new faces, new seat

Dive #12 pretty uneventful.

They started Skyfall again, I guess they forgot we watched that one already. I read the entire time. I actually got really sucked in and time flew by. Which was nice for a change. I went in having some pain. Was worried since it was not brought on by eating this morning. Maybe I just brushed my teeth too hard.
Only weird thing today was my helmet wasn't on tight enough and popped off. that was freaky.
We watched Argo and I was very involved in this movie so time flew by.

The door to the dressing area was closed today. I think that was for my benefit.

Managed to escape Cip's clutches again today. On a happier note, through sweaty palms and high anxiety, I signed up to run my first 1/2 marathon. I figure if I sign up and it's far enough away (November) that I won't have any choice but to do it. Until this happened my goal was to run the Publix 1/2 this weekend so I am kinda bummed I haven't been training. I did run today and froze my butt off!

Lucky #13

No pain today. Good, because that crappy Flagyl should be out of my system by tomorrow and I was worried that going off that antibiotic was the cause of my pain.

Today is Pi Day (3.14)

So naturally, I bought a pie for my work family.

yes, you can see I decorated it myself :)

and it's keylime, so I can eat it too.

We have another Mary in our little submarine

She took my seat :(

I was told she had to sit there because all new people have to sit there the first time because it is across from the attendant. She was very panicky.

Maria was in the middle of us, so at least I still got to sit next to her. She didn't like me having to move seats, she said it was too dark for me to read and that they need to put me back.

I love this woman. She reminds me of my grandma. When she is done with treatments she is moving to Maryland. She was complaining about T-mobile and her new cell phone today helping distract me from the fact that now I am across from Madeline...aka stinky and in direct contact with Cip, who now I can hear the kissy sound he makes trying to blow me kisses and get my attention. Oh and he told me I was "sexy as Hell" again and kept winking at me. Yeah, I hope I don't have to sit in this spot again tomorrow.

I also don't like the angle I have to be in to see the TV. We watched lawless today. Forest aka Tom Hardy is a hottie.

Now I am not first out of the chamber anymore. Maria told me to go to the other dressing area, she would use the bathroom, she knows I have to go back to work and I am in a hurry. The new girl throws a wrench in our groove and I can tell Maria doesn't like it. LOL. 

I did talk to the new lady while I was getting dressed. She said she was ok but she was nervous because she did not know what to expect. I told her about my panic attack and she said she was having one but didn't want to freak out in a room full of strangers. I told her it gets easier. Ugh, if she is freaking out they may stick me next to Cip again. Josh was not there today, I hope he moves me back when I see him again.

Halfway Point

The weekend was a full one.

Managed to get out of the house, see some friends play roller derby, eat fish tacos, pain free with some friends and got 2 runs and a trip to the Farmers Market in.

Did not take any pain meds all weekend!

Shane got new running shoes, they look pretty cool, he took then off so I could see how thick and light they were. He's a runner too. Dr. King told me everybody's pizza is closing in Decatur so he took his wife there. he was there for the opening when he was in college (Emory) so it was fitting that he closed it down. It's going to be an Irish Pub. Mr. Inappropriate chimed in that he liked Irish Beer. A short discussion was had by Shane, Josh, Dr. King and I about where to get cheap beer, old nickel nights back in the day and how the Hipsters have ruined cheap PBR in Atlanta for the rest of us.

Monday's dive I started to read but got sucked into the movie . Don't know why but my anxiety has been high. Managed to stave it off mostly by watching Water for Elephants. 

Got the whole movie in.

Ate my fig Newton and Apple Juice. I guess they know me by now because Josh didn't even ask he just handed it to me. He's cool. He told me the movie was sad but actually it had a happy ending so I am glad I watched it anyway.

After dressing and fixing my hair and makeup, I left the office but managed to catch up to Mr. Inappropriate on my exiting of the building itself. he was alone in the wheel chair while his Nurse was pulling the car up. he caught sight of me an immediately wheeled himself over my way. I tried to speed past but his arm caught me. I tried to be polite and smile and just shake his hand but he grabbed me and pulled me into a bear hug that ended with a grabbing of my ass. I managed to get free and just took off without looking bad. I feel bad for the guy but geez.

Today I had to go in early so I could meet with Dr. King for my 2 week evaluation. When I got there it was only me and the receptionist. She validating my parking and went and found me some scrubs to change into. She said they were short staffed today and that after I changed she would tell the Doc I was there. When I got out of the dressing room, Cip was there ( Cip= creepy Inappropriate)

As soon as I sat down he wheeled over to me. He told me I was a beautiful as ever. I tried to divert and smile and looked helplessly around for someone. Shane came in and he was trying to get things together. I just focused on him, meanwhile Cip started telling me over and over that I was "sexy as Hell". At this point I got up to go see the receptionist and Shane met me in the hallway and moved me to another room. He apologized and said they were short staffed and he was trying to get to me as soon as he could. he called Hector and told him to go babysit Cip because he was being inappropriate this morning.

Vitals were all good. Shane was shaking. his blood sugar was all messed up. he could barely write down my info. My vision has definitely changed. Side effect of diving. pain has gotten better. I have healed 50% in area and 17% in Volume but the Dr. thinks its more than that because he could not measure as deep last time due to my pain level. Also I have a big mouth...which is a good thing considering how many surgeries I have had. I am supposed to get neck massages but we shall see if that can be afforded later.

Even better news is I am off Flagyl as of today!

I will be able to have a drink by Friday-woo hoo!

Today was another full house. We watched Argo. I got really sucked into that one. Hector stayed for the whole dive this time. We talked about World War Z until I had to put my helmet on.

No fig newtons today so back to goldfish and AJ.

Not too bad today. I was too involved with the movie to pay anything else much attention. I did get dressed in a hurry and got ready in the car. I was out of the dressing room before Cip was even out of the chamber. 

Whew!

TGIF

Well at least the car started.

Today we celebrated Daniel's birthday at work, Marie made blueberry and banana pancakes so I went diving with a full belly.

Not a good idea.

It was Wanda, Phillip (he is Mr. Inappropriate) and Maria (Ms. Portugal) today.

The movie of the day was "The Time Travelers Wife"

I read mostly, I was in and out of the movie.

My ears had issues today. Then I got warm. maybe it was the full belly, maybe it was the long sleeve shirt I wore underneath, maybe both but toward then end of the dive I felt it. Like there was no air. Like when you are cold and under a blanket and trying to get warm but you can't quite breathe right. Then the warm spread in my chest, the flush in my face. I was starting to have a panic attack. I concentrated on my breathing and reading my book to get my mind off of it. I wanted to rip that damn helmet off but I knew I was close to the end. Mr. inappropriate had been telling me he loved me today. He also was showing me with sign language in the chamber that he loved me. I did not want to draw anymore attention to myself than I needed too.

Josh (the younger orderly) seemed like he was having a tough time clearing his ears too. When we were coming up, my left ear hurt. First time.

While I was in the dressing area (it is open to the chamber room but has curtains so you can change in private) I was finishing up getting dressed and fixing my hair and makeup, (you can't have any hair products, make up, lotion, etc on during) Shane (the head attendant) was standing between the dressing area and Phillip. I could here them and Josh talking but wasn't paying attention.When I went to leave Phillip's nurse was in front of me and Shane held the door open for them but told me to wait a minute before I left.

Apparently I got Mr. Inappropriate all worked up and he did not want me to feel any more uncomfortable than I had to, so he wanted to give me some time and space to get him out of there so he didn't try to grab me or say something to me. I thought it was sweet of him to look out for me but I felt bad for the poor kid. I told Shane I could handle it but thanks anyway.

I guess I have a brain damaged admirer.

And the bubble burst

I was in a pretty happy go lucky mood today.

Managed to eat some raisin bread without much pain.

Got to HYOX and it was a full house.

Ms. Portugal and I chatted while we are getting changed into our scrubs.

She has jaw issues from the cancer and skin irritations from radiation. She also has constant pain from the rod in her back. I learned that she was working for a family when she found out she had cancer. No family or husband.

The family happened to be a PA and through him she got some of the best doctors. She even had surgery done for free because she did not have insurance.

It makes me feel good to know there are still good doctors out there with a conscience helping people who would otherwise have to suffer.

She called this doctor her Angel.

I am glad she sits next to me in the chamber.

Dr. King was there to talk to me today. He wanted to know what Dr. Roser had said.

I told him and he informed me that no matter how I healed I was still going to need a debridement (to remove the dead bone). So looks like I will be having surgery after all.

True Grit was the movie of the day

I read, I was so into it that Shane actually smacked my book down to get my attention to pick my snack from the bin.

I am not a fan of most political/war novels but World War Z is pretty damn well written and with all this talk of FEMA camps on the news, it makes me wonder .... maybe not zombies but something 

Anyway, fig newton and apple juice again. no pain

Firefighter was there again, this time training with Josh for the first half of the dive. he's a dweeb.

Apparently all the old people like westerns...me ...not so much.

I was told by the nurse that my skin looked really good, not that I thought it looked bad before but I guess all that oxygen does wonders for your looks.

On unrelated news...the car wash guy at work left my lights on and ran my battery down. Had to get Charlie to jump me off, then afterwork it died again and had to get Al to jump me off. Was so pissed because Kathini and Marie were in their cars ready to follow me to the park to go for a run.

So much for that idea. I thought at least if I could get home I could get a run in but as soon as I turned the car off it would not start again, so Shane messed around with it for a while then he and Ariana (who loves to work on cars) went and got and replaced my battery. More freaking money.

No run.

In my pain free day I got saucy and made beef with broccoli stir fry. I cooked the meat a little too done and there was no eating it for me. Pain...I guess it is back to veggie burgers and pasta and soup.

a pictorial post

Well I got to get out of the house Monday night to see Dropkick Murphy’s at the Tabernacle. We got there and made our way to the floor. I knew this would not be a good idea. This was going to be a crazy show and being in a pit could be potentially life altering for me right now, so Shane and I went to the balcony. The first one was full so we went to the 3^rd floor and got a front row seat. It is really hard to be sober at an Irish Punk Rock show that is just screams about drinking beer. Shortly after Old Man Markley took the stage I could see that I made a good decision to not be on the floor. There was a decent pit forming. By the time DM took the stage the entire floor was nothing but arms, elbows and feet in the air. It was an amazing pit. I was super jealous when they brought all the girls from the floor up on stage for the encores. That could have been me if I could have handled a punch in the face.

 The control Panel of the Chamber

 This is the inside of the Chamber, I sit in the seat closest to this view

 This is the other side. the corner where that stool is where the inappropriate guy sits.

 this is the door to the outer lock, for when they have to switch out attendants for safety reasons or if you have to come in late or leave early.

 This is the infamous latex ring. We have to put this on (with help) around our necks, then when we come up to pressure the tubes and attached and the masks are put on to this.

 you can see the tube and the humidifier here. I have ice in mine, it makes it less stuffy and me less claustrophobic.

 this is what the outside looks like

we even have a few little windows. I sit under one so I can hold my book up to it and read.

Dive 6 was a full house again. Finished watching DeJaVu and started definitely maybe, but mostly I just read. Had a twinge of pain but no big deal. Sucked on some goldfish again and my AJ. I learned that Wanda was trying to save her toes from being amputated. I did bring my camera this time and after the dive I went in a snapped a few shots to show you what it looks like, so you know what I am talking about. Stinky was stinky again. She is so nice but man, I'm glad I don't sit next to her. Inappropriate guy did not like the second movie and got all upset. He had to be talked down.

I had quite the gap between HYOX and going back to Emory to see my surgeon so I took a vacation day and picked up my mom after the dive and we went to Emory early and killed time in the Carlos Museum on campus. It was a nice, quiet afternoon with just me and mom. Something we had not had in a very long time, just us. We were amazed at the collection of artifacts on display. They have a heck of an Egyptian exhibit. Mummy’s are just crazy cool.

 This is looking through a magnifying glass at a tiny piece of garnet that was carved in the shape of a face.

 This was a paper etching from France
"death on a battlefield" 1648

 Mom and me in the elevator

 Mummy's

We walked over to Building B, no reason to repay for parking, though I don't think I saved any money. It was nice to walk with mom through the campus and the weather was overcast but 65.

Saw another new face, Dr. Rosenthal. He got my mom all panicked by saying I'm very red and inflammed but he had not seen me before. I swear I feel like a patient on Grey's Anatomy with all these interns and residents clammering to get a peak at my jaw.

Dr. Roser and the other surgeon ( I forgot his name) came in the room next to check on me. The funny one (whats-his-name) said he was really worried last time but that I looked good. Dr. Roser said it was nice and red because of the new blood vessels forming from my treatments. It is even starting to spider over the wound. So if things progress I will be done on March 25th. That will be my 20th dive and that is when I go back to see him. I have to take the crappy Flagyl for another week but then I am off that, which means I can have a drink on St. Patty's Day! Let's hope this also means no surgery!

Since we got in and out so quickly and it was now raining, we decided to kill time and let traffic die and go to Ikea for food and shopping. I managed to choke down some horse balls...no I did not know about the whole Swedish meatball scandal but that was in Europe not here anyway.

 Dive 7

it's month end so I am busy as heck at work. Thankfully my friend Cheryl dropped off my prescriptions for me today to save me some time. It was only me, Dave and Ms. Portugal today.

They trained a new guy, a firefighter, during the second half of the dive.

Dave wanted to watch the Bourne Supremecy. MP and I didn't care so we nixed watching the end of definitely maybe and actually watched and entire movie. Well they did, I read my book.

MP is in there for thyroid cancer, and it spread to her spine. She had a fall last night and was in some pain today. She is a spicy old lady.

We chatted about how ridiculously cold it gets in there when they de-pressurize the cabin. It is literally like sitting in a freezer. They give us blankets but its not enough.

I also learned that the attendants switch our halfway because a woman is not supposed to be in there longer than 45 minutes because it does something to your ovaries. If someone has to stay the whole time it is a guy.

Today I had a fig newton. no pain. and AJ. It was nice to be in there with a small crowd today.

Dive Five

3/4/13

Feeling really good today. Decided (actually, really I just forgot) to not take the anxiety meds today before the dive. I am just really trying to cut down on any pills that are just not necessary since I have so many. Most are pain management. I have managed to not really have to take any except at night. That is usually because that is when I break down and really try to nibble on something other than yogurt and protein shakes. I am a little worried about the damage to my liver and kidneys from the antibiotics as my liver and kidneys have been “well exercised”, quote from Dr. King, from my love of beer and wine J

I did most of payroll from home so that I could get it turned in early since I had my first Monday Dive. Today I must have hit every frigging red light on the way there. I should really leave earlier but I feel guilty enough missing so much time during the day and mornings I am so busy.

The lady with the mysterious accent was back today. She sat next to me. She is from Portugal. Mystery solved!

Remembered to put my glasses on after I put the ring around my neck…I really need to get some pictures tomorrow so you guys know what the heck I am talking about.

Since I already knew this movie sucked…Hancock…I read more of World War Z. The scary part about this book is not the zombies, it’s how each government concealed it and how people made money off of it and how I could see this really happen! Maybe not a zombie plague but a plague none the less. Really makes me want to work on my bug-out-bag.

Anyway…no problems at all today. Ears cleared good. Ate half my snack (goldfish dissolve easily). Apple juice again.

Josh was the name of the kid in the tank this time. Shane took the second half. He’s the head honcho over there. The second movie we began to watch was DeJaVu which I think I saw already. I glanced at it now and then. Got out of there quickly.

The next 24 hours are going to be crazy. Going to see Dropkick Murphy’s at the Tabernacle tonight. Sober L but it should still be fun. At least being sober means I will take a lot of good pictures. Plus going to shows with my husband is usually a pretty great experience. We just find our groove together doing things like this. Tomorrow I am taking the day off because it just makes sense. I have treatment tomorrow, then I have to go see Dr. Roser at Emory at 4. Kind of screws up the whole day so I am going to try to make the most of it. Dragging mom with me so that we can kill time at the Carlos Museum beforehand. I just hope I get some news as to how long I have to do these dives for and what comes next, I really hope it’s not just a ‘your heading in the right direction’ check up and there is actually some sort of game plan revealed. I hate being in limbo.

Adventures in Modern Medicine

I have not been shooting a lot lately but I have been keeping busy. I have osteomylitis in my Jaw. It is from a bike accident when I was a kid. I have had more oral surgery in my life then probably anyone I know or you know. More times than I can count over the span of 31 years. I have had another bout with the old infection here lately and have had to do hyperbaric oxygen treatments again. With social media being what it is and so I don't really have to explain it over and over I decided I would share my daily dives (that what they call the treatments) with anyone who might be concerned with what is going on with my health.

First let me give a little back story

I had this flare up 11 years ago and was treated by Dr. Gardner (do not EVER use this Dr. for any oral surgery!) Many debridements, a bone graft, a failed implant, $11,000 out of my pocket and 7yrs later I had a tooth pulled that this hack should have pulled then but thank God he didn't or I would not have known how bad my infection had gotten. When I went to a new surgeon because I didn't heal he sent me to Emory to see a specialist. Dr. Stephen Roser. The best Dr. in the world (literally in the top 5). He thought I was going to have to have my whole jaw replaced but with the RIGHT antibiotics and HBO dives (40 of them at crawford long) I did not even lose a tooth. He said then my fight wasn't over yet but felt I had suffered enough and when I flared up again to come back and get it taken care of for good.

So here I am

Day one 2/26/13

Arrived behind an old woman in a walker, Miriam I think. She is the smelly lady. Orientation with a ‘fragile’ diabetic who also was going in for the first time. Wanda. She is nice.

Dave is the old man amputee in the wheel chair

Then there is the old lady with the mysterious accent

The boy with the head injury who is grabby and inappropriate.

Watched the end of skyfall and beginning of a good year

Too dark to read

Can wear my glasses and will next time.

Did not have to remove my nose ring.

Hair must be tied back

Latex ring was too tight at first, had to be re-cut.

Got hot inside, burning in chest after 15 minutes of mask on. Had to put ice in my airway,

Panic attack

Snack was apple juice and crackers---bad choice

Learned what narking was

Had a hard time clearing my ears.

Very depressed, took extra pain meds, did homework with Brody and caught up on shows. Decided to eat a chip. Heard and felt a snap and pain now whenever I eat!

Day 2 2/27/13

One person less…no lady with the accent.

Melinda not Miriam is the stinky lady

Dave lost one leg and one foot

Took buspar for the panic attack---def helped

Ears cleared better but left ear def was harder to clear from the pressure in the tank

Was set by myself on the right side entrance. Light, got to read. Did not finish watching a good year-that movie kinda sucked. Did start watching another movie with Han Solo after reading a few pages of world war z- which is very good. Not sure how a movie is going to come of this.

Apple juice only today

No snack

Found out I could have popped a filing and that could be the noise, pain I felt and still feel. Yay

Dr. Roser is out of the clinic until Friday so I wait

Day 3 2/28/13

Finished watching the Harrison Ford movie “Morning Glory” then began watching the Clint Eastwood Film “ the trouble with the curve” Eastwood always reminds me of my dad.

No snack today, just apple juice

Ear cleared but got a crick in my neck.

Cute attendant was in during half the dive…he is reading Men are from Mars and Woman are from Venus, he said he was told he had to read it. I watched him a little, he was shaking is head at times while he read it. Guess he doesn’t agree.

The second half of the dive was with a new girl (at least new to me) she was super young. Nice Enough, quiet.

The inappropriate guy lived up to his reputation today. He was clapping and flicking the screen off.

I really appreciate the fact that I am the only one sitting on my side of the sub across from the attendant.

Got to go to Emory afterwards for a quick x-ray. Not broken. Guess a piece chipped off the bone when I was eating. Nice. Now I have to take 2 antobiotics 7 times a day (total) Damn I hate pills!

I actually found a parking spot quick this time and got in and out quick. Almost got free parking if it was not for the asshole who held up one of the toll lines getting out of the deck because he did not have any money.

Day 4 3/1/13

Today I choked down lots of pills. Felt a little uneasy and warm again but not as bad as the first day. Watched the end of “trouble with the curve” which was decent. I love baseball and Clint Eastwood and Justin Timberlake was actually good in this one too. I did suck on a few gold fish at snack time and drank my apple juice.

Forgot my book in the locker and left my glasses off the first half---both I hope I never do again. The second movie was Hancock…I hate that movie.

There was no switch out of attendants today…not the cute guy either L that’s ok, I had hat head and everyone at work made fun of how loose my pants were that I actually bought new size 4 jeans on the way back to work. Going to pack up all my big clothes this weekend.