderness on the bridge of my nose that I have been experiencing, which makes it very uncomfortable to wear glasses. And of course, the sinus headaches which are in a place where it feels like they will make me go cross-eyed. 

  
  

  I am so ready to be rid of this congestion and everything that goes with it. Looking forward to enjoying all the fragrances that come with the holidays as much as I am looking forward to breathing more easily and getting rid of the headaches. The doc says it is okay to put the surgery off for a little while, so I am planning on scheduling it for sometime in mid-November, after I am done with my yard work for the year. Then I will be able to sit back and relax, and hopefully be recovered in time to dive into the winter holiday season and everything that goes with it.

  
  

  I have to call back in a couple of weeks to make the appointment, because they book surgeries from four to six weeks in advance. And the big bonus is, I will be getting the snoring surgery at the same time. It is not covered by insurance but Bernie is happy to pay for it, to get some peace and quiet around here at night. And since I will already be in the hospital and under anesthesia, there will be a considerable savings in cost.

  
  

  

  
  

  happy! happy!

  
  

  As for the other issue, the "mass" on the side of my face, just in front of my ear, it seems to be either a parotid tumor or a lymph node. (or a marble, but I don't remember having one installed in my face ) The next step is a biopsy, which will be done with a needle, guided by ultrasound, next thursday. I talked to the doctor at the hospital where it will be done today, and he reviewed the pictures from my scan with me, and explained what will be done. It should take about 15 minutes and I can go home right away. This should give a better idea of what is going on in there, which is probably nothing to worry about.

  
  

  Actually, I am more worried about seeing the dentist for the first time in 5 years or so on Tuesday than I am about getting the biopsy on Thursday.

  
  

  And incidentally, my birthday falls right in between. On Wednesday I will be 29 with 17 years' experience.  No big birthday plans, we never really do much to celebrate...

  
  

  Eh, that's about it... this weekend is the end of Bernie's two weeks vacation. As big a pain in the ass as he is, I will still miss him when he goes back. I kinda got used to having him around again...

  
  

  But on the other hand, it will be nice to be able to clean the house and have it stay that way for five minutes...

  
  

  

  
  

   

  • 9:55 pm
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