Since Everyone is Asking...

...Yes, I am back from Kentucky. I went out there to see a doctor who my parents are temple workers with on Fridays. He is a chiropractor in Versailles, Indiana (about an hour and a half away from Louisville). It was a miserable flight. I could hardly walk off the plane. By that point advil was only taking the edge of the pain. I think my dad was surprised to see my gimp self really in such bad shape. I went and saw the doctor that day and thought his 'light' technique made me very skeptical. No "cracking"...just muscle release movements, adjustments of my hips and vertebrae with syringe looking tools, and lots done to my neck. He thinks that my low back is the effect. Not the cause! The cause is in my neck which is so out of whack, that it makes my balance off so much that my low back has to compensate by twisting and shifting the disc out of place. Interesting theory...almost seems to make too much sense. But my skeptical self, was starting to believe that he was right.

So after 5 visits, and a LOT of work on my neck (I felt like I had whiplash my neck was so stiff and sore from all the treatments) my low back pain was subsiding by the 5th day in Kentucky.

Now for the hard part---finding someone out here in Az who does something familiar. The doctor in Indiana gave me a few names that he found on the web, but none of which do the combination of therapies that he does. Oh well, I will settle for anyone who does even one of his techniques. And then go and see him when I am back home for full body exams and adjustments. I have started seeing someone here in Az. He recommends 3 visits a week for the next month to be sure my body retrains its muscle to keep the alignment.

May 4th---the best I have felt in the last 10 months. Finally I felt like myself. This is definitely a noteworthy day! I went to work and was able to remember why I loved my job. Working in pain almost made me resent my job at one point. I came home from work that day thinking that I truly had the greatest job ever.

Things are looking on the up and up. I think this last 8 week flare-up is on its way out the door. How grateful I am for that. I am still doing acupuncture on Tuesdays. I always look forward to how relaxing it is for me. I will continue doing chiro and core strengthening as much as needed. I am wanting to start yoga, as several people have told me how good it is for low back problems, but I guess I am just nervous to not overdue it yet.

There's the update for you! How blessed I continue to feel. Again, thank you for your prayers. I feel how much I am loved by friends, family, and Heavenly Father each day.

Blessed Beyond Measure

Currently my life revolves around a Pain Log. Yes, it is as horrible as it sounds. I found myself writing down how many advil I take a day, what oils I apply, what appointments I had, how much I worked (if I even made it to work that day), what my pain level is that day, what helps, what doesn't, what activities I did that day, and how much helped I needed. Not your traditional journal I know. But my physical therapists recommended I keep a log so I know how long and what level the pain is at and to keep better track so I can get out of pain and hopefully in the future prevent flare-ups.

A dear sweet friend of mine came over the other night to paint my toenails. (I knew that was a task I didn't want to have to ask Nick to tackle). I was telling her about my pain log and just telling her about how down I felt lately. To which she replied, "No wonder you are depressed, all you do is write down how miserable you feel all day." That really got me thinking:

I truly am blessed. I know the Lord knows what I am going through. Physical pain in this life is only temporary and but for a moment in the big picture. I couldn't be more grateful for the knowledge that I have in that.

I couldn't have a better more loving family. I don't even know where to begin to express this. Nick helps me do every menial task imaginable. I never knew how hard it can be to even bend over the sink to brush my teeth, put on my socks, carry a purse--all of these things he has to help me do now. My mom deserves a crown. She answers her phone when I call her so late (3 hour time difference) just to cry. I really don't call expecting her to say much, but she just listens to my sob on the other end and tells me she loves me. I love my dad's phone calls saying, "Jennifer, I know someone who can fix you up." He is always optimistic, and trying to get it to rub off on me. My sweet Grandma who emails and calls and gives me recommendations on what doctors to see, and again always makes me feel to loved. I am grateful for my brothers and sister, who have all checked on me and let me know I am in their prayers.

Thank goodness for friends. It is your phone calls that get me smiling and laughing, help me forget about myself, and again let me know that I am loved. You all make me know that I will get better, you do my dishes, paint my toenails, send me cute cards, give me words of encouragement, and bring us dinner. With family being so far away, it is nice to have people in my life that watch over you so closely.

My boss has been so understanding. He is always telling me to do whatever I have to do to get better because the office needs me. He has been supportive when I cut back some of my early morning hours, and on days when work just isn't happening we find some one to cover my patients. I do miss work when I am not there. I have such great patients that help to take my mind of me. I love being able to help them and to listen to their trials in life. It puts everything into perspective. If only it didn't hurt so much to get up and down from that chair I sit in!!

Where would any of us be in our trials if it wasn't for the church and Jesus Christ. It is through fasting, prayer, the temple, and priesthood blessings that I know I will over come this. The peace that is brought over me by doing these things calms me more than anything else. I know that I will be led to a doctor that will help me be pain free.

It is for these things that I am so blessed beyond measure. These things bring me the peace and comfort I need....not some pain log that records my daily happenings and the resulting pain. I am hoping to chuck that thing in the garbage soon! I love you all. Thank you for your prayers.

Just Love Those Badger's!

Oh...such good times! TJ and Michelle came down from Denver for a whole week! We had such a great time with them. We sure did a lot while they were here--shopping, eating, decorating my house, spring training basebally game, watching the UFC fight, get together with friends, and staying up way too late! We sure wish our friends lived closer. We have decided that for future visits we must start up a 'log' of comments because there are some hysterical things said when we all get together.

Michlle, me, and Scarlett

Nick and Tj outside of Waldo's BBQ

Nick and I at Cubs vs A's game

The Badger's-Tj and Michelle

Just enjoying the absolutely perfect day!

Michelle and I were excited to be getting some sunshine

Another great trip! Can't wait to see you guys again.

Christine's Visit

It is that time of year where everyone wants to visit! I can't blame them-it has been absolutely perfect weather here. This last week Nick's mom, Christine, came from Virginia for her first Arizona experience. Nick had spring break so he was excited to get to spend so much time with her. We had a jammed pack week of events planned. Monday we met up with my Grandma who lives here for a tour of Phoenix, the State Capital, Basha Museum (western and Indian art), and lunch. I had to go back to work Tues-Thurs, but Nick and Christine stayed busy! They went to the Queen Creek Olive Mill, MLB spring training game LA Dodgers vs Chicago White Sox, and the Desert Botanical Gardens. Friday we went shopping and out to Rustler's Roost for dinner. We had such a nice visit with her, and are excited that she plans to make AZ an annual trip!

Ps-the only downer of the trip was on Thursday night went we went to Nick's softball game. He slid into 3rd base and tore his left hamstring (yes, the same leg that had all the drama last year). So Friday we spent 2-3 hours at the physical therapists assessing the damage that was done. It is turning black and blue now (and of course the hive rash is back!!--seriously I think his body is in shock from all that the last 6 months has brought him). The therapist says that it is torn, but not completely and a few weeks of therapy will be done to see if his condition improves. Hopefully it won't need surgery! Needless to say Nick has accepted that his softball career is over, and it may take 3-6 months to get him walking at a pace faster than a snail.

Here are a few pics from the week:

Nick and I outside Rustler's Roost

Nick and Christine in front of the band at Rustler's Roost

Gotta love Nick's face in this picture

Nick and Christine at Dodgers vs White Sox game


At the Olive Mill

At the AZ State Capital Museum

AZ State Capital

We are excited for our next visitors to come on Wed. Can't wait to see TJ and Michelle!!

Tracks and Turds...Literally

Somehow I got talked into going on a 'walk' tonight. Translation=let's go check out this state trust land for coyote tracks and turds to see if this is a good hunting spot for coyotes tomorrow morning.
At least I got one picture out of it! The others taken tonight were of coyote droppings. Disgusting. I will definitely be sleeping in while these boys run around chasing wild dogs with their guns.

My "Green Thumb"

Yes, I had one of those "Domestic Days Off." I wanted some sort of planter/pot for an extra something by our front door. So here is my attempt in the process and the final result. It looks great with the rest of the yard.

LOL--and yes, I am wearing dental gloves instead of gardening gloves!!! But, they work just the same if you ever get desperate.

Finally done!

THE FRONT YARD LANDSCAPE IS FINALLY DONE...and what a headache this has been. More pictures to some soon.