Needle in the....BACK!

We both woke up at 3 am.  Charlie, who had gone to bed at 8:30 was awake, totally awake.  And cheery mind you. He dared to sing the "Good Morning Song". Some of my readers will remember the "Good Morning Song " from our 2012 walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. We were often tired and grumpy in the morning. WHY? Charlie managed to sleep through his own snoring. The rest of the occupants of our lodging, family and pilgrims, did not. We did not appreciate the "Good Morning Song", despite his good intentions.  I, who had gone to bed at 10 pm last night, quite early for me, still do not appreciate the "Good Morning Song". I manged to lay back down and snooze a little longer. Steel cut oats and fruit waited for me in the kitchen. By 5 am we were on the road to... C and D's in Boardman!! where Charlie hoped to find fresh donuts. They don't open until 6. So he visited with contractors and pipe cutters and electricians who were also waiting at C and D to grab a bite before heading off to build a new co-gen plant. He came back with two day old donuts that would have been wonderful if fresh and warm. I heard all about the lives of the go-gen contractors: where they live, the work hours, favorite places to eat...you can learn a lot  from talking to contractors when you have a mutual interest in donuts, I guess.

back to today's events...
People with Parkinson's experience a lot of pain.  Doctors are just starting to recognize the pain as part of the disease process, instead of a separate ailment. I have had some type of back issue for quite some time.  Sitting in tiny chairs at pint sized tables for much of my professional career as a speech pathologist was not helpful.  A horse buck-off incident down at the Oxbow did its damage too. Since my  diagnosis with PD the back has gotten worse.  There are times when I cannot propel myself and need to use trekking poles, rails, walls, doorways to help me move.  I cannot pick up my big guitar case, carry a laundry basket or walk holding a baby.  This is not who I am.  I am strong.  I am invincible ! I am a mover and a shaker and I have quite a bit of moving and shaking left to do. There are places to go and people to meet.  I can't be in pain all the time!

still haven't gotten back to today yet, have I?

Taking the bull by the horns, I sprung into action. (who wouldn't if they were holding a bulls horns) Bicycling was fun, free and freeing.  I previously had no pain while cycling.  I rode over 1200 miles last year.  Then it started to hurt while I was riding. No good. I need to train for the BIG EVENT next July. Action was needed!
I visited the podiatrist, the physical therapist, a chiropractor or two, a massage therapist a physiatrist, a pain management doctor and her two  pain doctor residents. I had some injections. I tried to swim regularly.  I continued tai chi through the pain. Every morning I did my stretches and my LSVT BIG exercises. I slept on the floor, on the couch, in a recliner, in bed with wedges and bolsters trying to alleviate the discomfort. Then my dad's health turned.  My energy was spent caring for him. Not myself.  The pain worsened. One day as I was taking Dad to an appointment I saw a sign at the hospital.  Columbia Pain Mangement.  Right here in Hermiston.  I called them. They are from Hood River and come here weekly.  That sounded good to me.  Talk about a thorough evaluation...complete with a drug screen and questioning about my use of marijuana (I don't) I had confidence that they were the ones to assist  me.

A call early this week was what I wanted to hear.  "Can you be in Hood River 8am Friday morning. Your insurance  has improved some injections".
My lower back is full of arthritis. A disc has slipped forward causing a pinching of nerves that innervate my legs.  I feel like lava is pouring down my calves and my feet tingle and get  hot.  The glute muscles, hamstrings and calves are like knots.  My toes are starting to curl up.  My right leg is quite atrophied. Some due to Parkinson's? Most likely, but can I get out of pain enough to exercise harder? To complete more adventures.?  That is the question I have asked many of these experts I have visited.
These guys think I can.

Finally, the appointment today...

The injections were guided by a fluoroscope.  The physician washed my lower back down and injected lidocaine to deaden the area.  He told me exactly what he was doing each step of the way,  A dye was inserted to show him the pathway to the nerves.  It was followed by a steroid to decrease any inflammation around that nerve being pinched.  The process was repeated on the left side. An assistant brought over warm wet towels for my back and wow did that feel good.  The doc left, I got to look at the pictures of the procedure and then was put in a wheel chair and told not to try to stand.  When I finally did stand up I knew why they told me not to. With  an RN in front of me and Charlie behind we made it out to the car.  I dosed in the car until The Dalles where I was treated to a cafe au lait and a pastry and a visit to the music store next door. Unfortunately I could not climb stairs by Dr's orders so no drooling over guitars in the "special back room".
So how am I now?  My back hurts from the injections.  I have ice on it. But I can actually walk without grabbing the couch, the wall, a chair.

We made it home by noon.  Along the way we saw two herds of Dall sheep, and sadly one that had been hit by a car, now dead alongside the freeway. I laid low this afternoon.  Doc says it may be awhile before I feel the full effect of the steroid. I will be a good patient. Last time I was injected I went for a 10 mile bike ride. Not now... I can't wait for the morning when I rise  before
cheery Mr. "Good Morning to You"and  yell "No Pain! No Pain!" and wake his from his restful slumber.        

I imagine there will be other procedures and medication changes as I progress through this horrible disease.  I will keep on moving tho.  Its been 7 years now since my diagnosis and add a couple more years to that for symptoms I tried to hide from myself.  Still doing good. I am hopeful, forever, hope filled.

new paths to pedal

Home sweet home...we are very thankful to my sister Beth and her family for inviting us to share their family Christmas celebration. Our home in Hermiston felt like a strange and lonely place with my dad's recent passing and Loren being away. We enjoyed excellent weather in Atascadero with good food and great wine..kayaking, cycling and wildlife viewing. Leaving Atascadero was hard but we drove up the coast Highway 1 enjoying the blue blue sky, the green green hills and the blue-green sea.. Next...The Meet-up with Robert, Yvette and Brandon, Cece and Tony,
for a late lunch on the Santa Cruz Pier. This turned into a Camino reunion walk to see monarch butterflies. The San Ramon Clupnys took us home and consoled our grieving as we sat up late at night and the next day in our pajamas until noon, drinking coffee and telling stories. Not ones to stay still long, we bicycled through the lovely vineyards near Livermore, saw movies, played hilarious games, ate Yvette's fabulous cooking ...laughed and cried together until our hearts were no longer heavy.
Now we are home...home sweet home...it is too quiet...we are too still...there is a big hole in time and space that once was filled with a dad who needed us. We did our jobs and now that page is turned and we start a new chapter. Time to renew and regroup. A new year is on its way.