What a couple months this has been. First I have a vasectomy reversal. Then I'm considering going to a pain management specialist, because the nerve pain was almost unbearable. Then I get to feeling better. We travel to Washington state to see if that is where we want to move to. While there, the nerve pain returns (thanks to hours of sitting in the car driving). We fly home. Nerve pain stops. Now we're planning our next trip to Tennessee to see if that is where we want to possibly move. Quite a world-wind.
That was the big picture of what's been going on. Now let me break it down a little bit smaller by category.
Vasectomy pain - The nerve pain comes and goes. Today it came and I'm having some right now as I type. Very painful and frustrating. I wish the doc had told us about all the negative possibilities related to vasectomies before I had one. I'm trying some simple stretching and walking to see if that helps. I've also joined an online support group for those who have PVPS (post vasectomy pain syndrome). They are a good bunch of people. The men and their wives seem very supportive and they've taken me in. We all share an unfortunate common bond. Many have been reversed and have continued nerve pain, while others seem to have the worst behind them. They say it usually takes time before you start feeling really good. I hope to be one of those that feels better sooner than later. But by the grace of God go I.
Moving - Thanks to many family members, our house is closer to being ready to be put on the market. Still have lots to do and with my nerve pain, I'm still not sure how much I can speed along the process. We hung blinds today and the nerve pain stopped me cold in my tracks. I also had a lot of heart palpitations which took my breath away. I hope my heart doesn't start acting up. Not sure I could take it. Anyway, still have work to do, painting, kitchen, bathroom, landscape.
Trip to Washington - It was great except for two things. 1 - The nerve pain really was tough. 2 - It was very rainy and when it wasn't raining, it was pretty gray. Very little blue sky. Apparently, even in the rain shadow of the peninsula, there isn't a lot of rain, but there isn't a lot of sunny blue skies either, in the winter time at least. It sounds like late May through early September is the time you want to be there, otherwise, it's gray and wet. We found several cool beaches on the Puget Sound and were even in a snow blizzard up in the Olympia mountains. We went from 51 degrees and partly sunny skies to below freezing and in "white-out" conditions. Our car was literally stuck on the road and we had to carefully put the car in reverse to get back down the mountain. Very scary when you consider the road isn't very wide and if you go off the edge, it's about a 200 foot drop to the bottom. But we survived and had a great time. Next, Tennessee - hopefully it isn't too hot there in the summer.
Kids - They stayed at their uncle and aunt's house while we were gone. We missed them every single day and wished on numerous occasions that they had come with us. It was nice to be reunited with them. We did a little left over homework these last couple of days and are looking forward to spending the rest of the weekend with them before school starts back up again next week. They start their last quarter of the school year on Monday. Can't believe it's gone so fast. Our kids are really great. They love us and enjoy our company. What more can you ask for I guess? They are obedient most of the time and are respectful of others. Like my dad used to say, "I can't believe the good Lord blessed me with such a wonderful family!". I truly don't deserve any blessing he sends my way. But I guess that's why it's called Grace - truly unmerited favor.
I suppose that's all for now. I'll probably think of something later to post about family stuff, but right now, I just wanted to get this out there. Besides, I think I should go on my walk pretty soon. Maybe that will help the nerve pain go away a little bit?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
"Ch...Ch...Ch...Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes" - David Bowie
Life is about, if nothing else, changes. Just when you get comfortable, life comes along and throws you a curve ball. Seldom, have I ever been able to plan out everything to the point where it goes off without a hitch. That's just the way it is. As you get older, you realize certain things. Some are great and some, not-so-much.
Well, when I quit my job and became a SAHD (stay-at-home-dad), my life changed. As I said recently, it took just over a year to adjust to the change. My outlook needed rebuilding, my understanding of expectations needed retooling and my concept of my role in the family needed tweaking. My wife challenged me the other day about my outlook on life. Now granted, she said that while I was holding an ice pack over my post-op regions, so I really couldn't, nor felt much like disagreeing with her just then. However, I am hopeful that once I get healed up, I will be much more fun to be around.
This got me thinking about how people deal with change. My old boss, for instance, had some changes to deal with also in the last couple of years. He had to adjust not having me at work. Okay, so maybe that wasn't a big change for him. But his wife changed her role at her work and found herself at home a lot more. I recently visited my old work to catch up a little and began to think about him for some reason.
I wonder if he thinks his wife is all that great now, because she's no longer a high rolling administrative type, suit wearing boss. Now that she is more of a worker bee, does he find her as attractive? She's home a lot more, so I wonder if he finds her a little more "needy" of his affection. I wonder how their dynamic has changed over the last year or so, since her job change.
I know at first there is a little honeymoon period as there becomes an abundance of free time. It can be intoxicating at first, but then, it slowly, and without any notice, becomes a rope around your neck. Tightening it's grip, suffocating your inspiration and enthusiasm.
You see, I'm convinced that inactivity breeds discontent and apathy for you and by those around you. If you happen to be well grounded in your beliefs and have strong feelings for your family, then it may not be as disagreeable or challenging, or at least, it may take a little bit longer before it starts to erode your relationships. But, if you allow the outcomes of the new situation to dictate your actions or feelings, then you've got some trouble-a-brewin'.
I feel blessed, in that our faith in our Lord helps us through these times. It grounds us a little bit each day, keeping us from getting caught up in the roller-coaster emotional ride that accompanies severe change. I hope my former boss and his wife can find that peace. I hope they can sort out their new feelings and situational outcomes based on something bigger than themselves. Something that can see them through any challenge or any situation where they say to each other, "You're not fun anymore" or "You've changed and I don't like the new you". Otherwise, the seeds of discontent will grow in the robust fertilizer of this world.
Again, not sure why I'm blogging about my old boss, other than it just seemed like the thing to do. Since our change, I'm noticing that I've developed a keener interest in other people's lives and how they cope. I'm always curious to see how other people handle challenges. It keeps me sharp and helps me to look at myself. Helps me to make sure I'm not making similar mistakes. And makes me a little more willing to step out on that limb and help them, if I sense they're struggling. So until next time remember...
Life is like making chili. If you don't add a little spice and a little heat, you're just going to be eating raw meat - which will make everyone sick.
Well, when I quit my job and became a SAHD (stay-at-home-dad), my life changed. As I said recently, it took just over a year to adjust to the change. My outlook needed rebuilding, my understanding of expectations needed retooling and my concept of my role in the family needed tweaking. My wife challenged me the other day about my outlook on life. Now granted, she said that while I was holding an ice pack over my post-op regions, so I really couldn't, nor felt much like disagreeing with her just then. However, I am hopeful that once I get healed up, I will be much more fun to be around.
This got me thinking about how people deal with change. My old boss, for instance, had some changes to deal with also in the last couple of years. He had to adjust not having me at work. Okay, so maybe that wasn't a big change for him. But his wife changed her role at her work and found herself at home a lot more. I recently visited my old work to catch up a little and began to think about him for some reason.
I wonder if he thinks his wife is all that great now, because she's no longer a high rolling administrative type, suit wearing boss. Now that she is more of a worker bee, does he find her as attractive? She's home a lot more, so I wonder if he finds her a little more "needy" of his affection. I wonder how their dynamic has changed over the last year or so, since her job change.
I know at first there is a little honeymoon period as there becomes an abundance of free time. It can be intoxicating at first, but then, it slowly, and without any notice, becomes a rope around your neck. Tightening it's grip, suffocating your inspiration and enthusiasm.
You see, I'm convinced that inactivity breeds discontent and apathy for you and by those around you. If you happen to be well grounded in your beliefs and have strong feelings for your family, then it may not be as disagreeable or challenging, or at least, it may take a little bit longer before it starts to erode your relationships. But, if you allow the outcomes of the new situation to dictate your actions or feelings, then you've got some trouble-a-brewin'.
I feel blessed, in that our faith in our Lord helps us through these times. It grounds us a little bit each day, keeping us from getting caught up in the roller-coaster emotional ride that accompanies severe change. I hope my former boss and his wife can find that peace. I hope they can sort out their new feelings and situational outcomes based on something bigger than themselves. Something that can see them through any challenge or any situation where they say to each other, "You're not fun anymore" or "You've changed and I don't like the new you". Otherwise, the seeds of discontent will grow in the robust fertilizer of this world.
Again, not sure why I'm blogging about my old boss, other than it just seemed like the thing to do. Since our change, I'm noticing that I've developed a keener interest in other people's lives and how they cope. I'm always curious to see how other people handle challenges. It keeps me sharp and helps me to look at myself. Helps me to make sure I'm not making similar mistakes. And makes me a little more willing to step out on that limb and help them, if I sense they're struggling. So until next time remember...
Life is like making chili. If you don't add a little spice and a little heat, you're just going to be eating raw meat - which will make everyone sick.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Vasectomy Reversal 6 Week Follow-Up
Okay, again, since nobody is reading this blog, I can be completely honest about my vasectomy reversal for Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome. My surgery was about 6 weeks ago and I have people ask me all the time, "How are you doing?".
Well, the simple fact is, it depends on when you ask me. Sometimes, I have a little pain "here" and sometimes I have a little pain "there". I'm not sure why I'm not completely pain free yet. But I'm hoping I will continue to have more days with less pain. I never took any anti-inflammatory medicine because of my heart condition. So, perhaps things would be a little further along if I was able to take Celebrex or even Ibuprofen. But no sense whining about it because I just can't take them.
Well, where does that leave me? Good question. My doctor says I'm progressing as to be expected. He also told me that I am no longer shooting blanks. Looks like it's time for the wife to take a trip to her doctor for a change. But that wasn't why I had the reversal as anyone who knows me will tell you. The post-vasectomy pain syndrome was getting a little too much to deal with. I remain hopeful that my reversal will be a tool that will fix the problem I had. (Yes, I said 'had' in hopes that it is in a state of past-tense). I suppose only time will tell.
Anyway, I think I've decided that I should start walking on the treadmill again. Laying around for months on end with no end in sight does not appeal to me. Maybe the more I walk, the more blood flow I'll have and the less inflammation I'll experience. I would imagine part of the muscle pain and aches I've been experiencing are related to this last 6-month period of inactivity. With my kid's baseball season fast approaching and a house to get ready to sell, I've got to get the "rust knocked off" quickly.
Lord willing, I'll be able to start my aerobic exercise and begin to feel markedly better. It's amazing how inactivity can cause your body to hurt. You would think that laying around would make your body feel better, but it doesn't seem to work out that way. After all, we're machines that were meant to work. Time to start feeding this machine and get it out of the repair shop.
Well, the simple fact is, it depends on when you ask me. Sometimes, I have a little pain "here" and sometimes I have a little pain "there". I'm not sure why I'm not completely pain free yet. But I'm hoping I will continue to have more days with less pain. I never took any anti-inflammatory medicine because of my heart condition. So, perhaps things would be a little further along if I was able to take Celebrex or even Ibuprofen. But no sense whining about it because I just can't take them.
Well, where does that leave me? Good question. My doctor says I'm progressing as to be expected. He also told me that I am no longer shooting blanks. Looks like it's time for the wife to take a trip to her doctor for a change. But that wasn't why I had the reversal as anyone who knows me will tell you. The post-vasectomy pain syndrome was getting a little too much to deal with. I remain hopeful that my reversal will be a tool that will fix the problem I had. (Yes, I said 'had' in hopes that it is in a state of past-tense). I suppose only time will tell.
Anyway, I think I've decided that I should start walking on the treadmill again. Laying around for months on end with no end in sight does not appeal to me. Maybe the more I walk, the more blood flow I'll have and the less inflammation I'll experience. I would imagine part of the muscle pain and aches I've been experiencing are related to this last 6-month period of inactivity. With my kid's baseball season fast approaching and a house to get ready to sell, I've got to get the "rust knocked off" quickly.
Lord willing, I'll be able to start my aerobic exercise and begin to feel markedly better. It's amazing how inactivity can cause your body to hurt. You would think that laying around would make your body feel better, but it doesn't seem to work out that way. After all, we're machines that were meant to work. Time to start feeding this machine and get it out of the repair shop.
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