Doctors

October 20,
2010

Today I had my first appointment with my new pain doctor.

I gotta say ... I like him a lot.

He reminded me of a bigger Anderson Cooper.

Meowwwww.

The appointment went very well. He was going to suggest a CPAP machine, but I am already on one. He wanted to suggest therapy, but I am already doing water therapy. It was nice to hear him say that I sound motivated to get better.

And I am. I'm tired of 'just' maintaining. I am ready to have more of my life back.

And this doctor thinks he can do that for me.

Over the next two months, I am supposed to lose as much weight as I possibly can through diet and exercise. I will be going to water therapy three times each week and totally changing my diet.

No cheese.

No red meat.

No eating after 8 pm.

Help!

The no cheese thing is really painful. I can live without red meat and the no late night eating ... but cheese?? Lord help me!

The good news from today is that the doctor thinks I am a perfect candidate for a spinal stimulator. Basically, it is a wire that is implanted into my back that turns the pain off. It would allow me to function at a higher rate. That sounds great to me.

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Charity

October 08,
2010

WORLD CLASS SALONS PRESENTS

3RD ANNUAL LINGERIE FASHION SHOW

To Benefit Breast Cancer Research

Hosted at Centre Salon & Spa

15400 64th Ave., Unit E11, Arvada


OCTOBER 23, 2010

SILENT AUCTION AT 6PM, FASHION SHOW AT 7:30PM

TICKETS: $35 or 2 for $50; VIP $75

FOR INFORMATION: Call 303.371.0437

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Plug

October 08,
2010

We have a found a great hair salon here in Denver.

We were worried that we wouldn't be able to find a good place to get our haircuts. We had been spoiled back in Louisiana because Darin's cousin was a hair stylist and had gone to her for the past 18 months.

Darin googled hair salons close by and found one called Eminently Hair Salon. They are an Aveda hair salon.

Here's the great thing about the place (besides a great hair cut) .... The first hair cut is ONLY $11. After that, it goes up to $20, I believe. Also, when you refer people to the salon, you get a free shampoo and conditioner for the first referral and $19 worth of product for the second referral. How great is that?

You're probably wondering if it was any good. The answer is YES.

We both got ours cut by Lindsay and we highly recommend her. She is sweet and knows what she is doing. She also gives an excellent head and neck massage as part of your service.

If you're in Denver or Lakewood, I strongly urge you to try them. Their number is 303-233-8089.

If you do decide to go there, make sure to tell them that David Hans sent you. I need the product. ha!

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Therapy

October 08,
2010

Well, I have good news.

Nice change, eh?

I found a therapy pool. The best part about it is that it is 1 minute from our house down the street. If you're in Denver, it's at the Easter Seals Colorado facility in Lakewood.

Yesterday I had my first therapy session in almost two years and boy am I sore from it. I did an hour or so of light cardio then rested for a bit and took a class where we did cardio, weights (I had to use 1lb weights unfortunately) and stretching.

I have also begun a diet.

Well, I'm trying to.

I have begun eating my salads with tuna (for protein) again and yesterday I found a deal at King Soopers for $1.65 lean cuisine meals.

Now I just have to avoid the ice cream and potato chips!

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National Pasta Month

October 01,
2010

Did you know it's National Pasta Month?

Neither did I.

I will take advantage of it though!

Speaking of pasta, Darin & I discovered a great restaurant here in Denver called Noodles & Company. It's not one I had heard of before but damn was it ever good.

They do Asian, American and Mediterranean pasta bowls plus sandwiches, soups and salads. Both Darin and I had Japanese pan noodles with braised beef that was outstanding. If you have a location in your city, you need to check the place out. We got the pasta bowl with the beef and a side salad/soup for only $7.50.

Definitely worth going back.

Check it out!

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Update

October 01,
2010

Seems like I am always apologizing for not writing blog posts sooner.

So I won't apologize this time.

Nothing much has really been going on except for us getting settled in the new home. As you probably know, we have moved to Denver for Darin's new job. Well, it was new two months ago anyways.

Mostly I have been unpacking and resting. Thanks to my back, I cannot do a whole lot before I have to rest. Fortunately, there is no timeline on getting things settled. It is killing me that I cannot do it faster though. I like things in their place and not everything is yet. Most of it is though.

On the doctor front, I have found a pain doctor and hopefully they'll keep me on as a patient. It would really suck if they do not because I will have to go without medication.

[pausing for kisses from my dog]

Speaking of the dogs, Pokey & Dakota are adjusting well to the new home. Dakota took no time at all actually. Pokey has been adjusting slowly. He doesn't like strangers and there are lots of people around when we go outside to do 'business'. He'll learn to get over it though.

So, now y'all are caught up :)

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Recipe

October 01,
2010

Here is one for the Fall season that I found on Allrecipes.com that I would like to try.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cloves
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3/4 cup shortening


Directions


  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
  2. Combine the oil and brown sugar. Mix in the pumpkin and eggs, beating well. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Mix well.
  3. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool then make sandwiches from two cookies filled with Whoopie Pie Filling.
  4. To Make Whoopie Pie Filling: Beat egg white and mix with the milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar. Mix well then beat in the shortening and the remaining cup of confectioners' sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.

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I Have Landed!

September 21,
2010

Well folks, the day has finally come. I am now a resident of Denver!

Yesterday I flew from New Orleans to my new home. Someone must have been smiling on me! First, I got the seat I wanted ("stretch" seating with 5 inches extra leg room) and then no one was seated next to me. So, I got in the middle seat and stretched out. I even got to watch part of the Saints game on the free DirectTV I got on the flight. Lastly, we arrived 20 minutes EARLY. They had some very friendly people drive me through the airport to the baggage claim where, just as we pulled up, my bag was coming around the belt. How is that for timing?

If you ever get the chance, I totally recommend FRONTIER AIRLINES. Not only was my experience great, I only had to pay $99 for the ticket (direct flight) and $15 to upgrade my seat.

Great, huh?

Now I'm just getting to know my surroundings and today, I had a doctor's appointment. I am really hoping they will keep me on as a patient. I don't think they should be a problem with my lab work or my records. The place is only 10 minutes from the house and I got in early and done in no time. Totally not like Louisiana where everything takes 10x as long as it should.

So far, so good!

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Break Time!

September 09,
2010

Well Folks, I know I haven't been posting a lot but I have been packing and resting for the past couple weeks.

The move is now upon us.

Tomorrow, our Internet will be shut off [groan] and I will be without Internet for about 2 weeks since I don't fly out right away.

So, please take care of yourselves and I will see you again once I have gotten to Denver and have settled into the new home!

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Anxiety

August 30,
2010

I have been fighting off anxiety attacks for the last month.

Now, my attacks are different from most people. I don't hyperventilate or anything like that. With mine, I get this physical feeling of dread that washes throughout my body and afterward, I am physically exhausted. It's a weird feeling to have the attacks. And trust me, it isn't fun when I have them.

So what am I anxious about?

Obviously, it's the move.

More than that, the biggest anxiety is regarding doctors. I am very comfortable with the doctors i have now. In fact, I feel very safe with them. I know that they actually care about me and want the best for me. Now I will be leaving that. I'm sure I will find good doctors in Denver but it just won't be the same.

Also, I have my assistance all set up here ... food stamps, medicaid, prescription help. Now I will have to re-apply for everything. I'm sure I will get approved but it's just a hassle having to redo everything on top of so many other changes.

Don't get me wrong - I'm happy about moving. I'm thrilled that Darin is working a job he loves and that he'll have room for advancement in company that actually values its employees. It's just hard when you have anxiety issues and such a big change happens.

Okay, enough of the pity party!

Time for more packing.

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Moving Update

August 27,
2010

The good news is that I have gotten more packing done.

The bad news is that I have more packing to be done.

At least now we have a plan for the move. We start the move on the 11th and I get to fly up around the 20th of September.

So, I will be OFFLINE for about a week and a half.

Yes, I will go through withdrawal pains.

I will get to have basic cable for the 10 days at least. Plus, I have been downloading books and movies, etc., to help keep me busy. Oh, and the cleaning will keep me busy too. I want to give the house a nice cleaning before I leave and I will have my mother-in-law helping me (since it is her house afterall!).

I will be so much happier when Darin and I are together again! This has been a LONG month!

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Getting Ready For The Big Move

August 17,
2010

I know it has been awhile since I last posted, but I have a valid reason.

I have been packing.

Okay, maybe that isn't taking up a lot of time but I really haven't had much to say.

The only thing that has really happened was a battle with my psychiatrist and her nurse. Seems someone in their office didn't make a copy of my prescription and the psych p.a. wrote down something different in my chart than what they told me. After a lot of back and forth, I won the argument. Unfortunately, it meant no increase in my dosage, so really I lost.

Other than that, I have just been packing clothes. Next, some kitchen stuff, books and linens will get packed and we'll be just about set for the move sometime after Labor Day.

Oh, and those worrying about me traveling will be glad to know that I will be flying up to Denver. No way could I endure a 26-hour trip in the car. I have a hard enough time flying! Fortunately, there are direct flights from New Orleans to Denver every day.

So, y'all are caught up now.

Love y'all!

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Are Y'ALL Ready For LSU FOOTBALL??

August 09,
2010

Everyone in Louisiana is gearing up for another big season of LSU Football. Here is a video to help get y'all in the mood.

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Could You Imagine ...

August 04,
2010

Could you imagine if you lived in Tennessee and this guy got elected??

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Remember the 528LB Mom?

August 04,
2010

You may remember when I posted about a 528-lb woman who gave birth to a baby girl.

The great news is that she gave birth to a healthy 6lb baby girl.

The sad news is that 5 months after giving birth, the mom, Victoria Lacatus, developed a high fever and eventually succumbed to a heart attack.

Hopefully, that baby girl will one day know that not only did her mother risk her life to have her but also that she was a sick woman who couldn't save herself to take care of the thing she loved the most. I just hope that the family makes sure she knows just how much her mom loved her and what she risked for her.

I still think it was too risky for her to get pregnant, but I'm glad the baby was born healthy.

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Can't Get A Date? Call 911!

August 04,
2010

Did you know that 911 is a dating service?

Apparently this woman thought so ...



Something tells me that she needs to lay off the sauce ...

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