Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

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December 29th, 2009  Posted at   Health
   |   2 Comments

Around this time last year I was in incredible pain. Apparently this has been a common thing for the past three years or so in December/January. I am again in pain and ready to inject my elbow with monkey saliva to get relief. Everything hurts/burns. My glands are super-swollen in my neck, armpits, groin. Mind you, I worked 65 hours the week before Christmas and 40 hours the week of Christmas before the two holiday days!!! So stress could be the issue…

I am maxed out on my Zonisamide and Cymbalta right now and nothing is working. Trying Biofreeze and capsaicin cream on my skin to counteract the burn. Nothing is helping. So I’m going to see internal medicine tomorrow to rule out an actual *illness* although I am sure this is just more of the same. Huge work commitment next week and I need to be on my game. Staying home tomorrow to rest, recover and see the doc in the hopes that I can get it together before Monday. Sigh…

December 21st, 2009  Posted at   Family Stuff, Health
   |   7 Comments

Noise drives me nuts. Fingernails tapping on a desk. The sound of people chewing. A dog slurping its water. The sniffle of someone with a cold. It is so irritating it is almost physically painful to me. Tonight Mr. V got really pissed at me because a Cindy Crawford commercial’s insane rhythm was making my skin crawl and I couldn’t take it anymore. I seriously cannot be the only one out there with this weird condition. And a condition it is. I seriously could not sit through a meal with my parents as a teenager because the sound of my mother chewing would make me want to gouge my eyeballs out. Anyone? Anyone?!?!

August 16th, 2009  Posted at   Family Stuff, Health, Mommy stuff, Single Parents, Women in Law
   |   No Comments

Yesterday was Moving Day. Pumpkinhead and I are now officially living in sin with Mr. V. LOL. Of course the house is a disaster area and my back/arms/legs are in enormous pain so that won’t change anytime soon. I have to go back to the old house and finish painting the cabinet doors I removed and promised to paint before the new tenant gets back. Waah. I just want to go back to bed. I also have about four hours of work to do for my boss who, due to a sudden push for a ton of different projects, has removed the “no overtime” restriction and is now pushing me to work nights and weekends. Fortunately the new paralegal should start in a few weeks and, with any luck, my workload will go back to “normal”.

Good thing because Pumpkinhead has one more week of freedom before he starts school. He’s with his Dad this weekend so he’s not having to deal with the mess, thank goodness. I took a few hours off last Thursday to get him registered and go to the doctor. Registration plans were foiled because I need a notarized statement from Mr. V (even though he was with me) that we live with him and a copy of the divorce decree since my name doesn’t match Pumpkinhead’s anymore. Ugh. So I need to find time to go back up there this week during their limited hours. And of course they are having “meet the teacher” from 11-12 on Tuesday. WTF?!? Thank God for Mr. V, who has promised to take Pumpkinhead over for that.

The new pediatrician is now the fired pediatrician. She totally sucked. Pumpkinhead got a third chicken pox vaccination because she didn’t read his immunization record properly, even though I insisted he had already had two (she said he couldn’t go to school without it and insisted he HAD to have it – of course when they then gave me the printout after the shot, I immediately saw TWO varicella injections. One was combined with MMR in 2007 – grrrrr!). She also couldn’t answer questions that Mr. V and I had about Pumpkinhead’s body odor (weird child – despite baths has some strange BO issues for a 6 year-old!) and sleepwalking. Fortunately she did reassure me that, despite the fact that the Vyvanse Pumpkinhead takes makes him lose weight, he is still just fine. He’s at the 90th percentile for both height and weight at 6 years old – 48″ and 56.6lbs. I have the shot records to register him for school and will be finding a new pediatrician before the next visit.

As for me, I need to go back to the neurologist. While my pain has been doing well, thank God, my numbness has not. My middle and ring fingers have been very numb lately and I’ve been having a lot of tingling in my shoulders and feet. I need to at least report that even if the answer is, yet again, “so sad; not much we can do.”

Now I need to get myself braced for more hours of hard labor. Took a pain pill last night to help me sleep but woke up this morning in excruciating pain. I am going to try some Aleve and see if that helps.

P.S. Still no child support from Chapin but he did get a new job finally. They didn’t pay him week one (they apparently pay a week behind) but he has promised money as soon as he gets paid and has asked for the child support office’s phone number so he can call and figure out how to get straight with the arrears. As for Blue Eyes, he met me late last night in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant to give me a little cash and promises more soon.

August 9th, 2009  Posted at   Family Stuff, Health, Mommy stuff, Single Parents
   |   No Comments

Had one of those weeks at work where the projects keep coming and the late nights never end. Worked until 10 pretty every evening while Pumpkinhead spent his first week of daycare with Mr. V also spending every evening with Mr. V. They were both awesome. :)

Fortunately we found a paralegal with a similar background to mine and several years experience in our niche corporate practice area so she should be able to jump right in. We also got permission Friday to hire yet another paralegal and an attorney (woo-hoo!!!). So hopefully the workload should ease soon. I actually think there are so many back burner projects that will just fill the gap, but I’ll be thankful to not feel like I’m letting everyone down when I leave at 40 hours. This is the first pay period my boss has eased up on the OT restriction and then only because it was a crucial deadline. New paralegal should start in a few weeks and, in the meantime, I’ll take the extra money to help with school expenses even though it meant that I had to kill myself.

But after going all week at work and then busting my ass at a garage sale yesterday, I hit a wall. My pain is in full effect. starting with burning swollen-feeling hands and arms and going down to on fire calves and feet. I slept from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., got up to eat something but a few bites just made my stomach hurt. Went back and slept all night and am now up feeling like I could sleep all day. Yep, hit a wall. Hoping I can regain control and not have another one of the two-week downward spirals. Supposed to paint Pumpkinhead’s room today. We’ll see… Not sure my hands can do it. Also have to go claim my money and the rest of my junk from the garage sale that ends at noon today. My friend agreed to sell the rest of my junk, thank goodness. Still, I feel bad that I’m not there helping right now.

July 28th, 2009  Posted at   Health, Women in Law
   |   8 Comments

So I work in the legal department of a large corporation and I am seriously, seriously, SERIOUSLY overworked right now. I finally convinced my boss to hire me some help (clutching my stomach and threatening to vomit blood on his desk probably helped) and we had a person in mind. The candidate was set to come in for a second interview this week when, after another super long day, we received reference information on her that was less than glowing. Now my boss is going to cancel the interview and it is back to the drawing board. :(

The frustrating thing is that I don’t want to get a lame duck. I have that somewhat in the secretary we hired. She was supposed to take some of the load off of me but she asks so many questions and comes in with so many issues each day that I’m convinced she either has no clue what she is doing or she is trying to push work back on me. Argh. So I really need someone competent who can take initiative and actually take over some of the projects currently on my desk. I am only one person and am literally doing the job of three right now.

We had a meeting today where my boss asked me to take on yet another priority project. I pulled out a notepad and made a list of all the projects I have to finish by this time next week. It was a full page of lined paper long. Grrr. After the group meeting I pulled my boss aside and made him go through my list under the guise of assisting me with prioritizing. Honestly! I don’t think he has a clue how much I am doing for the rest of the group members in addition to the tasks I have for my own responsibilities, the work from Big Boss and the projects for him. It’s starting to get just a wee bit overwhelming!

And I don’t have test results from the doc yet. I had a missed call from their office but no voicemail. I need to call back but the thing is that they forgot to collect my deductible and, honestly, I just don’t have it. Part of me is really worried that I will go in to see her and they won’t let me pass go without coughing up the funds. Bah. :(

July 20th, 2009  Posted at   Dating, Health, Law School, MILS, Mommy stuff, Single Parents, Women in Law
   |   4 Comments

A few of the recent searches bringing you all to my blog

weekly MILP (Moms in Law Practice) Roundup of recent posts by other lawyer-mother-bloggers – Yep, you have found it. Also at A Little Fish in Law School.

single parents in law school and law school single mom – Not impossible if you’re going full-time. Pretty horrible if you’re going part-time, to be sure! Support is essential.

how to study for part time law student,mom – I tried to study before work while Pumpkinhead was asleep, during my lunch break and then all day Sunday while my ex-husband watched Pumpkinhead. Never quite worked out. My classmates definitely had a competitive advantage. Another classmate would leave and go to the law library to do it. If you have a supportive spouse, I would do that. My ex-husband wasn’t supportive of my leaving the house and gave me a lot of guilt about the amount of time I was not spending with our son.

stealing and sex and stolensex- What would you be stealing? Kisses?

what does matt logelin do for a living Man, you people are obsessed! All your questions, including this one, are answered here

non trad law mommy – Anyone who attempts law school while parenting is “non-traditional”, judging by the number of young 20-somethings in law school. Heh.

sounds awesome weekend – You must be bored if you’re searching my blog for weekend fun ideas!

my attorney sent wrong information to immigration – Welcome to the club. You’re kinda screwed.

legal secretary blog – There have been some good ones out there, mostly focusing on tips and tricks to assist legal secretaries in their craft rather than exposes. Man, attorneys are paranoid! With good reason, perhaps, because some of you are crazy freaks.

where is cee She is here. And she’s guest hosting the Roundup next week. Enjoy!

severe acne and aphasia – Both suck. Not sure how they are related, though, unless the acne infection has gone to your brain?

“law school” and “weekend classes” – Good luck with that!

mils pics – Yeah, see above! We know each other but it is rare that we will share pics with you. See the attorney paranoia thing above.

passive aggressive mother – Oh, do you have one, too?

spouse overly friendly with secretary – It is good to have a good relationship with your secretary. My former boss’s wives and I also had good relationships. That is the key. Is she friendly to you? If not, be worried! She’s hiding something from you, whether it has to do with her relationship with him or with his activities.

secreterial workload problems – What’s the problem? If you are the secretary, try to find ways to streamline your work. There are lots of tips and tricks on the web. If you are the boss, you need to help her prioritize by telling her the things that you want her to put at the top of the list.

i am giving money away – Ooh, can I have some?

working pt and being mom – Lucky. Working part-time? Yep. Lucky!

homemade christmas presents – I hate you. This search came in on July 13. What kind of freak starts working on Christmas in July? Grrr!

lawyer mommy work life balance blog – Try Lag Liv. http://www.lagliv.blogspot.com

letter to request retainer back – I can’t give you a letter but you should read your engagement letter. Sometimes attorneys can keep them (like my stupid immigration attorney). Also check state bar requirements. Sometimes the state bar grievance committee can assist you.

i would date myself sign – That’s getting a bit desperate, no?

dating single parent sleeping with person – I presume you’re asking how to go about sleeping with a single parent? There are many schools of thought. 1) Do it when the kid is gone with their other parent. 2) Do it when the kid is asleep. 3) Get a sitter and do it at your place and then let him/her leave. Just remember that the kid comes first when you’re dating a single parent and that you both have to be comfortable, whatever the situation.

What happens if my husband failed his immigration interview? Deportation? Not good. :(

mac law students Once you go Mac, you never go back! Just check to ensure that your school’s testing software and other offerings work with Mac.

roux-en-y regrets and “weight loss” balance memory aphasia – Look under my Health category. Ugh.

immigration law lucrative – In the sense that many forms-based practices can be lucrative because paralegals can do a lot of the prep work, sure. But hard because you have to keep up with the changing laws and the whims of different USCIS offices.

green card interview 6 months still no reply from uscis – We had to wait almost a year. And that was a good 7 years ago. These days, good luck!

womens porn – Literotica has a great article on how to select and purchase porn

do single law students have an advantage over classmates with boyfriends/girlfriends- Yes. And over those with husbands and kids. But only in terms of study time. They still have to be smart.

milf field – Is it a career choice? Hmm…

“legal secretary” “horror stories” – Ha. Got a few hours? Seriously, though, any legal secretary worth her salt (and any who wants to keep working in her town) will probably keep them to herself.

nz tattoos of kiwi birds – See my Characters page for a picture of mine

are you open to the possibility to marry – Sure

July 14th, 2009  Posted at   Divorce, Family Stuff, Health, Mommy stuff
   |   9 Comments

Life’s gotten a little overwhelming lately and I’ve turned into Cranky Miss SnarkyPants. Probably doesn’t help that my monthly friend finally showed up a full TWO WEEKS late. Grrr.

Chapin has given up his apartment and taken a traveling job where he may be home once every two weeks. Maybe every three. But he can only see Pumpkinhead for a few hours because where would they sleep? :( He called every night for the first week and now nothing. Putz. And don’t even ask about child support. Gone. (Not because of him but because the stupid wage withholding order takes FOREVER to get issued to the new employer).

Money is tight. First electric bill came in and it is a doozy. And poor Mr. V who runs his own company and teaches in the fall and spring for steady income has been losing customers left and right so this summer SUCKS. Inconsiderate me got grouchy with him when he said he was considering giving up his health insurance to save money. Personally, as a sick person, I think that is insane. But apparently people do it all the time. Horrors! I told him we can both save money by cooking at home every night and that if I cook enough for dinner, he should have leftovers for lunch (a meal he also eats out often). Nasty Ms. Nastykins also laid the guilt on good about money generally and longterm financial compatibility. :( On the one hand, I needed to say something as part of my new “set your boundaries and say what you need” life strategy and because I am feeling the pressure as a single mom. On the other hand, he is always there for me and I can definitely see how this is a temporary slump brought on by the lousy economy. Still, it is scary. I wouldn’t have the tolerance for running my own business for this very reason.

I think I am also feeling snarky because I had to redo benefits today. In a twist of great luck, I got the chance to up my voluntary life by $60k to a total of $180k without health forms (I can’t qualify for life insurance without an employer’s guarantee, but I am also eligible for and carry $450k in AD&D since it’s more likely I will die in an accident at this age.) But then I had to pick a beneficiary to hold the money on Pumpkinhead’s behalf and use it for his benefit. Considering my parents’ complete inability to handle financial matters appropriately, I had to choose not to put my mother down. The question then was best friend/Godmother or ex-husband. For now ex-husband wins. I know, it sounds crazy. But I had no choice and the reality is that, if I die right now, Chapin *would* get Pumpkinhead. The beneficiary info is listed as “Chapin as custodian for Pumpkinhead under the [State] Uniform Transfer to Minors Act.” Godmother is contingent beneficiary. Under our divorce decree, Chapin has to take out a certain amount of life insurance and name me as beneficiary so I think it is probably fair for me to do the same for now. Doesn’t make it any less of a gutwrencher.

July 13th, 2009  Posted at   Health, Women in Law
   |   5 Comments

Nooo, not that kind (damn it). Just a quick update.

Upper GI couldn’t get far enough down to where the pain and problem is. Doc sent me home with a bunch of pills (acid reducers, probiotics, etc.) and an order for a small bowel follow-through. Can’t get in until July 27, lucky me.

In other news, my boss FINALLY decided to hire me some help (could the vomiting in my trash can have indicated that I’m a bit stressed, perhaps?!?!). Woot! Was very productive at work today, probably knowing some of my workload will soon (i.e., a month from now?) be shifted to someone else. Thank goodness. Cried to the point of hyperventilation at my desk Thursday morning (yes, I am horribly embarrassed; no, it was not intentional) after someone called and yelled at me. Obviously I am losing it!

July 9th, 2009  Posted at   Health
   |   4 Comments

So I went to the Gastroenterologist today. This is the same lady who saw me pretty much every day for the two weeks I was in the hospital last summer (and the same one who gave me the unanesthatized colonoscopy – grrr!) She took one look at my labs and my belly and said I needed an upper endoscopy ASAP. She walked out of the room to see when I could have it done and next thing I knew I was being whisked from one room to another for pre-op certification, insurance verification, etc. My endoscopy is at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Hopefully whatever it is, it will show up clearly on the endoscopy. Even better if she can snip, cauterize or otherwise fix it while she is in there!!! Will update when able.

July 9th, 2009  Posted at   Health
   |   6 Comments

On Tuesday afternoon my OB called and said that I’m not pregnant. But what about all the nausea/abdominal pain/dizziness, etc?

Called internal medicine and they said, “Duh, girl, you need to go to urgent care and get that checked out. Sounds like last year when you had the intessuception.” Oops.

So I went to urgent care on Tues night. They gave me morphine and Zofran and had me start drinking three cups of liquid contrast for a CT scan. I got through one cup and started having major pain in my belly. So they gave me liquid Maalox and lidocaine to drink. It was all good for about two minutes and then, BAM, my belly exploded in pain so badly that I started crying. WTF?!?!?! Next thing I know, they are giving me Dilaudid.

CT scan showed no intessuception, thank God, but it looks like I have a bleeding ulcer. They sent me home with instructions to get straight to the gastroenterologist for an endoscope. Then we’ll find out if I need more surgery. Ugh. :(

More on Stomal Ulcer After Gastric Bypass and Perforated Duodenal Ulcers After Gastric Bypass

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