A week and a day

I wasn't cleared to go back to carrying mail last Monday. So, more office work, but I have been learning new things and it has been interesting to see yet another side of how the post office works. The doctor is pretty optimistic about my ability to heal, it is just slower than we would like. I have been taking a break from my anti-inflammatory to give my stomach a break, which has led to an increase in pain, but the physical therapist mentioned a non-oral (topical gel) anti-inflammatory that I have called my doctor about. I didn't make it all the way through physical therapy, before I had to stop at my last session. So hopefully I hear back from the clinic before my next session.

If I haven't heard back from him by Thursday, I go in for my physical, and can ask then. I did the girl parts of the physical last week with another doctor (a female) who usually doesn't take new patients, but sees her male colleague's female patients for routine well-woman exams if they would be more comfortable with a woman. Confession time, I had NEVER had a well-woman exam before last week. I decided for the first time ever, I would go to a woman, and she was nice, but my new doctor phobia combined with the awkwardness of the situation triggered a major panic attack. I don't know who I will see for subsequent exams (either this new doctor or my regular doc), but I survived the first one. Just waiting for the results, at this point. And I will do my general systems check/immunization discussion this week, then I have officially survived my first physical since early childhood.

I had therapy today, and it was a good session. She noted how I seemed to be doing better, and we once again reiterated that I should never take the Wellbutrin again. I don't go back for three weeks, and if that schedule doesn't feel too long, we may keep it at three weeks intervals, or we might go to every other week.

My friend is in Japan, visiting her favorite person, but she will be back next Sunday. The tentative plan is for a yummy Carnitas pasta hybrid dinner with her uncles when she gets back, and we totally are going to have a girl talk date night when she gets back too. I am glad she gets to go on her trip, but it could seriously be next Sunday already and I would be okay with it.

Went to dinner with my homie tonight and we had a good talk and dinner. It was 5.99 cheeseburger night at Applebees, so we took advantage of the deal.

Got to do a concert date night with my love on Saturday. We got to see Five Iron Frenzy and some of MXPX, I had a low blood sugar reaction in the middle of Five Iron's set, so we ducked out a few songs into MXPX to head back to the ferry. We ended the night with a midnight run to gets some pie before pi day was officially over, and it was an awesome evening. We also got to do a dinner and a movie date on Wednesday. We saw Chappie, which was better than I was expecting. (I wanted to see another movie, but it was showing way too late for us old folks) Hugh Jackman has the ugliest hair ever in the movie. I am enjoying the fact that I got to see my love more this week than usual. We are planning to do dinner together sometime this week too.

I am excited for our upcoming Easter family dinner, the night before Easter (hopefully) and I have a slew of DIY projects to work on this week.

Updates and some creativity brewing.

Since we have last met, I have been both incredibly busy, and honestly dealing with some stuff that would be best left unblogged. To condense all the time, I shall blog by topic.

Shoulder:
At my doctor's appointment on the 25th, it was decided that I would continue to be on office duty for a while. Continue P/T and go back for a re-evaluation on the 9th (that would be tomorrow morning at 9:30) I may have been overdoing it this week, because my shoulder has been hurting more the last couple of days.

At my last PT session, he did my measurements again knowing I was going in to see my doctor for a followup before my next PT appointment. I am getting stronger and have more range of motion, but am  not quite there yet.

Work:
They have me on office duty, although one day that meant I drove a carrier who wasn't trained on our trucks around while he delivered the mail. It's been pretty average otherwise, doing phones and data entry and helping around the office.

Non-shoulder related health:
Had either a gastric bug or food poisoning bad enough to send me to the local urgent care at 3 am. My friend Kaytlin was also ill, but we had eaten dinner together the night before so we can't conclusively rule out food poisoning. Was given magical anti-nausea pills, illness continued for another couple of days, but by the time we were able to eat food a few days later, it tasted delicious.

Friends:
Had Kaytlin staying with me this week in case our bug was contagious (her roommate is pregnant and doesn't need to catch this) She went home yesterday. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner last night and had a blast, although it is very loud in there. Last Sunday, I got to go to her house and hold her baby chicken. :) A few days ago she gifted me a new shark, who has been dubbed Norse Shark and he is already becoming good friends with Bahruce.

Therapy:
Still working through the issues. Some new stuff was brought to the surface by recent events and have been dealing with those things. I tend to stuff grief down as far as I can (FYI not a good coping mechanism) and am just now processing things that happened in the past. Did decide to share my dilemma not only with my therapist (who is amazing FYI) but also with my core support group (my beloved, my doctor, and my closest friend) and they have been helpful in the healing process. It is still a process however, and any supportive thoughts and/or prayers are appreciated.

Current Events:
Have been planning out some mini-events type things. One thing I really have missed over the past six years or so, has been planning parties and events. I decided that even though they'll be on a smaller scale, I can host a "family dinner night" for my little tribe and it will be enjoyable. Our first one is an Easter dinner, the night before Easter, and I am excited. Have been thinking of a menu and activities and it should be a blast.

Am going to pug/house sit with my friend at her uncles' house for a few weeks, we are planning some crazy activities for while they are gone, including work, more work, and doing a lot of experimental cooking. There is also a hot tub, so some relaxation shall be in order. I really like the uncles' pugs, so I am looking forward to having pets for a couple of weeks, and being on a mini-vacation that is actually closer to work than I am.

I have accumulated a small arsenal of nail polishes. And am looking forward to some creative manicures. Have also been looking at completing some creative projects around the house, and getting it all cleaned and organized. My bedroom is down to just needing socks folded and some vacuum action. I need to mop both the bathroom and the kitchen and do some more kitchen organization. Have a few small projects to do in the living room, and need to finish the guest room, and the outdoor areas, and my house might be able to be called clean. I will finish posting pics of my place after I get organized. Have two blankets I want to crochet, Some shadowboxes to make, and a couple of canvases to do, as well as getting art hung on my walls. I want to make a cute banner for my bedroom and a photo display wall in my living room. But these will get done in good time.