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Injuries Recovery 3
 Feeling small as a bug today, wish I could fly away! I had my EMG tests today and let's just say, they were shocking! I took a couple of tylenol prior, hoping it would take the edge off. The pain from the needles wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though the electrodes were the most painful/uncomfortable. The doctor actually gives you a shock or jolt of electricity, then more and more until she/he gets the results they are looking for. Painful enough to get your attention. It made me jumpy, anticpating the next jolt which would leave you flinching from it. Most weren't bad until the doctor tested the area where I had the most pain. Then I really took notice. The doctor was 30ish, and a pretty red head, German, with no bed side manner whatsoever, quite void of emotion. Completely analytical, focused and all business, yet she was wearing a long floral skirt and a blue jean jacket. What's that all about? Cold as a fish. :) She didn't smile however when I asked her a particular question about her profession for a milisecond I think I actually heard a smile in her voice rather than saw one on her face. I have to say she did a thorough job and my anticipation was worse than the procedures. NOTE TO SELF: never read about the procedure on the internet prior to the appointment. She did give me a glowing report though and said I had no never damage- YAY! I will survive. Now on to the hand specialist for more tests. Labels: EMG, recovery
Injuries and Recovery 2
 This morning I go in for an EMG test. My understanding is that the test is unpleasant and painful-oh joy! I feel like a human guinea pig, not enjoying the thought of being stuck with several needles intramuscularly (electrodes) and then the electrical activity is picked up by the electrodes and monitored to see if there isn any nerve damage. Geez Louise! I KNOW. The knowledge that in 20 minutes to an hour I will be out of there and back to work motivates me. Then once the test results are in, I will be sent to a hand specialist. I just want to get on with working again without pain. I am off to take some Tylenol...I was hoping to take something much stronger...he he, but tis not the case. Have a great Wednesday and say a prayer for me will you? Labels: EMG, recovery
Injuries and Recovery
  My gardens are a bloom with color! I've recently been struggling with pain in my right hand and arm. It is exasberated by doing anything with my right hand which as a graphic designer and illustrator can be disheartening. I don't believe it is carpul tunnel though I do experience a bit of it from time to time. I've had a blocked vein (feels like a little nodule) near my elbow for at least 12 years now and often when working,when I rest my arm on something, it puts pressure on that spot. I try to adjust this as needed. The nodule seems to have gotten bigger and is tender with inflamation. I believe it is blocking the blood supply to my right hand resulting in some of the pain, the other I think is some form of arthritis.
An injury occured at my oldest son's birthday party (when he was young). One of his friends who was quite a big, sturdy fellow for his age, was rocking back and forth on our oak kitchen chair and fell backwards. I tried to break his fall by grabbing the back of the chair and went down with it crushing my hand between him and the floor. Oak is not forgiving. It took quite a while to heal but my hand has suffered the damage and now from time to time it has started to ache. It couldn't have been my left hand, right? So, tomorrow I will make and appointment to get the nodule looked at. Years ago I showed it to my doctor and he didn't seem concerned, just said as long as it doesn't bother you don't do anything but watch it. It's one of two I have on my arm.
Drawing has been put on hold for time being. I also belong to a professional organization where I am the editor of the chapter's newsletter (more about that later) and have some concerns as the next edition is due soon and any time spent on the computer hurts (like now!) My hope is that my hand and arm will recover so that I can continue doing what I love to do best.
So I will sign off but apologize for my lack of illustration postings. Posting photos will have to be it for now. I have to say I just love photography and its so hard not to take pictures of such beautiful subjects. Don't you agree?
On thoughts about injuries and recovering from them, it brings to mind an article I read about in the newspaper, about Thomas Auen, 14, of Sioux City, Iowa, a young boy scout who was injured in the recent tornado that killed 4 of his fellow boy scouts while on a camping trip in Iowa. Thomas who is in intensive care is unable to speak because of a breathing tube. When asked by his father if he had anything to say, Thomas took a notepad and wrote: "Lord, together we can handle anything." What an impression this boy's words left upon me, from one so young but so wise. It is his thoughts, courage, and that sentence, that will stay with me as I deal with my hand and arm. Thomas, you are so right and I thank you. May God be with all the families of the 4 young boys that lost their lives, the young boys who are still recovering from their injuries, and those boys who walked away from the storm unharmed but emotionally in need, I wish you a swift recovery, I know you are in Good Hands! P.S. Mother, don't worry, I have a handle on the arm thing and will be fine! :) I'll let you know what I hear after I see the doctor. Labels: "Iowa tornado", "Thomas Auen", boy scouts, EMG, flowers, garden, geraniums, Maggie Summers, petunias, planters, rain, recovery
Aftermath & Clean Up
 Local police, Fema Disaster Relief and Home Depot were there to offer assistance and supplies to families to shore up their homes and businesses.
  Glimpses of the worst hit areas, blocked off by police. The homes in this photo have lost their roofs and walls.   A new home with it's windows blown out. The fencing also went through the windows. 
An old farm that has been around for a very long time.
The inside of a local business that blew across the street.
We saw three trampolines, this one was out near the road with no home in site where it might have blown away from.
 This brand new car wash lost its roof and the cement pillars toppled over on it.  Truck after truck of tree branches and debris headed for dumping areas.  Early this morning at about 2:30am I was awakened by the sound of an enormous rain storm, high winds, and the most incredible sound, like a train roaring toward our home. I had a hard time awakening but realized it was time to move. I literally rolled out of bed and looked out the window. The sky was unbelievably grey and the rain was coming straight sideways at an unbelievable speed-and the trees were completely on their sides also. K and I headed for the basement to take cover. An F2 tornado (111 to 135 mph winds) went right over our home then touched down and started a path of destruction many miles long about a mile and a half from our home. This afternoon we went out to see the damage and I was able to take a few photos. The police had several subdivisions completely blocked off so you couldn't get in to see the serious damage as was understandable, so many families were trying to clean up. More storms are coming in tonight and many homes had no roofs or walls. People were out cutting down the trees that blocked to roadways and on their homes. We saw truck after truck loaded down with trees and debris. Thankfully our home didn't suffer any damage and we only saw minor damage in our neighborhood. We are so grateful and blessed that we are safe and sound and pray for those who's homes sustained damage. Thankfully no lives were lost. Labels: storms, tornados, weather
Promises
 Promises of spring and summer ahead amidst the violent storms the U.S. has been having. Every time I look at our clematis in the front yard I want to pull up a chair on our deck and kick back, dreaming of the promise of lazy days, bbq's, lemonade and fresh fruit in crystal bowls topped with a dollop of yogurt. Mmmmm. Labels: clematis, flowers, green, plants, spring, vines
Spring Storms
 If you live in Midwest USA, you are living in tornado alley. Last night our area experienced multiple (up to 19 and 20) funnel clouds in the sky, significant storms that went right over the top of our home. Fortunately, we did not see any tornados touch the ground but some areas and homes in other cities were destroyed. The toll has not been completely counted yet.
Needless to say, it was the first time I took the storm warnings seriously since moving here and prepared a spot in the basement to take cover in and ride out the worst kind of storm. I had a safe area supported complete with mattress overhead, plenty of big floor pillows, blankets and cover, water, peanut butter, crackers, fruit, a flash light and wind up radio, a cell phone, two portable phones and a book -which I found little comfort in. The hail sounded like someone was throwing rocks at the windows and roof. Some areas had hail as big as baseballs, thankfully not ours. Flash Flooding is the result of massive amounts of rain fall. As you can see from above, someone's vacation plans have been ruined.
Tonight we are still under a tornado watch though we don't anticipate anything severe. I hope I get more sleep tonight. It's tough to sleep through all that racket. Now off to bed to catch some z-z-z-Z-Z-Z's! Labels: life, tornados, weather
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