It has been a few weeks since I have felt well
enough to answer my fido mail. I am really behind
with my internet e-mail as well. But thankfully
most understand, what with the holiday and the ups
and downs of the physical limitations.
My pain level has been really high of late. The meds
are helping, but it has been harder to manage it and 
I really don't want to go to a stronger medication.
In desperation I asked my pcp for an RX to see the
physical therapist. It was hard to ask because I knew
that I risked the emotional triggers. But I was 
pleasantly surprised this time.  They matched me up with
a therapist who has fibromyalgia and asthma herself, and
who works with those who have fibromyalgia. It was so
nice to have a medical professional who really does
understand.  She uses a pressure point technique...
something having to do with the myofascia. She explained
it to me but I just looked it up in the dictionary to
be able to explain it better. Myo has to do with the
muscles and fascia is the bibrous connective tissue for
enclosing or connecting muscles or internal organs. It
has actually helped a lot. When I went in a vertibre (sp?)
in my neck was out and she gently got it back in. The
appointments last week she worked with my neck and
shoulders and around my lungs. Because of my surgeries
and scar tissue she said that it would affect my
lungs and breathing, and to be honest, after she did
whatever she was doing it actually got a little easier
to breath.
However, right now, and for the last few weeks, my
low back is really hurting bad. I'm going to ask if
we can work on that this next week. What is non-triggering
about it for me is the fact that I can keep my own clothes
on. I lie on this partly blown up air mattress (which is
interesting to get off of without falling off the table!) 
so that she can slip her hand underneath whatever area
she is working on. She closes her eyes because she says
she can feel better. And it really does move the tissue.
Her hand only applies the pressure and it releases whatever.
Anyway, the other great thing is that when I talk to her
I know she understands. She said that there are times that
she finds it really difficult to empathize with patients
who come in saying their pain was so bad and she asked
what they took that made it better and they said they had
to take 2 whole tylenol. She said the same thing as I did,
that wouldn't have touched my pain. She has constant 
headaches and migraines so knows what it is about. Knows
all about addiction and tolerance.  So this has been 
really helpful for me....the doctor prescribed 2 x a
week for 4 weeks. I know I can get more if I want. Next
month I'm hoping that I can afford $30 a month to be able
to buy tickets to go and use the therapy pool at the
hospital, that doesn't use chlorine, for excercising.
I've also been continuing to work on my cards as I've
been able to. I only have a few more cards, that are
already stamped, that I need to color and send on to
Pat for the web page. Then I think I'll have enough on
the web page for now. I'm still getting an order here
and there from friends, but it will be nice when it is
all set up and linked...hopefully in January some time.
I know how busy things are this time of year so it hasn't
been a big rush to get everything done. I made some cards
for gifts and magnets to. 
I'm having my annual Christmas party on Friday and have
lots of prizes...many of them cards and magnets. We are
doing a paper bag scavenger hunt where they bring what
they think is going to be on my list. They get prizes
for every match and then grand prizes for the most matches
and the most unusual. It is a good opportunity for me to
get rid of things that are good, like vases, but that I
have no need for (I must have at least 6 vases so I'm
giving away 2).  If you want any more details about this
kind of party let me know. It has always been lots of fun.
I've also been having to deal with medicare. It's been
a major stress point since the new company took over that
is now handling their billings. From what Steve has told
me they have problems with a lot of billings from Oregon.
That is not the only thing they have problems with! They
asked Steve to send in all the chart notes. He sent in
June and was waiting to see what happened. They had only
pain a 1/2 hour for the June sessions rather than the full
50 minutes. The people I talked to knew nothing. I knew
more than they did. Anyway, the problem, Steve says, is that
there aren't doctors who handle the appeals and such...that
they are psychiatric nurses who have never done therapy.
Then...they went and lost my chart notes!!! I wanted to sue
them!  They asked Steve to send them again, but he said no and,
for now, they have agreed to accept a summary letter. He also
told them that he could get a letter from my MD as well if
they need it. Thankfully he is now talking to someone who
understands, but has no control over what is decided. So
right now I don't know whether they will pay or not. It caused
major stress for a while, but I think there are simply too many
other things that I have to deal with.
I thank God for the stress reducers that I have with reading
and stamping and coloring. Without it I think I would go crazy!
That and my buttons and other related craft projects.
Wendy
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... I'm FLYING!, I'm FLYING! >THUD<
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
--- Maximus 3.01
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