Ha! I need to post again...I know, I've already written today, but I also skipped several days so here goes....
I am outnumbered in my own home. I live with three males. Need I say more? Most of the time I'm ok with this. Some days I'm not ok with it...and I feel lost and lonely and confused. Today is one of those days. I feel "ganged up" on...picked on...and basically not taken seriously...and this is just from the two male sons that live here. My husband does not usually make me feel these ways...he is a fabulous and wonderful friend and mate, however, there are times when I need some female companionship or a gal friend just to hang on to.
Men and women are so very different...in so many different ways. Don't let anyone tell you that is not true. It couldn't be more true. I know. I am experienced in these things and living with three males makes it all the more real to me.
Some days when I feel this oppressive "maleness" overcome me...I retreat to my bedroom for a while, or I venture out into the world to find some sort of peace and quiet, or in the very least find something that will distract me for a while and take my mind off how I feel (which is like escaping).
I will get through it...the two sons only have to get through college and then it will be me and my hubby. One on one. I do believe I can handle that just fine!!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Up, Up and Away...
I have just been diagnosed with arthritis on my spine. I'm not sure exactly what that means...since I have been reading about arthritis and found out it isn't one disease, but is actually up to 100 types. Arthritis is like an umbrella that the medical community uses to explain pain and other symptoms...so they are all lumped together, yet they are different. I've also found out online that there are blood tests that can be performed that will pinpoint exactly what type of arthritis one has. There are also other tests...the one I had was pretty basic; an xray of my back.
I have been having bad pain in the thoracic area of my spine for several years now. And, it hurts when I lay down on my back or when I sit and lean back on the sofa or another chair, etc. It has gotten to the point that it hurts now during the day at random times for no apparent reason...but the initial pain was always brought on by my laying down or sitting back, which I always thought was really strange. So, I got tired of this pain and the limitations it brought about, plus I have been having chest pains so I decided it was time to visit my doctor to find out what is going on. She referred me to a cardiologist for the left chest pain, and had an xray done on my back to find out if anything was there. She also prescribed Naproxen and some muscle relaxer and told me to start doing Yoga stretches. Lo and behold, I got a call from some young woman from the doctor'soffice the other day who told me I have arthritis on my spine and that the doctor said if it doesn't improve to call and go in and see her. I thought this was so ludicris, since I originally went to her because the pain was so bad for so long! I didn't even venture to ask this young thing any questions, because I just knew that she would not know any answers. So, I informed her that I already have a follow up appointment next week so I will talk with the doctor then.
I wonder why a doctor would leave a patient out there hanging with this sort of diagnosis, especially since that patient had just been in the office complaining of severe pain and discomfort. It would seem to me that the doctor should probably have told the young woman to make sure I come in and see her so she can discuss treatment options and pain management. Ah, but what do I know??
I have been having bad pain in the thoracic area of my spine for several years now. And, it hurts when I lay down on my back or when I sit and lean back on the sofa or another chair, etc. It has gotten to the point that it hurts now during the day at random times for no apparent reason...but the initial pain was always brought on by my laying down or sitting back, which I always thought was really strange. So, I got tired of this pain and the limitations it brought about, plus I have been having chest pains so I decided it was time to visit my doctor to find out what is going on. She referred me to a cardiologist for the left chest pain, and had an xray done on my back to find out if anything was there. She also prescribed Naproxen and some muscle relaxer and told me to start doing Yoga stretches. Lo and behold, I got a call from some young woman from the doctor'soffice the other day who told me I have arthritis on my spine and that the doctor said if it doesn't improve to call and go in and see her. I thought this was so ludicris, since I originally went to her because the pain was so bad for so long! I didn't even venture to ask this young thing any questions, because I just knew that she would not know any answers. So, I informed her that I already have a follow up appointment next week so I will talk with the doctor then.
I wonder why a doctor would leave a patient out there hanging with this sort of diagnosis, especially since that patient had just been in the office complaining of severe pain and discomfort. It would seem to me that the doctor should probably have told the young woman to make sure I come in and see her so she can discuss treatment options and pain management. Ah, but what do I know??
Friday, August 25, 2006
Follow up on the college "thang"
After my son had experienced his first couple of days in college, I asked him what he thought about it. He told me it was pretty much like high school, with all sorts of rules and things expected of him. The teachers all expect the students to be in class, be on time, not leave early, not use cell phones, blah, blah, blah. And, to top it off, if he is absent from each class more than 4 times a semester, his grade will be compromised! How dare they!
Well, I guess he expected the freedom to come and go as he pleases, talk on his cell phone while the teacher is up there trying to impart some knowledge, and really thinks his behaviors or lack of interest should be of no concern to the teachers!! I told him that they still do expect a certain amount of effort and interest in college...at least at the community college level. Now, the experience at the larger university may be different...considering many class sizes are outrageous, like 200-500 students in one class. I can imagine the teachers of those classes basically telling the students "Your grade will reflect only what you put into this class. I will be here every week, teaching and lecturing, but other than that, you are on your own!" I guess that is what my son is looking forward to.
I should mention that when I attended orientation early in the summer with my son, all of these things were addressed. There were even seasoned students who got up and spelled things out for the incoming students. How to behave, what the teachers expect, the impact of bad behaviors and lousy choices on grades. I guess my son wasn't really listening when all that was being explained...which is typical, I guess, of a teenaged male who just graduated from high school and had other things on his mind.
I'm just happy they will allow him to wear his Red Sox hat in class.
Well, I guess he expected the freedom to come and go as he pleases, talk on his cell phone while the teacher is up there trying to impart some knowledge, and really thinks his behaviors or lack of interest should be of no concern to the teachers!! I told him that they still do expect a certain amount of effort and interest in college...at least at the community college level. Now, the experience at the larger university may be different...considering many class sizes are outrageous, like 200-500 students in one class. I can imagine the teachers of those classes basically telling the students "Your grade will reflect only what you put into this class. I will be here every week, teaching and lecturing, but other than that, you are on your own!" I guess that is what my son is looking forward to.
I should mention that when I attended orientation early in the summer with my son, all of these things were addressed. There were even seasoned students who got up and spelled things out for the incoming students. How to behave, what the teachers expect, the impact of bad behaviors and lousy choices on grades. I guess my son wasn't really listening when all that was being explained...which is typical, I guess, of a teenaged male who just graduated from high school and had other things on his mind.
I'm just happy they will allow him to wear his Red Sox hat in class.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Is there a doctor in the house?
Today I had an appointment with a doctor. I never did see the doctor, because the office staff that works there neglected to tell me what office to show up at. My "primary care physician" gave me the name of this other doctor, along with her business card, and the address on the card was in the same building as my PCP. So, when I called to make the appointment, I ASSUMED that I would be seeing that doctor in that building. Well, when I showed up 20 minutes early, as instructed, I was informed that the doctor I had the appointment with is not in that office on Thursdays...so I had to drive 20 minutes away to keep my appointment. When I arrived at the appropriate office, I was told the doctor couldn't see me because I was late!! So, even though it was the office staff's fault, because I was not told which office to show up at (not knowing there were two offices) I had to reschedule the appointment. I told the lovely young office worker that in the future they may want to tell the patients which office to go to, in order to avoid this sort of thing.
Along the same lines...when I originally called to schedule the appointment, the woman on the other end of the phone acted as if she was bored stiff, and like she had better things to do than schedule an appointment for me. When I hung up with her, I once again wondered why professionals keep employees like that on the payroll. She was my first impression of this doctor's office, and I'll tell you she presented a pretty lousy impression. And, after the experience today with the same office staff, I was tempted to try to find another doctor with the same specialty...but, I think I will go and see that doctor and tell her that her office staff almost pushed me to find another doctor. Will she care? Maybe not...but I would hope she wants the first impression of her office to be a good one.
Along the same lines...when I originally called to schedule the appointment, the woman on the other end of the phone acted as if she was bored stiff, and like she had better things to do than schedule an appointment for me. When I hung up with her, I once again wondered why professionals keep employees like that on the payroll. She was my first impression of this doctor's office, and I'll tell you she presented a pretty lousy impression. And, after the experience today with the same office staff, I was tempted to try to find another doctor with the same specialty...but, I think I will go and see that doctor and tell her that her office staff almost pushed me to find another doctor. Will she care? Maybe not...but I would hope she wants the first impression of her office to be a good one.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
My Beautiful Sister
Just want to share a picture of me and my beautiful sister. She is going through a very rough time right now, relative to her health and I am very far away from her and feel so helpless. I want to hug her and just be there for her, but perhaps I can be there in the near future. In the meantime, we have the phone and email...but if she needs me I will be there as quickly as I can get there. She's my best friend...and I pray that God will help her through this difficult time and protect her from fears of the unknown.
Gettin' Down to it...
Well, I started this blog in order to post some pictures of invitations I've been working on for my mother's 90th birthday celebration. I thought it would make things easier if my siblings, who all live in different states, could access the samples in one easy place. I don't even know if anyone has even looked at them yet...so, in the spirit of blogging I am going to get down to it...
My youngest son starts college today. Not university, but community college...but, hey, college is college. And I am really going through some stuff relative to him growing away from me and growing up. Didn't think I would since I've been through the kids growing up thing twice before...but here I am having strange emotions, wanting to control things he does and decisions he makes (this is nothing new, but I am TRYING to back off in light of the fact that he IS 18), and I can tell you it isn't working out too well. He wants to get away from me, ignore me, make fun of me, not listen to me...basically wants me to disappear, I fear. And, in spite of all the mistakes in judgment I imagine he is making...it hurts and I am starting to see that is what is really, deeply bothering me. My baby is actually, after all these years of gradual separation, growing up and growing out. I am a praying woman, who has a deep faith in Christ, and I'm trying real hard to let Him take this from me and help me to stay calm and not be a psyco mother...but some days I do let it all get the best of me. I will never learn...and I also know that my kid is a good kid, doesn't smoke (except the occasional cigar, yech!), doesn't drink (at least not that I've ever noticed, and believe me I would notice), isn't into crime or treating the young women he knows with disrespect, and he actually has feelings that he does show...when he choses to.
So...off he goes...I can't hand him a lunchbox, pat him on the head, and walk him to school. I can't sit in class with him, and take notes, and make sure he is paying attention to what is expected of him. But I can look forward to seeing him succeed on his own terms and be a successful young man who will take at least some of what I've taught him through the years and use it to guide himself through the maze we call life.
My youngest son starts college today. Not university, but community college...but, hey, college is college. And I am really going through some stuff relative to him growing away from me and growing up. Didn't think I would since I've been through the kids growing up thing twice before...but here I am having strange emotions, wanting to control things he does and decisions he makes (this is nothing new, but I am TRYING to back off in light of the fact that he IS 18), and I can tell you it isn't working out too well. He wants to get away from me, ignore me, make fun of me, not listen to me...basically wants me to disappear, I fear. And, in spite of all the mistakes in judgment I imagine he is making...it hurts and I am starting to see that is what is really, deeply bothering me. My baby is actually, after all these years of gradual separation, growing up and growing out. I am a praying woman, who has a deep faith in Christ, and I'm trying real hard to let Him take this from me and help me to stay calm and not be a psyco mother...but some days I do let it all get the best of me. I will never learn...and I also know that my kid is a good kid, doesn't smoke (except the occasional cigar, yech!), doesn't drink (at least not that I've ever noticed, and believe me I would notice), isn't into crime or treating the young women he knows with disrespect, and he actually has feelings that he does show...when he choses to.
So...off he goes...I can't hand him a lunchbox, pat him on the head, and walk him to school. I can't sit in class with him, and take notes, and make sure he is paying attention to what is expected of him. But I can look forward to seeing him succeed on his own terms and be a successful young man who will take at least some of what I've taught him through the years and use it to guide himself through the maze we call life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)