Kitten a Go-Go

Three of Many Who Deserve Recognition

I have a lot of stuff.  I've been working on downsizing.  I had some on eBay.  Other things, I pulled aside.  I couldn't believe how much had never been used.  Sigh.  It was all going to Goodwill.  Then I got to thinking.  It seemed like a fine time to send some treats to a few friends who do a whole lot of good for others. 

First, there's my friend Robin.  She's been mentioned both here and on my other blogs before.  Robin is an amazing mom and one of the hardest working people you will ever meet.  One of the things she works hardest at is treading lightly on the earth.  She has been an absolute inspiration to me in my quest to become more green.  Robin has raised three amazing and beautiful children who are full of spunk and joy.  There is a package on its way for Robin (and her daughter) to celebrate Robin and everything she does. 

Next, there's Kamira.  I've also written about her.  I absolutely heart Kamira.  I have known her since my freshman year of high school and I'm so glad that our paths reconnected through the magical world of FB.  Kamira has a job in the world of higher education that leads to some of the funniest stories I have ever heard.  Kamira faces challenges with the best attitude.  I love seeing her updates and I love hearing her stories.  And, frankly, I love commenting on her rack because I love when she laughs.  Kamira, there's a little something on the way for you too.

Finally, there's Tina.  Tina manages a salon in Delaware and owns her own business in the salon.  She is a beautiful person, inside and out.  (Okay, honestly, she's a total hottie.)  Recently, I was so impressed by her salon's activism on behalf of breast cancer research.  I wish I lived closer because I would have purchased tons of lip gloss!  Tina is a woman with tons of style and she has a treat coming that will reflect that, I hope. 

Who knows, maybe I will recognize you next.  Or perhaps this will inspire you to send a random treat to someone who adds to your life.  Thank you to Robin for your constant inspiration.  Thank you to Kamira for constantly bringing me joy.  Thank you to Tina for constantly making me smile and impressing me with your business activism.  Three inspiring women.  If you don't like anything in your boxes o' treats, pass 'em on to someone who will. 

That Former Cheerio

[As I skip Track 12 to the Glee Soundtrack, Volume 1]

Boy:  Why did you skip that?
Me:  I don't like Quinn Fabray.
Boy:  Did you just say that you don't like Quinn Fabray?
Me:  Yup.
Boy:  Sigh.  Why don't you like Quinn?
Me:  Because I don't.
Boy:  That's not a reason.  Why don't you like her?
Me:  Because Rachel's a better singer.
Boy:  But Rachel's a better singer than everybody.  That's the whole point.  I'm putting that song back on because I like the Supremes.
Me:  I still don't like Quinn Fabray.
Boy:  Well, Finn's voice is no prize either. 
Me:  No, I like Puck and Archie better.  And I like them both better than Quinn Fabray. 

Read This. I didn't make an ass out of myself this time.

I participated in an interview for this article.  I think the article is great and really informative.  The writer, Winnie Yu, did a fantastic job.  I'm happy to be included.

Danielle and the Sinus Squid

Danielle was sent to the Tower.  The Sinus Squid was the enemy and it was near the Tower.  So, Danielle did not want to go to the Tower.

Danielle tried to escape.  She tried to travel elsewhere, by ship.  But there was a terrible storm.  Danielle knew that the Sinus Squid had caused the storm.  So, she asked the sailors to throw her into the sea, away from the path of the Sinus Squid.  But Danielle did not drown, because the Sinus Squid swallowed her.  Danielle kicked and kicked and the Sinus Squid Spit her out in front of Walgreen's.  Danielle purchased Sinus Squid removal mists and thanked Walgreen's for rescuing her from the Sinus Squid.  She returned to the Tower, toting decoupaged taxidermy statue of the Sinus Squid for her office.

[For WBG, creator of the Sinus Squid.]

Shortly After Watching the Hannah Montana Movie

The Boy:  I can't get that stupid hoedown song out of my head.
Me:  [surreptitiously opens iTunes and turns on Party in the U.S.A.]
The Boy:  Are you kidding me?  What's wrong with you?
Me:  I like this song.

...

[Party in the U.S.A. ends.  SexyBack starts again.]
The Boy:  Oh.  Hell. No.  I hate you.  I'm leaving. 
Me:  I'm not going to play this one.

...

[Single Ladies begins.]
The Boy:  Why?  WHY???

...

[The Climb is selected.]
The Boy:  Really?  Again.
Me:  [Smirk.  It's my theme song.]
The Boy:  I'd rather hear Beyonce.
Me:  So, you would rather hear Beyonce than Miley?
The Smaller Boy:  Why is this on again?  You are really pushing my buttons.

Medication Review: Death to Migraines

When I went to the neuro, she gave me samples of two meds to take when I have a headache. 

First, there was Treximet (ooh la la).  I took it yesterday and it worked wonders.  I love the blue pill.  I am afraid to write that I am taking a blue pill because Viagra has the corner on that market, but going forward, my blue pill is Treximet (ooh la la).  (Although Valtrex is also blue, but that pill is enormous and I can rarely take it because it makes me ill.  Damn you EBV!) 

I also received samples of Zomig, which dissolves on the tongue.  I started getting a headache this morning and I thought eating might help, so I kept my lunch date with a super lovely lady lawyer.  Food didn't help at all.  As soon as I got back to the office, all of the vision problems started.  Rather than wait for the Treximet (ooh la la) to work, I figured I'd try the Zomig.  Since it dissolves, I figured it would be fast-acting.  It acted fast, for sure.  But it made me feel worse. 

So, I drove home.  I strongly wished that I lived in an overcast sort of climate because the sun on the way home was absolutely miserable and I sort of stared at the road and not straight ahead.  Fortunately, traffic was light. 

The Zomig knocked me out.  I don't know if that is normal or not.  It a very strange nap, filled with crazy ass dreams. 

When I woke up, I still had the headache.  The light sensitivity and ringing ears have eased up, but the pain is still there.  This leads me to conclude that Zomig sucks and Treximet (ooh la la) kicks its ass.  I know which one I will be asking for the full Rx for. 

In addition, Zomig tastes like ass when it is dissolving.  Why can't they make it taste like mint or something???

I also picked up my Topomax Rx.  I hope that starts working quickly as a preventative.  I cannot stand dealing with these headaches at work. 

Regarding Elmo

The Boy:  The cat's a dickhead.
Me:  No he's not.  That's mean.
The Boy:  He's a dickhead.  He licks the inside of the receptacle that I use for oral hygiene.  That's dicky.
Me:  That doesn't make him a dickhead.
The Boy:  Yes it does.  If I did that to people, it would be dicky.  He's a dickhead.

The Case of the Mystery Migraines

Warning:  I am medicated on a big blue pill called Treximet right now.  I gather that it is a cousin of Imitrex that has some naprosyn in it.  To me, it sounds like Tresemme shampoo, so I have been singing Treximet, treximet, ooooooh la la.  It has also made me slightly loopy, probably because I slept very little last night.  Now, let us begin today's tale of woe.

As you know from last night's batshit crazy post, I have had migraines for the past couple of weeks.  I went to the neuro today and what an exciting visit!  All was going perfectly well.  It seems that there are new drugs, like Imitrex, that have been invented in the past ten years since my migraines have been under control.  She gave me some of those in sample form and I told her that my biggest concern was the sudden onset.  She said it could be the weather or some other seasonal factors and she asked what else has been going on.  (If you are friends with me on FB, this is old news, so you can skim and skip ahead.  I won't be offended.) 

I told her about The CVS Incident.  In August, I called in a refill of my ultracet Rx.  CVS gave me blood pressure medication instead.  I thought it was a different generic for the ultracet and didn't think anything of it.  Took it for a month.  Thought I was going crazy and had major issues sleeping and thought my fibro was out of control.  You may remember that from here, here, here and here.  Nope, I was taking a diuretic instead of a pain pill as part of my nighty night cocktail.  The issue was discovered when I tried to refill the medication.  It took a while for me to figure out what was going on, but CVS eventually called and said that they screwed up and oh, so sorry, but it shouldn't be a big deal because it is like being on a water pill. 

I was super pissed because I don't need a water pill.  I need a damn pain pill.  I wrote a hostile letter and they gave me a $50 gift card which I am giving away because I don't intend to go back there.  Do you know how hard that is for me?  I am obsessed with CVS.  Now, we have to break up because they made me miserable for a month and then tried to make it better with a $50 gift card.  I don't mean to sound all Lloyd Dobler "I gave her my heart.  She gave me a pen." but that's kind of where I was at the time.

Back to today.  I tell neuro about The CVS Incident and she displays the proper level of shock and disgust.  More importantly, she asked when I went off of the wrong medication.  She said that the wrong medication was very likely the trigger for this lovely cluster of headaches. 

Oh, it's just a water pill, it won't do anything.  If I wasn't well-medicated and pleased that the headache was easing due to the Treximet, Treximet, Oooooh la la, I am pretty sure I'd be writing another hateful letter.  Don't worry, it's still on the to-do list.  Fortunately, I've already switched a couple of prescriptions to Smith's, so now my grocery store can sell my medical info to the same people it sends my grocery habits to.  When the rest of the refills come up, they will also be transferred.

Yes, I did learn that I need to look up all of the generic names, but it is still CVS's job to GIVE ME THE MEDICATION THAT MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED.  Instead of just going through the hell of last month, their screw up also led to the migraines.  So displeased.  At least I know there was a trigger and this wasn't just new migraines coming out of nowhere.  The doctor did prescribe a new preventative med called Topomax, so I will try that.  She said that should also help with the non-migraine headaches that I sometimes get at work from looking at a computer screen.  

Migraine trigger mystery solved.  Hatred of CVS increased.  So far, loving Treximet, Treximet, ooooooh la la. 

A really bad day

Over the past 8 years, my migraines have, for the most part, been under control.  I get them once in a while, but it is nothing major and I can usually take an imitrex when I notice the aura and then go to sleep. 

Last week, I got one that knocked me on my ass.  I was so nauseated that I needed to leave work early.  I got another one on Friday afternoon.  I managed to get through a meeting without throwing up on any of my colleagues, but I left shortly after that.  Honestly, I thought the two migraines were related to my lady business and would go away after that. 

Today, I got one of the worst migraines I can remember.  As bad as the ones I got in high school and college.  I was moderately convinced that I was having a stroke at one point.  My eyes wouldn't focus.  I had double vision.  I was shaking.  I was nauseated.  Of course, I started to panic and it felt like I couldn't breathe.  I was scared driving home. 

Once I got home, I made the room as dark as possible, which is virtually impossible.  Unless I wanted to hide in the toilet room in the master bath, every accessible room has a damn window.  Big ones.  Enormous windows with too much light.  And that wasn't comfortable to lay on and it's cramped for even me. 

It took forever for the vision issues to clear up.  Then the pain came.  The pain was hell.  Pure, utter hell.  Like being stabbed above my left eye.  A pain that is all too familiar, even though I haven't had to experience it for years.

I've gotten used to fibro in all of its forms.  I've gotten used to muscle pain and the feeling of walking through mud just to get upstairs.  I've gotten used to not wearing beautiful shoes because I have too much fibro pain from the heels. 

I have also gotten used to not getting migraines.  Particularly, debilitating migraines like these.  Three in a little more than a week scares the shit out of me. 

I am going to see the neuro who did my MS testing tomorrow.  I also called my beloved Dr. Garcia and it may be related to the Provigil.  Great.  The one medicine that cuts through the brain fog so that I can think clearly through the medicine haze in the morning. 

Oh, and here's a fun one - after I got the second migraine on Friday, I called my ob/gyn because I thought it was related to my lady business.  She asked if I get migraines with aura.  I said yes.  She said that they don't recommend putting women who get migraines with aura on any type of hormonal birth control.  Interesting since I was told by her to go off of the pill and to get the Mirena specifically because of my migraines.  She knew that I got migraines with aura then.  She said that there is an increased risk for stroke.  Fantastic. 

I am dealing with a lot of other stress right now and the resurgence of the migraines has shaken me.  I am really scared and I don't want to deal with this again.  Not with everything else.  I have clearly done something very bad to deserve this on a karmic scale. 

I just want to be well.  I've spent a fortune trying to get there.  I'm only 33.  I feel like a broken old lady. 

No Thank You

Dear Cooks Illustrated,

I received your November/December issue, along with an envelope advising me that it was my last issue unless I send some money.  I ripped off the advertising pages at the front to look at your typically beautiful cover illustration. 

Sadly, this month's cover, the one that you should be using to woo me, is a cracked open pomegranate.  That's right, the most offensive of all of the seedy fruits.  The fruit that started my obsessive-compulsive phobia of food with seeds. 

I was on the fence about renewing.  Mostly because I love reading your magazine, but I don't actually use it for any of the recipes or information contained therein.  I believe your insulting cover choice may have sealed the deal.  I cannot patronize you if you are going to send me scary pictures. 

It's over,
Danielle