Here We Go Again...

You know the saying "When it rains, it pours."? It so aptly describes my life right now. Let's see, where to begin? Let's go back to last wednesday...

Remember I have no job beyond Dec 18th. I had arranged to have my last day be Friday Dec. 14th. Keeping that mind, let me relate what happened during my last few days at Metro West Eugene. Wed. evening I received a phone call from my surgeons office. We had done a CT Arthrogram of my shoulder on monday of that week, and they had the results. They weren't good. First, let me review the surgery. I had torn the Labrum, which is the cartiledge in the shoulder. They went in arthroscopically ( a little scope) and repaired it by anchoring 2 metals thingys (very technical term) into the bone of the joint. They then stitched together the labrum, and stitched the repair to the anchors.

The scan showed that one of the anchors they had set in my shoulder was coming out. I don't know why the anchor is coming out, but in order to fix, they have to go in again and pull out the faulty anchor and set in a new one. (Basically, they have to do the exact same surgery over again.) Now for the fun part. I have no job. Which means that I have no insurance beyond Dec. 31. I explained the situation to my surgeons office, and they said they would try to get extra OR time to do the surgery before the end of the year.

The Next Day: Our company christmas party, and my second to last day. My bosses boss (the second in command of the company) came down, and requested an exit interview. The very first thing she said was "I was so surprised to hear you were leaving." Apparently, the idea was not to fire me, but to "encourage me to heal my shoulder and get off of light duty." I explained to her the news I had received the night before about a second surgery. She asked if I would be interested in transferring somewhere within the company. I had tried to transfer up to the Portland office a couple of months previous. Nothing had ever come of that effort, so I had given up (after two solid months of trying.)

Friday: my last day. My boss asked to speak to me, and informed me that her boss was trying to find me a position in our portland office. She also told me that she liked me, but that I "am simply inneffective." Hmmm, interesting, since HER boss told me I was very valuable to the company. So now I had a choice. I could take my final check, and take my chances, or I could not take the check, still be employed with the company - thus keeping my insurance.

I didn't take the check. Apparently, the portland office really wants me. SO, I still have a job, I just have to drive to Portland (actually Hillsboro) to do it.

Oh yeah, I am having my second surgery on Wednesday, Dec. 19th. I never thought I would be grateful to have a surgery. Yet strangely, I am. I am grateful that my Surgeon was able to get extra time to do my operation. I will be starting in Portland in 2 weeks. Yay!!

Wow. Sorry, that was long.

Catch Twenty-Two Weeks Notice

So, I wasn't planning on posting again so soon, however, there have been a few updates since just yesterday. Crazy, huh? Alright... here goes.

Yesterday (Wed) my boss showed up at our Eugene office. She had been on vacation for 2 weeks, and we weren't expecting her. (She works in our office, as well as a Newport office.) She took care of some general paperwork, and then when I got back from lunch, she closed the office door and handed me a letter. The letter informed me that my light duty position was being taken away. I was also informed that I have until Dec. 18th (two weeks from the date the letter was written) to provide her with a complete work release from my doctor, as well as a current EMT-Basic certification. In other words, I'm fired.

Now, here is the problem. I am nowhere near being able to return to active duty. I cannot get my certification back, because I cannot do the physical work. I cannot work as a Basic unless I get my cert. back. And, I can't afford to do the PT unless I have insurance, which I get by working. See the catch 22?

I have decided to not make any decisions right now. If you are the praying type, I would appreciate your prayers. I am sure that the Lord has some plan in mind for me, but I don't have any idea what that might be.

On another note, I had my second visit to the torture therapist today. And yes, the second treatment was as bad as the first. I only got an ugly greenish hue on my shoulder from the first treatment.

Alright, I am off to eat a gigantic bowl of ice cream. Comfort food, ya know?

No Pain...No Gain

So, you know the saying "no pain/no gain" right? Well, I am hoping that is true. I have switched to a new physical therapist for my shoulder. I have been having pain since my surgery, and the doctors have not been able to give me satisfactory answers. On top of that, my insurance company cut off my PT visits, cause they limit visits per year. Anyhoo, my doctor managed to find a way to get me more visits, and that is to switch therapists. (Physical, not mental) :)

I had my first visit today, and I am feeling it. He gave me some answers, which I am thankful for. Basically, he said that my shoulder had not healed in the proper position. This is not anyone's fault, mainly it is due to my terrible posture. But that is another subject altogether. However, he did say that he had a treatment that might help, but that it would be painful. I asked for pros & cons, and he gave them. I decided on the spot to try it, no matter how painful, because I need to try everything I can.

He wasn't lying...the treatment was painful. The way this works, is basically this...my shoulder healed in the wrong position, so they need to break down the scar tissue and allow it to reheal properly. How do they break down the scar tissue, you ask? By intense pain. He has this tool that strips the muscles. I could HEAR and FEEL the tissue ripping and tearing in my shoulder. When the bruises appear, I will post pictures. And to make it worse, I get to do this multiple times. Hopefully it will work.

As for me, I get to grin and bear it, as I cannot have any anti-inflammatory drugs due to the fact that I will be have a CT Arthrogram of the shoulder next week, and they will interfere with the scan. I do get to use ice, 12 hours after this treatment. Perhaps its time to invest in a quality icepak. (Hmmm, christmas present idea?)

Here we go...

Ok, so I have finally joined to vast world of blogging. I have fought it long enough, but since I crave attention, this is a new way to get it. Who knows, maybe no one will read it!

First, an update... I am still in Corvallis, although I am looking into moving to Eugene. (Yes, you read that right...the town of the ducks.) I know, it's Eugene. I am a Beaver, but commuting 1 hour each way 5 days a week really puts a dent in my already small pocketbook. However, while I drive I get to listen to some awesome talks, scriptures and the like. It definetly changes how I view the day.

Let me just say, tomorrow is December already. I can't believe how fast the year has gone. That being said, here are the highlights from the last year...
* February - tore the cartiledge in my left shoulder
* April - a quick trip to Phoenix to visit Jenna and Ryan, my best friend and her husband
* June - My 24th birthday, surgery on my shoulder, and attended my Grandma's funeral.
* August - moved out of my old apartment into my new apartment, making my parents and family do all the heavy lifting, since I was only 2 months out from surgery.
* Sept - my year anniversary at work, and I found out I was going to be an aunt to twins!!! YAY!!!
* Nov - went through the LDS temple for the first time (amazing!!!!)

That seems to be the major things. If I can't remember it, then it must not have made an impression, right?

I had to scrub the hard drive on my computer, so I don't have too many pictures. As I replace them from friends, I will add them!